Chapter Four
Harper
Hunter and Natalie ushered the group from the main room after giving a short speech, thanking everyone for attending the event. Avery and I clung to each other as we made our way through the foyer toward the front doors. Many of other guests were already in front of us, collecting their envelopes as they passed the large security guard.
“I didn’t see you much tonight,” Avery frowned. “Where were you?”
I held back, not wanting to reveal too much about Mason. I knew Avery would have quickly given me a hard time, while simultaneously encouraging me to pursue him. “I just sat back and watched everything go down. You know I wasn’t there to pick anyone up anyway.” I smiled to myself as I thought about Mason’s tanned and toned body, standing shirtless in front of me upstairs. My stomach did flips over the memory.
“You know, I really liked Henry. He was hot in his own sort of way.” Avery smiled sadly. “I guess I wasn’t his type. He didn’t really talk to me much.”
“I’m sure he thought you were wonderful!” I tried to encourage.
Avery shrugged off her disappointment, “At least I still have that number from last night,” she giggled. Then, a smile filling her face, she directed her questioning toward me.
“Who was the guy I saw you talking to at the bar? Seemed as though you two were having quite the conversation.” Avery played with her hair as her smile stretched wider. “Come to think of it, that was about the same time you vanished. Spill it, Harper!” Avery pulled me close as we worked our way toward the door.
“He was just one of the staff.” I quickly dismissed her insinuation. I wasn’t sure exactly who or what Mason was quite yet, but a member of the staff seemed like a good enough description for her.
“Here you are, ladies.” One of the security guards handed us our envelopes and then held the door for us. Avery snuck out ahead of me as a felt a strong hand grab my arm. “One moment, Miss Browning.” I turned to see the large security guard staring at me intently. “I’ve been asked to have you wait.”
“Hey, Avery! Hold up!” I attempted to yell above the din of the exiting group, but it was pointless. Avery had already made her way into the driveway without noticing that I was held at the door.
“Don’t worry, we’ll let her know that you’ve been held up.” The guard spoke into the small microphone attached to his cuff. “Simon, let Miss Browning’s friend know she will be a bit. She may want to go on without her.”
“Without her? What’s going on?” I could feel myself getting more upset and worried, not understanding why I was being held back. Did Mason get in trouble? Was I in trouble for breaking the rules?
The guard nodded in the direction of the foyer and I spun to see Mason standing in the doorway, a stern and firm look on his face. He hesitated for moment and then smiled. “Would you like to finish that tour?”
I felt the butterflies in my stomach return and a sense of relief fell over me. “Absolutely.” I beamed. The thought of Avery waiting outside completely left my mind.
* * * *
The room was dimly lit, candles reflecting thick shadows against the walls. The silk covers of the bed were soft against my back as Mason laid me down. I closed my eyes as I felt the smoothness of his lips track a trail down my stomach. His hands swept slowly down my sides and continued down to my knees before they rubbed back up my legs and stopped on my thighs.
A breath caught in my throat as I felt his lips continue downward. My thighs quivered with delight and then parted on their own to allow his tongue to lick gently against my skin. I sighed as I felt his mouth on the inside of my leg. Every nerve ending in my body fizzed with electricity as I waited to find out where his tongue would end up. I clutched the covers in my hands, my entire body tightening with pleasure as his face came down right where I wanted it.
He was slow and sensual as his tongue invaded my slit. Slowly, he made me moan with need as he circled my clit with his tongue. The wet velvet touch of his mouth almost sent me over the edge as I tried to press closer to him, not knowing what I was doing. I felt his fingers rub me gently before slowly slipping one inside me. I groaned in pleasure as he moved his hand slowly, pulsing his finger from within me. He rubbed so slowly that the sensation built up inside, making me cry out his name, “Mason.” I couldn’t help myself. It was all too much. No man had ever been so giving to me before. The newness of his touch and his smell drove me crazy. He was amazing, so gentle, but so rough, yet sensual. My wetness grew as I arched my back, allowing him to continue to pleasure me in ways I had never imagined. I moaned as I threw my head back in the pillow, desire coursing through my body.
He smiled gently at me as he continued to rub my clit with his fingertips. Then, climbing onto the bed beside me, he pressed his lips against my neck and nibbled and sucked gently at my skin. “I want you to really enjoy this.” His whisper made its way into my ear before he took it between his teeth. I gasped as his hot breath tickled my neck. His muscular stomach pressed against mine and I needed to feel him. My hands caressed his strong back and finally cupped his firm ass, pulling him closer to me. His cock was hard and hot against my skin and I wanted him inside of me.
