Beautiful Strangers (The Masquerade Series) Read online

  I wanted to lie in my tub and drown in my own sea of self pity but life goes on and I really do need to work after the cash I blew on my speed today. On my way to work I had texts from Jaxson.

  Jax: I want to see you, tonight?

  Me: Sorry not tonight, I have to work

  Jax: Maybe after?

  Me: Okay but I don’t get off until two.

  Jax: I will have a car waiting for you, I’m sure you have a lot of questions and there is so much I need to tell you.

  Another big talk was the last thing I wanted to have but I agreed. Work seemed to be dragging by and I kept seeing images of Evan looking so broken swimming in my head, and then my thoughts were drifting back to Jaxson and thoughts of him I could smile at.

  I was doing the right thing even if Jaxson and I went nowhere, this was for me. Damn, it was so hard not to give in to the demons in my head urging me to go into that back stall and send a little escape from reality up my nose.

  I thought back to the first time I met Evan, I had gotten a flat tire and he came to my rescue and now I wonder if that had been a chance encounter or if he was responsible for my flat that day. Then my thoughts turned to Jaxson and how sweet and real he was. And just like that the memories of Evan were being washed away with my new memories of Jaxson.

  After Evan hurt me so, I never dreamed of meeting someone like Jax. I find myself wishing that I hadn’t made so many horrible choices. What would a man like him, ever see in a used up woman like me? I was so lost in my own thoughts Reggie had to tell me three times to get my ass on stage.

  “Grace you okay?” Reggie asked and said, “I can push you back a few.”

  “Yea I just need to get a drink,” I lied.

  Instead I headed for the bathroom just one small line so I can focus. After that I powered through the rest of my shift. I was even happy to do my last dance.

  As promised, Ritchie had my contract waiting in his office. “It is very standard and I took the liberty of having my lawyer look it over as well.” Ritchie explained, “It basically states that you agree to star in his video and not to discuss Mr. Hayes under any circumstances unless asked to do so by him or his team” he wipes the beads of sweat that had formed over his brow.

  I signed the contract and Ritchie let me know that someone from Jaxson’s camp would call me for scheduling. I was met in our side alley by dull green eyes driving a black Mercedes with blacked out windows. It was hard to identify him since he wasn’t wearing a mask but I recognized those eyes.

  “I take it Jaxson sent you?” I asked him politely.

  “Yes Ms. Montgomery, my name is Raymond. I will be driving you tonight,” he answers in a grave tone. Such an odd man, I thought to myself as I let myself into the backseat. No way was I riding in the front with this creeper.

  After leaving downtown it felt like we drove forever when we finally reached a small gated estate in Brentwood.

  I couldn’t tell much about the outside of the home in the dark but the inside was definitely nice. A woman must have decorated, all the furniture in the sitting room was white and all the woodwork was very intricate. I was walking around the room admiring the woodwork of his book shelves when every hair on my body began to stand while goose bumps spread all over my body.

  Naughty….

  I turned to find Jaxson leaning in the doorway in nothing but pajama pants barely hanging on his hip bones, quietly watching me. I could have stood there the rest of the night appreciating his perfectly sculpted abs. No no, scratch that I wanted to run my hands across his stomach and kiss him all over.

  “So here I am. What is it that you plan on doing with me?” I teased.

  Running his fingers through his messy black hair he laughed. “Depends on whether you have been naughty or nice since I last saw you.” With a smirk that let me know he hoped I had been naughty.

  “I can assure you I have been extremely naughty,” I giggled backing further away from him.

  “Care to join me in the hot tub?” he asked crossing the room, wrapping me in his arms.

  “Okay but I don’t have a suit,” I gestured at my jeans and black cami I had changed into after work.

  “I didn’t think a naughty girl like you would need one?” he winked. I didn’t have time to look over the rest of the house as he practically dragged me to his sun room where the hot tub was waiting for us.

