Masquerade and Other Tales

by Amanda Ashley

  If he told her the truth, would she run screaming from the room?

  “Kathy…”

  She looked up at him, her eyes shining with love and trust.

  “Kathy, I…dammit.”

  Her brow furrowed with alarm. “What is it?”

  “Nothing, darlin’. Nothing at all.”

  “Oh, I hate it when people do that!” she exclaimed, then felt her cheeks grow hot when she realized she was guilty of doing the same thing only moments ago. “Tell me, Jessie. Please.”

  He shook his head. “Another time perhaps.”

  “Jessie…”

  He silenced her the only way he knew how. Cupping her face in his hands, he kissed her, long and hard. Her surrender was immediate and complete. Her eyelids fluttered down and she melted against him, a soft purr of contentment rising in her throat.

  Desire burst to life within him, hotter than the flames that entertained visitors at the Mirage.

  “Kathy, listen…” He groaned softly, his need for her like a physical pain. Damn, he thought, he couldn’t go on like this much longer. There had been no other women in his life since the night he met Kathy. He had never been a monk, not in his old life, and certainly not in this one, but he had never wanted a woman the way he wanted the one in his arms. Her innocence, her sweetness, the passion he sensed within her, called to everything male within him, begging him to take her, to make her his own in the most primal way of all.

  “Jessie, oh, Jessie…” She pressed herself against him, wanting to be closer.

  He blew out a sigh that came from the very depths of his being. “Dammit, darlin’,” he muttered, “I’m not made of stone.”

  She laughed softly as she felt the very real evidence of his desire. “You could have fooled me.”

  He grinned down at her. “I think I’d better go before one of us gets in trouble.”

  “Don’t go.”

  “I don’t want to, but…” Slowly, he sat back, putting some distance between them. “You’re far too tempting, darlin’, and I’m far too weak.”

  “Are you?” She smiled at him, her eyes alight with the same expression Eve’s must have had the first time she tempted Adam.

  Jesse stood up, knowing if he didn’t get out of there, now, he would take her, willing or not.

  “See you tomorrow night, darlin’.” Bending, he placed a quick kiss on the top of her head and fled the room as if the sun itself were chasing him.

  * * * * *

  He prowled the dark streets beyond the strip the rest of the night, his thirst and his desire warring with what he knew to be right.

  Kathy…she was like the sun, chasing away the shadows in his dark world. How could he defile her? How could he let her go? She was a forever kind of girl, he mused, a wry grin twisting his lips. And he could give her forever. If he offered it, would she accept?

  He held the thought close, letting his imagination consider the possibilities… marriage, a companion to share his life, someone he could confide in, someone he could trust with the truth. Kathy…it would be heaven to meet the dark sleep in her arms, awake with her beside him.

  Ah, but it could never be. What woman would settle for a man who could never share her whole life? She would soon tire of him, tire of his excuses and half-truths, grow weary of being with a man who could never share the daylight hours with her, who couldn’t even go on a picnic with her, except by the pale light of the moon…although, he thought, as an idea occurred to him, that might not be such a bad idea…

  * * * * *

  “Where are we going?” Kathy asked as Jessie pulled out of the hotel parking lot. It was Monday night. There were no late performances on Mondays and they usually spent the evening strolling along the Strip, window-shopping, or seeing a show at one of the other casino’s. She loved the Excalibur with its moat and fire-breathing dragon. Jessie liked playing the carnival games upstairs at the Circus Circus. He was good at them, too, and she had dozens of stuffed animals to prove it. Some nights they tried their luck at the gaming tables. Other nights they spent the evening in her room, watching a movie. Jessie loved movies.

  “It’s a surprise.”

  Kathy sat back in the seat, enjoying the feel of the wind in her hair. Jessie had left the limo behind tonight in favor of his baby blue Corvette convertible.

  It was peaceful on the highway at this time of night, quiet, save for the low purr of the Corvette’s engine and the hum of the tires on the road.

