AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I stared up at the ceiling, wondering if I would ever be able to return to the penthouse. Did I live here at the mansion with him now? What was going to be the permanent arrangement? Would I have to leave again? Would I even want to leave?
We were not exactly in a relationship. I was so unclear on what was even going on between us, other than a sexually charged connection. I tried not to read too much into it but, I am a woman. We definitely all overthink things sometimes.
“Whatever,” I uttered under my breath to myself, shrugging.
I decided not to worry at the very moment. It was then that I began to reminisce about the crazy way we met, both times. The real version of him came to mind first. His smoldering eyes captivated me as he watched me work. The day we ran into each other after my run in the park, he smiled unforgettably, luring me further in. The coffee shop as he read the obituary section made me internally giggle. He did not think I saw that, but I did.
My brain shifted to the other version of him at the masquerade. The masks. The contract. The entire elaborate nonsense for what? I snickered, rolling my eyes. He kept his word by not forcing me into anything, which I appreciated. He could have easily been some masked murderer or rapist, but he was the opposite. I had yet to figure him out completely, but I was enjoying peeling back the many layers he had hidden underneath both personas.
He gave his identity away so many times. I began to think my mind was playing tricks on me every time he did something similar to the other version of him. I liked both of them and wanted them to be the same. However, looking back on it, I am shocked it took me so long to figure it out.
The smile quickly faded from my face as I sat up as if someone lit a fire under my back. My mouth fell agape. I thought back to William.It's a pleasure to finally meet you for real, is what he said to me at the gala.
It was then I realized that I had just officially mettheWilliam, sans the mask. He was Tanya’s boyfriend! Everything was finally coming together. I sighed thinking about how I was ever going to approach this with my best friend.
Burying my face into my palms, I groaned, “Tanya is in so much trouble!”
13 Conflict
I stepped into the hallway to see William waiting for me. He was leaning against the wall staring at his phone. Glancing up, he smirked then opened his mouth ready to speak about what he had just witnessed. Burying my face into my hand, I groaned before I flashed my palm toward him.
“Just don't,” I scolded, attempting to stop whatever was about to exit his mouth.
He chuckled, shaking his head, “Well you might want to go change into something more appropriate.”
I scowled in confusion, “And why is that?”
“Valentino, I'm literally standing here wearing a suit,” he hinted. “You cannot wear that, I assure you.”
My chest began to feel constricted. I knew that I was about to have to face a demon of some sort. The only time William cared about attire was when it was what we referred to as, official business.
Inhaling deeply, I muttered, “Hang on.”
Pivoting toward my room once again, I stepped in. Softly closing the door behind me as not to disturb Isabelle, I quickly noticed she was nowhere to be found. I strode to my closet, finding her naked when I entered. She quizzically glanced up at me causing me to snicker. She smiled broadly as her gaze returned to a row of my shirts.
“Wear whatever you need, it's okay,” I offered as I sauntered over to another section of other formal clothing.
“I just need to go to my room for a sec,” she commented as she thumbed through my garments.
I began removing my clothes to change into a suit. She froze in place, turning her attention toward me. I smirked as I watched her studying my body, enjoying the view in front of her.
“Come back for more already?”
I glanced down chuckling slightly as I pulled my pants on. “I wish, bella, but I have a meeting.”
“And you have to dress up?”
I nodded, “For this one I do, because it’s apparently very important.”
She grinned at me, stepping to my side. Trailing her fingertips over my arms, she lustfully gazed up toward my face as she continued over my shoulders. I dropped my gaze, meeting hers. Instantly, she stood on her toes, placing a small peck on my lips. Startled but turned on by her confidence, I rolled my bottom lip between my teeth then bit it to keep from smiling. This was a new side to her that I had not seen quite yet. However, I liked it…a lot.
“What are you doing?”
“I don't even know,” she giggled, “but you have this effect on me.”
Attempting to focus on my task, I reached forward, grabbing a white formal shirt from the hanger, and sliding my arms through it. As I began to button it up, she placed her hands on mine, keeping me from finishing. I gave in to her silent demand, pulling my shirt open for her enjoyment. She placed her fingernails on my chest and with a slight pressure, she slowly dragged them down to my lower abs causing me to flex every muscle in my body at the sensation.
She awakened the beast in me, and I harshly yanked her close, growling in her ear with approval. We glared into one another’s eyes, playing a game of chicken. Who would give in to the other first? She was mistaken if she thought I would ever let her have control. I was a gentleman but definitely not a gentle man. Control was something I was never willing to give up.
