Man Behind the Mask

Alice, engrossed in her novel, saw a glimmer of gold out of the corner of her eye. She lowered her book to see a small, ornate box sitting on the coffee table in front of her. Her husband, Jacques, was just moving his hand away.

"What's this?" she asked, looking up at him with big, blue eyes. Jacques smiled and took a seat beside her on the couch.

"It's for you," Jacques said, his brown eyes sparkling. "Open it."

It was their first Valentine's Day as a married couple, well as a couple at all really. The two had met only three months earlier and she was quickly swept off her feet by his charm. So when the time came for him to return to France, she suggested they get married instead, and so they did in a small civil ceremony two weeks ago.

"I thought we weren't exchanging presents," Alice said, though she had never really believed that. Her present for him was hiding in their bedroom closet.

"Who said it was from me?" Jacques said in mock surprise.

Alice smiled and pulled one end of the red satin bow that sealed the box. It came undone easily. She placed her hand over the lid, pausing to look at him again. He looked at the box with wide eyes, urging her to open it.

Quickly, she slipped the lid off and looked inside. A folded card lay at the bottom and she pulled it out, unfolding it, careful not to rip the delicate paper. Embossed in gold lettering, was a short message, she read aloud:

Mr. and Mrs. Coutier,

"That's us," Alice added unnecessarily.

You are cordially invited to an evening at Hexton Manor. Kindly wait at the front of your residence. A car will pick you up shortly.

The password is: Butterfly Kisses

Alice couldn't help but let out a laugh. "What is this about?" she asked.

"Hmm," Jacques said, acting as though this was all news to him. "You should bring a jacket. It's cold."

Alice looked down at the dark jeans and turtleneck sweater she was wearing. She wasn't sure how formal this evening would be. "Should I change?" she inquired, already thinking about what clothes she had to wear.

"No time," Jacques said, getting up from his seat and walking towards the front door. "They'll be here any moment."

Alice bit her lip, not sure of how to respond, then hurried after him.

~

"It's freezing," Alice said, clasping her jacket tightly around her. Jacques rubbed her arms with his hands. "Maybe we should wait inside?" Alice suggested.

Jacques silently brushed freshly fallen snow off her hair and kissed her gently on the cheek. He had a tenderness that she couldn't help but adore. She sometimes wondered if their relationship was too rushed, but subtle gestures like that made her realize how much she cared for him.

"Ahh," he said, looking over her shoulder. "Here they are."

Alice turned to see a black armored car turning into their driveway. It wasn't a limousine, but mysterious nonetheless. Alice looked at Jacques suspiciously from the corner of her eye. What was he up to?

Jacques met the car and opened the back passenger door. "After you," he said, holding the door open for her.

"Thank you," she said, flashing him a flirty smile as she slid into the car. Jacques crawled in after her. He closed the door and the car pulled away immediately.

Alice instantly noticed the darkly tinted window separating them from the driver.

"What are we doing?" Alice asked.

"Do you want to ruin the surprise?" Jacques inquired.

Alice didn't respond. She wanted to know what he had planned, but the secrecy was intriguing, it was one of the things that attracted her to him. After all the planning and organizing she had to do in her last relationship, it was almost a turn on to be kept in the dark like this.

Jacques pressed a button on the seat in front of him, opening a small compartment. He reached his hand inside and pulled out a bottle of champagne and two glasses.

Alice smiled. She wondered how many other women he had wooed like this. He popped the cork effortlessly and filled the tall flutes with golden liquid, handing one to her.

"Happy Valentines Day," he said, clinking her glass with his own. The dim light reflected off his eyes.

"Happy Valentines Day," she replied.

She took a sip from her glass, savoring the champagne in her mouth, letting the bubbles dissolve on her tongue before swallowing. Jacques leaned in, kissing her gently on the lips. She opened her mouth, allowing his tongue to slide across her teeth. Her eyes closed, so she could concentrate on his every movement.

