Masked Encounters (Intoxicating Passion #1)

by Felicia Tatum

  ###

  The rays of sun fell on my face, warming me to consciousness. I threw my arm over my face, blocking the light as I turned to see who was in bed with me. The tight pants girl, Stacey, lay completely relaxed, her leg thrown over me as she pressed her warmth against my thigh. Memories from last night flooded back, causing me to get turned on again. Her long brown hair draped over me as she rode, her tight warmth enclosing me, hot breath on my face as her mouth devoured mine. It had been a better than average night full of lust.

  It wasn’t her I thought of, though.

  Her tight body was making my need grow, so I lifted the slender leg off me, pulled protection over my shaft, and positioned my body behind her. She stirred, but didn’t wake until I sunk myself deep inside. She moaned against me, arching her body so her taunt ass pressed against me firmly. She didn’t question what I was doing, didn’t even really seem surprised, she was as ready to go as I was. I pumped into her, releasing quickly, but bringing her over the edge even quicker. She was spent, laying there holding onto her pillow and panting. Grabbing my clothing, I headed to her restroom.

  Hurriedly peeing and dressing, I was relieved to slip out of the door as she dozed. I jumped in the car, resting my head against the steering wheel briefly. The black eyed beauty had been the one on my mind for every touch, every kiss, every entry. I’d seen her for two seconds and she was consuming my thoughts. The feelings she caused were the exact reason I didn’t date, why I didn’t fall in love.

  Women were dangerous creatures.

  I turned the engine over, backing away before Stacey noticed my departure. I needed to shower and start decorating for the party tonight.

  ###

  Halloween decorating was actually enjoyable. For one night a year, we could be scary and gory without chicks freaking out, but we were men, so we had to call on our sorority sisters to help out. Tablecloths, table placement, and all that crap was way over my head. I was more of a “tell me where it goes, and I’ll move it” kind of guy.

  So that’s what I did. I let the girls boss me around until our whole bottom floor was transformed into a haunted house. Even the bar we set up in the kitchen was spooky, with heads and various body parts appearing to come out of the wood. Fake blood dripped from the walls, from the ceiling, basically from anywhere we could get away with. It was gross, it was fun, and it was going to be an epic night. Being a Saturday, I didn’t have to worry about classes or work, so all my attention was on the party. Sexy women were due to start arriving in a few short hours, in what I hoped would be even sexier costumes.

  My testosterone filled hormones were pumped and ready for tonight’s entertainment. I could hardly contain my excitement. Jack tried to piss me off, but after yelling at him a few times, he retreated to pout in his room. The day was shaping up nicely.

  “Ya about ready, Buddy? I think we’re done,” Cale sighed, sweating from running every which way while we put the sister’s ideas into action.

  “Gonna need a nap,” I chuckled, “I had a late night.”

  Giving me a proud grin and slapping me on the back, he thrust his hips in a mocking way. Laughing, he said, “I knew it! I figured you were meeting a girl when you left here at midnight.”

  “They can’t resist me,” I shrugged.

  He scoffed, turning to go upstairs. “Good job, Dane. I’ll see ya later,” he called.

  I waved two fingers, standing there with my arms crossed as I surveyed our haunted house. The large “Alpha Kappa Pi presents Masked Nights” sign hung in the entry way, its edges slashed to make it look like a wild animal took to it.

  Some lucky girl would get this wild animal tonight.

  Chapter Five-Korah

  The party was a couple hours from starting. I was nervous, and nauseous, no longer wanting to go. Leela anticipated me doing this, because she’d been in my room a few hours back, threatening my life, and all of my precious journals if I tried to back out.

  She knew me all too well.

  So I sat on the living area floor, legs tucked under my butt as she curled and sprayed my hair with at least ten pounds of spray. To keep it in place, she’d said. It’ll be hot and it may come undone, she worried. Her words meant nothing, because at this very moment I felt like one of those poor children in “Toddlers and Tiaras.” I’d throw a tantrum, but I knew it wouldn’t help.

  I was stuck.

