Beyond The Mask (The Beyond Book 1)

by Hunter, Aubrianna

  Rising from the bench, she gently ran her fingers over the mask, reveling in the hard texture that should feel cool to the touch, yet was warmed by the heat of his skin. An odd combination.

  Looking up into his blue eyes, she let her exploration continue, her fingers sliding past the edge of the mask, brushing the skin of his jaw before tracing those beautiful lips. She felt more than heard the quick intake of breath against her fingertips. He grabbed her hand, stilling her motion as he tenderly kissed the palm. A fleeting, butterfly wing kiss yet still her heart raced.

  "Let's dance again?" Jade asked.

  He merely nodded before leading her back to the floor.

  They danced in silence, cocooned in a world all their own despite the many people surrounding them. He danced beautifully, a strong partner, gently leading her through the steps as if he'd done them a thousand times. It crossed her mind to wonder why he knew every dance, but with Derek it almost made perfect sense.

  At the end of the song, he brushed his hands across her cheek, another light caress that still caused her heart to flutter a little. For the next song, he pulled her in close, his body tightly to hers. She could feel his heat even through the layers of her gown.

  Did he seem taller than usual? Derek could never be called short, standing a little over six foot, large enough to appear imposing with his normally brooding expression. Tonight though, he seemed to be closer to six and a half feet tall. It must be her imagination. Maybe the mask, the atmosphere, his complete ease in the environment was simply making him seem larger than life.

  As the music they were dancing to began to fade, a more vibrant tune beginning, Derek tugged her fingers, gently pulling her into place behind him as he moved from the dance floor and through a side door out of the ballroom, leading her into a dimly lit hallway. The wall sconces flickered, whether from real candlelight or an excellent copy she couldn't tell.

  "Where are we going? We shouldn't be here."

  "Ssshhh," was the only answer she received as his step became more intent, pulling her with a little more speed. He walked as if he had a destination in mind, as if he knew where he was headed. Had he been here before?

  While she was new to the area, Derek had lived here his whole life. Maybe this was a museum when not in use for parties. Perhaps he'd been here on a tour of some sort.

  Regardless, he was walking with purpose... he had a plan. Was this a fantasy? Was he acting out a secret sexual desire? His eyes had been darker than normal, the blue sparking with passion and heat while they had danced. A secret tryst between lovers at a very public event.

  Oh, she was so on board with that.

  Keeping silent, she couldn't stop her heart racing, her breath speeding up as the beginnings of arousal took root within her.

  * * * * *

  He could feel her pulse begin to speed, fluttering in her wrist against his fingertips, her breathing racing to catch up. He deliberately slowed his pace, forcing his steps into a moderate speed rather than the haste he had been employing.

  He breathed deeply, inhaling the warm scent of her: vanilla and spice, with something earthier beneath it. That something that belonged only to her. He was waiting for fear, a normal response from a woman being dragged down an eerie passageway to an unknown destination for an unknown purpose.

  He was surprised to scent... arousal?

  Biting his cheek, he forced back the growl that threatened to erupt. The dancing had been enough of a challenge. The feel of her body pressed so closely against his, it had been all he could do not to take her right there, in front of his guests.

  Seeing the doorway straight ahead of him, he pulled her into the room he'd been aiming for.

  He opened the door to the library, turning the dial to activate the lights while still keeping them dimly lit. She would think it was for atmosphere, to help set the mood. And to an extent it was. Yet, there was more to it than that.

  Pulling her in behind him, he quickly locked the door; a soft “snick” the only sound outside of her mild panting. Not allowing her any time to consider her circumstances, he pulled her toward him, pressing his lips to hers, seeking the kiss he had been waiting so long to take.

  Her immediate response was almost too much for him to handle. Forcing the monster back down, he settled in to enjoy this. With a movement quick enough to leave her slightly disoriented, he had them settled on the settee angled into the corner of the room.

