My Secret Master (A Dark Billionaire Romance) (6 page)

“Did you need something?” I called out.

Cocking his head, the man shrugged. “Not at all.”

Hesitating, I debated probing further. This was very much like the time in the gallery. He'd crept up on me, watching me work... telling me I was graceful or beautiful or whatever...

Trying to ignore him, I focused on my art.

Greens melted into yellows, blacks danced with reds, the colors starting to blend and form the vague hint of what was in my head. The longer I kept at it, the easier it was to forget my audience. Eventually, I was only aware of my own motions.

I lived art, breathed art, my body twisting as it made wide swatches or dainty details. This was my craft, this was what I loved, and it came out in the results.

How long Seth watched me, I couldn't say. When I took a quick glance over my shoulder, some hours later, he'd disappeared. It should have made me glad. Strangely, instead, I endured the sour tang of disappointment.

Wanting my boss to ogle me as I worked was... wrong.

Very wrong.

Setting my shoulders, I went back to painting. It was the only thing I had to distract me from the warm desire that craved more attention from that handsome, mysterious man.

Focus, focus, focus.

I had to stop thinking about Seth. I had to get a damn grip on my mind and my emotions and just... just...

The doorbell blasted throughout the mansion, ripping me from my reverie. Jerking around, confused, I watched below as someone moved towards the front door. It wasn't Seth, I realized, but Corbin.

I looked on as the chauffeur opened the door. Outside, I could see the blue hue of evening. How long had I been working for?

Then
they
entered, and I stopped caring about the time.

Silver and smoke, the pair was clad head to toe in expensive formal wear. On their faces were masks, hiding their expressions and identities. I was sure I wouldn't have known them, anyway.

Corbin bowed his head, then motioned them inside. I leaned on the railing, curiosity bubbling hot. Together, the three of them approached the gold door below the winding staircase. I covered my mouth when Corbin opened it.

Just like that, the strangers were gone.

Corbin looked up at me, as if silently daring me to speak. Biting my tongue, I turned away nervously, trying to decide what to make of this.

Who were those people, and why did they go in that door? What's down there?

Lifting my paintbrush, I did my best to ignore the situation.

The doorbell rang again.

Trying to be sly, I peered with one eye as I worked. Corbin was letting in a new group, this time consisting of five people. As before, they were dressed nicely, but their masks hid who they might be. I could tell some were women, but that was all.

Escorted to that alluring door, they vanished behind it in silence. Corbin didn't bother glancing at me, but I assumed he knew I was staring.

This is strange, is there a party going on I didn't know about?

Frowning in thought, I squinted at the wall. It was too difficult to focus, especially as the guests began arriving faster and faster. Soon, I abandoned all pretense, just standing by the rail to watch.

One of the visitors, a man in a black mask, looked my way. His lips coiled into a smirk below that shining mask, an expression that made my heart throb. It was the sort of look that
promised
things. I couldn't see his eyes, but I imagined they were smoldering.

And then, like the rest, he was gone.

Eventually, no more came, and Corbin vanished from the main room. Alone, nothing guarding me from that strange door, my blood began racing. I was warm with excitement, wanting so badly to run down the stairs, to just
look
beyond that secret portal.

Eyeballing my paint stained jeans and messy shirt, I wrinkled my nose.
I can't risk looking inside, and I'm obviously out of place. What if someone saw me?
I shivered at the concept.

What if Seth found out?

Tapping my cheek, I sighed. There was simply no way to manage it, how could I even attempt it?

Will Corbin tell Seth I was spying?

I didn't think so, but it was possible. Was there a 'rule' about not watching people when they arrived? I nearly rolled my eyes.

Honestly, I was exhausted, and my thoughts roamed towards home. But facing Corbin now was... too much. Imagining his accusing eyes, I wandered down the hall to the guest room.

Flicking on the light, I glanced around. I'd been inside briefly last night, but hadn't probed too deep.

