‘Jesus, you came prepared. What do you have in there? The kitchen sink?’ Shelly joked.
Eva adjusted her mask on her face and stuck her tongue out at Shelly, before she knocked back the full glass of bubbly in one gigantic gulp. ‘Let’s do this thing. Before I change my mind.’
She kicked her rucksack behind the heavy, floor-to-ceiling curtain on the bay window beside them and turned around to discover Nathan had both his cape and mask on, completely transforming him.
‘You look like the Phantom of the Opera,’ Eva said.
Nathan stepped back dramatically and flung his arms as far apart as they could stretch. ‘Sing for me my pretty,’ he sang loudly in a low, deep voice.
Eva laughed. Maybe tonight would be more fun than she thought. And if not, she could always pretend to be something she wasn’t. After all, she had the perfect disguise.
A large golden banner hung over the massive double doors leading into what Eva imagined was the main function room. Black and Ivory letters reflected the evening’s black tie elegance.
‘’Libertia Supra Omnis’’
‘Freedom above all,’ Nathan whispered into Eva’s ear.
Tiny bubbles of excitement popped inside Eva’s tummy. It was just the sign she needed. Maybe she could fit in after all.
‘No inhibitions,’ she replied.
‘Well yeah. I think that’s the idea. It’s the theme.’
‘Pretty cool huh?’ Shelly said, obviously not wanting to be left out of the conversation.
Eva nodded. She really wished Julian was here. It was as if the banner was made with him in mind. Nathan and Shelly just didn’t understand what it meant to her. How could they?
‘C’mon,’ Shelly said, charging forward. ‘It’s a free bar and there are shots inside with our name on them.
Eva’s hands instinctively covered her mouth as the doors swung open. She needn’t have worried about being early, the room was already a wash with people. She couldn’t believe the Romanesque beauty in front of her. Large golden columns were spaced evenly around the perimeter of the room supporting the incredibly high ceiling. The intensity of the rich ruby walls was broken up by cream and mirror panels, evenly spaced the entire length of the room. Matching drapes huge on the opposite wall, open and exposing the moonlight from the countless number of floor-to-ceiling windows.
‘C’mon, Eva. You can’t stand lurking in the doorway all night. People will think you’re weird,’ Shelly said.
‘People always think I’m weird,’ Eva whispered, purposely not loud enough for Shelly to hear. She reached across her chest and pulled her cardigan closed. She laughed out loud as her fingers grabbed the silk robe instead of the cashmere she’d expected. Old habits, she thought, laughing even louder.
Nathan and Shelly stared, obviously confused.
‘Champagne,’ Eva snorted, pointing to her head.
‘Well you know the only thing for that?’ Nathan asked.
Eva shook her head.
‘More,’ he said confidently and walked towards the bar.
Chapter 34
The large, sterling silver candelabra in the centre of the table obscured Eva’s view of the guests sitting opposite them. She snorted and shook her head. It wouldn’t make a difference even if she could see them, they were as well disguised as everyone else. It was actually kind of fun, an entertaining game, trying to decipher familiar voices under the masks that were designed to reveal their souls. Eva tried her best to disguise her New Jersey twang. It was a total giveaway. She wasn’t sure if it was the wine gone to her head or the sheer elegance of the venue that made her feel everything and anything but herself. She liked this new version her herself. This new confident, sexy version. She wished she could feel like this all the time.
The meal was divine, the wine flowed freely and the staff were attentive if not slightly unnervingly dressed. The women wore barely-there bikinis and the men were topless with tight fitting grey trousers and a neat bow tie. Eva tried to disapprove but their gorgeous bodies made it hard to look away.
Nathan had a least two drinks for every one Eva or Shelly had. Freedom above all, Eva said silently in her head as Nathan draped his arm across her shoulder for a third time in as many minutes. Eva stood up and made her excuses, mumbling something about the bathroom and hoping Shelly would follow. She didn’t.
