CHAPTER FOUR
His words rang like an evil vow in my head. "You have until the celebration is over to force me to finish. or I'm going to dare you." My heart pounded louder than the music as I sat motionless between Jace Kingston's thighs. His scent was one of danger, cologne, and smoke. His warm, purposeful fingers were still positioned high on my thigh. He whispered, "Tick-tock, sweetheart," in a harsh challenge. "You came to have fun. Play, then. The party went on all around us, complete with thudding music, whirling bottles, and drunken laughing. However, I had the impression that I was in another world. He was the only living creature on a private island of fire and anxiety. I forced my fear aside. I then made a move. Slowly, I moved my hands up his chest, following the hem of his black sweatshirt. Under the cloth, his body was nothing but heat. control of sluggish breathing and rigid muscles. He was coiled so tightly I could feel it. He mumbled, "Not bad," as his eyes turned down. "But you’ll have to do better than touching my hoodie, freshman." My lips touched his ear as I leaned in closer. "Then tell me what you like." His hand tightened around my waist. His dark eyes were now flaming as he cocked his head in my direction. "Bold," he said. "I like bold." I then went to my knees directly in front of him after daring myself to slide off his lap. The room didn't appear to notice, or perhaps they did and acted as though they didn't. We were sheltered by disorder and shadows in a nook. With his legs slightly apart, he looked down at me as if he were a monarch observing a subject kneel. I touched his belt with my fingers. I didn't let him stop me. He looked at me. I slowly undid the belt while maintaining eye contact. He gave a deep, low, piercing exhale. I was wet between my thighs from the excitement and wrongness of unzipping his jeans, even though my hands trembled. He had no pants on. Obviously, he wasn't. His cock, thick, long, and already hard, bounced free. My breath caught in my throat as I paused. "Have you done this before?" His voice was nasty but amused as he asked. "Not in this manner," I muttered. He grinned. "Well done." I leaned down and licked the head teasingly, my tongue flicking out. He let out a low, nearly inaudible groan. My self-assurance blossomed. Slowly, I pressed my lips to his and pulled him in. His weight. The flavour. the realisation that anyone could pass past. I lowered my cheeks and started to move while paying attention to all of his noises. With one hand tangled in my hair, his breath became more laboured. "Fuck you, Amelie," he growled. "You're a real surprise.” Now he slowly thrust into my mouth, guiding my rhythm. I let the vibrations continue to tease him with a gentle sigh. But all of a sudden—he withdrew. His tongue crashed upon mine with fierce passion as his hands pulled me up onto his lap once again. He snarled at my lips, "You were going to make me finish too fast." "I also want to spend some time with you." His fingers were now moving my panties away from under my dress. I was soaked when he found me. "Jesus," he lowered his voice. "You're wet." Two fingers slid within me, and I moaned. He kissed me hard—tongue tangling, dominating—while his fingers thrust deep and slow. I sucked on his lip. He let out a moan. Desperate, I rolled my hips shamelessly against his hand. He said, "I bet you want to cum in front of all your little college friends." "Do you enjoy being dared? Do you enjoy losing control? I moaned against his neck, "Yes." "Yes, God." He put his forehead on mine. "You'll cum for me first, then." His fingers curled into me, and his thumb found my clit, massaging circles. I could not control myself. I buried my face in his hoodie to silence the scream as I broke in his arms. My entire body shivered. He looked at me with a sort of desire and pride. Then, with unbearable control, he zipped up, stood, and tucked himself back in. "Wait," I screamed. "You didn’t—" He chuckled. He remarked, "The game's not over," in a calm tone. "You haven't won yet." He then leaned in once more. His voice was dangerous. "My turn to dare you is coming, little freshman," he said. "And it will be so much better than this, I assure you.”Chapter Two The murmur of the gala was swallowed by the lift doors as they closed behind Ivy. With her heart pounding in her chest, she leaned back on the mirror wall. Luca Moretti, the guy who had made her fail to remember how to take breaths, how to think, and how to be anything other than living for one dangerous hour, was still in that exclusive room, somewhere a few stories below. The lift made a gentle chime. Rooftop access - The Penthouse Lounge..She hadn't intended to visit. All she needed was some air and room to think. But when the doors clicked open, the outside world was a painting, with the desert beyond shimmering like molten glass and gold lights extending into eternity. With its slick marble and glass fireplaces, the ballroom below was louder than the rooftop bar. A few patrons whispered by the railing, the desert breeze stealing their laughs. She viewed the skyline while hiding in an empty corner. The wide, restless Vegas sparkled. Not a single object
