Beyond the Masks

by Nicky F. Grant

“Your pussy, Sir!”

  The way his cock continued to tent his slacks, she would bet a sly smile had appeared on his face. He continued light slaps on her sex, raising her level of desire. Her body convulsed.

  “Are you my little whore?”

  “Yes, Sir,” she cried out between contact. Tonight, she was.

  “Tell me.”

  “I’m your little…whore,” she moaned. Her body wiggled in place, begging for penetration, her mind lost in the abyss of desire essential to her freedom. Who was she right now? This man found the darkest places in her mind with ease.

  Slapping the back of her thighs and ass with his palms, her skin prickled hot, each impact harder than the last. She screamed, moaned, and contorted her face as each sting of pain blended into warm pleasure as he alternated slaps with thrusting his fingers into her pussy.

  “So good…” she whispered as he worked her body to bliss.

  With the sound of a zipper, she jerked her eyes open. His glorious dick bobbed into view as his large hand stroked from root to tip. Lucky me.

  “Look at me,” he demanded. Her eyes darted away from his stunning manhood and met the feral irises behind the black mask. His tongue darted to lick his bottom lip. “Open your fucking mouth.”

  She did without question. The smooth crown slipped past her lips, and he held still. She swirled her tongue around the crease, the salty taste of his pre-ejaculate spurring her deeper. He grunted at her swift move before he continued pushing forward. It was so big she nearly choked, unsure if she would succeed. Relaxing her throat, she concentrated on breathing out of her nose. Tears beaded at the corners of her eyes behind her mask when her lips met the base.

  “My little whore can take more than I thought.” He spoke through his clenched teeth. Warm hands grasped her thighs, and his hot tongue licked her slit, she moaned. Yes. His hips shifted, pumping his dick in and out of her mouth. His lips sucked and licked her pussy. The sensation created a sexual charge as she drifted beyond the room and into a vortex of sexual sin.

  When his dick trembled along her tongue, his balls flexed. She continued moaning and vibrating his thick column.

  “Fuck.”

  Quickly removing himself, his hand met her cheek enough to alert her. She licked her lips to savor his masculine taste. “You’re a temptress,” he said, rewarding her with a compliment. “Your cunt is sweet like a fucking peach, and your mouth…”

  “Thank you, Sir.” She adjusted her jaw from the emptiness as the creeping heat crawled along her skin. She was revved and ready to explode.

  The mattress dipped. She crooked her neck to see his immense body towering over her. He’d shed his pants, underwear, and button-down but was still dressed in a white t-shirt and mask. His muscular arms and chest flexed through the fabric as he climbed her body.

  Mask-to-mask they stared at each other, a zip of lust connecting them. He visibly shuddered and moved to lean back on his heels. His cock jutted forward and he slowly rolled a condom on. Her breathing spiked. Had she ever seen a more erotic move? Slow. Deliberate. An animal capturing its prey. Lips curled. Eyes flaring. The wide crown notched her cleft, wetting the tip from her dripping juices.

  “Ready for me?”

  She nodded, and he pushed in without apology, grunting as her pussy enveloped him. She sucked in a gasp and held her breath. The sheer size of his cock expanded her more than she had ever been before. Jacob was no slouch in size but this man…holy mother...

  “Take it all,” he grunted.

  Wincing in delicious agony, she squeezed her eyes shut. He cupped her ass and moved her hips up and down until his cock was fully inserted. Her gloved hands gripped the wrist restraints as she became accustomed to his size.

  He moved in and out at a pace so fast she moaned loudly without inhibition. Drilling her, he cupped her breast and squeezed her clamped nipple, sending her deep into subspace. Pure ecstasy wrapped her in a cocoon of intense pleasure accompanied by pain. Her walls clenched as he found her special spot.

  “Not yet, my whore,” he gasped between thrusts. Sweat ran down his face and arms. Hot breath hit her face. She bit the inside of her mouth to hang on a little longer. Her mind flipped, and her body won the fight to pure pleasure.

