Behind the Masque

ROXANNE

Lucas stares at me with a heated gaze, not saying a word.

“Oh! Hey, Lucas. I’m just finishing up here. You can have the bathroom now,” I say quickly, feeling a little flustered.

I need to get out of here now. Lucas doesn’t answer me, and he doesn’t move out of the way. He places a hand on either side of the doorframe, effectively blocking my path.

“Excuse me.” I step forward, letting him know I’d like to leave. Instead of moving, though, he steps forward into the bathroom and quickly closes the door behind him, and he then locks it.

Shit!

“What are you doing?” I demand, becoming angry.

“I fucking want you so bad right now,” he says, his voice gruff.

“Uh-uh, it ain’t gonna happen.” I put my hands up in front of me.

“Oh come on, Roxanne, you want me too, and you fucking know it,” he challenges, stepping closer.

“What makes you think that?” I retort, frowning at him.

“Well, the fact that you couldn’t stop looking at me last night even after you found out I was with Casey, and even when I was fucking her. I think you’re just trying to make me jealous with Seth, which is working by the way…and then you flashed me in the limo.”

“Hey, the limo thing was not intentional. Seth stole my underwear. And for your information, I am not trying to make you jealous with him.

“Seth is actually very cool, and I’m really beginning to like him. He’s shown me more reasons to like him than you have.”

I cross my arms and start tapping my foot impatiently. “Now, can you please let me through?”

Lucas shakes his head slowly. “No.”

He steps forward and closes the distance between us, taking me by surprise. He pushes me up against the counter and kisses me hard.

Instead of stopping him as I should, my lips and body betray me and start to respond to his delicious tongue. I moan into his mouth and grab at his broad shoulders.

“See? I fucking told you so,” he breathes against my lips.

“Wait, stop, Lucas!” I protest, trying to regain my composure.

Lucas’s mouth moves down my chin, to my neck, and down to my chest, and I feel his hands starting to creep up my dress. I fight my desire for him, and finally, my brain regains the upper hand.

“Fuck! Stop!”

I shove him away from me, and he looks taken aback.

“What the fuck is wrong, Roxanne? We’re just having a little fun. I thought we discussed the whole Casey situation last night. I told you we are not serious.” He holds his hands up in question.

“I told you I like Seth now,” I tell him coolly.

“It’s only been one day, Roxanne,” he smirks. “I think you should take some more time deciding whom you like.”

“Well, so far, I’ve spent a lot more time with Seth, and he’s been really great, and I want to see where that goes. If I start fucking you right now, I don’t think he’ll be cool with that.

“Isn’t Seth your best friend? I don’t know why you won’t just let me be. Why are you so interested in me anyway? You have Casey, who happens to be an awesome person,” I contest.

“I’m interested in you because I think you’re sexy as hell, and now I want more. The second I laid eyes on you I wanted you.

“Now I’m not so sure that I want to surrender you over to Seth, even if he is my best friend,” Lucas says, stepping forward again.

I back away from him, trapped against the counter. He rests his hands on the counter on either side of me, his eyes burning into mine.

They are so alluring. They cause the space between my legs to clench.

“Please, Roxanne,” he pleads, “don’t make any final decisions yet, okay?”

Oh god! Why does he have to be so friggin’ sexy? I stare into his molten chocolate eyes, and they implore me. I bite my lip, trying to fight it. ~Come on, Roxanne, fight it, you fucking weakling!~

Lucas, sensing my inner struggle, takes quick advantage. He presses his body against mine, grabs my face between his hands, and kisses me again. I wrap my arms around his shoulders.

Lucas groans and reaches down to grab my thighs, and then he lifts me onto the counter. I wrap my legs around his waist, and he kisses me harder.

“Yes,” he hisses between his teeth.

I feel him run a finger along my bareness.

“I like this no panty thing.”

Crap!

“Wait, Lucas, stop. I can’t do this with you. Not here, not now,” I breathe. My brain is fighting through the lustful fog.

I put my hands on his chest to move him away from me, and I hop down off the counter, desperately wishing I had my underwear right now.

“Oh come on, Rox,” he croons, reaching out to touch me.

“No, Lucas,” I say more firmly, although my body is furious at my brain now.

I can feel the lingering arousal between my legs.

“Fine, but as I said, this isn’t over. You want me still, and I know it. This just confirms it.”

“You’re dating my best friend. It doesn’t matter how exclusive you are with her or not. I can’t go there with you,” I argue.

“I’ll just have to change your mind, and I promise you that I will, Rox, and when I do, I’m going to fuck you so good, you won’t know what hit you,” Lucas says. His voice is so dangerously sexy.

I almost want to change my mind, but I have to hold steady.

“You need to get out of here before somebody catches you,” I tell him seriously—and before I change my mind.

“Okay, I’ll go out first then, and I’ll say that I had to take a phone call in the office... It’s the next room over,” he tells me, and I nod.

“But I took a little longer than I should have,” I say, feeling really worried about my story.

