Page 14 of The Masked King

“Where?” My voice cracks. “Why can’t I see you?”

“Because I’m the night. I’m the fantasy inside your head when you close your eyes and go to sleep. Would it be as much fun if the lights came on and you could see me?”

“I like seeing my fantasies when they happen.” My erection throbs, exposing the lie.

“Describe me, Brian. What do you see right now?”

“I don’t⁠—”

“No copout. You’re paying for the privilege, so humor me.” She isn’t laughing at me, but she does sound as if she’s having fun, and I find myself smiling behind the mask.

“You’re wearing black leather.”

“Too gimmicky.”

“Okay…” I focus on a spot in the darkness, neon lights flashing in front of my eyes, and think about it. Really think about it. “You’re not naked. But you’re not fully clothed either.” Silence. “You’re wearing sexy underwear.”

“Color?”

Not black, that would be too obvious. She doesn’t sound as if she’s wearing red either. “White.”

“Interesting. Do you want me to be naked?”

Do I? The thought of Nyx naked, in control of the darkness while I’m fully clothed and not allowed to touch, makes my cock twitch. “Yes.”

The pause drags on. I listen beyond the blood coursing around my body, and I think I hear the faintest rustle of clothing. I swallow hard. Fuck!

“Okay,” she whispers, “you haven’t finished describing me.”

“Are you naked?”

“Yes.”

“Are you close enough for me to touch?”

She hesitates, then, “Yes.”

I inhale her perfume. She’s close, so close I swear I can feel the warmth of her skin. “You’re blonde. I chose Nyx because I thought of the night, but now I think you’re blonde.”

“Go on.”

“Your eyes are green, like a cat.” I lick my dry lips. “No, not green, they’re hazel with flecks of amber.”

“That’s very specific.”

“You’re strong. A runner.” I close my eyes. “And when you come, you have the biggest smile on your face.”

I swallow again, harder this time.

The woman I just described is Demi.

4

DEMI

“Am I close?” The mask alters his voice, but I swear I can hear the real Brian.

He isn’t like the others. Sure, he’s here for the same reason, he wants the kind of thrill that he won’t find elsewhere, even if it is all just a clever illusion. I mean, the clue is in the fucking name: JADED.