by JC Hawke
“Would you like me to come with you, Bossman?” I ask.
“Will you?”
“Of course, I’d love to meet your family.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really.” I smile.
Did he think I wouldn’t?
“I have a few things to finish up here before I can leave. Will you wait for me, and then we can go home?”
Home. How can something sound so right after such a short space of time?
“I need one more day.” As soon as I say the words, I cringe.
“No,” he says resolutely.
“I’m meeting the girls. I will come to your family meal tomorrow, and we can go back to yours after.”
“No. It’s been a week, Nina. I need you,” he declares, making my insides heat.
I step back from him and around the desk. I keep my eyes on him, bending at the waist, legs straight and pick up my skirt. “One more night. I’m sure you can manage.”
He’s on me before I can right myself, lifting me over his shoulder and dropping me down on one of the sofas. My skirt is ripped from my hands and thrown over his shoulder.
“You’re a tease.” He smirks, quickly pulling my thong down my legs.
“Not here!”
He dips his head, ignoring my pleas. Spreading me wide with his fingers, he leans in and licks up through my centre.
“Oh my god!” My back arches as I try to push my hips closer to him, but I’m met with nothing but air.
I open my eyes and lift my head. “Mase?”
He leans over me; one leg knelt on the sofa between my legs and the other on the floor.
“Up you get, angel, I have things to get on with.”
He gives me a devilish smirk, then stands and walks to his desk.
“You asshole.”
“To Nina.” Megan raises her glass to the centre of the table in a toast. “Who managed to get two hot men to strip her from the waist down today.”
We all clink our glasses, laughing.
I drop my head when we gain the attention of the nearby tables. “My leg was on fire, I had no other choice,” I try to justify.
“You don’t have to explain yourself, Nina. Henry has spent many summers at my aunt’s pool. I totally get it,” Lucy teases.
“Whatever.” I wave them off. “Erin texted me today. She’s flying in on Sunday. Will you girls be free? I thought we could get takeout. She will probably be jet-lagged, so better not to go out.”
“Sure,” Megan replies. “We could go out though?” She grins.
“Ugh, I don’t know. We will have work the next day and I need a weekend off, girls. I can’t afford or stomach it,” Lucy voices.
“Me too!” I say, knowing my attempt at saving any money this month is already impossible.
“You said we would take her out? She hasn’t been home in over a year,” Megan complains.
“I know, and I feel bad for her. Why don’t we just see what she wants to do when she gets here. Hopefully she will be happy staying in.”
The waiter brings our mains and we settle into a comfortable silence as we indulge in a carb overload.
“So…” I hesitate, knowing they are going to freak. “Mason kind of made us official today.”
“Fuck off!” Megan shouts, then immediately turns to the couple in the window seat to apologise.
“Nina, that’s fast,” Lucy says, shocked.
“But holy shit! Good job, girl,” Megan says, saluting me.
Lucy clutches my hand. “You’re happy?”
“Yeah. Yeah, I am.” I shrug, knowing I won’t be able to explain to them how it feels different with him. I probably look like a stupid dumb girl, falling for the rich guy after knowing him for five minutes.
“Well then go with it, babe. We are here if it goes south.” She winks at me.
“Always.” chirps Megan, mimicking Lucy’s wink.
“Thanks, girls.”
“When are you seeing him next?” Lucy asks.
“Tomorrow, we are going for dinner with his family.”
“You’re meeting the fucking family?”
“Megan!” I hiss. “You’ll have us thrown out in a minute.” I look at the waiter and smile sweetly. “And yes. It’s only food. Stop making it such a big deal, you’re giving me anxiety.”
The girls both sit quietly as they watch me like you would an animal at the zoo. Lifting my wine I take a sip, needing the quick buzz it gives me.
I know things are moving fast, it’s why I wanted the week away from him. But seeing him again today only confirmed that although it’s moving fast, it feels right.
