Chapter Seven Sarah
Turning left and right in front of the mirror, I scrutinized my appearance.
While some hunts were just cocktail attire, some had themes.
This weekend's hunt's theme was Knights and their Fair Prey.
Instead of fair maidens it was inclusive of all genders, and at the same time, some of the knights could also be women.
The theme was why I was dressed in a pale blue dress with silver undertones.
It had an ethereal style that I might’ve worn to cosplay at Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones parties.
Of course, if I was going to a normal party, I would’ve worn panties or a thong.
But going bare was a must when it came to the hunt.
As for my hair, I’d left most of it down since I enjoyed having it pulled. While it fell down my back in waves, I’d braided a few pieces to make a crown across the top before interweaving flowers.
Satisfied with my look, I reached for my glass on the bathroom’s marble countertop. I took a long gulp, enjoying the woodsy taste as it slid across my tongue. I always liked to pregame, or prehunt I suppose I should say, with a glass of wine.
It helped to take the edge off the nerves that came when I let the logical side of me reason that I was about to have sex with a complete stranger whose face would be obstructed throughout the entirety of the night.
At the knock on my door, I set the wine down and quickly went to answer it.
When I threw it open, two very sexy knights stood before me.
With Archie’s blonde hair and blue eyes and Hudson’s dark hair and dark eyes, they were going to bring someone’s fantasy of having the best of both worlds to life tonight.
While Hudson whistled, Archie wagged his brows at me. “Fuck, Sarah, you look delectable,” he mused.
With a grin, I replied, “I was just about to say how absolutely fuckable you two look.”
“Pity we’re not on the same team, eh?” Hudson teased.
I laughed. “I lament that fact each and every time I go on a truly horrific date with a straight man.”
“While we could make a lavender marriage work, would you seriously get down and dirty with two whores like us?” Archie joked.
I reached my hands out to cup both of their cheeks. “Oh darling, I’m a ride you wouldn’t survive.”
As Hudson threw his head back and cackled, Archie’s lips curled into an uncharacteristically serious smile as he leaned into my hand. “Even if I thought I could, I’d never ruin what we have with sex, love.”
I leaned forward to pop a chaste kiss on his lips. “I feel the same way.”
After smacking my ass, Archie grinned. “All right, enough emotional bullshit. Let’s go find someone to shag.”
Hudson rolled his eyes. “You’re so poetic.”
As I fell in step beside them, a nervous laugh trilled from my lips. Apparently, I hadn’t pregamed enough if I was still feeling nervous.
When we started down the grand staircase, I admired the enormous crystal chandelier over our heads. “I can’t believe how posh this place is,” I remarked.
Hudson grinned. “Oh darling, you haven’t seen grand until you see Archie’s parents’ place in Exeter.”
“It’s pretentiously posh,” Archie agreed.
“Then it’s settled. I’m coming with you guys next time.”
Since the two were always trying to get me to travel more, they both nodded in agreement. The truth was that their need for me to travel was more about me leaving my responsibilities behind. But that was much easier said than done.
While some guests congregated in what appeared to be a library and then a sitting room, most of the masked and costumed crowd spilled out into the massive foyer with its marble floors and walls.
When a waiter started past me with a silver tray, I grabbed a flute of champagne. Both Hudson and Archie followed suit.
Erotic energy buzzed in the air. The kind that raised the hairs on your arms and the back of your neck. At the same time, my core ached with a growing need that I knew would only be satisfied once my Masked Man claimed me.
With a seductive smile at Archie, Hudson said, “I think it’s time I went shopping for our prey.”
Archie and Hudson loved double-teaming their prey, and they took turns picking their entertainment for the evening.
With a playful slap to Hudson’s ass, Archie said, “Find us a highly fuckable one.”
“My pleasure.”
He then headed into the throng of people surrounding us. Although predators eyed me and my ribbon, they didn’t make the move to ask for it. After a few minutes of this behavior, I started to think there was something wrong with the way I looked this evening.
I was just about to ask Archie about it when he sucked in an exaggerated breath. “Fucking hell, it’s him.”
With my gaze spinning wildly around the room, I asked, “Who?”
“The Beast.”
I blinked at him. “Excuse me?”
Leaning over, Archie whispered into my ear, “The giant bloke over in the shadows.”
As nonchalantly as I could, I narrowed my eyes and focused in on the dark corners of the massive room. When I finally saw him, every molecule in my body shuddered to a stop. A tremble ricocheted through my body at the electrical refiring of my brain before sending a pulsing hum between my thighs.
