Chapter Six
Mason
I was already pissed about the botched campaign ad for the damn protein bars, but when Saylor made that comment about Charisa, it really fucking pissed me off.
Saylor stood there as she waited for me to speak.
“Why did you say that?” I asked.
A confused look moved over her face. “You looked at me like you wanted me to answer the question, so I did.”
Frowning, I asked, “What?”
“Wait. What are you talking about, Mason?”
I blew out a frustrated breath. “Why did you make a comment about not being the type of woman I’d be with?”
Saylor appeared to be trying to recall what I was saying. Then it hit her.
“Really, it doesn’t matter. I’ve got a lot of work to do, and I’d like to be out of here at a reasonable hour. If that was all you needed.”
She’s blowing me off. Well, fuck that. I don’t get blown off. I watched Saylor back up until she hit the wall as I marched toward her
“What makes you think you’re not my type of woman?”
Her eyes searched my face. “Why does it matter, Mason? This whole day has been one big mess, and I’d like to get it over with as soon as possible.”
The smell of her perfume was driving me fucking crazy. My cock was starting to get hard and I had no fucking clue why this girl impacted me like she did. She was beginning to consume my thoughts.
I leaned in slowly, hiding my smile when she hitched her breath. “Answer me, Saylor.”
Her lips parted open slightly and the small breath she let out made me want to kiss her. Those hazel eyes sparkled and then instantly turned dark. Putting her hands on my chest, she pushed me back.
“I’m probably going to be fired, but since you asked, I’ll tell you. All you’ve done since the moment I’ve met you is insult me.”
“How in the hell have I insulted you?”
Saylor laughed. “Oh please, Mason. God forbid anyone thinks you’re having lunch with likes of me. I mean, I get I’m not gorgeous like Charisa, but you didn’t have to act like that.”
I took a step back as my heart dropped. “Act like what?”
“Grabbing our lunch and throwing it out before anyone walked in. Remember? We wouldn’t want anyone to get the wrong impression?”
It took everything out of me not to grab her by the arms and shake some sense into her.
“You thought I meant . . .” I laughed. “Jesus Christ, Saylor, I only meant I didn’t want them to think we were in here talking about the meeting ahead of time. The last thing I want them to get the impression of is that you’re going to be my spy.”
Her mouth opened to speak, then clamped shut.
“Oh.”
Damn it was cute how she was chewing on her lip in an anxious way.
“Yeah, oh. And let me tell you one more thing while we are at it. You are ten times more gorgeous than Charisa, both inside and out.”
The corner of her mouth rose, and her cheeks turned the most beautiful pink I’d ever seen. “You don’t even really know me, Mason, to make that statement.”
I smiled. “I know enough.”
When she pulled her lip between her teeth, I had to fight the urge to lean in and kiss her.
“I . . . um . . . I better get back to work.”
With a nod, I stepped out of her way. The moment I heard the door open and close I closed my eyes and tried to understand the ache I was feeling in my chest.
***
After hitting the ball as hard as I could, I watched it hit my best friend Mike square in the face.
“Fucking hell, Mason. What is wrong with you today?”
I walked over and grabbed a towel to wipe off my face. “Got a lot on my mind.”
“No shit. You’re hitting that ball like you want to kill someone.”
Mike sat down next to me and took a drink of water. His phone buzzed on the metal bleachers, causing him to pick it up and smile.
“Amy picked her dress.”
Sitting next to him, I grinned. “That’s great. How long was she looking?”
“Two months.”
I had no fucking clue if that was good, bad, or normal. I really didn’t give a shit either, but Mike was my best friend and I was going to be in his wedding. The least I could do was act like I cared.
“Is that normal?” I asked.
He laughed. “Fuck if I know. All I know is that is a huge stress off her shoulders.”
“Has she been one of those nightmare brides-to-be?”
“Nah, not at all.” The way he smiled actually made me a bit jealous. Mike had found love and seemed to be content with his life. He cut back hours at work, and he and Amy had taken up cycling. They had biked all over the country. There were times I’d see his pictures on social media and get jealous that he was out exploring the world while I was trying to figure out a better way to sell condoms alone in my office at eight at night.
“That’s good,” I replied.
“What about you, Mason?”
“What about me?”
He chuckled. “When are you going to settle down?”
My heart dropped like a rock. “Settle down? You’re kidding, right? Why in the hell would I want to be tied to one woman?”
“There’s never been anyone who has made you want more?”
“No. Never and I’m pretty sure it will stay that way.” A part of me knew that wasn’t true. It wasn’t like I didn’t want love. Seeing Mike, Quinn, and my brother Ron so happy made me feel a tad jealous. But no woman had ever made me stop and think I wanted to give up my lifestyle for her.
Mike slapped my back. “Your cousin Quinn settled down and got married. If he can, you surely can.”
I stood. “I’m not Quinn.”
He laughed again. “I’m only saying, if Quinn can fall in love, there’s hope for you.”
Picking up my racket, I pointed it at him. “Hope is for goddamn pussies.”
The rest of the games we played I couldn’t focus. I lost six straight and had to listen to Mike’s celebrations get more elaborate after each win.
“I’m done,” I stated as I walked over to my bag and dropped my racket.
“Damn dude, what happened? You lost your mojo.”
“Yeah, it’s been a long week.”
“Want to grab a beer after we shower? Amy won’t be home for another couple of hours.”
Tossing my bag over my shoulder, I nodded. “Sure. Why not.”
***
After walking into Hell Cat Annie’s, Mike and I headed over to the bar. I slid onto a stool and smiled when the redheaded bartender made her way over to us.
“Afternoon gentlemen. What can do you for?”
Giving her the smile I knew made the ladies’ panties melt, I replied, “I’ll take a Solemn Oath.”
She moved her eyes to Mike as he said, “Same for me please.”
Knocking on the bar, she smiled. “Is that it?” When she turned back to me, I was about to say something but stopped myself. I had no doubt in my mind that I could take her into the bathroom and fuck her senseless. The problem was, I didn’t want to. What in the hell was wrong with me?
A strange feeling came over me as I glanced over my shoulder. Her eyes immediately caught mine.
Saylor.
I grinned and hit Mike on the back. “I’ll be right back.”
As I stood and walked over to Saylor, it wasn’t lost on me that my mood had immediately shifted. She sat at the table with the cutest damn grin on her face, and I couldn’t help but notice the weird way my stomach felt as it grew to a full-on smile.
“Fancy running into you here, Ms. Night.”
“Research.” she answered.
With a questioning look, I asked, “On a Saturday?”
She shrugged, and her smile dropped. “Not much else to do when you’re new in town, and your one and only friend ditched you for a guy. You work.”
An ache grew in my chest at the idea of Saylor being lonely.
“I have a dinner party to go to tonight, are you free to come along?”
Saylor drew her brows together. “Dinner party?”
“Yeah, some friends of mine just moved into their new apartment and are throwing a housewarming party. Why don’t you come? I’ll introduce you to some people.”
“Do they work at Tate and Cane?” she asked.
I chuckled. “No, they’re pretty much both trust fund babies.”
“Oh,” she stated with a sweet grin. “Um, sure, why not. Might be fun.”
There was no way I was going to read into the fact that her saying yes totally made my day turn completely around.
“Text me your address and I’ll pick you up around seven.
She smiled as she reached for her phone and started typing away. My phone buzzed, and I smiled back. She only lived five minutes from me.
“Wait, Mason? What should I wear?”
A slow smirk moved across my face.
“Cocktail dress and I’ll be in a suit.”
Her eyes widened. “Cocktail dress? For a house warming party?”
I winked and said, “See you at seven, Ms. Night.”