Although nothing really happened, this would look extremely bad, no matter what we say.

“If anyone asks, say you ran into one of the caterers and was asking them some cooking questions or something, I don’t know. However, I think it’s pretty fucking rude to ask someone why they were in the bathroom for so long, so hopefully, no one does.”

“I agree. I hate it when people ask that. It’s so rude… I mean, what are you supposed to say? ‘Oh, I’m sorry, I was taking a shit’?!” I blurt.

Lucas laughs out loud and then covers his mouth to stop himself.

Oh god, Roxanne, don’t talk about taking a shit with this guy.

“That’s fucking funny, but so true… Or you could always say that you were screwing...but I don’t think that would work in this case.”

“Um, nope.”

I make a face, and he grins at me.

“Okay, Rox, I’m out, but I’m thrilled you reconsidered.” Lucas pecks me on the lips, and he then turns, unlocks the door, and opens it slowly, peeking out.

“But I haven’t re…,” I start, but Lucas hushes me.

“The coast is clear. I’m going to go hang out in the office for a bit just so we don’t go back out at the same time,” he whispers, and then he walks out quickly.

Now it’s my turn. I wait for a few seconds, and then I open the door wider and nervously step out.

Luckily, there is still nobody around, so I make my way down the hallway and back out of the door that leads outside to the party.

I look around, trying to spot Seth, and I don’t see him. But I spot Casey chatting with Spence. I take a deep breath and head over to them, hoping that I don’t smell like Lucas’s cologne.

“Hey, Roxie.” Casey smiles happily when she sees me. “You disappeared.”

“Yeah, I was wandering around, checking stuff out.” I gesture with my finger, waving it around in a circle.

“Like the place?” Spence asks me, smiling broadly.

“It’s quite something,” I emphasize.

“Have you seen Lucas?” Casey asks, and I instantly feel a massive wave of guilt rushing over me.

“No, haven’t seen him,” I lie. “Have you seen Seth?” I ask, hoping he’s been too busy mingling to notice my extended absence.

“He’s chatting with some prospective clients over there,” Spence informs me, pointing toward some large white cabanas that surround his pool.

I squint and see Seth sitting at a table, talking with a couple of serious-looking men. Phew! This is a precarious situation that I’ve gotten myself into.

How am I going to come out of this in one piece?

“I’m going to go find Lucas,” Casey says. “Spence, it was nice chatting with you.” She smiles at him and walks away, leaving me alone with him.

Damn it!

“Alone at last.” Spence smiles conspiratorially.

I laugh nervously in response.

“Thank you for having me here. This is really lovely.” I gesture toward the buffet, trying for a polite and casual manner.

“It’s something that I like to do often. Just know that you are officially on the guest list when it comes to any event that I host,” he says.

“That’s very kind of you, Spence, really, but this isn’t my usual scene.”

“What is your usual scene, Roxanne?” he inquires.

“A few beers after work with friends, jeans and a T-shirt kind of stuff,” I reply with a shrug.

“With a body like yours, you could pull off way more than just a T-shirt and jeans, Roxanne. Like right now, you look phenomenal,” he flirts, causing me to blush.

“Thank you, Spence, but to dress like this requires money, money that I don’t have.

“This dress is just a generous gift from Seth,” I tell him, running my hands nervously down the front of the adorable dress.

I feel ashamed that I even brought up money in front of this man. I don’t want him to get the wrong idea.

“What is it that you do, Roxanne?” he asks curiously.

Not this topic again.

“I’m a chef,” I say.

“Where?” he prods.

“The Whiskey Steakhouse.”

“The Whiskey Steakhouse? I do believe I’ve eaten there before. I found that it’s quite good.” He nods.

“Yeah, I really like it there. They have great food and really great staff, and we get along great.”

“Well then, I guess I’m going to have to stop by sometime and ask that you personally prepare my meal,” he says.

I can only imagine the fuss that would surround Spence Manfredi coming into the restaurant.

I don’t think I had been there when he came in last. I would have remembered that because my bosses would have been all over us in the kitchen.

“Just ask for the head chef,” I unintentionally brag a little.

Spence is just so intimidating and successful. I find myself wanting to point out my small accomplishment to him, but I don’t know why.

He nods thoughtfully.

“Head chef, huh? Well, that’s quite something. Maybe you should consider coming to work for me, Roxanne. I just so happen to be looking for a new head chef at my hotel here in Houston,” he offers.

Oh no! Not this again. “Thank you, Spence, but I couldn’t.” I shake my head.

“Why ever not? I could pay you quite generously, far better than what you earn at The Whiskey, I’m sure,” he coaxes.

If it weren’t for my pride, I would jump on that offer right now because it would be nice to have a little financial breathing room.

“I would feel like I haven’t earned it,” I tell him honestly, and he looks a little shocked by my admission.

“How could you not have earned it, Roxanne? You are head chef at one of the best, well-known steak houses in Houston? That’s quite an accomplishment for somebody in your field, is it not?”

He hits the nail right on target, and he has a point.

