Masquerade (Masquerade #1) (4 page)

“Okay, okay. He has olive skin, brown hair, and the most dazzling brown eyes. He is lean, but muscular. Can you even be that? I don’t know, but he is hot.”

“Does this hot boy have a name?”

“No, he is a no-named boy.” I start laughing again, and she gives me another look. “His name is Alan Greer.”

“Oh, I know him, and damn he is hot. I have heard girls trying to get his attention for a while. In fact, I was one of them. Girl, I am so jelly of you.”

“Jelly, Mindy? Whatever; it’s just a date.”

“You wouldn’t know it was ‘just a date’ from that smile you have had all afternoon and night. Your luck,” she says with a wink.

              I throw my napkin at her and stand up. “You ready?”

I answer, giggling. “Yeah I’m ready.”

We make our way back to the dorm, and once we are in, I get ready for bed. I lie down, put my earbuds in, and start listening to “Dark Horse” by Katy Perry before I fall asleep.

Alan picked me up that Friday at 7:00 for our first official date. He took me to a hole-in-the-wall Italian restaurant with the best ravioli I have ever tasted.

After dinner he took me to the park where we walked and talked all evening. It was the best date I ever remember having. Okay, maybe because I don’t remember if I have ever dated before.

He took me back to my dorm and walked me to the door. Before leaving, he gave me the sweetest kiss. It wasn’t short, but it wasn’t lingering either. He made me feel special that night.

Ever since that night we have been made the ‘it’ couple at school. Allen is the big man on campus, so dating him make me the big girl on campus. It was a lot to take in to begin with. I am always scrutinized by other girls and off limits for other guys to talk to.

I love Alan, but our relationship is boring. We do the same thing all the time. On the weekends he will take me to eat somewhere then we will go to the frat house, and eventually, he will have to leave to go bail his fucking sister out of something.

Every once in a while, he will take me to a movie, but most times we are stuck there. Shit, half the time we have sex there instead of his apartment.

I hate to complain because he really is good to me, but I need something else. I need that feeling of want and need. He just doesn’t do it. Maybe it’s just me? I don’t know, but I will always try with him because I do love him.

                           
Chapter Five

It’s now our four year anniversary, and I can’t believe how fast time has flown by. He is taking me out with promises of a night full of just us.

“So where is Alan taking you tonight?” Mindy asks me as I am finishing my makeup.

“We are recreating our first date with a minor detour,” I say with a smile plastered to my face.

“Aww that’s too sweet. You two give me cavities,” she says, rolling her eyes. “Are you and he coming to the party at the fraternity?”

“Yes. Unfortunately, he can’t miss it. So after our little walk through the park, we will be there with bells on.”

“Good.” She kisses my head. “I am off. I will see you there.”

“Okay. See you later.”

I know she doesn’t really like Alan too much anymore, and I don’t know why, but something has changed between them. She honestly believes he is hiding something.

I don’t see it. He is either in class, at work, or with me. What could he be hiding?

Before I have too much time to think about anything else, there is a knock on my door. I get up to rush over and answer it.

When I open it, I see Alan standing with one single red rose just like he brought me that first night. I smell it, smiling and take it over to my bed and lay it on my pillow.

I walk out before him. He closes my door, comes up to me, and puts his hand on the small of my back. We drive quietly to the restaurant, and I’m trying to figure out why I am having a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. I push it back because nothing is wrecking this night.

We park and get out to walk into the same Italian hole in the wall. I order the same thing I had that night, and he does too.

After supper we drive back to Alan’s apartment. He says he forgot something that he needed for later tonight.

We walk in. “Red, can you go in my room and see if there is a card on my bed or nightstand. It’s a business card that has a phone number on the back that I need.”

“Sure.”

I walk into the bedroom to see candles lit all over the room, and rose petals scattered over the bed.

I turn around when I hear him walking up behind me. “This is—”

He puts his lips on mine, kissing me deeply. He pushes me back towards the bed until I feel my legs hit the mattress. He gently lays me down, never breaking the kiss. He pulls my leg up to wrap around his waist.

He begins to move back and forth, causing friction between his jeans and my exposed pussy. I knew tonight would be a good night to go commando.

He pulls back from the kiss and stands up to look down at my body. “I love when your pussy isn’t covered and is dripping wet for me.”

He hikes my skirt up to my waist then pulls me up into a sitting position. He pulls my shirt off then my bra, throwing them to the side.