He kissed along the nape of her neck, while one hand traveled down her chest, slipping beneath her coat.

"Mmm," she murmured, as his hand cupped her breast. She moved her hands through his hair, pulling his kiss towards her. He pressed his body against hers, letting her feel the lump in his pants grow. Her hand traced over the outline of his trousers, before slipping below them, feeling the silkiness of his boxers and the swelling of his cock. She gently bit the side of his neck.

The car stopped.

"We're here," Jacques said, "Stay right there." He swung open the door and hopped outside. Alice slouched back into her seat and adjusted her hair. She wasn't expecting that.

"Mon Cherie," Jacques said, opening her door and holding a hand out to her ease her from the car.

Alice stepped out. She looked up to see a tall, ominous building standing in front of them. It was a beautiful structure, yet unlike the usual homes in the area. It was dark and gothic with richly carved bricks and intricate stone trim.

Jacques took her arm and lead her up the front steps. The doors swung open before she had placed her foot on the first step and a large man in a tuxedo and black eye mask stood before them, blocking the doorway.

"May I help you?" the man inquired.

"We received an invitation," Jacques said, looking at Alice.

"I'm not aware of any invitation," the man said staring back at them.

"Butterfly Kisses?" Alice said, recalling the phrase from the invitation.

"Very well," the man said moving out of the way. The couple moved past him vigilantly, arriving in an enormous foyer. A chandelier hung overhead and a majestic fountain cascaded before them.

"Your coat?" a woman's voice said from behind them. Alice turned to see a woman with a blank white face mask and grey hair tied tightly in a bun, her arms were outstretched, ready to take Alice's coat. Alice tried not to look startled as she stepped back.

"Thank you," Alice said, slipping off her jacket and handing it to the woman.

"Oh dear," the woman said, holding Alice's coat. From behind the mask, they could see her eyes move from Alice to Jacques, then back to Alice.

"We have a very strict dress code here," the woman's voice echoed in the large room.

Alice could feel her cheeks turn red with embarrassment. "I didn't have time to change from when I got the invitation," Alice said, stumbling over her words.

"I see," the woman said, looking Alice up and down, "Follow me."

Alice glanced at Jacques, he must have known she was underdressed for the occasion. He looked sheepishly at the ground, an apologetic look in his eyes.

"Make yourself comfortable," the woman said to Jacques, "I trust you know what to do". He nodded and the woman turned, walking down a hall. Alice obediently followed, but turned back to see a woman in a long gown leading Jacques through a set of double doors.

A pang of jealousy swept through her, before she quickly tossed the thought aside. She knew Jacques would never be unfaithful to her. Would he?

The woman opened a door and Alice walked inside. It was a small room, lavishly decorated, with dark upholstered walls and cherry wood furniture. What stood out the most, was the queen-sized, four poster bed in the centre of the room.

It was a bed and breakfast, Alice realized. Jacques must have packed a bag for her so she wouldn't have guessed the surprise. He was so sneaky.

Alice walked towards the bed. Carefully placed upon it was the most beautiful gown she had ever laid eyes on. It was made of dark satin fabric and detailed with gold trim. Alice lifted the dress off the bed, letting her hands run over the silky material. A thick ribbon laced through the back of the dress.

"Put it on," the woman said impatiently. Alice glanced at the other woman. "I don't have all day," the woman snipped, "Take off your clothes."

Hesitant, Alice turned away from the woman and pulled the turtleneck over her head. The woman took it from her, and dropped it onto the ground.

"Now step into this," the woman ordered, placing the dress on the floor.

Alice slid easily into the dress, the smooth fabric rolling over her skin. The small hairs on her arms stood on end as a shiver ran over her body. The woman pulled the dress up to Alice's underarms, where she stopped.

"You must take off your brazier," the woman said, holding the dress over Alice's bosom.

Alice gave the woman an apprehensive look. She wasn't a prude, but getting undressed in front of another woman was not part of her usual routine.

