Masked Love

by Samolu Pearl

  “I-I thought you’re enjoying the party… Didn’t feel like disturbing any of you-” Venus jumped out of her skin as she felt his fingers brushing against her shoulders. “Rey…?”

  “Hmm…” he hummed as he leaned closer running his lips along her shoulders. “So smooth…” he whispered as he nipped at her shoulder gently. Venus gasped and he smirked at her reaction as he ran his tongue along her shoulder, before biting into it again. Venus jolted as she felt his tongue caressing the obvious red mark he’d just made.

  He ran his hands down… tracing her spine… his hand sinking into the water as he caressed her back and then her waist as he pulled her close. Venus squeezed her eyes shut and stood still, as the shock and excitement worked its way on her… She could feel his excitement even though he still had his pants on…

  “Venus…” Rey hissed as he pulled her close, kissing her ear and she let out a moan.

  She tensed as his hands worked its way up her waist… stomach… and then brushing against her curves. Her eyes snapped open as she felt the pressure of his hands against her breasts through the towel she was clutching tight.

  Rey forced his fingers into hers, entwining them with her fingers before gently pulling her hands and the towel away, all the while kissing her neck… licking and sucking the skin there. The towel fell into the water, leaving her bare and beautiful…

  Rey’s breathe turned labored as he held her shoulders again and turned her gently to face him… Venus had her eyes squeezed shut… her lips shivering…

  “Open your eyes…” he growled softly and Venus looked into his striking blue ones blazing intensely. The look in her eyes made his insides throb… Rey groaned before leaning closer and taking her lips in a savage kiss, driving his tongue into her mouth… as if demanding response… But she stood there, shocked as ever…

  A few seconds later, he pulled away to let her breathe and Venus breathed in some much needed air into her lungs…

  Rey’s eyes took in her flushed face before moving down her body… His breathing turning hot and hitched as it reached her heaving curves which were partially covered by the water.… Rey let out a grunt at the water for blocking his view…

  He held her hand and pulled her close, making her bump into his chest… the feel was beyond anything he’d ever felt… Her bare curves felt amazing against his naked hard chest, and pressure of the water flowing between them added to the sensation. Rey groaned and his hand raised on its own accord to stroke her hair… fisting into the black waves. His other hand crawled over her back and gently held the back of her neck, pulling her close to taste her delicious mouth again. Rey went for the red blood petals before him… taking his time with them as he gently sucked and nipped at them… inciting some unknown feelings in her. Venus was perplexed as to what to do… His lips were teasing hers firmly now… as if challenging her. She noticed as her lips parted more to let his tongue in again… and before she could realize it, she was responding back… slowly at first but then… her hands were fisting his hair and pulling him close, trying to devour his mouth…

  ‘Yes!’ Rey’s insides jumped. ‘She wants me as much as I want her…’

  “Now… that…” Rey breathed, kissing the corner of her mouth. “-was something…” he smirked at her blushing face. “Want to continue… and finish what we started…?” he asked huskily, and she dropped her gaze to the water, embarrassed.

  But then, Venus squealed as she felt him raise her in his strong arms… carrying her out of the water and walking towards the shore. He laid her gently over the green ground and Venus immediately searched for her dress from the nearby pile and held it close to her body, to cover herself.

  “Don’t…” he growled as he pulled the dress off her. “I want to see you…”

  Venus stared at him in shock, but she couldn’t cover herself or move away from his scrutinizing gaze as it fell over every inch of her bare body. It was like he was touching every inch of her without using any physical contact… Venus felt her skin burn with desire as his eyes roamed over her. Rey leaned closer with a groan, his hands tracing up her thighs to the sides of her waist… still moving up towards her fair, beautiful curves. His hands squeezed her and he was amused at the moan she let out. Her back arched as his hand pressed more firmly onto them, making her squeeze her eyes shut and squirm. Suddenly, he noticed the water drops rolling down her body, caressing and stroking every inch of her, just like he wanted to at the moment.

