Page 9 of Reckless

Jayson merely shrugged.

“The man needs to live a little. Loosen up those tight pilate-clad muscles of his.” The words come out a bit slurred, Jayson’s fingers tugging loosely on mine as he guided me further inside the Black Mansion.

The music was louder now. A steady pulse that throbbed inside my ears, filling my pores with the sultry sound. It was so dark, the only light coming from dim blue sconces that lined the halls, that I could barely see my hands in front of my own face.

But I could hear.

Moans rattled behind closed doors shivering across the walls. The sounds sent shivers of revulsion, and to my utter dismay, arousal across my skin. Some doors were left open, and I peeked inside only to turn away quickly, fire heating my face, as figures thrusting against one another burned my irises. Some wore masks. Others' faces were bare, the aqua light reflecting off their faces. Emphasizing the erotic expressions painted on their skin.

What is this place?

The hairs on my arms stood to attention as goosebumps attacked me the farther we crawled inside. If not for the light pressure of Jayson’s hand guiding me, I would have lost my way a while back.

This place was a maze.

Jayson, however, seemed completely unfazed by the sheer size of the mansion. Making turns with the practiced confidence of someone who had walked these halls many times.

He probably had.

I took a deep breath and tried to control my rapid heart rate.

I am here to return the journal. As soon as I find the owner, I am leaving.

I repeated the words over and over. Trying to calm myself down. For all the times my mother said I had an active imagination, nothing could hold a candle to the dripping dark mansion I had landed myself in. This place was madness. I tried and failed to add reason to the insanity of the situation I had landed myself in.

My feet moved of their own accord as I was dragged farther inside. I was so distracted by my own thoughts I didn’t even feel Jayson’s hand in mine anymore.

“Where are we going?” I practically screamed. My voice barely carried over the thumping music.

Jayson turned, “You’ll see, love. You’ll see.” We made a sharp left turn, his fingers squeezing lightly as we entered a dim corridor. This hall was darker than the rest. The blue sconces were nowhere to be seen.

Darkness swallowed me whole, and I couldn’t see a thing.

“All the real fun is back here, love,” he revealed, pulling back a black curtain. “And I know a pretty little one such as yourself would only show your face here if you were in need of some real fun.”

Wait, he thinks I’m here for this?

My hand absently reached for the journal tucked into my jacket. I began to shake my head, words dangling on my tongue, but before I could explain myself, strong hands guided me past the doors.

Thoughts instantly dried upon my tongue as every sensation hit me all at once. Smoke curled through the room, the bitter scent filling my nostrils, and red hazy lights filled the room, casting an eerie glow across the space.

Everywhere, there were people.

People dancing, grinding against one another in a slow sensual rhythm. People drinking, fizzy champagne glasses filling their hands like soft supple gloves. Lips attacking lips in a never-ending battle for dominance. People indulging in touch. Soaking in the sensual cover and the anonymity the masks provided. It was like nothing I had ever seen before. It should have frightened me, but instead, I was drawn to the chaos, like a moth to a flame.

I was always finding new ways to get burned.

Jayson released my hand, his golden hair dancing across the dim lighting. The blond god turned to me, a full smile gracing his lips in a way that made me believe he smiled often, even if it didn't quite reach his eyes.

“Welcome to the Black Mansion.” His arm swept in a circle encapsulating the scene, the playboy winking as his hair fell into his eyes,

“Enjoy yourself.” And just like that, he was gone. Shifting through the masses like this was his playground. His golden head lost in the sea of many.

And then, I was alone.

Again.

Chapter 4

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