He commences to take his shirt off and then his jeans. He pulls his boxers down, and the tip of his cock is shimmering from the pre-cum, which is glistening on his head. I lick my lips in response.

He nestles himself between my legs. He captures my nipple in his mouth, sucking it and subtly biting. He then slowly starts rubbing his dick in between my folds before sliding it into me.

I gasp as he fills me up. He stills. “Please move, Alan.”

He begins moving faster until he takes me to my climax. Once he sees he has satisfied me, he releases himself into me.

“This never gets old,” he says as he kisses me.

We get up and put our clothes back on, so we can have our walk in the park.

As I slide my skirt back down, I look at Alan. “Babe, you okay?”

He shakes his head. “Yeah, baby. I just don’t know how to tell you this but just to come out and say it.” He looks deflated. “We can’t go to the park tonight. I have to meet with some of my brothers at the party to discuss some things. I honestly don’t know how long we will be either.”

I guess this was what the bad feeling was. “It’s okay. I understand.”

“Are you sure, sweetie? I am so sorry about all of this.”

“Yes, I am fine,” I say, feeling hurt and used. “I understand.”

He grabs my hand and kisses my fingers. “I knew you would. If it gets too boring for you tonight, I won’t blame you for going home early.”

“I will see how it goes.” I smile, trying to not show how hurt I’m feeling.

“Okay. It’s up to you.”

Finding my shoes, I slide them on since Alan has already made his way to the car. We drive to the frat house in complete silence. I can’t even look at him.

We pull up and park at a full house. I get out and walk away from him to get into the house as fast I can. I see Mindy as soon as I open the door.

She looks up and waves at me mouthing, “Come here.” I start walking, but I have to turn sideways to get through the crowd already dancing on the makeshift dance floor.

She grabs my hands and spins me around until she sees my long face. She then pulls me towards the kitchen, puts a red Solo cup in my hand, and drags me outside into the backyard of the house.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I mean, it’s just we couldn’t go to the park because for some stupid reason Alan had to meet with his stupid ass brothers about some stupid shit nobody cares about,” I say in a huff, getting even madder.

She shakes her head. “Alright then, babe. Guess what stupid shit we are doing tonight?”

“Maybe we can just go back to the room.” I bat my eyelashes at her.

“Oh, hell no. We are getting drunk. You ready?” She holds her cup up to me. I look around us to see the house is at capacity. I l turn back to+ her with some hesitation until I come to a conclusion and say
fuck it
. I bump glasses with her and chug my beer down. She yells in appreciation and chugs her own.

We walk back into the house to get another drink and start dancing the night away. We dance for what seems like two hours. I look at her and point to the restroom. She nods her head in the direction of the bathroom, so I make my way to freshen up and pee.

I come out, needing more alcohol. I’m not getting buzzed enough, so I get myself another beer. Walking into the kitchen, I see Alan. I run up to him, putting my arms around him.

“Hey, babe. I was just looking for you. Well, I kind of was.”

Oh, shit.
I know that look on his face. It’s a mixture of sympathy and annoyance. He leans in to my ear whispering, “I have to go and get my sister again. I am so sorry, babe.”

My head whips back to look at his face. “What the hell, Alan?”

He pecks my lips. “I’m sorry, Red. I have to go now and get her before something worse happens. I will call you tomorrow.” He walks off, making his way through the crowd.

I am standing there looking like someone just killed my dog. His sister is such a damn troublemaker. He is always having to go and bail her out of something.

Before I know it, I have downed the beer I just got. I reach for another and lean against the counter. I look around and try to find Mindy when I catch a pair of blues eyes that could melt your panties off.

He is staring at me, so I look away, trying to find my roommate and best friend before I fall on the floor screaming with an orgasm. I can’t find Mindy, and I need to look over to see if that guy is still standing there. I slowly make my way back to where he was standing, and he’s gone.

Well shit.
I push myself off the counter when I see blue eyes right in front of me. I start falling backwards, and he reaches out, catching me by the waist to hold me straight up. I feel a bolt of electricity running up my spine from where is arm is touching me.

I stand up to gradually get out of his grasp. He looks down at me with a charming grin on his lips. I open my mouth to speak, but nothing comes out.

He must have noticed because he says, “Are you okay?”

I open my mouth again to hear my voice cracking to say, “I’m really sorry.”