  As he lay her back, tugging at the top of her dress, he was delighted to find her breasts were barely contained within the fabric. Another tug and her breasts spilled out, the purple satin pushing her flesh up without hiding anything from his view, his touch.

  At first sight of her dark pink nipple, already tight with desire, he felt the monster rear its head again. A violent need began the battle within him, but he wasn't ready for that just yet.

  He leaned forward, his lips wrapping around her flesh, suckling the tip gently at first, before pulling her deeply into his mouth, her soft cries urging him on.

  They were alone in here, his secrecy no longer necessary. Even as he thought to remove the mask, she ripped hers off, tossing it aside, before sliding her fingers beneath his and pushing.

  To distract her, he leaned again, suckling her other breast, gently nipping to only lick and tease again. She threw her head back, a keening sound coming from deep in her throat.

  He removed his mask before pulling her up to meet his lips again.

  * * * * *

  Jade had never been this aroused. Not just with Derek, but with anyone. Maybe it was the evening, the sense of complete surrealism allowing her this kind of abandon, allowing her to step outside of her norms and simply feel. Whatever the cause, she needed this, needed him.

  As their kiss escalated, becoming a battle of wills, a fight for dominance, she shoved her fingers into his hair, her fists clenching, fighting for purchase against his scalp. A little growl against her lips told her just how much he liked that.

  Clenching again, she pulled none to gently, only to pull him back to her, changing the angle of the kiss. Loosing her fingers, she reached down, tugging and pulling on the heavy gold buttons that closed the front of the tunic. She had managed only a few before she felt his hands meet hers and pull the rest apart. Finally able to touch his skin, she ran her hands over his sculpted chest. God he was hot, his skin almost too warm to touch.

  She wanted to see him, to touch and taste, lick and nibble until she was content. One good shove and he was sitting in front of her, her eyes taking in the features that were familiar... yet clearly not Derek.

  Through the aroused haze in her brain, she finally connected the dots. "You!" she gasped. "You gave me the invitation to come tonight."

  "Yes."

  One word, no explanation.

  "But, why? Where's Derek. Oh, God... Derek. I can't be here. I have to go." She tried to stand only to have her knees give way beneath her. He grabbed her, one hand around her waist the other just below her breasts. Breasts that responded to his nearness despite her lover no doubt waiting for her return.

  Derek was waiting for her and she was in here with another man. Responding to another man.

  "Let me go. I need to go find Derek." Her voice sounded weak even to her own ears, breathy, her body clearly still attracted to him. Fuck! She had to get out of here.

  "No. You don't really want to do that, and you know it."

  He strummed a nipple, the pad of his thumb brushing by, teasing her.

  "Yes, I do. I have to..." Her words trailed off as he brushed by again, finally pinching the tip between his thumb and finger, rolling it around. It should have been painful, but instead it sent pleasure rocketing to her core. Derek or not, she couldn't stop the moan that escaped her lips.

  "Look at you. You want this, want me. You know it, I know it. I'm going to have you, one way or another, so why not simply relax and enjoy this."

  The words seemed threatening somehow, yet the tone was so soothing she found
herself sinking back into his arms, letting him support her weight as she acknowledged the truth to his words. She wanted this, needed this.

  She would pay for it later, of that she was certain, but her body was betraying her mind. She felt the wetness between her legs, rushing out to soak the satin thong she wore beneath the gown. The only thing she wore beneath the gown.

  "Fuck!" he swore, "I can smell your desire."

  An odd statement... wasn't it?

  He kissed her neck, running his teeth down the corded tendon he found there, while his hands continued to tease and torment her breasts.

  "Aaahh, please..." she heard herself murmur, her good intentions left on the road to hell.

  * * * * *

  She was his. With those words, he knew he had her. In a movement that he knew was too fast, he spun her around in his arms and pushed her backwards to the wall, carrying her so she didn't trip and fall.

  When she gasped, her green eyes meet his, easily showing all she was feeling: passion, lust, guilt... fear. He felt the monster within rise up again, begging to be let loose.