  “Now.” His permission granted too late.

  She screamed so loud it could have broken glass. Muscles contracted, rolling her orgasm over and over again. As her body convulsed, he bit down on her nipple and tore the balls off with his teeth, creating a burning throb of epic proportions as the feeling came back to the abused tissue. Her eyes rolled as another climax overcame her. Oh my god…

  Limp and exhausted, the man didn’t let up on his exquisite punishment until he came hard inside her. He crushed her when he fell over her bound body.

  Gavin blinked. Darkness. How long had he slept? He stretched, relaxing into the unwinding tension in his body. He rolled over to touch Shane. The bed was cold. He sprang up and grabbed the remote sitting on the side table. Lights filled the room. Disbelief sank in. She was gone. He smirked, rubbing his face. This was a first. Women typically begged to be taken again–which he would deny–while he pried their grasp from the still burning sheets.

  He fell back onto the plush bed. Visions of Shane at his mercy brought his libido to life again as he teased his throbbing dick. The boss was a tart and easy to break from her otherwise aggressive persona. The base of his balls tightened. Her lush, shameless ways turned him on. It would only be a matter of time before he had her heart. Next step? Make her feel safe, push her limits, and get what he needed to execute his plan.

  He made his way to the bathroom to clean up and dress. The rest of the evening would need attending to. The water he splashed on his face cooled his warm skin. He patted his face with a towel and halted at his reflection. Fear widened his eyes, and he moved swiftly toward the bed. There, on the floor, lay his mask.

  9

  “In the saddle, ten seconds! Go!” the spin instructor yelled.

  “Jeez, she is working us this morning,” David gasped, out of breath.

  Monday was their weekly spin class to rile her energy for the week. Today was no different except the underlying hum of satisfaction Shane still had from her weekend at the club.

  “Get up! On those feet! Push, push, push. Squeeze those asses!”

  Shane pedaled through the pain. Sweat dripping down her spine. “Sure is.”

  “So…you have said…all of two words to me…about your mystery man on Saturday,” he spoke between squats on the bike.

  “Nothing to tell.” She sat back during the breakout. Shivers flooded her system even though the room was stifling.

  “Liar! You disappeared out of nowhere. Sean and I waited as long as we could.”

  “Hey, you in the back, I must not be working this group hard enough with all the chitchat,” the instructor called out. “Now push up your resistance and get ready to climb!”

  “Now look what you did.” Shane laughed, cranking the knob.

  “This conversation is not over.”

  The fall breeze hit Shane’s face with renewed vibrancy. The blue sky with cotton-like white clouds spanned over the high rises of New York. Honking horns and the sounds of passing people flooded her ears. The city was alive, and for the first time, she was a part of its kinetic energy. Awakened and revived, a long sigh was followed by dancing goosebumps on her skin. Wow, what a weekend.

  “Okay, I can’t take the suspense, doll. What happened?”

  “Oh, you know, the usual.” She smiled.

  “The usual? There’s nothing usual about my Shane hooking up with a random stranger. I didn’t even get to see what he looked like! Come on, please? Don’t make me beg.” He stuck out his bottom lip.

  Her smile widened until her cheeks hurt. “Get in the car.”

  He jumped in the air like a three-year-old and slid into the SUV. When they merged into morning traffic, she said, “For starters he was nice.”

  “Nice? You settled for
nice? Please.” He waved her off.

  “And authoritative, patient and demanding. Blew. My. Mind.” The masked mystery Dom, all tall, dark, and sexy, flashed before her field of vision. Goose pimples formed on her arms, and her toes curled in her boots.

  “Now we’re getting somewhere. What’s his name?”

  “Shit. I-I don’t know.”

  “You don’t know? How did you know what to scream, if you didn’t know his name?” He laughed.

  “Whatever. There wasn’t a need for names. No connection whatsoever.” Besides, the word connection would be an insult to what happened.

  “You’re blushing, which proves you are a horrific liar. There must have been something.” He jerked off his glasses and cleaned them with a pocket square.

