Masked Feelings

by Lechna Baram

  “Woooohooooo!” Jasmine shouted as she stared at us and danced next to us. Rose and I started dancing together, grinding and whining on each other. People would definitely think that we're lesbian. Then we started dancing separately. We were both laughing when we realized that some people were staring at us. We turned to look at our table and we noticed that Dean was back and the glasses of vodka were on the table.

  “Let's get drunk,” I said with enthusiasm as I made my way to the table, knowing that the other girls were most probably following behind. Once we reached, I flashed Dean a radiant smile and went for a shot but he slapped my hand away. I pouted and then groaned.

  “Wait for everyone,” he said.

  “I am everyone!” I lamely argued.

  “You haven't drank yet and you already sound drunk,” Dean said, shaking his head. When everyone was soon around the table with their glasses in front of them, I smiled, knowing that soon the alcohol would be flowing in my body. Damn. I sound like a drunkard.

  “At three, we all drink,” Alena told us. We all nodded and took out glasses in our hands. “One, two, three!” we all drank the vodka and I mentally groaned at the horrible taste that was in my mouth. I could feel the burning in my throat. It was a good burning though. I needed more alcohol. I noticed that Dean took Alena's hand in his and they walked to the dance floor. A smile stretched on my face when I saw the happiness oozing from my sister. Rose and Jace joined them as well. Ross was sitting next to me. Jasmine sat as well and we watched as Rosemary made her way towards the dancing people. Damian seemed to be ignoring her as he took his phone and walked out of the club. He was always working. Even when he is supposed to be enjoying himself with his friends and his brother, he still seems to be bothered with work.

  “My sister is so pathetic,” Jasmine claimed as a barmaid walked up to us with a couple of beer bottles in a tray. She put the bottles on out table and walked away. Dean must have paid for these. I popped open a bottle and started drinking.

  “Why?” Ross asked, staring at Rosemary who was trying hard to attract some freaking attention to herself. Yes. She did seem pretty pathetic right now.

  “She's trying to attract Damian's attention. When they were together, Damian would be so freaking possessive that when my sister wanted to dance, he would go along,” Jasmine said as she stared at her sister. “Rosemary probably thought that Damian would react that way but he doesn't seem to give a damn.” I reached for a second bottle when Damian walked back in the club, now his phone tucked in his jeans. I stared at his handsome self and mentally groaned. Why did I have to anger him? He ran his hand through his messy hair and walked towards us. As he walked towards us, he turned his head slightly to see Rosemary dancing with a stranger. I stared at him. I waited for a reaction. But Nada! Nothing! Damian seemed to be unfazed by her. I'm going to admit that I was kinda happy.

  “I'm feeling a bit dizzy.” I giggled as I turned my attention to Ross and Jasmine. Yes. The alcohol was doing its thing. “Let's go dance!” I exclaimed as Damian reached the table. Just as I was about to walk away pulling Jasmine by my side, I felt someone's hand envelope itself around my arm. I turned to see those beautiful gray eyes.

  “You're drunk. Sit.” Damian ordered. His glare told me not to argue and to obey but the alcohol was telling me otherwise. I stuck my tongue at him and pulled my hand away.

  “I'm going to dance,” I announced freely as we reached the dance floor.

  I felt hands on my waist. I kept dancing, knowing that a stranger was probably dancing behind me and I was rubbing myself on him. That's what usually happen in clubs, right? I turned around and saw a blond guy. Unknown to me. A complete handsome stranger. I smiled and wrapped my arms around his neck.

  “Hello,” he greeted in a husky voice. He did seem to have complete control over himself, which showed that he was not drunk.

  “Hey,” I said breathily as we started moving along to the beat of the song, his leg between mine as I grinded on him. He knew how to dance for sure. His strong grip on my waist controlled my moves.

  “I'm William,” he introduced himself staring at me right in the eye. His chocolate brown eyes were somehow intriguing.

  “Athena,” I simply said as I tried to concentrate more on the music rather on the conversation.

  “Nice to meet you, Athena,” he said and right away, I could detect a faint accent.

