Beyond the Masks Page 8

  “Welcome, Star!” A bubbly blonde came toward them from a podium. “My name is Candy. Please continue through the double doors at the end of the hallway. Let me know if there’s anything you need tonight.”

  Her alternate name must have appeared on the monitor when she swiped her card.

  “Hello D and S, welcome back!” she squealed, hugging Shane’s strapping male company.

  Shane struggled to contain a laugh. “D and S? Shouldn’t it be the other way around?”

  “Smart ass.” With one hand on the handle of the doors and one on her elbow, David asked, “Are you ready, Star?”

  “As ready as I’ll ever be!” Excitement bubbled over, and desire bloomed in her stomach.

  Trance music filled the air, and the lyrics from a male voice sang with salacious suggestion when they pushed through the main doors. The extreme beat pumped into her chest as goosebumps bubbled up on hyperaware skin. The room opened to a main dance floor as they hovered on the mezzanine level. An ornate chandelier, representing the heart of the room, hung over the dance floor. Its spherical shape caged smaller orbs as red and yellow lights pulsed to the cadence of the song, matching her racing heart.

  LED lights along the ceiling surged to the beat and escaped through illuminated arteries until they faded into the walls. Gripping the railing from the sudden ardor in her veins, she cast her eyes down to the main floor. People danced as though participating in bacchanal festival disguised as a black-tie event. The room was alive and hungry, and they were the feast.

  “The private rooms are back there,” David yelled over the music. She followed his pointed finger.

  “Oh.” She creased her eyebrows.

  “Honey, relax. Let’s get you a cocktail before you run toward a life of celibacy.” He laughed.

  They approached the bar, and Sean waved over the bartender. “Champagne,” he ordered holding up three fingers.

  Leather couches surrounded the dance floor. A sea of people disguised by black, white, and red filled the room to capacity.

  “Excuse me,” a short bald man said.

  “Oh, sorry.” Shane sidestepped as he carried champagne to a neighboring booth.

  “Why isn’t he wearing a mask?” She pointed out.

  “Usually they are in a relationship. They’re not out to explore or invite other players,” David explained, shifting his mask.

  “And what about you and Sean?”

  Sean chimed in. “Sometimes we go without when we want no distractions. But sometimes we wear them to see if someone would like to join us.”

  Taking the glass from his hand, her eyes widened. This was news. “You invite others into your partnership?”

  “It’s hard for me to give him everything he needs, doll.” Sean wrapped an arm around David’s waist. “Being a switch, he wants to be dominated too. I get it.” David said it with understanding and love.

  She blinked and shook her head. “Right. I’m sorry. None of my business, I was just surprised.”

  Sean smiled and a dimple appeared, unfazed by her abrupt question. “To an evening full of surprises.” He held his glass in the air.

  “You aren’t kidding.” She clinked and downed the bubbly in one swallow.

  One last glance around his private room made Gavin smirk. Shane would be arriving soon, and everything was in place.

  A large bed, covered in silver satin sheets, dominated the center of the room. A black head and footboard discreetly hid eyehooks along each edge. Perfect for bondage play. The translucent glass panels embedded with lights and attached to the far wall, radiated a soft blue tone, which seemed to calm subs before a scene. In the corner sat a convertible spanking bench, and toys and implements for pain and pleasure adorned the opposite wall, all artfully set to complete the ambiance and encourage the desired effect.

  Mental images of Shane at his mercy painted his mind. Tied up. Bent over. Ass red. She’d never know what hit her. Unless it was a flogger. He grinned. Enjoyment and sweet pleasure rolled through his veins.

  He put on the tuxedo jacket, which had been on the padded chair, and retreated to the adjoining bathroom. After tying on his black mask, he smoothed his dark hair to the side and smiled at his reflection. A vibration cut through his pocket. A text from Candy. Shane had arrived.

  The bass increased as he approached the mezzanine entrance. Confidence rumbled inside him. He leaned against the railing, scanning the dance floor. The heat coming off the members energized him as their scents intermingled. They were clearly enjoying themselves, making the evening a success.

