Masque (13 page)

She shook her head at her reflection. And why a toga? It was
as if she were going to an X-rated Halloween party when she had planned on
having tea. Not exactly tea, but it did beg the question of what the lovely,
dainty room would change into. Synn never did tell her. Studying herself, she
couldn’t help thinking she could pass for an ancient Greek. Mrs. McMurray had
one of the maids pin her hair up and style it as if she was Helen of Troy. The
wisps about her face made her appear delicate.

She enjoyed having sex with Synn, but he’d promised he
wouldn’t enter her, so what would they do in the White Room? She couldn’t help
wanting an intimacy they hadn’t shared yet. Or maybe they never would. Synn was
about sex. She had to keep that in mind.

Sighing, she walked to her bed and picked up her cell phone
from the nightstand. Ten more minutes before Synn arrived. Maybe she should
prepare herself for her experience tonight. She looked for the sex journal and
found it stuck between the dresser and a chair. Picking it up, she marveled
that Mrs. McMurray hadn’t noticed it.

Rena sat on her bed and smoothed out the rumpled pages.
Skimming through it, she found the drawings of the billiard room. She turned
the page and sucked in her breath. A woman was laid upon a table with various
foods placed upon her body. People stood around her as if waiting for the
chance to eat her. Rena looked at her clothing and back at the woman. She wore
a toga.

As the knob on her door turned, she shoved the book under
her pillow and stood.

Synn entered wearing a Grecian toga himself.

She forgot to breathe. His broad chest appeared larger with
half of it exposed and much darker than the white of his clothing. She noticed
it covered the black mark on his chest where he’d been shot. The garment fell
to mid-thigh and the sandals that laced up his powerful calves were a dark
color, unlike the gold of her own.

Synn didn’t move. She looked at his face to find desire and
utter appreciation in the depths of his stormy eyes.

“Rena.”

Her name on his lips was but a breath and it sent a shiver
racing across her skin.

He took a step closer. “By the gods, but you are
breathtaking.”

She smiled. “The gods?”

He raised his brow. “I stand corrected, for the only goddess
I care about is the one before me. You truly are Aphrodite.”

Her cheeks heated at the sincerity of his praise. “And what
god will you be tonight?”

He bowed. “I am, of course, the god of sin.”

She laughed, unable to contain her excitement.

“Turn around.”

She did and he tied on a golden mask. When he turned her
back, he faced her toward the mirror. The mask was a creation in itself with a
butterfly shape and tiny swirls, all in solid gold. He put on a simple brown
mask and stepped behind her, encircling her waist with his arms. He lowered his
lips to her bare neck, trailing kisses to her ear, and filling her nostrils
with his spicy scent.

She couldn’t take her eyes from watching him in the mirror.
Being held like this, kissed like this, is what she craved the most from him,
and she didn’t want to miss one touch, look or taste.

Abruptly, he stepped back and away from her, leaving the
room’s cool air to touch her skin. She shivered, bereft without the illusion of
what they might share.

He appeared uncomfortable, a state she hadn’t witnessed in
him before. Did he feel a growing connection too? Did he want to? She watched,
perplexed, as he strode to the door.

He offered his arm. “Are you ready for the White Room, my
goddess?”

She bowed her head, positive he still wasn’t quite right.
“And what is this room called at night?”

His grin transformed him to his usual, confident self.
“Delicious Sex.”

Her stomach flipped at his statement, the image from the sex
journal vivid in her mind. She cleared her closed throat. “Would this have
anything to do with food?”

His grin became downright diabolical. “Absolutely.”

On suddenly weak legs, she wobbled to him and grasped his
arm.

Synn reveled in the feel of Rena’s arm linked with his. He
had been right when he first saw her. She was Aphrodite, but he sensed her
distance, except in front of the mirror. Then the connection between them had
been strong and disturbing. Not something to be repeated. At least she had
agreed to the White Room. He would show her how much that meant to him by
ensuring she thoroughly enjoyed Delicious Sex tonight.