  Undressing and slipping into his tub the warm water felt so good after the day I had. Jaxson slipped in beside me and I nestled my head on his shoulder while he stroked my hair.

  “Mmm you have no idea how good this feels,” I moaned into his neck my nipples instantly becoming hard when they grazed his arm.

  “Yes I do,” he sighs, “this has been a long day of all work and no play.”

  “So let’s play!” I shrieked splashing him right in the face. He grabbed my arm and pulled me back to him showering my neck and shoulders with tender kisses.

  Scooting from his grasp to sit beside him I had to ask, “So are you and Sadie a couple?” He got a serious look to his face and I felt his arms tense.

  “That’s one thing I need to talk to you about. Sadie used to be my girlfriend but now our relationship is strictly professional.” His muscles started to relax and I continued kissing across his chest as he spoke.

  “I thought she was different and it was nice having someone who was living the same life I was. Someone who is in the industry, but she was only interested in how much being with me would benefit her career. But I am under contract with her until we finish our final tour. I am planning to leave Blackened Sunrise and go solo once this upcoming tour ends. I only have six months to go until I am free.” He smiled like saying it aloud felt really good.

  “The video is for my first solo single. Sadie isn’t happy. She says I won’t make it on my own, but this is something I have wanted for quite some time. The label thinks we do better appearing as a couple both on and off the stage. When I signed, we were still involved and I was a complete dumbass and didn’t read all the terms. I am obligated to do public appearances with her as a couple. I’m not supposed to technically be seen publicly dating other women,” he lets out his breath in a whoosh.

  I sat there for a few minutes trying to absorb everything before I spoke. “So I would need to be a secret,” I frowned.

  “We need to be discreet in public but you are going to be in my video and there’s already enough buzz about me being a playboy in the media. Not to count the coverage from last night.” He cupped my face and planted a fierce kiss on my lips that said I own you.

  “I spoke to Sadie and she’s not really that upset by it, it’s not like she doesn’t have plenty of men. She will fuck anyone who benefits her career. She just said a heads-up would have been nice. But she would like to talk with you to prep you in case the media goes berserk after the video is released,” he said relaxing more.

  I doubted very seriously that Sadie was okay with any woman becoming involved with Jaxson but I kept that to myself.

  “Enough Sadie talk,” he growled, pulling me into his lap, not giving me a chance to respond to anything he said. He began teasing my breast with his mouth, when he suggested we continue in his room. I was very eager to comply. Things were definitely headed in a better direction for once in my life. Jaxson’s bedroom was very masculine, unlike the little I saw of the rest of his home.

  Push me, Pull me, Tease me, Please me….

  He shoved me onto the bed playfully but a little rough. Controlling Jaxson was back and boy did he mean business. He pinned my arms back over my head daring me to move them as he ravished my body with his tongue and his firm hands. It’s as if he knew exactly where to touch me. My core is humming with anticipation as he teases my warm center, lightly brushing his cock against my inner thighs.

  I screamed his name in pleasure “Jax!”

  “Tell me what you want Gracie?” he whispered in his all knowing voice in my ear. His voice is raw with desire, still teasing me.


  He knows damn well what I want.

  “I want you to beg me to fuck you Gracie,” he roars. Slowly slipping just the tip of his hard length in me and slowly drawing back out. I am hanging on the brink of pure bliss but I will not give him the satisfaction of hearing me beg. It is hard not to beg him to fuck me and get it over with but I don’t play the prey easily anymore and he will be the one begging.

  “What’s the matter Gracie, to proud to beg?” He teased.

  He had let go of my arms at this point and I planned on taking full advantage. He was hovering over me nibbling on my ear and dipping his finger in and out of my wet core, when I surprised him by smacking him on the ass with my bare palm hard as I could.

  The look on his face made me giggle, and he lost it.

  “Are you laughing at me Gracie?” He moved to sitting on the side of the bed.