  “I really want to own every inch of you this minute, Venus…” Rey whispered, kissing her hard. His lips trailed to her ear, kissing her behind it, earning another moan from her. He licked her ear before tracing down her cheek… He licked the water drops off her cheeks and then slowly moved down… licking down her throat and chest… Venus’ hands moved over his back… running them along his hard muscles… holding him close… and as she felt his lips brush against her curves, Venus dug her nails into his back, scratching a long line on his shoulders and back making him hiss at the painful pleasure…

  With a growl, he tried to devour her curves before reluctantly and at the same time eagerly moving down to her stomach and licking the drops of water completely before moving down again… Venus bucked for a moment as she felt his hot breaths below her waist suddenly. Rey gripped her thigh and looked up at her as if seeking permission.

  She stared back at him, her mouth parted and lips shivering slightly… But the look in her eyes… it had turned from excitement and arousal… to fear and uncertainty?

  Rey sighed and then moved up again to reach her face. His hardness was killing him with the unbearable pain… But he didn’t want to force her into anything… She’ll come around… in his way and… real soon.

  Venus was still staring at him shock. ‘She’s beautiful… Beautiful…? The word was exquisite…’ Rey closed his eyes, trying to regulate his breathing and fighting the urge to just jump on top of her and ravish her… She’s really precious… His own treasure! He sighed looking at her. He raised her, making her sit up and once again pulled her body closed to his… feeling every inch of her touching against his hard, rough body, before dipping his head and devouring her lips. “You belong to me, Venus!” It was not an order this time, but a painful statement… Venus closed her eyes, trying to control the inner turmoil at the moment.

  ***

  When they walked home after spending long minutes at the riverside, just staring at each other and each lost in their own thoughts, it was to see Mia, Peter and Lilly sitting in the living room, sipping coffee. Peter immediately started his concerned questions about where they were and Rey replied that they went strolling for a while.

  “So… Looks like you’ve enjoyed the ‘strolling’?” Mia, asked following Venus as she walked towards her room.

  “I-yeah… It was great… The moon was really beautiful… And-I’ve really had some fresh air…” Venus blabbered, searching for words as she desperately tried to hide her color as Mia was staring at her with a grin.

  “It seems to me that fresh air was not the only thing you’ve got…” she gently held Venus’ face and turned it to the side, stroking the red bite mark, and chuckled as Venus swallowed hard.

  “It’s er… just a… ummm…” Venus tried. But Mia cut her off.

  “He’s a good person, Venus… And, I know he cares about you… more than anything…” She smiled. “-even his life…”

  Venus sat on her bed watching Mia walk out. ‘He cares about me… more than his life…?’ Venus closed her eyes with a sigh. “And, that’s what I’m scared about too… His life!”

  Chapter 12

  The next morning, when Venus walked into the kitchen, it was to find Mia waiting with some steaming cups of coffee before her. “Good morning, Venus…” she smiled and Venus returned her greeting with a bright smile. “Now… Would you mind giving this to Rey and Lilly…?” she asked, holding out a tray with two cups on it.

  Venus was about to make some silly excuse but Mia beat her to it. �
��Don’t worry… Lilly is beginning to trust you… I can see it clearly.” She said. “And, about Rey…” There was a grin on her face that made Venus blush. “I’m sure seeing your face when he wakes up would bright up his day…”

  Venus sighed as she took the tray and walked out, climbing the stairs, she hesitated before walking in Rey’s room. She looked around, and noticed that the room was similar to the one she was using… But this one had a masculine touch about it… The sheets and drapes were red and black and the shelves were filled with books, mainly on travels… and maps, and some strange looking instruments… Venus stood there, taking in his scent that seemed to fill the room… Then, her eyes fell on the sofa. Lilly was sleeping on it, with the back of her hand covering her eyes. She sighed before walking towards her and then, gently shook Lilly.

  “Er… Good morning…” tried Venus as she held out the cup of coffee.

  Lilly looked at her for a moment and then took the cup from her. “Where’s Mia…?” she asked.

