First place winner: A dangerous Valentine by FionaCakes91

A masked Valentines & a secret Challenge 

The remnants of his touch still lingered on my skin. My hands confiscated my breasts and caressed them just the way he did. I released a small whimper, audible only to my ears. My cousin Alexis was sitting beside me in the back seat of the limousine; she had her head against the glass and her earbuds in her ears; reciting the lyrics to that one naughty song by Khia.

I rested the back of my head on the headrest and that special place between my legs tingle, craving to be fondled by the tips of his luxurious fingers.

A blanket of heat enveloped my body, beginning at my nape. My mind was in torment as I recalled how warm his breath was as he sucked on the skin of my neck.

"Hmm." An involuntary moan escaped my mouth as I imagined how wonderful his lips would feel between my legs.

I inhaled, and I realised the essence of lavender and paprika still lingered in my nostrils. I squeezed my eyes shut as I bask in the memory of that unique combination of his signature scent.

I cursed myself for being a 21-year-old virgin. Honestly, I never had a problem before this mystery man began plaguing my dreams for the past three nights.

It was so real.

It was constantly the same; The mysterious man would lurk in the shadows. I couldn't see his face, just his glowing red eyes. He would tug me towards his muscular chest then he'd murmur in my ear, "Vei fi a mea?" Chills rattled my spine as his voice echoed in my head.

My nipples hardened to points as I remembered what happened next.

"Miss Price, are you ok?" Leroy, our driver broke me from my trance. My eyes opened to meet his uneasy gaze in the rearview mirror.

"I'm fine Leroy," I cleared my throat as I tried to regain my composure. I was flushed and I hoped Leroy couldn't detect my uncertainty.

"Ok, we'll be there in less than twenty minutes," Leroy announced, and I nodded my head. My eyes peered out the window, observing the beauty the moon created as she cast her shine into the depths of the night.

A few minutes later and we pulled up in the parking lot of the old Covali castle; beautiful and majestic.

"Ladies, we've arrived," Leroy announced.

I stretched my hand over to Lexi and poked her.

She unplugged her earphones and yawned. Leroy escorted us out of the car. He informed us he'd pick us up in the next three hours, then he bid us a good evening.

The crisp night's air pricked my skin like hundreds of tiny needles as Lexi and I gawked at the intimidating, medieval building. It was my second time visiting the property, but it still took my breath away. It was surrounded by thick vegetation and matching green lawns.

"Are you nervous?" Lexi asked. I turned to confront her. She looked dashing in her all-black tuxedo. Her black ringlets styled in a low bun, framing her round chocolate face beautifully.

"I am," I replied. I wasn't too keen on crowds, but being the daughter of Pastor Price, I had to represent our church. My father had to opt-out of this year's Saint Valentine Masquerade ball because he contracted a severe case of conjunctivitis.

"Don't be," Lexi said as she secured her black vintage mask. "I'll be with you every step of the way."

"Thanks."

Lexi helped me secure my all-white mask adorned with silver studs and rhinestones.

We intertwined hands and just as we were about to walk inside, a familiar voice halted us.

"Lexi, can I talk to you?" We twirled towards the person. It was Donna, Lexi's ex-girlfriend. They broke up a few weeks ago because Donna was having a hard time coping with being a lesbian in the closet. Unlike Lexi, who came out to the family at fourteen.

"Why? I thought you were done with me - didn't you say I was just an experiment?" Lexi spat.

"I love you -"

Lexi cut her off. "Donna, don't say crap you don't mea -"

"I came out to my family," Donna interrupted.

Lexi froze, "You did?" She asked and Donna nodded. "How'd they take it?"

Donna's face morphed into agony as she broke down in tears. "They threw me out - I've been staying with my uncle."

"Come here," Lexi hugged the ivory skin beauty. "Do you wanna talk?"

"My car is around the lot, we could talk there."

Lexi looked over at me with pleading eyes.

"Go, I'll be fine," I sighed.

Lexi mouthed a thank you, while Donna wished me a happy Valentine's Day.

I guess it's just me.

Up the steps, I clambered. My red-bottom pumps clicked and clacked against the stone surface.

My palms were sweaty as I captured the gold-plated metal handles of the varnished mahogany double doors.

I pulled and with a loud creak, the doors open.

My throat became dry as all eyes rested on me. I took a deep breath.

I can do this.

This was the most anticipated event of the year.

I lifted my foot and stepped through the doors.

Suddenly, a waterfall of confidence rained down on me. Furthermore, I felt relaxed. Recklessness took over as I enjoyed the festivities.

The ambience was nice and relaxing. There was an orchestra playing beautiful oceanic sounds, while women dressed in halos and furry angel wings danced gracefully in cages hung from the roof.

A monumental painting of Saint Valentine hung on the wall to the left next to a vintage crystal chandelier, boosting the whimsical atmosphere.