  For a time, Kathy watched the countryside go by. The world looked different at night, the bright colors of daytime subdued. A full moon bathed the landscape with long silver shadows.

  Tiring of the scenery, she focused her attention on Jessie’s profile. It was sharp and clean and handsome, so handsome. She never tired of looking at him, of touching him. Even now, her hand strayed onto his thigh, and he twined his fingers with hers. He gave her a quick glance, his smile warm with promise, his eyes glowing with love and desire.

  Her stomach tightened with pleasure when his gaze rested on her face. Mesmerized by his eyes, time and place lost all meaning.

  She blinked when the car stopped, surprised to find that they were at a deserted spot on Lake Mead.

  Jessie vaulted over the door, then came around to open hers. Taking her hand, he bowed her out of the car, then reached into the back seat and pulled out a picnic basket and a blanket.

  Kathy clapped her hands in delight. “A midnight picnic! How romantic.”

  “I was hopin’ you’d like it, darlin’.”

  “I like you.”

  “Why, thank you, ma’am,” he drawled. “You may have guessed that I’m rather fond of you, too.”

  “Fond of me?” she replied, pouting. “That’s all?”

  “Very fond?” he said, grinning as he squeezed her hand. “Come on.”

  They found a flat spot near the lake. Jessie spread the blanket on the ground, then opened the basket, withdrawing a loaf of bread, a book, and a bottle of wine.

  Kathy looked at him and grinned. “A loaf of bread and a jug of wine?”

  “And thou beside me.”

  She picked up the book. It was a small volume bound in maroon-colored leather. The title, Poetry, Prayers and Promises was lettered in gold. “Love poems?”

  Jessie nodded.

  “I’ve never heard of the poet. Where did you find it?”

  He shrugged. “In a used book store.”

  Kathy opened the book to the middle and began to read:

  The warmth of her touch

  moved through my being

  searing my soul

  forever yearning

  never to be quenched

  my heart dissolved

  falling away

  leaving me naked

  flesh consumed with desire

  to be moistened by her lips

  caressed by her breath

  moving like light

  dancing on the wind

  I run

  burning from the fire of her touch

  overwhelmed by surges of pulsing passion

  escape!

  before I never want to leave

  the warmth of her touch

  “Wow,” she exclaimed softly. “That’s what I call hot!”

  Jessie grinned at her as he took the book from her hand and turned a couple of pages. “I think this one is my favorite.”

  “Read it to me,” Kathy said.

  He looked at her a moment, and then began to read.

  “If I say with mere words that I want you, will you move to my side? If I move with simple strokes, will you comfort my eyes? To taste the lips that speak of love, to inhale the breath that whispers my name. Will you hold my soul for a moment? Let me empty my heart, and fill it with your taste. I lay alone, with only your voice filling my being; I breathe, knowing my air will find your soul. If I walk through a time of need, will you be at my side, holding what’s left of me? I move…wanting. I taste…needing. I will always ache for just one
glance. Walking, I feel the sun kiss my skin. Your lips touch mine. Sitting, I gaze upon the light. Your eyes cover me. Oh, so sweet, your embrace. My mind, lost in a deep pool, warmth flowing through my blood. If I say with mere words that I love you, will you fly with my soul through eternity?”

  “I think he just became my favorite poet,” Kathy murmured. “That was beautiful.”

  Jessie tilted her face up. “So are you,” he said softly, and kissed her. “Oh, darlin’,” he murmured. “Do you know what you do to me?”

  “Hopefully the same thing you’re doing to me.”

  He laughed softly. “I didn’t bring you out here to seduce you, but…” His lips slid over her throat. “It’s a mighty tempting thought.”

  It was tempting, Kathy thought. Too tempting.

  She gazed into Jessie’s eyes, and wondered what she would do if he tried to make love to her. Would she resist? Did she want to resist?

