Hold the fuck up. Japan. Island. “What are you talking about, Doll?”
“Oh, shit. Things have been crazy with our schedules and we weren’t together when I took this assignment.” She babbles.
“What assignment?”
“During Spring Break I’m going to the island of Saipan. I’m assisting a photojournalist and documenting the typhoon that destroyed it last year.”
I don’t like this one bit. “You letting her go?” I glare at Brody.
“Whoa. Letting me go? I’m a damned adult and I didn’t ask his permission. How about we start this over. I’ll tell you all about my assignment and you say something like, ‘that’s great babe. I’m proud of you. What an amazing opportunity.’ Does that sound good?”
“Nah. I like my version better. Is it safe?”
“You’re fucking unbelievable. Didn’t you hear anything I said? It isn’t a third world country with sniper fire.”
“I don’t like it. I’m vetoing it.”
“You think bigly of yourself if you think you have veto power. This isn’t the senate or congress or whatever. This is me. This is you. This is me telling you— I’m going.”
“Buckle up, boys and girls. It’s getting bumpy.” Deacon announces. What a dick.
“What island is it?” I grab my phone to do a search.
“Saipan.” She crosses her arms and huffs.
It doesn’t look too dangerous. I go to the state department website and I feel better, except I’ll be playing that week and was hoping we’d spend that time together. “You might miss the births?”
Her eyes fill with tears. “I know.” I’m a dick.
“I’ll send you videos.”
“Like hell you’ll be filming my wife giving birth.” Deacon growls.
“Not a chance in hell. You’ve had your shot with my girl’s vagina.” Brody snarls.
“Okay. I’ll send pictures.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. I’ll be a whiny ass before you leave.”
“What are you gonna do when I have assignments overseas?” She questions.
“Cross that bridge when we get there.” I remind her of our pact. One day at a time. Plan for a future but don’t stress about it. Besides, one of those assignments come up she’ll find herself handcuffed to my bed, cameras smashed, and passport missing. I have skills when I need them.
Somehow my photography professor asked if I’d like to shoot the photos for the baseball games . . . shocking. “Mason, did you request me to be the team photographer?”
“Define request.” I’m gonna kill him.
“Mention my name. Ask for me to shoot. Guarantee I’m at your games.” Regardless I was gonna be at his games. He’s fine as hell in that uniform. Leaves nothing to the imagination . . . but I’ve had the real thing so I don’t need to dream.
“Nah. I told 'em you’d be there and to put your name on the roster and give you free reign. I didn’t ask for shit.” I’m gonna be in a straight jacket after dating him. He’s ruined me for any other male and ruined me in general.
I inhale. Exhale. Count to ten. Fifty. One hundred. Fuck it, it isn’t helping. “Ace, you can’t do stuff like that. I have a job. I want to get opportunities by my own merit.”
“I can do stuff like that. I told them yesterday and tonight you’ll be at the game. In the dugout if I need you. Problem solved.” He’s fucking serious.
“Your problem is solved.”
“Nah, I don’t have one. I fixed it.” I think I’m talking to a toddler. Or a brick wall.
“Mace, I’ll be there tonight as your girlfriend. I’m gonna pass the photo assignment to a senior member.”
“Why?”
He’s deaf.
Or dumb.
Or both.
“I just said I wanted to get assignments by myself. I feel you pulled strings for me.”
“I didn’t. I didn’t offer an exchange. I didn’t bargain. I told them what was gonna happen and they made it happen. Simple.”
Mason-fucking-Adler strikes— again. “Okay, Mason.” It’s easier this way. He’ll be in the middle of a game and can’t do shit when I’m in the stands with the girls.
“Love you, Doll. Come give me a kiss for good luck.” And I do.
Nachos. Hot dogs. Chicken tenders. Water. Lemonade. Slushee. More nachos. A pizza. Popcorn. And two pregnant women.
“Did you call a delivery service?” I joke and nudge Avery. We sip our caffeinated beverages and gloat.
“No. It’s amazing how accommodating people are when you’re hungry and pregnant.”
“Don’t forget hormonal and psychotic.” Avery quips.
