Behind the Mask

By Jessica White

On a mission to forget her boring life back home, romance author Evelina Morales lives it up while she's away on business.

When she meets a man straight from the pages of one of her books, she lets herself get swept up in the magic like those lucky women she writes about. After one steamy night together, she sneaks out at first light.

Psychiatrist Marco Aguilar isn’t about to let her get away that easily, though. He’s a man on a mission to find the woman who has him entranced, and when they come face to face, sparks fly.

He knows all about the secret she's keeping. But it's the truths of his past he can't come to terms with that threatens to destroy them both.

Behind the Mask is a spicy later in life romantic suspense.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jessica White
• Release date: Sep 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215030271

Jessica White

Author Jessica White - Unveiling Dark Fantasies and Steamy Romance in Small Towns? Welcome to the enchanting world of Jessica White, where the world comes alive with dark immortals, small-town secrets, and sizzling romance. As a passionate storyteller, Jessica weaves tales that transport you to realms unknown, blending dark fantasy, steamy romance, and heart-pounding suspense.? Series Highlights:•The Broken Immortals: Journey into a realm where immortality comes with a price, and forbidden desires ignite a war between light and darkness.•Stories from the Realm: Explore mystical landscapes and unearth the secrets that bind magical beings in this captivating series.•Love Stories from a Small Town: Immerse yourself in the charm of small-town romance, where love blossoms amidst close-knit communities.?‍? About the Author: Jessica, a former Registered Nurse turned masterful storyteller, hails from the breathtaking landscapes of West Virginia. Her graduate degree in Business Administration adds a strategic touch to her narrative prowess. Beyond crafting tales, Jessica is captivated by metaphysical wonders, the beauty of nature, irresistible buttercream icing, and the magic of Harry Potter (still waiting for that letter!).? Stay Updated: Curious about Jessica's upcoming releases? Explore Jessica's world beyond the pages. Follow her journey on https://linktr.ee/authorjwhite and sign up for exclusive email alerts. Be the first to dive into new worlds and discover fresh tales of love, mystery, and fantasy.? Connect with Jessica: Have questions or just want to share your thoughts? Reach out to Jessica at [e-mail].

Book preview

Behind the Mask

A Dark and Steamy Over 40 Romantic Suspense

Jessica White

Copyright © 2023 by Jessica White

All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

Thank you to Taylor Okuns and Artscandare for helping me shape this story with your talents.

Special thanks to Kim Painter for your technical help with this story, and to my angel of a husband for supporting every crazy thought I dream up!

Contents

1.Dream Come True

2.The Plane

3.A Single Woman

4.The Matchmaker

5.Sexy Spanish Lesson

6.What the Hell

7.Into the Unknown

8.Cinnamon Gum

9.Good

10.Done For

11.Ten on the Nose

12.No Words

13.A New Life

14.Could Be Fun

15.Big Feelings

16.Kind of a Diva

17.A Proper Answer

18.Some Kind of Lesson

19.The Homeplace

20.The Explanation

21.Feeling Old

22.Walked Away From

23.Burn Out

24.The Villain

25.Chaos and Sex

26.For Your Protection

27.Boundaries

28.The Patient

29.Hide and Seek

30.A Dream

31.Come For Me

32.Twenty Minutes

33.Upside Down

34.The Mask

35.Something Awful

36.Three Times

37.A Good Dream

38.Sunday Morning

39.Crazy

40.Any Way I Could

41.Windows to the Soul

42.Behind the Mask

43.Bloodstains

44.Mine Beats for You

45.Nothing Could

46.Late

47.The Next Step

48.The Door

49.The Table

Dream Come True

Evie

I psyched myself up for this all day.

All the way across the lawn, my breaths got quicker, and the pounding in my ears drowned out the songbirds eating at the feeder. A chill sat at the base of my lungs like I ran a hundred miles in those few seconds it took to reach the detached brick garage.

Soaking wet, my palms wiped along my jeans as I rounded the corner. I stepped through the doorway, cracking my neck like a boxer coming toe to toe with his opponent.

Blackness swallowed everything until only the beer cans existed. Stacked three feet high like some trophy for how disgusting my husband was to me now, they toppled over when I kicked them. We need to have a talk.

A groan cleared his throat as Greg squished his cigarette into the jar lid he used as an ashtray with his nicotine-stained fingers. What do you want?

Covered in a sticky yellow-brown film, the garage reeked of rotten onions, stale beer, and what I hoped to God wasn’t urine. Searching for someplace clean to lean against, I gave him a thumbs up. Well, congratulations. So the filth of his lifestyle wouldn’t pollute me, I was careful to only let my shirt touch the wall when I backed to it. Your daughter caught you with your girlfriend in the church parking lot on her way home from the grocery store.