  Time lost all meaning. The bread and wine were forgotten as he kissed her again, his hands lightly skimming her body until she yearned for him, burned for him.

  Jessie drew back, his breathing ragged with the need to possess her, to taste her. But not here, he thought, not now.

  “Come on, let’s take a walk.” Taking her by the hand, he helped her to her feet.

  Kathy blew out a sigh, grateful for his restraint. Another few minutes, she mused, and she might have done something she would regret.

  She yawned behind her hand on the ride back to the hotel.

  “Sleepy?” he asked.

  “A little.” With music playing softly on the radio and the warm desert wind caressing her face, she closed her eyes, drifting in the nether world between sleep and wakefulness. His voice found her there, low, seductive, touched with magic.

  Tomorrow night, I will come to your room. Don’t breathe too deeply, or you will pull me inside. I will lift you into my world. Yours will no longer exist. Eternity with me, tasting you, devouring your smile, surrounding your life, with my kiss….

  She woke with a start. “Did you say something?”

  Jessie shook his head. “No, why?”

  “I guess I was dreaming.”

  He looked at her, his expression enigmatic as he pulled into the parking lot and killed the engine. “I hope I was in it.”

  Chapter 11

  With a sigh, Kathy hung up the receiver. Every time she called that man before dark, she got his answering machine. It annoyed her that he was always so busy during the day, that he never had time for her. How many meetings could one man – even a man as popular as Jessie – have? She knew if she asked him about it, she would get the same old answer.

  I work late, and I sleep late, darlin’, and then I take care of business so I can spend my nights with you.

  She couldn’t argue with that. She stayed up into the wee small hours of the morning to be with him and slept far into the afternoon, rarely getting out of bed before one or two.

  She looked at the clock. It was a little after four. Jessie usually showed up around six-thirty or seven.

  She took a leisurely bubble bath, combed her hair, slid into a dark green silk dress that managed to be modest and sexy at the same time.

  When she stepped into the living room, Jessie was already there, waiting for her.

  Her heart skipped a beat. “You’re early,” she exclaimed softly.

  “Want me to leave, darlin’?”

  “Don’t be silly.”

  He moved toward her. Dressed in a long-sleeved black sweater and tight black jeans, he looked like a sleek black panther stalking its prey.

  Don’t breathe too deeply, or you will pull me inside. I will lift you into my world. Yours will no longer exist. Eternity with me, tasting you, devouring your smile, surrounding your life, with my kiss….

  She shivered as those words, the same words she had heard in the car last night, tiptoed down the corridor of her mind.

  “Something wrong?” He was standing in front of her, his deep blue eyes intent upon her face.

  Don’t breathe too deeply, or you will pull me inside. “No.”

  His arms slid around her waist, drawing her body up against his as he nuzzled her neck. “You look good enough to eat,” he murmured, and felt his fangs lengthen at the thought.

  “Jessie…” She couldn’t think when she was in his arms. His tongue laved her neck and she closed her eyes as shivers of exquisite pleasure slid down her spine. Magic, she thought. He was magic.

  “I love you, Kathy darlin’.” He whispered the words in her ear, soft words that buried themselves in her soul.

  “Jessie! Oh, Jessie, I love you, too.”

  He kissed her again. Heat shot through her, blinding white heat that burned away every thought, every doubt, everything except her need for this man above all others, and she knew she had waited for this man, this moment, all her life. Though they had known each other only a few weeks, she felt as though she had known him forever. Seeing him, being with him, made her feel warm, secure, complete. Excitement threaded through her veins, making her heart beat faster, filling her with a delicious heat.

  He lifted her effortlessly into his arms and carried her into the bedroom. Holding her with one arm, he pulled back the blankets and eased her down on the bed, then slid in beside her and drew her into his arms.

  She knew she should push him away, tell him no, but even as the thought crossed her mind, it was burned away by the heat of his eyes.

  “Jessie…Jessie…”

  “I’m here, darlin’.”