  This time, he didn't fight it. He felt his fangs lengthen in his mouth, his muscles tighten and lengthen, preparing for battle.

  Grabbing the edge of her bodice in both hands he yanked, rending the garment in half. When he leaned into her for a kiss this time, he felt her pert breasts pressing against his heated flesh.

  With a gasp, she pulled away, "God you're hot."

  He chuckled softly, "God has nothing to do with it."

  He pulled the gown off her shoulders, watching as it fell to the ground in a puddle at her feet. He gripped her hands in one of his, raising them above her head and pinning them against the wall.

  He felt it only fair to warn her. "I'm going to fuck you now. I'm going to make you come, screaming out your pleasure. Right at the peak, I'm going to kill you."

  He kissed her again, pressing his lips against hers as his fingers found and ripped her satin panties, removing the last barrier to the moisture he sought.

  He plunged one finger inside, giving no warning, no tender touches, he simply took what he desired. Her body responded as if she'd known him all her life, gripping his finger in her silken sheath.

  * * * * *

  He was going to fuck her... Thank God. With his finger in her, she still couldn't get enough, twisting and writhing her hips in encouragement. She felt so hot, hotter than she'd ever been, and his skin against hers was hotter still. She was dancing with the sun.

  He thrust his hand again and again, bringing her ever closer to that edge without letting her go over it.

  Finally with a growl, he ripped something loose on his pants, freeing his cock to her waiting gaze. He was huge, longer and harder than any she'd ever seen. She felt her pussy clench between her legs, telling her just how much she wanted that inside of her.

  She mewled when he responded to her gaze, releasing a tiny drop of fluid from the tip. She wanted to taste him.

  When she licked her lips, he chuckled. "Another time, perhaps. But not tonight, Jade."

  Hearing him say her name, reminded her that she didn't even know who he was. "Wait, no... I need to go find..."

  "No fuckin' way," he answered before she even completed the thought.

  "Wha... what's your name."

  "Nik. But you can call me, Sir."

  With that, he grabbed her ass, lifting her and pressing her backwards against the wall in one flash of movement. Before she could take her next breath, he was inside her, pushing and stretching her to the hilt. He was so big, it almost hurt, but a kind of pleasurable pain as her body stretched to accommodate him. He never slowed to make sure she was comfortable, just continued thrusting until he was in her as deep as he could go.

  Her orgasm broke over her without any warning whatsoever and she screamed out her pleasure, digging her nails into his shoulders as if he could anchor her to earth.

  A little groan escaped before he planted his lips to hers again, thrusting with a strength she couldn't believe. The kiss didn't last long, they could have banged their teeth together if it had. As he pulled back, she felt a burning sensation across her bottom lip. A quick dart of her tongue and she tasted blood. He'd bitten her?

  She licked her lip again, tasting the salty metallic tang, the action wringing another groan from him. He stilled for a moment, causing her to cry out. She still needed... more.

  He started moving again, pressing her head into the crook of his neck, ordering her to "Lick" as he did.

  She did, only this wasn't salty like sweat, it was sweet, tasting almost of honey. For some reason she eagerly lapped, drawn to the nectar like a hummingbird, licking and suckling his skin and the delicious flavor she found there.

  As she began to crest, another orgasm rolling through her, she couldn't help but bite down hard against his neck, her nails scoring into his back hard enough she knew she'd drawn blood. She could feel his skin tear beneath her nails.

  She vaguely felt his head move to her throat, a little stinging sensation, followed by a burning... an intense burning sending waves of pleasure through her as she hit yet another orgasm.

  It ran through her mind, just for the briefest of moments, he had said he was going to kill her and he just might have told the truth. What an odd thing to say...

  * * * * *

  Nik felt her nails gouging into his back, the sting of pain, the bite on his shoulder, and her flesh milking his shaft, all combined to bring him to a roaring climax. As he fucked her, harder and faster than any mere human, she continued to come, milking every last drop from him.