  “She’s busy…” Venus smiled, as Lilly sipped the coffee.

  “Eww… This tastes awful…” she gagged and Venus eyes widened in shock and confusion.

  “Oh… I’ll-let Mia know that…” Venus nodded her head in assurance and watched Lilly squirm sheepishly. “She made it.” Venus completed, holding in a chuckle and turning to place the tray of coffee on the side table to hide her smirk.

  Lilly didn’t wait for long. She shrugged and walked out with her cup. Venus shook her head with a smile and then turned to look at the bed. She was sure that her heart beats rose as she saw him sleeping on it.

  Rey was… just perfect. He was lying on the bed, bare-chested. His face was peaceful… with his eyes closed and lips slightly parted. His hair was as messy as always and Venus couldn’t hold back the urge to stroke them.

  She walked towards him, dreamily and leaned forwards to gently stroke his hair. Rey stretched slightly and leaned into her hands like a kitten. Venus couldn’t stop as her hand slowly moved over his face, tracing his nose, the side of his cheek… trailing over his jaw line, before finally coming to rest near his lips.

  Without realizing it, she was leaning close to his face, staring at his closed eyes. Her hand was gently massaging his head. Venus felt his warm breathe over her lips and tilted her head… leaning a bit more close, she brushed against his lips with hers.

  She was suddenly snapped back into reality and was about to move back, when she felt him wrap his hands around her back. A small gasp escaped as she felt him pull her by her waist and, she fell over him, her lips slammed on his.

  Rey smirked at her… His sparkling blue eyes had a glint of naughtiness in them. He raised his head and crushed her lips with his… sucking and nibbling at the petals alternatively. His tongue darted in her mouth trying to force her tongue into his mouth… Venus was shocked and her eyes reflected it as usual. But Rey kept kissing her greedily as if she was his life force… His hand, all the while, was moving over her back and waist… caressing and stroking her gently.

  “Good morning…” he smirked down at her, before kissing her neck… letting her breathe. Venus was about to pull away from him when he pulled her back and held her close.

  “Rey… Let go….” She tried, but he held her against him.

  “Don’t tell me you feel like kissing me only when I’m sleeping…” he breathed. Venus blushed, a furious shade of red which made him chuckle.

  ‘What the hell was I thinking…?’ Venus was kicking her mentally.

  “I should have pretended to be asleep…” Rey smirked and she looked up at him confused. “Just to know what else you’d have done to me…”

  “Rey…” Venus gasped as his hands made its way upwards. “I-was er… trying to wake you up…” she tried as she squirmed to get away.

  “That’s a great way to wake me up…” he grinned, trying to kiss her again, but Venus managed to move away from his grip. She hurried out of his room.

  “Drink your coffee…” she said before slamming the door shut.

  ***

  “So… What’s the plan today…?” asked Venus as she joined Mia and Peter on the dining table for breakfast.

  “Let’s go to the village… We could spend some time with the people there…” suggested Mia to Peter and Venus looked at him hopefully. Peter thought for a while and then nodded.

  “Great!” Venus laughed but stopped herself as she noticed Rey and Lilly walk in. Her face immediately turned red as Rey’s eyes locked with hers.

  “Looks like everyone is in a good mood today… What’s up…?” Rey asked tilting his head at her.

  “We were just planning to go to the village… to spend some time with the people there…” smiled Mia and Rey nodded.

  Venus stood up and was about to walk to her room when Rey stopped her holding her hand. “Where are you going…?” he asked.

  “Let me just get a bath and change… Then we can go to the village together.” She said excitedly. The village had been Venus’ favorite place since she first been there. The people there were really caring and lovable.

  Rey let go off her and nodded with a smirk. Venus turned and hurried into her room.

  When she walked out of the bathroom, wrapped in a towel, however, it was to find Rey lying on her bed, his head resting on his palms and he was staring up at the ceiling, smiling contently.

  “Rey…?” she said and moved towards the table where she’d placed her dress. “Er… Get out… I need to change.”

