Embedded

His Ex

Thea spent the next few hours getting ready as she plugged in her curling iron and worked on creating the perfect bouncy ringlets. She then carefully blended foundation, blush, and bronzer on her vibrant cheeks and added a hint of mascara to finish the look.

She reached into the closet and pulled out the red silk dress that had mysteriously appeared the night before. Her fingers brushed the soft fabric of the dress, and she pulled it carefully from the closet. Its lush red chiffon pooled on the floor, and its intricate lace shimmered in the dim light. As she slipped into it, her skin melded with the delicate material and caressed her curves like a second skin. The sleeves fit perfectly along her slender shoulders while the hemline cascaded gracefully down to her feet. She looked into the mirror, amazed at how this vintage piece of clothing made her feel elegant and strong.

Thea descended the elevator, feeling a mix of excitement and trepidation. Mason’s driver, a friendly middle-aged man with a kind face, opened the door of the sleek black car for her. Thea settled into the plush interior as the car glided through the streets. She gazed out the windows at the magnificent city, each twinkle of light offering a fresh burst of adrenaline. They pulled up to a grand venue, and Thea could feel her pulse quicken as she stepped out of the car and spotted Mason at the entrance. He wore a charcoal suit that hugged his broad frame perfectly and a black tie that made his blue eyes sparkle. He stepped towards her, his gaze never leaving hers. “You look breathtaking,” he said softly as he wrapped his arm around her waist, sending an electric shock of anticipation through her body.

The pair walked into the room, the high-pitched chatter of mingling voices spilling into their ears. Everywhere, people moved around in their fancy cocktail attire, smiling and laughing as they sipped from crystal tumblers filled with aged whiskey and aged champagne. Doctors, actors, and other wealthy elites laughed and joked as background music draped a sense of festivity across the air.

Mason couldn’t help but steal furtive glances in Thea’s direction as she stepped gracefully across the room, her dress swishing around her ankles. His heart pounded a little faster when he leaned in close, his warm breath tickling her ear as he murmured, “There’s no denying it. You’re the most gorgeous woman in the room.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her through the throng of people, weaving between conversations and pushing past those who lingered too long. “We’re going to make a few rounds and then get out of here,” he said, his voice full of assurance. Tapping his foot and adjusting his tie, he tucked her arm into his and guided them into the growing crowd.

“Mason!” Mason heard his name, and the hairs on the back of his neck stood up. He took a deep breath and slowly turned around, expecting the worst. Just a few feet away, he saw the host of the party, his ex-submissive, with her lips twisted into a snarl.

His gaze locked with hers as his heartbeat quickened. She wore a black dress that hugged her curves, and her hair was styled in a high bun, glimmering in the chandelier’s light. He cleared his throat and forced out her name, barely above a whisper. “Gina,” he said, his voice heavy with emotion. “How are you?”

“Fabulous,” she exclaimed, twirling around to take in the full picture of her lively party. All around her, guests were laughing, chatting, and dancing. She turned to Thea with a sparkle in her eye and took an exaggerated step back. “So, did you bring your plaything tonight?” she asked with a mischievous grin.

Before he could respond, Thea quickly spoke up. “A thing is an inanimate object. Seeing as I’m a person, I’m just simply...” She looked into Mason’s piercing blue eyes and felt her heart skip a beat. His gaze filled her with a warmth that spread from head to toe, and she felt as if an invisible force had connected them. His lips parted slightly, and she felt herself leaning in towards him involuntarily. She shook her head lightly and took a deep breath before speaking again. “...his,” she finally ended in a whisper as the room seemed to fade away into nothingness around them until it was just the two of them left standing together.

Gina’s sudden, raspy cough jolted Mason and Thea out of their trance. Mason’s cheeks reddened, and he averted his gaze as he nervously cleared his throat. “Exactly,” he muttered, with a hint of finality in his voice, “She’s simply mine.”

Gina’s lips curled into a cunning smile, and she gave Thea an appraising look. “Right,” she said. “She looks like she’ll be a lot of fun.”

Mason flashed Thea a devilish grin, then reached for her arm and tucked it into the crook of his elbow. “Oh, she is,” he said, with a playful sparkle in his eye. “Excuse us,” he nodded before leading her away.

Thea saw a waiter weaving through the crowd, balancing an oval tray filled with sparkling champagne flutes. She leaned close to Mason, her lips almost brushing his ear, and whispered in a husky voice, “I’m going to get myself a drink. Do you want one?”

Mason spotted a tall man standing on the edge of the room, and the corner of his mouth lifted with recognition. He bent close to her and said, “You go ahead,” His hand lingered for a moment, then he turned away and disappeared into the undulating mass of people.

Thea squeezed her way through the boisterous crowd, squinting through the smoke and low-lit bar. She carelessly grabbed a champagne flute off a nearby tray and took a sip. The effervescence filled her nose, and she smiled in surprise. Suddenly, a woman’s voice cut through the noise. “Are you here with Mason Reynolds?” she asked.

Thea slowly swiveled around, her eyes meeting the other woman’s. Thea raised her half-empty glass of wine to her lips with languid grace, taking a slow sip before setting it back down and saying softly, “Yes.”

An older man with a vibrant purple business suit, paired with a brilliant ivory pocket square, slowly spun around and stepped towards them. His deep brown eyes were framed by a pair of spectacles, and his dark mustache curled as he leaned in and said, “Interesting. I thought he would never get over Gina.”

Thea leaned forward and smiled encouragingly at the man, peering into his deep brown eyes. “How long were they together?” Thea asked, eager to learn more about Mason’s history and how it might help her initial assessment.

The woman scanned the room, making sure no one was listening. She leaned in closer, lowering her voice to a whisper. “It lasted about a year. Before her, no woman could keep his attention longer than a few months.”

Thea thoughts came bursting forth. So Gina started was his submissive. Did he fall for her? I wonder what happened?