  “I suppose.”

  “Shane, this game is boring me. What happened?”

  She gazed out the window when the SUV slowed at a red light. Pedestrians moved toward the flashing walk sign across the street, one foot in front of the other, moving forward toward their destinations. Where was she heading? Her chest gripped. Admitting anything to David involved confessing the weekend meant more than sex and a physiological release. But getting it out would give her perspective.

  She turned to him. “He was more than I imagined. He understood me, could read me. Took me places I never thought anyone but Jacob could reach.”

  A rough morning after left her sinking into regret. It was supposed to be about her getting back out there and having fun. Instead, a detour was taken before a final destination could be determined. She wanted to see the Dom again, craved what he’d done to her. It wasn’t better than Jacob, just different, and the thrill of exploring it all again made it impossible to want to stay away.

  “Now was that so hard?” He put his glasses on and patted her hand. “One problem. You don’t know his name, so how will we ever find him again?”

  “We?” she squealed in shock.

  “If you’re not going to track him down, I will. For you, of course. I haven’t seen you this, this…” He stuttered, holding his hand out like he tried to grab the words from the air.

  “Happy? Alive? Confused?” She spouted out the possibilities for him.

  “Yes, doll. All of the above.”

  She was screwed. “Let’s leave it for now. This was a long time coming, and my brain is short-circuiting. I need time to separate the mystery man, Gavin, and Jacob all coming at me.”

  “Let me know if I can help.”

  “You listening helps.” She kissed his cheek.

  A little after eight in the morning and Gavin sat at the helm of Omega Records in the cushy white leather chair from which Shane steered the proverbial ship. The city sprawled before him, full of promises while awaiting domination. The invisible radio waves of his soon-to-be empire crisscrossed the massive city. The music from his artists would be on the devices of every listener. The end game remained within his reach. Shane had slipped into his hand quicker than he’d thought possible.

  A surge of power engulfed him in a fog of passion, lust, and control. The way she’d yielded to him, obeyed him, all without question. Fucking incredible. The boss lady had quite the list of sexual proclivities, all at his fingertips. Unless she recognized him. He rolled his lips between his teeth. Fuck. It could be over before it started.

  Voices murmured from down the hall, and he left his eventual throne of power and sat in a visitor’s chair.

  “What the fu...?”

  “Good morning, Shane. How was your weekend?” he asked nonchalantly.

  “Holy hell, Gavin. What are you doing in here?”

  “Waiting for you. I brought your coffee.” He pointed to the latte sitting on her desk.

  “Um, thanks, I guess.” She cautiously made her way to the desk. She placed her purse and briefcase on the floor while maintaining eye contact when she sat.

  “Are you okay? You seem off.” He narrowed his eyes. Any sign of recognition from The Resort not present.

  She crinkled her brow. “Is this how you make friends? Popping in on people without warning?”

  “No, this is new for me. Usually I don’t have to try so hard. Besides, I thought we were past friends.” He winked. So very ‘past friends’.

  “Yeah. About dinner last week…”

  “Are you denying there was something there?”

  “No.” She fumbled with her coffee, almost spilling its contents.

  The chink in her armor had been exposed. His back-up plan was working in case she didn’t proceed to push her limits at The Resort. But genuine curiosity about her good side filled him with wonder, lighting a dormant spot in his heart. The Shane she didn’t show anyone. The person he glimpsed at dinner.

  “Then what’s the problem?”

  She found her spot at the front of her desk. “The problem is I’m your boss, and you’re an employee. We work together. That’s it.”

  “That’s it? As in all that’s standing in my way or all we will be?”

  She tried to hide her Mona Lisa smile. “All we will be.”

  He stood slowly. Her eyes followed his panther-like movements. Once he straightened, he had several inches on her. She confidently craned her neck so her chin jutted out a few inches. A dare initiated, not only between them, but within himself.

  There comes a time in a man’s life—his life—where hunting for survival rather than sport becomes paramount. His entire life, he’d played the angle, conquering his prey for game, but now his wires had crossed. Her slightly diminished alpha demeanor sent a shock to his heart. What was it about her?