  Though I sulked as she made my hair pretty, I was grateful she found a hair spray that didn’t leave it feeling hard as a brick. My dark brown mane, probably my best feature, still shone in the light and looked silky. I allowed her to do my make-up, though I sternly warned eyes only. I didn’t like foundation; it made me break out, and my skin didn’t need it.

  When she finished, I felt like a princess…a princess going to a dreaded ball where some prince-wannabe-charming would try to get in my pants, or in this case, up my dress. We switched spots, me now making her pretty, as she chattered on and on about how excited she was.

  “What’s wrong with you, Korah?” she questioned after I burned my finger for a fourth time.

  “Sorry, just not thinking clearly.”

  “You don’t want to go, I know, but you promised to try. It’s normal to be a little nervous. It’ll be fine. You will be fine,” she assured me.

  I sighed, straightening the last of her bouncy curls. “I worry, Lee. You know this. I don’t want to ruin the event for you because I’m scared or something.”

  “You won’t,” she stressed. “I want to have a fun night with my best friend. That’s all. I won’t even dance with anyone, so you don’t have to be all huddled in a corner waiting for me to return,” she promised.

  I would have laughed at her, but it was true. I would go find a spot and hide myself until she found me, begged me to come back, or promised we would leave. It really was ridiculous. “You don’t have to, Leela. I’ll be ok by myself. I’m a big girl. So if some sexy amazing guy comes by and has to take you away, I want you to go. Don’t think twice. I’ll be alright,” I promised. I wouldn’t allow my insecurities to ruin her night.

  I finished applying her make-up, allowing her to do her own eyeliner. My hands were unsteady and I didn’t want to blind my roommate today. We hugged awkwardly, not wanting to mess up each other’s masterpieces, and headed to our rooms to dress.

  My angel costume was the only part of tonight I was excited about. Drunk guys would go for the girls showing boobs and butts, so I would be in the clear. I hoped to go in, find a drink, a corner, and people watch. As a Journalism major, people watching was a favorite pastime of mine. People were strange creatures and observing them was an amazing way to get inspired for stories. Someday, I hoped to work for a newspaper or magazine while writing novels, so I could use all the inspiration I could gather.

  Carefully stepping into the neckline and pulling the satin softness up my body, a feeling of awe washed over me, calming my nerves. This dress was truly spectacular, I felt more right than I had in a very long time. I chose to go shoeless, wearing foot jewelry instead. The glass diamonds lining my feet matched the glass beads trimming the dress. My wings and my mask matched. The organizer in me jumped with joy.

  I finally stepped out of my room, eager to see my friend’s reaction at how I looked…nothing like the Korah Daniels I’d known all my life. I felt beautiful, a word I never used to describe myself. And now that I had the mask on, I felt brave. I could do anything, including going to this party and actually socializing with people I didn’t know.

  I heard her gasp and my gaze met her masked face. Leela looked hot, her costume showing all her curves. The men would drool when she walked in the door. She gave me a thumbs up while shaking her head slowly, causing mutual giggling to ensue.

  “You look sexy,” I said, giving her a huge smile.

  “So do you!” she exclaimed.

  Shocked, I stared at her. My body was covered. Leela’s costume was typical while mine was modest. I would stand out like sore thumb. She was try
ing to tell me I looked sexy? “I do not,” I countered. Grabbing the small clutch I was taking, I put in some money, my ID, and phone. Leela did the same, shaking her head at my disagreement. Her purse arranged, she walked over, trying to slip condoms in my bag, but I jerked it away from her. “I won’t be needed those and you know it.”

  “Come on,” she groaned, sticking the little wrapper in my face. “When was the last time you got laid, Korah?” she questioned.

  I was uncomfortable, not wanting to answer. She already knew, but saying it would cause her to go off on an annoying tirade of how I need to feel a man’s warmth beside me, or some more vulgar generalization. “It doesn’t matter.”

  “Take one,” she pleaded, trying to hand it to me once again.

  I shook my head, turning and opening our door. “Are we going or what?” I called over my shoulder. She threw the condom at me, hitting me on the forehead. We left in a burst of laughter.