I just hate the judgement on my friends’ faces.
“It’s too soon. I know.”
Megan shrugs, having nothing to say for once in her life, so I look over at Lucy.
She signals to the waiter. “More wine, please!”
Mase
Ice-cold hands wrap around my body, making my muscles tense under the soft touch. It takes a second before I smell her, her sweet vanilla scent engulfing me. I turn into her, bringing us nose to nose.
“Should I be concerned that you managed to get into my apartment without me?”
“It’s a penthouse,” she corrects me, eyes already closed.
I dip down, biting at her puckered nipple. She is completely naked. “Ouch!”
“Don’t be smart.”
She giggles. “I know a man.”
I shake my head, not shocked at all that Vinny let her up here. I still don’t understand his behaviour towards this woman. He tried to turn it around on me today and mentioned how I have changed since meeting her, but I have the motivation of getting my dick sucked. He doesn’t.
“I’ve missed you. I couldn’t wait till tomorrow,” she whispers, trying to get closer.
I wrap her tight in my arms and just hold her. Her ability to centre me is disarming. “I’ve missed you too.”
It’s just gone six p.m. when Nina breezes out through the gym doors, looking incredible. She is wearing a pillar box red, all-in-one thing that, at first glance, looks fucking difficult for me to get her out of. But she looks good, too good. The curve of her hip juts out as she sexily walks to me, and has me shaking my head on a laugh.
She walks around to my window, bending down and tapping on the glass.
“Mr Lowell, what are you doing here? I’m waiting on my hot date,” she purrs, pushing her head through the window, bringing our lips only inches apart.
“He’s a lucky man,” I mutter, staring at her mouth as she darts her tongue out to lick her lips.
“He is indeed. You wanna know why?”
“Enlighten me.” I lean in a fraction, giving her my ear.
“I’m hungry for him, starved for his taste. I don’t think I’ll make it through dinner.”
Fuck, I want her.
“Get in the car.”
She laughs at herself all the way around the bonnet while I try to rearrange myself in my slacks to accommodate my growing erection.
“You need a hand with that?” she says, sliding into the seat next to me.
“You are going to cop it so bad when we get home tonight, Pix. You’ll be lucky if I don’t take you on the damn dining table.”
“I was trying to calm you down, not wind you up more.”
She wanted to calm me down?
“Come here.” I pull her into me, taking her mouth in a hot kiss. She reaches between us, squeezing me through my trousers. “Fuck.” I pull away from her, gripping her hand in mine. “Later.”
“I can’t wait to meet your family,” she says, leaning back in her seat and instantly killing my hard-on.
“Charlie and Elliot will be there, Elliot’s parents too.”
“Why Elliot’s parents?”
“They are practically family. Christmas, holidays, anything family oriented was always us and the Montgomerys growing up.”
“That’s nice. You must feel like you have a lot of support?”
> All but her. “I suppose I do.”
“And your sister? Will she be there?”
I smile wide. “Yes, Scar. You’ll like her.”
“Do you see her often?” she asks, pushing her hair behind her ear as she turns in her seat to face me.
“Not as often as I’d like. She’s with Dad a lot, and I don’t tend to come out to the house much anymore.”
“Why?” She frowns.
“It’s not the same as it used to be, hasn’t been for a long time.”
“Since your mum?” she asks tentatively, sounding unsure if she should be asking.
But for some reason, I don’t feel as reluctant as I normally would to share the information with her. I want her to know. I want her to understand.
I nod once. “Everything changed after she left. The house is just that now, a house. It stopped being a home the day she died.”
“Sometimes things change, Mase, and it’s completely out of our control, but you shouldn’t cut yourself off from going out to the house, no matter how daunting it is. I was scared to lose my mother for my entire childhood, yet once I let go and allowed other people in, people like Maggie, who gave me the love, support and a home that my mother couldn’t, everything seemed to get a bit easier. I’ll never understand your loss, Mase. I’m not trying to compare our situation. I’m not even sure I’ve made a solid point there—”
I pull her hand into mine and bring it to my lips, kissing the back of it. “Thank you, Nina.”
