Chloe After Dark

Chapter 21

On Saturday morning, lying curled up in bed, Chloe bitterly regretted being persuaded to go to the Masquerade Party. After helping pick out a costume at Stephanie's appointment Thursday evening, she'd gone back to the hire-shop with Blaire on Friday afternoon; it was a quaint little place in Roncesvalles Village with timber window frames and a massive array of costumes, all in polyethylene bags hanging neatly on rails. Blaire knew what she wanted and was outfitted with an elegant velvet evening gown and matching red-and-silver Colombina mask. Chloe proved harder to please. There were so many choices! After a great deal of looking around and trying things on, she settled for a plain black outfit with a hood, almost like a monk's habit, and a bright gold Volto Barocco mask. The masks covered their eyes, nose, and upper lip, but their mouths below were free for eating, drinking, and talking. Looking out through the eyeholes at her image in the mirror, Chloe thought she looked slightly sinister, which suited her mood at that moment. She didn't want any more admiration of any kind. Much better to keep everyone at a distance.
​It was late morning, and her head told her to get up and get going, but her heart said, Stay where you are. You're safe here. Nobody can get you if you're in bed. But it was the wrong thing to do. The longer she lay there, thinking about herself and all the extreme things that had happened to her in such a short space of time, the more miserable and anxious she became. The whiff of depression that had set in after Daniel's departure, coming and going ever since, came back to trouble her with increasing self-doubt and guilt. Am I doing the right thing, leading this mad existence? This isn't me. I'm quiet and sensible, not extroverted and wanton. Part of me feels ashamed of my sexual exploits, and if I hadn't taken Blaire's job, I wouldn't be plagued by this stalker. This is all my fault. I've brought this on myself, through my desperate actions and immoral life. I'm a bad person who deserves everything awful that's happening to me...
​As if reading her thoughts from the other side of the city, Stephanie called to check on how Chloe was feeling. "You still up for tonight, babe?"
Stephanie's voice was full of excitement, and Chloe didn't have the energy to argue with her. She decided she would go for a few hours and leave early.
​"Yep. Really looking forward to it."
​"That's what I hoped you'd say." Stephanie sounded really pleased. "See you about midnight. Late start, as this is an all-night affair. You coming with Blaire?"
​"I'm not sure..."
​"Make sure you do, honey. Can't have you out at night on your own, not with that fucking lunatic about."
​"He's been caught."
​"Really? Oh, that's great news! Even so, better you two come together."
​"Well, he hasn't actually been caught yet, but the net's closing around him..."
​"Whatever," Stephanie said, her mind clearly having moved on to other things. "Listen, I've got to go. The event designers have just arrived to set up the décor. See you later."
Chloe ended the call and got out of bed. I'll google Masquerade Party, like Stephanie said. Find out what it's all about. Then I'll know what to expect. But a little voice in her head told her not to bother. What difference would it make? She still had to go. So, she gave in to her desire to hide in bed, not facing the world again until she had to.
​
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Stephanie's house looked completely different from how it had looked on her previous visit. Gone were all the modern furnishings, replaced by silk drapes covering all the walls, and there were no chairs. Instead, there were deep cushions all over the floor, and in the other rooms, plush futon beds covered with throws and furs. It felt like stepping back in time. Nor was Stephanie there to greet them as Chloe arrived with Blaire just after twelve. A man in a plain gold Bauta mask opened the door to them, ushering them in with a low bow and an outstretched arm. He said nothing, and the whole house was filled with silence. No music. No chattering voices. No laughter. This feels very spooky. I'd like to go home. I really want to go home.
Blaire noticed Chloe's expression and smiled at her reassuringly. "Chill, babe, it's quite okay. I've been to one of these before."
​"If this is Stephanie's idea of fun, it certainly isn't mine."
​"It will be fun," Blaire said with a mysterious smile. "Put your mask on and follow me."
​In the main living room, lit by a dazzling array of candles, a crowd of men and women stood in costumes similar to their own. Everyone was eating amazing food like caviar, lobster thermidor, and moon mist ice cream while sipping drinks from waiters, similarly masked, who moved amongst them holding trays. There was a low hum of conversation, quite the opposite of what Chloe expected at a party. There was a definite feeling of expectancy in the air. Something secret and dangerous was about to happen. She didn't feel she could ask Blaire, because she suspected her friend wouldn't tell her anyway, so she settled for taking a drink and canapes to eat herself. The drink was the finest pink champagne she had ever tasted. Must have cost Stephanie a fortune, but she's never one to stint on stuff. Nothing but the best. She took another glass from a passing waiter and drained it down, the alcohol hitting her bloodstream and helping her to relax. She turned and looked at Blaire, giving her a thumbs-up sign to show she was feeling happier. Blaire gave her an affectionate hug in return.
​About an hour later, when Chloe and the other guests were feeling mellow, a gong rang, and a curtain was pulled aside to reveal a small chamber orchestra. They began to play some classical Italian music, and the crowd parted as if on cue. Those who were there in couples began to dance, and those who were there on their own moved to the sides of the room to watch. Everybody seemed to know what to do and took their places like robots. Chloe, who was transfixed by this strange spectacle and desperate to know what was going on, felt her arm taken by Blaire and she was guided across to the wall. The music went on for some time, the dancers circling around each other in sedate fashion. The men and women opposite each other constantly changed and then, suddenly, the music stopped. The couples were no longer opposite their real partners, and with a flash of understanding, Chloe realized this was a wife-swapping ritual. She watched in disbelief as the new pairings held each other's hands and started to wander off in different directions, toward the cushions and beds. Behind her mask, her eyes went wide as they proceeded to undress each other slowly and deliberately in full view of the remaining guests. So, this is what it's all about. I might have guessed! Stephanie's Masquerade Party is a genteel sex orgy!