He made no move to enter me, though. Instead, he leaned on his elbows and gripped my head in his hands. As he stroked my cheeks with his thumbs, he kissed me gently several times on the lips. The intoxicating smell of his cologne surrounded me and I felt safe, and loved. Wanted. Desired.
As he came up for breath, he asked, “Are you ready?” I gazed into his eyes. There was no need to refuse him. I took a deep breath and nodded. My heart pounded in my chest as he moved his hips to slowly slide inside my warm depths, my wetness allowing him to easily enter me, inch by inch. I wrapped my legs tightly around his body, pulling him closer, never wanting him to stop.
In that moment I felt completely connected to him. Our eyes met and locked. It was strange to feel as though we were both in this together, both working toward the same goal. My body arched up toward him, desperate to be as close to him as possible. I took hold of his bottom lip between my teeth and he groaned with pleasure as he moved inside me.
When I released his lip, he kissed me so hard that I felt my own lips might bruise. The kiss was possessive and held something that the soft tender kisses didn't. It held need and a craving that I soon felt myself returning. It was as though I couldn’t stop myself as I reached my hands around to his back to pull him down toward me.
His hand rose to softly caress my breast, his fingertips pinching my nipple lightly before he bent down to take it into his mouth. My body shivered as I approached climax. Blood rushed through my veins, feeling as though it was boiling with pleasure. I tilted my head back and felt his lips coast across my exposed neck to kiss and nibble at it delicately.
My mouth gaped open like I was about to fall over the edge in ecstasy. The delicious weakness it brought to my limbs was enough to blow my mind. I fell back against the bed, unable to move. Mason still leaned over me. He gripped my head in his hands again and kissed my forehead. Sweat dripped from his chest onto mine as he trailed kisses down the bridge of my nose to my lips. He smiled at me with an engaging grin. “I could never have enough of you.” His words were soft and quiet.
I watched as he slowly slid from between my legs to rest beside me on the bed. A moment later, he pulled me to him. Wrapping his arms around me, he kissed me again on the forehead. A feeling of euphoria overwhelmed me as he gently stroked down my spine with his fingertips. I closed my eyes and breathed in his sweet scent, relaxing against him. Still I felt the remnants of pleasure as they pulsed throughout my body. His body tight against mine, and I breathed a sigh of relief as he ran his fingers through my hair.
* * * *
When I opened my eyes again, I realized I was alone. The familiar sun was blasting through the slit in the blinds of my room like it did every morning. I sat up and ran my hands over my face. A thin layer of sweat lay on my skin. Memories of the dream continued to linger in my mind as I threw myself back down onto the pillows and pulled the covers up over my head. My heart continued to pound as I stared at the envelope on my nightstand.
Fucking dream.
I almost wanted to cry, until I realized that it had been one of the most real dreams I had ever had, so clear and about a man I barely knew.
I pushed the covers back and rolled out of bed. My head ached from the wine, but it wasn’t as bad as some of the hangovers I’d had. I needed a shower to wake up and cleanse after the dream I’d just experienced, though.
I sighed as I felt the water wash over my body. Slipping into a towel, I made my way back to my room to slip into my yoga pants and tank top. My mind lingered on the dream still as I headed into the kitchen to make myself a mug of coffee. I needed a clear head. I wasn’t sure what was real and what was part of the dream anymore.
Just as I was clicking on the coffee machine, Avery appeared from her bedroom.
“Morning.” She yawned as she sat on a stool at the breakfast bar and grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl.
“Coffee?” I asked as she took a bite out of the apple.
“Please.” She smiled.
Massaging my temples, I stared at Avery. “What the hell happened last night?” I hoped she would be able to help me distinguish fact from fantasy. “I can barely remember anything after leaving.”
Avery smiled. “Well, you” The ringing phone cut her off as I hung onto her story. “Hello?” Avery rolled her eyes at me and continued with the caller. “Yes, just a minute.” Avery tossed the phone over to me.
“Who is it?” I whispered, catching the phone in mid-air. No one ever called our house phone. In fact, I wasn’t sure anyone actually had the number.
“It’s a man.” She gasped as though she couldn’t believe that a man had called to speak to me.
I was a little confused myself as I raised an eyebrow to her and pressed the phone to my ear. “Hello?”
“Harper?” The low, sexy voice resonated on the other end of the line.
“Yes?”
“It’s Mason.” I could feel my eyes grow bigger and my heart beat out of my chest from both nervousness and excitement. “I wanted to talk to you about last night.”