  A woman fitting the description Candy gave rose from the couch on the mezzanine, leading a submissive male behind her. David maybe? She never went anywhere without him. The third person in the party hung back, obviously eyeing up several dominant members in the corner.

  Shane stepped down the metal stairs, her dress plunging low. Her voluptuous tits practically spilled from the edges. Fuck. What would they taste like? A surge of blood hit his groin.

  Once on the dance floor, her body moved seductively as she rolled her hips side to side. She was a naturally sexual creature. How had he missed it before? Shane, a woman in power, he’d found her attractive and craved to be close to her. His competitive nature to dominate an equally assertive person came in a rush. Taking down his boss had its perks.

  A man wearing a black mask approached her from behind, and she stiffened. Apprehension? Nerves? He narrowed his gaze. He assumed she and Jacob were in the scene together. This couldn’t be her first time.

  Master Damien approached with Brit on his arm. “Good evening.” He held his hand out to shake.

  Gavin returned it. “Thank you for coming tonight. I hope you’re both enjoying yourselves.”

  “Yes, very much, sir.” Brit batted her eyelashes through her mask. Petite, straight dark hair, her body cinched in a purple corset dress, and her pale skin a kaleidoscope of color from the club lighting, he didn’t miss her attempt to proposition him with her brown doe eyes.

  “Care to join us tonight, Gavin?” Damien inquired. “It’s been a while.”

  Master Damien loved his wife and would go to great lengths to satisfy her needs and desires, even if it meant inviting other Dominants into their scenes.

  Gavin caught sight of Shane, resting her head on the man’s chest as she ground her ass against him. Her eyes were closed, and she’d apparently lost herself in the music. He needed to get to her. “No, thank you. Not this evening.”

  Damien twisted over his shoulder. “Appears you have other plans tonight. We’ll let you get on your way.” He wrapped an arm around Brit as they disappeared through the door to the private rooms.

  Gavin darted to the stairs and set his sights on Shane like the terminator. He swiped two champagne flutes from a passing waitress and weaved through the crowd.

  “Sir, if you’ll excuse us. She’s with me,” Gavin told the man who had his paws all over his conquest. Shane opened her crystal blue eyes. Her lips formed an “O” followed by a smile tugging the corner of her mouth. A jolt of electricity traveled to his cock as her eyes sealed her fate and his for the evening. She was interested.

  “I don’t think so, buddy.” The man gripped her hips.

  “I don’t think you heard me,” Gavin gritted, nearly shattering the glass of champagne in his hand.

  “Gentlemen, please. The night is young.” She turned toward her dance partner and whispered in his ear. Gavin kept a watchful glare.

  “Thank you for the drink.” She swiped the glass from Gavin’s hand and strolled away.

  “Seriously, man…”

  “Here,” Gavin barked. He handed the party guest the other a glass. What the hell was she doing?

  With each step toward her, his possessiveness spiked. Shane wouldn’t get away so easy. He reached the couch she occupied. His spine tensed as the electric charge became palpable. Perhaps being the captor was becoming a new kink for him. He never chased a woman. Hard limit. But she presented a real c
hallenge. He committed himself to making her submit before the evening ended.

  With calm authority, he asked, “Do you always treat men vying for your attention this way?”

  “I figured it was best to let you two handle things. Looks like you won.” She patted the seat next to her.

  He glared. She was out of practice. Let’s get her in the right mindset.

  “Stand up.” Her glass stopped before hitting her lips. “Now,” he ordered.

  The champagne flute clinked the tabletop, and she rose. She inspected his face until her eyes met his. A flash of fascination glazed over her baby blue irises. Interesting.

  “Eyes to the floor. I’ll tell you when you can look at me.” Her pale skin flushed a rosy red along her neck when she did. “Turn around.”

  She pivoted and the club melted away. Only the two of them existed. He whispered in her ear from behind. “You’re mine tonight. Do you understand?”

