Masked Man

By Elsie James

She's got her nose in a book. He's got his heart on his sleeve. Will a chance meeting at Mardi Gras unmask true love?

Masked Man is an age gap romance with a book nerd and a professional athlete.

Isla
I've always loved the simple things in life. A quiet town. A good book. A relationship with my high school sweetheart that lasts forever. It's what I planned on. That's why I was so shocked when my longtime boyfriend broke up with me on my birthday. Of course, I still have my job and my friends, but I never made any backup plans when it came to love. So when my boss asks me to attend a conference in New Orleans, I can't think of a reason to stay.
But when a Mardi Gras float lands me in the lap of a professional football player, I wonder if it could be a touchdown.
Sawyer is arrogant, sexy, and I want to unmask him.
But is his love real or will there be a flag on the play?

 

Sawyer
My life was chaos growing up and some things never change. Becoming a professional football player only meant more extravagant parties. But lately, my life doesn't thrill me like it used to. I'm ready for something more serious, but I have no idea how to get there. When a trip to Mardi Gras brings a sexy librarian into my world, I want to bend her corners.
Isla is sweet, smart, and I think she could be the key to my happy ending.
But can I convince her that I will be here when the going gets tough?

Carnival season, a time of renewal, extravagance, and costume balls, when the streets come alive with music and frivolity.
Unmask your inhibitions and claim your deepest desires. Start reading today! 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elsie James
• Release date: Jan 22, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224763351

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Isla

Sobs rake through my entire body, nearly pulling me to my knees as I trudge up the steps to the Archives Library for my shift. Without even looking in a mirror I know I’m a hot mess. But I’m already four minutes late so there’s no going back now.

I run a hand across the fly-away hairs I’m sure are sprouting up on the top of my head. I take a sharp inhale through my nose and put on my best convincing fake smile but I can’t quite stop my mouth from turning down at the corners.

Get it together Isla.

I push open the heavy door with a creak and step into the quiet of Archives Library. I don’t even bother looking around, I’ve seen it a hundred times. Wooden shelves overflowing with books, books, and more books. Picturesque windows that let in an exuberant amount of golden sunlight and one angry, fat, gray cat named Booksy.

On a good day, the sight would have comforted me. I’ve made a whole life around the idea of working here. But that was back when I thought I knew what life was all about and today, I’m totally lost.

I keep my head down and will my face to be less blotchy. I should have requested the day off. But we don’t exactly have a huge staff. Besides, I’m only scheduled for four hours and I need the money. Especially now.

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you…

I lift my eyes toward the sound of voices raised in song. My coworkers Silas and Cressida approach me, goofy smiles transfixed on their faces.

No. Please, no, not today. Not after… that. I mutter to myself, but it isn’t any use.

When the song ends, Cressida stands holding out a cupcake with a single candle aflame on the top. Happy birthday, love! She waves her hands in a sing-song type gesture that makes my heart sink in my chest.

Thanks.

Any big birthday plans? Silas adds. He’s been surprisingly chipper since he’s been in a relationship with Booksy’s vet and it’s the last thing I need right now.

Oh come on, she’s planning on getting engaged, Cressida grins, waggling her left hand in my face. She leans in and drops her voice to a whisper. This might be the last time we see you without a ring. Do you think Stew’s going to do it tonight?

My heart sinks into my stomach and I feel dizzy. Not likely.

Of course it’s likely! You’ve been together for like a hundred years. You’ve told him you want to move forward. You told him you wanted to be married at thirty and today is your thirtieth birthday. Stew is no fool, he’s not going to let today end without a proposal… As she looks at me, she trails off, presumably because of the way my face pinches into tight lines and wrinkles. What’s happened?

I wipe my nose with the back of my sleeve and try to blink back the tears building behind my eyes. Stew broke up with me.

CHAPTER 2

Isla

My words sound crazy, untrue to my own ears. He said he was… bored.

Stew broke up with me. He was bored. After all this time. After all I’ve done for him and all the plans we made together. Bored.

Yeah, that’s my cue. I’m gonna go… check something. Silas swallows and takes a massive step away from the two of us.

Cressida steps in closer and her eyes widen. Bored? What the fuck? Nobody just says, thanks for getting my life on track for me over the last decade but I’m bored. Cressida puts her hands on her hips. She’s skinny and blonde, my polar opposite, but somehow we always understand each other.

He had a list of grievances that he’s been apparently waiting to air. I read too much. I stay in when everyone knows going out is preferable. I spend too much time talking about cats, especially Booksy. I shake my head and my stomach twists into knots.

Cressida gasps. No, he didn’t! He’s an asshole, a total asshole. I’ve never liked him.

Yeah, I say.

Cressida has a point. The truth is, Stew is kind of an asshole. We haven’t been right for each other or to each other in a long time. But still, I thought I knew how my life would go.

A simple house I’d make into a cozy home, a job at Archives Library surrounded by all of my favorite books, and a marriage with the man I’ve dated since high school. Not just any