A/N - hope you enjoy!!!
Gabriella stood on the outer perimeter of the dance floor in the grand hall of the stately mansion and mentally strangled her friend Taylor for dragging her here. She'd wondered what enjoyment she'd get out of going to a period costume masked ball and now she knew the answer-None! Taylor had picked out her light green linen dress for her, Taylor had picked out her mask, heck Taylor had even come over that afternoon and teased her dark brown hair into tightly curled tendrils and slowly and painstakingly applied her make up. Which deceived the object of wearing a face mask thought Gabriella to herself. Sighing she lowered her mask and flipped it over by the pole it was attached to so she could inspect it carefully. It was so exquisite and Gabriella had to hand it to Taylor-she had bought her a beautiful one, better than she could have picked for herself. It was a full face mask that was an iridescent olive green, with the eyes, nose and lips accentuated with green holographic glitter. On either side of the eyes two peacock feathers stood proud, showing off their many virtuous colours and highlighted with various green gemstones.
Smiling down at the mask she suddenly felt a pair of eyes upon her and looked up to meet the most amazing pair of piercing blue eyes she had ever seen. She shivered involuntarily as his eyes gazed straight into hers, like they were staring into her very soul and they glittered as his mouth turned up in a smile.
His eyes stayed glued to hers as he started making his way towards her across the dance floor. Everything seemed to turn into slow motion to Gabriella. The quiet melody of the music slowed down to a dreamlike state and the couples dancing around the room blurred and hazed as they passed by her slowly. Her heartbeat was the only thing that was going fast in this crazy situation she found herself in. The man stopped in front of her and for a while neither one spoke. He was wearing a white cut off mask that covered the left hand side of his face. Blue sequined swirls covered the mask, which only further accentuated the azure blue of his eyes and managed in one fail swoop to take her breathe away.
"May I have this dance?" he asked in a very polite English accent, holding out his arm and bending slightly to bow to her.
"Oh you're from England?" She exclaimed, noticing his smooth tanned skin and perfect pink lips from the side of his face that was on show. His hair was longish, flicking over his eyes enticingly and coloured like a field of corn in the sunlight.
"No I just thought it might impress you more," he replied, now talking in his usual American accent. Gabriella giggled as she took his arm and he thought it sounded like music to his ears as he led her to the dance floor.
"My names Troy by the way," he added. His usually shy nature was forgotten as soon as he'd put on his mask that night and for once he could act and feel like his former self-his former confident self.
"Gabriella," she offered as Troy placed his hand gently in hers and his other hand ghosted around her back to rest at the base of her spine. Troy had been watching this beautiful woman from the moment he had entered the hall. It had been her mask that had first caught his eye, so unlike all the others and once she'd lowered it to reveal her stunning face he knew he'd have to speak to her, dance with her and get to know her, if only for one night.
"Beautiful name for a beautiful woman," he complimented, watching as she blushed and bowed her head slightly. "Not used to compliments?" He asked, shocked that she didn't receive them every minute of everyday.
"I'm more used to cheesy chat up lines," she admitted, impressed with how well he could dance as he floated her around the floor with precision and grace.
"Oh, I can do those too if it would make you feel more at home," he joked, loving how comfortable it felt to be around her already. He'd only been speaking to her for a measly few minutes; yet with his mask on he felt like he could do anything, be anyone and more importantly look like everyone else. He blended in, fitted in with the crowd and that did wonders for his confidence, especially around the most gorgeous woman he'd ever laid eyes on.
"Ok do your worst," she replied, biting on her lower lip as she raised her eyebrows in anticipation.
"You remind me of a spanner," he started, twirling her out from him and then back in again before she could miss his warmth and embrace.
"Why?"
"Because every time I see you, my nuts tighten." Gabriella clutched at his shoulder as she laughed uncontrollably. Various other dancers turned to look at the noise but Gabriella couldn't help it as she leaned in towards him, her giggles making her sides ache.
"Good try…but I wouldn't fall for it," she managed to get out in-between calming breaths. "Very funny though. You seriously haven't tried that on anyone have you?"
"God no, I do want to live to see tomorrow," he joked, enjoying the feel of her small delicate hand that had now made its way around his neck. Her nose was crinkled with amusement and he had the sudden urge to lean down and kiss it gently but he stopped himself. He didn't want to scare her off already, he wanted at least a few more hours to revel in her perfection before she ran away horrified like all the previous women he'd met.
"I think just being yourself will be good enough," she placated, her tummy doing flips as he looked down at her and smiled the most dazzling smile she'd ever seen, even if it was with only half his mouth. She would have been a complete goner if he'd been free of his mask fully. "So did you come alone tonight?" She asked him as her body further relaxed into his embrace. Her nerve endings tingled at his touch and she hadn't felt like this about a guy for a very long time.
"No, my friend Chad dragged me along. It took quite a bit of persuading, let me tell you."
"Oh, I should meet him," she replied, noticing as she spoke that his face took on a look of disappointment.
