the fifth artist, I’m about ready to bullshit my way out of it and tell them they are perfect even if they’re not.
I swear production is doing it because they know I’m impatient for everyone to get out of my house.
And then? When we finally wrap for the day? A production assistant guides us all inside where craft services has organized a goodbye thing. Even though we’re all back in the studio on Monday.
I’m supposed to be the nice one, but I’m thinking my manufactured persona is wrong. I’m about to become the homicidal one.
I catch Mason’s eyes across the room, just like I’ve been doing all day. From watching my reactions to the contestants’ songs to smiling at me right now … I’m eager to ask him how he feels after he’s had time to think about last night. At the same time, I’m dreading it because as hopeful as I am that he has the sudden urge to switch teams, reality doesn’t work like that.
Even if I catch his heated gaze more than once.
Focus on the contestants. Get through this goodbye party. Try not to stare at Mason.
I distract myself with food, shoving a cracker and all the camembert cheese as I can manage down my throat.
Mason’s distinctive chuckle rings out, and when I swallow, I find him standing a few feet away, watching me. Mmm, I’m sure the attractive sight of stuffing my face will have him falling at my feet and offering to blow me as soon as everyone leaves.
Considering I thought they’d all be gone by midafternoon, when the sun begins to set over the horizon, I’m about ready to throw them all out.
After no sleep and hours of having Mason’s intense dark gaze on me all day, I’m exhausted, horny, and I can’t decide what I need more: a drink, a fuck, or three days of sleep.
A fuck is out of the question. I know I shouldn’t drink because since Vegas and the impromptu trip to Montana, I haven’t touched a drop. I’ve stayed strong even though I’ve desperately wanted to drink just so I could dim all the emotions Mason’s presence has dredged up. So that means it looks like passing out is the option I’m gonna have to take.
Hurrrrrry up and leave.
I even start doing dishes as a massive hint, and I never do dishes—that’s what hired cleaners are for—but at least it’s quiet in the kitchen.
Turns out parties full of people you hardly know are boring when you’re sober. Who knew?
I’m almost done rinsing the dishes to go into the dishwasher when a presence behind me makes me flinch. I’m so tired I didn’t hear Mason come in, but now that he’s practically pressed against me, I need all my strength not to lean back against his big body.
“You know, I’ve heard detergent washes dishes better than just water.”
“Ha, ha, smartass. I’m only rinsing them all before putting them in the dishwasher.”
“They have production assistants for that.”
I spin, and Mason takes a step forward, boxing me in. It’s a brave move considering I can still hear everyone out in the main area of the house.
“Are you hiding from me or from everyone?” His low voice goes straight to my cock.
I clear my throat and look Mason in the eyes. “Haven’t I peopled enough for four days?”
He has me locked in place, and I’m fighting every urge to lean in and kiss him again. That has to come from him.
“I thought today was a good day,” he rumbles.
I got to spend it with him by my side, so yeah, I guess it was good. Exhausting and long, but he’s all that matters.
Mason licks his lips as his gaze drifts down to mine. I mirror his movements.
For the briefest of moments, I think he is going to kiss me.
Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, I silently beg.
He doesn’t. Mason steps away. “You always were a bit of a loner.”
No, come back. I’m not a loner. I just want to be alone with you.
“I guess we have that in common,” I point out. “You ran away to Montana …”
“There’s a difference, though. I didn’t have much of a choice. You surround yourself with people, but you don’t enjoy it. You’ve always been like that. And one day, you’re not going to be able to pull off the nice-guy act anymore. No one is as happy as the person you are on camera twenty-four hours a day. You need an outlet.” He moves to the