“I wish we had a table.” Saylor whines.
“It’s a baseball game. Not a five star dining experience.” I remind them where we are.
“Scoot over and we can use the spare seat as a food holder.” Lee Lee suggests. Kinda. If I don’t comply it will go from zero-to-sixty in two seconds.
“Y’all are ridiculous.” I roll my eyes and sigh.
“Oh shit, what’d you do to Mason?” Saylor asks.
I look down and sure enough he’s standing in front of my section glaring. He takes his finger and points at me and to the spot in front of him. I didn’t go to obedience school but I think he’s telling me to come. Yeah, he can ask nicer. I sit back and prop my feet up.
“This is fucking hilarious. Lee Lee record it and we can upload it to the team site.” Saylor demands at the same time she shoves two chicken tenders in her mouth.
“You wouldn’t.” I gasp.
“I would. And I am.” Lee Lee gave up her quest for food to watch the entertainment. My man is still rooted to the same spot with the same menacing glare.
“You better go.” Avery— always the compliant one.
“No. He’s gonna pitch a fit and embarrass me. I’m gonna sit here and pretend I don’t know him.”
“BRECKLYNN!!!!” His hands cup his mouth and it’s as effective as a megaphone. He’s drawn the attention of the entire west side of the stadium.
“How’s that working for you?” Avery chuckles. Lee Lee has her arm in front of me like a mom would a child when she slams on the brakes.
“Are you holding me in my spot?” I’m startled.
“Yep. It hasn’t gotten good yet. I don’t want you to ruin my fun.”
“Heavens to Betsy . . . I’m here for your entertainment.” My sarcasm heavy.
“Thanks.” She smiles.
“Mine, too. Don’t forget me.” Saylor is giddy with the prospect of Mason blowing a gasket.
I look down and shiver. Lifting my hand, I finger wave at him and that wasn’t smart. His teammates are heckling, his Coach glaring, Brody’s coming across the field to grab him and I’m acting like I have stranger danger and don’t know who he is. “Shit. I need to go.”
“Wait for Brody to get there.” Lee Lee pleads. “Shit, here comes Deacon. Give us five minutes. Please?” She’s fucking shameless.
The three guys stand there arguing and hands waving, looking towards us. Spectacle. That’s exactly what they are. All three walk to the wall that’s below my seat and I lose sight of them. Next thing we know, Mason’s head pops up over the stone and he grins. I stand to look over the railing.
The most unladylike snort slips. Deacon and Brody each have a foot and have him extended as high as they can . . . they look like cheerleaders. “Rah Rah Ree. Kick ‘em in the knee.” I chant.
“Ass here, Breck.” I scurry to him. “Why aren’t you down there taking pictures?”
“You mean why am I not down there in your reach where you can see me?”
“Same thing.”
“Ace, go play your game.”
“Kiss me. And we will talk about this tonight.” I bend over the rail and give him my mouth.
Then I take his.
Amid the hoots and hollers I relish in the glide of his tongue, the heat he releases in my body . . . I enjoy all that is Mason.
“Good luck,” I whisper when I unlock us. “Love you.”
Deacon and Brody lower him and I bust a gut laughing. “He’s fucking ridiculous.”
“He’s fucking in love.” Saylor smiles.
“He’s fucking happy.” Avery sighs.
“He’s fucking whipped.” Lee Lee laughs.
I’ll take it.
I write the final word on the coupon book I made Mason for Valentine’s Day. It’s cheesy but what do you get a guy who has everything. He asked for all night . . . no schoolwork, no friends, and no baseball— pure bliss. Each ‘coupon’ includes a favor.
Naked massage.
Dinner cooked.
Naked kisses.
A day of watching game tapes with him.
Netflix and Chill.
Hulu and hand job.
Blowjob.
You get the drift. I begged him to forego getting me a gift but he’s banned Caden from the house and Avery disappears after fixing my hair. She twisted my long locks up to some fancy thing with tendrils hanging down. Lee Lee came to do my makeup and Saylor sat eating my favorite Pringles.