I watched in awe as servers pour champagne into stacked glasses. The chilled beverage drizzled into the glass at the top of the tower until it overflowed, allowing the liquor to trickle down and fill the others sitting below.

The crowd applauded as belly dancers rushed onto the floor from behind red curtains, dressed in provocative saris showcasing their pierced navels and shimmered boobs, filling the scene with thrill and seduction.

My senses became clouded with familiarity as a wave of Déjà vu invaded my mind. A few delighted couples danced to the sound of tango.

Every year was the same. The men would sport their all-black masks and the ladies would flutter their fake lashes behind the facade of all-white ones. It was the one rule of the masquerade ball.

But wait - something was off, and when I said something, I meant someone.

There he stood atop the balcony of the golden staircase casting his views down on me.

Our eyes met and my knees transformed into jelly. I gripped the edge of the champagne table to steady my equilibrium.

It was him, the mystery man from the previous ball.

I never expected to encounter him the second year in a row.

His identity was still a paradox to me. Nobody knew who he was or how he entered.

"Nicolette," Lexi called me from my daze.

"Lexi, I didn't notice you there," I stated. My eyes focused on her. "How was your talk with Donna?"

"It went well - I came over here to tell you I saw Mr Phantom - the mystery guy from last year," she chuckled. "He's standing on the balcony."

My face flushed as I remember the game we played last year trying to guess Mr Phantom's, as Lexi called him, identity.

We craned our necks, and we drank in his attire. His gaze still burned into me. "Oh," I sighed. "I didn't notice him," I lied.

"He's badass," Lexi held a glass of champagne. "Do you see his mask?" She beamed.

"Yes, Lexi. I'm not blind."

Mr Phantom wasn't abiding by the rules, clad in a black tuxedo that looked as if they painted it on him. He stood with his face covered in not a black nor a white mask, but he wore a half white, half black mask, like a King on his podium.

How rebellious!

Chaos was brewing between my legs. His dominance was suffocating. Women were flirting, dying to catch his attention, but he seemed not to notice them. His shoulders flexed as his gaze on me grew in intensity.

"Do you think he's Chris Hemsworth?" Lexi questioned. I almost spat the liquor in her face.

"No, I don't," I chuckled.

Donna came over and whisked away Lexi for a dance.

I heard the unwelcoming sound of Barrington Bailey shouting my name. He was the son of the Deacon, and he'd been begging my father for my hand in marriage.

Again, my regard found Mr Phantom. This time his mouth broke out in a crooked smile. He bowed his head, squinting his eyes. It felt like a challenge; like he was daring me to come to him, but for me, it was my escape from being bored to death by creepy Barry.

My head snapped towards Barry, worming his way through the crowd trying to get to me.

Damn!

I dashed to the stairs; wine glass in one hand and the other gripped the front of my gown, hoisting it over my ankles, so I didn't trip as I glided up the steps.

I ceased midway when I saw Mr Phantom waiting for me at the top. My vagina jumped at how scrumptious he looked with his hands in his pockets and his masculine demeanour calling out for my attention.

I continued my journey.

My underwear was a soaking mess. It turned me on to the maximum when I noticed his frame stiffened as his nose flared - as if he could detect my arousal.

The world delved into slow motion when our faces became inches apart.

He had a gorgeous case of heterochromia; left eye, icy blue and right eye a remarkable emerald.

My hand developed a mind of its own when it traced the outline of his mask. Sparks ignited as our skins touched.

A sexy purr reverberated from within his chest, causing tiny pimples to permeate my body.

"Vei fi a mea?" He grabbed my hand and kissed the inside of my palm. His voice was like molten chocolate dipped in honey.

I gasped, surprised, not only by his action but also his words, each syllable that rolled from his tongue sent a ripple of vibration to my sweet spot.

It was the same words my fantasy guy had whispered in my dreams.

I must have been going crazy. Could this be real?

I felt another rush of Déjà vu.

With him, it was sublime, and I hoped that it all implied something, that we were meant for each other; that our names were written in the book of destiny. Soulmates.

Maybe it was the magic of Valentine's Day, or the champagne was making me into a lovestruck fool.

"Who are you?" I asked winded.

"I am Ambrose," he responded, a few strands of his blonde hair fell over his left eye. "And you're Nicolette." I loved the way his tongue flexed as he spoke my name.

"But how do you know my name?"

"I know many things, love," he explained vaguely, only piquing my curiosity more.

"Well Ambrose, what does Vei fi a mea means? Is it Greek? I've been hearing that phrase a lot lately."

He lifted his thumb and traced the outline of my plump lips. His eyes never leaving mine as he spoke "It means, will you be mine? It's Romanian."

The way he explained it seemed like he was asking me a direct question. "Oh."

He licked his pink lips, his gaze burning hotter than lava. "I'm waiting for your answer, love."