“I’m glad you invited me.”
The dark sky looms over Lowerwick Estate, making it look every bit the nightmare I remember it. Thirteen years was all I could give my dad and Scarlet after she left. The minute I was able to move out for college, I left. Elliot was more than happy to have a place of our own, and our parents knew it was what I needed. It didn’t take much to convince them.
I swallow the bile that rises in my throat as Nina’s dainty hand slips into my palm. Her show of support.
For someone so small, she is so strong—physically and mentally. A shield she puts up against the world that she openly invites me to stand behind.
14
Nina
The beautiful moonlit sky casts a shadow over the sprawling home before me. It’s magnificent. Curved granite steps lead up from the circular driveway, leading to a terrace that runs from the left and right of the double-fronted doors. Ivy creeps up and around the windows covering a third of the mansion. It must be a listed property; it’s so grand. I can’t imagine growing up in a place like this.
Mason stands unmoving at the bottom of the steps, his shoulders set and his jaw tight. I slip my hand into his and squeeze.
I’m here, Bossman.
“I can’t wait to see inside.” I swing our arms between us. “It’s stunning, Mason.”
“Come on,” he mumbles, pulling me forward and up the steps.
I can feel him shutting down already.
He ushers me through the door, taking his time to close it. He doesn’t turn around straight away, and I watch his back as he moves the champagne he had under his arm from one side to the other, then back again.
I step forward, sliding between him and the door, then reaching up, I take his face in my hands.
“Mase, we can leave?” His eyes search mine for something I’m unsure I hold. “But I would love to meet your family.”
Let me in.
He nods his head then pulls me through the house and towards the noise at the back of the property. His family is sitting out on the terrace, which must wrap around the entire house. It’s tranquil and calm, with lanterns scattered throughout the area and a fire that burns in a little chimney in the corner. Beyond that lies miles and miles of uninterrupted countryside.
“Mason, you’re here.”
I recognise the man immediately. He is the man from the photo in Mason’s home office. His dad. He has aged some since it was taken, but the sharp line of his jaw and the deep dark brown of his eyes match his son’s.
“Dad,” Mason says, placing me to his front. I can’t help but feel like it’s a shield. “This is Nina, my girlfriend.”
It’s unexplainable, the feeling that flits through my chest. For a second it’s almost painful, jarring my entire body, but it spreads fast and ends in the tips of my fingers.
I crave it.
“Hello, Mr Lowell.” I reach out my hand to him feeling unsure when he doesn’t take it immediately.
“Girlfriend? Right, sorry. Hello, Nina. Please, call me Anthony.” He looks to Mason in question, while taking my hand in a gentle shake. “I can’t tell you how happy I am to meet you.”
“You too, Mr Lowell.”
He nods his head, still looking at Mason, then his glassy eyes come back to me.
Mason puts his hand on my back and steers me forward. “I’m going to introduce Nina to the others.”
“Of course.” Anthony smiles, stealing a moment as he walks to the edge of the patio, looking out over the rolling hills and setting sun.
He seems frail. Much smaller than he looked in the photo. John always tells us that as you get older, the weight tends to be harder to shift. It’s an excuse for extra apple pie, I’m sure—but if it is true, then that’s not the case here, and as Anthony leans against the flower bed, grasping the granite planter to steady himself, I wonder just how bad his addiction is.
“Frey, Glen,” Mason greets the couple standing at the fire. “Nina, these are Elliot’s parents, Freya and Glen Montgomery.”
I shake both their hands as they smile warmly at me.
“It’s lovely to meet you, Nina. Elliot has told me so much about you. And your friends Megan and Lucy? I do hope I’m not making that up.” She leans into me as she laughs.