The surreal surrounding suddenly became daunting. Maybe it was because she was on her own for the first time or maybe it was because she finally became aware of the strange tension in the atmosphere. She looked across the open dance floor at a sea of black capes, laughing and chatting as if it was any Friday night in their local bar.
Eva breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a hand on her shoulder, delighted that Shelly had followed. A tiny shriek escaped when she turned around to come face to face with the man from the opposite side of her table. He didn’t speak and Eva didn’t react to his silence. They just stood, statue like, as Eva’s pulse thundered through her veins. His mask was as black as his cape, and the only colour was four, block gold letters spanning across the front. M.I.N.E.
Eva was hypnotised by his big, beautiful, chocolate eyes. She couldn’t walk away, even if she wanted to. She fought her instinct to throw her arms around his neck and kiss him. He was here, but why? Julian was standing right in front of her and try as she might, she couldn’t get a single word to pass her lips.
After many more minutes of silence, Julian finally led the conversation. ‘Hello.’
Hello, Eva thought, hearing the word ring in her ears. After the way they had left things; the letter, sending his driver for her, the expensive dress she wore - everything. After all that, that was all he wanted to say? Just bloody hello? Eva was so frustrated she could have screamed.
‘Hello Julian,’ she replied so calmly she surprised herself.
‘You recognised me?’
‘Why are you so surprised? You recognised me too.’
‘Hard not to,’ Julian said softly, brushing the palm of his hand down Eva’s face. ‘You’re wearing the mask.’
Eva wished the mask covered more of her face. Her cheeks were on fire and she really didn’t want him to see. She felt so stupid. He’d known who she was from the moment she’d walked into the room. It was probably his intention all along. The mask was his stamp on her, his very own beacon that set her apart from the crowd, in his eyes only.
‘What are you doing here?’ she said, the words just came tumbling out before she had time to think.
Julian’s reply was interrupted by someone rushing towards them. It was the women who had sat beside Julian for the duration of the evening so far.
‘There you are,’ the women said, touching Julian’s arm possessively. Eva tried not to react. She knew she should walk away but there was something so familiar about the women’s voice. Eva looked for clues in the small part of her face that was exposed below her mask. Eva consoled herself with how ridiculous her mask was. A mess of feathers, sequence and ribbon; it looked like a craft shop had exploded in her face.
The women whispered something in Julian’s ear and he laughed; not loudly, but enough for Eva to hear. Her eyes narrowed and jealously bubbled in the pit of her stomach. She knew she had no right. This was what Julian did, it was his job and she’d known that from the very start. But seeing another woman touch him the way she wanted to, hurt like hell.
‘Beautiful mask,’ the women said, gliding her lips against Julian’s neck.
Eva closed her eyes briefly and exhaled sharply. She recognised the sarcastic, snide tone of the women’s voice. Her jealousy was pushed aside and replaced with blinding anger.
‘Thank you,’ she replied through gritted teeth. ‘It’s a gift from a friend.’
‘Well your friend has exquisite taste.’
Eva took a moment before she spoke. She was shaking inside and she was desperate to hide it. She looked Julian up and down before flicking her eyes across to disapprovingly stare at the woman.
‘
I thought he had, but now I’m not so sure. Eva shook her head and walked away as briskly as her stilettos would allow without a fall.
Julian caught up quickly and pulled her back, his eyes burning into hers.
‘Mia, Julian? Of all fucking people…you had to come with her? I know you like games, but this is just fucking sick.’
Mia couldn’t possibly need an escort, she had men dropping at her feet. What the fuck was going on, then? Was it all a sick joke at Eva’s expense? She wouldn’t put it past Mia, but Julian? He wouldn’t take the game this far, would he?
Eva yanked her hand free from his grip so roughly she almost lost her balance. She struggled not to burst into tears as she rushed towards the open, glass doors at the side. She was desperate for the sanctuary of fresh air.
