Page 5 of Unmasked

“What do I do!?” I hiss.

“First of all, you stop acting like a little girl,” she replies back. “It’s just sex. I know you haven’t had it yet, but it’s not that big of a deal. Second, why don’t you find a guy and chat with him?”

“Oh, while his…thing is hanging out!?” I groan. “You’ve got to be kidding.”

“Thing?,” she laughs. “It’s a dick. Just say it! I am going to get a drink. Do you want one?”

“I’m only eighteen, Gina.”

Gina’s face may be hidden behind a mask, but her eyes are still visible, and I can see the glare she’s giving me. “You think they card people here, Bailey? I’ll get you something. Wait here.”

My pleasure. I scoot over into the corner, trying to stay as far away from the naked people as possible. Thankfully, there’s only one couple in the room actually engaging in physical activity, and they’re in the opposite corner. Then, one man gets my attention.

He’s standing in the shadows, is tall and actually wearing an off-black suit. He gllances over at me, causing more goosebumps to emerge. There’s something different about him that I can’t quite put my finger on, but I’m still freaking out and am beyond relieved when Gina returns.

“Hey, I gotta go for a few. I just ran into someone very important.”

“What!?” I gasp. “No. No, no, no! You cannot!”

“Relax! You know how to talk to people. Just be your normal, sweet, smiling self until I get back. Or you could try to step out and have some fun and go check out some of the exhibition.”

I grab at Gina’s wrist, but she pulls away. “Geez, girl. Let me get my hustle on! I’ll be back soon.”

I scowl back as she blows me a kiss and joins a broad-shouldered man in a crimson tuxedo. From the looks of him, I’d guess professional athlete. I watch as they take a flight of stairs to the second floor.

And then I’m alone.

The man in the off-black suit has his eyes on me. His mask is bone-white with golden inlays framing his bright blue eyes. His stare is piercing; he’s looking at me like he knows I’m not supposed to be here, so I quickly get to my feet and move to another room where a couple is going at it on the pool table and three girls, completely naked aside from heels and animal masks, are watching while playing with themselves.

“Wow, wow, wow,” I mutter as I turn away. I cross the room into a small lounge and take shelter in a dark corner by the bookshelves. I try my best to ignore the two girls on the floor servicing a circle of men, but that’s easier said than done.

“That’s an interesting scar.” I jump at the roughly masculine voice behind me and whirl to see the man in the off-black suit towering down over me. His eyes are fixed, holding me in place. “I knew a girl many years ago with a scar like that…”

I try to calm myself by taking a breath, and then—

That smell…

It can’t be!

But it is. It’s the unmistakable scent from six-years ago.

I can barely even say his name. “Ethan?”

His jaw is sharp, decorated with designer stubble. His suit is precisely tailored and taut over his muscular physique. His eyes, bluer than ever, are just as striking before, and his shoulders just as broad.

“Hey, Bailey. How are you?”

Good.

That’s what I want to say, but I can’t. Because I’m falling…and the world is going black…

3

Ethan

I almost can’t believe it.

It’s her. The sweet, cute, innocent little girl I used to tutor has now grown and blossomed into a beautiful woman with curves more dangerous than the situation she’s put herself in by coming here tonight. Christ, why couldn’t she stay away?

---