30. Mary
Chapter 30
Mary
My fingers brush against the sparkling mask resting on the vanity. I take a deep breath as I secure it to my face, the feathered edges tickling my cheeks.
This is it.
The moment of truth.
I smooth my hands over the sleek material of my dress, the deep blue bringing out the color of my eyes. Funny, I chose this color, hoping it would remind him of the night we met. Connor, or should I say Chris?
God, my head is spinning just thinking about it. Could Connor really be him?
Part of me hopes it’s true. Connor sets my skin aflame in a way no other man has. When we kiss, it’s like the world melts away, and we’re the only two people left. And the way he looks at me sometimes… it’s as if he sees straight into my soul .
But another part of me is terrified. If Connor is Chris, why did he lie about it? Why pretend we were strangers when we met again? Why leave? The not knowing eats away at me. I need answers before I completely lose myself in him.
Which is why tonight is so important. Connor doesn’t realize it, but this masquerade party is a test.
His voice seemed so familiar that night we first met. Elijah told me Connor was there, and the way my body responds to his touch, it can't be all a coincidence. So, seeing him tonight with a mask, hopefully will answer my question if Connor is Chris. And after that, I’ll leave it in the past. No obsessing about it anymore.
“Mary, you look stunning!” Jill approaches me. Her mask is a delicate piece of lace, framing her warm brown eyes.
“Thank you. You look amazing, too.”
We exchange pleasantries before parting ways, and I make my way towards the buffet table, snacking some appetizers.
“Mind if I join you?” Connor appears beside me, his face partially hidden beneath an ornate black mask matching his impeccably tailored black suit.
Black, not blue. He can’t be Chris then, right?
“You came.”
“I promised, Blue.” He takes two glasses of wine from a passing waiter and hands one to me. “You look sinfully gorgeous.”
“Thank you.” I attempt to hide the warmth creeping up my cheeks .
“There you are!” My father approaches us. “And Connor, so glad you could make it.”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world, sir. Thank you for inviting me,” Connor says.
“The pleasure is ours.” My father winks at me. “Mary has been singing your praises ever since you came on board.”
I nearly choke on my champagne, cheeks flaming. Is that his attempt at matchmaking?
“She’s been an invaluable help. I appreciate her guidance more than I can say.” Connor gives me a subtle, heated look that makes my knees weak.
“I’ll be planning another celebration soon if you two hit it off,” my father says.
Mortified, I drain my glass.
Dad pats me on the back. “Easy there, pumpkin, no need to get so flustered. I’m only teasing.” But the gleam in his eyes tells me otherwise. He’s dead serious about his vision for my future, as he always has been. “I’ll let you two enjoy the party. So wonderful to have you here, Connor.” He gives Connor’s arm an affirming pat before disappearing into the crowd.
“Dance with me?” Connor asks.
“Sure.”
He takes my glass, sets it on a passing tray, and guides me to the dance floor. We sway to the music, our bodies moving in a slow rhythm. Connor’s hand rests on the small of my back, his touch searing even through the fabric of my dress. I lift my gaze to find his eyes burning into mine, dark with an emotion I dare not name.
“Your father seems rather eager to see us together.”
I glance away. “Sorry about that. He gets these crazy notions in his head.”
“Does the idea of marrying me seem so crazy?”
Is he serious? “I-I don’t know. We’ve barely started dating, like officially.”
“You’re right. It’s too soon to be thinking of that.” His lips brush my ear. “But know this—I intend to keep you. However long it takes.”
My knees go weak at his possessive tone. His arm tightens around my waist, supporting me. We continue to sway, pressed close.
“Promise me something.” His breath is hot against my skin. “Don’t ever marry someone your family chooses. Only give yourself to a man you want with every fiber of your being.” His eyes blaze into mine. “A man like me.”
My mouth goes dry. Is that what I want? Him?
I force a teasing tone to break the tension. “Careful, I might start to think you’re actually proposing.”
“Not yet. But I won’t wait forever either.” His thumb caresses my jaw. “You’re mine, Mary. I claimed you that first night, and I have no intention of letting you go.”
My father’s meddling may have opened a door I’m not ready to walk through. Not yet, at least .
Though the way Connor is looking at me promises he’ll be knocking soon enough.
“Do I make you happy, Blue?”
We’re treading on dangerous ground here. “I…”
“Be honest with me.” His voice drops lower. “Would being with me make you happy?”
I meet his intense gaze, pulse racing. How do I answer him truthfully without revealing too much?
“Connor, I…”
His fingers brush my cheek. “It’s just me here. No one else. Tell me how you feel.”
“Yes, you do. But…”
“But what?”
My thoughts swirl dizzyingly. I want to run, but his arms keep me close. “I don’t know.”
I don’t know before making sure if you’re Connor or Chris.
Something flashes in his eyes—disappointment? Hurt? But it’s gone before I can identify it.
“I see.” His tone is carefully neutral as we continue swaying to the music.
Neither of us speaks as I try to slow my hammering heart. I don’t know what just happened between us, but the air feels charged with an undercurrent I’m afraid to name.
“So, what kind of music do you like?” I ask.
After a pause, he replies, “Rock, mostly. Alternative.”