Chapter 35
Julian let Eva gain quite some distance before he began to follow her. He smiled at how sexy her temper made her as she raced down the granite steps that led into the precisely manicured gardens. He ran down those very steps himself so often as a child. He’d almost forgotten the games of chasing he used to play around the bushes and trees. But Eva reminded him, she reminded him of a lot of things. He’d worked so hard to never get too close to anyone. And he wasn’t about to let all that work be in vain. But right now, she needed him. Emotional barriers or not, he couldn’t abandon her. He had to protect her. He’d think about everything else tomorrow.
He watched with some amusement as she ripped her robe off her shoulders and flung it aside. Her mask followed and landed with a thud on the grass. She’d taken her shoes off and she swung them from side-to-side as she carried them by the heels. She looked so petite and delicate in her bare feet. Julian knew the dew on the fresh cut grass must have been cold but she never faltered, she was determined to reach her destination; where ever the hell that was. The land stretched on for acres. Julian wondered when she would finally stop. She was leaving behind the dim glow of fairy lights and low level lanterns. The only light now was from the moon and Julian quickened his pace, he didn’t want to let her out of his sight.
Eva finally stopped at the edge of a stream. Her shoulders shook and Julian knew she was crying. He was so close behind her now, he could smell her perfume. Her ivory skin exposed by her backless dress, the dress that he had chosen for her, made his cock ache and swell. He wanted to touch her. He was desperate to rip the dress off her body with his bare hands and fuck her right there. But he fought all his urges. Instead he placed his open palm on her back and kissed her neck softly.
‘Don’t,’ she said, sobbing hard. ‘Don’t touch me.’
Julian did as she asked and pulled back.
‘You know how much I hate her and you still brought her here. What the fuck, Julian? Why would you do that?’
Eva was talking to him but she still had her back turned and she was still crying.
‘Mia is just a job. You’re pleasure.’
‘I’m just a game to you, you sick bastard,’ Eva shouted. ‘This isn’t who I am. I don’t want to play.’
‘You don’t know who you are.’ Julian slid his arms around her waist and pulled her back against him.
‘Please, stop. It’s too hard.’
Julian tilted his body a fraction, just enough for his cock to brush against her ass. ‘It’s definitely hard.’
Eva spun around to face him, shook her head and bit her bottom lip. ‘Stop it. Be serious for a moment.’
‘I am serious.’
Julian took her hand in his and placed it against his throbbing cock.
‘Fuck everything going on in here.’ He tapped Eva’s temple gently with his fingers. ‘Fuck everything going on in there…’ He pointed back towards the lights and music of the mansion in the distance.
‘…and fuck you, I suppose.’ Eva finished.
Julian couldn’t help the salacious grin that crept across his face, it was instinct. ‘If you insist.’
He waited just a couple of seconds for Eva’s attempt to protest, as he knew she would, before he made his next move. Her warm lips invited his tongue to slip inside her mouth and explore her taste. He savoured the mix of champagne and innocence. His hand griped her ass cheek tight and pulled her as close to him as he possibly could, as his fingers meandered down the length of her spine. He sighed as he felt her body shiver and shake in his arms. He closed his mouth and pulled back just enough to stare into her eyes. He reached for his mask but Eva pushed his hand away and fixed his mask back in place. Her nose twitched, just a little, and she had the most fuckable cheeky grin.
‘Leave it,’ she whispered. ‘It’s more fun this way.’
Fuck; she took his breath away. He hadn’t seen that coming. She had just upped her game and he liked it. There was so much he wanted to do with her, he just needed to be sure she was ready. Her beautiful, bright eyes stared back at him and her tiny nod told him everything he needed to know.
He slipped his hand inside the high slit of her dress and reached behind to roughly cup her ass. Eva gasped as her slit tore a little to accommodate his strong arms.
‘Julian, my dress. How can I go back inside?’
He ignored her question. His cock was bulging and he ached to feel her around it. It was more than desire, more than anything he’d ever felt before. He didn’t just want to fuck her, in that moment he needed to.
He slid a finger behind the silky string of her thong and followed the line until he touched her wet. He waited for Eva’s tiny gasp before he pushed his finger deep inside her for the briefest of moments. Her eyes glistened as she stared into his. He knew she was searching for a hint of his intention, but he wouldn’t dare reveal the surprises he had in store for her.