Even though his face was hidden behind a silver skull mask that gleamed in the light, he had to be the most beautiful specimen of a man I’d ever laid eyes on.
Instead of the typical medieval knight, he’d chosen to wear a Stryder costume from Lord of the Rings.
The long black cloak with the hood pulled up only added to his mystery and sexiness.
Peeking out from his cloak, jet black hair fell across the top of the mask–the silky kind that made my fingers twitch with the need to tug and grip the strands.
Multicolored ink started at his jawline and swirled down into the collar of his tunic.
Despite being surrounded by oversized antique furniture, he was massive with his bulging biceps, thick thighs, and a broad chest.
“You weren’t kidding when you called him a giant,” I practically panted.
“He could throw me around one-handed,” Archie remarked.
Even though Archie was muscular, I didn’t doubt for a second that he was right. You didn’t see men built like the Beast outside of the military…or maybe pro wrestling.
Cocking his brows at me, Archie said, “Can you see now why he’s legendary on the hunt scene?”
“Oh I won’t argue that he’s not the most impressive man I’ve seen both in and outside of hunts.”
“I feel there’s a but you’re not adding.”
Grinning, I replied, “It’s more that I didn’t know there were celebrity predators,” I mused around the mouth of my champagne flute.
Archie shot me a look. “I’m serious. We’re talking about a bloke who after five years in the scene, I’ve only heard rumors about. Like I thought he was a hunting urban legend.”
With a snort, I asked, “How have you never run into him before?”
“He never seems to come to Pennsylvania events.” He leaned over to whisper in my ear. “Rumor has it he’s like a politician or someone who doesn’t want to be found out, so he goes out of the area.”
“I guess his appearance tonight debunks that.”
Archie pursed his lips in thought. “True.”
“Maybe it isn’t anything salacious, and it’s more that he just doesn’t want to shit where he eats?” I suggested.
“That’s a thought, too.”
“Do you at least know which way he swings?” I asked.
“Sadly hetero with no bi-curious tendencies from what I’ve heard,” Archie pouted.
“That is tragic.”
“Yes, it is.” With a wink, Archie said, “Fuck, just seeing him caused my mouth to run dry. I’m going to grab another bubbly.”
I giggled, which I never did. It could only mean I was already feeling the alcohol and shouldn’t drink anymore. Despite that fact, I said, “Grab me one, too.”
He bowed. “Yes, my lady.”
A very unladylike snort escaped my lips. I was barely alone before Hudson appeared at my side, waving a green ribbon in his hand. “Ah, I see you’ve found your prey.”
“Archie’s going to love him.”
After tossing back his whiskey, Hudson eyed the ribbon in my hand. With a frown, he asked, “Why do you still have your ribbon?”
Trying to play off my insecurities, I merely shrugged. “No one has asked.”
“They must be fucking blind.”
“Maybe they smell the lower class on me,” I teased.
“Bullshit,” Hudson replied. After gazing around, he asked, “Where’s Archie?”
“Had to grab some champagne after seeing the Beast live and in the flesh.”
Hudson’s dark eyes bulged. “Holy shit. He’s really here?”
“So it’s true he’s a celebrity? I thought Archie might be exaggerating,” I replied.
“Forget celebrity. He’s a fucking legend.”
Holding up my hands, I said, “Trust me, it’s very evident why he has such legendary status.”
“Oh, it’s not just about his look. Apparently, he fucks like a beast.”
At those words, my gaze once again went to the man in the corner. Just imagining what it would be like to fuck him caused wet heat to pool between my thighs.
Archie returned and handed me a topped-off champagne flute. “Don’t look now, but the Beast is on the move.”
When I jerked my gaze to the corner, Archie groaned. “I said don’t look.”
Once again an annoying giggle tumbled from my lips. “Oops, sorry.”
Hudson chuckled before taking my new champagne away. “I’m pretty sure you don’t need this.”
“Fuck me. He’s coming our way,” I remarked.
My statement caused both Hudson and Archie to jerk their gazes to the Beast. As he slowly prowled across the room, a scantily dressed woman stepped into his path. Gazing up at him, she waved her ribbon in front of him.
I sucked in a harsh breath as possessiveness rocketed within me. More than anything in the world, I didn’t want him to take her ribbon. I wanted him.
Desperately
Wantonly
When he merely shook his head, a relieved breath whooshed from my chest. He then walked around her to continue swaggering through the crowd. When his destination seriously appeared to be us, a tingle echoed through me.
“Sweet Jesus, is he coming over to us?” Archie hissed.