  “Come here,” he ordered and I obliged. “Didn’t I tell you I would punish you, if you were bad?”

  “Please do,” I whisper placing myself across his lap. I know what is to come and I am ready.

  “Oh Gracie,” he sighed, “you are very naughty, you will be the death of me,” as he began to spank me hard. He wasn’t going to take it easy and I met each of his smacks with a moan. My ass would be sore tomorrow but right now I am determined not to beg.

  He had enough of waiting me out as he lies back on the bed and instructs me take control. I had been hell bent on making him be the one to beg but I sensed he needed a release as much as I did. I straddled him in a backwards cowgirl and took him into me and began pumping myself up and down faster and faster on his shaft.

  “Turn around and face me,” he commands. “I want to see your face when you come.” I obey and let him back on top.

  “Gracie your killing me,” he moaned as we both found our release.

  He collapsed beside of me and groaned, “Damn if you’re not amazing! I don’t know if I could ever get enough of nights like this. You are more stubborn than I am,” he chuckled smacking me with his pillow.

  There is no way I deserve him, I told myself. Once again I drifted off to the best sleep thanks to this beautiful man. Thankfully I awoke alone. Breaking out in cold sweats in front of him would be unbearable. If he truly knew me he would run hard and fast. There was a note on his pillow.

  Gracie,

  Make yourself at home taking some business calls in my office come find me when you are ready for breakfast

  Jaxson

  Chapter Six

  Not letting go…..

  I made my way into his bathroom. Wow I could swim in his tub but decided on the shower. Who needs a shower that could easily fit six people? I don’t even know where to begin there is so many different shower heads. I feel a little strange rummaging through his drawers in search of a hair dryer. But I was happy I didn’t find any evidence of another woman in them either.

  I spied my purse on his night stand and took a half hit of speed after dressing. I began wandering through the hall to the stairs when the strumming of a guitar caught my attention. I followed the sound and found a shirtless Jaxson in what must be his music room.

  The sight of him with his guitar was something to file away in my head to look upon again and again later. He was singing low to himself. I couldn’t make out the words but the melody his fingers produced left me breathless. The room was decked out in Elvis memorabilia. He stopped playing when he noticed me standing there wearing only an old Doors t-shirt I swiped from his closet.

  “A guy could get used to this sight in the morning,” he smiled.

  “I could say the same; it shouldn’t be legal for you to be shirtless with your guitar.” I smiled back biting my top lip while admiring the view.

  “Are you hungry?”

  “No I can’t eat this soon after waking; it doesn’t set right with me.” No way would I say, sorry I’m a speed freak and it curves my appetite. “But I will join you, if you’re hungry,” I said meekly.

  “Nah I’m good, I don’t do early breakfast either,” he grinned at me. He sat his guitar to the side and pulled me into his lap.

  “I talked to my manager this morning and he said we have the permits we need to begin shooting the video. He wants to start first thing on Monday morning. He faxed over all the information. We can look over it together in my office,” he grinned at me again.

  “Sounds good, I am off on Sundays so an early call time won’t be a problem for me.”

  I couldn’t help but smile back at him once more. I feel like a giddy school girl. Stop smiling so damn much, I chastised myself. He’s going to think you’re already sounding out his last name after your own name.

  We went over the general outline of what I needed to know about the shoot which wasn’t much. The video was going to portray us as lovers and I was lying to him and leading a double life.

  Wow if that’s not very far from the truth. I wasn’t lying to him, but I wasn’t exactly being completely honest about myself either.

  I found my clothes still lying by the hot tub and I pulled my jeans on and tucked my cami into my purse. He wasn’t getting his t-shirt back. It would be my new favorite sleep shirt; it smells just like his soap. We both agreed that it would be better if Raymond drove me back to my car. No need in fueling more rumors if he was being watched.

  “I hate to let you leave,” he pouted.