He ran his finger across his bottom lip, spreading her wet across them like sparkling lip balm. He pushed his mouth against hers - hard. Eva pulled back exactly as he’d expected. She was going to taste a whole variety of pleasure tonight, and he planned to shock her every step of the way.
He pushed the silky, aubergine material of her damaged dress out of his way to reveal Eva’s tiny lilac thong.
‘Fuck, Evangeline you’re hot.’
He could hear Eva’s smile. It turned him on even more.
‘So fucking hot.‘
He took her in his arms and guided her back against the grass. She gasped as the cold soil brushed against her near naked body, but she lay still.
Julian pushed her tiny knickers to the side. She was wet and ready for him, but he wanted more. He wanted her absolutely saturated and screaming his name. He pushed her legs apart and lowered his head between her. He paused for a moment, breathing over her, teasing her. Satisfied her clit was aching and ready for his attention, he swept his tongue flat across her delicate hood and groaned as her taste filled his mouth. She squirmed beneath his expert touch and clutched clumps of grass in her fists. Her clit pebbled and her breathing became short even bursts, he could feel her right on the edge of orgasm. But he wouldn’t give it to her just yet, she’d have to work a little more for her pleasure.
He stopped, pushed himself onto his knees and stared back at her.
‘Julian, please more. Julian. ’
He loved the way his name sounded in her mouth, and it took all his will power not to give in to her request.
‘Get this off,’ Eva said, wrestling with his jacket.
Julian caught her wrists and forced her hands above her head. ‘Just you, baby.’
He parted her and pushed two fingers deep inside her. She was warm and silky inside and he thought about how amazing she’d feel wrapped around his cock. But not yet, not until she’d come. He curled his fingers inside her and found her G-spot within seconds. Her hips bucked and trembled.
‘Oh my God, oh my God,’ she squealed softly.
He flicked the spaghetti strap of her dress down her shoulder and pushed the material over her breasts out of his way and sucked her stiff nipple into his mouth and then bit gently.
Eva’s back arched as she screamed his name o
ver and over.
Julian watched as her body relaxed back against the grass. Her chest was heaving and her cheeks were flushed.
‘Fuck that was amazing,’ Eva said, still panting.
Julian shot her a lubricious smirk. He was just getting started. He helped her stand and waited as she fixed her dress.
‘There you are.’ Eva jumped as Nathan’s voice travelled towards them.
‘Fucktard,’ Julian mumbled under his breath and Eva sniggered shakily.
‘I’ve been looking everywhere for you? Are you okay?’ Nathan reached up and pulled a couple of blades of grass out of Eva’s hair. ‘Jesus, did you fall or something?’
Julian’s temper flared. Eva looked so uncomfortable with Nathan’s touch. He hated seeing her like that. Eva stepped away from them both and ran her fingers through her hair. She coughed awkwardly. ‘No, No, I em…’
‘Too much champagne. Silly girl. C’mon. I’ll take you back inside.’
That was it. Julian rose to his full six-two, his fist clenched instinctively and he stepped forward to stand between Eva and Nathan. But he was distracted by Eva tugging on the back of his jacket. He turned around to find tears in her eyes. She shook her head, silently begging him to calm down. Julian had never been very good at controlling his temper. Even as a child, he’d been hot-headed, but the upset in Eva’s eyes diluted it. He remembered what she’d told him about her father. Violence held horrible memories for her, he understood that. And although it went against his usual instinct, Julian pushed his thumping fist into his pocket and stepped aside.
Eva stared at the ground. Nathan slipped his hand behind her back and led her back toward the mansion.
Julian couldn’t miss that even though Nathan was talking to Eva, he was watching him. Nathan was starting to become a complete pain in the arse, and Julian wasn’t sure how much longer he could tolerate it. Nathan’s sweeter than candy, almost smug, grin pushed all Julian’s buttons. Tonight was about to become very uncomfortable for someone, and Julian knew that someone wasn’t him.
Rules of Harte (Harte Series #1) Page 22
