by Ryan Michele
“Oh, and what’s that?”
“Agree to go out with me tomorrow night.”
“You know I can’t.” I closed my eyes, shaking my head. I hated having to tell him no, but it was in his best interest.
“Can’t or won’t.” I felt him take a step toward me, his head getting closer.
I opened my eyes to find him in my personal space, backing me against the counter on the opposite side of the room. “We’re at work.”
“Stop making excuses, Ev. I can’t go on without you, and I refuse to pretend that we don’t belong together.” Mason’s heated gaze pierced straight through me to my soul, warming me from my head to my toes.
My breath hitched in my throat, and I felt as though he’d sucked all the air from the room with his declaration. “I…”
His finger met my lips, and his hands were now empty. “Shh. Don’t give me a reason why you want to say no. Stop thinking so damn much. We work. We make sense, sweetheart.” Dipping his head, his mouth crashed down to mine. Tongue thrusting between my lips, he kissed me deep, hard, and wet, reminding me of how well we worked. Not that I could have ever forgotten how good of a kisser he was. That was imprinted on my brain.
I returned his kiss, unable to resist him; nor did I want to. What sort of trouble would be waiting for us if anyone saw didn’t matter, because in that moment I was all in; to hell with it. Mason was a man worth the risk.
He broke away first, leaving me breathless and senseless. All my wires crossed and fired different directions. “Tomorrow, babe. Be ready.” He passed me the folder. “I’ll call you tonight. You’ll answer.”
“I’ll answer,” I breathed out my agreement, touching my finger to my bee-stung lips as he walked away.
Dumbfounded, not believing that just happened, I couldn’t move. Mason cornered me at work and convinced me to go on a real date with him. Holy shit, and it was seriously hot.
Stunned, I floated back to my desk in bewilderment. A million questions hung on the tip of my tongue, but I decided none of the answers mattered because the moment he kissed me I knew it deep in my bones that Mason Jones was meant for me, and I wanted to be his. I collapsed in my chair and grinned like a love-struck fool.
Samantha came sneaking into my office a little while later.
She took up the chair across from my desk reserved for clients on the rare occasion I had to meet with someone. “Let me have it.”
“Have what?” I played coy, knowing exactly what she wanted. She’d set that encounter up, and I loved giving her a hard time. “You know what. Hurry up. I’m supposed to be in the bathroom, but I spied you and a certain someone in the supply room together.”
I tapped my chin as she glared at me. “Okay, fine. Yes, I saw him. We spoke, and I agreed to go out with him tomorrow.”
“Good. Where is he taking you?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t ask.”
A wide, knowing smile came across her lips. “I’m coming over tonight. We need to go shopping and find you something hot to knock him on his ass.”
“Sounds good to me. There’s this pair of shoes I’ve been eyeing and looking for an excuse to buy.” Samantha threw her head back and laughed as she got up to leave. “Girl, you and your shoe fetish. You’re too damn extra. But it’s why I love you.”
“Oh, whatever! Like you aren’t extra in the least, Miss I’m going to get a dog because my man wants me to have his baby. Puhhleasssseee,” I hissed.
Samantha stopped by my door and adjusted her hair, giving me the middle finger.
“Nice. Real nice, Sam.”
“You love me. See you tonight.”
Oh yeah. I’d find something to knock Mason on his ass.
17
Everly
Your Pants. They Bother Me. Take Them Off
“You still don’t know where he’s taking you?” Sam questioned as I twisted in front of the full-length mirror that hung on my closet door.
I’d gone with a sexy sapphire blue satin slip of a dress and matching strappy heels. It flowed and made me feel awesome. We’d gone shopping last night and picked it all out. “No idea. He just said to be ready at seven.”
“Just wait. When he lays his eyes on you, he’ll be shoving you back through the door to take that dress off you.”
“That’s the plan.” I shot her a cheeky grin and slipped my silver bangle bracelets up my wrist. “Which earrings? Studs or hoops?”
