Ever So Madly

by J. R. Gray

  “I’m sure now that you’ve come this far refusing to talk will be seen as hostile and a threat to our safety.”

  “I thought so.” I stepped through the space they’d made, and dropped to a seat on the sofa. I pressed the tiny device to the back of my neck before I could decide how bad of an idea this really was.

  When I opened my eyes I was in a lounge. It looked like one of those expensive smoking lounges the elite on Harden liked to frequent. A place where someone like me would be turned out just for looking like I did. I wanted to explore the room. The floor under my feet felt as real as everything looked, but it wasn’t possible. Tech like this didn’t exist. They couldn’t have transported me all this way, could they?

  The guards had said something about watching my body so I couldn’t have been transported. I did a slow turn spotting the only three occupants of the room. They sat, relaxing on the posh sofas. While two looked perfectly at home, the third looked—winded—strained maybe. Something wasn’t quite right.

  I knelt to brush my fingers over the ornate floor. Stone under my fingertips, even the texture was perfect. “How is this possible?”

  “Whereas it may feel real, none of it actually is. We are currently residing in a program built inside the mind.”

  I looked at the men again. “His?” I nodded at the sickly looking one. “It’s a strain?”

  “I told you he was quick,” the sickly looking man said.

  “So, your mind is supporting this world?” I took a step forward, still barely believing this was a program.

  “Yes, but you have used up your questions. Take a seat. We’ve been watching you for some time, and we have an offer.”

  ****

  I tugged on my knee high boots before I straightened up to tuck in my shirt. My mind was still reeling from the meeting, and she had sent me one message today. One. I opened my comm and looked at the message again.

  J: I’ll be at the ball until late, but I want to see you after. Please don’t make a scene, whatever you see. I’m still going home with you.

  It hadn’t sat right. What would she be doing tonight that would upset me? Between the stress of the Reds and J’s sudden coldness I wanted to crawl into a hole. I scrubbed a hand down my face. I wouldn’t get answers unless I finished getting dressed and went to the ball. It looked like it was going to be an uncomfortable night all around, since I wasn’t happy about the attire. Not that I hated dressing up, but I knew I didn’t pull it off as well as others did.

  Next I put on the vest, then the waistcoat, and all were topped with a cravat pinned into place with a tiny black star. Under the right kind of light, it would shine red, or so I was told. I hadn’t tested it, and I wore it for the perks more than anything. It was also an easy way to spot friends. A top hat was the final touch, and it was the most fun. A hand-me-down from my grandfather who had been given it when he worked as a manservant to one the lords on Harden.

  It was a short walk to where the Akillie ball was hosted, welcoming everyone to the start of the fair. I was starting to wonder if the Worlds’ Fair was more a show in strength and power than what it masqueraded as. I was greeted at the door and handed a plain black mask, which I strapped on. More cloak and dagger shit to let the nobles have their fun. The Red Stars told me this procedure allowed the Baron to invite prestigious guests like the Emperor’s son, who was rumored to be here tonight, without forcing the Emperor to show favoritism over Jok.

  My eyes scanned the room for her before I even knew what I was doing. She was easy to find, her golden hair wrapped up in a twist on top of her head and a floor length black dress. The dress was stunning even from afar. It was two layers, the top being hand-woven lace which sat over a thin shimmery sheer fabric of the same color. Every time the light caught her dress it gave a tease of her porcelain skin hiding beneath. A long slit ran from mid-thigh to the floor, giving a tease of her every time she moved. She glowed with radiance, and I looked down at myself, knowing I didn’t deserve her.

  She didn’t wear one of the masks handed out at the door. Instead, hers was molded to her face and accented with jewels, silver, and her house red. Jacob stood next to her in the only red mask in the room. I wondered if he’d done it on purpose to stand out. Between his roguish smile and the way he stood I figured he had.

  A man taller than me approached her and offered one of the two drinks he held. A grin curled over her lips as she gave a slight bow and accepted it. He seemed to wave off her bow, leaning in to whisper in her ear. As he pulled back, his lips touched the place under her jaw.

