Behind The Mask Read online

  “W-what are you doing here?” She couldn’t believe her eyes. Him. Here. In her house.

  “How did you know where I live?” A part of her wanted to go to him, but surprise kept her rooted to the spot. Where was Brice anyhow? She would have expected to see him standing against the living room door jamb sizing up the competition. Again, she found herself wondering if his interest was genuine or not.

  She was leaning toward not… unless…

  “I told you. I know more about you than you think.”

  She slowly made her way down the hallway to stand before him. “When is my birthday?”

  “April 15th, three days ago.”

  “What are my parents’ names?”

  His grin widened as he crossed his arms over his chest. “Your mother is Maggie and stepfather is Glen. Your real father is Peter, but you haven’t seen or heard from him since you were a child. I’m sorry about that, by the way. He’s an ass and doesn’t deserve to know someone as extraordinary as you anyhow.”

  “How do you know these things?” she whispered, not really meaning to say the words out loud. “It’s almost creepy.”

  He chuckled, amusement in his eyes. “I pay more attention than you know.”

  Her eyes narrowed; he sounded different from last night. In fact, she knew the voice; she knew it very well.

  “You?” With hesitation she reached out, grabbed the bottom of the mask and pulled up. This time he didn’t attempt to stop her. “It’s been you all along.” It was a statement more than a question.

  So much began to make sense as she pulled the mask off and dropped it to the floor, revealing her stepbrother’s handsome face. The familiarity, the attraction, her trusting some strange man with her body, something she’d normally never do. The pieces began to fall into place.

  He nodded.

  “Why?” She lowered her hands to his chest. She watched her fingers trace the contours of the rubber chest piece. Her head was spinning as she tried to make sense of it all. “Where did you get the costume?”

  “The costume was from a Halloween party I went to last year. At first, I went to make sure you didn’t get into trouble wearing that costume. I figured you were asking for trouble. Even nerdy men are still men, so I decided to keep an eye on you.”

  She frowned. “But why lead me on? Why not tell me who you were from the start?”

  “You mean, why didn’t your asshole stepbrother who, by your own mouth, is a male slut on the rebound, not just say who I was before showing you how good we can be together? Not to mention the fact you’ve got it engraved in your mind that I’m not your type and never will be.”

  She frowned. “So you’re saying you were scared I wouldn’t want you? You’re the one who has ignored me and treated me like crap for the past couple of years.”

  “You weren’t even sixteen when I met you. It seemed inappropriate to want to be with you and we just seemed to get into the rhythm of ignoring each other. It seemed to slip into a brother-sister love-hate thing and I was fine with it.”

  “But not anymore?”

  “Not anymore,” he confirmed.

  ~*~*~*~

  He watched her silently as she processed the discovery. He’d been going back and forth on whether he was going to reveal himself to her tonight, but he didn’t want things to progress any further with her until she knew the truth. She deserved that much, even if it meant losing any chance he had with her.

  “I wasn’t out to deceive you, Trina, I just wanted you to see there could be more between us than tossing insults at each other as we pass in the hallway.”

  “That doesn’t change the fact that we’re too different.”

  “Who says?” He stepped back from her and motioned to himself. “I’m wearing a Batman costume and spent my weekend at a nerd convention for you. And might I add this costume is fucking hot and uncomfortable.”

  She planted her hands on her hips and cocked a brow at him. “You didn’t get a hand job out of the deal?”

  “Listen lady, I didn’t ask you to get hands-on.”

  “You didn’t stop me.”

  “No man in his right mind would stop you!” He stepped up to her, grabbing her upper arms in his gloved hands. “Look, I’m willing to go to these nerd fests with you. And, you know what… I’ll even play that City of Heroes game with you that you love playing online.”

  “City of Heroes shut down over a year ago.”

  He frowned. “Then I’ll play that one with the wizards and ogres and stuff.”

  Her stern expression broke and a smile emerged on her lips. “You mean World of Warcraft?”