I splurged and bought a short red dress— which is sleeveless and inappropriate for the freezing weather outside. He insisted he was picking me up . . . next fucking door.
“Don’t burst his bubble,” Saylor griped. “It’s fun seeing him work for it. If you could have been here for all the shit he gave me and Deacon . . . you’d understand.”
“What are y’all doing tonight?” I watch Avery blush and stay silent. I’m gonna ply her with a truth serum.
“Watching Aladdin. Again. Eating chocolate covered strawberries my sexy husband bought me.” Saylor grins.
“You got chocolate covered strawberries?” Lee Lee exclaims. Oh — here comes world war six . . . we’ve conquered three with the coffee catastrophe. Four was their financial fights. Five was the sleavage remark. Six is strawberries. Mark my words. “Bye. I’m going home and hiding every electronic device so Brody is forced to deal with me. After he gives me a foot massage I’ll demand. Then I’m going to sleep without giving him the goods. Fucking strawberries. You got strawberries.” She’s waddling and huffing.
“Two dozen of them. And cool whip to dip them in.” Saylor taunts. This may be six and seven. I don’t feel sorry for him . . . after all, I saw his ass humping and got a black eye.
Karma motherfucker. Karma.
“Bye. Have fun.” Saylor eyes me. “I hate you for looking so cute.” I take in her tiny body, which looks like she swallowed a soccer ball. She’s dressed in the cutest sweats and I’m the one who is envious . . . I’m nervous as hell right now and I don’t know why.
“I’m going to hop in the shower. Relax. Have fun.” Avery gives me a quick hug and leaves me to fret.
I’d be lost without those girls. My anxiousness doesn’t have time to settle because seconds after Avery hauled ass there’s knocking against the front door. I rush to answer and realize I forgot my shoes. Throwing the door open I tell him. “Give me a minute. I need to grab my shoes.” I make it one step before his arms grip me and he pulls me to him.
“Stop. You don’t need shoes. Turn and let me look at you.” I disentangle and face him. His eyes peruse me. His gaze scorches me. “Fucking beautiful.” He lifts a finger and skims my bare shoulder forcing a shudder to run through me. “So fucking beautiful.” He whispers.
“I don’t need shoes?” I squeak.
He shakes his head as his eyes are still skimming me. “You don’t need anything but you. Hop up.” He turns for me to jump on his back.
“I’m in a dress.” I state the obvious.
“Not for long. Jump up— I’m not a patient man and I have a whole night planned for us before I can get you in my bed. Chop. Chop.” Well, if he insists.
The short walk to his house is torture. The angle rubs my core against his low back and his hands fisting my legs shoots tingles through my body. He opens the door and the house is lit with candles, lined with rose petals, music playing in the background. A perfect seduction scene but in truth he doesn’t have to do this. I’m a sure thing.
All he has to do is look at me and I’m pliable to whatever he wants. Well — almost whatever he wants.
“What’s all this?” I’m taken aback by the serenity of it all.
“I have an entire night of pampering for you.” He pulls me in the living room and there’s champagne chilling, strawberries dipped in chocolate — I’ll be sure to tell Emberlee — and cheese and apple slices.
“What in the world? Thank you.” Seems inadequate but this is my first Valentine’s as part of a couple. In elementary I got the mandatory Valentine’s card everyone in the class got. In middle school, Brody gave me something and in high school my mom took that tradition.
“Sit and relax.” He hands me a glass of champagne and I sip. “We’re having in home massages. I hired women.” I choke on the bubbly liquid I swallowed.
“Huh?”
“We’re getting massages. They asked if I wanted male or female so I said female.”
“Let me guess. No man is gonna rub my body?” I’m being tongue-in-cheek. But he doesn’t deny my claim. “Are you serious?” Saved by the bell . . . literally. The doorbell rings and he hops up to answer. Two women carrying their tables follow him in the room and he goes to the closet and brings me the fluffiest, pink robe.
“Go change.” He nods to the hall bathroom and I oblige. When I’m done both tables are set up and Mason is lying face down with a sheet covering him. I take my place after I drop my robe to a wolf whistle from the pervert next to me.