  I saw red. Everything else in the room vanished as she placed a hand on his shoulder. They laughed, hers ringing out across the room. I needed a drink. I stalked toward the bar and ordered a Dragon blood. The alcohol would either make my mood volatile or it would calm me. I shot a look back over my shoulder. He had his hand on her hip, and their bodies were even closer than before. My chest tightened, and my hand shook as I picked up my drink, throwing it back. A hand touched my shoulder, and I spun around to confront who ever dared touched me.

  I softened a little when the red mask was staring back at me.

  “You need to calm down.”

  “I’m calm,” I snapped.

  “That is Phillip, and I’m sure you’re not so daft as you don’t know the name. She has to do this.” His voice was low, barely more than a snarl.

  I knew she did. I knew the name. It was the Emperor’s eldest son. A marriage like that would immortalize the Akillie House. But there was a catch. The younger sons of the Emperor could be married for treaty, and usually were, but by law the heir could not be. The law made it so the Emperor had no way to show bias toward one of the houses. It kept the peace. The Empress usually ended up some lesser noble from the imperial city. That was the worst part. He was here of his own accord, and Jocelynn was beautiful. If she’d caught his eye it was for good reason, and I knew she had to act like this. I knew she had to put on a good face, but yet here I was letting it get to me. I blew out a breath through my nostrils.

  “I know who it is.” I looked at J again.

  She was giggling. Giggling! He had his arm around her waist now.

  “You know this is never going to work out between you two, right?”

  I looked back at him with my jaw set. “I know.”

  And I did. I hated the fact, but I knew we couldn’t have the happily ever after I wanted so badly.

  “She’s going to end up with him or some other Baron’s son, and I’m going to end up with Aubrey, or even worse her seven-year-old sister.” He paused setting his glass down on the bar. “It may be the most horrible injustice we have to suffer to live a life of leisure, but we feel it. We made a pact to never fall in love, years ago, she and I, and she’s never broken it for a handsome face. Then you came along. She wouldn’t be doing this, knowing how it has to end, if she didn’t really have feelings for you.”

  I knew everything he said was the truth. “Why are you telling me all this?”

  “Because he,” he gestured to her and Phillip, “is work. If she stays in the Baron and Emperor’s good graces she can have the time with you she does. If she’s lucky it will be years before she has to marry anyone. That is all time for you two.”

  The bartender refilled his drink, and Jacob brought it to his lips before going on. “We all do what we have to, to survive. Don’t doubt her feelings.”

  “I don’t.” He was right. I’d needed the wakeup call. It didn’t make it any easier to watch, but at least I’d calmed enough to not make a scene.

  Something apparently caught Jacob’s eye because he was up and moving across the crowded room chasing a young man serving drinks. As there were plenty of these servers I figured he liked the way that one looked. He did have a nice ass.

  I shook it off, returning my attention to Phillip. He certainly acted the part of the interested party. He stayed at her side, always with his hand on her arm, kept her drinks refilled, and he was enthralled by everything that
came out of her mouth. It didn’t surprise me. I knew she was amazing. It was stupid of me to think no one else would see it. She’d have a good life if she married him. I started to wonder if Jacob would get control of Akillie. Could she maintain her duties as Empress and still keep the Akillie House? I was sure the Baron would find a way to make it best suited to him.

  Hours passed, and I’d had too much to drink. I sat at the bar, glass in hand, staring at her out there. She danced, and laughed, and chatted with the other dignitaries like she hadn’t a care in the world, or a thought of me for that matter. It was my own demons talking, and I should have ignored them. I knew who she was going back to her room with tonight, and I hated playing the part of the jealous bastard, but it ate at me. How long could we keep this up? I wasn’t a part of her world.

  She took her leave of Phillip, and he watched her walk over to the bar. She took a seat next to me and without looking said, “I’m famished.”