"Sure," he stated despondently, knowing that everyone was always more interested in his friend than him. Chad got all the ladies while Troy was left alone and miserable. He had been enjoying the time Gabriella was giving him in her company but deep down he knew it wouldn't last forever and that hurt him. Usually he could accept the fact that he wasn't a hit with the ladies but this time felt different, this time he felt differently about her. He wanted to know everything about her, he wanted to talk to her for hours, hearing her perfect voice and making her laugh. He couldn't quite describe the feelings he was experiencing but the one thing he did know was that he didn't want to let her go.
"So I can thank him," she explained, staring up at him so he would look her in the eyes. "Otherwise if it wasn't for him I would never have got to meet you."
Troy felt elation at her words and for once he felt like the luckiest guy in the world as he spun her around in circles. He had the most breathtakingly stunning woman in his arms and she was happy to be there. He only wished he could freeze this moment to keep forever.
****
For the next two hours they shared more dances, they talked non-stop about their whole lives and they laughed and laughed at each others jokes. Gabriella had never felt so comfortable in a man's company, Troy was so sweet and caring and she felt so alive when she was in his arms. She felt like she could share all of her secrets with him and she was willing to listen to his velvet like voice all night long. His body had been pressed against hers so tightly as they'd danced and she'd looked up into his face hoping that he would kiss her and let her run her fingers through his hair which she was aching to do.
"Shall we go outside and get some air?" He asked, as the sweat trickled down his back from the stifling heat in the room and from all the dancing he'd partaken in.
"Sure," she agreed, sliding her fingers into his hand as they walked out through the double doors side by side. Troy shifted his hand so their fingers entwined fully and a spark of electricity shot through his arm as her small soft hand came into contact with his.
"I have work in the morning though," she warned, not sounding very convincing that she'd be leaving early. They soon found an empty bench to sit on that was situated against the home's brick wall and Gabriella laid her head back onto the cool stone. Troy looked out the corner of his eye at her and couldn't help the beam that spread across his face. She had her eyes closed in bliss and she looked so beautiful.
"Stop looking at me," she spoke, creaking one eyes open slightly to look at him. The moonlight was gleaming and it highlighted his face. The cupids bow above his lips looked so perfect and the fullness of his lips made her want to reach over and capture them with hers. She was longing to feel his touch, to experience his skin against hers and just thinking about his hands exploring her body had her burning with desire.
"I can't help it, you're so beautiful," he whispered, his face dangerously close to hers and his fingers curled around one of her soft curled tendrils, spinning it around in his hands. Her eyes were hypnotized by his and she couldn't have broken the contact even if she'd wanted to. He looked so perfect in the moonlight that she bravely reached out and cupped the unmasked side of his face in her hand, stroking the hair out of his eyes and running it down his cheekbone to his jaw. Troy was amazed at how her touch felt, normally by now he would have flinched away but Gabriella seemed to bring out a different person in him and he wanted her touch so badly. She leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his lips, only being able to peck them as his facemask remained a barrier. She carried on kissing along his jaw, down to his neck where she peppered it with light kisses, hearing his breath hitch in his throat at her tenderness. His hands gripped her waist as he untangled them from her hair and she moved to his touch, pressing herself into him tighter. He could feel his arousal growing as she continued lavishing attention to his neck and he pushed her back gently as he fought his urges. She looked up at him questioningly and he could see she had feared she'd upset him. He took a hold of her hand and pulled her up to her feet.
"Would you like to come back to mine?" He asked shyly, blushing slightly as he turned his face from her. He looked her way sharply when he felt her tugging on his hand.
"Yes I would," she husked, the need within her almost overwhelming. His apartment was barely 10 minutes away from the manor and neither of them spoke as he drove them there. The sexual tension in the air was thick as the only sound was their ragged breaths as they both thought about what was to come. He took her hand again as he led her through his apartment building, into his apartment and leading her through to his bedroom.
"Finally I can take off your mask," Gabriella spoke, her body squirming against his as he held her small waist with his hands, her breasts rubbing against his hard muscled chest. "Put on the light," she said, hating how dark it was in the room as she reached around his neck and loosened the ties to the mask, letting it drop to the floor in her eagerness.
"It doesn't work," he rasped as he bent down and captured his lips with hers, her soft bud like lips feeling like heaven to him. She reciprocated hungrily and moaned as he placed his hands at her backside, pulling her in against his arousal. His tongue darted across her bottom lip and as soon as she parted them slightly, he slipped it into her mouth and engaged hers in a passionate duel, both battling for dominance and both desperate to explore. Gabriella's hands wound around his neck and splayed into his hair, grasping it between her fingers and leaving it truly mussed up as she couldn't keep them still.
"The bed," she managed to groan out as her knees weakened with every brush of his lips. He started walking her backwards as his hands slid up to cup her breasts through the material of her dress and he brushed his thumbs against her hardened nipples, her mouth opening in a silent gasp and her hands gripping his forearms, feeling his bunched up muscles as they flexed beneath her fingers. Troy started unbuttoning her dress and as soon as he gently pushed her down onto the bed he deftly began removing the constricting material from her. Her hips arched as his fingers brushed against her skin as he finally flung the dress behind him. He so wanted to be able to see her as she lay waiting for him. As soon as he reached back down, her hands swiftly removed his shirt and she splayed her fingers across his chest, slowly working their way down as she felt every ripple and contour in the process, enjoying the feel of his cool, smooth skin under her hot hands.
