Page 47 of The Masks She Wore

?I released a breath, trying to collect myself as Iwatched after him, wondering where he was heading. Prove it? Prove it how?

?Follow him?

?Find him like he had found me?

?Was this his version of consent? If I went after him, I was asking for it. Proof that I wanted it. Wanted him.

?I remained where I was, watching as he left the building completely. I really shouldn’t go after him.

?No part of me thought this was a good idea.

?But fuck, the way my thighs slid against each other now, the way my pussy throbbed. I needed something. I was aching forsomething.

?I inhaled deeply and started for the door, my heart slamming painfully in my chest. I was breathless. Breathless in a way I shouldn’t have been.

?All I could think about was feeling him inside of me again. Feeling those hands dig painfully into my skin, bruising me.

?Part of me hated that I was hunting him because I wantedhimto huntme. Knowing that this stranger had been watching me long enough to figure that information out, it was thrilling in a horribly sick way.

?I needed more.

?I practically jogged out those doors, looking around the landing where a few people mingled, smoking.

?The chill of the cool Fall breeze caused goosebumps to erupt across my skin, my nipples instantly hardening. That didn’t help myalready feral arousal.

?I glanced to the right where a path led to the fountain, and to the left, a path that led to a still blooming garden maze.

?Probably the garden, I would assume.

?“Rae!”

?My head whipped around, finding Max jogging up the steps, cradling his left wrist against his chest. My eyes widened. Fuck, he was waiting for me.

?Without waiting another second, I headed for the garden. Nottingham had a thing for intricate gardens. He liked building mazes, something about metaphors and life. It was perfect for the game the man wanted to play.

?“Rae,” Max snarled.

?I jogged into the entrance, taking an immediate left only to stop so I could take off my shoes.

?My feet were killing me, but I couldn’t stop now.

?With numb toes, I fisted one side of my dress and jogged through the maze, taking turn after turn until the music and voices disappeared, until I could hear nothing but my own panting breath and racing heart.

?I slowed to a walk, holding my breath to listen, but there was nothing.

?No people, no animals, no breeze. Just me.

?I closed my eyes and tried to calm my breathing.This night was supposed to be calm. A good night to remind the world that just because my mother was dead, it didn’t mean I would disappear too. I wasn’t proficient in art, but I was born for this world just as she was.

?I screwed it up by going up to the captain, by walking up those stairs and inserting myself into that conversation that I had no business being in. Max was my karma for those stupid decisions.

?Now what was I? The slut who caused a scene with the Police Captain’s wife? Rumors would start spreading, I was sure of it. Rumors about me with him, about me and Max, about me and the masked man I willingly followed out the door like the thirsty slut I was.

?God, what was I doing?

?After a few minutes, I straightened, looking around at where I was. Walls of shrubs surrounded me, little white flowers dying all around me. How the fuck was I going to get out of here? I just ran. I didn’t catalog anything.

?Great.

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