  My heart rate picked up. “Decided to take a break from your fun?”

  “You mean a break from my job?” She snuck a glance at me.

  “It didn’t look like work from here.” I snapped, and then kicked myself. She didn’t deserve the way I was acting.

  “I’m at fault for being a good actress? I’ve been doing it for years, Madden.” Fire burned in her eyes.

  “You’re right, I’m sorry. I don’t want to fight with you.” I brushed my fingers over her arm. “How long do you think you have?”

  She looked back at him. He’d chosen another dance partner. “I told him I was feeling faint and that I was going to sit for a while.”

  “So I have you for at least a few minutes.”

  She nodded. I got to my feet.

  “Let’s go sit in the shadows.”

  She followed me to the far end of the bar where a few stools sat completely in the shadows. There were better spots for what I had in mind, alcoves that were shaded and balconies, but I knew she wouldn’t want to disappear. She took her seat against the wall, and I scooted the other stool closer to her so our knees touched when I sat.

  “Tell me why you didn’t find your own partner to flirt with.” She laid her hand on my thigh.

  “Because I only have eyes for you, Mistress.”

  “You call me that a lot. Why?” She leaned on the bar, bringing her face closer to mine.

  “Because it’s how I see you. I want to be a good boy for you, Mistress.” I could see the change in her when I said it. It was like flipping a switch.

  Her gaze pierced mine. “You must know what it does to me when you say it.”

  I ran my tongue over my teeth. “Yes, it’s one of the best parts.”

  “Evil. You’re so evil. You push all my buttons.” She dug her nails into my leg.

  “I have to be able to combat your flirting somehow,” I retorted adding, “Mistress,” with a sly grin.

  “Do you know what you do to me?”

  I shook my head.

  “You know I saw your eyes on me all night. You look at me like you own me, like you want to possess me, and it makes me flush.” She bit down on her lip. “So, I’m wet talking to a man I want nothing to do with.” She drew in a steadying breath. “That’s what you do to me.”

  I instantly went hard. Knowing I made her feel those things was so arousing. “I know what I want,” I growled right into her ear.

  “What?” She leaned forward to whisper, looking around to make sure the Emperor’s son wasn’t in earshot. I knew she couldn’t tell what I was talking about.

  “The bet, I know what I want.” My chest expanded, and I wanted to mark her in the most primal way.

  “Well, tell me.” She scooted closer to me looking right into my eyes.

  The world around us vanished as we shared the moment. I pressed my lips right to her ear so only she would hear. “I want your panties.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Jocelynn

  I thought I’d heard him wrong, and I turned into him trying to read his face. “What?” My heart was pounding out of my chest. If not for the intense beat of the music, I knew someone would hear.

  He flicked his tongue over my ear. “Take your panties off.”

  I looked around, my heart pounding in my chest. “Here?”

  He nodded, silver eyes boring into mine. “Right here.” His fingers skimmed up the inside of my thigh.

  I knew we shouldn’t. I knew I was going to get us both in trouble, but I couldn’t stop my fingers from inching up my leg and pushing under the slit of my dress. I uncrossed my knees as I turned the stool I sat on toward the bar. The shadows allowed me to lay my other hand over my lap, disguising my movements. I looked over, and he was staring at where my fingers crawled up the gap in my legs.

  I dropped my gaze to the bulge in his slacks. I shivered, instantly wet knowing what I was doing to him. I loved that I could do this to him. It was a power I had never experienced. I’d always been treated like I was beautiful. But he treated me like the elixir of life, and he’d die without a taste.

  I hooked my finger in the black lace scrap that hardly covered anything. I wore them not because the dress required them, which it did, but because I knew there was a chance Madden would see them. I started to drag them down my ass, pressing my heels into the rung of the stool to lift ever so slightly. The fabric pulled as it skimmed over my skin. I sat back when they reached my thighs, slipping easily off. Now was the tricky part. They sat hidden by my dress, but would easily be seen as soon as I dared to push them the rest of the way down. I glanced over my shoulder, scanning the crowd for anyone paying too close of attention to us.