  ###

  The Alpha Kappa Pi house was nestled on the street behind our campus, smack dab middle in the large row of fraternities. It was different, larger and more menacing than the others. I didn’t know if it was years of donations, or if it was because they truly were a superior fraternity, but it was daunting to approach. We parked what felt like a mile away, causing me to instantly regret not wearing actual shoes. Small scrapes lined my soles and every rock I stepped on caused me to yelp.

  “I told you not to wear those things,” Leela griped, hands on hips as she waited for me to catch up.

  “No you didn’t,” I threw back, biting my tongue as a piece of wood pierced the skin beneath my toes. “You said they were cute.”

  “I told you yesterday, when you insisted on getting foot jewelry, that they were a bad idea.”

  I stopped, the faint recollection of her saying something like that playing in my memory. “Oh, yeah.”

  “Oh, yeah,” she mocked. “It’s the next house. Surely they have carpet,” she speculated, offering her hand.

  Holding my dress in one hand and hers in the other, we slowly but surely made our way to the Alpha Kappa Pi house. The music was blaring, an eerie, haunting sound that resonated everywhere while seeming to come from nowhere in particular. The whole outside was decorated, phony blood dripping from every window, a few fake hands and arms sticking out like people were trying to escape. The front door opened as soon as we made our way up the steps, but no one stood there.

  It was phenomenal.

  We stepped inside, my feet sighing with relief at the cool tile floor. I stood a moment, letting the cold soothe my aching arches. I’d need to go wash them and maybe snoop around for some Band-aids, which I doubted I would find in this place, but it wouldn’t hurt to try.

  We made our way inside. I finally let my dress fall to my feet and released Lee’s hand. The place was packed with bodies in every corner, on every piece of furniture, and lining the walls. Every single face was covered with a mask, a surprising thrill coursed through me. All of these people, and none of them knew who I was. I glanced around, taking in my surroundings, when a deep voice spoke in my ear.

  “You seem to be bleeding on my carpet,” he whispered, sending a tingle up my spine.

  I spun, finding myself face to face with Zorro. Dark hair peeked from under his large hat, big brown eyes gazed back curiously from behind the black mask. I couldn’t see his entire face, but I knew he was gorgeous. As my eyes met his again, I saw the surprise in his as they widened. He reached out, grasping my hand, and said, “Come with me.”

  I couldn’t speak. The warmth from his hand flowed through my body, a warm pulse that caused parts of me to awaken from a deep slumber. I nodded obediently, wincing softly as my feet touched rough carpet on the stairs.

  In a swift motion, his arms went around my back and under my knees; he lifted and carried me the rest of the way up. My heart pounded in my ears, all the blood rushing to my head. Well, maybe not entirely to my head. I didn’t know what was happening, who this was, or where we were going…but I knew my body was reacting to him and I kind of liked it.

  Chapter Six-Dane

  The second Angel Eyes walked through the door, I knew I had to talk to her. Her pouty lips showing obvious pain, but her hauntingly familiar eyes were the strongest draw. As soon as she turned, her endless gaze met my soul, and I knew who she was.

  The girl from the store was here, looking even more beautiful, and bleeding on my carpet.

  My heart hammered in my chest; my palms grew wet with sweat. I rushed to snatch her away for myself, and now here we were, in my room. Angel Eyes sat on my bed, her dainty feet propped on a chair I placed in front of her while I searched for a first aid kit. “What happened?” I asked, oddly unsure of what to say. She made me nervous. I hated it.

  “I didn’t wear shoes,” she explained, her voice angelic, matching her costume perfectly.

  I stared at her, wanting nothing more than to press my lips to hers and take her right now. “Oh,” I replied lamely, my response making even less sense than her explanation.

  Quick dash to my bathroom, so I could wet a washcloth to wipe her feet clean of the blood and gravel. I went to work, amazed I was sitting in my room at the biggest party of the year washing a chick’s feet. Not that I cared, I would do anything to touch her. The whole minute she was in my arms was heaven. I had tunnel vision for this gorgeous angel who wasn’t ignoring me like she did before.

  She didn’t know who I was this time, though.

  Angel Eyes watched me intently, insisting she could do it herself every so often. I shook my head each time. After placing some ointment and bandages on the worst cuts, I sat beside her.

