"Oh." She purrs. "What sort of fantasy did you have in mind?"
"Don't worry about it," I tease.
"God.” She punches me on the shoulder. "You're such an asshole. What am I getting myself into?"
I trail kisses down the nape of her neck. She helps me slip the strap of her dress off so that her bra is exposed. She heaves deep breaths, pressing her chest into me. She guides my hand to her breast, and I slide it under her bra.
"Oh, Mason," she leans back, moaning. "Oh God, yes," she whispers.
"You're really hot when you moan like that,” I growl into her ear between kisses. “And you smell so sweet. What is that? Fuck."
It must be the jasmine because I can't keep my goddamn hands off this woman as we make out.
I can’t kiss her enough.
"I’ve thought about it," I say, my voice gravelly. "And I’ve decided I will give you any kind of benefits you want. 401K. Free drinks. Free travel. I’ll give you deep, deep benefits. Deep, big, wide, benefits."
"Stop," she says, giggling. “That doesn’t even make sense and it’s making me so wet."
"Oh, yeah." I purr. "This pussy is getting wet and hot for me, is it?"
"Yes." She pants as I slide my hand into her panties.
"Do you like what I'm doing?" I slide my hand further and it stops on her clit. It's so slick already.
"Yes, but, oh yes.”
I grin widely. I love seeing her so lightheaded with pleasure that she can’t even hold a straight thought. It’s turning me on.
“But? There’s a but? Clarissa, if you have any reservations about this…”
“It’s just that we're in front of my mom's though. She went inside. Isn't she gonna suspect something?"
"Suspect what? Suspect that you're making out with your fiancée? I think that's okay."
"Oh." She leans back, letting me handle her. “You’re right. Done arguing.”
Her body twists in pleasure as I gide a finger over her pleasure center.
"Just like that," she whispers as I spread kisses down her neck, my beard bristling against her skin.
“I hoped to God that I would be able to control myself because maybe a little makeout and rubbing action would be okay for tonight. But what I really wanna do is take you in the back seat. Pull those panties right down and fuck you. Would you like that?”
"Oh stop. Don't tease me," she breathes.
"Oh I’m sorry. Was I teasing you?" I grin, coming up back up to her chin. I kiss her on the lips.
“Maybe if I do this, I'm not teasing you anymore," I say as I slip two fingers inside her.
She lets out a long, drawn out moan.
"Mason," she whispers, swiveling her hips ever so slightly. Her mouth and her eyes both hang half open as my fingers hit right on her G-spot.
"How does that feel, baby?"
"It feels amazing, keep doing it. Oh god, keep doing it."
I do keep doing it, because these moans are so sweet. I could listen to her for hours. It's like music in my ears.
I watch her. She rides my fingers, twisting on car seat as I bring her to a crescendo. I can feel her walls tightening around my fingers. I place my other hand on her hip to steady her.
“Coming Mason. Oh, shit.” She moans, gripping my forearm.
She comes all over my hand, all over my seat.
I slip my hand out of her pussy and lick the juices off a bit.
After we both take a few breaths, she opens her eyes.
“Oh you’re dirty,” she adds.
“For you, I am.”
Her forehead glistening with sweat, she flips her hair.
“That was amazing. Where did you learn how to do that?” she asks, leaning her head against my chest.
Before I can respond, she answers her own question.
“Wait..don’t answer that.”
I laugh. “I learned from watching porn,” I wink.
She rolls her eyes. “You did not. Porn is so unrealistic. Those girls are mostly faking it.”
“Fine,” I smirk. “I learned it from romance novels.”
Giggling, she picks up her head and pushes into my chest with her hand. “Stop. You do not read romance novels.”
“You’ll never know.”
“Well whatever it was, that was really good.”
“Oh really? I couldn’t tell by the way you were twisting and moaning.”
She bites her lip. “Are you ever going to stop being an asshole and just take a compliment?”
“Nope.”
Her phone buzzes, and she checks her texts.
“My mom just texted me. She says ‘When are you coming in?’”
“Hey, if you need to go, just let me know. I’m here to support you.”
“Yeah, you sure are, Mr. Fiancée.” She winks and holds up her hand. The diamond ring sparkles. “I still don’t understand how you had a giant diamond ring on you.”
“That is a story for another time.”
I kiss her on the lips. She straightens her hair and collects herself, then gets out.
“See you tomorrow. Good night.”
“Good night,” she says as shuts the door.
As I drive home through the silent streets, I wonder how I’m going to be able to sleep after that.
The girl I’ve thought about forever has a crush on me.
16
Clarissa
Careful What You Wish For
Homecoming Night
I sink into the soft comfort of my chair as Mason drives us back from the game. It’s dark outside and we’ve got the windows up and the music down. Mason’s got a Rascal Flatts album playing.
We’ve been driving on the highway for about an hour now, and for maybe the last half hour we haven’t said anything. Mason’s eyes are fixed on the road ahead, his jaw flexed. I can’t help but wonder what he’s thinking about.