Chapter One The city lit up; it didn't sleep. Silver lights rippled across the desert night as Las Vegas spread out like a sparkling creation from the top level of the Aurelia Hotel. Inside the ballroom, the most wild souls in the world came together to play jazz, champagne poured like gold, and laughs erupted like flames.This was not the place for Ivy Bennett. At least that was what she convinced herself each time she saw her image in the mirrored pillars: a weary corporate lawyer wearing an overly tight silk dress and excessively high heels. The only reason she agreed to go to this dinner was because her boss suggested it was "good for the sight." She had flown in for a meeting that morning. She had intended to remain for an hour. That was three champagne glasses ago. She made an effort to fit in with the sharp suits and glittering jewels, but her steel grey, inquisitive eyes were too obvious. Restless, they moved about the room, lured to the laughing coming from the priv
Chapter Three Then, at last, at last, his lips found mine. Not kind. Not careful. But ravenous, domineering, devouring. Everything was taken away by the kiss: my thoughts, the ground beneath my feet, and my breath. His other hand squeezed hard against my waist, locking me within him and the wall, while his gloved hand held my jaw, turning me precisely where he wanted me. My body arched to meet his as I melted and gasped into him. The awkward way the mask squeezed between us somehow increased the heat, serving as a reminder that I didn't know his name or face, just the overwhelming fire of his mouth consuming mine.I was shaking, my lips were swollen, and my breath was ragged when he finally withdrew. His eyes pierced me from behind the mask. "I have you now." And I was unaware of it, thank God. Once more, the curtain pulled shut behind us, enclosing us in a dark cocoon of muffled music and flickering shadows. Behind their disguises, individuals were laughing and dancin
I promised myself that I would never return. His voice curling over my ear, the heaviness of his gaze forcing me into surrender without a single touch, I relived the mask party in my mind all week. I ought to have been frightened. I ought to have torn the mask to pieces and set it on fire. Instead, though, I found myself using my fingers to trace its edges at night while visualising his gloved hand. By Friday, I was experiencing a fever-like pain. And I didn't even think twice when another envelope showed up in my mailbox on Saturday. It had a wax seal that glinted in the afternoon sun, but no explanation or return address.I was met by the Crimson Manor. I dressed purposefully this time. My hair was swept up to showcase my neck line, and I was wearing a black silk gown with a slit high enough to see the curve of my thigh. Even though my mask was exactly that as before, it felt heavier in some way, as though it had absorbed all of the secrets I had brought home from that e
It never occurred to me that one envelope could alter the direction of an evening. It was sleek and stark, sealed with black silicone that glinted in the light as it sat on my dresser. No address for return. No justification. I didn't recognise the meticulous, looping calligraphy that just included my name. I initially thought it was an error, that an invitation had fallen into the incorrect mailbox. However, my breath caught when I opened the thick paper and broke the seal. “You have been invited to a private masquerade party. At 9 p.m. on Saturday night. The Manor of Crimson. Put on black. Put on your mask. Get rid of your limitations.”That was all. No signature, no specifics. That enticing promise alone. I was unable to stop thinking about it for three nights. Masquerade. There was a sense of mystery and eroticism in the term itself. I imagined sparkling chandeliers, Venetian masks, and strangers touching without really knowing who they were touching. I made
Chapter OneDesperation feels heavier than I ever imagined. Every time I looked at my bank balance, it felt like a stone pressing against my ribs in my chest. Rent is past due. The tuition is past due. Even my meagre part-time job at the bookshop wasn't enough to support me while I was in school. I initially laughed when Nadia murmured, "I know someone who can resolve everything for you, if you're brave enough," while leaning across our sticky diner table. But I paused at the serious, even respectful tone with which she spoke. "Resolve everything?" As I stirred the diluted cup of coffee in front of me, I asked.She had a cunning, covert smile. "He's wealthy. Extremely wealthy. He also enjoys making arrangements. My whole body turned over. "What plans?" She dismissed it, saying, "Until you meet him, you won't understand." "But believe me, you'll pay attention to what he has to offer if you're hoping for your life to change." I ought to have left. I should have infor