“I’ll have to keep an eye on her then,” he said to Mason, a glint in his eye.
I could see Mason’s jaw twitch at John’s words. I wasn’t sure what that was about, but I could feel the tension coming off the both of them.
“Mason, dear, would you mind getting me a white wine?” the blonde asked.
Mason gave her a slight nod and turned toward the bar.
I tried not to make it obvious as I watched her looking over Mason’s every move.
“Sweetheart, you should have told me and I would have gotten you something,” John stated as he kissed the top of her head and caught me watching.
“This is my fiancée, Rachel,” he said to me with a smile then pointed to the rest of the group. “And this is Calvin and Tim Stanley. And Calvin’s assistant, Stacey.”
I looked toward them with a nod, trying not to be rude as I didn’t even look them in the eye. I was uncomfortable in the situation and Calvin had to make it worse.
“It’s good to see you again, Emma,” Calvin stated.
“You, too, Mr. Stanley.”
I knew I needed to be professional, but I hated the devious look he was giving me. I had the urge to punch him in the face. He probably knew about his son’s infidelities the entire time.
“You two already know each other?” Mr. Cline asked.
I glanced at Melanie and she looked at me with a sympathetic smile. I knew it was out of her control, but I really wanted to get the hell out of there.
“We attended school together,” Tim explained.
I all but sneered at him as he smiled at Mr. Cline. I wanted to slap the smile off his face. I guess that was all we really were, though, just old classmates.
“Well, come on now,” Mr. Stanley started. I gave him a pleading look because I knew what he was about to say, but it was completely ignored. “She was more than just your classmate, now wasn’t she?” He nudged Tim in the arm as if it was some kind of joke and I looked at him with disdain. I wasn’t happy about him bringing up our personal situation, and from the look on Tim’s face he wasn’t either. What did he have to be angry about? His expression only fueled my need to speak.
“Yeah, Tim. Three years together constitutes being more than just classmates, right? But then again, Stacey was just supposed to be your dad’s assistant, too.” I smiled brightly at him as he stared at me blankly. I could feel the slut-bitch’s eyes glaring at me, but I didn’t care.
So much for acting professional.
“Don’t you have some clients you need to smooze, John?” Mason chimed in, standing beside me.
John looked at me, then to Mason. “Of course,” he said then turned to Calvin and Tim. “If you’ll excuse us, Rachel and I have some mingling to do. We can talk later.”
Melanie turned to me and I felt nothing but relief as she pulled me aside.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “I had no idea who he wanted me to meet. If I would have known, Em…” she apologized, shaking her head.
I knew she would never have invited me if she’d been aware, but all I wanted to do was go home.
“I’ll probably just catch a taxi and leave, Mel. I don’t even want to be here anymore,” I said as I felt a hand at the center of my back. I turned to see Mason standing right next to me.
“Nonsense. At least let me walk you around to see all the art on display,” he suggested.
I looked at him bewildered and wondered exactly what his motive was for suggesting we spend any time together in public. I didn’t know what to expect from him at any time. I just needed to stop being surprised.
“That would be great, Mr. Cline,” Melanie smiled.
“Please, call me Mason.” He smiled.
She returned it. “I’m going to go catch up with Mr. Cline, but make sure you find me in a little bit, okay?” she said to me.
“Of course.” I nodded. “Go on, I’ll be fine.”
I watched her walk away and glanced around the room. The place had filled up over the last few minutes and I noticed some faces I’d seen on TV before. I’d obviously been more occupied than usual to not notice there were celebrities walking around a room I was standing in.
“So, Tim was the ex you spoke of?” Mason asked, looking in my line of sight.
I turned and studied his expression before placing my drink on the bar.
“Does it matter?”
He stared into my eyes for a moment before replying. "He was stupid for letting you go.”
“Is that so?” I replied, getting annoyed. “What exactly are you after, Mason? Will there ever be a time I’m not confused by you?”
He laughed, causing the lines around his eyes to become pronounced. He looked so young and carefree when he laughed and I knew he didn’t do it nearly as much as he should.
Resting a hand on the center of my back, he guided me toward the back of the gallery area where beautiful paintings were on display and there were less people.
“I told you I was bad for you, Emma. I won’t lie and say I’m an easy man to understand and I know I haven’t been forthcoming with my actions, but I do want you.”
I looked over the painting we were standing in front of, letting his words sink in.
Forthcoming? He’s nothing but forthcoming.
“I’d have to disagree with you. You’ve been very forthcoming. The more I go over and over everything in my mind, the clearer it all becomes. You want a fuck-buddy, but only when it’s convenient for you. You want a submissive, someone who will bend to your will. Someone who will fawn over your looks and dirty talk.”
I turned to see his stunned expression. I knew he wouldn’t expect any of that from me, but I was done. I wasn’t a game player. I didn’t want anything to do with it. My goal was to do something I’d never done before: be spontaneous. But my feelings were getting involved, and I couldn’t let myself get sucked down that road again.
“But I’m not going to be her, Mason. I don’t want to play games. One minute you’re a domineering, sexual alpha male, but then your demeanor changes completely and you can’t get rid of me fast enough. I have no idea who you are and you don’t know anything about me. I just…” I turned and looked back at the painting. “I don’t understand how you can be with me in such an intimate way and then completely ignore the fact there’s something between us.”
