Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 85490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85490 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
“Do you think about it often?”
“I don’t know.” I touch my lips with two fingers. “But you’ve only done it once. Is that part of the game?”
“I’m not sure,” he admits and it sounds like he’s genuinely puzzled.
“Maybe kissing is too intimate?”
“That can’t be it. I dream about claiming your mouth every day.”
I refuse to whimper right now, even though the idea of him dominating my lips is more than a little appealing.
“Then what?”
“The mask.” He tilts his head. “It’s in the way.”
“Then take it off,” I whisper, heart skipping beats. The kitchen’s dim lighting makes him seem ten feet taller than he is as he comes near me.
“You know I can’t,” he says, speaking quietly, making me strain to listen.
“But what if you did?” I ask, and even though I know it risks ruining everything, I let the words rush out. “We could put the mask back on. We could still play. You know who I am. Maybe it’s time I find out who you are.”
He stops inches away from me. I reach up and touch the edge of my mask, and he doesn’t move to stop it. I could yank it off and see who he is, but I don’t move. The lacquered jackal face is cold under my fingertips, and I can feel his warm breath on my wrists.
“If you do this, it’ll be the end,” he whispers. “I know you don’t believe me, but trust is a part of what we do. You have to trust me, Laura. If you take off my mask, you won’t want to put it back on, and nothing will be the same.”
I’m so tempted. He’s in my house, in my space, and I want to know who he is with a sudden reckless ferocity. This man broke into my life, came into my basement, into my heart and my haven, and all I want in return is to see his face. That’s not asking a lot.
Except I can’t bring myself to take the mask off, because I know he’s right.
“How are you going to kiss me then?” I whisper back, goosebumps running down my skin.
He reaches up and brushes a hand across my cheek. The other wraps around my side and presses a palm into my lower back. I take a sharp breath as he draws me closer, and the mask nudges back slightly, revealing a tan jawline. Square, just like I knew it was, with light brown stubble.
“Close your eyes and don’t peek.”
“Jackal—”
“Do it, little demon.”
I let out a sigh and obey. I squeeze my eyes shut, and once they’re closed, I push his mask up. He helps with his other hand, and I feel the mask slide off his face. My chin tilts up, my lips parted, my heart racing so hard I can barely breathe, and then I feel him. His mouth brushes against my cheek and pecks the corner of my lips.
“Tell me you want this,” he whispers. “Tell me you’re happy I’m here.”
“I want it. I’m happy.”
“For a minute down there, I was worried I crossed a line.”
“You didn’t. You can’t. I’m just—” I’m broken and weird, and I don’t know how to have a normal relationship, much less one with a man in a mask. But maybe he knows that already, and I don’t have to say it out loud.
He doesn’t seem to mind. His lips find mine. They’re soft and rough, a beautiful, perfect combination, and the first kiss is so soft, barely a peck. He’s exploring, but I can’t help myself. I reach up and pull him down, pushing myself into him harder, and then he’s feasting on me, his lips kissing me deep and rough and lovely, his tongue exploring behind my teeth, and I whimper into his mouth as the kiss blows me away and leaves my heart racing wildly in my chest.
It’s the kiss I’ve been dreaming about. It’s even better—it’s Jackal’s mouth dominating my own, his tongue and teeth and lips driving me wild, his body pressing mine back against the counter and his hands lacing through my hair. I gasp and drive my tongue deeper into his, and I groan as I lose myself in the pleasure of a good, deep kiss. It’s the kind of intimacy I didn’t know I was capable of, and no matter what else happens tonight, this was completely worth it.
I want him in my basement. I want him around my sculptures. I want to ask him to watch me work, in person, wearing the mask. I want all that and so much more. I want him in my bed, in my arms.
But most of all, I want to see his face.
I don’t care about the game. I should’ve realized that a while ago. The game was only a way into this. Now we’re so beyond it. Jackal might have his reasons for keeping his identity a secret, but I’m ready to toss all of that aside and make whatever’s happening between us real.