Free Masque by Lexi Post Page B

of seducing her.”
    He waited, willing the priest to appear. The flash of
lightning caught him by surprise, but the thunder he expected. No priest, just
a storm, albeit a very close one.
    It had never occurred to him a ghost would want to stay in
the Abbey instead of crossing over. What if one of them didn’t want him to
complete the Masque with Rena? Urgency and protectiveness overwhelmed him. He
stood and looked at the ceiling to find Raphael’s usual disapproval, but his
eyebrows appeared lower. At least someone besides himself viewed the situation
seriously.
    Striding from the chapel, he headed for the second-floor
bedrooms. Tonight he would introduce Rena to the Exhibition Room. He had no
choice. He had to move her through the rooms. If he didn’t, and something
happened to her…
    * * * * *
    “Rena. Time to wake.”
    She tried to ignore the deep whisper, but the light breath
across her ear sent shivers racing along her skin. Rolling away, she groaned.
“Why?”
    “I have a surprise for you.”
    Couldn’t it wait until later? “Morning?”
    A warm hand slid up her thigh.
    “Hmmm, that’s better.”
    The hand passed her stomach to cup her breast. A finger
flicked by her nipple and a slow burn ignited from that spark.
    His hand retreated. “Rena. Come.”
    There was no ignoring that insistent and commanding voice.
Opening her eyes, she found Synn standing next to her bed. Except for the light
from her lantern, the room was pitch black. “What time is it?”
    “Almost midnight. Come, we must hurry if you want to see the
Purple Room change.”
    She sat up and rubbed her eyes. The Purple Room? Why would
she… Oh, the Purple Room. “I’d like to see that.”
    “Here, put this on.” He held a beautiful silk robe that
shimmered a peachy pink in the light.
    “This is gorgeous. Is this a dress-up affair?” She grinned
at her joke.
    He remained serious. “Yes, it is.”
    She had one arm in the sleeve when his hand on her wrist
halted her. “Nothing underneath.”
    Huh? He wanted her to be naked under the robe to go
downstairs and watch a room change? “Fine. Turn around.”
    His smirk returned, but he gave her privacy. She whipped the
t-shirt over her head and slid the robe on. The silkiness of the material
sensitized her skin, making her feel sexy.
    “You will also need this.” He handed her a simple Mardi Gras
mask that covered only the eyes, but instead of elastic, it had satin ribbons
that tied behind the head.
    “I need to wear a mask to see a room change?”
    “Yes. Come here. I will tie it on you.”
    As she held the pink material against her face, he secured
it. Then placing his hands on her shoulders, he turned her around. “Perfect.”
    She did feel perfect, pretty and sexy too. “What about
yours?”
    From the pocket of his waistcoat, he produced a black mask
and tied it to his face. “Is that satisfactory?”
    Oh boy, the man was handsome enough, but now he had the
dashing aura of Zorro, and she couldn’t help her breathy response. “Very.”
    He nodded as if her reply had been expected, but before she
could become irritated with his haughtiness, he extended his arm for her. Such
an elegant gesture had her wanting to play the part. So she did.
    As they descended the grand staircase from her wing, she
noticed the silence was charged with energy. The ghosts must be coming out. Her
heart beat faster at meeting more of them, but when she remembered the ones
she’d seen in the Blue Room, the silkiness of her new robe caused stirrings in
the pit of her stomach as well as an all-over body flush.
    When they reached the entryway, Synn stopped and looked at
her. “Are you ready?”
    His eyes held such sincerity and caring that she wondered
for the first time what would be happening in the Purple Room. “I think so.”
    He let go of her arm and faced her, his hands cupping her
face. “You must be sure.” Holding her head, he lowered his and kissed her. She
opened her lips to his teasing tongue.