I didn’t know what else to say. The thought of telling him I just didn’t want to be with him anymore gave me an anxious feeling in the pit of my stomach. Probably because I knew it wasn’t true. I did want to be with him again; I just wanted it to be on different terms. I wanted to get to know him better. I wanted him to get to know me. Yes, we had chemistry and yes, we were attracted to each other, but I knew there was more to it than that.
It took him a while before he finally spoke.
“You’re right about most of that, Emma,” he said as I turned and looked into his eyes, noticing he was standing a lot closer to me than I had originally thought. “But I’m not playing games with you. I do the things I do because it’s the only way I’ve ever done them. You make me want to try to change, but it’s not that easy. There are a lot of things about me, about my life, that are too fucked-up to talk about. Things I’ll never discuss because they’re too personal.”
He looked over my face and slowly lifted a hand, but thought better of it and lowered it to his side. “I do want to get to know you better, if that’s what you want, but it has to be on my terms. I can’t relinquish the control. It’s not in my nature. If you think that’s something you can do, then meet me outside in ten minutes. I’ll have Carlos waiting with the car. We can go somewhere private and get something to eat, get to know one another. The choice is yours again, Emma. I don’t think you realize how much power you have over this whole situation.” He reached down and grabbed my hand, flipping it over to rub circles in my palm. “You have me right here. You just need to figure out if you want to keep me there.” Then he turned and walked away from me, getting lost in a sea of p
eople.
I stood there staring, my hand still out in front of me. I had to take a moment to understand exactly what had just happened.
Closing my hand into a fist, I could still feel his touch on my skin. What was I going to do? I’d finally asked questions and actually got some answers in return. Do I take that chance and get to know him better, let him get to know me better? Or do I just walk away from it all? Go to a student/teacher relationship only?
I sighed as I walked away from the painting. The only problem was I didn’t think we could ever have just a student/teacher relationship. He confused and intrigued me all at the same time, and it was infuriating. I didn’t understand why I was having that internal battle, either. I had already made up my mind to go with him when he’d suggested it. It was time for me to stop second-guessing myself.
Walking back into the crowd of people, I looked around for Melanie. I found her talking to a few suited men and headed over to meet her. When I approached, I tapped her on the shoulder.
“Excuse me, gentlemen,” she said to the men before turning to me. “There you are. Are you all right? Are you still thinking of leaving?”
I glanced around the room to see if I could spot Tim, but he was nowhere to be seen. “Yeah, I’m going to head out. I’m just not feeling it anymore. I may see what Victoria and Becky had planned and go out with them. I’m not sure.”
“Okay,” she said as she gave me a hug. “I’m so sorry about tonight. I honestly had no idea.” She pulled back and gave me a sympathetic smile.
“It’s okay, really,” I assured her. I wasn’t even thinking about the encounter anymore, just Mason. “I’ll see you in a little bit.”
I waved goodbye to her and looked around the room once more. I saw Tim and his father talking to Mr. Cline again. I needed to be able to get past the pain of seeing him because if I were to be joining the same crowds, it would be inevitable that I’d run into him again.
Taking a deep breath, I walked toward the exit with a grin on my face. I had better things to be thinking about anyway.
Chapter 25
Mason
Seeing her outside the classroom only solidified my feelings for her. I wanted her, to feel her soft skin on mine, to hear her heavy breaths as I pounded into her. I needed it. Being with her made everything else not matter even though those things were still there, nagging my brain. Not even my transgressions could get her out of my mind. Other women didn’t compare, and it was as if the universe was out to fuck with my head. I didn’t know how to do it. I didn’t know how to be with someone. I’d been single all of my life. Telling her that was the only thing I could think to do. She was strong-willed and smart, not the kind of woman who would put up with my actions for long.
Letting someone else into my Hell would be wrong and I’d be no better than I was before, but I couldn’t just let her go. I opened up to her and said more to her in a matter of two minutes than I’d ever said to any woman. It had to mean something.
If getting to know the little bit of me I was willing to share would appease her, then I’d gladly give it to her. I just wasn’t sure she would meet me and the thought alone was a blast to my ego.
I was halfway to the exit when I saw John to the right. He was walking toward me with Rachel on his arm.
“I was hoping you hadn’t left yet.”
“And why is that? I can see you’re doing fine with your recruiting,” I replied sarcastically.
John sighed and then laughed. “Really, Mason, you should know me well enough. I don’t need to recruit; they come to me.”
He looked at me with a smug expression and I could only shake my head. He really was an arrogant son of a bitch.
I looked away from him to meet Rachel’s wandering eyes then back. “So, when’s the big day? I haven’t seen anything about a date being set in the papers. I was sure I’d have heard something by now.”
John laughed and Rachel looked over at him confused. “Go powder your nose or whatever it is you women do in the bathroom,” he said to Rachel. “I’ll find you in a little bit.” She furrowed her brow but quietly relinquished her spot and walked away.
