Hell, his brain was basically fried from recent events, but at least he was still thinking, always the agent. Thank Christ for that.
Her gaze didn’t leave him as he came down the driveway, drawing closer to her. But he wasn’t ready to face her yet. What would he say?
Damn, I couldn’t stop touching you last night, didn’t want to either. But we can’t take it that far, babe. Sorry.
Yeah, she’d appreciate that. Her calm words last night had sent a chill down his spine after he refused her. Her eyes like ice, her expression perfectly composed. As if what happened between them hadn’t fazed her in the least.
He was the one always in control while she flailed around like a lost little puppy. The tables had turned and he didn’t like it. But he couldn’t do anything to change his circumstance. He’d just have to deal with it, with him, with her.
Mason only hoped he was strong enough.
His cell phone jangled in his sweatshirt pocket and he yanked it out, answering immediately when he saw who was on the other end. “Good morning, sir.”
“Russell, how are you? I’m trusting everything is calm on the island front?”
Mason headed into the smaller cabin, away from Blake’s prying eyes and scrumptious body. It made him mighty uncomfortable, having such wicked thoughts when he spoke to her father. His boss.
He hated how he needed to remind himself of that fact on a daily, no hourly basis. Only then he could keep his hands off her.
“Everything is fine, sir. No unusual activities, it’s calm here. Rather uneventful.”
Ha.
“Good, glad to hear it. Wanted to check in and make sure everything’s all right with Blake. I’m hoping you’ll accompany her when she makes her return to Washington.”
“And when is that, sir?” He had a vague notion but wanted to confirm it.
“Election Day, of course, or she could possibly come back the night before. I need her here during the various events that evening so my family can appear together. It’s imperative we present that united front.”
Poor Blake. He wondered if her father had said it to her like that. Knowing her, hearing her father’s words would’ve upset her.
“After the uproar over those scandalous photographs, I need her to look like the abiding daughter. And I told her just that. She was agreeable, thank God. I spoke with her last evening.”
Realization dawned. Talking to her father had to be the reason Blake had been crying last night.
“I have no right to ask you of this, but you need to keep her in line. She can’t really get into much trouble out there, but knowing Blake, she’ll look for it. Go to some small town bar and make a fool of herself, hurt herself, hurt me. And right now, I can’t afford to get hurt. My image is tainted enough already.”
Mason was surprised Hewitt didn’t tack the words “by Blake” on the end of that particular sentence.
“Can you handle it, Russell? I don’t mean to imply you’re her babysitter but...we know she needs one.”
Right. He was the babysitter who wanted to strip every article of clothing from Blake’s gorgeous body and sample her slowly. The word babysitter made him feel like a complete pervert.
If anything, he was the one who needed to stay away from Blake. Not become her overbearing protector.
Closing his eyes, he muttered a quick, “yes, sir,” and scrubbed a hand over his face.
He was in for the long haul. And he didn’t think he could take it.
Chapter Six
“Why didn’t you want to eat at the café?” Blake flashed her new friend a wicked smile, making Suzanne laugh in answer.
“Please. I’m sick of that place. The food is good, but when you nibble on it practically every day forget it.” Suzanne picked up her slice of pizza and took a delicate bite.
Blake watched her then studied her own uneaten slice of pizza sitting on the plate in front of her. They’d ordered it loaded with all kinds of toppings from the one and only pizza place on Whitney Island and her stomach growled loudly.
Pete’s Pizza Parlor was well known and always packed, no matter what time of day it was. They’d agreed to get together for lunch and considering she’d hardly touched her breakfast, she was starving now.
She blamed her earlier lack of appetite on what happened with Mason. She’d kicked him out and they still hadn’t really spoken to each other, with the exception of a few cursory greetings and general questions. He both infuriated and aroused her until she couldn’t think straight.
He made her feel like a fool.
Giving in, Blake took a huge bite, the flavors and heat dancing on her tongue. She chewed with enthusiastic glee, a little moan of approval sounding from her throat and Suzanne giggled.
“You sound like you’re having sex with that piece of pizza.”
Blake swallowed, couldn’t help but laugh with Suzanne. “It’s delicious. And considering my sex life as of late, this is the closest thing to it.”
“Amen to that, honey. I’m afraid I might dry up and blow away like all the leaves around here.”
“But you’re so pretty.” She was. Exotic looking without any cosmetic help, Suzanne never wore makeup besides a swipe of lip gloss and she was still prettier than many of the women Blake had encountered in her life. And she’d seen a lot.
Suzanne waved a hand. “I appreciate the compliment, but please. I’m no big deal. Besides, did you happen to notice the great dearth of men around here? This place isn’t packed with young, handsome, available men, if you haven’t noticed.”
Blake didn’t answer. Of course, she hadn’t noticed. She’d been too entranced with Mason. Not that she would ever admit it.
“I thought you were anti-man anyway,” Blake finally said, wiping at the corners of her mouth with a napkin before she grabbed another slice.
After picking at her meals for the last couple of days, she was downright starving.