Did the same electricity that fluttered through my heart when our lips touched flutter through his? Does he feel the same way as I do? Does he understand how badly I want him? And how any consequences I might experience as a fallout from hooking up with him would make it all worth it?
My heart pounds like mad even as I stare out the other side of the passenger’s seat window, doing my best not to stare at Mason. The never ending road runs by, big trees passing in the night. I feel safe yet adventurous at the same time.
Mason breaks the silence. “A great man once told me you can tell someone’s a true friend if you feel comfortable passing the time in silence with them. I feel like that with you. Don’t you?”
“I do, actually. I was just thinking that.”
“Thinking about how we haven’t said much for the last hour?”
I nod, fondling the cross dangling around my neck.
“It’s a nice cross. Where did you get it?”
“My Grandmother gave it to me a few years ago.”
“Ah. Was she Catholic?”
“Evangelical. Very much a church goer.”
“What about you? Are you a church person?”
“I used to go, but these days I don’t go as often.” I shrug. “Ever since Grandma died.”
“Oh, I see. I’m sorry to hear that.”
He steals a glance at me, and our eyes meet. This feels like more than just a cursory glance. It’s like he’s got this ability to see through me. Maybe into me.
“It’s okay. It was her time. It’s just...after she left, I had a hard time going to church as often. I always associated it with her.”
Slowly, he nods and looks back at the road, as if processing what I’m saying. He turns back to me.
“You look really hot tonight, you know that.”
My heart rate speeds again. “I do?” is all I manage to choke out.
“Oh yes,” he smiles slowly and a little softly. “I feel like the luckiest guy in Blackwell right now. With the sexiest girl.”
“Wow,” I blurt out. “I never exactly thought of myself as sexy. On a good day, cute, maybe.
”
“Well you are. And you should start thinking of yourself like that. But the thing about you is…”
He trails off as he passes a car.
“Is what?”
“It’s weird. I don’t want to freak you out.”
I laugh a little bit and lean over, and put my hand on his arm. Mason’s not usually the type of guy who hesitates, or is at a loss for words.
“Just tell me,” I say, comforting him. And incredibly curious at the same time.
“I’m thinking a couple things. For starters, I don’t think there is a girl in the world who is as big of a triple threat as you.”
I furrow my brow a little bit. “Triple threat?”
“Yes. Triple threat. Sexy, smart, sweet. The three Ss.”
“Oh. And number two?”
“Number two, I want to do this again. I want to take you out on another date.”
I clam up, even though there’s nothing I’d want more. “I’d like that,” I choke out.
Leaning across the middle of his truck, I rest my head on his shoulder. “This was such a fun night. I don’t want it to end.”
“Me neither,” he agrees, and lets his hand drift down to my thigh and squeezes me lightly. My hand drifts naturally down his arm and next thing I know we’re driving along and holding hands.
My skin tingles because I steal a glance between Mason’s legs and I swear I see something move. I want to do a whole lot more than hold hands with him. But if my brother ever found out, he would not be a happy camper.
“Well let’s not let the night end, then,” I say. “Let’s go do something else.”
He nods. “Can you check my phone?” He says, handing me his iPhone. “The code to unlock it is 4832. We can see where the party is at tonight.”
I unlock Mason’s phone, check it, and to my surprise it’s actually a text from my brother. “Party at Stacy’s tonight” I read out loud.
“Oh, cool,” he says. “Would it be weird to go to a party where your brother is?”
I don’t want to tell him that Stacy is currently my nemesis after she stole my date, so I shake my head. “No, it wouldn’t be weird at all. We’ve been to parties together before.”
That’s a partial lie, but I don’t care.
Another thought chips away at me. “Are you going to tell Cole what we did tonight?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Really?” My gut wrenches. For some reason I don’t think this would sit well with him.
“I’m going to tell him how I didn’t want to go to homecoming so I took you to the baseball game as friends. I think we might just leave out that little bit about the kiss cam. He doesn’t need to know about all that.”
Relief whooshes through me. “I agree.”
Mason shoots me a sideways glance. “Do you really go to parties with your brother? I haven’t seen you at one before. I would have noticed you there.”
“Ok, so that was a tiny white lie. Honestly, I don’t even really like parties that much.”
“It’s no big deal.”
“What if you get caught, you know, if the cops show up? Then it will be a big deal.”
“So what if they do?”
“No offense, but you’re a lot smarter than most everyone at these parties. You and Cole both really have the gift of brains. I mean, Cole is applying to the Ivy League schools. And what about you, you’re even smarter than him. Aren’t you going somewhere smart?”
I shrug, indecisive. “I mean, I don’t know. I’ll figure something out. I might stick around the community college. Or maybe go try for a scholarship at Blackwell U.”
Mason squints ahead at the road. “What are you thinking of studying?”
“I’m thinking about studying Physical Education.”
He looks at me and drops his jaw. “You’re serious.”
“Yeah, I think that would be a good, easy life. I’m decent at badminton, remember? It would be easy. Get a teaching degree, come back to Blackwell and get a job at Blackwell High teaching P.E.”
Mason shakes his head a little.