"I - I, " I stuttered. I stepped from the edge of the staircase and rested my back on the wall for support.

He closed his eyes and inhaled. With one long stride, he stood before me. He placed his palms on each side of my body, caging me between his arms. He opened his eyes, revealing a scary red colour.

They were fixated on me, and I felt like a bunny who had been caught in a hunter's trap. I should have been scared, but like a magnet to steel, my desire for him sent my crotch levitating to his.

He grunted then he filled his grip with a lump of my curly black hair. He took the champagne glass from my hand, and he placed his mouth along the part where my red lipstick smudged. He smirked as he downed the content.

I was mesmerised. "What are you?"

He shattered the flute to the floor, and he looked to the guests down below. "Not here, come with me."

He dragged me towards a bedroom and hauled me inside before I could protest.

"Is this the part where you kill me?" I inquired, something deep within my soul told me this man would never hurt me.

He strode up to me. His eyes were back to their original colours. He cupped my face and placed his lips to my ear. His eyelashes caressed the side of my cheek.

The aroma of lavender and paprika threatened to send me into a state of intoxication. "I could never hurt you, Beautiful." His warm breath travelled through my eardrums and I fought to stay sober.

His voice was powerful, yet I could tell he had a few secrets he wished to keep to himself. My hands went up; palms to his chest, and I nudged him slightly. "What are you?" I demanded. " I know you're something - something supernatural, but I can't decide what. So tell me, please."

A deep chuckle rumbled from his chest. "You are smart, I like that - so it's safe to assume you remember me from your dreams?"

"How do you know about those?"

"I know many things. Let's just say it was more than a dream. You're the best kind of Déjà vu. I've been waiting for you for a century."

His words were so poetic.

"Now I gotta know who and what the hell you are."

"Well, you already know my first name and my surname is Covali."

"Wait, as in Covali Castle? Do your family own this place."

"I own this property." He just kept on getting more interesting but sustaining his mystery. He saw my turmoil then he said, "I don't know how to tell you what I am, but I'll be willing to show you."

"Show me? That sounds dangerous."

"You can trust me," he stretched his palm for me to take.

I followed him deeper into the bedroom until we came upon a miniature door. We entered, revealing a small room filled with mirrors.

"Mirrors?" I asked.

"Yes. I find them sexy."

The way he was looking at me like he wished to devour me caused my sweet juices to trail down the insides of my thighs. "Jesus!" I gasped.

He grabbed me by my waist and pulled me to his hard body. "You smell delectable." Ambrose's voice was melodic; hypnotic as it pulled me in. I needed him; craved his touch.

I got bold when I leaned in closer to his face, our breaths mingling. He had a beauty mark on his top lip and a scar below his chin. "Can I see your face?"

"Soon."

My insatiable hunger for him was clawing at my insides, begging to be set free. My lips twitched, pleading to grace him. My desire tugged at my conscience, instructing my brain to kiss him, but I didn't have to. He made the move.

"Hmm," I moaned as our lips moved in synchrony.

He pulled away, then he spun me around, my back to his chest. We were facing the tallest mirror in the room. He used his teeth to undo the ribbon that held my mask in place, it gracefully fell to the floor.

He seized my gaze as he unmasked his face.

My breath hitched as my eyes settled upon his beauty.

A Greek God.

I inhaled sharply as he nuzzled my neck, peppering it with delicate kisses that were like feathery whispers; faint but sweet. I wanted to ask him what the hell he was doing, but instead, I leaned into him.

He gave me a light peck and our eyes connected in the mirror. "This is who I am."

The atmosphere stood still, as the sound of my sporadic breathing filled the air.

My eyes widened when I noticed white pearly fangs descending from his gums. A slimy substance dripped from the tips unto my shoulder. "Oh! God."

His eyes glowed fiery crimson.

"Can I taste you?"

My brain couldn't formulate a coherent thought, but my body needed this; a sinful tryst. I was ready to follow this vampire to the deepest, darkest parts of purgatory if it meant we could be together forever.

I slanted my neck, giving him the answer he desired.

His tongue darted out of his head and he traced the tips of his fangs.

His right hand held me around my tummy, restraining me to his body, while his left hand crept its way up my white-satin dress, caressing my thick brown thighs. I gulped when he found my sweet spot. "I'm going to make this as pleasurable for you as it will be for me," he whispered against my neck.

He lowered his head and plunged his fangs into my collar bone. The warm liquid dripped down the side of my neck.

I repainted the walls with my ecstatic screams as Ambrose drank from my veins while he made love to me with his fingers. They played my clitoris the way Beethoven played his famous symphony.

I erupted in pleasure and my legs turned to mush. He withdrew his fangs and licked my wound, then he lifted me in his arms bridal style. He stared into my hazel eyes and asked, "Vei fi a mea?"

"Yes, I will be yours forever."

Our lips collided again as we enjoyed our euphoria.