Masked Desires

The city pulsed with a restless energy, its neon lights reflecting in the black sheen of a sedan. Ethan Lockwood’s luxury sedan slid through the ever-bustling street.

Ethan gazed out of the tinted window, watching the late-night bustle of downtown life, feeling the weight of another long day. It wasn’t just the fatigue of work but his personal life. His marriage, once the picture of stability was now crumbling in front of him into a bitter divorce. Peace was now a distant dream and all he wanted was silence.

It wasn’t love lost and perhaps that should have been a consolation. Amanda had fallen out of love with him years ago and their relationship had boiled down to cold exchanges and silence. The divorce was impending but he never expected her to have fallen in love with someone else and for him to walk onto the sight of her cheating

As he mulled over this for the thousandth time, his fingers drummed lightly on his thigh, an unconscious tick.

Sitting in the back of the car was slowly starting to suffocate him and he needed out.

“Here.” He spoke up and Henry, his personal driver, raised his brow.

“Here sir?” He asked, slightly confused.

“Yes…” he walked out and breathed in the fresh night air, almost feeling liberated.

“I’m going for a walk, leave the car with me and take a cab.” He instructed Henry who did as he was told immediately.

The dimly lit street was a stark contrast to the bustle of the city. If Ethan wasn’t mistaken, this was the Avenue. An area where women could be obtained for a night of fun.

It didn’t matter much to Ethan who looked around the street as he walked. Women leaned against walls looking at passing cars with calculated gazes.

“You lost?” A calm voice asked with a trace of sarcasm.

A girl stood leaning against a light post, her raven hair cascading over her shoulders. She wore a short, form-fitting dress that hugged her curves and a sleek leather jacket that added an edge to her look. A lace black masquerade mask hid half her face but her intelligent eyes stared at him with curiosity and her red lips had a hint of a smile on them.

The glow of the streetlights cast a warm halo around her while her piercing gaze was almost magnetic.

Ethan paused, a hint of intrigue in his voice, “I am not…I… well yea, maybe I am lost.” He admitted, not sure why he was saying this to a random girl who he knew wanted nothing but his money.

“Aren’t we all?” she asked.

He tilted his head slightly, “what’s your name?”

“Depends on who’s asking.” She smiled softly, almost seeming warm, “I don’t tell my name for free…”

Ethan found himself intrigued, more so by the guardedness in her voice than in her appearance. She wasn’t just selling herself; she was protecting herself.

“What if I pay for your time?” he asked softly, barely believing the words that came out of his mouth. Was he really doing this?

“And what will you be paying for?” She asked, her eyes narrowing in intrigue. He barely seemed like the kind of man who would pick up a girl from a back street. A tall man in a tailored suit who looked groomed and put together. His dark hair was styled neatly but tousled. His chiselled face was handsome but the deep-set blue eyes held an intensity that was often mistaken for aloofness.

But his handsome face wasn’t the only thing that caught her eye. It was the fatigue behind his face and the subtle stress etched into him. He was a man who was tired, not just physically but emotionally. What did he want from her that he couldn’t get from any woman he wanted?

“Time… that’s all.” He was nearly whispering now.

The girl nodded and waited as he brought his car around. There was a second of hesitation on his side as he watched her get into the car.

Truly, what was he doing?! He knew he didn’t want any sexual favors from her… so why was he doing this.

As soon as she slid into the passenger seat, the atmosphere shifted, charged with an electric tension. The moment she settled into the plush leather seat, her scent enveloped the space mingling with the faint aroma of the luxurious interior. As the woody undertones of sandalwood flooded his car, Ethan knew he would go ahead with his crazy thought.

“Where are we off to?” She asked.

“I own a home close by, it was being used by a friend but he left yesterday. No one will notice.” He replied, his eyes scanning the road as he drove.

“So a rich mysterious man in a beautiful car. Is the name a mystery too?” Sara asked, leaning her head as she looked at the beautiful night city.

“You haven’t told me yours…” he chuckled still not believing that a prostitute sitting in his car.

“Haven't been paid yet.” She grinned, “I’m kidding, my name is Ruby. Now, your turn.”

“Ethan…” he replied, perhaps he should have been giving out his fake name but he did not have the mental strength to   

“How’s the divorce treating you?” She asked softly. Ethan frowned, immediately shocked that she knew.

“I-“

“Relax.” She placed a hand on his thigh, “There's a mark on your finger from where your ring used to be. Most men come to me when Love leaves them. “

“I… guess. Have you been doing this for long, Ruby? You stand there every day?” he asked, not very subtly changing the topic.

“A year.” She replied, “I do this only on Saturdays.”

The car slowed down in front of what she assumed was his house. Nestled behind a curtain of lush greenery, it was a small modern house with metal doors and large windows. It was minimal but stunning.

“How do you trust me?” he asked as he got out of the car and walked over to her side to open her car door.

“You mean how don’t I know that you’re a murderer?” She asked with a laugh, “You think I don’t know who you are?”

Ethan looked at her with a tone of hesitation in his face.

“I don’t judge.” She got out of the car and followed him to the home, “I’m here to offer my services and that is it.”

Ethan led her into the home which was roomy and yet cozy. A plush sectional sofa sat across a modern fireplace. Ethan led her to sit at it while he would pour a bottle of wine.

“So, I guess rates aren’t something you care about?” she asked as she looked at the artwork around the house.

“I have deep pockets.” He shrugged and brought her a glass of wine.

“And what do you need me to do for you?” she asked with a seductive smile which was a switch from her regular.

“No judgment?” He asked looking at her with a look that conveyed both hope and shame.

“absolutely not.” She shook her head, and drew closer to him. Her body was close to his and It was almost intoxicating to him.

“I want to be held. Nothing else. It's been years since I’ve felt a woman… or anyone hold me and…”

A puzzled expression flitted across her face for a millisecond as she stared at him to understand what exactly he meant.

“I… am tired, Ruby. “ he conceded.

“I understand,” She said and stood up, offering her hand, “Let me lead you.”

Ethan had never been one to let go of control. Whether it came to business or his personal life, he always had control.

But now when Minnie was looking down at him, her dark eyes staring into his very soul, he couldn’t help but follow her up the stairs and into the bedroom.

The girl took off her jacket and shoes before taking off the numerous rings that adorned her hands.

“Ruby…” he whispered, assuming that she had misunderstood what he meant.

“Shhh…Come.” She signalled before laying on the bed, propped up on her elbow. Ethan took off his suit and shirt, before getting into bed and nestling into her.

The silence that enveloped him was almost foreign. Ruby’s soft hand and fingers gently combed through his hair as Ethan’s body relaxed and for the first time in forever he felt peace. She did not understand why he would pay so much just for this but she had learned better than to question her clients.

The soft hum of ran on the roof and the gentle breeze of the night accompanied by her soft breathing lulled him into a sleep.

The business tycoon Ethan Lockwood was softly asleep in the arms of a woman he had to pay for. An irony if anyone found out. Yet none of that was important for him. All he cared about was being here, in Ruby’s arms.