It was after midnight. He’d changed the rooms before he
escorted her downstairs so he wouldn’t need to leave her to pull the lever that
started the cogged wheels rolling. Hopefully soon, the clock in the Black Room
would start and take over the nightly chore, but until then, it was his
responsibility. And at the moment, it was his responsibility to make his
beautiful goddess breathless with pleasure.

As they entered the Blue Room, Annette and Byron climbed
onto the central bed. They greeted them, though the couple continued to
disrobe. In the Purple Room, Rena halted and Synn’s heart stopped for a moment,
his fear of her not continuing returning full force.

“Synn, it’s Eve and Jonathan.”

He looked to the stage and started to breathe again. Not
trusting his voice, he nodded.

She laid her head against his arm. “There is something so
beautiful about the way they make love, don’t you think?”

He resisted the urge to stroke her hair and instead shifted
his hold from her arm to her waist. “That is because they are in love.”

“Hmm, yes, they are. Have you ever been in love?”

She lifted her head and gazed into his eyes. He couldn’t lie
to her. “No, I haven’t.”

Her eyes turned sad. “I’m so sorry.”

Sorry? He’d never considered love a worthy pursuit, but as
he turned his gaze back to his friends, he suddenly understood why they had
always made him uncomfortable. They made love. They were completely enthralled
with each other. He’d never had that type of bond with a woman…and now he never
would.

He glanced at Rena as she watched Eve and Jonathan. She made
him want to know what that joining would be like, to be so close in mind and
soul, as well as in body. Now, that it could never be for him, he wanted to
know love. An ache in his chest caught him by surprise and he tensed against
it.

Rena stepped away and stared at him. “Synn? Is something
wrong?”

Yes, I met you too late.
“No, just thinking. Shall we
go?” He held out his arm, hoping she wouldn’t notice the slight tremble in his
muscles as she linked hers with his. He glanced once more at Eve and Jonathan,
and for the first time, he envied them.

The library second floor was already in use though the lower
floor where they strolled had no one present. When they entered the billiard
room however, there was a full-fledged orgy taking place on a large bed by the
orange-colored window. He stopped to allow Rena a chance to watch.

“Why did you stop? Did you want—oh. Oh, wow.”

He grinned, warmth at her innocence filling him with joy.
“Have you never seen an orgy?”

“No. I didn’t know people really did that. Where is that
woman’s arm? It looks like her hand is between that woman’s…oh. Never mind.”
She cocked her head. “I think the man with the mustache is making that woman,
oh my, that other man is in her… Sheesh. How do they know who is where?”

He snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her against
his side. “They don’t. That’s the idea. In an orgy, it’s not about who you are
with, it’s about indulging in whatever body part of whatever body you want.”

She shivered. “I don’t think I’d like that.” Her gaze flew
to meet his. “Not that I don’t like sex because I do, it’s just, for me, the
person I’m with is extremely important to the whole experience.”

He smiled and stroked her cheek with his free hand. Her skin
was so soft, he could never tire of touching her. “Does that mean I’m
important?”

Her eyes, the color of stately pines, captivated him, but
the serious expression she wore was unlike her usual jubilant self. “Yes, you
are very important,” her gaze skittered away, “to me.”

He turned her face, but she wouldn’t look at him. He wanted
to see what lay behind her words and for a moment, maybe… No. He imagined
things based on his own ridiculous need. “You are important to me too, Rena. I
plan to feast upon you tonight. I must say, I’m famished for you.”

She met his gaze then and he caught a glimpse of
disappointment before she masked it with a smile. Blast it. If it wasn’t for
these masks, he was sure he could read her soul.

Her arm wrapped around his back. “Then let’s go, but I must
tell you, I’m pretty hungry myself.”

He squeezed her waist, enjoying the view he had of the
roundness of her breasts where the toga neck exposed her cleavage. As she
walked, one breast became more exposed. Blast! He was hard for this woman.

They strolled into the White Room to find Trent, a burly
footman who Synn would trust with his own life, and Gwen, a tiny blonde maid
who adored the big man. Neither wore masks, but neither would participate
directly in the room’s activities. He didn’t release Rena, but did gesture to
his friends behind the counter. “This is Trent who has been helping Valerie
destroy the kitchen and this is his woman, Gwen. She makes pastries among other
sweet items.”