The bed was large, the blankets creamy. Few things could be so tempting when you're tired. I wasn't set on sleeping here, but as I tested the plush bed, discovered the private bathroom... my resistance was waning.

It would be nice to be able to sleep here, I'd get to wake up and paint at my leisure.

Kicking off my shoes, my attention wandered to the bureau where I had found the teal bikini. I studied the big closet, wondering if the contents could be even better.

The bed springs squeaked as I hopped to my feet. Gripping the carved handles, I peeled the double doors open. Inside, there were hangers upon hangers of different outfits.

Deeper, I found cupboards stuffed with shoes. Everything was brand name, high-end labels. There was jewelry stacked in layers on various small 'tree' shaped units.

Gaping, I stepped further in, finding the dangling chain of a light bulb. Illuminated, the space seemed even wider, like a warehouse of a wardrobe.

Touching the soft dresses, silk tops, comfortable fitness wear, I started laughing.

Amazing. All this, just sitting here?

Opening some drawers, I continued to find intriguing items. Bracelets, hats, sunglasses, there was even makeup. It boggled the mind. I almost stepped out, my skin tingling with unease.

Why keep all this, what's the point?

Then, my eyes fell on a chest in the corner.

Curious, for how could I not be, I crouched down and brushed my hand over the surface. It didn't seem old, but who kept things like elaborate chests around?
Maybe there's treasure inside.
Seth the pirate, what an idea.

Gingerly, I popped the lid.

I was right.

Treasure
was
waiting for me.

It was exactly what I had been looking for, though I hadn't realized it. Dipping my arms into the chest, I pulled out the most perfect of finds.

An ornate mask.

****

I
t was a risk, I knew that.

I knew it in my trembling skin, and deep down in my bones.

If Seth finds out, I don't want to know what he'll do. I could be risking more than my admission into college.

Despite this, I slipped out of the guest room. Below the railing, I saw no one, not even Corbin. The gold door was closed, calling to me with the promise of secrets...

And answers.

It was good that no one was around. In my current ensemble, I would have been startlingly obvious.

Black velvet down to my ankles, strapless and smooth, the dress hugged every inch I had. I'd picked it based on what the people coming into the mansion had been wearing. I'd seen only dark colors.

My shoes were basic flats, in case I needed to run.

I'd also wrapped my hair up and out of the way, exposing the back of my pale neck. I'd tried to imagine what someone might recognize about me. I didn't wear my hair in any elaborate style in my day to day life.

Most of all, though, I hoped the mask would divert any suspicion.

It was ornate, covered in opals that I thought were too big to be real. Pure white, it was beyond gorgeous. It covered everything from my forehead to my nose.

I'd spread some gloss over my lips, but most of it was gone; chewed away by my nervous teeth.

Glancing side to side, like I was in some over the top spy movie, I scurried down the stairs. It was a fast process, so fast it left me dizzy. Was success so simple? No one was going to walk into the room at the last second and stop me?

My palm curled around the handle, touching the gold door for the first time. With one last, solid inhale of air, I tugged on the brass knob. Quickly I stepped inside, shutting the door behind me. I barely held back a laugh of relief.

Breaking the rules had given me a mild euphoria. It wasn't like me to be so bold, but...

But I did it, and it feels good.

I was standing at the top of a set of stairs, illuminated by orange lamps along the walls. The ceiling was low, and because the walls curved, I couldn't see what was at the bottom.

Well, I've come this far.

Swallowing, I began my descent. The stairs were carpeted, yellow and earthy, the walls a shade darker. It wasn't a long walk, opening into a small room below. Here, there was a set of heavy purple curtains over an archway. A small table waited on the left, clipboard resting on top.

Pausing beside it, I read what was clearly a list of names. Was this a sign-in sheet of sorts? Running a finger down the page, I didn't recognize anyone. Quickly, it became obvious why.

These can't be real names, can they? 'Scarlet,' 'Fang,' 'Helm?' What is going on down here?

Distantly, through the curtains, I could hear the soft pulse of music... and voices.