  He sunk his fangs into her neck, feeling her contract again, another spike of pleasure just from his bite.

  As he drained the last of the life from her veins, he felt her body go limp against him. He laid her on the floor, grabbing a blanket from a cabinet and wrapping it around her. With a handkerchief he wiped the blood first from his mouth and then from hers, before cleaning her neck and his shoulder. There was nothing he could do about the nail marks in his back, but they would heal soon enough.

  After wrapping her tightly, making sure she was completely covered, he carried her over to the settee, lying her down as gently as possible. Taking a moment to adjust his clothes, he straightened first his attire, then his hair, making sure he looked the part of the perfect host.

  Making quick use of his cell phone, he began gathering her dress and panties from the floor. A quick scan assured him he hadn't left any blood spilled in the room.

  By the time he opened the library door, Alexis, his second in command, was waiting for him. He handed him the garments, mumbling quietly "Take care of everything."

  Alexis' silent nod was all the assurance Nik needed.

  One more quick brush of his clothing and Nik returned to the ballroom to see to his guests.

  Chapter Eight

  Somehow, awash in the façade of the world surrounding him, Derek had made his way to the front of the line. Stumbling up to the bar he met a gracious welcome.

  “Good Evening m’lord,” The bartender began. “What may I create to quench such a large man’s thirst?”

  The man was not just flamboyantly playing the role his costume dictated. It was apparent that he held a keener need to serve men beyond that of alcoholic beverages. Derek smirked beneath his mask. In this place, the identity granted to him was desirable to both men and women. He couldn’t wait to tell Jade that the bar tender had flirted with him. Perhaps she would fall jealous and be forced to turn up her attentions. Oh the glories of a costume ball.

  “Gimme a Jack and Coke, hold the rocks, and a dry martini with a twist for my lady.”

  With a nod the costume-clad drink creator spun on his heel and twirled around behind the bar snatching bottles and spinning them within his hands. Tossing them into the air on occasion, he would then catch them again before pouring metered amounts of their contents into the prescribed crystal glasses. Seconds later, he slid two drinks toward Derek, a smile app
earing beneath the edge of his mask.

  “Thanks,” Derek said nonchalantly before turning with drinks in hand to find his inspiration.

  Carefully dodging patrons he exited the luxuriously decorated bar within seconds and strode confidently into the adjoining chamber. Greeted by both brilliant lights and an instrumental tune of another time, he turned and strode back to where he believed he had left Jade. Glancing around quickly, he decided he must have been mistaken as she was nowhere to be seen.

  Derek again turned, and this time located the pair of giant staircases that twisted up to the floor above. Judging his distance, he was sure this is where he had left her.

  Perhaps he had been absent longer than he had thought? He had allowed himself the luxury of a daydream or two, but even so Jade would not have gone far.

  Derek turned again and gazed upon the row of overstuffed benches that lined the walls. Women and men alike sought respite within the cushions, but Jade was not among them. Derek could not help but believe that another had found her as inspiring as he and had asked her to dance.

  Turning he began to walk towards those who spun and dipped and twirled, admiring their elegance and grace as he neared. With drinks in hand, he stepped among those who shared blissful company with one another and realized quickly that it was a mistake.

  No more had he entered the bewitched throng of costumed people than he became disoriented. They spun around him in all directions, flashes of color and lace misleading his eyes. Turning this way and that Derek sought a safe escape but wound up dropping a crystal glass, having bumped into a twirling gown. The martini shattered and splashed across the polished floor, the shards making bell like tinkles as they bounced. A lone olive upon a toothpick twirled like a top before slowly and inevitably coming to a stop. The light dimmed.

  Not knowing what else to do, Derek dropped to a knee to retrieve the broken shards lest someone become injured upon the jagged pieces. Again and again he was nudged and bumped, making the task impossible. Where was Jade?