  “You're from England!” I exclaimed and burst in a fit of giggles. He raised one of his eyebrows at me and smirked.

  “And you're really drunk,” he concluded. I shook my head vigorously, then stopped when I felt my head spinning.

  “There's two Williams!” I exclaimed as I saw another guy just like him. They were two. Both of them were staring at me with raised eyebrows.

  “Yes, you're drunk,” he confirmed. I blinked several times before finally nodding. We kept dancing until I felt someone pull me backwards. My hands unwrapped themselves from around William's neck and I turned to look at the person who just stopped my amazing dancing with this handsome man. Damian stood in front of me, his eyes glaring daggers at William.

  “Go back to the table and sit down.” Damian ordered. I scoffed and turned back to William. I knew that it was not the best thing to do as I was pulled back again. This time, I crashed into Damian's chest. My back was pressed against his front and I moaned softly. I liked having him close to me.

  “But I want to dance!” I exclaimed when I finally realized that William was walking away. “See! You scared him away!” I huffed as I turned to look at him. He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close to him. Damian seemed calm from the outside but I could see hidden fury swimming in his beautiful gray eyes.

  “Then dance with me,” he said as he rested his forehead against mine. I knew that my sister and all the others were around here. I didn't care right now. I smirked and put my hand on his shoulder. I pulled him even closer. He took a deep breath and slowly, we started moving to the music. I strangely remembered the first time I danced for him in the strip club. I could feel the blood rushing to my cheeks. He turned me around, my back against his front. I could feel his boner pressing against me. I bit my lips as we danced sensually. He danced way better than William. I confirm. I could feel him breathing on my neck. The effect that this man had on me, was incredible. One of his hands moved from my hips to my stomach. He guided my hips and slowly our movements turned even sexier. Dirtier. It was as if we were dry humping on the dance floor. I rested my head on his shoulder as we danced and I could feel him stop. “You've danced. Now go and sit,” he said in my ear. I groaned and turned to argue with him but finally stopped when I realized that he was dead serious. I huffed and rolled my eyes. There was no point in arguing with that stubborn hot stuff. I walked to the table where I found Jasmine wiggling her eyebrows at me and Rosemary glaring at me. Ross sat there with a frown on his face.

  “Please, tell me that my sister didn't see that,” I gasped as I sat next to Jasmine. She chuckled and shook her head.

  “No, she didn't. But mine did,” she said as she pointed to a fuming Rosemary who was sitting across me. I giggled as Rosemary glared at me.

  Yeah. Take that, bitch!

  I was reaching for another bottle of beer but my hand was soon pulled away. I whined when I turned to look at Damian. I was not drunk enough! I went to reach for a bottle again, but this time, Jasmine pulled the bottle away. “You're already drunk!” she exclaimed.

  “I've had only two bottles of beer,” I deadpanned.

  “You're annoyingly lightweight. You're not drinking. I'm taking you home,” Damian said coldly. I crossed my arms over my chest and shook my head.

  “I came here to party! I will party!” I snapped stubbornly. Damian closed his eyes for a few seconds and then opened them again. I wished they stayed close because the glare that he was giving me was terrifying.

  All he does is glare! He always glares at people! Freaking glare monster!

  “Tell Alena that I'm t
aking her home. To my place,” Damian said as he grabbed my arm and pulled me to him. I stood up and tried to balance myself so as not to fall on my face because of these heels. Wait. Did he just say his house? I started struggling against his grip as we made our way to the door. I turned to look at Jasmine who was smirking at me.

  “Help me!” I yelled out at her but she simply shrugged.

  Someone grabbed my wrist, pulling Damian and me to a stop. It was a woman, a pretty petite brunette who was staring at me. But then she turned to glare at Damian.

  “Is there any problem?” she asked. Then I saw three guys steps from behind her. They were really muscular.

  “Is there any problem, Angel?” One of the guys asked as he crossed his arms over his chest, trying to intimidate Damian. My eyes widened as Damian seemed unfazed by these guys.

  “No! I was just kidding,” I quickly said to prevent a possible fight.

  “Can I now take my stupid drunk girlfriend home?” Damian asked with clenched jaw as I pushed his hand away. I turned to glare at him.