  “You’re beautiful, Angel Eyes…but you should have worn shoes,” I gently teased.

  She smiled, lighting my whole life with that small curve of her mouth. “I know, pretty stupid, huh?”

  Reaching out, I brushed a stray curl from her cheek. “You don’t strike me as stupid,” I admitted softly.

  She blinked several times, her long lashes brushing the mask below her eyes. The white showed off her darkened irises, and I couldn’t deny myself what happened next. I leaned toward her, hungrily taking in her lavender scent as I watched her large eyes grow even larger in surprise.

  I pressed my lips to hers, feeling the soft skin against mine. I moved gently, prodding her mouth open and slipping my tongue in ever so slightly. She was hesitant, timid, but she met my kiss. Her tongue was shy, as she cautiously darted it in my mouth.

  That one tiny move set me over the edge.

  I leaned over her, pressing her to lay on the bed as I stood and kissed her with every ounce of passion now barreling through my body. She moaned in my mouth, causing me to want her even more, although I didn’t know how that was possible. The more our mouths moved, the more I wanted to touch her, feel her, please her.

  Shifting, I settled myself beside her on the bed. Moving my lips to her neck, I sucked and kissed as she wiggled beside me. My hand found her face, caressing her cheek as I stared into those intoxicating eyes. She made me drunk on her, causing all common sense to fly right out the window.

  Dragging my fingers down her neck, I slid my hand inside the top of her dress. Her eyes closed as she gasped, so I continued. Kneading and stroking her breasts, flicking her nipples with my thumb before moving my head to assist my hand.

  Angel Eyes roughly tossed my hat across the room, before tugging at my hair. Nipple still in mouth, I traced my hand the length of her, pausing briefly at her ankles. I moved back up, this time under her lovely dress, and watched her eyes grow even blacker with desire.

  “Please,” she begged, arching her body to me.

  She was going to be the death of me. I couldn’t have sex with her. This woman was different than the others. She made me feel, and I couldn’t ruin that…but having her here, begging for me on my bed, was more than I could take. I couldn’t say yes, but neither could I say no.

  Slipping two fingers in her panties, I found her sweet
spot and stroked her wetness ever so slowly. She watched me intently, eyes heavy and hooded. Relaxing, she moaned a few times, grinding herself against my hand, causing me to groan into her chest with my own desire. I continued, stoking her while suckling her breasts until she cried out. Eventually, her body grew limp and she sighed contentedly.

  I pulled my hand away, tenderly moving her clothing back to cover her body. Moving upright, I kissed her gently. She met me with a renewed passion, her tongue more aggressive in its darting around my mouth, tangling with my own. Then Angel Eyes nibbled at my bottom lip, pushing me to my back with her hands.

  Stunned, I watched as she slid her hands up and down my body, slipping them inside my shirt to feel my chest, down to my pants and finally delving inside. She leaned down, placing those sweet, soft lips on my neck as she gently wrapped her small fingers around my rock hard shaft.

  She was going to be my undoing.

  Her movements were tentative at first, sliding her hand slowly, softly in each direction. My mind grew cloudy with desire and lust. She kept on, driving me mad. “I’m going to…” I warned, watching her as she delighted in making me explode. She didn’t take her eyes off of me the entire time, a small smile playing on her lips as she pumped me rougher, faster.

  Finished, and still panting, I leaned back on my pillows and closed my eyes. I breathed deeply trying to calm myself. She stayed beside me, tracing my jawline with her finger. “You didn’t have to do that,” I said quietly. I looked at her, appreciating her beauty all over again.

  “I know, but I wanted to,” she cooed, placing a gentle kiss on my cheek.

  She started to stand, but I grabbed her wrist. “I have to know your name, Angel Eyes.”

  She looked panicked, her eyes grew wild and she began fidgeting. “Wh..wh…why?” she stuttered. Angel Eyes tried to get away, but I wouldn’t let her. I didn’t hold her hard enough to hurt her, but I wasn’t letting go easily.

  We stood together, her wrist still clasped in my hand even though she was on the other side of the bed. “I’ll go first,” I offered, letting go and hoping she didn’t leave. “I’ll turn, take my mask off, then you can do the same.”