Samantha waggled her brows. “Studs. If tonight goes as planned, you don’t want to deal with your hair getting caught in your earrings.”
“True. I like the way you think.”
“What time is it?”
I glanced at the clock on my nightstand, my heart racing. “Time for you to get going.”
“You sure you don’t want me to take Mooch home with me?” She smirked, stroking his fur one last time before she got up off my bed.
“Stop trying to steal my dog. Speaking of, shouldn’t you be going to get your own. I thought you said you were going by the shelter today.”
“I am. Though if you’d stop being selfish and share custody of Mooch then…” She slid her purse onto her shoulder.
“Hush that evil talk. Mooch is like my child.”
“Yeah. Yeah. I expect a call tomorrow with all the details.”
“I want pics of the dog.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Later.”
Samantha left, and I did another twirl in the mirror, feeling good about myself and the night.
“What do you think?” I looked at Mooch, and the devil farted. “Oh. Sick.” I waved a hand, pinching my nose.
“Let’s go. Time to get in your crate.” I pointed for him to get off the bed using his staircase, and he rolled over wagging his tongue like yeah right. “If I let you stay out, you better not shit anywhere or chew anything. You hear me, mister?” he snorted and licked his nose. I took that as I’ll try. “Be a good boy.” I bent to kiss the top of his head, and the doorbell rang.
“Whew.” I let out a breath and shook my hands, trying to get rid of my jitters. I didn’t know what my deal was. I’d shared a room with the guy for a week, but somehow this felt different. Clasping the doorknob, I gave it a twist and opened it wide. “Hi,” I whispered.
Mason greeted me with a charming smile and a bouquet of red roses. “For you.” He leaned in to kiss my cheek.
“Thank you. They’re beautiful. Come on in.” I took the flowers and inhaled them deep, moving to the kitchen and putting them in the vase on the breakfast table in the corner.
“You look … just wow.” His deep hunger-filled stare penetrated me. It was exactly what I intended, but I couldn’t help but blush.
I returned his gaze, appreciating what I saw. Mason looked damn good in his dark jeans and black sweater that clung to every muscular curve. “You look pretty good yourself. I’ll just grab my coat.”
He stopped me, grabbing my wrist as I went toward the hall closet. “First, I need to do this.”
Tugging me in close, an arm wrapped around my waist as his other hand went to the back of my head. Our lips met, soft and sure. Tongue prodding against the seam of my lips, he demanded entrance to my mouth, and I happily obliged. Mason kissed me deep and wet with lots of tongue, giving my ass a squeeze. He pulled away reluctantly as I could feel the bulge between us. “Like this dress. If we don’t get a move on now, I’ll be liking it on the floor.” He grinned, and I felt schoolgirl giddy at his words.
“Where are you taking me?” I asked, moving to my coat.
“It’s a surprise.” Like a gentleman, he took my jacket and held it up for me as I shoved my arms through the sleeves. “Have you had dinner?”
“No,” I answered as he handed me my clutch.
“Good. We have a reservation.”
With one more warning to Mooch, I locked the door.
He walked me to his forest green sleek Audi A5 and opened the passenger door. I slid into the tan leather seat, noting that
Mason kept his car immaculately clean, or he had gotten it detailed for our date. It was impeccable.
I watched him stroll around the front of the car to the driver’s side. The second he started the car, classic rock belted from the speakers. The music sounded like something my dad would listen to, and the thought made me smile. I took it as a sign that he sent his blessing from above, and he approved of Mason.
“Buckle up, sweetheart,” he warned, peeling out of my driveway so fast my head shot back against the headrest. The purr of the engine turned my insides to goo. There was something about hot guys and fast cars that turned me on.
Mason held my hand part of the way as he drove, brushing his thumb lazily across my knuckles.
Once parked downtown, Mason opened my door and escorted me to The Brickyard, a yummy steakhouse that had live music on the weekends.
