Page 13 of You’re ours now (Masked Men)

Chapter Twelve

Mellie

Embarrassment floods through me as I slam the door closed. I accidentally invaded their private time, but it was the looks on their faces which mesmerized me. Turning on my heel, I bump into a solid bare chest and glance up into Storm’s slate-gray eyes.

His hands land on my waist to steady me. My cheeks heat more, and Storm smirks. “Did you like what you saw?”

I lower my gaze and remain silent as I try to get my breathing under control. The last thing I need him to know is how damp my underwear has become, and how I want to run to my room and ease the pressure with my trusty vibrator.

With him standing so close, the hallway feels smaller. His presence is magnetic, pulling me in like gravity. My pulse quickens as every inch of my skin becomes hyperaware of the lack of space between me and his shirtless torso. His eyes lock onto mine, intense and searching, as if he’s trying to decipher a secret hidden in my gaze. The air is thick with unspoken words, and I can barely breathe. His hand hovers near my cheek, his fingers brushing lightly against my skin and sending a shiver down my spine.

I lean in, instinctively drawn to him by a force I can’t control. Our breaths mingle, the heat between us rising. His lips part, and for a heartbeat, nothing else exists.

The world narrows to this moment, our connection, this almost?—

A sudden sound shatters the spell.

My phone rings, loud and invasive, cutting through the tension like a blade. We jerk back and stare at each other, breathless and bewildered. I turn away and pull my phone from my pocket. When I see the TV station’s number, hope fills me and I move to my bedroom to answer the call, closing the door behind me.

“Hello?”

“Miss Foster, this is Grant returning your call.”

“Yes— I mean, I know. Thank you for getting back to me.”

“What can I do for you?” His tone is curt.

“I know you have privacy policies in place to protect everyone on the show but since I left the resort, I have—” I stop, not wanting to get the guys in trouble for seeking me out, so I change the direction of my question. “I wanted to know if there was any way the show would disclose the identities of the three masked men from the resort so I can contact them?” As the last word leaves my mouth, I cringe, realizing how stupid I sound. However, this show is my only link to the guys, and I need to know who they are.

“I’m not following you, Miss Foster. What resort and masked men?”

I roll my eyes. “There’s no need to be shy. I know the show will have had safety measures in place and monitored our night.”

“What night?” His tone is laced with annoyance, and I suddenly feel a twinge of worry.

“Th-the night you sent me to the resort and granted me what I asked for in my interview?” My voice sounds small and timid, and even I can hear the slight hint of panic.

“Miss Foster, your application was unsuccessful. No one from my network sent you to a resort. We don’t cater to your specific types of... needs. Now I’m sorry, but I must go.” He ends the call while I’m still reeling.

My application was unsuccessful.

But if that’s true, how did I end up at the resort?

And who are the masked men?

Was any of it real?

Tears prick my eyes as shame overtakes me. I know it was real because I’m still sore from having them inside me, but if my application was rejected, how the fuck did this all happen? I drop onto the edge of my bed and bury my face in my hands, fighting back the tears that threaten to break free. Then fear shoots through me—they know where I live!

They haven’t hurt me or forced me to do something I haven’t consented to, and I shouldn’t worry about them turning up with the guys at home. But my mind still conjures up various scenarios and none of them are good. These guys gave me everything I wanted, yet now I just feel used.

I spend the rest of the day hiding in my room, too ashamed to face the guys. I’d prefer they think I’m in here because I’m mortified that I walked in on Zayne and Julius, rather than having to admit the truth. How the fuck do I tell my best friends that I got played, let three complete strangers fuck my brains out, only for it all to be a lie? Oh, my god—my stomach churns—I fucked them without a condom! I thought they had been cleared by the show, but now, I don’t know.

As I roll over, the damn candle on my window ledge taunts me. My eyes narrow at the reminder of my stupidity. I leap out of bed and snatch the fucking thing, storming out of my room and down the hallway. The guys are sprawled in the living room, and when they see the candle in my hand, their brows pinch. I offer no explanation, tossing it in the trash with extra force, then retreat to my room so I can wallow in self-pity.

Barely five minutes have passed before there is a soft knock on my door. A sigh pushes past my lips—I had a hunch they wouldn’t leave me alone for long. I scoot over, knowing Zayne will get in bed beside me the second they enter. Sure enough, he climbs under the covers and wraps me in his arms. I snuggle into him and allow his warmth to seep into me as I relax in his hold. Julius sits on the edge of the bed while Storm stays by the door.

