Healing Melody by Priya Grey, Ozlo Grey

comfortable. My attraction to this guy is growing with each passing second. And my sexual desire is coming back to life.
    “Well, I’m here to please you,” he says with another shrug, “Your satisfaction is guaranteed. If you don’t like anything I do, just let me know.” He pauses then says, “And if you want to take off that mask so you’re comfortable –”
    I raise my hand, cutting him off.
    “You don’t want to see what I look like underneath this thing.” I touch the mask with my fingers. “You’d cringe, and it would ruin an already awkward encounter.”
    There’s a pause, then he asks, “Why is this awkward?”  
    “Well, because of this mask,” I confess.
    He nods and looks at the ground. He’s pondering what I just said. Then he looks at me. Staring straight into my eyes, he takes a few steps forward. I feel a nervous rush of excitement shoot through me. He begins to echo the words from our phone conversation. “I thought you called me because you wanted to get fucked. Wanted to feel my hands over your skin, my cock deep inside of you. Isn’t that right?”
    He moves in closer and my skin grows heated from his presence.
    “That’s right,” I tell him.
    He shrugs. “Well, that has nothing to do with how you look.” He’s even closer now. His voice turns into a whisper as he stares into me. “That’s about our bodies colliding. The skin is just surface. Everything below it is what matters.”
    I inhale deeply; he’s so close. “You smell good.”
    I’m hypnotized by his presence; by the way he looks at me. For a brief moment, he’s made me feel like I’m not wearing a mask. I know he’s probably putting on an act – his job is pleasuring people after all – but I appreciate what he just said. I’m happy with my decision. I’ve chosen the perfect man to have sex with since the accident. But before we go any further, I need to make sure of something.
    “You won’t tell anyone will you?”
    He’s surprised by my question. “What do you mean? About us?”
    I nod.
    “I don’t even know your name,” he confides with a slight smirk. “Are you famous?”
    I slowly nod. “I used to be.”
    He shrugs, takes another deep look at me and says, “Nobody will know.”
    Although I’ve just met him, I sense that I can trust him.

C HAPTER F OURTEEN

    I lead him toward my bedroom, still surprised by how nervous I feel. Can I really go through with this? Have him see my naked body – the jumbled clutter of scars? Sure, a lot of the damage from the fire has been repaired. But there are still so many imperfections.  
    “Is that a dog?”  
    I turn around. Mingus is whimpering from inside the bathroom we just passed.
    “Yes.”
    “Do you want to let him out?” he asks.  
    “He’s a puppy,” I respond. “I just got him. I’m worried he might ruin the mood, you know?”
    He looks at me a little surprised. “You’re locking your puppy in a bathroom when you live in a house of this size?”
    I don’t know what to say. He’s right. Mingus deserves to be treated better. “You’re right. I’m being ridiculous.”
    I open the bathroom door. Mingus scrambles out and starts circling Kade’s feet. Kade’s face breaks into a grin as he looks at the puppy. He bends down and picks Mingus up. Mingus happily licks his face. Kade smiles – a real big smile, and the first I’ve seen from him. It shatters the somber presence he had earlier. His smile looks so genuine, so sincere. My attraction to him grows tenfold.
      I really want to fuck this guy.  
    “Hey, little fella,” Kade says to Mingus as the puppy continues licking his face. The tough exterior I saw when I first opened the door has vanished. I’m now staring at a gorgeous, well-built man holding a puppy. Kade’s warmth and friendliness is palpable. “What’s his name?” he asks, turning to me, smiling.
    “Mingus,” I reply, still shocked by his change in demeanor.  
    “After the jazz musician?”
    I’m