Perfectly Too Far (7 page)

“
I
know. Maybe another time. I think tonight, I'll go home.”

He
nodded, then closed his eyes, sinking deeper into the pool till it
brushed his chin. She joined him, letting it tickle her ears. The
water was wonderful, but she didn't shut her eyes.

For
some time, they drifted in silence.

Judith
was awash in both the water, and her thoughts.
I
still don't think I'm getting the whole picture here. So, this guy
doesn't seem to be married, but he's rolling in money and might as
well be a fitness model. I don't even know how old he is, late
twenties? Either way, guys like this aren't single.

Also,
why do I even care if he is or isn't available!?

Shooting
a covert look at Benedict, how his face was so peaceful, but still
dashing, she felt a flutter of frustration.
Right,
I don't have a chance with this guy. He likes my art, that's all.
Isn't it?

The
kitchen doors slid open, a shadow casting onto both of them. Looking
up, she saw Corbin standing there, two towels in his hands. “Excuse
me, but dinner is ready, if you two are hungry.”

She
glanced at the plate of cupcakes, blushing red as a beet as she
imagined Benedict judging her. “I'm actually full. Honestly,
would you mind taking me home, Corbin? I could use some rest.”

“
That's
a good idea,” Benedict nodded, pulling himself from the pool,
water cascading down every inch of his hard figure. She knew she was
gawking, so she yanked her eyes away, wondering if either of the men
had noticed.

Benedict
reached down, so she let him help her out of the pool. Standing
there, dripping wet and exposed in her bikini, she self-consciously
hurried to grab the towel, wrapping it around herself.

“
Well,
Ms. Flight,” Benedict smiled, offering a damp palm. “It
was a pleasure, I'll see you tomorrow.”

She
shook his hand, then followed Corbin inside. Upstairs, she hurried to
change, not wanting to make anyone wait around for her. When she
returned, she saw the pair of men talking softly, but they stopped as
soon as they spotted her.

“
Goodnight,
Benedict,” she waved, unsure if she should shake his hand again
or not.
Ugh,
I'm so awkward.

He
inclined his head, vanishing into the kitchen. As he went, she caught
herself staring at his naked, broad shoulders, his waist still
wrapped in the towel.

Corbin
opened the door for her, together they exited.

The
drive back was just as lovely at night, the city below lit up like a
Christmas tree. It was faster, as well, with far less traffic. They
pulled up outside of her apartment, she slid out once Corbin opened
her door. Smiling, she went to say farewell, but he stopped her when
he offered a packet of papers.

“
Oh,”
she blinked, taking them carefully. “My copy of the contract.
Thanks.”

“
Mr.
Vance asked me to give you that. He wanted me to remind you to read
over the rules once more.”

Flushing,
like she had been chided, she lifted her chin. “Fine, I
promise.”
Read
the rules again, what is this?

“
Good
night, Ms. Flight, see you in the morning.” He bowed his head,
and she gave a slight wave, watching him drive off quietly into the
night.

As
promised, Corbin came early in the morning. And, unlike
she
had promised, she hadn't read her contract at all. So, when she was
asked about this by Benedict after she had arrived, she gave her most
fake smile and exclaimed:

“
Of
course I read it!”

He
didn't inquire further, that seemed to satisfy him.

She
didn't see Benedict at all at the point she started painting.
Assuming he had vanished to work on 'important' things, as he had
yesterday, she didn't put much thought into it. But sometime into
starting her first splotches of color, she felt the intense gaze of
someone on her back. Turning, she spotted Benedict standing in the
foyer below, his blue eyes hot on her as she painted.

Why
is he watching me, does he think I'll make a mistake?

Trying
to ignore him, she focused on her art. Blues melted into yellows,
blacks danced with reds, her colors starting to blend and form the
vague hint of what was in her head. The longer she kept at it, the
easier it was to forget her audience. Soon, Judith was only aware of
her own motions.

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

Below
her, Benedict couldn't look away.

****

The
sound of the doorbell, loud and crisp throughout the mansion, ripped
Judith from her reverie. Jerking around, confused, she watched below
as someone moved towards the front door. It wasn't Benedict, she
realized, but Corbin.

Wondering
when Benedict had left, or where he was, she looked on as the
chauffeur opened the front door. She wasn't sure what she had
expected, but certainly not what walked through that entry way.