“Is something the matter?”
“Don’t take this the wrong way. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with being a P.E. teacher. Hell, I’d love to be able to get a scholarship to Blackwell State, but with my grades there’s no shot in hell. But you, Clarissa Hanks, are gifted. And you are destined for something greater than teaching P.E. If you did that, it would be a waste.”
He cocks his head toward me and swallows, and I know he’s dead serious.
The words reverberate through me and shake me to my core.
You’re destined for something greater.
My eyes well up, and I stave off tears. I’ve had other people tell me I need to live up to my potential, but none of them had as much weight as Mason does for some reason. The way he says it, I want to make sure I live up to his expectations.
“Why would you say that?” I manage to choke out the words.
“Because it’s true, no bullshit,” He speaks with zero hesitation. “I’ve known since I first noticed you back in middle school that you were destined for something amazing. Now, I don’t know what that is. I don’t think anyone can read the future. But I’ll be damned if, as your friend, I’m going to sit here and let you think that lowly about yourself. Not that there’s anything wrong with teaching P.E. But you’re an incredible talent. You’ve got the depth and the intelligence that can’t be taught. You should aim high. Not for your sake. For the world’s sake. The world needs you and your talent.”
I feel as though I’ve been punched in the gut, in a good way. Sure, a few teachers have told me I’m a standout, but somehow the words coming from Mason ring hard and true.
“I’ve always wanted to go to Harvard,” I blurt out. “I don’t know why. I’ve never even traveled to the East coast. It makes no sense to me, but I want it.”
“Fuck yes,” Mason nods, and a smile spreads across his face. “Fuck yes, Clarissa!” he yells at the top of his lungs, and I can’t help but laugh.
“You’re so ridiculous.”
“Am I? Ridiculous because I can read your mind! You’re destined for something great, babe. I...”
He trails off.
“What?”
“Sorry, I just called you ‘babe.’ Flashback to when we were faking being boyfriend and girlfriend at the game.”
“It’s okay. You can call me that.”
I feel suddenly powerful, like Mason’s given me a secret source of energy that I can draw on now and in the future. A sly smile spreads across my face.
Mason notices. “What are you thinking about?”
“Nothing.”
“Liar. Tell me.”
I giggle and sigh a little. “Fine. I’m thinking about how I feel a transition in my soul right at this very moment. I’m no longer Clarissa: ordinary girl who gets dumped by her homecoming date at the last second for a girl who will put out. I now am Clarissa, the triple threat of sweet, sexy and smart.”
“Fuck yes! Clarissa, who will be getting into Harvard.”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
“Clarissa, destroyer of worlds!” Mason yells at the top of his lungs, and bangs his hand against the steering wheel. “Ruler of empires! She cannot be stopped!”
We make eye contact and I die laughing. I can’t stop.
Mason lets loose, too. And holy shit it feels good.
I wipe away tears of laughter I am cracking up so hard.
Reaching across the middle of the truck, I give Mason a kiss on the cheek.
“What’s that for?”
“Shut up,” I say. “You know you’re being a sweetheart to me right now. Bumping my confidence up.”
He shakes his head. “I’m not being a sweetheart. I’m just describing you as I see you.”
I turn toward the passenger’s side window, folding my chin into my shoulder.
I wipe away several tears, and I don’t want Mason to see me
crying. I hope he doesn’t notice.
An hour later, we’re back in Blackwell and we pull up in front of Stacy’s parents’ house. The shades are pulled down on the outside windows, and from the outside looking in you would have no idea there is a rager going on inside those walls.
Mason parks a few blocks away, then grabs a twelve pack of beer from the back of his car.
“Do you always ride around with beer?”
He shrugs. “I’m always ready for a party.”
“Is that where you get your nickname? The “Bartender of Blackwell?”
“I suppose I am that guy who is always able to get my hands on some booze.”
“The Bad Boy and the Harvard Girl. We’d make quite a power couple.”
“Careful what you wish for. You might just get it.”
If only the rest of the night could have gone as well as the car ride.
My life might have taken a totally different path.
17
Mason
All the Angles
Present Day
Saturday morning, I head over to the Green Hill Mountain Home to hang out with Edgar. There is just something about this old man that puts me at ease. And with how chaotic most of my life is right now, I need some stability.
I pray he doesn’t ask me about the ring. I’m working on getting a replacement for Clarissa in case he asks about it or wants it back. But that shit is expensive.
“Edgar, do you know anything about jasmine?” I ask, moving my bishop across the chess board.
He squints. “Jasmine. Why would you say that?” He asks, his eyes suddenly wide open.
“What do you mean why would I say that? You know, the essential oil?”
“Oh.” He rubs his hand across his face. “Oh. You’re talking about essential oils. I was thinking you were asking about my wife. Jasmine was her name.”
“Oh.”
The whole time I’ve been with Edgar he’s not once brought up his wife.
Even when he gave me his ring last week, he didn’t follow up giving me the envelope with anything about her.
“You haven’t really mentioned Jasmine.”
Bartender with Benefits Page 10