  Please, one night with the boss doesn’t mean veering off course. Stick to the plan.

  One step closer and heat radiated from her small frame. She wanted more. He wanted more. Her plump, glossy lips parted, and he could kiss her. Tell her what he was. He licked his lips, the sensual tension so thick, a train could barrel through the office, and they wouldn’t even notice.

  A deep, shaky breath left her. “W-what’s on the docket for today?”

  His eyes deliberately danced over her face. Flushed cheeks. Breath hitched. Blue eyes dilated. “You tell me, Shane.”

  She swallowed as her hand pressed against his chest. He could take her if he wanted to. Her eyes did the bidding, but she had to say the word. And his dick thought it was a great idea. She blinked and shoved him back.

  “Your boss,” she reminded, moving to the other side of the desk.

  He cleared his throat, rolling his neck.

  “I have a lunch meeting with Don Miller to finalize the contract with Digmore. I thought you might want to come along.”

  “Trouble closing?” she joked.

  He leaned on the desk. “Let’s get something straight, I always close.” She swallowed again. That’s right, baby. I always do.

  Her all-telling eyes glazed over for a second as the blush in her neck deepened.

  She’s totally interested.

  “See you at noon.”

  “You’re awfully quiet, Shane. You seem distracted,” Gavin said as they waited at a table for Don Miller.

  “Everything’s fine. A lot going on right now.”

  “Like what?”

  “Nothing of your concern.” The top of her priority list didn’t scream: Share your weekend sexcapades with your employee. “Where are we with Ryan signing since last week?”

  He paused. Curiosity roused her insides. What was floating through his mind?

  “We’re close. The numbers are all outlined in the contract. This meeting is to clarify recording schedules and finalize payment to him.” He nodded toward the door. “He’s here.”

  Don approached the table. Wisps of silver feathered his temples and were peppered throughout his slicked back brown hair. When he smiled, the wrinkles creased near his kind eyes. “Don, welcome. This is Shane Vaughn, CEO of Omega Records.”

  “Wonderful to meet you, Ms. Vaughn,” Don said, shaking her hand.

  “Likewise, and call me Shane, ple
ase.”

  “I brought Shane so you could discuss any concerns with the contract. She’s been anxious to meet the man behind Ryan’s current success, so it made sense to get you together sooner rather than later.” Gavin smiled in her direction.

  Way to go, Gavin. Very smooth.

  Don nodded. “It’s a pleasure. Gavin has said wonderful things about your company, and we’re excited to be considered for your impressive roster.”

  “Did he now?” She tilted her head toward Gavin. “I’ve listened to Ryan’s first album, and for being self-produced, it’s quite impressive.”

  “Thanks. Put in a lot of long hours to make it seem professionally recorded. I’ve never seen someone as invested in the output of his music as he is. And he wants to continue to be a part of the process.”

  “And rightfully so. Omega prides itself on being one of the last large record labels to encourage artist involvement. Hindering the creative process only puts roadblocks in the way,” Gavin confirmed.

  The waiter arrived, and they paused to place their order. Shane continued, “So Don, tell me about yourself.”

  Shane believed, in order to be the best, the CEO must understand the talent and the people behind the music. It helped avoid pitfalls and undervalued contracts in the industry. Every musician had a story. How they got there, why they pursued it. Each story contained a gem of motivation, and the contract was written to capitalize on it, making signing with her label more appealing than others.

  Don leaned back in his chair and discussed his history with music going back twenty years. To get his feet wet, he had worked pro bono for a band touring the country. The lead singer decided to take Don on as their manager. Along the way, he met Ryan at a festival, playing his guitar around a bonfire, swooning a group of girls. He’d witnessed something special and brought him up the ranks, leaving his management position.

  “Quite a risk on your part,” she admired.

  “Yeah, it was. But I believe in Ryan. If not for Gavin coming to one of his gigs, we wouldn’t be here.”

  “It’s my job.”