  He stood to stand near my shoulder to brush his fingers down my spine. “Chicken out?”

  I smoothed my hand over my dress before pulling over the slit enough to show him where they sat. “Not a chance. When I lose, I follow through.”

  His eyes flashed with amusement as he leaned forward, placing his forearm on the bar top like he was going to order a drink, but it was clear it was an act when his fingers of his other hand drifted up to skim over the lace.

  I turned into him, using his large frame to shield what I was about to do. Carefully I inched the material down over my knees. Leaning on the bar like he did, I rested my head in one hand, looking bored as I worked between us to pull my panties off one foot then the other. I tucked them in his pocket then brushed my knuckles over his bulge as I pulled back.

  A low growl emanated from him, and his fingers took a walk up the inside of my thigh. My breath caught in my throat as he ventured closer to my soaked lips. Gently he brushed over my slit and his eyes pressed closed.

  He turned his face into mine, lips on my ear, as he spoke. “You’re so wet.” He tried to move his hand under the cover of my dress, but the fabric was too restrictive. “Does being in public do this to you?”

  “No, knowing I do this to you does.” I risked parting my knees a hair more to give him more access, and he flipped his hand around to brush his thumb over my clit. I dropped my face to his chest, trying to bite back a moan.

  I felt the sting of his teeth on my ear. “I’m going to lose it. Can we go?”

  I looked up at him. I couldn’t go. I had a speech to give. Phillip waited for me. My father would be looking for me any moment … but I didn’t want to be here. I wanted to be with Madden.

  “Let’s go,” I said.

  His fingers lingered there, stroking over the tight knot of flesh, and pleasure ran up my spine. I grabbed his wrist, whimpering softly. If he didn’t stop, I was going to come right there. He met my eyes, and I could tell he knew. He slid his fingers out from my dress and brought them to his mouth, licking my taste from them. I clenched and rubbed my thighs together.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Madden

  Once back in the room, she dropped her face, brushing her lips over my collarbone, lighting on fire the places she touched. I pressed into her, grazing my hips over hers. She groaned over my skin, and I pressed harder in
to her, showing her what her mouth was doing to me. There was hunger behind her eyes when she looked up.

  Not wasting another second I grabbed her by the back of her thighs and picked her up, carrying her toward the single bed. Our mouths met again in a clash, and she grabbed onto my ears. I laid her back, settling between her hips, pushing her thighs wide open with my knees. It was clear what she wanted as she tilted her hips and rubbed herself over my length. All the air left my lungs, sucked out by her, but it didn’t stop me. Her back came off the mattress as I slowly slid the material down exposing her ribcage. I traced my fingers over the lines of her tiny bones, skimming the bare, milky white skin.

  I broke our kiss, glancing down at her. She chased my lips, but I turned my head so her lips stroked over my stubbled jaw. I nipped at her neck before moving lower to inhale her scent. She smelled of paper and fresh strawberries. I dragged my tongue over the hollow in her throat.

  I didn’t want to focus on anything but feeling her. I wanted her skin pressed into mine, and all thoughts of leaving for one more night vanished. I inched her shirt up, slipping down further between her legs to lick over the underside of her breast. Her shoulders lifted off the bed pressing her chest into me as she threaded her fingers into my hair. She squirmed when I rubbed my chin over the sensitive skin, making me grin.

  “Damn that stubble of yours.”

  I glanced up smugly. “I’m sure you’ll be singing a different tune when it’s between your thighs.”

  She picked up her head, arching a brow. “So confident?”

  “I’m an expert,” I said, then winced at how it sounded.

  “Drag lots of Baronesses in waiting to your chambers to ravage, do you?” She half sat, yanking at my hair as I tried to slide lower to distract her with my tongue.

  I licked over her hip bone, but she stopped me from going any further. “I…” I groaned inwardly. Did she really expect at twenty-two I hadn’t touched another woman?