I pulled out my phone and quickly texted Carlos to drive around with Emma until I texted him back. I had a feeling it would be a little bit before I was to leave.
John stepped closer to me and looked around the room.
“Enough of the small talk, Mason. I’m glad you came, because there is someone who would like to speak with you.”
“There is no one here I’d take the time out to speak with. I’d rather not even be talking to you,” I countered.
John scoffed. “Now, now, Mason. Is that any way to speak to your father?”
“You haven’t been my father for a long time, John, so cut this shit. What is it you want?”
He was quiet for a moment as he looked around the room. It was almost time for the auction. Every year there were auctions to raise more money for the charity they were hosting.
“Shouldn’t you be getting ready to put on your speech? A speech where you tell people you believe in the protection of women?”
He turned to look at me with a blank expression.
“Did you know I own half the people in this room?” He spoke the words as if it was an everyday conversation. Like it was normal to pay people money to keep your secrets. “Did you also know that two-thirds of these people know you killed your mother?” A slight grin curved his lips.
My face went blank as I stared at him, anger building in my chest. I knew what he was doing. I should have known better. He was playing with me, trying to get me to explode and maybe put on a scene.
I couldn’t allow myself to do that. He knew how to rile me up and he only did it when he wanted something.
“Fuck you, John,” I seethed. “I’ll ask you one more time. What the fuck do you want?”
He shook his head. “It’s not what I want, Mason. It’s what he wants.” He nodded forward and looked over my shoulder.
I turned and followed his line of sight and that was when I noticed him. I hadn’t seen him in years. Rage built in my core as he locked eyes with mine, but it immediately turned into dread.
He approached us with a smile I didn’t return and slapped me on the shoulder as if we were old friends.
“Mason, it’s been a long time.”
Donicko Black was dressed for the occasion and I could only assume John had invited him.
“Not long enough, I’m afraid,” I said in a calm tone.
John and Donicko both laughed.
“It seems like you’ve done well for yourself, Mason. All things considered.”
I widened my stance where I stood, feeling like I’d need to defend myself at any moment.
Donicko was a powerful man, more powerful than John would ever be, and I’d been in his line of sight for a long time.
“I’ve been trying to get in touch with you, but I seem to never be able to get you to pick up the phone.” He tilted his head as he looked at me with a gleam in his eyes.
I felt like I was falling down a rabbit hole with no way out. I’d been putting off his calls, so I knew he’d eventually confront me. He’d told me he would. There was no way out once you were in, even if I was there against my will. There was no changing it. I had so many negatives stacked against me.
“What do you say we get a drink?” Donicko suggested.
I stepped away from him and dusted off my jacket where he’d put his hand, as if to wipe his remnants away.
“I have somewhere I need to be.”
“Ah, yes. Emmalynn Blake, is it? You seem fond of that one.”
The rage I’d bottled up burst at the seams. “You stay the fuck away from her!” I seethed as I pointed my finger into his chest. I wanted so badly to knock him out, but I knew I couldn’t. Too many people were watching, and I had no idea who he had with him. Anything could happen, and I had a feeling John wouldn’t do a thing to stop it if it did.
Donicko laughed and kep
t his eyes on me, not bothered that others were staring.
I loathed him. If I could get away with murder, he’d already be six-feet under or better yet, at the bottom of the Atlantic.
“You should get a hold of yourself, boy. We don’t want things to get out of hand, do we?”
I took a deep breath and looked from John to Donicko. I knew what he wanted. “You’re wasting your time. It’s not going to fucking happen,” I said as I turned to leave.
I felt a hand wrap around my bicep and stopped.
“Think about your life, Mason. Why you do things the way you do?” I turned to see Donicko with a smug expression on his face. He knew exactly how fucked-up I was after everything had happened. “I own you and you know it. You know it here.” He poked me on the chest with his index finger. “And here,” he continued as he tapped my temple. “It’ll never go away…and neither will I.” He dropped his hand and placed it into his pants pocket. “Don’t make me do things, Mason. You know how this will work. If you don’t want it to happen like it did last time…” He stepped toward me and leaned close to my ear. “Answer your fucking phone when I call.”
He pulled away and I gritted my teeth. Flashes of Sophia and the last time I’d seen her appeared in my mind. He was the reason I never let anyone get close.
Patting me on the shoulder, he grinned at me. “I’m glad you see the big picture, Mason. Just remember, I’m always watching. Nothing goes unnoticed.”
They both walked away from me, leaving me to stare blankly. The motherfucker was blackmailing me…again. And he fucking knew about Emma. He’d been watching me?
I turned and walked out of the gallery, trying to calm my erratic breathing. I had a sense of foreboding and anxiety inching in my veins. My dark past was at the surface and there was no way for me to hide from it. I just couldn’t drag Emma down the same dark path Sophia had to take.
Chapter 26
Emmalynn
I was still on a high as Carlos opened the door for me. I smiled and thanked him as I slid into the leather seat. I’d never get used to the kind of lifestyle Mason lived. I opened my own door. I liked the smelly subway. The variety of people I passed by every day. They all had a story, and it was interesting to watch. But I could definitely get used to the high life.
Professor Cline Revealed (The Professor #1) Page 18