  “Yes.”

  “Yes, what?” He nuzzled his nose into the soft skin of her neck and inhaled. A cloud of wildflower perfume spun him into a twisted web of possession and power. His erection stood at attention. She shivered. She was his…

  She released a long, guttural exhale. “Yes, Sir.”

  “Better. I didn’t want to spank you in front of all these people.” Her thighs rubbed against his slacks when she pushed them together. Her head landed on his chest. Good, dynamic understood.

  “Now that I have your full attention, go to the door at the end of the mezzanine and enter. Then wait. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “Good girl. Now go.”

  Shane held her clutch close to her body. Her pulse pounded against her chest. Wetness slickened her sex as she waited. Maybe she was out of practice, but holy hell, he was...beyond words. His voice had reverberated her skin, made her pussy clench, and sent her on a trip to the unknown, all within five minutes.

  Party guests shuffled past Shane without a word. She supposed standing in the middle of a dark hallway was normal at The Resort. Could they hear her heartbeat?

  She shook her head and propped her hands on the wall. Breathe, Shane. Since when did the men of fantasies become the real deal? Seriously? The immediate connection was almost too comfortable. Did she know him from somewhere?

  She jumped as the man tickled her arms and peeled her hands from the wall.

  “Shhh, it’s okay,” he soothed. “Come with me.”

  He led her down the hallway, cupping her hand. Her heels clicked, each step boosting her trepidation. At the end of the L-shaped corridor, a door awaited their entrance. He swiped a key card and, without a word, led her inside.

  She blinked at the muted tones of soft blue lighting. Calm fell over her. The word safe resonated in her head and melted through her body. Good, he wasn’t a fan of the dungeon scenes.

  “Scan your keycard here.” He pointed to a small box mounted under a monitor.

  She shuffled through her clutch and removed her card. She swiped it, and her limits appeared next to his on the screen.

  “Now stand before the bed.” He separated the clutch from her sweaty hands. On wobbly legs, she stepped forward. He shifted out of his coat and threw it on the chair by the entrance and moved to the far side of the room. A wall garnished with toys for any kink and fantasy awakened her insides. The chest of drawers scraped open, and he put something in his pocket, kicking her heart up a notch. What would he do to her?

  From behind her, his warm hands stroked her bare arms. She jerked forward. “No need to be nervous. I won’t push past your limits. If you call out your safe word, this all ends. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, Sir.” Liquid formed between her legs.

  “Have you ever done anything like this?” His soft, controlled touch soothed her, dialing in to her anxious nature. It was obvious he was a master at his role, and she felt lucky he’d found her. A caressing squeeze to her shoulders brought her back.

  “Two…um…years ago.” She swallowed when his hands halted abruptly. The seconds ticked by without a word. She blurted out, “Is…is that okay? I mean I…” Did he change his mind? Disappointment hit her stomach.

  He undid the button around her neck. She exhaled. Okay, still interested. She needed this, needed him in this moment to release her from Jacob. To forget her past love and bury it forever. This man could get her there.

  “That’s a long time.”

  Thanks for reminding me. Sure, it was a long time, but she couldn’t bear to be taken by another man after Jacob had scarred her soul. How could she let this man know there was nothing he could do to hurt her? She didn’t want to be treated like a porcelain doll. She wanted to be ravished and set free.

  She opened her mouth when the dress slipped off her shoulders and puddled around her feet. Left standing in her thong, gloves, and mask, she was utterly exposed. As her arms went to wrap around her body, his strong hands stopped her.

  “Keep these here.” His low timbre coiled in her belly and vibrated her skin. “Who’s been taking your pleasure?”

  Generous lips danced down her neck to her bare shoulder, leaving a trail of fire behind. She closed her eyes. “I take my own, Sir.”

  A low growl caused her skin to prickle. “How do you take your pleasure?”

  She swallowed, the room becoming dry and stifling as he coaxed the wanton woman from her den. Buzzing thoughts coated in lust swarmed her mind as he continued kissing her back and in between her shoulder blades. “I asked you a question,” he prompted her.