Troy bit back a moan as her hands worked further down and brushed against his arousal causing him to close his eyes in pleasure. As soon as she began ridding him of his trousers he knew there was no going back and that thought brought his lips crashing down onto hers, bruising and punishing but oh so what she needed. She brought her hands up to cup his face, wanting to trace every line and feature but he moved her hands back down and she understood what he needed.
"Oh Gabriella," he husked as she removed his boxers and grasped her hand around his hard, thick shaft. She didn't care if she didn't know him, she didn't care that it was a first date, she wanted this more than anything.
****
Gabriella stirred as the light hit her closed eyelids and she smiled as she remembered the previous evening. Her body ached; but she still felt a satisfied and tingling sensation down below. Shifting onto her side she snuggled closer into Troy's side and took a moment to listen to him breathing softly beside her and when she opened her eyes she watched his chest rise and fall with each breath as he slept peacefully. She had never felt so happy. He had been the most amazing lover she'd ever had. He had touched and kissed her and worshipped her as he brought her to new heights of pleasure and he'd uttered her name as he'd climaxed, before cradling her in his arms, treating her like she was a delicate piece of china.
Leaning up onto her elbow, she gasped as his face came into full view. The sight shocked her and for a moment she wasn't sure if she was going to be sick. The metallic taste swarmed her mouth and she swallowed furiously to still her queasy stomach. The left side of Troy's face was bubbled and blistered. The flesh was pink and shiny and pulled taut across his cheekbone. The skin from his cheek was joined like it was melted to his ear and that side of his lip was pulled down, making it seem like a one half grimace. Skin at his hairline was peeled and raw looking and his eyelid looked like it had trouble opening.
Ever so quietly Gabriella moved off the bed and retrieved his face mask off the floor, coming back to Troy's side of the bed and holding it up over the left side of his face. Silent tears coursed down her cheeks as she looked at how perfect he'd looked whilst wearing his mask. How perfect his face had been until it was removed; and then the truth was evident. She now understood why he hadn't wanted the light on, why he had kept his mask on all night and why he wouldn't let her touch his face. Every so gently she reached out and placed her hand against the angry looking skin and splayed her fingers across it, testing her reactions, seeing how she'd cope. She couldn't help the tears from falling at how much pain and suffering he must have endured and ran out of the bedroom as her body heaved with sobs. She thought she had known him and now all along he had been keeping this from her, hiding his secret like he'd hid his face. She looked around her for tissues as the tears continued to fall and that was when she noticed a scrapbook lying on the coffee table. Curiosity got the better of her and she opened it up as she dried her tears with the back of her hand. In all the photographs of Troy and his family he always had his face pointed to the left so the camera could only take the right hand side of his face. The perfect side of his face. She was just placing the scrapbook back onto the table when a newspaper article fluttered to the floor. Bending over she opened up out the sheet and gasped as the title explained a local man had been burned in an accident at home. She wasn't sure how she felt, all she knew was that she'd given her heart, soul and body to this man and now she wasn't sure if she could cope. Her heart told her to stay and see if it could work, yet her head told her to get out and leave him behind, but could she leave him behind? Or could she accept him for who he was-accept all of him.
****
Troy woke up and immediately thought how he could hide his face before Gabriella woke up. He hated to spoil the happy feeling he had but he knew if he didn't then she would run away, repulsed. He sank back down into his pillows as he noticed her side of the bed empty and a quick scan of the room told him all her clothes were missing, meaning she had ran away just like he'd predicted. Just like all the others had done before her. He couldn't help but feel heartbroken at the fact she hadn't gave him a chance, hadn't looked past his physical appearance and giant sobs racked through his body with disappointment. He buried his head into the pillow and cried his heart out.
Eventually he wearily made his way out of bed and slumped down onto his sofa, despondent and unsure of whether his life was worth living anymore. What was the point without being able to share it with someone you love? What was the point in carrying on when his life was filled with pain and loneliness?
Suddenly out the corner of his eye he noticed Gabriella's mask lying on the table, a white piece of paper laying on top of it. Picking it up with shaking fingers he read the note aloud to himself.
I've taken your mask, you don't need it anymore! Just look in the mirror. I finish work at 6.
G xx
Troy's brow furrowed in confusion and he walked over to his desk, removing a tiny mirror that he kept there. Practically one of the only mirrors he owned in his house. His own face was not something he wanted to see on a daily basis. Staring at his reflection nervously, his breath hitched in his throat and a smile spread widely across his face at what he saw. For slap bang in the middle of his burned and blistered skin lay a formed bright red lipstick print of Gabriella's perfect lips.
A/N-so that was kinda from inspiration from Vanessa's new film Beastly!! Just to remind you guys to check out my profile page for the web address for a great Zac & Vanessa fanforum-come and join the fun!!! its a great place to discuss all things Z & V!