“No, that’s right.” I chuckle. “Elliot told you about us?” I frown, looking across the terrace at him. He is sitting in a big circular lounge chair, chatting to Charlie, who sits opposite him.
“Oh, he loves the ladies. You’ll have to get used to that and never tell the boy a secret.”
I smile, deciding I already like her. Frey Montgomery is exactly how I’d expect her to be. She oozes class, her ashy blonde hair cut into a long bob that perfectly suits her petite frame, and her clothes, all white linen.
Glen, Elliot’s dad, is tall, just like Elliot, but has dark brown hair speckled with grey around the sides.
“Yes, he does seem to be quite taken with the girls.” I smile, my mind wandering back to the first night we met.
“Where’s Scar?” Mason asks.
“Kitchen,” Freya replies. “She wouldn’t let me help her.”
“Why does that not surprise me? Come on, I want you to meet her.” Mason leads me back towards the door, but I stop when we pass the boys, needing a moment to breathe after already meeting half the people here in under a minute.
Charlie stands to hug me. “Nina, it’s good to see you.”
“I should apologise for yesterday,” I say, my mouth pulling down on one side as I wince.
He chuckles, taking a swig of his beer. “It’s fine. I was bored shitless anyway. You don’t need to apologise to me, that’s for sure.”
“Nor me,” Elliot pipes up, standing from the chair. “I’ve been waiting years to see this prick get put in his place.”
Mason shakes his head, placing a hand on my back. “On that note. See you later, assholes.”
He guides me towards the back door again, but just as we cross the threshold, we run into a petite lavender-haired woman carrying a tray of canapés.
“Fucking-great-shit-balls!” She shrieks as the canapés clatter to the floor. “MASE! Why are you storming through the door like that for? Look what you’ve done!”
“Me? It’s not my fault; you had the damn thing in front of your face.” Mason proclaims, refusing to take the blame.
The lavender-haired girl—who I presume is Scarlet—tuts. “Always my fault.” She laughs, twisting her lips into a pout then pulling him in for a hug.
“It’s good to see you, big brother.”
I look between the two siblings, suddenly feeling nervous to meet Scarlet. She is nothing like what I expected. “Hello,” I say.
She turns to me, blinking rapidly as she looks back to Mason in question. “Hello, I’m sorry, who are you?”
“This is Nina,” Mason replies proudly.
“This is Nina,” she repeats, still smiling as she looks between us. “And Nina is…”
“My girlfriend.”
“The what the what? Girlfriend? That’s a first.” She laughs awkwardly, clearly surprised by the information. “Well, it’s lovely to meet you. I’m sorry my brother has caught me off guard. He didn’t tell me you were coming.”
“It’s fine!” I wave her off, bending to pick up the canapés—although they are no longer edible. “Do you need a hand? I can help you with these.”
“You don’t have to do that, Nina,” Mason tells me, pulling on my elbow.
I shrug him off. “It’s fine. Two sets of hands will get it done twice as fast.” I smile over at his sister, who is on her knees, scraping up the last of the mess.
“My name’s Scarlet, but you can call me Scar.” She puts out her hand, then cringes when she realises it’s covered in a mixture of toppings.
“It’s lovely to meet you,” I tell her, laughing with her when I don’t take her hand.
“My brother hasn’t told you anything about me, though, I presume,” she says, looking up at Mason.
Mason slips his arm around my waist when I stand. “I brought her to meet you, Scar.”
Her shoulders sag, and something in the air shifts. “Dad’s been struggling,” she tells him.
His hand tightens on my side, and he doesn’t say anything more. An awkward silence settling between the three of us.
“I’m going to get some more champagne.” Scarlet’s eyes lower to the floor as Mase gestures for me to walk on in front of him, but I don’t want to leave his sister alone to clean up the mess.
“It’s okay, you go. I’m going to help your sister.”
“You don’t need to,” he whispers in my ear.
