Fourteen

I ’m beyond excited about tonight’s festivities at Masqued. It’s the perfect opportunity to be in disguise and have some fun out in public with Trent without the worry of being recognized.

Needless to say, this whole week, I’ve been piecing together my ensemble. I haven’t shared any of the details yet with Trent; I want him to be surprised when he sees me. I'm just finishing up the last of the color on my hair, when my phone dings with a text. I answer immediately when I see who it is.

Tig

Hey babe

Me

Heyy booo!

Tig

I got your message and was running through my checklist and I think we’re all set for the engagement party. So, all I need is your beautiful self to be there, and everything will be perfect.

Me

Yay! I cannot wait to squeeze you.

I smile at my phone, because it’s true; I cannot wait to be able to hang around my girl, let down my guard, and truly enjoy myself. Not to mention, having Trent with me, and the pure freedom to act as the couple we’re meant to be.

Tig

Amazing, send me your flight info again. And I’ll have a room all set up for you. Can't wait to see you. XOX

Me

Sure thing. Counting down the days! XOX

My heart twinges just a bit at how surface-level our conversations have been lately. I’ve been debating on filling Lottie in on some of what’s been going on in my life once I'm in the safety of Nori Beach. I know we will discuss Trent, but the fact I haven’t been able to be honest with my best friend about my marriage hurts so badly, and at least there, I’ll feel at ease enough to open up. But I don’t need to decide that just yet. Right now, I need to finish getting ready and enjoy my evening.

I give myself a pat on the back as I stare at my handiwork in the mirror. My costume fits me like a glove, and I can't help but do a little spin. Trent won’t be able to keep his hands off me. My version of Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn is uncanny, down to two-tone painted hair and an accompanying baseball bat. My fake tattoos are perfectly placed, and My Daddy’s Lil Monster shirt is practically a second skin. The only difference is my brunette hair peeking through the blonde strands and the small black eye mask I added to adhere to the club’s “mask or face paint” requirements. But overall, I’m more than thrilled with how it all turned out. I can’t wait to see his face when he realizes it’s me.

I hear knuckles lightly rap on my door, and then Luca enters, dressed in all black. “You ready?” he asks.

“Yeah,” I confirm, removing my wedding band and placing it in my top drawer.

“Okay, follow me. We’ll head straight to the garage, and I’ll erase the tapes once we’re outside of the compound,” he informs me.

I trust him, but I'm nervous that one of Junior’s staff will spot us.

“Staff is on shift change, so we need to move now.” He basically reads my thoughts with his assurance, heading toward the door.

“Thank you…for everything,” I say with sincerity, and he smiles over his shoulder at me. He has done and risked so much for me in such little time. I pray he doesn’t get caught in the crossfires of everything bound to go down with Junior.

Luca parks the car, and we walk up the steps of Masqued together. Once we check in with the hostess and I reserve my room, we’re ushered through thick red velvet curtains. As the soft fabric brushes my shoulder, I'm hit with a renewed thrill of excitement and nostalgia, thinking about what tonight will bring.

I look around the main floor, attempting to spot Trent and Trevor in the sea of costumed members. He said I’ll know it’s him when I see him.

“They’re not here yet,” Luca says, as if reading my mind .

“Are you going to participate tonight?” I ask, eyeing his Purge -style light-up mask. The neon blue light is the same color as his eyes.

He shrugs and tilts his head. The gesture makes him appear like the twenty-something-year-old he actually is and not the goombah bodyguard he portrays. I'll admit, I don’t hate having him around, especially now that I know he’s there for me and no one else.

I knock my shoulder into his massive one. “Oh, come on, have a little fun tonight. Besides, I’ll be safe with Trent. You’ll be able to let loose and enjoy yourself…” I trail off when I spot a mess of green hair walking toward me. Even in full disguise, my man immediately spots me.

He looks so delectable in his upgraded Joker costume. Purple suit and all, Trent steps in front of me and takes my hand, twirling me around. He lets out a whistle of admiration, and I couldn’t tamp down my smile if I tried.

“Damn, Doll, I didn’t know what I was expecting…” He chuckles, biting his lip and taking me in. His eyes linger on where my short skirt meets my fishnet-covered thighs. “But this blows anything else out of the water. You look amazing. Come here, punkin’ pie,” he says in his best Jarrod Leto voice before leaning in to kiss my cheek.

“You’re looking good too, Mr. J,” I say with a wink, and I hear a low groan escape his mouth at my words.

“Looks like I'm no longer needed. I'm going to go check things out,” Luca says as he nods his goodbye to Trent and me.

“Have fun!” I yell at his retreating form as Trent’s big arms encircle my waist and pull me close.

“Let’s get out of here,” Trent suggests, groping my ass over my barely-there shorts and making me laugh .

I swat at him playfully. “We literally just got here. Not to mention how much I've been looking forward to being here with you again.”

“Is that so?” he questions, popping a green eyebrow at me, and a familiar tingling sensation flows all over my body. I must admit, the face paint really does something to me. Maybe I’m more like Harley Quinn than I realize.