He gave his name to the hostess, and we were led to a table for four, sitting on opposite sides facing one another. The atmosphere was hip but chic. Known for dueling pianos, the music filtered through the background. We ordered our drinks, and Mason grabbed my hand over the table once we had decided what we both wanted off the menu. “I missed you more than I imagined I would,” he confessed.
“You did?” I knew Mason had a strong attraction to me, but with the way he looked at me just then I started to think it went much deeper than physical attraction. That maybe there could be much more than lust between us.
“You know how I feel about you, Ev. You’re gorgeous, funny, kind, and smart. I’d be a damn fool not to pursue this.”
“I missed you too. Not gonna lie. I spent the entire week avoiding you.”
“So I’m not paranoid.” He chuckled.
I shook my head. “No.” Our drinks were placed before us, and we ordered our meal.
“You’re a hard nut to crack, babe, but I’m going to put in the work.”
“You calling me difficult?”
“Nope. Stubborn maybe, but worth it.”
“Ha.” I drank my wine, and he downed a hard pull of his beer. “Do you think Drake would be okay with you dating me?”
“I like your brother, but we’re adults, and I don’t need his permission; though, I’d hope he saw that I’ll treat you right. It was damn hard at times for me to keep my hands off you. I didn’t want to grope and molest you in front of him, but even if he came to me and asked me to stay away, I’d tell him no. I know what I want, Everly. I want you. I’m a man who goes after what I want, and usually I get it.”
I gulped. His words were nice to hear but also serious. Mason wasn’t screwing around, and I hoped I was ready for what he was offering me.
After dinner, we went for drinks at Humpin’ Hannah’s, a trendy bar with bras hanging from the ceiling. Crowded with bodies pressed wall-to-wall like sardines, music thumped through the club and vibrated through my body. People danced, bumping and grinding provocatively against one another without a care in the world. Hips gyrated and booties twerked as Mason led me through the sea of club-goers, his hand pressed to the small of my back. While not my usual scene, I was curious why Mason chose this bar. It wasn’t as though we could have a conversation.
We ordered a couple of beers as I stared up at the array of bras hanging from the ceiling, wondering if we had traveled back in time to my college days. “What are we doing here?” I called into his ear, trying to talk over the loud atmosphere.
“It’s a surprise. You’ll see.”
Weaving us forward, he pressed until he’d navigated me toward the stage for live music. The lights dimmed low as he stood behind me. His breath fanned along the shell of my ear. “I couldn’t pass this up when I found out who was playing tonight.” Arms tightening around me, lips tickling my neck, the intoxicating scent of his cologne assaulted my senses. I took a hard pull off my beer and twisted to gaze up at him.
“I’m having a great time tonight.”
“Me too. I’m glad you came.” The crowd grew quiet, and the band hit the stage. The moment the first song started, my lips quirked upward. We were there to listen to a Dave Mathews cover band.
The night was perfect. Mason had done fabulous planning our first official date, and I hoped there would be more to come.
Swaying to the melody in his arms, I hummed along to the lyrics, getting lost in the moment and his touch. Every nerve in my body seemed hyperaware to his every breath. Stroking a finger along my jaw, my guy tilted my head up to capture my lips. The rest of the world melted away as our tongues danced in a familiar tango. Tingles zinged up and down my spine. Nothing existed outside of Mason and our slow dance until the band switched things up to play some more current covers.
“What do you say we get out of here?”
“Please,” I whispered into his mouth, going in for one more kiss.
He broke away first. “I have one question, babe.”
“What’s that?”
“Your place or mine?”
“Ha. Feeling cocky?”
He threaded his fingers through mine, pulling me outside onto the sidewalk and pressing me up against the side of the building for one more kiss. “I’ve gone a week without you next to me at night. Babe, that’s one night too many.”
“Mason…” I started, but he cut me off.
“Don’t give me no lip, Ev. You and me are a done deal. Not going to plead my case. This is it. You and me. I know what I want. I want you.”
“You have me.”
“Good. Now as I said. Your place or mine?”
“Mine. I have my dog to let out.”
“Glad that’s settled.” He grinned, tugging me in a hurry toward his car.
