“The man in the mask. Don’t worry, I’m not the creep in the blue suit.” That makes her smile. She walks over to where I’m standing. Through the intense floral scent I make out a fruity perfume that must be hers. Her skin is smooth, revealed by the fluttering folds of her white dress. I’m hit by the image of peeling her dress of those smooth curves and unveiling her spectacular body.
“So you’re not the creep in the blue suit. But are you another creep in a tuxedo?” She’s smiling in a teasing way. It’s driving me crazy not being able to get a good look in her eyes. I pluck a rose from the wall and walk down its length to the other side. It’s a little darker in the space between the trellis wall and the real wall of the hall, like a cozy, private cave.
“Not a creep.” I hand her the rose. “Who’s behind the mask?” I step a little closer.
“Isn’t it more fun not to know? I don’t recognize you. I know most people around here.” Her lips are full, red and it’s hard not to imagine what it would be like to kiss them.
“So I deduce that you’re a local girl. That narrows down the field.” I watch as she strokes the petals of the rose with her fingers. It’s mesmerizing.
“Well done Sherlock. But there are still plenty of girls my age with brown hair and around my height. You’d have a lot of sleuthing to do to find out who I am. Since you’re an out of towner, it’s harder for me. If you were local, then, there’s not too many guys your height.” She stares up at me.
“Okay, ask me three questions. I’ll take off my mask after number three, if you want.” I smile down at her. I’m glad I came to this party.
“Number one - what job do you do?” She reaches out with the rose and taps my shoulder.
“I’m training to be a fireman. I used to work on the rig with my buddy Elden. Do you know him?” I’m trying to restrain the urge to step closer and breathe in her delicious scent.
“Hey, I’m asking the questions. But yes, my best friend Bette is his wife’s sister. Number two. Do you live in town?” She taps my other shoulder with the rose.
“I do now. I’m staying on Fircroft street while I complete my training. You know it?” I think her eyes are twinkling but that could be the glitter-covered mask.
“I know Fircroft very well. I work there. Number three. Are you a romantic?” She taps my chest with the rose.
“It depends. Day to day I don’t go around sending myself flowers. But you know, with Valentine’s Day coming up…” I watch as she realizes I’m joking and starts to laugh. I pull off my mask. “Hope you’re not disappointed.”
She taps her lips with the flower. “Not at all. I’m delighted actually.”
“Are you delighted enough to kiss me?” I’ve been wanting to kiss her from the moment I set eyes on her in her white dress standing in the crowded hall.
Her lips are curved into another smile as she steps forward, reaches up on tiptoe and kisses me softly. Her full breasts press against my chest as I reach around her back and pull her tighter against me. Her hands stroke my face softly as I explore her mouth with my tongue and I feel her gasp slightly.
“Julia?” A woman in a bright green dress is peeking around the side of the wall. The girl pulls away from me. “Coming, Mom!”
Her mother looks at me as I walk out and I see her face fall.
Shit, I don’t have the mask on.
I catch the eye of the blonde haired guy who was staring at me earlier. He starts forward in an aggressive way, but the guy he’s with pulls him back. Definitely Ty Caputo. I put my mask back on and walk over to Ben, who’s looking nervously at the blonde guy. “Ben...time to go. My cover’s been blown.”
“You got it bud.” He walks quickly out of the hall as heads start to turn in our direction.
“Hey Ben - does the name Julia sound familiar to you? Gorgeous curvy girl with dark hair. Has a mom in a green dress so bright you could see it from space.” I look over at him.
He comes to a dead stop. “You kidding? Julia Caputo? She’s off limits to you, dude.”
A Caputo.
A beautiful, mesmerizing Caputo who I’ve just kissed.
And our families hate each other.
But I think I’m falling in love.
Chapter Three
Julia
Ouch.