  He shrugged. “Sure. If that’s what you want. I’m willing to try out your world, as long as you’re willing to meet me halfway. You were right. I’ve been dating the wrong girls. I want to be with the right one now.”

  The tension in her body began to relax. “And I’m the right one.”

  “Yeah, I think you are. And I really want to find out for sure, if you’ll give it a chance.” He held his breath, gazing into her eyes and seeing her mulling over the situation. Scared her tendency to overthink things would have her running from him, he stepped into her, slipping his hands around her waist and pulling her tight to him.

  “Brice.” She looked up at him, indecision in her eyes.

  “What I’m saying is that I want to be with you. Our parents will disapprove, but who gives a shit, really?” He released her and pulled off his gloves, dropping them to the floor with the mask so he could touch her silky skin with his bare hands.

  Her forehead creased at the mention of their parents.

  “Don’t ruin this by thinking too much, honey.” He leaned down and caressed her cheek with the back of his hand. Trina closed her eyes and leaned into his hand, her glossed lips parting slightly, enticing him.

  “I just… I –”

  He dipped his head and grazed his lips across her temple. “Do you want me?”

  She nodded, a soft “yes” passing her lips.

  “Do you trust me?”

  She nodded again, turning her face and brushing her lips across his. “Yes.”

  “Then don’t think, Trina.” He kissed her, tugging her lower lip between his teeth. “Just let me in.”

  “Yesssss,” the sound came out as a hiss as she slipped her arms up his chest and laced her fingers behind his neck, pressing herself tighter to him.

  Damn this costume! It was bulky, hot and was keeping him from feeling her soft body against his. It needed to go – immediately. He was about to step away from her and tear the costume from his body when he remembered this was the last day of the convention.

  I’ve got to prove to her I’m serious and keeping her home and fucking her isn’t going to prove shit, other than her first impression was right. I’m after a quick lay and that’s it. That was the last thing he wanted to do.

  He stepped back from her, and the look of confusion and disappointment in her eyes challenged his decision to go to the convention. The rising erection in his pants seconded her disappointment, remaining at half-mast.

  “Brice… What?”

  Brushing his thumb across her lip, he replaced his thumb and placed a soft chaste kiss to her lips. “Later. We have a convention to go to.”

  “Now?”

  Laughing, Brice bent and retrieved his mask and gloves from the floor. “It is the last day of the convention isn’t it?”

  She nodded.

  “And isn’t today the couples costume contest?”

  She nodded again.

  “Well, considering I’m the only Batman above 5’8” and you’re easily the sexiest Vicki Vale I’ve ever laid eyes on, I think we’re pretty much guaranteed to place, and I think that trophy would look good next to your medal on your vanity.”

  Smiling, she grabbed the mask from him and helped him on with it. “You’d do that for me?

  Parade up in front of thousands of people dressed as Batman, seriously?”

  “I would,”
Brice confirmed, returning her smile.

  She cocked her head to the side, her nose crinkling. “Why?”

  “Because that’s what people do when they want to be with someone who likes these things.”

  Chapter 5

  Trina shifted her eyes from the road, which was illuminated by the Jeep headlights, to study Brice’s profile – minus the Batman mask. He was easily one of the hottest men she’d ever met. It made her wonder if perhaps one of the reasons she was so fussy on who she dated was because none of them compared to Brice. Perhaps subconsciously she’d been hoping all along the day would come that he’d realize she was the one he wanted.

  She wasn’t sure what she was more shocked about, that it was Brice who was her man of mystery or that he’d spent six hours going to panels he had no interest in, posing for pictures with her for other attendees of the event, or parading in front of thousands of people pretending to be Batman. He even had a deep, gravelly voice that he used to complete the façade. He’d been amazing.

  Gwen and Beth had harassed her every second they could get her alone about the mystery man’s identity, but she wasn’t quite ready to tell them yet. And certainly not at the Comic-Con.

