The Man Behind The Mask

ANASTASIA’s POV

The instructions I’d given myself were simple. 

Fly to Monaco, secure the contract with the foreign investors, and head back to London proving once again why I was the undisputed head of Reeds and associates. 

Rivals didn’t line up around the block trying to ruin me just because I was lucky, they did it because I never lost a deal. 

And nowhere in that flawless strategy did it say I should be standing almost half naked in the crowded strip club, swaying my hips to the music while gulping down two glasses of mixed alcoholic drinks in one go. 

‘’Danm, Lyra.’’ Someone muttered behind me and I turned, a wide smile breaking across my lips.

‘’Jean-Paul.’’ I shouted, my voice getting drowned out by the sound of the music.

He stretched out his hand and I placed mine in his, letting him drag me to the backstage of the club, the music died down as the door closed behind us.

‘’I’m glad you graced us with your presence again today.’’ He muttered, an excited glint laced in his eyes as he took my hands up to his lips and pressed a feathery kiss to it.

Oh shit.

I might have forgotten to mention that slight…almost non-important detail.

It wasn’t my first time at the Obsidian since I flew into Monaco.

Infact, I had become the club sensation and almost any man who came in the club wanted to be in my bed.

I basked in that, craved that.

I didn’t have to be Anastasia Reed, the principled owner of Reeds and Associates who bagged deals and lead her business with tightened fists.

‘’So…would mademoiselle care to entertain our guests today?’’ Jean-Paul’s french accent cut through my thoughts.

‘’I’ll pay you twice as much as I pay my entertainers. Just think—‘’

His words hung in his throat as I slowly took my hands off his. 

I ran a hand through my hair, a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes marring my lips.

‘’No thanks. I’ll just get high on liquor instead.’’ I responded, watching as the hope in his eyes died.

I patted his shoulders gently before turning to the door and leaving the room.

As I stepped out, the heavy sound of music hit me like a freight train.

I walked towards the bar table, ignoring the slutty eyes of horny men and plopped on the bar stool.

‘’Oh.. Lyra.’’ The bartender uttered immediately he saw me.

It was a name I had mistakenly blurted out when I had first came into the club in an attempt to hide my real identity.

Well that worked, cause every repeat client now knew me as that.

‘’Neat bourbon and champagne as usual?’’ He inquired, placing two sets of glass cups in front of me.

Just the way I like it.

I nodded, an happy glint in my eyes as I watched him mix both drinks together before pouring them in both cups and sliding it to me.

I picked up the both glasses and placed one to my lips, drinking it in one go.

The alcohol slid down my throat, leaving a burning sensation I wanted to feel again.

I dropped the empty glass to the table with a loud thud and placed the other in my mouth, my vision tunneling as the alcohol slid down my throat.

‘’Well fuck yeah!’’ I muttered, dropping the second glass on the table.

I slid both to him. ‘’More.’’ I muttered, my eyes wandering around.

Every man in the room eyes were on me. Even the ones whose dick was pressed against another woman’s ass.

I scoffed, my nails drumming against the table as I waited for the next round of drinks.

Just when my drink was ready and I picked it up and brought it to my lips, my eyes landed on something. No. Someone.

He was sitting in a semi-shadowed booth at the corner, completely detached from the pulsing rhythm of the dance floor and the sweet sensation of the alcohol.

He looked off, yet like he belonged.

But that wasn’t what caught my attention.  

What caught my attention was the intricate, matte-black venetian piece covering the upper half of his face, looking like he’d stumble straight out an exclusive masquerade ball and lost his footing, slipping into the chaotic buzz of the club.

And that aura.. that heavy dark aura that seemed to be doing more than drench my panties.

He suddenly turned to me and our eyes met.

I bit my lips, my body buzzing with an intense sensation.

Through his eye slit, his gaze locked entirely on me. His gaze was intense, alluring as he stared at me with a raw, predatory hunger, like he wanted to devour me. 

Except he didn’t move. Didn’t smile. Didn’t even try to buy me a drink.

For a woman that was used to getting exactly what she wanted—both in business and in bed, his hesitation or lack of approach felt like a direct provocation. I set my champagne glass down on the bar, a slow confident smile breaking across my lips.

If he wouldn’t come to me. Well then…

Swiveling off my barstool, I walked towards him slowly, swaying my hips perfectly to the rhythm of the music while still locking eyes with him.

It was a feeling I had never felt before.

A need to show exactly why I was Anastasia Reed and why every man In the room had their eyes on me.

I stopped in front of his table, noticing how handsome he looked even with the mask on his face.

His lips was plump, his eyes ocean blue.

My eyes drifted down to his adam apple. To the way it bopped as he swallowed, his eyes still hooked to me.

I swallowed, my body emitting heat I’d never known before.

My hands shook slightly as I extended a single, manicured hand.

He didn’t say a word, but his hand gripped mine—strong enough to mark his territory and soft enough to not have my bones snapping.

Before I could take my hands off, he pulled me closer and I lost my footing, crashing on his bed.

The smell first hit me. Coffee and pine. With a slight hint of champagne. 

I held his shoulders tightly, stopping our upper bodies from colliding fully. 

He held my chin and raised it up, his eyes boring into mine.

‘’That’s no way to seduce a man.’’ He muttered under his breath, the hot air falling on my lips.

My brow furrowed.

Seduce?

It seemed like a bucket of ice water had been washed over me, quenching the heat that was building in my chest.

‘’What the fuck?’’ I muttered, trying to get my chin off his hands.

But his grip was tight as he held me in place. 

Then he clicked his tongue like he’d been thrashed by disappointment. ‘’Thought I smelt dominance. Guess now.’’

He let go of his grip on my chin and stared at me like I was the most boring thing he’d layed eyes on, contrary to the way he had stared at me moment ago.

My heart squeezed and my heart tightened into fist by my side as anger racked through me.

‘’Wanna see dominance?’’ I taunted, giving into the provocations as the need to win fought past the need to walk away, have a few more drinks and go back to bed so I wouldn’t miss my flight.

I gripped his chin and pulled his face to me, close enough for his ocean blue eyes to stay locked to my amber eyes.

Then I shamelessly breathed out. ‘’Fuck me.’’