  “I'm not stupid!” I exclaimed. The woman who previously stopped me, simply laughed and turned back her attention to one of the guys. “And I'm not your girlfriend!” I continued when realization finally hit me. He grabbed my hand again and pulled me out of the club. All paparazzi were gone. There was only the bouncer outside. As soon as I was outside, I took a deep breath. Ah! The fresh air. It was a change from being inside and smelling people's sweat. We walked towards Damian's car and when I realized that he was going to bring me to his place, I shook my head.

  “What's the goddamn problem?” Damian sneered as I slowed down. He turned and glared at me. I must have trespassed his limits. I was seriously playing with his patience.

  “I'm not going to your place,” I mumbled as I tucked my hair behind my ear after he let my hand go. I was staring at the floor, scared to meet his glare. Alcohol made me too vulnerable. I could hear his steps approaching me. I saw his shoes and hesitantly, I looked at him. He seemed calm. When he was close enough, he put his hand on my waist and pulled me even closer. He rested his forehead against mine.

  “Why not?” he asked softly as he put his hand on my cheek and caressed it softly. I leaned towards his touch as my eyes closed to relish it. When I opened my eyes, his gray eyes met mine. It was as if he was studying me. He was waiting and anticipating my next words.

  “I'm scared of your reaction,” I whispered.

  He stared at me for a few seconds and pulled away, making me mentally groan. Why did he pull away?

  “I scare you,” he stated.

  “When I piss you off usually,” I told him. “I'm scared of your reaction like what you would say or do,” I rambled, then facepalmed myself. Why do I always ramble?

  “Get in the car,” he simply said as he turned away from me and walked to the driver seat. I huffed, knowing that I most probably said something wrong. I opened the door and sat in the passenger seat like a nice kid.

  “You're angry?” I asked softly as I played with my fingers which were laying on my lap. My hair fell on my face as I slowly moved my head to look at him. He started the engine and didn't answer. I pouted and groaned.

  “Talk to me.” I ordered playfully.

  “Shut up Athena,” he grumbled. I huffed and crossed my arms.

  “Why are you so mean?” I exclaimed as he drove down the street. He was staring at the road, rather than focusing on me. “Stop the car!” I shouted. He turned to look at me in disbelief and then ignored my order. “Stop. The. Car,” I said with more conviction.

  “Athena. You're drunk, so shut the fuck up and sleep.”

  I shook my head. He took a deep breath and parked the car. Oh hell. What did I get myself into?

  “Why are you so mean?” I asked, not wanting to back off due to the confidence I was getting because of the alcohol.

  “I'm not mean. I'm just preventing you from making a mistake,” he snapped.

  “Like what?”

  “Like sleeping around with some asshole,” Damian snapped.

  “Yeah, as if sleeping with you was not enough,” I scoffed. Before I could even process what was happening, I was on his lap. One of his hands was on my waist while the other one was behind my neck.

  “Say that again,” he demanded. I shook my head as my eyes widened. “You don't know how much I've wanted to be inside you these last few days, so when I tell you to shut up, you shut up,” he said, making me bite my lips.

  “You don't know how much I've wanted you inside of me,” I whispered without even realizing what I was saying. He closed his eyes. I could feel him growing underneath me.

  “Even though it pains me to say this, we're not having sex tonight,” he mumbled, making me groan. Wow. I did sound like a whiny little bitch who was craving sex. Well, yes I was.

  “Why not?” I huffed, making him chuckle and let me tell you that this instantly brought a smile to my face. “I like it when you chuckle,” I commented.

  “Because you're drunk as hell,” he said, ignoring the compliment.

  “I'm not that drunk! I'm talking proper English.” I pointed out. He laughed and slowly put me back into my seat.

  “Because when you're drunk, you speak in another language?” he joked.

  “Nope. I would not even be able to talk,” I said. Whenever I would be dead drunk, I'd probably faint somewhere and Rose would bring me back home in a cab.

  “Was it that bad?” he asked as he started driving again. I nodded and closed my eyes. I was feeling extremely tired so I leaned my head and the next thing I knew Damian had put on soft music, causing me to drift to dreamland.