Teeth dug into his lip in the window’s reflection to hold back how little he cared while I moved the patch of dark hair away from my forehead. You’re all class.

His fingers flung up from the knees of his grease-stained blue work pants. What did you expect would happen when you cut me off?

Air flapped through my lips as I rolled my eyes away to the yard through the open garage door. Gross.

Leaving the mowing to me as usual, this worthless man had me shaking my head. I don’t care what you do, to be honest. They don’t need to witness what a dirtbag you are, though.

Another beer cracked open, and he shrugged back at me as his greasy salt and pepper hair fell over his eye. I’ve worked every day for the last twenty years to pay their way in life.

His default response was maximum self-praise for his minimum effort, but he always left out how I brought home more than him. They’re all grown up now, and my obligations to you people are over. So deal with it.

My fingertip dug back into my chest. In case you forgot, my book sales paid off the house and bought my car. That was me dealing with your sorry ass.

When he rolled his eyes, I turned away and wiggled my finger over my shoulder. And as I said, I don’t give a damn what you do, because I’ve been over you for a long time.

The more I unloaded on him, the lighter I became, and I was smiling when I stepped over the threshold. Be a little more discreet. You’ve been a complete disappointment of a father most of their lives, so the least you can do is give them their dignity.

You know — I gagged from the sound of his phlegmy gurgle, calling after me — ever since you got your ass beat by that crazy asshole at work, I’ve had this ongoing fantasy.

His metal stool screeched across the concrete, and I turned around to find his finger flipped out at me. Every day, I pray I’ll come home and find you dead.

The stainless steel lighter flicked out, and he held it under the cigarette at his lips. Meant to intimidate me, the puff of smoke he blew over my face only made me smile. Because now I wouldn’t have an ounce of regret when I left him. Maybe I’ll luck out, and your plane will crash this time.

Nodding at him, I backed out the door. Well, let me see if I can’t fly out tomorrow instead and make your dreams come true.

A shadow crossed the ground ahead of me when he leaned out the door. That would be great. Thanks.

The back door closed behind me, and the clicking of my daughter’s lip ring against her teeth came from the window overlooking the backyard. God, how can you stand him?

Defending him since they were old enough to sense something was wrong, I only sighed at myself now for not leaving sooner as I opened the cupboard. He’s your dad.

The charm Trin toyed with on her necklace sent sparkles all over the kitchen when she crossed through the light beam between us. Oh, please. I can’t remember him ever doing anything for or with us.

While I filled my glass, my shoulder jerked. Well, that’s not a problem anymore, I guess. Your dad indicated he wants me to leave, so…

What kind of chaos Greg would cause now everything was out in the open made me cringe. It might be ugly around here now, so why don’t you and Lara stay at the beach until I come home next weekend? I’ll pay for everything.

A tug started on my ponytail, and her light purple hair fell over my shoulder when she dipped over it. I will if you call Carrie and make her go to Savannah with you.

I dumped the rest into the sink, and she shoved her hip into the counter next to me. You need a girl’s weekend more than anyone I’ve ever met.

She pulled my phone from the microwave and handed it to me. Go have an adventure. Get laid. I laughed at her as I flipped through my contacts. Have the time of your life. With her fingers under my chin, she turned me to her. And as soon as you come home, call a lawyer with our blessing.

The closet where we kept the suitcases slid open, and she pulled out the sparkly purple one covered in anime stickers as I put the phone to my ear. Hey girl, are you free this weekend?

Covered in stacks of silver rings, Trin’s fingers made a tinking sound when she wiggled them at me until she disappeared on the other side of the doorway. Unpinning my itinerary from the corkboard, I smiled at the voice squealing back at me. Awesome. Start packing. I’ll book the flight.

All I wanted was a few days anywhere but here to clear my head and figure out the next steps. But in less than twenty-four hours, my entire world would unravel instead… and I thank God every day it did.

The Plane

Marco

It was always the same story, not that it wasn’t sad.

I pictured myself lying upside down on the couch in Henry’s place when he described his latest failed relationship.

Like the broken soul spouting off his most recent heartbreak, finding someone to share my life with was the single focus of my life. From my mother to the last woman I chased away with my temper, I left a path of destruction wherever I roamed instead.

Drifting back in my mind to Spain the day my stepfather handed me my suitcase and an envelope full of cash, Henry’s voice broke through when my mother turned her back on me. How do I make her want to be with me?

Despite his boyish demeanor, this man was as dangerous as anyone could be. Yet, I couldn’t abandon him. In this kid with violent outbursts, I saw myself, and I wanted to believe I’d overcome my own faults if I fixed him.

Last month, I turned forty-five. The lines starting to form at the corner of my eyes from the lack of sleep reminded me no one lay next to me when I went to bed. After all these years of blaming everyone else, I accepted I was the problem.

