Behind the Mask (1)

I need you to understand something before this story goes any further.

I am not the person you think I am.

On campus, I am the quiet student who shows up early, keeps his head down, and hands in work that makes professors nod. I spent four years building that version of myself, and I need it intact for one more semester.

My scholarship covers tuition, housing, everything. One misstep, one flagged conduct report, and it's gone. So is the degree. So is the future I promised my mother I'd have.

Off campus, three nights a week, between ten and two, I become someone else. It started as a way to cover the gap between what the scholarship pays and what rent actually costs. It stayed because the money is good and nobody here knows my real name.

Last night a private booking came in. Masked client. VIP room. Triple my normal rate. Triple meant I could stop picking up extra shifts for a month. I needed the money, so I said yes.

The main floor was already packed when I stepped on stage. The music was loud, the lights low, and the crowd was hungry. I moved through the first set on autopilot. I let the bass control my body while tips piled up on my thigh strap. I had gotten good at this part — not just the dancing, but the ability to be in a room full of people and feel nothing.

I was halfway through my second rotation when someone tapped my shoulder. Rico. He stood at the edge of the stage with his collar up and a serious look on his face.

I leaned down. "What?"

"Your VIP booking changed plans," he said close to my ear. "He doesn't want the stage show."

I straightened up. "Then what does he want?"

"He wants you in his room. Private, just him." Rico saw my face and added quickly, "He already paid. Full triple rate, in cash.”

Triple rate. Paid in full. That was don't-have-to-choose-between-groceries-and-textbooks money.

I stepped off the stage.

Rico handed me a key card in the corridor and pointed toward the private suites. "Last room. He's waiting."

The hallway grew quieter the further I walked. The loud music from the main floor faded until all I could hear was my own heartbeat and footsteps. I stopped at the last door, took a deep breath, and pushed it open.

The room was dim and warm, lit by one soft lamp.

The man was already on the bed. He wore nothing but a dark mask that covered his forehead to the bridge of his nose. I saw a sharp jaw and a calm mouth. He was broad-shouldered and completely relaxed against the headboard, one arm resting at his side like he had all the time in the world. On his other hand, a heavy silver ring caught the lamplight.

My throat went dry. Heat rushed through my stomach. I couldn't stop my eyes from moving over his chest, his stomach, and the strong lines of his body. My heart beat faster. Clients never affected me like this.

His mouth curved into a slow smile.

“If you are done staring,” he said. His voice was low and smooth. “We can get down to business.”

I swallowed hard. My legs felt heavy as I stepped closer to the bed. The room felt hotter than it should. I had done this job many times, but something about this man made my usual calm disappear.

“What do you want?” I asked. My voice came out quieter than I planned.

He tilted his head. The mask stayed in place, but I could see his eyes watching me through the holes. Dark. Sharp. Familiar in a way that made my skin tingle.

“Come here,” he said.

I walked to the edge of the bed. Up close, his body looked even better. Strong shoulders, smooth chest, abs that showed he took care of himself. My hands itched to touch him, but I kept them at my sides.

He reached out and ran one finger along the edge of my thigh strap. The light touch sent electricity up my leg.

"You're very good on stage," he said. "But I wanted you alone."

I nodded. I didn't trust my voice.

He leaned back again and looked at me slowly, from my face down to my feet and back up. "Take everything off. Slowly."

My heart raced. I started with the straps around my thighs. The money notes fluttered to the floor. Then I pulled off the small top I wore for the stage. Cool air hit my skin. I pushed down the tight shorts last. I stood there naked in front of him.

He made a low sound of approval. "Good."

My heart pounded so hard I could hear it in my ears. I stood completely naked while he stayed on the bed, still wearing only that dark mask. His eyes moved over every inch of me like he wanted to memorize my body. The room felt smaller. The air felt thicker.

"Come closer," he said.

I climbed onto the bed. My knees sank into the mattress. He sat up slowly and pulled me onto his lap so I straddled him. Our bodies pressed together. I could feel how hard he already was against me. Heat rushed through my stomach and down between my legs.

His hands explored my back, then moved lower to grip my ass. He squeezed firmly. A small moan escaped my throat before I could stop it.

"You're shaking," he whispered. His masked face was inches from mine. "Nervous?"

"A little," I admitted. My voice came out rough.

His fingers traced up my spine. "Good. I like that. I want you to feel everything."

He kissed me without warning. The kiss was deep and hungry. His tongue pushed into my mouth and claimed me. I kissed him back just as hard. My hands finally touched his chest. His skin was warm and smooth under my palms. I could feel the strong beat of his heart. It matched mine.

He broke the kiss and moved his mouth to my neck. He sucked hard enough to leave a mark. I tilted my head to give him more access. Pleasure mixed with a little pain. My hips rocked against him on their own. The friction made us both groan.

"Stand up for a second," he ordered softly.

I obeyed. He reached for the lube on the side table and coated his fingers generously. Then he pulled me back down. One slick finger circled my entrance before pushing inside. I gasped and clenched around him.

"Relax for me," he said. His voice was calm but full of heat. "I want to open you up properly."

He added a second finger, then a third, moving them in and out slowly, twisting and searching until he found the spot that made my vision blur. I moaned louder and rode his fingers. My cock leaked against his stomach. I was so hard it almost hurt.

"Please," I begged. "I need you inside me."