  She snuggled deeper into his arms, her body fitting to his as if she had been made for him. His hands slid over her back in lazy circles, sending shivers of delight down her spine. She murmured his name as she lifted her face for his kiss. Desire arced between them, sizzling like the summer lightning that flashed across the sky.

  She slid her hands under his sweater, lifted it over his head, and tossed it aside. His skin was cool and smooth beneath her fingertips. With hands that trembled, she divested him of his jeans, until he wore nothing but a pair of navy blue jockey shorts that she found incredibly provocative.

  “No fair,” he whispered, and caressed her out of her clothing until she wore nothing but a shy smile and a promise.

  She looked into his eyes and knew that he found her beautiful, desirable. “Jessie...” Just his name, soft as a sigh, fervent as a prayer.

  His gaze moved over her, warmer than sunshine, sweeter than summer wine, and then he was kissing her again, his hands gentle as he explored the hills and valleys of her body, learning what made her gasp with pleasure, what made her purr with delight.

  And then she turned the tables on him, her hands boldly roaming over his broad shoulders, across his hard-muscled chest, glorying in the strength that lay quiescent beneath her questing fingertips.

  A smile of purely feminine pleasure lit her face as the rigid evidence of his desire swelled against her belly. Wrapped in each other’s arms, they tasted and touched with gentle urgency, their tongues dueling in a mating dance as old as Adam and Eve.

  Kathy stirred restlessly in his embrace, wanting to savor every moment, every sensation, wanting to know his mind and heart as well as the enticing contours of his body. Her fingers memorized the width of his shoulders, the flat planes of his chest and belly.

  He drew in a deep breath as her fingers slid lower, lower, shuddered with pleasure as she found the growing evidence of his desire.

  “Bet I know what you’re thinking,” she teased.

  He laughed softly, but it was a shaky kind of laugh. “Can’t fool you, can I, darlin’?” he growled with mock ferocity.

  “No.” She nibbled on his ear lobe, then kissed her way back to his lips. When their bodies came together at last, she was ready. She lifted her hips to meet him, her arms drawing him closer, tighter, as his body melded with hers. The romance novels she loved to read often spoke of a man and woman coming together as two halves of a whole...she had never known what that meant, unt
il now.

  She gasped as he breached her maidenhead, but the pain was brief and quickly forgotten in the pleasure that followed. Her hands curled over his shoulders, her legs wrapped around his waist, drawing him closer, deeper. Instinct, older than time, taught her what to do.

  She held on to him as if she would never let him go, clung to him as the only solid object in a world that was spinning out of control as wave after wave of sensual pleasure washed over her and through her, filling her with a delicious heat. His hands played over her, a master musician drawing out each note of delight, each finger like a flame, igniting tiny fires everywhere he touched. She had never known such pleasure, such a sense of urgency, of desperate need. He moved deep inside her and she gave herself up to the flames, felt the heat engulf her, burning away everything but the blazing conflagration between them.

  Eternity with me, tasting you, devouring your smile, surrounding your life with my kiss…

  Jessie rained kisses over her face, lingering on her lips, drinking in her sweetness. No other woman had ever made him feel like this...strong yet tender, masterful yet vulnerable. He had made love to other women, but never like this. Her very innocence intoxicated him, and he realized how blessed he was, for she had trusted him with her love and given him the most precious gift of all.

  “Kathy…”

  She moaned softly.

  “Kathy, darlin’.”

  She shuddered beneath him, felt him convulse a moment later, a deep groan rising in his throat as he clung to her, and she to him, her nails raking his back as she found fulfillment in a man’s arms for the first time.

  She was drifting, floating on a cloud of sweet contentment, and she never wanted to come down. She felt him move, knew he was going to leave her, and she wrapped her arms around him and held on tight.

  “Don’t go.”

  He chuckled softly as he shifted his weight a little to the side so she could breathe.

  “Don’t ever go.”