  The fact was that he was still her stepbrother and she needed to figure out how best to break the news to them. God only knew what their reaction would be, not to mention that both had a hardcore crush on him. She wasn’t about to ruin the otherwise incredible day by thinking about it now.

  Feeling her eyes on him, Brice shifted his focus from the road to her and then back again. A smile formed on his lips. “What are you grinning about?”

  She reached across the gear box and placed her hand on his upper thigh, giving it a light squeeze. “I was thinking you were amazing tonight. It was like your inner nerd finally got to shine.”

  A loud burst of laughter erupted from him. “My inner nerd? I really don’t think I have an inner nerd. Sorry.”

  “I beg to differ. Posing for pictures, strutting your stuff on stage. Oh yeah, I think I’m looking at a closet geek.”

  “Yeah, well, let’s not let it get out. I have a rep to uphold.” He flashed her another grin.

  She rolled her eyes. “Fine, your secret is safe with me.” She did a little cross over her chest for his benefit. “Cross my heart.”

  Laughing, Brice pulled off the road and into their driveway. Shutting off the Jeep, he removed his safety belt and turned to face her. “I want something from you in return.”

  Her smile turned wicked as she inched her hand up his thigh until she was less than an inch from his groin. He placed his hand over hers, stopping her fingers from reaching their destination. “I mean I want you to come to one of my games.”

  She chewed at her lower lip, not sure if she should spill her little secret or not.

  “What’s that look for?”

  “I’ve been going to all your games since my mother and I moved in.” She shrugged. “I figured you’d tease me or something so I never mentioned it and always sat toward the back of the crowd so you wouldn’t notice me.”

  “Fuck off, you have not.”

  She nodded. “Yes. I have. And I’ve been to all of your college games too. I even skipped my last class a couple weeks ago to attend.”

  His eyes took on a look of wonderment, his mouth dropping. “Why?”

  She shrugged. “’Cause I liked you…”

  His expression took on one of determination and hunger as he opened his car door and got out. He was around to her side of the Jeep and assisting her out, before she even had a chance to realize he’d gotten out.

  “Come on.” He tugged her along behind him, fumbling for the house key as they walked up the cobblestone walkway leading to the front door. He opened the door and as soon as she was across the threshold, he kicked the door closed with the heel of his boot and stalked toward her.

  Grinning, Trina took a step backward for each one he took toward her, undoing a button on her shirt with each footstep. “What do you have in mind?”

  “You’re amazing, Trina.”

  Her cheeks grew warm at the compliment. It had been such a surreal few days, she still couldn’t wrap her mind around what was happening. Finally, after two years, he was hers.

  He continued to walk toward her, unzipping the side of his chest piece and pulling it over his head, tossing it to the floor, leaving his chest covered in a white wife-beater that clung to his beautifully sculpted chest and abdominals. A stirring ignited between her legs and the need for him came to the forefront of her mind, forcing out all thought.

  She stopped backing up when she reached the staircase and allowed him to close the distance between them. With each step he took closer to her, the need to have him touching her increased. By the time he was standing directly in front of her she was a bundle of need.

  Brice kicked off his boots and then began working on the pants. She watched as he pulled open the front of his costume pants and with some effort and assistance from her, he was able to worm his way out of the rubberized pants, leaving him with only his boxer briefs constraining his massive erection.

  “See what I do for you,” he joked, nodding toward the mass of vinyl and rubber at their feet.

  “And I appreciate it.” She fell into his arms, placing a kiss on his chest, and then looked up at him, a coy smile spreading across her lips. “So what can I do for you?”

  “Glad you asked…” Trina yelped as he bent down, slipped one arm under her legs and the other behind her back and hoisted her up and into his arms. He ascended the steps effortlessly, as she wrapped her arms around his neck and clung tight to him.

  Brice made his way down the hall and nudged his bedroom door open with his shoulder, carrying her into his bedroom. She glanced around his room, which was insanely neat, everything in its place. But before she had much time to investigate she felt herself toppling to the bed, Brice falling with her.