The letter I sent to my mother returned this morning, and it taunted me from under the stack of folders by my elbow as I shrugged. How does any man make a woman love them?

I grinned up at him from the palm I rested my chin on as he pulled his legs from the couch cushion and brought himself around to face me.

Sitting with his legs crossed on the floor, he wasn’t more than the child he appeared to be. Only a ghost from the days before schizophrenia took hold, with no way to return to this reality for more than a week or two. There’s nothing you can do.

My eyes flipped up to the ceiling. I believe these things are written in the stars, and until you find — my fingers came together — the one meant for you, it won’t work.

Between his fleeting moments of clarity from his illness and drug use, the coherent part of him nodded back at me. I believe that too. I’m just so tired of looking for her.

Twisting my fingers, I tapped the ends of my pen against my notepad. I’m not a relationship expert, Henry. I’m a psychiatrist, and my job is to help you learn how to navigate this world in a healthy way.

The irony that I couldn’t do that myself wasn’t lost on me, and I sighed as I clasped my hands between my knees. So I would tell you if she asked you not to contact her again, you must honor her wishes. Open your mind to the possibility she is not the one for you, but the right woman is on her way.

The old building vibrated as a plane buzzed over our heads, and I looked up. Thousands of people come to Savannah every day, and she might be on that plane right now, only hoping to run into you. But you must give up these obsessions that don’t serve the life you wish to build.

My finger bounced at him. So for now, concentrate on — I tapped my finger and thumb together — taking your medication every morning. Another finger came to my thumb tip. Going to therapy every week to improve your current relationships with your family and friends. You don’t want to bring the same baggage the next time you meet someone.

Often I strayed over the line of professional and not with this patient. But he had trust issues to tear down, and letting him have a glimpse into what my life was like was the only thing that worked. He nodded as he thought it over until his shoulder jerked. What about you, Dr. Aguilar? Aren’t you worried you’ll never meet the right person?

I shook my head at him as another plane shook the light fixture over his head. No, I think she’s sitting beside yours up there.

My phone snapped back to life to alert me of the time, and I tipped my head to the door. Alright, my friend. We’re finished for today.

I stood to shake his hand for a moment. I’ll see you next month, but call if you need anything.

Waiting in the doorway when Henry turned away from me, Neal slapped his shoulder. Be careful on your way home.

The alarm chirped to alert us our last session of the day was gone, and Neal dug his hip into the doorframe and crossed his arms. How’s old Henry doing?

I arched my back as I stretched from side to side. How he’s always doing. Scaring women, fighting with his parents, and not taking his medication. My fingers flipped away from my waist. What can you do?

A finger flicked away from his soft blue sleeve. You can stop wasting your time on someone who never follows your advice. Some people can’t be helped. He’d be better off in a hospital in the country where he can’t hurt anyone.

My eyes rolled away from the conversation we had a dozen times, and he checked his watch. But I digress. Go on and get ready so we can grab some food and bag a couple of ladies for tonight. A jerk of his chin motioned to the house next door. I’m not trying to show up at one of their parties alone.

I pressed my hand into the chair’s arm and stood. What I’m looking for isn’t in any of those bars.

Bending his fingers to follow him, he backed out the door. All you do is sit around here and pout about how you’re so lonely. You ain’t never going to find her if you don’t put yourself out there.

He punched in the code for the alarm, and I pushed the front door open. All right, but you’re buying this time. Those last women cleaned me out with all the champagne they drank.

Squeezing the back of my neck as we crossed the red brick courtyard, he jerked me to him. Don’t worry, my friend. I’ll take care of everything. Shoving me away while I pulled the keys from my pocket, he brought out his finger guns. And I’ll make sure you don’t come home alone tonight.

Every Friday was the same routine for us. Still, as the next plane passed overhead, I nodded at the idea she was on her way to me. I’m going to hold you to that promise.

A Single Woman

Evie

The rows of centuries-old brick homes trimmed in the most beautiful flowers lined the streets. Every time I left this town, I found myself homesick for it, and I sighed as I sank back into the car seat. It’s just not fair.

Turning back from her window, Carrie swayed toward me and elbowed my arm. What’s wrong?

Only some fairytale I would never live in, every mansion we passed made me shake my head. Nothing except I can write a hundred best-selling books and still never be able to buy one of these.

Our driver rounded the next corner, and I flung out my hand at the most beautiful street in Savannah. I mean, look at this place. How could anyone ever be unhappy living in a place like that?

Her fingers rubbed up and down my arm for a moment. Your time is coming. Leaning over to pull her purse from the floor, she peeked over her rhinestone-encrusted sunglasses. This time next year, I bet you’ll be living in that one.

A man