  He looked at her with a smirk. “You don’t have to hide from me, Venus… I’ve already seen you…” he whispered, making her blush. But she almost jumped as he stood up and strolled towards her. “I know each and every beauty spots and blemish on your body…”

  Her breathing turned hot and her heart beats pounded as he neared her, stroking a strand of wet hair off her face.

  “Rey… Please…” she breathed, trying to fight for her senses.

  “Please…? Please what, Venus…?” he hissed as he leaned closer and kissed her temple, slowly dragging his lips to her cheek and then to the corner of her mouth…

  “Rey…” she moaned and he almost stumbled down. His hands torturously moved over her lower neck, making her arch a little and then neared the knot on her towel. “No… Rey…” she breathed. “The others are waiting for us… please, let me get ready…” she pleaded again. ‘Why is she always this weak before him? But… she couldn’t help… but liked it.’

  Rey sighed as he pulled her close and took her lips in his in a soft, slow kiss that seemed to drag for hours. “Rey…” she groaned trying to pull away from him and he let her go reluctantly.

  “Looks like I’ll have to claim what you owe to me soon…” he looked at her, slowly taking in all of her before staring back at her eyes. She tilted her head in confusion. “The wager.”

  Venus’ eyes turned wide and she stared at him with her mouth parted. But he just smirked at her and walked out, closing the door behind him. Venus stood there, staring at the closed door, her mind swirling.

  ‘He didn’t really mean what he said, did he…?’ she blinked.

  The guys walked to the village and enjoyed their day there, with the people. Venus had a great time playing with the kids and helping the village women with some chores.

  Now and then, she had to encounter Rey and his wicked behavior though… Like when she was talking to one of the ladies from the village, Rey just walked past her, caring to brush his hands across her waist caressingly, making her gasp. And, she had to lie to the other lady’s concerned questions and looks. When she was playing with Max and Tammy and the other kids, Rey joined them to ‘watch’ them play. He leaned closer and breathed on her neck, before gently kissing her there without anyone noticing… leaving her shivering for more than a few minutes.

  This continued the whole day until they returned home. When Venus asked if he was crazy to bother her like this, he just shrugged and said ‘may be’, and Venus just stomped her foot
in frustration.

  Rey was actually enjoying all these. She wasn’t mentioning anything about going back to her village or… about Jellal since a month now… and it was, obviously a good sign. He just had to force a word out of her, that she’ll stay there and… be his… which won’t take long now!

  The days passed by slowly and happily for Venus as she was enjoying every minute with the guys and the village people. It was like this place had become her home. Her feelings for Rey were growing deeper and deeper and she couldn’t help a smile lingering over her face every time she thinks about him… But she was still afraid to admit it…

  ***

  The next day, Venus woke up and sat on her bed, leaning against the headrest. Her face was dull and her mind welling with sadness, like the tears welling in her eyes. She wished if she could just erase this day from her life forever… But no matter how many months and years have passed, the day keeps returning… with the torturous memories and sadness…

  Venus sighed before walking into the bathroom.

  After a few minutes, she joined the rest in the living room. Everyone, Venus noticed, was sitting there as if lost in thoughts… Lilly was sitting on the window sill, staring outside… Rey, was standing near the door to the backyard with his back to her… Peter was sitting near Mia, holding her hands… and Venus noticed that she was crying… Then, it dawned on her.

  ‘Everyone lost someone precious to them… this very same day…” Her eyes filled with tears as she looked at Mia’s tear stained face. She was whimpering and Peter was trying his best to console her, wiping his own tears.

  The others looked at her and then stood up to walk outside. She followed, confused and noticed that they were walking to the village.

  They walked in silence, each drowned in their own thoughts. The only sound was Mia’s occasional sobs and Peter’s words of comfort as he tried to soothe her.

  When they reached the village, Venus had a depressed feel… The entire village seemed to be drowned in a river of sadness… Even the kids were just staying with their sobbing or distressed parents… losing their usual smiles and plays.