Chris liked rock music, too.
“Favorite bands? ”
“Tool, A Perfect Circle, Deftones.”
“Do you play any instruments?”
“Guitar. Though I’m out of practice.” He pauses again, watching me closely. “Why the sudden interest?”
I force a shrug, hoping to appear casual. “We’ve been… seeing each other for a while now. I realized I don’t know as much about you as I’d like.”
Chris never mentioned that he plays the guitar. On the other hand, would he mention it if he’s out of practice?
The different eye colors are still not explained. Maybe I’m just hallucinating the similarities. But everything screams at me that he was there with me that night. That it was Connor’s voice. I was blindfolded and didn’t see him clearly, but that made me more aware of his voice.
If he is Chris, it means he’s been deceiving me all this time. But if he’s not, it means losing the connection I’ve clung to all these years.
“Favorite Food?” I ask.
“Chicken Fingers.”
“Favorite Color?”
“Isn’t that obvious?”
“Blue.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because every time I look into your eyes, I feel like I’m home. The warmth, the comfort, the sense of belonging—it all comes from you. Your eyes are my safe haven, and that’s why blue will always be my favorite color.”
I’m not used to such vulnerability from Connor. He’s normally so guarded, keeping me at a distance even as we grow closer physically.
“That’s really sweet.”
Could Connor even be Chris? Why would he not just reveal himself? Why would he lie?
There are too many coincidences and too many similarities. The first time I heard his voice, I thought it was Chris and the way he kissed me and touched me as if he already knew my body. The biggest difference, and why I must be crazy, are his eyes. Chris has blue ones, and Connor has brown ones.
I want to ask him. I need to know the truth, but I hesitate.
Maybe it would bring us closer together and bridge whatever gap exists between us. But then I catch sight of myself reflected in his dark brown eyes, and I falter. The last time I mentioned Chris, Connor grew irritated, and we argued. I don’t want to spoil this perfect moment.
I press closer without thinking, craving more contact.
His fingers flex against me. “Blue.”
The song ends, but Connor doesn’t release me and instead guides me off the dance floor into the shadows. His eyes gleam behind the mask as he presses me against the wall, hands bracketing my head. “I want to kiss you right now.”
“No.” I glance around to ensure no one is watching us. “People will see. ”
“Let them see. I want everyone to know you’re mine.”
A delicious shiver runs down my spine at his possessive tone. “Connor, we can’t. Not here.”
He nips my earlobe in reprimand, a silent command to be quiet. I whimper, arousal pooling between my legs.
“Your office then. Now.” He growls and takes my hand, leading me through the crowd with purposeful strides.
By the time we reach it, I’m breathless with need. Connor slams the door behind us, caging me against it as his mouth crashes over mine. I clutch at his shirt, needing and wanting more.
His hands roam over my body, tugging at my dress, groping greedily.
“Look at you.” He drags the neckline down to expose my breasts and pinches a nipple, twisting just enough to elicit a cry of pained pleasure.
“There’s my good girl.” He kisses me fiercely, tugging at his belt. “Bend over the desk for me. Now.”
I hurry to my desk and brace my hands on the smooth wood.
He comes up behind me, nudging my legs farther apart with his knee.
His fingers bunch my dress up and glide over the soaked fabric of my panties, circling my clit through the thin barrier. “So fucking wet for me.” He rips off my panties, stroking my slick folds.
I whimper, rocking my hips against his hand .
“I want you so bad.” He drags his cock along my opening, watching me squirm in need. “Do you want me just as bad, Blue?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure?”
“Please, Connor.”
He pauses for a moment before filling me inch by inch up with his cock. I moan loudly, beyond caring who might hear us. His hands grip my hips in a bruising hold, and then he slams into me.
I cry out at the intrusion.
“That’s it, baby. Just feel.” He sets a punishing rhythm, pulling almost all the way out before thrusting back in.
A sharp crack echoes through the room as his hand comes down on my ass. The sting fades into a warm glow of pleasure, intensifying the feel of him moving inside me.
“You like that?” He gives me another firm smack.
I can only moan in response, too far gone to form words. The mix of pain and pleasure is intoxicating, heightening every sensation. His cock drags along my inner walls with each stroke, pushing me closer and closer to my sweet release.
“Who do you belong to?”
“You.” I moan.
“Damn right, you do.” His fingers weave into my hair, exposing my neck. “You’re mine, Mary. No one else’s. Say it.”
“Yours, Connor.”
“That’s my good girl. ”
All I can do is feel, and every word except his name fails me.
He bites down on the curve, and my climax crashes over me, wringing a strangled cry from my throat. Connor groans as I clench around him. With a few more thrusts, he spills inside me in hot spurts.
“You okay?” He brushes a soft kiss over the spot he bit down.
I nod, not trusting my voice yet.
“Let me help you.” Connor kneels down, cleaning the remains of his cum dripping out of me while I slide up the straps of my dress.
After that, he stands and tilts my chin up, forcing me to meet his eyes. It feels like I’m back at the party with Chris in front of me. The color of his eyes is different, but everything else feels the same.
“Mary? Talk to me.” His voice is gentle but firm. “What’s going on in that pretty head of yours?”