“No, my fault. I saw you across the room and needed to get over here as fast as I could to see you.”

I look at him with curiosity on my face. “Do I know you?”

“No, not yet anyways. You are just so beautiful,” he says with a smirk.

I should be scared right now, but I can’t seem to find the fear. Instead it feels like lust. I shouldn’t be feeling this way. I have a boyfriend. I look at my drink and bring it to my mouth to drain the cup.

Mindy comes walking up beside me. “Here you go, babe. I got you another drink.” She looks at the guy standing in front of me. “Who’s your friend?”

I turn away from him to look at her. “I don’t know. I mean, I just ran into him. We haven’t exchanged pleasantries yet.”

He is still looking at me when he says, “I’m Chris. Chris Knowles.”

“Well, Chris, I am Mindy, and this hot little thing you can’t stop drooling over is my best friend, Julia.”

I whip my head to look at Mindy and hit her in the ribs with my elbow. “I’m sorry. She has no filter.”

His laugh is the sexiest thing I have ever heard. “It’s okay. Julia, would you care to dance with me.”

Mindy’s eyes are about to pop out of her head. I look back up at Chris. “Yes that would be nice.”

It just happens that Evanescence’s “Lonesome” comes on. He holds me tight up against his body. His hand is on the small on my back, and he guides me into a slow dance. I feel like I could get lost in his arms. I feel safe and protected.

The song ends, and he whispers in my ear, “Can we go outside to talk?”

His breath in my ear makes me shiver, and I nod my head yes. He guides me out to the backyard, and we find some chairs close to the back of the yard where it is a little more private. I take a seat, and he moves his chair right in front of mine.

“So, Julia, where you from?”

“I’m from Georgetown. You?”

“I’m from all over really. My dad liked to travel.”

“That must have been fun.”

“It was okay but just when every time I started making friends, I had to leave.”

“I bet that does suck,” I say, looking down at my hands.

“It wasn’t the best time, but now I have been here for two years, and I really feel at home. I transferred out of California State in Long Beach. I joined the frat this year too.”

“Wow, you’re far from home, huh?”

“Yeah, pretty much.”

Sitting outside in the courtyard, I look up at the gorgeous stars glowing in the sky. Our conversation has come to an awkward silence. I don’t know what else to really say. I look at my phone to see it is after midnight. I jump up. “I should really get going.”

He looks at me with a puzzled look on his face. “Why do you have to leave?”

“Well, Alan, my boyfriend had to leave, so I really do need to go and check on him.”

“Let me at least walk you back to your dorm. I hate for you to be out this late walking by yourself.”

Smirking, I reply, “It’s not but a couple of blocks back to the dorms.”

“Well, that is still a couple of blocks too many,” he says with an amused look on his face.

“You won. Let me go tell Mindy I am leaving. Give me a few minutes.”

“Take your time, sweetie. I will be at the front door waiting on you.”

I turn around to see Mindy dry humping the quarterback of the football team. Shaking my head, I walk over to her, and I stand in front of her yelling, “I am leaving.”

She acknowledges me with a nod and a shit-eating grin on her face. That could only mean one thing: She is going home with the guy, so she won’t be home till morning. She turns around, wraps a leg around the guy’s waist, and grinds against his cock. I slap her ass, and I hear her yell in appreciation.

I walk back through the swarm of bodies dancing, drinking, and talking to finally make it to the front door. Chris is right where he said he would be.

“You ready?” he asks.

“Lead the way.”

We talk the whole walk back about different things going on in our lives and even some about family. He seems to not be very close to his family at all. I can’t imagine not having that closeness.

Before I know it we are at my door. I dig my key out of my pocket. “Thank you so much for walking me back to my dorm.”

“You’re welcome.” He looks nervous all of a sudden. “Julia, I have a question to ask you.”

Oh shit, oh shit. What is he about to say or do?
I can’t find my voice. I dip my head up and down, telling him to go ahead.

“Can I have your number? I know you have a boyfriend, so since I can’t have you that way, at least I could have you as a friend.”

I let out the breath I was holding. “Sure. I would love to be friends.” I grab his phone and call my own. “Here you go. Now you can save it, and I will save yours.”

“Thank you, Julia.” He kisses my forehead. “Sleep tight.” He turns on his heal to leave.

I walk in through the door in a haze. I do my normal routine of getting ready for bed still not sure of what to think of Chris. I also have this feeling like I am forgetting to do something.