Frowning, I abandoned the list. Carefully, I brushed the curtains aside; a small crack, just enough so I could peer through.

There, I had my first glimpse of what was beneath Seth's mansion.

What I saw left me speechless.

Naomi

––––––––

I
t was a large room, wide and with other alcoves leading off to who knew where. Dark inside, the only light sources were a few candles here and there. It gave everything a sinister aura which, as I looked on, was all too fitting.

People stood around, talking to each other softly. If I hadn't looked twice, it would have been innocuous. But there, at the feet of many of them, there were figures kneeling. Why would people
kneel
at the feet of others?

Everyone still wore their masks, which calmed me some, but the situation was nerve wracking. What kind of party was this? What the hell had Seth organized down here?

Had
he organized this?

Fidgeting, I wondered what I should do.
If I turn and leave, no one will know.
I'd gone unnoticed, the attendees too involved to give me more than a glance. As I debated backing out, my curiosity partially sated, a sound reached me from one of the archways.

It was a raw noise; animal in nature. It sent a tingle down my spine, my lower belly twitching.

I knew what that sound was.

It wasn't even a question.

That's a woman moaning, but... why?

The noise came again, a groan full of pleasure and passion. My own body heated up, just from hearing it. Around me, no one else reacted. Their calmness piqued my interest further. Did women usually sob in obscene delight down here?

I wanted to know what was making someone create such openly erotic noises.

Just a peek at what's further inside, then I'll leave.

Calming my nerves, grateful for the mask that hid my blushing cheeks, I stepped deeper into the room. No one acted like I wasn't welcome; that was encouraging.

Just one foot in front of the other
.

I glanced down as I passed one of the couples. The man had his hand on the woman's head, his fingers casually petting her long hair as he spoke to another fellow standing nearby. The lady seemed to be enjoying it, leaning into the touch with a smile on her lips.

Another moan floated down the hall, my skin rippling in reaction.

Whatever is going on, she sounds like she's enjoying it.

I rounded the passage, walking the short length of the dimly lit corridor. There, at the end, another archway waited, its curtains spread open.

My steps slowed as I grew near, the fact that I was about to get answers making me wary. My ribs creaked with the giant swell of air I took in.

Just do it!

Crossing the threshold, I saw the source of the noise.

My knees locked up instantly.

A woman was bent over a large table, her legs spread, muscles tense and shaking. Sweat coated her thighs, her perfectly shaped ass pointed into the air. She was naked, breasts crushed beneath her on the hard surface, arms pulled forward and bound at the wrists.

Her ankles were tied to the legs of the table, a position that exposed her glistening pussy to any eyes around.

And there were
many
eyes.

Biting my tongue to hold my gasp at bay, I scanned the people. Some stood, like me, arms folded or hands gripping drinks. Others were lounging comfortably on luxurious couches. Men, women, it didn't matter who they were...

All
of them were watching.

On one wall, I saw another woman, her body taut where she was strapped and spread in tight looking bonds. A robe ran down her torso, winding between her breasts and highlighting their shape. From how she wiggled, it looked like she was enjoying herself.

Everything I looked at could have come straight from some perverse BDSM catalog. I'd been on the internet, I wasn't so naïve that I couldn't say what this reminded me of.

Leather, bondage, power and fantasy...

Then, I saw
him
.

The man who'd smiled at me when he'd entered the house.

A vision of muscle and stoic silence, the man stood against the wall across from me. Wearing entirely all black, I hadn't noticed him initially with the dim lighting. He had on crisp pants, a thick belt. That perfect torso was exposed in detailed glory, shirt unbuttoned down the front. His hands were clad in glossy, deep-smoke gloves.

The stranger's stance, his aura, it was intimidating. I was glad he wore a mask like all the others. I worried that if I had seen his eyes, they'd make my insides melt.

Who is that?

My ogling ended; loud footsteps announced a new man.

His golden mask gazed over all of us, but his focus was on the woman tied to the table. Only she held his true attention.