Page 150 of Madness Behind the Mask
31OCTOBER1987
Twoyearslater…
I’m dressed in a floor-length red open-back gown with a slit that cuts nearly all the way up to my naked pussy. Strappy black heels adorn my feet, and a mask hides my identity. Black fox ears curve up from the top of it, satin rose petals decorate it between the eyes, and my mouth is hidden by an intricate pattern of black lace.
My husband once said he would be able to recognize me in the dark, if he were blind and his fingers numb. I want to see if that’s still true. And if it is...if he’ll come to me.They say these masked balls give you a freedom to be a stranger for the night. To work things out with your husband or wife without restriction. Touching my hair, I really hope that’s true.
My nerves tight, I walk down the deserted alley as thenoisesof the nightsound behind me –car horns being held down,music blaring from speakers,drunken college students patrolling the streets with high-pitched giggles.
A well-dressed man stands at thealley, in front of a closed door with his arms crossed. Thick with muscles, they bulge beneath his dark-blue button-up shirt. His eyes pierce mine in the dark of night. I don’t recognize him, and I wonder if he’s human or witch.
Pulling the gold card out of my black clutch, I show it to him. He takes it and flips it over, checking it isn’t a fake pass to the most exclusive secret club in all of Georgia. Without a word, he offers it back, then opens the door behind him.
I’m instantly hit by the sounds and smells of sex. The slapping of hips. The aroma of cum mixed with sweat. The groans and moans that spike my pulse and make it beat harder than the bass blaring through the speakers.
Stepping through the door, I swallow down my doubts about having come here. Punishment and Sin is owned by my estranged husband, and although he rarely frequents, I know he’ll be here tonight. I just don’t know if he’ll care that I am.
Exhaling out my nerves, I step further into the club. Soft red light strobes across the place, lighting up bodies dancing on the floor and fucking against the walls. The sofas and chaises strewn about the place are all covered in naked or barely concealed flesh, the wooden tables near them creaking too.
A woman inblacklacy lingerie strips inside a gold metal birdcage hanging like a chandelier above us. A double staircase leads up to a balcony that only contains a handful of people. Tuxedo-dressed guards stand with their hands in front of them, their eyes scanning the crowd to keep an eye on any trouble makers.
The rooms behind them are for the VIPs who haveenough money to buy their privacy in this sea of sex. Some doors will still linger open, inviting others into their space. Some will be shut but the blinds of the room left wide so people can still watch. I wonder if Caden is up there, enjoying some bitch who isn’t me.
Two years is a long time to expect him to be celibateeven if I have. Men, supposedly, have stronger needs.
My pulse kicks as movement on the balcony draws my attention. A man in a skull mask with small metal spikes protruding across every inch below his jaw stands in the middle of it, his hands gripping the rail as he leans over to look at the floor below. Chin-length white hair curtains his face with jagged edges, giving him an air of mystery and sophistication.
He is the only one still fully dressed, and rings glisten on his fingers as the light strobes over him.
And then he’s gone, hidden in the darkness.
“Miss?”
Blinking, I pull my gaze away from the balcony and focus on the naked woman in front of me. The only thing she’s wearing is a black lace collar – marking her as the property of the club. AsCaden’s.She won’t be touched tonight, at least not here. Those that do will have their hands broken and their balls severed.
My eyes on her collar, I want to strangle her with it.
“What color collar would you like?” She holds up a tray of black satin with rows of simpleribbonacross it. “The green means you’re open to anything and consent isn’t needed. Yellow is ask first. Red is don’t approach me; I will come to you if interested.”
“What’s black?” I ask as if I don’t know, looking at the two lace collars laid out in the top right corner of the tray.
“Those are for a special VIP.”
“But there’s two of them. So how are they only for one person?” My voice is strained beneath the light air I forcepast my lips, jealousy clawing just beneath my throat.
“It’s for the women he chooses,” she says. Leaning in, she smiles as her eyes roam down my body. “Hang around for a bit, and I’m sure you’ll be chosen. He’s already here and has a thing for dark-haired goddesses.” Winking, she straightens.
After a second of hesitation, I reach for a red collar at the back of the tray, but just asIbrush the fabric of one, a strong calloused hand closes over mine. Electricity burns down my arm, jolting myheartwith awareness.
I look over my shoulder and see the man in the full skull mask.He guides my hand to the black lace.
“I don’t share,” I whisper, looking into theeyes of my husband. They’re not their usual green, but then nor is his hair his usual red. I’m sure if he talks, his voice will be different too, magicgiving him a deeper cover than just a flimsy mask.But I know this is the man I love. I can feel the bond flowing between us.
Wordlessly, he takes up the second black collar and shoves it in his pocket. Then he picks up the one my hand is on and liftsitto my neck. My pulse beating strongly at the base of my throat, I swallow hard as he fastens it to me.
His breath at my ear, he says, “And I’m not waiting to touch what’s mine.”
Digging his hands into the V of my dress, he cups both my breasts. I lean back on him, my nipples hard against his palms, his cock hard already against my back.