“Oh I am, trust me. That’s why this island is so perfect. But that doesn’t mean I don’t notice what’s going on around here, because I do. I notice everything.” Suzanne polished off her slice of pizza and held up a hand in front of her plate when Blake indicated if she wanted another one.
“Well, I’m sure that makes you very popular. Everyone on this island loves a good bit of gossip.” Blake wondered if they gossiped about her.
Oh hell, who was she fooling? Of course, they gossiped about her. They knew who she was. It was like the celebrity come to town every time she showed up, though they never acted like she was any big deal. They kept to themselves and respected her privacy. She liked that.
“They sure do.” The mischievous glint in Suzanne’s eyes got Blake’s guard up. “For instance, I learned a thing or two about you.”
Her heart sunk into the pit of her stomach. This was exactly what she didn’t want to deal with. So she decided to play it cool. “Really?”
Suzanne nodded, taking a sip of her soda. “I thought you looked familiar. Now I know why.”
“So you know.”
“I sure do, Miss VP’s Daughter. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me!” Suzanne’s tone was almost accusatory.
And that was the last thing Blake wanted to do, offend her new friend. Talk about starting off on the wrong foot.
“It’s something I don’t really like to talk about. Especially here.” Blake shrugged and set down her pizza slice. She wasn’t hungry any longer.
“Why not? It must be cool having your father be the vice president of the United States. Is he going to run for president someday?”
Oh, good lord, she hoped not, but knowing her father that would be a big ol’ yes. “I have no idea.”
Suzanne’s entire expression dimmed and she looked down at her plate. “Would you rather not talk about it? Did I make you uncomfortable, bringing it up?”
“No. No, no, no.” Feeling contrite, Blake reached out and rested her hand over Suzanne’s. “It’s just so awkward talking about my father. What he does, who I
am. Well, I’m really nothing, but the media wants to make me into so much more.”
“Do you live in Washington DC?”
“I do. I sort of grew up there. We moved there when I was in my early teens. And I never left. Only when I come here do I get to escape.”
“Is that what Whitney Island is to you? An escape?”
Blake nodded. “Escape, sanctuary, both. I’m always ‘on’ back home, you know? It’s all about putting on a show, trying to be perfect, though the paparazzi always manages to catch me making mistakes. Here I can relax, let my hair down and just be. Not wear makeup, not wash my hair for a couple of days and hang out in my sweats.”
“You wear sweats?” Suzanne wrinkled her nose. “So far I haven’t seen you in any.”
Blake glanced down. She was dressed in jeans and a black cashmere sweater with a Burberry coat tossed over the back of her chair. Definitely not sweats. She reeked of money, even when she tried to be discreet. “Well, when I’m home I do the sweats. Trust me, I always look a mess.”
Realization seemed to dawn on Suzanne and she snapped her fingers. “The guy who follows you, is he Secret Service?”
“Sshh.” Blake shook her head, glancing out the window, spotting Mason in the distance. He had a sandwich in hand and was eating it while sitting on a park bench, his gaze trained directly upon the restaurant. Even in his supposed relaxed state, he looked ready to pounce.
Hmm. Just once, she wished he would pounce on her.
“Well, he is, isn’t he?”
“Okay yes, he is. Keep your voice down.” Blake looked about the restaurant, but no one looked in their direction. “As an adult child of the Vice President, I’m not automatically given Secret Service protection. Considering the intensity of this campaign, my father felt it best if I received protection for the duration.”
“Interesting.” Suzanne nodded, then dabbed at the corner of her mouth with a napkin. “So once the election is finished, you lose the guy?”
“It depends on if they win or not.” She secretly wished they wouldn’t, just so she could get out of the limelight.
But that meant Mason would leave her. Forever…
Suzanne watched her, her gaze practically boring holes into Blake. She squirmed beneath her new friend’s scrutiny. “Do you want to lose the guy?”
“Yes,” Blake answered a little too quickly.
“Uh, huh.” It sounded as if Suzanne didn’t believe her whatsoever.
“I’m serious. I hate having someone tag after me all the time.” And she had. Before Mason.
“I’m sure it’s rather strange, always being watched.”
“It is.” Especially being watched by someone who ran so hot and cold as Mason.
No, she wouldn’t call it strange. More like frustrating beyond belief.
“Does he stay in your house?”
“Yes.” She didn’t want to elaborate. It really was confidential information and she didn’t know Suzanne that well. “Well, close. He’s camped out in the smaller cabin we have on the property.”
Blake frowned. Should she have said that? That could be an automatic assumption, so she wasn’t revealing anything too private, right?
“Wow. I bet you have a pretty nice place, huh?” The expression on Suzanne’s face was wistful. “I won’t even bother inviting you over to my little shack. It’s pitiful.”
Blake winced. She hated this part. Usually the people she hung out with—she certainly couldn’t call them actual friends—were on equal footing with her, money-wise. She’d never been friendly with someone who had less before.
It made her uncomfortable, guilty for having more.
“The property has been in my family for a couple of generations. My great-grandparents originally bought the land, and my grandparents built the second cabin. You’ll have to come over sometime and check it all out.”
Suzanne’s face brightened. “I would love to. Maybe we could get together next week.”