The lights are dim around us, and a spotlight shines on the main stage. A gorgeous Grecian goddess walks out, gold jewelry and a mask sparkling in the light. I’d know that beauty anywhere, especially with the tanned Adonis walking out behind her.

It’s Sloan and Wesley, my old boss and her husband. I’ll make sure to find time tonight to catch up with her. It feels like a lifetime ago that she came into my life. I’ll never forget the day Sloan selected me to design her staff uniforms, or the day I stepped inside Masqued and knew I had to work there. It gave me the escape I needed at the time.

We both listen intently to Sloan’s speech as the waitstaff hands out flutes of champagne. Cheers and claps erupt when she finishes up with a toast to the night of debauchery ahead. I clink my glass to his, then throw back the bubbly liquid.

“Where’s Trevor?” I ask, realizing I don’t know what he’s dressed like.

“Not sure, but if I were to guess…I’d say by the bar.”

“With Cass?” I ask, knowing he was always close with my former co-worker and friend from when I worked here.

“I don’t think he and Cass are like that anymore once he found out about your brother and her.”

“Wait…my brother! As in, Micah and Ca ssie?”

Trent’s cheeks turn red at the realization that he said too much. It would be cute if I weren’t so stunned by his admission.

“Shit… Well, I don’t think it’s a thing anymore. You’ll have to ask him about it, but he had mentioned since she wasn’t Italian, nothing else mattered, but it always seemed like more than the brush-off he and Trevor gave me about it.”

“Wow, I’m honestly shocked. But Cass really would be the perfect fit for my brother.”

Trent smiles softly, understanding exactly what it’s like to have the mafia determine our lives.

“Enough about them. Let’s go dance,” Trent says, taking my hand in his and leading us to the center of the club.

The slow, sensual beat radiates through the speakers as Trent’s body molds to my back on the dance floor. His arms wrap around me as my hips begin to sway.

Shit, I forgot how good of a dancer Trent is. Feels like a lifetime ago we met on a dance floor, decked out in Halloween costumes.

“You feel fucking incredible in my arms, Doll,” he whispers into my ear. “To be like this…out in public, having my girl by my side, it means the world to me.”

My arm reaches up to hook behind his neck, keeping him as close as possible. His large hands roam around my body, and the trail they leave across my skin is like an inferno. I fear I will never get enough of him, not in this lifetime or our next.

“I reserved a room for us,” I say with heavy breaths. This man drives me absolutely wild with need, and I must have him now.

“So soon? We just got here,” he jokes, throwing my words back at me. But I can feel his thick cock grind into me just a bit harder with every twist of our bodies.

“Please,” I beg.

“Not yet… I want you a dripping mess for me by the time we get into that room,” he whispers, his tone darkening as his hand moves between my legs. Applying enough pressure that my hips rock against his fingers, I can’t get enough. “Mmm, my girl is such a desperate little thing.”

I moan in response to his teasing words and hands that continue to work me into a frenzy.

His body stays firm against mine as another song passes, never more than mere inches away. As if he can’t bear any distance between us either.

I'm lost in this moment with him. Nothing else matters when we’re like this. He’s a balm to my aching soul… He’s everything I need.

A voice sounds over the speakers, informing the club that tonight’s Halloween burlesque show will begin shortly. This causes the crowd of dancers to disperse, breaking the trance I’ve been in since the minute Trent touched my skin. Trent grabs my hand, raises it to his lips, and then threads our fingers together.

As he leads me away from the dance floor, he turns ever-so-slightly and smiles. His eyes take in my heated body and lust-filled eyes. “Want to grab a drink? I'm thirsty as hell.”

“You’re killing me, Smalls,” I tease as we walk toward the expansive bar area.

“There is nothing small about me, Doll.” He winks, making me laugh.

There’s that cocky bastard I love so much.

Trent’s arms wrap around me as we approach the bar, and I lean into his hold. “Mmm, our trip to Nori Beach can’t come soon enough,” he says into my neck, making my stomach flutter.

“Oh yeah, why's that?”

“So I can have your full attention. No guards, no looking over our shoulders. Just us…”

“I like the sound of that. And what are you going to do with me once we’re there?” I prod. I'm already so worked up I'm desperate for his resolve to snap.

“Don’t you worry your pretty little head about that.”

I turn slightly and return the smirk he’s sporting.

While waiting for the drinks Trent ordered, I look around the space, admiring everyone in their outfits. A familiar neon blue mask catches my eye across the way, where I spot who I'm assuming is Luca, along with two other masked men. One is orange neon, and the other is green. They’re huddled together around a petite redhead at the opposite corner of the bar. I wonder if Luca invited friends tonight, or maybe they’re members… Come to think of it, there’s still so much I don’t know about him.

Trent grabs my attention by placing my glass of wine in my hand. Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Sloan walking by, and I quickly make my way to her. I mouth over my shoulder to Trent that I’ll be right back and weave through the crowd.

“Sloan!” I call out, hoping to grab her attention. She stops and spins around.