Gwen dropped a short curtsey. “Pleased I am to meet you. I
hope you will enjoy your evening.”

Rena glanced at him before smiling at Gwen. “Oh, I know I
will.” She looked at Trent. “Thank you for helping Valerie. I know she
appreciates it.” Trent simply nodded.

Synn had been anxious to bring Rena through the many rooms,
but this one would be special for her and his anticipation grew. He pointed to
the jar and bottles behind the counter. “You will find everything from sweet to
salty for your meal. I think for you, I will want the sweet to counter your
tart scent.”

Rena’s confusion cleared as Gwen set down a tray and added
various bottles and jars to it.

Synn glanced behind her to see Trent laying towels over a
wooden rack and then lifting the cover of Rena’s surprise.

He caught her attention by stroking her cleavage with his
finger.

“Synn.” Her scolding voice only made him want to laugh.

“I know you are fascinated with the chocolate sauce there,
but I thought you might like to see the other experience this room offers. Look
in the corner.”

As she turned, she sucked in her breath, causing her breasts
to rise. Her eyes glowed before she threw her arms around his neck and kissed
him hard. “Synn, you are wonderful.”

Before he could stop her, she ran to the corner where the
steaming Roman bath awaited. Her hand had already grasped the belt of her toga
before he caught her and lifted her in his arms, chuckling. “No, not yet, my
Aphrodite. First, we must eat.”

“Aw, come on, Synn, I haven’t had a hot shower in over a
month and you are going to keep that enticing bath away from me even longer?”

Her pouting lips made him want to kiss her, not give in to
her. “Yes. I am. Because you must work for your bath.” He set her on a large
wooden table with a white tablecloth. “Now you stay there. I will get our
food.”

She gave him a pout, but crossed her legs in front of her.
Satisfied she’d stay, he walked to the counter and took the silver tray from
Gwen.

He put it on the table next to Rena, but before she could
investigate, he pulled her to the end so her legs dangled over the side and he
cupped her face. “You do know you are the sweetest food in here, right?”

She blushed. “I am?”

“Absolutely.” He kissed her lips. When she opened for him,
he licked the top row of teeth before nibbling upon the sweet lip that covered
them. Her tongue darted out to meet his and he stroked it, savoring the tangy
mint flavor he encountered. Her arms wrapped around his neck, but he captured
her wrists and set them to the table. “No. It’s my turn to savor you.”

Using his finger upon her lips to stifle any objection, he
ran it down her chin, along her throat and traced the edge of the toga’s
neckline. Her soft breast cushioned his hand as he slid it to her navel and up
the other side to gently push the material from her shoulder. The round globe
of her breast glowed with the white lighting of the room. Her nipple stood up
hard, its areola’s pebbled skin revealing her excitement.

From the silver tray, he picked up a bottle. Tipping it
above her breast, he watched as light-brown chocolate, the color of her hair,
dribbled down the incline, over the areola, around her nipple to drip off onto
her toga.

“Synn.”

He wasn’t sure if it was an admonishment or a request, but
it brought his gaze to her face.

She was flushed, her pupils dilated, her lips parted.

“Yes?”

“You are making a mess.” Her breathy answer was anything but
concerned.

Encouraged, he pushed the toga off her left shoulder and
proceeded to pour more chocolate on her other breast. He shook his head. “No,
this just won’t do. Too much is coming off. I think you better lie down.”

Rena glanced back.

He took her hands. “Go ahead.”

She held on and he carefully lowered her to the table.

Without a question, she did as she was told. He hoped she
anticipated every step. He stood near her head and deliberately poured the
chocolate sauce along her neck, down her arm, along the inside of her elbow and
all the way to her wrist. Then he poured more across her breast, letting it
pool and build around her nipple until it almost couldn’t be seen. He walked to
the other side of the table to treat that side of her body with the sweet
coating. “Now, don’t move.”

She nodded.

He stepped to the counter and took a bowl from Gwen back to
his table. Spooning creamy vanilla custard, he dropped it sporadically along
the chocolate lines. Careful to completely cover Rena’s luscious nipples.