Dark,
ebony and smoke, the pair that entered were clad head to toe in
expensive, slightly strange, formal wear. On their faces were masks,
hiding their expressions and identities. She was sure she wouldn't
have known them anyway.

Corbin
bowed his head, then motioned them inside, shutting the door. Judith
leaned on the railing, curiosity bubbling hot. Together, the trio
approached the red door below the winding staircase. She held back a
gasp when Corbin opened it.

Just
like that, the strangers were gone, the portal shutting softly behind
them.

Finally,
Corbin looked up at her, as if silently daring her to speak. Biting
her tongue, she turned away nervously, trying to decide what to make
of that brief event.

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

Lifting
her brush, she did her best to ignore the situation, returning to
painting.

The
doorbell rang again.

Judith
peeked over her shoulder, pretending she was working, trying to be
sly. Corbin was already 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. She could identify some as women, some as men,
by their shapes; yet that was all.

Escorted
to that alluring door, they vanished behind it in silence. Corbin
didn't bother glancing at her, but she assumed he knew she was
staring.
This
is strange, is their a party going on I didn't know about?

Frowning
in thought, Judith squinted at the wall, trying to force herself to
focus.

It
was too difficult, especially as the guests began arriving faster and
faster. Soon, she abandoned all pretense, just standing by the rail
to watch.

One
of the visitors, a man in an elaborate gold mask of feathers, black
boots that seemed intended to intimidate, looked her way. His lips
coiled into a smirk below that shining mask, an expression that made
her heart thrum, her stomach clench. It was the sort of look that
promised things. She couldn't see his eyes, but she 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 her from that strange door, Judith felt her blood racing.
She was warm with excitement, wanting so badly to run down the
stairs, to just
look
beyond that secret portal.

Peering
down at herself, the paint stained jeans and messy shirt, she
wrinkled her nose.
I
can't risk looking inside, and I'm obviously out of place. What if
someone saw me?
She
shivered at the concept.
What
if Benedict found out?

Tapping
her cheek, she gave up with a frustrated pout. There was simply no
way to manage it, how could she even attempt it?

Feeling
exhausted, nervous about facing Corbin and his accusing eyes, the
young woman wandered down the hall to the guest room. She wasn't set
on sleeping there, but as she explored the place, tested the plush
bed, discovered the private bathroom... she felt her resistance
waning.

It
would be nice to be able to sleep here, waking up to paint at my
leisure.

Kicking
off her shoes, her attention wandered to the bureau where she had
found the bikini the night before. Squinting, she shifted her
attention to the big closet, wondering if the contents could be as
grand as the mansion.

Instantly,
as she pulled open the double doors, she had no doubt.

Inside,
there were hangers upon hangers of different outfits. Deeper, she
found drawers and cupboards of shoes and more. Gaping, she stepped
further in, finding the dangling chain of a light. Illuminated, the
space seemed even wider, like something out of a magazine.

Touching
the soft dresses, silk tops, comfortable fitness wear, she started
laughing.
Amazing.
All this, just sitting here?
Opening
some drawers, she continued to find intriguing items. Bracelets,
hats, sunglasses, she even found makeup. It boggled the mind, and
Judith almost stepped out, her skin tingling with unease.

Why
keep all this, what's the point?

Then,
her eyes fell on a chest in the corner. Curious, for how could she
not be, the girl crouched down and brushed her hand over the surface.
It didn't seem old, but who kept things like elaborate chests around?
Gingerly, she popped the lid. Inside, she found treasure.

It
was exactly what she had been looking for, even though she hadn't
realized it. Judith dipped her arms into the chest, and pulled out
the most perfect of finds.

An
ornate mask.

****

It
was a risk, and she knew that. She knew it in her trembling skin,
deep in her bones.

If
Benedict finds out, I don't want to know what he'll do. I could be
risking that letter to college.

Despite
this, she slipped out of the guest room, peering over the railing. In
the main room below, she saw no one, not even Corbin. The red door
was closed as ever, calling to her with the promise of secrets, and
answers. It was good, she felt, that no one was around. In her
current ensemble, she would have been startlingly obvious.

Black
velvet down to her ankles, strapless and smooth, the dress hugged
every inch of her. She had picked it based on what the people coming
into the mansion had been wearing, for it had all almost been dark
colors. She wore simple flats, so she could move fast if she needed
to run.