Page 45 of Twilight Mask

“Do it, little demon.”

I let out a sigh and obey. I squeeze my eyes shut, and once they’re closed, I push his mask up. He helps with his other hand, and I feel the mask slide off his face. My chin tilts up, my lips parted, my heart racing so hard I can barely breathe, and then I feel him. His mouth brushes against my cheek and pecks the corner of my lips.

“Tell me you want this,” he whispers. “Tell me you’re happy I’m here.”

“I want it. I’m happy.”

“For a minute down there, I was worried I crossed a line.”

“You didn’t. You can’t. I’m just—” I’m broken and weird, and I don’t know how to have a normal relationship, much less one with a man in a mask. But maybe he knows that already, and I don’t have to say it out loud.

He doesn’t seem to mind. His lips find mine. They’re soft and rough, a beautiful, perfect combination, and the first kiss is so soft, barely a peck. He’s exploring, but I can’t help myself. I reach up and pull him down, pushing myself into him harder, and then he’s feasting on me, his lips kissing me deep and rough and lovely, his tongue exploring behind my teeth, and I whimper into his mouth as the kiss blows me away and leaves my heart racing wildly in my chest.

It’s the kiss I’ve been dreaming about. It’s even better—it’s Jackal’s mouth dominating my own, his tongue and teeth and lips driving me wild, his body pressing mine back against the counter and his hands lacing through my hair. I gasp and drive my tongue deeper into his, and I groan as I lose myself in the pleasure of a good, deep kiss. It’s the kind of intimacy I didn’t know I was capable of, and no matter what else happens tonight, this was completely worth it.

I want him in my basement. I want him around my sculptures. I want to ask him to watch me work, in person, wearing the mask. I want all that and so much more. I want him in my bed, in my arms.

But most of all, I want to see his face.

I don’t care about the game. I should’ve realized that a while ago. The game was only a way into this. Now we’re so beyond it. Jackal might have his reasons for keeping his identity a secret, but I’m ready to toss all of that aside and make whatever’s happening between us real.

All I have to do is open my eyes.

That’s all it’ll take. His face is exposed right now, inches from mine. I can stop the kiss and look at him, and then I’ll know. But I don’t want to stop kissing him, and I don’t think I could even if I tried, because I’m so lost in this moment, my head spinning and wild with him.

Then someone pounding at the door breaks the spell.

We freeze. Jackal pulls back and I catch a glimpse of a nose, cheekbones, eyes, before the mask drops down to cover him again.

“What’s that?” he asks.

More pounding on my front door. Then it hits me.

“Oh, shit,” I whisper, grabbing his arm. “You set off a security sweep.”

“What now?” He stares at me with real intensity and there’s a nervous energy in his posture.

“When anything big happens, the guard team sweeps the full oasis. They’re going to come inside and make sure I’m okay.”

“Can you get rid of them?”

“Yes, and you could stay in the basement, but once they’re done with the sweep, they’ll be on lockdown. Nothing in or out for at least a few hours. Sneaking back out of here?—”

The knocking gets more insistent. Jackal curses and paces away. “I should go,” he says, and he sounds like it kills him.

It kills me, too. But he’s right. “Go out the back and hurry. Jump the fence at the back-right corner. It’s in the most shadow, and I don’t think anyone watching will see you.”

“It’s okay, baby.” He turns back to me and grabs my wrist, pulling me against him. I’m surprised when he brushes a thumb across my lower lip. I open my mouth and bite it gently. “I’ll message you when I’m safe.”

“Coming here was stupid. You know that, right?”

“I know. But I’ll be back.”

I want to ask him what his real name is. I’m tired of calling him Jackal. I don’t want this distance between us anymore.

I want to play with the man behind the mask.

He turns away and strides to the door. I watch him go, feeling a sense of determination wash over me.

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