Page 5 of Masquerade Mistake

He paused, the fire a living fortress between us.

“But are you on the pill?”

I considered lying. My need was that great, but I was a terrible liar. Plus, it wasn’t fair to him. I shook my head no. He started to pull away, and in desperation, I held on to him.

“We’ll be careful,” I said. “You can pull out, and I’ll get Plan B tomorrow. Just please, don’t stop this.”

He searched my face, and I saw my own need mirrored in his. I held my breath as he maneuvered himself on top of me. I felt the hot hardness of his cock, pausing at my entrance. For a brief second, I considered the magnitude of what we were about to do. There was no going back. Then, the pain. He thrust and I bit back a scream as something popped inside me. It felt horrible. I clutched his shirt, regretting I ever did this, but also relieved I was getting it over with.

“Hey.”

I opened my eyes, and he was peering down at me, a look of concern on his face. “Are you okay?” he asked. He started to pull back, which stung like hell. I held on to him, preventing him from leaving me.

“I’m okay,” I said. He brought a finger to my eye and caught a tear. The inside of my mask was wet. I hadn’t realized I was crying.

“We can stop,” he said, caressing my face, running his thumb over my lips. I covered his hand with my own. I shifted my hips, feeling him move inside me. This time, it felt better—almost good.

“I don’t want to stop,” I said. “But can you go slow?”

He nodded, leaned down and kissed me gently. He rocked against me, continuing to explore my mouth. The way his tongue danced over mine made me think of his face between my legs, which loosened me up and allowed him to slide in me a little easier. I thought maybe I might climax again, but everything felt so raw, so tight, so full. It stung as he moved, like friction on a scabbed knee. But the pain was mixed with pleasure. I couldn’t help but moan into his shoulder, which made his movements quicken. This time, though, it was fine. Good, even. I matched his movements, hoping I knew what I was doing. And then he growled, pulling out and spilling his seed across my thigh. His face looked pained, intense. For a moment, I regretted the stupid masks. I wish I could see his full face.

But this wasn’t forever. This was just a night. And he was just a boy who had taken something he didn’t even know I’d given him.

“Did it hurt?” I asked. He laughed, then looked at me.

“Not at all. I should be asking you that. It looks like I might have torn you.” Then his face took on a look of realization, followed by regret. “Fuck. Are you a–”

“It’s my period,” I lied. When relief flooded his expression, I knew I made the right decision. “Sorry, it’s early. You’re probably grossed out.”

“Anyone who’s grossed out by a period doesn’t deserve the girl.”

I swear to God, if I weren’t leaving at the end of summer, this could be something.

“Do you want to grab a bite to eat?” he asked. “Or maybe stay the night with me? My mom is out of town. You could even have your own room.”

“I can’t.” Two words I never hated more. But if I stayed, I’d never want to leave. Not him. Not Sunset Bay.

And nothing was going to get in the way of me leaving.

I sat up and put my panties back on, then grabbed my purse as I clutched the door handle.

“Let me at least drive you home,” he insisted, but I shook my head. The stranger’s car in our driveway flashed through my mind. That, and the embarrassing disarray of our home. Besides, if he knew where I lived, he could find me again….

“It’s not far from here,” I promised. “Please don’t make me show you my house.”

I could see the argument all over him, but he finally nodded.

“This could have been something more,” he said.

I know. I opened the door, sucking in my breath as the cool night air hit my sweaty skin.

“I’ll never forget you,” I promised. He caught my hand and pulled it, forcing me to move forward as he kissed my knuckles, then ran my fingers over his cheek. I caught sight of the tattoo on his inner arm. The eye in the middle of the palm seemed to watch me, and I found it comforting. I memorized every line, just like I memorized the perfect green of his eyes that now studied my face.

“You’re a mystery,” he whispered, “and I will spend the rest of my life wishing I could have solved you.”

Chapter 2

Seven years later…