She eyes me for a moment, and I realize with my mask on, she can’t make out who I am. “It’s me, Maggie… Ashley,” I tell her. She knew I worked under the stage name while at Ma squed, but I offer up both, just in case she forgot. It has been a few years.

“Ashley! Oh, my goodness, how’ve you been?” Smiling wide, she wraps her arms around me in a hug.

“Been good, as of recent. Such a great turnout tonight! How have you been?” I ask, eager to flip the conversation off me.

“It’s been busy, busy, but everything is great. It’s so amazing to see you. It’s been too long,” she says, her blue eyes sparkling with sincerity.

I hear someone call her name over the noisy crowd, and our attention is pulled to a security guard.

“I'm so sorry. I have to go see what he needs. Give me a call sometime. Let’s do lunch,” she says before giving me a swift kiss on the cheek and retreating.

For the first time in a while, I know I’ll be able to follow through with that promise of a lunch date. I will make sure of it.

When I return to Trent, his face lights up with his gorgeous smile that has me swooning.

“Are you ready to show me that room now?” he asks, downing his drink.

“I'm more than ready… Follow me, Mr. J,” I say as I take his hand in mine and head down the long hallway.

I reserved the same room we first met in tonight. Except this time, we won’t be interrupted.

We peer into the hazy windows along the hallway. Each offers a shielded glimpse at the people inside. I’ve always loved this part of the club; it’s enticing and sexy as hell .

“I can't wait to have you writhing on top of me,” Trent whispers. The heat from his breath against the sensitive nape of my neck has my temperature rising once again.

We walk inside our reserved room, and I change the privacy setting of the windows to semi-opaque. Allowing bystanders to see our forms but not in detail.

Trent chuckles when he sees what I’ve done. “Oh, it’s like that tonight?” he says, loosening the tie around his neck.

I sashay my way to him and reach up to finish untying it for him. “I have to say, this costume really does something to a girl.”

“Tell me, baby. What exactly does it do?” Pulling me closer with a hand on my waist, he leans in and kisses my neck.

Moaning softly, I help him slide his purple suit jacket off his wide shoulders. “I can’t stop thinking about what you looked like staring up from between my thighs that first night and how badly I want to see that again.”

He smirks and assists me in removing my cropped jacket, then reaches for my shorts. “I think that could be arranged.”

I shimmy my way out of the tight pleather material and reach for the waistband of the fishnet tights. His hands stop my movements, shaking his head. “These stay on,” he demands, then guides me to the tall-backed chair in the room. “Is my girl aching for me?”

I nod in response as I take a seat, biting my lip to stifle my groan. His wide shoulders settle between my legs, and I instinctively spread them wide.

“Relax and let me take care of you,” he says into the apex of my thighs.

Holy fuck, this man .

With a quick yank, my tights are ripped, and with one more tug, my thong is torn at its center, Trent’s warm tongue filling the space. That has got to be the hottest thing I’ve ever experienced. The power that consumes me at his utter need for me is intensely satisfying.

“Oh fuck,” I moan as my hand runs through his green hair. Gripping on and holding him in place while he devours my pussy.

His green eyes peer up at me as I feel his fingers slide deep into me. My back arches off the chair, and my body quakes at the sensation. I’ve been on edge for the better part of the night, so my release won’t take long.

Feeling the tension in my body, Trent slows his movements, keeping me teetering on the edge.

“Shit! No, you can’t do this to me. Please, Trent,” I beg, and the cocky bastard smirks at me once again.

“Tell me, Ash. What do you need?” He taunts me with a slow circle of his thumb around my clit, his eyes boring into mine.

“I need you…always you,” I whimper loudly in frustration.

“That’s my good girl,” he praises, then licks up my soaked core with one long stroke before focusing on my clit once more.

“Yessss,” I moan as my climax begins to climb once again. The sound of my wet pussy fills the room, and it only spurs him on more. His fingers twist and stroke me while his lips suck on my sensitive bud, tongue lapping at my arousal. When he groans against me, I detonate.

“Oh shit, I'm going to come Trent… Ahhh!” I cry out as my orgasm takes over my body, seeing stars, legs shaking and thighs clenching around his shoulders. He pulls every last drop fr om me as I whine his name through every wave of pleasure until I’m sated.

When he leans back on his heels, I watch the way his eyes admire me. The way they take in every single detail of this moment together.

He stands up and walks toward the door, but before I can protest, I see him press the full privacy screen for the windows. My eyes travel down his body, humming when I see his cock straining behind his suit zipper, and I shimmy in my seat with anticipation.

I pop an eyebrow at him, questioning his decision to block off our room from onlookers.

“No one is prepared to watch what I'm about to do to you.”

Another rush tingles down my spine as I gape at him. He undoes his belt and zipper, eyes on mine, his heavy cock falling freely as I lick my lips.

“But they can certainly listen if they’d like.” He winks, knowing the rooms are not soundproof. “Now open your mouth, baby. I'm going to fuck every inch of what’s mine.”