Chapter One
Harper
“Harper, wake up.” Avery bounced into my room, jumping on the foot of my bed.
I rubbed my eyes. The afternoon sunlight streamed through my window, its warmth only making me feel more tired.
I hadn’t realized how tired I had been after staying the night at the mansion with Mason. Although I had slept well, tangled in his arms, my entire body had felt drained when I had gotten home this morning.
Avery’s face was already made up and she looked ready to go somewhere. “So? How did it go?”
“What?” I grumbled, stretching. “How did what go?”
She laughed. “Very funny. The date with Mason! You didn’t come back last night!”
Memories flooded my mind. My dream had quite literally come true. Mason pulling off my clothes, Mason holding me close, Mason touching me with those strong, manly hands... a shiver ran through me just thinking about it.
Again Avery laughed, the pitch increasing as a mischievous glimmer filled her eyes. “That good, huh?”
I grinned, sitting up a little. Now that I was finally waking up, I felt more energetic thanks to my nap. “I don’t even know where to start.”
“Tell me everything. You have to. Start at the part about how Mason ended up here, at our apartment.”
Nodding, I pulled my knees to my chest and made room for her to sit as I launched into how Mason had saved me from Jake. When I started to tell her about the restaurant, I was sure I wasn’t doing it justice.
“Everyone knew him there,” I told her.
“How?”
I shook my head. “No idea. He always changes the subject when I ask him personal questions.”
Avery pursed her lips. “That’s somewhat suspicious, don’t you think?”
I shrugged. Yes, Mason was secretive. But I just figured he might have been downplaying how connected he may be to Asher so he wouldn’t intimidate me. For that, I felt grateful; I knew myself well enough to know that something like that might have freaked me out in the beginning. Now, at least, I was more comfortable and confident that I could handle it, if and when he decided to tell me just how connected he was.
“He works at the mansion, so he’s probably been to an expensive place like that restaurant tons of times. He always jokes that he gets ‘perks’ for his work. I guess membership does have its privileges.” I cocked my head and made a goofy face, trying to get her to lighten up.
Avery’s brow furrowed a little as she thought, but eventually she seemed to accept my answer. “What about bed?” She asked, perking up.
I leaned back on my pillows, laughing at the question. “Avery, if I told you everything, you wouldn’t believe me. We stayed at the mansion.”
Her mouth dropped. “You’re kidding!”
“No. We went swimming and...” I could feel my face flush a little. “We ended up staying in the pool house all night.”
“Oh my God, Harper! It sounds like you had quite the night!” Avery giggled, falling onto the bed and sprawling out on her stomach, propping her head up on her hands like a giddy schoolgirl. “That reminds me! Guess who got picked to be in the latest bachelor’s top five?”
I blinked a couple times, looking at her, a smile growing on my face. She looked radiant in the natural lighting of the room, glowing with happiness. “You?” I guessed, happy for her.
She nodded. “Yours truly! So weird—I didn’t even think he liked me at all! To be honest, I wasn’t really sure I was all that into him either. But when I heard he’d picked me, I got really excited!”
“Well, I’ll one up you. I have a job at the mansion now and I’ll be there for the mixer tonight. So I’ll still get to see you in all your glory.”
Avery’s eyes widened, her mouth dropping open again. “You’re kidding!” She said, almost a broken record now.
I laughed, shaking my head. “Mason hired me.”
“Sounds like your new boyfriend is pretty handy. I guess now you have some perks too.” Avery smiled and shot me a goofy grin.
I rolled my eyes. “He’s not my boyfriend,” I protested, blushing a little again. At least, I don’t think he is.
Mason and I hadn’t exactly set clear boundaries on our relationship at all, and I didn’t know what that meant. After talking with him and getting to know him better, I didn’t think he had only wanted a one-night stand, but I had been wrong about men before. Often, actually.
“Well, why not? Wait, don’t tell me,” Avery slapped her hand across her eyes dramatically, “he showed you his bad side.”
I frowned. Avery always just assumed I’d perpetually be with the wrong man, especially after seeing me go through many not-so-perfect relationships.
“Not at all. I just don’t know exactly where we stand.”
Avery opened her mouth to say something, as my phone rang. I reached over and picked it up, giving her a warning look. If this was Mason, I didn’t want her to start trash talking him and every other man I had dated.
“Hello?” I answered.
The voice on the other end of the line sent tingles down my spine. I rubbed my legs together as Avery watched me, listening to my conversation.
A few minutes later, I had plans for the afternoon.
* * * *
Avery answered the door when Mason arrived. From the end of the hall where I stood, I could see him leaning up against doorframe, his t-shirt and jeans made me do a double take. I had always seen him dressed up and I absolutely loved how his t-shirt hugged his body, showing off how fit he was.