  Chapter 18

  Claiming What’s His

  Holy Fuck.

  My head was in such pain. I put my hand on my forehead while silently praying for the ache to stop. Why did I have to drink so much? Slowly, I opened my eyes and noticed that I wasn't in my room. I blinked several times and then it finally hit me. I was in Damian's room. I stared at the bed and saw that the pillow next to me was rumpled, meaning Damian slept next to me. I smiled and slowly pushed the covers away. Where was he then? When my feet touched the cold floor, I shivered slightly. I realized that I only had a shirt on me. It smelled like him. Damian must have taken off my clothes. I yawned as I stood up and stretched my arms.

  “Athena!” I heard Damian's sexy voice call. I froze. My arms stretched in the air and my mouth wide open. I blinked several times before finally settling myself. I ran my fingers through my hair and made my way towards Damian's voice. I finally saw him.

  “Yes?” I asked, my voice hoarse. Damian was shirtless and he was standing behind the oven with a spatula in his hand. Yes. You can drool. I gulped while my eyes drank every inch of his muscular body. I still can't believe that I've touched and felt that. His pants are dangerously low and his eyes were on me. I felt like a prey and he was my predator. I wouldn't mind being eaten by him. Oh damn.

  What's wrong with me? I blame him and his good looks. I mean, look at him! He's so freaking hot, with his muscles bulging as he uses the spatula. I shook my head at my hormonal self and took a seat in one of the chairs.

  “How did you know that I woke up?” I asked as I leaned my head against my hand.

  “You yawned like a whale,” he simply said as he lifted his head to look at me.

  “Whales don't yawn,” I said stupidly.

  “How would you know?” he asked.

  “How would you know that they yawn?” I asked as I rubbed my forehead, trying to ease the pain.

  “Are you still drunk?” he asked, tilting his head slightly to the left as he studies me. Oh damn. His gray eyes were so beautiful.

  “You're the one arguing about something so stupid. Whales don't yawn,” I deadpanned. He rolled his eyes and took a plate from the drawer.

  “You don't know that for sure,” he stated. I groaned and rested my head on the counter.

  “You're twenty-eight for God sake!” I exclaimed in disbelief.
“Act like your age,” I mumbled when I realized that my head was exploding with pain.

  “Old in age, young in mind,” he responded wisely and playfully. I looked at him. Well, more like glared at him.

  “Are you annoying me on purpose?” I asked as he pushed a plate with toast and eggs in front of me.

  “That's your punishment for drinking that much yesterday,” he said and I noticed how his tone changed from playful to serious in a few seconds.

  “I wasn't that drunk,” I retorted as I rolled my eyes but quickly, I regretted my action. I heard Damian take a deep breath as he moved to another drawer. He pulled out a box of medicines and took out two pills.

  “Drink that,” he demanded as he pushed the pills and a glass of juice in front of me. “Advil,” he said. I drank the medicines and brought the glass to my lips, taking a gulp when Damian started talking again. “And one thing,” he said as he pulled the glass away from me. “Next time I see you grinding against a guy in front of me, I'll kick his ass...and spank yours,” he whispered dangerously as he stared at me right in the eye. I gulped the juice that was in my mouth, trying not to choke. “Did you hear me?” he asked slowly. I nodded, staring at him. Why did his words have such a big effect on me?

  “I wasn't grinding on him,” I said, with the need to defend myself even if the case was lost.

  “No. You were not,” Damian agreed. Wait what? He agreed? He crossed his arms over his shirtless chest and stared down at me as he stood in front of me. “You were dry humping him,” he said and I scoffed. Why the hell did I think that he would agree with me?

  “I was not!” I exclaimed. I bit my lips in frustration and this seemed to attract his attention. He lacked sex. I could sense it. Maybe I should tease him a little bit. I stood up and took my glass to the sink. I made sure to sway my hips. The shirt was just below my butt so I just needed to raise my hands up to show my butt. I put my glass in the sink and pretended to stretch. When I heard a groan behind me, I smirked and turned around to look at him.