  Squealing and closing her eyes, she tightened her hold on him and braced herself for his full weight to come crashing over her tiny frame, but that didn’t happen. Slowly she opened her eyes to see him smiling down at her, a hand on each side of her head, bracing his weight up. She wiggled under him, her skirt pushing up to her waist in the process, and found he’d settled between her legs, the hardness of his erection pressing against her lace-covered mound.

  The fire and need between her legs ignited and she wiggled under him hoping to soothe the ache, but only succeeding to fuel the fire. Her movements didn’t go unnoticed as Brice inhaled sharply over her. His smile faded and was replaced by a look of hunger so intense that it sent a jolt of pleasure down her spine.

  Then it hit her, she was going to have sex – with Brice. What if she was horrible at it? What if she did something wrong? What if it never worked out and things never got back to being normal between them again? Her body froze under him, nervousness leaving her temporarily paralyzed.

  “Hey.” His voice was soft and reassuring, and it pulled her from her frozen state.

  “Hey.” She swallowed down the lump forming in her throat.

  “Are you overthinking this?”

  She nodded, a guilty smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

  “Don’t think.” He smiled again as he brushed the back of his hand across her cheek. “I’ll never, ever hurt you.” His smile and the warmth in his gaze broke through to her, allowing the fire to rage once more.

  “I know.”

  He lowered his lips to hers, claiming her and she did as he instructed; she pushed her insecurities and worries to the back of her mind and focused on the marvel of his body and the feeling he was invoking within her. Grabbing the bottom of his shirt, she pushed it up, anxious to feel the hard muscle underneath.

  Sensing what she was attempting to do, he released her lips and sat back on his heels, remaining between her legs and pulling the shirt up and off, tossing it to the floor. He undid the final two buttons on her blouse as her eyes explored his chest. Every line of muscle w
as perfect, his skin a tanned, golden colour.

  “Your body. It’s amazing,” she whispered. Her eyes dropped down over his stomach to the large bulge under his boxer briefs. She traced the lines of muscle downward until she reached the waistband of his briefs. Hooking her thumbs into the waistband, she gave them a tug so his erection sprang free, standing strong and proud for her.

  “Well, I work out,” he teased. At the sound of his voice she raised her stare to meet his eyes.

  “Now sit up. You’ve seen me twice, it’s my turn.”

  She started to sit up and paused.

  He could see the indecision beginning to force itself past her need for him. “We only do what you’re comfortable with. No pressure.”

  “No pressure.” She sat up and kept her eyes trained on him as he gently pushed the blouse off of her shoulders and then reached behind her, unclasped her bra and slipped it from her, leaving her chest bare to him. Unlike the previous day, she wasn’t shy. She leaned back, bracing her elbows behind her back on the bed and arcing her back, pushing her chest forward for his benefit.

  “My God, I can’t believe I never noticed how stunning you were until now.” He leaned forward, kicking off his underwear, and placed a hand at the side of her head as he brushed his lips across hers. His hand slipped between them, down the length of her body until it reached her skirt. He quickly undid the two buttons holding the skirt together and the material parted to reveal her black lace panties.

  Brice’s lips left hers and slowly made their way down the front of her neck and down the valley between her breasts. She sucked in her breath expecting him to tease her tightening nipples, but he merely paused. He continued down her body; with each inch he came closer to her mound the higher her arousal became. By the time his teasing lips reached her panties, her hands had become tight fists as she waited with anticipation.

  “I’ve never…”

  Brice looked up and waited for her to continue.

  “I mean. No one has ever...”

  He didn’t comment, but nodded his understanding. Sliding from the bed, he pulled her bottom to the edge and gently pulled her panties down her legs and off. Trina bit down at her lower lip when he leaned over and kissed the top of her shaven mound, the heat of his breath teasing her moist pussy lips, making her entire body tremble.