“Look at you,” he growled, the distorted voice sending shivers down my spine. “So eager, so wet. Is this what you wanted all along? To be taken like this, used in the dark?”
I shook my head, defiant even as my body betrayed me, clenching around his fingers. “No,” I gasped, the lie tasting bitter on my tongue.
He chuckled, the sound warped and menacing through the mask. “Liar,” he hissed, curling his fingers inside me.
I fought to keep my composure, to not give in completely, and show him exactly how much I wanted this, but my body was betraying me with every thrust of his hand.
“Tell me you want this,” he demanded, his masked face inches from mine. “Say it.”
I bit my lip, stubbornly refusing to give him the satisfaction. But when he twisted his fingers just so, hitting that perfect spot inside me, I couldn’t hold back the moan that escaped my lips.
“Now, Evie,” he growled, his distorted voice sending shivers down my spine. “Let me hear you say it.”
His thumb found my clit, circling it with maddening precision. I bucked against his hand, my resolve crumbling with each expert touch.
“I... I want more,” I finally gasped, hating myself for giving in but unable to resist the pleasure coursing through me. “Please...”
He gave a low laugh, the sound distorted by the mask. “You’re going to act like a good girl now, saying please, aren’t you? You want to take my cock?”
His fingers withdrew suddenly, leaving me aching and empty. Before I could protest, he spun me around, pressing me face-first against the rough bark of the tree. His body heat radiated against me as he pressed closer.
“Hands above your head,” he ordered. “And don’t you dare move them.”
I complied, my heart racing as I felt him lift my dress higher, exposing me completely to the cool night air. His gloved hands ran down my sides, gripping my hips with bruising force.
“Beg for my cock,” he growled, leaning in close, his mask brushing against my ear.
My breath caught in my throat as he teased me, sliding a finger along my wetness but not pushing farther again.
“Beg for it,” he demanded, his distorted voice sending shivers down my spine.
I hesitated, my pride warring with my desire. But when he ground against me, two fingers circling my clit, I couldn’t hold back anymore.
“Now,” I whimpered, pushing back against him. “Fuck me now.”
With a deep groan, he thrust a finger back into me, one gloved hand snaking around my neck.
His hand tightened on me one last time, pulling me closer until his masked face was against the back of my neck. I could feel his breath through the distorted mask, heavy and dark, mingling with the scent of deep rich pepper and cedarwood that clung to him like a shadow.
“Go back to your party, Evie,” he growled, his voice low, commanding. “But don’t forget that you can, and want, to be owned.”
He released me, the sudden absence of his grip almost making me stumble. I took a shaky step back, staring into the empty, crosslined eyes of the mask. My heart pounded in my chest as he took a slow step back, before turning to stalk off into the woods.
A cold rush washed over me as I tried to catch my breath, the adrenaline still pulsing through my veins. I opened my mouth, ready to demand he come back and take off the mask. Demand that he do all of that again as Aiden this time—but he was already gone, his figure melting into the darkness of the trees, leaving me alone.
I stood there, frozen, the eerie silence pressing in around me. The familiar sounds of the party trickled back into my awareness, distant laughter and music that felt a world away from where I stood.
I forced myself to move, stumbling back toward the lights and noise. I hated that every step left me more clearheaded, the chill of the night seeping in now.
As I stepped back into the crowd, I could still feel the weight of his touch, the imprint of his gloved fingers, like a brand on myskin. I scanned the faces around me, searching for Aiden, wanting some sliver of proof that it had been him.
That he was here now.
It didn’t matter.
It was Aiden. It had to be. Which meant he did want me, and even better, I was pushing him to the brink of giving in.
Chapter 15