  “I would love to stay but I really do need to go home and run some errands before work tonight.” I state trying not to sound so sad to leave him as well.

  “Maybe you will see me there,” he said with a look that hoped I’d say please.

  “If not, I’ll see you Monday” I replied playing it cool. I don’t want him to think I am too eager. He kissed my forehead as I ducked into the Mercedes.

  After getting my car I drove through a generic fast-food drive through for a chicken biscuit and orange juice. I took my phone out, numerous random texts from Jocelyn wanting to know where I disappeared to after work and one text from Evan with only a sad face icon.

  I deleted Evans text and told Jocelyn I had to go over my contract for the video. She doesn’t need to know any details she can spill to the press. Not that she would sell me out but she does screw Jaxson’s boss.

  I made it home and found myself curiously Googling Jaxson and the top article was still of us leaving the club. Then I stumbled across a statement given by Sadie Blake. “In response to recent rumors of a straying Jaxson Hayes Ms. Blake has issued the following statement:

  Jaxson and I are as much in love as ever. The photos you have seen are of him and a dancer he is featuring in his new video, all you’re seeing is two friends out for a drink, nothing more.”

  Maybe she isn’t too bad after all I thought to myself. Well I will find out when I meet her. Jaxson did mention she would be making an appearance for the paparazzi to see her on set at the video shoot. I settled in for a nap I was so groggy, the effects of taking less speed I’m sure.

  I found myself having a horrible nightmare about Sadie and Jaxson. We were at Masquerade and she was sitting on stage seated on a thrown with Jaxson standing by her side. She was laughing at me as I lay crumpled on the floor surrounded by photos of myself snorting speed along with others of me with the man I had whored myself to when I was with Evan.

  I woke in a pouring sweat and my nose dripping blood onto my favorite quilt. The sight of the blood made me nauseous, I ran for the bathroom praying to hold my breakfast down. I sat hugging my toilet for what seemed like hours. I stole a glance at the clock, shit I needed to get ready for work.

  As bad as I hated myself for it, I took a whole hit of speed but I will never snort it again after today’s nosebleed, and my dream. What if someone told Jaxson about my past before I am able? I will tell him after the video shoot before someone like Evan beats me to it.

  I get to work and Reggie has some photos of costumes she wants to look over with me, this perked my mood some. She did have a really neat idea for my costume and what song I should u
se. I asked her if she minded waiting until after my shoot this coming week before we started shopping and she agreed.

  I hope she doesn’t think I’m trying to put all the work off on her. Jocelyn was in a great mood as well I thought it was something to do with Bradley, but apparently Robert Drake had used his Devils tongue and horned his way back into her life. Not my place to say something though, she’s a big girl and can take care of herself. I just hope she knows what she is doing.

  When Reggie told me what song I had for my first set tonight I got really excited, “Prince’s Get Off” is one of my all time favorites. I decided since I was starting off with “Prince” I wanted to wear my lacy purple bustier with its coordinating lacy boy shorts, a purple feathered mask and of course purple Jimmy’s to match and tonight I left my long wavy hair down.

  Stacey brought me a lemon drop shot and I was feeling good and looking great. My inner sex kitten was purring as I approached the stage. The lights went down and I took my place center stage sitting backward on a black chair with my back facing the crowd. I could feel the crowd’s anticipation traveling through the air towards me, and it fueled my kitten even more.

  The music started and I imagined this was a private performance for Jaxson. I gave a seductive glance over my shoulder, before throwing my head back, my hair spread onto the floor as I traveled my torso playfully with my right hand brushing lightly over my center.

  I rolled off the chair onto my stomach and began crawling like a lioness on the hunt for her prey down the center catwalk. I rolled onto my back with my knees bent and pumped my center up and down touching myself all over.

  These men were filled with lust, by this point and howling cat calls at me. The song was almost over and as I was standing to make my exit a guy jumped on stage and grabbed my arm briefly before security tackled him and tossed him out the door.