up he made me, this transfer of power is one of the best feelings I’ve felt in a long time.
“How’s this?” I peek at him from over my shoulder, and his eyes are fixed, staring straight ahead and right between my legs.
He makes a sound in the back of his throat, like a moan but with more edge. “Good.”
His hot breath feathers against my skin, shooting straight between my legs. No, no, no, no, Trix. Rule number one, do not get turned on. Sure, Mason is big, gorgeous, and smells like sugar and earth mixed, but I’m in control.
“This might sting.”
Cold hits my wound and I flinch slightly.
He dabs at my raw ass and fire ignites across my skin. “Who knows what kind of shit is living on the floor out there.”
I suck in air through my teeth.
He keeps dabbing, but his touch is lighter. “You okay?”
“Fine.” I grit my teeth. A whimper falls from my lips.
“Shh . . . almost done.”
“Damn, that hurts.” I drop my chin and breathe deep.
“I know. I’m sorry. The only thing this kit has is alcohol.” He sounds pissed, but his touch is still gentle. “Hang in there.”
“Keep talking. It helps.”
He laughs low and sexy. “Okay.”
And we’re back to sweet. The way he is with me now is such a contrast to his loss of control after our accidental run in. Now, he reminds me of that man who gave Denny confidence he’d never had before, or comforted a very sad woman who burst into tears just from being on the receiving end of that kindness.
“That girl, Jess? Is she an ex or something?”
His hand stills for a few pregnant seconds. “Jessica?” The sting of alcohol is back. “She, um . . . She was a long time ago.” He stops and rips open more packages. “She and my brother have been together now for years.”
“Your brother? So the guy with the”—I pause, trying to think of a polite way to say—“big ole scar on his face”.
“Drake, yeah.” His finger swipes across my wound, this time warm and smooth like ointment.
“I didn’t think you guys were related. I guess there’s a little resemblance.” The burning begins to numb.
“He’s the darker, stockier, uglier version of me.” He sticks what feels like a Band-Aid on my backside. “There ya go. All set.”
He pushes up, and I turn to thank him, only to realize that he’s still just a few inches away, so close I can smell the whiskey and mint of his breath.
“Look, Trix. I feel like an ass. I’ve run into you twice, and both times I was a dick.”
“No biggie.” My eyes are locked on his, and I can’t look away. “I figured you weren’t yourself.”
His eyebrows pinch, but his lips curl. “You figured? You don’t even know me.”
“I know men.” I tilt my head and study him. “You don’t have it in you to be a full-time jerk. Part-time? Maybe. You’re a good guy at heart.”
“That’s me.” His jaw ticks, and I wonder if dickhead Mason is about to reappear. “Mr. Nice Guy.”
I cross my arms under my bustier-clad breasts, settling in for the playful argument I feel coming. “Your bandaging my ass only confirms it.”
He squints one eye. “It kinda does, doesn’t it?”
Silence builds between us, his blue eyes going from mirthful to something heated. My breath speeds along with my pulse, and his eyes track from my chest to my eyes and down to my lips.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispers, almost as if he didn’t mean to say it out loud.
“Thank you.” The urge to touch him is overwhelming. Tentatively, I reach out and fork my fingers into his hair. His lips part as I run my nails softly down his jawline. “You’re beautiful too.”
What am I doing? This is so far beyond professional flirting. This is . . . What is this? I’ve been in these rooms with more good-looking men than I can count, but none of them have brought out this urge in me: the desire to touch and to learn and to know someone without an end game, without a dollar amount flitting through my head. No calculations, just pure, raw, animalistic desire.
“Mason?”
“Hmm.” He steps closer, just one half step that brings his chest to mine.
Breath catches in my throat at the contact. My tongue moistens my lips while I stare unabashed at his full mouth. “May I kiss you?
His eyes flare, the blue turning into pure liquid fire. “Fuck yeah.” He grips my hips and tugs me