“Shhh. This is supposed to be relaxing.” We both fall into a relaxed state and other than hands sliding over skin, a few groans, it’s tranquil here. I feel as if I’ve been teleported to another realm and I’m glad it’s him at my side.
“Ow.” He barks and I turn my head.
“That area is tight. Do you have an injury?” His masseuse asks.
“No. Just skip it.” He’s lifting his right shoulder and rotating it. “Probably tight from practice.”
“You okay?”
“Yeah. My shoulder’s tight. Caught me off-guard.”
I’m sad when our hour ends but I grumble and thank them as I sink into the couch. “Dinner’s in the oven. You hungry?”
“Starved.” I stand to help.
“Sit your ass down. I’ll be back.” His bossiness is something I loathe and love.
“Aye Aye Captain.” I mock salute him and sit my ass down.
He brings me a plate of spinach and mozzarella stuffed steak, cut in bite size pieces. Fluffy rolls and a salad— sans croutons. I love baked bread but he knows I hate toasted stuff. “Wow. You went all out.” He sits next to me with his own plate and begins eating.
“The home delivery service prepared it. I just paid for it.”
“The thought was yours. Shut it and take a compliment.”
“I have other methods of re-payment we can discuss.” I laugh and begin eating my own food. “What are you girls doing tomorrow?” They have their first away game so they’ll travel tomorrow and play Monday.
“I think we’re doing a Gilmore Girl marathon and junk food. Probably at Deacon and Saylor’s so it’s easier with Julie.” He takes my plate and stands.
“A what marathon? I think Deacon said Julie was staying with his mom this weekend.”
“It’s a show they’re making new episodes for on Netflix. She won’t be home tomorrow but Sara’s dropping her off after dinner. Saylor is kinda weird with keeping her schedule.” It’s cute how she’s so young and took a responsibility that wasn’t hers. I admire her and seeing how a year ago she was the ‘newbie’ — it gives me hope.
“She’s a great mom. But she’s the exorcist pregnant. Her and Lee Lee both.” I agree.
“Y’all need to start a petition that forbids anyone in the group from being pregnant at the same time . . . ever again. I’ll stay the night at Brody and Lee Lee�
�s house and Avery at Saylor and Deacon’s.” With their pregnancies so far and the guys traveling they get antsy leaving them by themselves.
“I wish you’d stop doing that.” His voice is low but his eyes bore into me.
“What?”
“Saying y’all like you aren’t a part of this group. It’s like you put a distinction between you and us and it bothers me.”
I take in his words and don’t realize I do it. “I’ve known you eight months. You guys have been with each other since birth. There is a distinction.”
“Only to you. Not to us.” He takes my hand as he speaks. “What else can I do to show that to you?”
“Nothing. You’re doing everything. It takes time in my mind.”
“As long as I have your heart.”
“You do.” And boy does he ever.
“Let’s go to bed.” He swipes the strawberries and winks at me.
He leads.
I follow.
He places the bowl of strawberries down and tugs the tie to my robe leaving me in nothing but my sheer thongs. His quick gasp causes me to smirk as I tug his robe open. He’s naked. “Mason Adler — you had nothing covering your junk while that woman was rubbing you?”
“Guilty as charged.” My mouth falls open.
“Just for that my next massage I’ll copy your example . . . but I think Sven needs to get ahold of my muscles. I need a firmer grip.”
Those words unfurl the beast as he tosses me to the bed and covers me with his body. His hands grasp the sides of my panties and he pulls taut and snaps the sides. “Oh my god.”
“I’ll be that tonight. Don’t worry.” His lips take mine. As in owns them. A cold sensation lands against my right breast and I gasp as I release his mouth. I look to see him circling a strawberry — the heat from my body melting the chocolate. He bends and sucks the concoction off my nipple and proceeds to the next. As he finishes and places the fruit in his mouth biting down and letting the juice trickle down my stomach.
His eyes smolder as he watches the trail it leaves as it pools in the concave hollow of my stomach from me sucking in. I watch as his tongue swipes my skin, licking me clean. “More,” I whisper.
Karma (Endgame Series Book 3) Page 14
