Page 18 of Valentine Masquerade
And claim what was always meant to be ours.
Chapter 10
Ari
I swear I’ve been walking around in a lust-induced haze for the last two days, my channel squeezing around nothing as I’m reminded of the pleasure both Harrison and Hunter evoked from me.
The encounters, if that’s what you’d call them, have me all kinds of conflicted and confused. Like I somehow cheated on someone I’ve never even met, and yet something felt familiar with both Harrison and Hunter. And it has nothing to do with them being my stepbrothers.
Abi’s been doing my makeup for the last hour, and she’s asked multiple times if anything is wrong. I keep telling her I’m fine, and yet it’s on the tip of my tongue to confess what happened with Harrison and Hunter. But the words don’t come. Once I admit it out loud, there’s no way of denying it any longer.
I try not to fidget, but it’s impossible when I keep getting pulled back to the memories of how they pleasured me. Who knew they could both be so, so generous when it comes to giving? And that thought has me even more suspicious of them.
With an internal sigh, I try to focus on the fact I’ll finally be meeting my mystery man and attending a prestigiousmasquerade ball in Mayfair, instead of thinking about the devil’s spawn.
Abi and I came up with a plan months ago to make sure I can attend, although I can’t stay out all night. No, can’t have anyone else waiting on my stepfather when it comes to his breakfast.
It’s pathetic, really, and yet the main reason I put up with any of it is for my mum. I wonder if she’s doing the same for me. Does she feel as trapped by him as I do? We rarely get a chance to talk, not like we used to. He’s never far away, and that hurts. We used to be so close.
My heart pangs, but I push it away when Abi smiles brightly.
“There. All done,” she says and takes a step back.
I take a deep breath and turn to look in the mirror. I gasp at my reflection. Abi is like my very own fairy godmother.
“Wow!” I stand up and step closer to the mirror as I stare back at my reflection. “You really are going to be the best makeup artist.”
She’s worked literal magic. I know it’s me, but it’s almost like it’s not.
“You look amazing, Ari. You always do. This just enhances your natural beauty.”
I can’t help but blush from her compliment. She’s one of the few people who gives them out to me so freely, and it’s always genuine.
“Thank you. I can’t believe that is me,” I admit as I study my face once more.
“Believe it. You’re stunning, my lovely, not just on the outside but the inside too.”
I reach out and pull her into a hug.
“As are you,” I reply sincerely, squeezing her tight.
She pulls back and tucks her hair behind her ear. She blushes and goes into her walk-in wardrobe. Her face is still free ofmakeup, and even when she gets ready, I know her port-wine birthmark will be on show, as it should be.
I love the fact that she stopped trying to hide it a long time ago. Even though her birthmark was the reason she learned to apply makeup in the first place, back then, it was to cover up and hide that part of herself from the bullies.
She’s been called all kinds of nasty and vicious things, which only spurred her on to break the stigma. But it’s also hardened her in some ways, too. She rarely lets anyone get too close.
She sees her housekeeper more than she sees her parents, and that’s just tragic.
I’m pulled from my thoughts when Abi comes out carrying a dress bag, one bigger than her.
“So I don’t want you to be mad, but I may have gotten you a gift.”
I frown at her. “Abigail, what did you do?”
She lays the bag on the bed, her fingers on the zip as she looks back at me.
“So, I saw you eyeing up this dress when you purchased your mask, and I couldn’t let you go tonight without feeling like the Queen you are.”