“What’s going on, Mellie?” Zayne hedges, worry filling his blue eyes.

“We’re here for you, Moo,” Julius adds with a sad smile.

I bury my face in Zayne’s chest, avoiding their gazes. These three know me better than anyone and will be able to see through my bullshit excuses.

“Tell me who we have to kill.” Storm’s tone is filled with promise. I know without a doubt he means what he says.

I shake my head, causing Zayne to tighten his hold. The tears I’ve held off leak out. I know the second Zayne feels them soaking his shirt because he tenses, and a low growl stirs in his chest.

“Mellie, I need you to tell us what happened, baby. Who hurt you?” Zayne pushes.

“I was stupid.” I hiccup.

He strokes the back of my head lovingly. “You’re way too smart to be stupid,” he whispers, and places a kiss on the top of my head.

“I got played,” I whisper back, feeling so ashamed.

“By who?” Storm snarls.

“I didn’t get chosen for True Love’s Match . They rejected my application, but I—” I clamp my mouth closed, unable to finish.

“What do you mean?” Julius pushes.

“I went to the resort, saw the guys and... we did things. But when I spoke to Grant from the network, he said they never accepted me. So, I don’t know who these guys are, but they know who I am and... I was so stupid.”

Zayne holds me as I sob out my embarrassment, feeling like a total idiot. I let myself believe love was waiting for me, but I need to learn the only guys I can ever truly love and trust not to hurt me are these three. They would rather cut off their own arms than risk making me cry. I guess for a girl who loves the thought of love, I have to accept it’s not something I will ever experience. Those three masked men brought my fantasies to life and gave me everything I have ever craved and wanted, but they will only ever be a memory for me now. I have my guys, and I need to be happy with that. I may not be able to have them intimately, but at least I can love them from afar.

Zayne keeps me wrapped tight in his arms. I wish I never called the network and instead left our time as a fond memory. My stupid heart pinches as I remember that tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, and I have no plans. My entire life plan seems pointless, so I may as well curl up and sleep my way through tonight and tomorrow. Tears flow again, and Zayne’s body stiffens against me.

“Moo, is there anything we can do to make this better?” Julius asks softly.

I blink open my puffy, tear-filled eyes. “If you could erase the last few days, it would be amazing.”

Storm scoffs and leaves the room, and though I’d normally ask what his problem is, I don’t have the energy to deal with him right now. I’m probably making him feel useless. He would want to find those men and get justice, but that isn’t how life works.

“We can’t do that for you, but how about we organize a Valentine’s Day you’ll never forget?” Zayne suggests. I go to veto the idea, but he cuts me off. “Before you say no, hear me out. We have been your best friends for almost two decades. If anyone can plan the best Valentine’s ever, it’s us. Please let us do this for you.”

I sniffle. “But don’t you have your own plans? I would hate to mess them up.”

Zayne laughs. “You know I clear my schedule every year for you. There is no one else besides Julez who I would rather spend V-Day with.”

Storm strides back in. “If I’m forced to do all the hearts and flowers crap, you bet your sexy little ass I’m doing it with you.”

My mouth falls open. Storm said I have a sexy ass?! In what universe am I living right now?

“So it’s settled. We’re going to give you a Valentine’s Day to remember,” Julius says, leaning down and pressing a kiss on my forehead before moving from the bed. “I’m going to plan it out now. Storm, you can come and help.”

“Why me?” he complains. “I’m good with my hands, not with making love day plans.”

Julius chuckles, the sound drifting away as they leave the room.

“So what movie are we starting with?” Zayne asks, picking up my remote.

“ The Notebook ,” I reply, but of course he already has it up on the screen and I gently whack him with my arm.

“Do I know my girl or what? Now get settled in. I think we can smash at least two of these out before you fall asleep and drool on me.”

“I do not drool, thank you very much,” I huff out.

“Shh, the movie’s starting,” he jokes, even though he knows the movie so well he could speak it word for word, which he does as soon as it starts. Julius comes in with my ice cream, some popcorn for Zayne, a bottle of water, and fresh tissues.

We all know damn well Zayne will need them more than me—this movie gets him every time.