“If it would make you feel better, I could always have you cater one of my parties as a trial run, just to see if you would like it,” he proposes.

I start to consider his offer now.

This could be a real career-defining chance of a lifetime, and I would be foolish to not at least check it out, even if I did get the opportunity because the boss has a small thing for me.

“Maybe I could consider that,” I relent.

“Excellent. I’ll need your information so we can set it up. I have a few events coming up soon, and I haven’t officially booked anyone yet to cater them.”

“Except that I am not a caterer. I don’t have those kinds of resources for an event. I just have the restaurant,” I inform him, but he just waves it off.

“Just leave that to me, Roxanne. I can arrange the kitchen and supplies, and even staff for you. I just want you to personally plan the menu, and we’ll see what you come up with,” he explains further.

“Okay, I think I could handle that.” I smile, starting to feel a little excited by this prospect.

I’ve always wanted to do something like this, but the only parties I have catered were held through the restaurant, with their own set menu items.

This could be my chance to really use all the skills I’ve learned in my time as a chef. I offer my hand out to Spence to shake his, effectively sealing the deal.

“I look forward to this opportunity, sir,” I say to him in my best professional voice, and he laughs lightly as he shakes my hand.

“Relax, Roxanne, please do not go all employee–employer on me,” he says, sounding amused.

I blush slightly in embarrassment. “Thank you, Spence,” I say, smiling happily.

“No problem. I look forward to seeing what you can do.” Spence winks, and there’s an undertone to his comment.

“I think you should let me take you out sometime,” Spence suddenly says to me.

I swallow nervously. I was hoping he would give up.

“I’m flattered, really, but I don’t think that would be a very good idea, Spence.” I shake my head, feeling my face redden.

“Why wouldn’t it be a good idea?”

“Um…,” I hesitate. I don’t want to tell him that age is an issue or that Seth asked me not to.

“Well?” he prods.

“I like Seth,” I admit...and Lucas—I omit to say.

And this whole situation is getting more and more complicated. I can’t wait to go home and have some separation from all of this.

“I see.” Spence taps his chin. “I kind of figured as much, but even so, it’s not like you two are together.

“You’re young and single. Dip your toes a little deeper into the pond and see what else is out there for you.”

He flashes me his best billion-dollar smile as he steps in closer to me, lowering his voice.

“Just think about it. I know I may be a little older than you, but it just means that I have more experience.

“I think you would be pleasantly surprised by how much fun we could have together, Roxanne. Come and see what my world has to offer. I promise you won’t regret it.”

His deep hazel eyes burn into mine, and I feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. It’s as if he’s releasing his power into the air around us, trying to form me to his will.

I gulp, not able to pull my eyes away from his. My reaction to him surprises me.

“What’s this?” Seth’s voice breaks the air, and I’m released from Spence’s spell.

Spence takes a step back away from me to look at Seth, and I glance between the two of them nervously. Seth moves to my side and slides an arm around my waist, pulling me into him.

“What’d I miss?” he asks, sensing the mood.

Spence straightens his posture and replies smoothly, “Roxanne may have just accepted a job offer.”

“Oh, she has, has she?” Seth says, looking sideways at me.

“Maybe,” I clarify. “We’re going to have a trial run.”

“She’s going to cater one of my parties to see how she likes it first,” Spence says, smiling at me.

“Sounds like an offer that’s hard to refuse,” Seth says, raising an eyebrow at Spence suspiciously.

“That’s usually how my offers are,” Spence says smugly, and I get the idea that this is no longer about the job offer.

“I’m sure that they are,” Seth replies stiffly, and Spence just smiles at him.

“Anyway, I’m going to make my rounds now. Roxanne, I’ll get your info later, and we’ll set that up,” he says, all businesslike now. “I’ll talk to you guys later.” He salutes us, and then he’s off.

“So what was that really about?”

Seth turns to face me as soon as Spence is gone.

“Exactly what he said. He offered me a job, and I’m considering it,” I tell him.

“When I told you about the possibility, you turned it down,” he states.

“Yes, but Spence made me understand that if I get the job, I will have earned it, and that’s what I was worried about. I don’t feel comfortable with things being handed to me,” I assert.

Seth nods along, and he seems to believe me, which is good because it’s the truth.

“Well then, that’s great for you. It could be a great career move for you, yeah?”

“Yes, it really could be, which is why I’ve reconsidered. I’d be stupid to not at least check it out.”

“Seriously, though, was that all he was talking to you about?” He tilts his head.

“Maybe he did ask me out again.” I shrug.

I decide not to feel bad about it though, because as Spence had said, I am still technically single, and who knows what would happen with Seth.

Tomorrow morning could roll around, and we would all go back to our regular lives, and the events of this weekend could turn into nothing more than a fun memory.

I still don’t know enough about Seth yet to know if this could really be something between us or nothing more than just a fun fling—not to mention the small issue of my strong attraction to Lucas.

I have to be really honest with myself… I haven’t decided anything yet. I don’t know what I’m doing at all.