Page 3 of You’re ours now (Masked Men)

Chapter Two

Mellie

Today is the day of my interview for True Love’s Match . I’m nervous. My palms are sweaty, and my anxiety is riding me harder than my ex ever achieved. To take the edge off, I down a couple of shots of vodka from the hip flask I have hidden in my purse. I mean, who the hell will know? Though I nearly choke on my third swallow when a guy wearing a headset rounds the corner. Quickly swallowing the mouthful, I cap the flask and shove it back into my purse, then try to act normal.

Problem is . . . I’m buzzed.

I’m a lightweight when it comes to alcohol, but the guys have always told me there’s no shame—apparently a cheap drunk is a good drunk.

The man stops in front of me and looks at his clipboard, then back at me. “Malaney?”

I nod a little too eagerly. “Yep— Yes, that’s me.”

The man’s face contorts, and I cringe. I answered too loudly, but I refuse to acknowledge it. YOLO and all that shit.

“Please, follow me.” He doesn’t wait for a response, simply turns and stalks down the corridor.

Scrambling to my feet, I chase after him. I follow him for so long I think he may be lost, but then he finally stops in front of a door and pushes it open, motioning me to enter. Taking one last steadying breath, I lift my head high and walk inside, coming to a halt when I see the room is empty except for a camera set on a tripod, and a single chair set beside a small table. With a huff, I whirl around and face my guide.

“I thought I was being interviewed?”

“You are. Behind the camera is a two-way mirror. The questions will be asked over the speaker system and you will answer.” He doesn’t give me a chance to reply as he closes the door, leaving me standing there with my mouth agape.

I shake off my reservations. I’m here now and backing out won’t do me any good. Sucking it up, I claim the lone chair and look directly at the camera, which has its red light already flashing.

“Hello, Miss Foster.”

I startle and dart my gaze around the room. “H-hi.”

“Welcome, we will begin the interview for True Love’s Match now. If you could look directly into the camera as you answer each question, that would be appreciated.” I nod and wring my fingers together nervously as the voice continues. “Now, please state your name and age.”

“Malaney Foster and I’m twenty-five.”

“What do you do for work?”

“I’m an assistant to a wedding planner.”

“What are some things you like doing in your spare time?”

Storm, Julius, and Zayne flash through my mind. I love hanging out with the guys whenever I can. I push the thought away.

“I enjoy spending time with my three best friends.”

“What are the key qualities you are looking for in a partner?”

My palms grow clammy as my breathing turns choppy. I take a deep, steadying breath and try to calm down, but the vodka is kicking in. Images of the guys flash through my mind. I think about Julius’s courteous nature, how attentive and romantic Zayne can be, and my big protector Storm, always making sure I’m safe.

“I-I want a man who is caring, loving, and protective.” I answer honestly, because any man I end up with needs to have the same qualities as my best friends. They have set the bar high.

“What do you desire sexually from your partner?” The question has me gasping and I reel backward in my chair.

“What?” I hiss.

“What are your deepest desires in a sexual relationship, Miss Foster? What do you crave? What do you need from your partner to give you the most fulfilling sexual experience of your life?”

I totally blame the vodka for my next words. It is the only rational explanation for why I am feeling aroused, and my tongue is so loose. While I have a dark and depraved side which is into some kinky, fucked-up shit, I’ve told no one about my desires. Not even my best friends know. To the outside world, I appear like a normal woman who loves vanilla and missionary, but the truth is, I hate that shit.

The words spew out of me before I can hold them back. “Primal play. I want a man to wear a mask and chase me through a deserted resort. He will pin me against a wall and take what he wants, but I won’t know who he is. The fear of the unknown will mix with the lust of the moment and create a perfect high—equal parts fear and sexual desire. I want to be sexually owned but still hold the power outside the bedroom, to be worshipped like a goddess but fucked like a cheap toy. I need a man like my three best friends, even if it emasculates my partner. He needs to have their qualities—I need him to be like Zayne, Julius, and Storm.”

The second I finish speaking, the room falls silent. Shit! I want the floor to crack open and swallow me whole. These people are going to call the police or something because what I described isn’t normal. “Please delete that... I was joking... making light of the situation.”

“Uh, we can certainly edit that out before it goes to air.” I can hear the cringe in the interviewer’s voice and I turn away from the camera in shame. There is a reason I have never expressed what I truly crave in the bedroom. People will never understand there are other preferences when it comes to sex; all they want to hear about is plain vanilla.

I fumble my way through the rest of the interview, though honestly, I don’t recall half the questions they asked. They thank me and say they will be in contact soon, but I walk out of the building feeling ashamed and utterly repulsed by myself. Once inside my car, I pull my phone out and see a text from Julius.

Julez

You got this, Moo. Call me when you finish

I stare at the message, wanting to reply but not sure what to say. My fingers hover over the keyboard for so long as I question if I should reply. Though I know if I don’t say something he’ll worry with it now on read.

Me

The second I push send, I literally facepalm. Julius won’t accept a freaking thumbs up! Out of the guys, he’s the one who picks up on my emotions fastest and knows if something isn’t right. Sure enough, my phone rings. Releasing a tired sigh, I answer the call. “Hey.”

“What’s wrong?” His tone is laced with worry, just like I expected.

“Nothing, I’m fine.”

“Bullshit. What happened, Mellie?”

The air rushes from my lungs. “I admitted what I like in the bedroom and then shit got awkward. I said some crazy things and then I told them I wanted my partner to be like you guys, but then I also said some other things?—”

“Wait, hold up. You want your guy to be like me, Storm, and Zayne?”

I inhale sharply as I realize I just fucked up majorly again. I never should have mentioned that!

“Oh shit, it’s my boss. Got to go. Speak soon, bye!” I end the call and slouch back in my seat, wishing I could wake up and redo this fuck-up of a day. “You’re a fucking idiot, Malaney Foster!”

Let’s just hope like hell Julius forgets what I said and doesn’t tell the others!