Unmasked (King Morine #4)

21. Mallory

CHAPTER 21

Mallory

I ’m restless as I lie beside Mandy on the blanket, my mood sour. I stare at the beautiful lake, the sunlight glimmering off the gentle waves, wondering why I’m depressed when all this beauty surrounds me.

It’s because of the masked man.

After kissing me and promising he wouldn’t leave, he untied my arms and dragged me on top of him so we were in the sixty-nine position. Then he proceeded to devour me again as I choked on his cock, our mutual moans filling the room. I came on his face while he filled my mouth, and I greedily slurped him down as though I hadn’t just swallowed his load earlier.

My masked man removed my blindfold, put a fresh t-shirt and pair of panties on me, and disappeared without a trace.

I woke up alone, feeling used.

“Are you okay?” Mandy sits up, pushing her sunglasses on top of her head. “You’ve been quiet.”

I scoop up a handful of sand, watching it slip through my fingers, just like the masked man. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just feeling a little down. ”

“Is it because you’re here instead of heading home to see your family?”

I shrug. “Yes and no. I don’t want to be with them because my parents want me to be something other than who I am. But I envy how excited most students are to head home to their loved ones. I’ve never experienced that.”

Mandy nods, her voice quiet. “I’m lucky. I was super close to my mom. My dad… well, I never knew him. It didn’t matter, though. Mom and I were best friends until she passed away.”

I turn to her, feeling like an ass. “I’m sorry, Mandy. I didn’t know.” I sling my arm around her, pulling her into me for a hug.

“Thanks. You’d think I’d be over it by now. I mean, she died in January. She’d been sick for three years, and each time, she seemed to rebound. I thought she’d make it through this time, too, but obviously not…” She bites her quivering lip.

“I can’t imagine.”

She sniffs, pulling away slightly to wipe her tears. “I was lucky to have her. I’m sorry you never had a relationship like that with your parents. Do you have any siblings?”

I shake my head. “You?”

“Nope. I used to be sad about it. Now I’m glad. I don’t think my mom and I would’ve been as close if she had other kids.”

I nod. “I’m grateful I don’t have siblings. I used to wish I did, thinking I’d have someone to commiserate with. But I wouldn’t want another person to be as miserable as me. Or, if my sibling followed in my parent’s footsteps, I’d be ostracized even more.”

“Yeah, that’s a tough call. You never know.” She pastes a smile on her face. “At least we have one another.”

“You’re right. Instead of stressing over what I don’t have, I should appreciate what I do.” I hug her, feeling grateful for her friendship.

“There’s a party tonight at the Sigma Pi Betas. Why don’t we go check it out? Might do us both some good to mingle and dance.”

I let the idea simmer before nodding. “Okay. Let’s do it.”