Blake returned the smile, relief flooding through her. She was so lonely, she really needed this new friend. “That would be wonderful.”
* * * *
They’d come to a silent compromise, he and Blake. It wasn’t something they’d discussed or fought about. They simply dealt with each other, staying out of each other’s way and spoke politely to each other only when needed.
Mason freaking hated every overly civil minute of it.
He watched her, seething inside. It appeared she was enjoying herself with her new friend. Joy was written all over her beautiful face. That genuine smile curving her luscious lips hadn’t disappeared pretty much the entire time she sat at the little table in the restaurant eating lunch. And she’d devoured a couple of slices of pizza in record time. Blake normally wasn’t much of an eater.
Always so careful of what she put in her mouth or how much she weighed. He thought she was friggin’ perfect. In fact, he’d always liked a woman with a little meat on her bones.
He could only conclude she was happy, laughing and spending time with her friend. And damn, it upset him he didn’t have anything to do with her newfound good mood.
With a grunt, he shifted his position on the park bench, adjusting his sunglasses with the nudge of a finger. It was sunny but cold, hovering around fifty degrees and his ass was falling asleep. She’d been in that pizza joint for nearly two hours, and on top of being uncomfortable and grumpy, he was hungry, despite the sandwich he devoured earlier.
And jealous. Yes, he was jealous over another female, for God’s sake. He wanted to be the one who put that bright smile on Blake’s face. He wanted to be the one who made her laugh and act so carefree.
Mason rubbed a hand along his chin, his lips tightening. He wanted to do a hell of a lot more than just make her smile and laugh. He wanted to make her breathless with his touch. He wanted to make her cry out with pleasure. He wanted to make her come again and again, always begging for more.
He shifted again, now because his cock was making its presence known, nudging against the fly of his jeans.
Shit, he couldn’t take this anymore. He was tired of pretending he didn’t want this woman. Simply put, he wanted her more than anything he’d ever wanted his entire life.
And so why should he deprive himself of something that would most likely be a mind blowing experience? His uncontrollable lust for her would no longer be denied. He’d argued with himself for days, weeks. Ah hell, months. Always depriving himself of what he wanted. What she wanted.
Blake was savvy. He knew she’d understand, convinced himself of this while he sat on the bench freezing his ass off. She didn’t want a serious relationship and neither did he. They’d both walk into this new situation with eyes wide open.
Sex for sex’s sake. Finally giving into the attraction that had been simmering between them since the day they’d met.
Breathing deep, he watched as she exited the restaurant with her friend. They hugged each other and then parted ways, Blake walking toward him while her friend headed in the opposite direction.
“Sorry I took so long. Are you hungry?” One delicate dark blond brow lifted, her lush lips pursed in a little smirk.
“Starved.” Mason stood, striving for subtle nonchalance though arousal coursed through his veins, making his blood pound heavy and slow.
He’d pounce later, when they were back at the cabin and away from prying eyes. One thing about this island, though quaint, it was full of gossip mongers who enjoyed nothing more than talking behind their hands about the local residents’ private business.
“I should’ve brought you a goody bag.”
She could be his goody bag. “I had a sandwich to hold me over. I’ll grab something when we get back.”
With a nod, she started walking, shooting him a sweet smile. “They have the best pizza there. You should try it.”
Well, she was certainly being friendly. Considering her cold demeanor the last couple of days, he found it encouraging.
Especially conside
ring what he had planned later.
“I thought you didn’t eat pizza.”
She glanced at him, her gaze meeting his. “I love pizza. I just don’t eat it when there are too many criticizing eyes watching. The media would have a field day if they caught me stuffing my face.”
“Trust me, sweetheart, there are plenty of criticizing eyes around this place,” he muttered.
Blake stopped in her tracks, causing Mason to stop as well. “Did you just call me sweetheart?”
Hell, he did. “Ah, yeah. Sorry about that.”
She shook her head slowly, her long hair spilling over her right shoulder. “You know what, Mason? I don’t mind. I don’t mind at all. In fact, I kind of like it.”
He just bet she did. He wondered if she’d like it if he called her baby just before he entered her sweet little body too. Something else he might try later. Once he got her naked and into his bed. “Glad I can oblige.”
Damn, his mood was dark. Sexual. He needed to get laid.
He wanted Blake naked and writhing beneath him.
They were silent for a moment and Mason stared up at the clear blue sky, inhaling the cold, crisp air deep into his lungs. He felt the need to fortify himself, prepare for what was about to happen next.
Because something was definitely going to happen between them, he had no doubt of that. And yeah, he felt like an ass for plotting it but hell, he was done putting her off. She wanted him. He wanted her.
Why deny each other any longer?
“Do you think they gossip about me? Here on the island?”
Her question startled him out of his reverie. “Absolutely. They gossip about everyone.”
“How do you know?”
“I’ve been sitting on one public bench after another for the past week and I hear the stories. Trust me.”
“Mmm, hmm.” She was quiet and he placed his hand at the center of her back when they crossed the street, the cabin looming in the distance. “Do you think they gossip about you and me?”
Under His Protection Page 7