"The dress will not fit over your brazier," the woman explained, "You must remove it."

Timidly, Alice unclasped the back of her bra and slid the straps down her arms. Despite the woman still holding the dress over her, Alice could feel her nipples harden as the cool air in the room passed over them. Alice dropped the bra onto the bed and the woman continued to pull up the dress.

The woman's hands moved over Alice's shoulders, placing the dress delicately over them. Alice looked down at the gown, the fabric glimmered in the light.

"Deep breath in," the woman ordered. Alice inhaled dutifully and the woman firmly pulled the ribbon at the back of the dress. Alice's breath was immediately restricted as the woman continued to bind the dress. Finally, the woman tied a bow and moved her hands over Alice's hips, smoothing down the fabric. Alice exhaled, but her breath was constrained by the tightness on her ribs.

"Head still," the woman said, placing a wig of curly brown hair over Alice's own golden locks. The new curls bounced over her shoulders as she moved her head from side to side.

"Now to complete the look," the woman said, placing a gold masquerade mask over Alice's eyes. "Take a look," the woman said, gesturing towards the mirror.

Alice walked towards the mirror. Her eyes went wide as she looked at her reflection. She looked beautiful, but not at all like herself. Her husband wouldn't recognize her.

"Come," the woman said, leading Alice towards the door of the room, "You are ready to join the other women. Alice followed the woman down a dark hall, into another room. The room was filled with women, all in the same elegant, dark satin gowns, curly brown hair, and ornate masks.

"Are we done?" the woman who led her in asked another who was standing in the corner, also wearing a blank white mask.

"One more," the woman answered.

Just then, the door opened and the woman Alice had seen lead her husband away entered, followed by another woman in a familiar dark satin gown, curly wig, and eye mask. Alice's eyes couldn't help but follow the lead woman as she walked into the room.

"We're ready," the new woman announced. "Follow me."

The women from the room formed a line out the door, all of them looking around, uncertain of what to do. Everyone was silent, looking to one another for guidance. The white masked women pushed open a large glass door, revealing a massive ballroom below them. They were standing on a rim around the room, atop a staircase that led to the centre of the ballroom.

Alice, who was near the front of the line, stepped forward, peering over the edge. Men, all in black tuxedos with dark eye masks sat in chairs around the perimeter of the room. The woman who was first in line walked down the stairs, all eyes on her. Her innocence was obvious, even from behind a mask. The room was silent as the woman's shoe hit the marble floor, the sound echoed throughout the room.

A man stepped forward, offering his hand to the woman. She looked around the room wildly, glancing up at the other women, all of whom avoided her gaze. She turned back to the man, and the two silently left the room.

Alice was next to move down the stairs. She looked around at the men, searching for her husband, trying to see the men's eyes behind their masks, but they were hidden by shadows. A man stepped forward and bowed to Alice. She nodded her head back politely. She too looked back at the other women, but they gave her no sign of encouragement. The man held out a gloved hand, which Alice took, and was lead from the room.

The man led Alice back up a staircase, and down a dark hall. He stopped at a room, pulled out a key and unlocked the door. Alice looked inside the room; it was the room she had changed in earlier, at least, it looked exactly like it, but she couldn't be certain, they seemed to be in an entirely different wing of the manor. She moved forward, examining the wardrobe in the corner. The man quietly closed the door, locking it behind them. Alice spun around, hearing the lock click shut.

"What are you..." The man's lips were against hers, stopping her from speaking another word.

She swallowed hard. His kiss was passionate, yet gentle, it was Jacques' kiss.

His hands moved over the curve of her waist, pulling her closer to him. She ran her hands over his muscular chest, Jacques' chest. She pulled out his shirt that was carefully tucked into his trousers. She tried unbuttoning his top button, but it was too hard to concentrate on this usually mindless task. She ripped the shirt, two buttons popping off and falling to the floor. His body was magnificent, the sight made her knees weaken.