The minute we arrived at my place, Mason was on me. I could hardly get us through the door. Mooch, however, had other plans. Yap. Yap. He rocked on his paws and pranced at our feet, demanding we acknowledge his presence.
“Why don’t you get yourself a beer while I let this guy out then get him locked up in his crate for the night.”
“Sounds good.” Mason pecked me on the cheek and strutted toward the kitchen like he was the damn cock of the walk, but he kind of was.
I let my fur baby out in the backyard, flipping the outside light on so I could keep an eye on him. A fence surrounded the property, but I hated letting him out late at night. I got him back in and locked in his crate. Luckily, he didn’t give me much trouble this time.
Mason sat on the couch, an arm draped over the back, beer in one hand. Sexy. Downright sexy.
“Hi,” I whispered, sinking onto the cushion next to him. Kicking my heels off, I curled into his side and inhaled him deep.
“Hmm … where were we?” He placed his beer on a coaster on the end table and made his move. “I’ve missed you, Everly,” he confessed to my delight.
“Yeah, I’ve missed you too.” I gazed into his eyes, getting lost in the depths of his dark pools that held raw hunger and pure passion in them. An intensity I never felt before burned in my veins. A need so deep for this man flowed through me. A hunger like no other. I wanted to be consumed by Mason Jones. There was nothing I craved more than to belong to him in this moment. Hand curling around the back of my neck, he held me where he wanted me. His smooth fingers skipped up my thigh closer to the heart of my desire.
Flicking his finger over the crotch of my panties, he growled into my mouth, “You’re already soaked for me.” Kisses peppered down my neck as he continued to tease me between my legs. “Whatta ya say we continue this in your room, yeah?” He fingered one of the straps of my dress.
“I say take me to bed.”
Mason went to his feet, pulling me to mine in the process. “You aren’t going to need this.” Unzipping my dress, he shoved the straps down my arms. His thumb pressed into my spine, and I quivered.
I tugged on his sweater wanting it off as my dress dropped to the floor and pooled at my feet.
We kissed, groped, and stripped our way down the hallway to my bedroom. The last time we did this, we had both been drinking, but this ti
me neither one of us were drunk.
Mason nudged me playfully on the shoulder, shoving me onto the mattress. Down on his knees, he nestled between my thighs. “Now I have you back where we left things off on the ship. This time, babe, I’m taking my time. No interruptions.” Every single time he called me babe my heart fluttered and pitter pattered. Something about him calling me the pet name made me feel all giddy inside.
Warm and whispery, his breath fanned over my skin as he leaned toward my pussy. Hooking his thumbs under the waistline of my panties, he wasted no time jerking them down my thighs, and I kicked the black silk off my ankles.
18
Mason
In My Family, Crazy Doesn’t Skip A Generation
Burying my face between Everly’s thighs, I paid worship to her sweet pussy. I had her right where I wanted her, and I was never letting her go. Tasting better than I remembered, I licked, sucked, and tongue fucked her hard and deep.
Everly tasted like mine. My girl scratched her nails down my back, bowing her hips off the bed, digging her heels into my ass, loving every second of my eating and teasing her. Giving her one last lick, I grinned up at her knowing she was damn close, but the only way I would let Everly come was on my cock. Goose bumps pebbled along her smooth tan legs, and I loved knowing I did that to her. A visible shiver raked through her.
“What are you doing?” she practically growled at me like a feral cat.
“Babe, only way you get off tonight is on my cock.” A threat I knew I wouldn’t make good on. I’d give Everly anything she wanted. Everything.
Flopping back on the bed, she kicked her legs out, having a tantrum I found adorable. Everly had no idea how irresistibly sexy I found her. She inched up toward the head of the bed wearing a scowl.
“You mad, babe?” I gripped her ankles and yanked her down the bed as she squealed. “C’mere.” I shoved her knees apart and dipped down, burying my tongue inside her sweet heat. Her hands flew to my hair, giving me a tug that tore at my scalp. “That what you want?”