  Her voice shook. “Um, well, I start with my breasts and caress them.”

  “Like this?” Moving his arms under hers, soft caresses shot lightning bolts to her clit. Something as simple as a man’s contact had her ready to climax with one touch. Her nipples pursed as his palms circled over each one.

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “And then what?”

  “I…god…I pinch them.” Her head flew back at the sudden shock of pressure. She could feel his indrawn breath against her neck, then a click sounded right before the immediate rush of pain hit her right nipple.

  “Ow!” she yelled. Two metallic balls magnetically clamped her swelling flesh. With a contorted face and heavy breaths, she labored through the pain.

  “Continue,” he instructed. His cock brushed against her bare ass through his pants while he continued to massage her breasts. Screw fantasies when he exists in the world.

  “I take my hand…and touch myself.”

  “Show me.” Cupping her small hand, he moved it toward her sex. He stopped right before they made contact. His tongue rimmed the outside of her ear and sucked the lobe. Her knees shook, and her eyes rolled back.

  Traveling downward under her panties, their fingers stroked the outer layer of her sex. The silkiness of her gloves against naked flesh, mixed with his hum of approval, amplified her level of desire. Rubbing her bare folds, they traveled lower until their hands and fingers were covered in wetness.

  “You like that? God, it’s like velvet. Show me how you like it.” He licked her neck.

  She panted at his slow and methodical torture. Her nerves had left the building, and only the confident Star existed.

  Wrapping her gloved hands around his, she pushed his wide, long fingers inside her slit, and they both moaned. She slowly drew them out to circle her clit until her knees wobbled. Her release was so close. Her ladylike persona was gone, and the wanton woman had come out as she dipped his fingers inside her again. Her pussy rippled around his digits as he ground his hips against her, both moving in unison to the ebbs and flows of passion.

  “More,” she insisted, but he stopped. “No, please.”

  “Patience. You will no longer take your own pleasure. It belongs to me now.” He removed her panties and helped her step out of them. “Move to the side of the bed, face the wall, and remove your shoes.”

  She blinked from the loss of his touch but quickly complied. Bending over, she unstrapped her heels and
moved them aside. Items being taken from the hooks on the wall ratcheted her awareness. He returned, holding a thick, black leather strap looped on each end.

  “Step into each one.”

  She balanced on his shoulders and stepped into each loop. His pulse fluttered in his neck, his only tell of excitement, unless one counted the massive erection straining against his fly.

  He was a man of few words, which heightened her focus on his voice when he did speak. She was oddly content being around him and fascinated by his patience. It drove her crazy. She wanted to kiss those lips, suck his tongue, and shift his large body on top of her. Addiction was settling in already.

  “Move to the center of the bed and lie on your back with your head over the edge.”

  She followed his instructions. Her nipple throbbed as the metal balls continued to squeeze. Once in place, he stretched her left arm toward the headboard, buckling a soft leather cuff to her wrist.

  “You’re doing well,” he praised. He clamped another restraint to her right wrist then to the footboard. “Raise your knees to your chest.” As she complied, the center of the strap rested at the back of her neck. Her knees were forced up and out, exposing her completely, fully submersed in his control.

  The man stared at her sex; fluid dripped out of her core and down her buttocks. Embarrassed by his gaze, she closed her eyes. The restraints allowed him access to her most secret places. She shuddered, yanking at the bindings.

  Callused hands grazed her wet pussy. The strap prevented her from closing her legs, and his wicked chuckle of delight filled her ears. Slap! The sting from his hand ran from her pussy to her clit. She screamed. Fuck, that was good.

  “You like that, my little whore? Tell me,” he goaded.

  Her eyes widened. While shocked by his filthy endearment she was even more surprised she liked it. She let go, traveling his dark path.

  “I like it when you slap me there.”

  “Where?”

  “My pussy, Sir.”

  “Whose?” he slapped again.