​The gong rang again, and another tug on the arm from Blaire brought Chloe's attention back to the room. Stephanie had appeared holding a wooden cane. She wore a golden dress that shone in the candlelight like the sun. Even though she was masked, there was no mistaking it was her. Chloe knew her walk and her mannerisms. It was also quite clear that she was in charge of proceedings. She stamped her cane on the floor and the orchestra began to play again, ushering in a line of women wearing nothing but masks. They were all young and beautiful, their breasts sticking up and their pubic hair neatly trimmed. They waited in a queue, Stephanie nodding at each one in turn as she gave them permission to mingle with the remaining crowd. I get it. They're making for the single men...and a few women...the ones who've come here alone. Chloe watched, starting to feel very aroused, as the women moved sensuously past her, looking proud of their nakedness rather than ashamed of it. Each one selected a partner and moved away to other parts of the house to have sex with them. That just leaves us, the single women. What are we supposed to do? Wander around watching?
​Once again as if reading Chloe's mind, Stephanie turned and looked in her direction before stamping her cane on the floor once more. The orchestra struck up again, and this time, a line of masked men appeared from another direction, also completely naked. Her eye was drawn to their penises, many of them long and thick, swinging between their legs as they entered. She felt her breath coming in short gasps and her heart starting to pound as Stephanie went through the same routine, giving each one permission to find a partner amongst the remaining women and a small group of men. One whose cock was already semi-erect came in their direction, and Blaire held out her hand to his, taking it and walking away with a small backward glance at Chloe. She's saying goodbye. I'm on my own now. What should I do? She felt really wet now, and part of her was longing to have sex with a masked stranger, but another part held her back. This was so weird, so alien to her personality and experience, she felt unable to take part. So, when a powerfully built man with broad shoulders, a huge penis and jet-black hair came toward her, she turned away to indicate she was declining his offer. He waited a while to see if she would change her mind, but when she didn't, he turned aside and headed for another woman who had already taken part of her costume off to reveal her breasts. Out of the corner of her eye, Chloe saw Stephanie standing and looking at her, her friend's body language clearly expressing disapproval. Then Stephanie stepped backward, extending her right arm and gesturing with palm. There was no mistaking what she meant. Chloe was to look around.
​By now, most of the guests and their escorts were completely naked. Chloe wandered into the room next door, where the wife-swapping couples were well advanced in their lovemaking. A man in a white mask was lying on his back, his partner in her animal mask kneeling astride him and pumping up and down on his cock. The woman was close to orgasm and cried out as she came, the noise muffled by her mask. Next to them, no more than a few feet away, another woman in a Colombina mask like Chloe's was sucking hard on a hairy man who writhed and groaned with pleasure on his cushion. Chloe stayed watching them long enough to see the man spurt all over her mask in seemingly never-ending fashion. Above them, on a raised platform, two men were wanking each other off, watched by their female partners, who had their hands deep in each other's crotches. Chloe had never seen anything like this before, or even imagined it went on. She was now mesmerized, caught up in the action, dying to take part.
​Back in the main room, Chloe saw Stephanie standing beside a young couple with matching blue Pantalone masks and beautiful bodies, who were making passionate love. Stephanie waited until they had finished before touching her cane on the man's back and moving away toward another burly man who was clearly waiting for her. As Chloe approached the couple, the young man stood up and held out his hand invitingly. When she didn't respond, the woman got up and did the same-making it perfectly clear she was invited to join them. I can't believe this! A threesome? They want me to have a threesome with them! Oh, God, I can't...yes, I can. I've got to do something. I feel so horny, I could burst. The couple, whose names were Lawrence and Amy, helped Chloe to undress, slowly removing her costume and then her underwear. Chloe held out both her hands, so the two of them could lead her naked toward their sheepskin bed.
​For the first time in her life, Chloe felt herself being stimulated in two places at once. Amy fondled and sucked her breasts, moving from one to the other with great skill and understanding, like only another woman could. At the same time, Lawrence gently parted her labia and inserted two fingers into her, caressing her clit with his thumb. Chloe climaxed almost immediately, her build-up having been so prolonged and arousing. Lawrence was fully aroused himself, and she felt him turn her over and enter her in one smooth and experienced movement. It felt wonderful to have him inside her, moving gently in and out, while the woman continued to caress her breasts. This was new to Chloe, and she found it to be a huge turn-on. To have sex in public with two people, one of them someone else's partner, was something unthinkable-but this was a night when all the rules were being broken and everyone could behave with total abandon, reveling in the joy of sexual freedom. She heard Lawrence give a low groan and felt him spurting inside her with all the force of his youth and good health. She had not climaxed again herself and so, when he withdrew, the young woman took over. Chloe had never experienced lesbian sex either, but there was a first time for everything, and this was most definitely it. Lying side by side in a sixty-nine, Chloe began to lick Amy out whilst having the same thing done to her. She could taste Amy's salty wetness and worked enthusiastically with her tongue across her clit. Sensing from Amy's movements she was going too fast, she slowed down and matched the gentle rhythms that she herself was experiencing. The sensuous stimulation went on for a long time, and Chloe felt her beautiful young partner on the verge of orgasm. Timing it so that she followed suit, the two of them came together, which was a powerful experience that took her to a new and different height of pleasure. Chloe felt submerged in a tsunami of sex. She was in a place where nothing mattered beyond the ecstatic feelings emanating from all over her body. It was something akin to a mystical experience. In that brief moment, she felt at one with everything, part of the whole universe. It was a feeling so intense that it capped anything she'd ever experienced before. I'm so glad I did this. Thank you, Stephanie. Thank you, Blaire. This is the way to go. Embrace life, not death. Have glorious, wonderful, mind-blowing sex while you're young. While you can. While you're alive.