He pulled the ribbon at the back of her dress with one hand, while the other moved over her left breast. She leaned her head back, sighing with pleasure. His hands reached behind her, unclasping the bodice. She gasped as the restraint loosened and air filled her lungs once again. She let the gown fall to the ground, leaving her standing before him, completely exposed, yet hidden behind the mask.

His mouth moved over the silkiness of her breast, pausing at her nipple, gently flicking it with the tip of his tongue.

She could feel her body melting with every one of his touches, and she pressed against him, begging for more.

He looked at her from behind the mask, his eyes so familiar, but not those belonging to her husband. These eyes were bright blue, not the deep brown of Jacques'. But perhaps, she mused, he could be wearing contacts to fool her.

The man saw her analyzing him, and he knelt down, kissing the soft skin of her abdomen. Her breathing grew louder as he kissed the inside of her thigh. A shiver of excitement rushed over her as his kisses continued.

With a quick motion, he picked her up, and gently set her down onto the bed. She lay back as he crawled over her, kissing his way up her calves towards the moistness between her legs.

Unable to control herself any longer, she moved towards him, tugging clumsily at his belt. She unzipped his pants, unleashing his thick, swelling cock. The head glistened with pre-cum. She moaned as a surge of blood ran up his shaft, forcing his penis to pulse in her hand.

His strong thighs pressed against her hips and she leaned back, guiding him into her. Her bosom rising and lowering as he moved deeper inside, her body relaxed, letting him fill her completely.

She grabbed the fleshiness of his buttocks, pulling him towards her. He moved his face closer, kissing her softly on the lips. The petals of her labia closed in around him, aching for him as he moved in and out.

Carefully, but with force, she pulled him forward and rolled over him, so that she was now on top. Straddling him, her breasts bouncing as she moved up and down.

He grabbed her breasts, tweaking the nipples. She let out a low murmur.

She could feel every throb and twitch of his shaft as he moves inside of her. Her sex flowed down her thigh as she continued to move, groaning with lust and desire.

"Mmmmm," escaped his lips and she felt his warm liquid fill her body. She fell back against him.

Without warning, an awful noise blared from the speakers. Alice covered her ears with her hands.

"What is that?" she screamed over the sound.

The man was already off the bed and standing at the door. He struggled with the lock, forcing it open while still pulling up his pants. He rushed out the door without another glance at her.

Alice sat on the bed, wide-eyed, hands still over her ears.

A woman ran by the doorway, then came back when she noticed Alice in the room. It was one of the women in a white mask. She threw Alice her turtleneck and jeans and quickly hurried away.

Alice scrambled to put on her jeans. She noticed her bra was missing, but quickly threw off the wig and pulled the turtleneck over her head, despite that. The sound still blared in her eardrums.

Alice ran down the hall, following another woman who was headed in the same direction. The two moved down the stairs and entered the ballroom. The sound was distant down there. The room was again filled with people, but this time no one was wearing a mask. Alice looked around and saw Jacques pacing the room. Wearing the pants and shirt he had been when she last saw him in the ballroom. She ran towards him.

"There you are," Jacques said. His eyes lighting up as she moved towards him. "You're all flushed."

"What's happening?" Alice asked, panting.

"We have to go," Jacques said, leading her out into the foyer. Alice was too stunned to reply. "Did you have a good time?" he asked.

Alice looked at him awkwardly. Had he just done what she had done or was his time apart more innocent than hers?

"Fine," she said quietly.

"Good," Jacques replied. "You looked amazing."

"Thank you," Alice said smiling. It had been him, she was sure of it.

"I wanted to make your Valentine's unforgettable," Jacques said as they stepped out onto the front porch.

"It was," Alice said coyly, "But it's not over yet."

"No?" Jacques said, squeezing her waist playfully.

"Based on this," Alice said, looking up at him, "I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy the present I have for you at home." She thought of the surprise she had waiting for him in their bedroom closet.

"Then let's hurry back," Jacques said, opening the door of a black armored car for her.