I tried to catch my breath and darted into the bathroom, hoping he hadn’t seen me yet. As I checked myself in the mirror, adjusting my lipstick, I heard Avery’s shrill voice.
“Hello, Mason,” she said cheerfully.
“Avery, how are you today?”
“Wonderful. Harper will be out in just a minute.” Avery replied, and after a pause I heard her voice again. “I guess you get to know all of the girls that come through the mansion, don’t you? Seems you’re pretty good at remembering names.”
I bit my lip, smudging my lipstick a little. What was Avery trying to do? I resisted going out to save him, finding myself leaning over to hear his answer. Maybe, deep down, I wanted to know how he had known Avery on sight, too.
Mason’s smooth voice cut through the air, reaching my ears and making me shiver again. “Well, it is my job, and some girls are more memorable than others. For instance, it’s difficult to forget your outgoing personality.”
“Well thank you!” Avery quipped. I could almost hear the smile on her face.
I walked out into the hallway, giving Mason a smile. He looked so rugged and handsome, with his hair falling across his forehead perfectly. I suddenly felt glad I had opted to wear jeans instead of a dress like I had considered.
“Hey there, beautiful.” His face lit up as he returned my smile and his lips twitched a little as his blue eyes took me in, flicking their way up and down my body. “Ready to go?”
“Yes.”
As we made our way to the elevator, he grabbed my hand with a grin. “So, I’ve got a few surprises for you today.”
“Oh, really, like?”
“You’ll have to wait and see.” He laughed as we stopped at the elevator, pressing the downward arrow.
It was empty this afternoon, and I felt slightly disappointed at the fact that we didn’t have to squeeze together like the last time.
Nevertheless, as soon as the doors closed, he was on me, pressing my back against the wall as his body leaned up against mine. In an instant, our lips met. He began sucking on my lower lip, moving his hands around my back, holding me tightly. I could feel him shiver against me as he broke away from the kiss, burying his face in my neck with a long, hot sigh.
“I missed you.”
I laughed, gasping a little as I tried to catch my breath. “It’s only been half a day.”
His head rose, his sea-blue eyes meeting mine. “I missed you,” he insisted.
I nodded, walking my fingers up his chest lightly, grasping the fabric of his t-shirt in my fist and pulling his lips back to mine.
The door opened, and we sprung apart as a group entered, giggling to ourselves that we had just been caught.
* * * *
“Oh, my God,” I breathed, looking out over the expanse of forest and hills and ocean.
“What’s up?” I heard Mason’s voice right in my ear through the headphones.
I looked over at him, trying to smooth some of my hair back down as the wind coming through the helicopter’s open windows tried to tangle it some more. I spoke into the microphone as I gave him a grin.
“This is beautiful. How the heck did you get a private helicopter ride set up just like that?”
“I called in a favor. I told you working at the mansion had its perks.” He gave me a wink. “Something crazy?”
“Something crazy.” My gaze left his face to lean out toward the window, looking at the tapestry of colors below.
His hand fell on my leg, rubbing it gently as the pilot took a gentle dive to the right. “I’m glad you aren’t afraid of heights.”
“Me? No way!” I exclaimed, scooting a little closer to him and pressing both my legs up against his, forcing his hand up a little further so it rested on my thigh. He looked at me and narrowed his eyes, a slight smile forming on his lips.
“So, where are we going?”
His smile grew. “Someplace crazy. You’ll see.”
I gave him a puzzled look. He just grinned, looking like a kid in a candy store.
“Seriously! Where are we going?”
“Patience, Miss Browning,” he joked, nudging my shoulder as he gave my leg a squeeze with his strong hand. A deep feeling hit me in the stomach, and I resisted the urge to take his wrist and force his hands up a little further. “Patience,” he repeated, seeming to read my thoughts.
I stuck my tongue out at him, making him laugh. He leaned over, kissing me fully on the lips, our microphones tangling a little.
Minutes later, the helicopter landed in the middle of an open field. As Mason helped me out of the helicopter, stepping back in to grab a black bag, I looked around, dazzled by my surroundings. Just in the distance I could see the huge expanse of a vineyard stretching out into the horizon.
“Holy crap,” I said, not able to think of anything incredibly insightful as I took in the extravagant view. “You sure do know how to make a girl swoon.”
Mason smiled as if he were pleased with my response.
I giggled. “What’s in the bag?”
“So many questions today. I guess you don’t really like surprises, do you?” Mason didn’t wait for my response as he took me by the hand and led me through the field toward the vineyard. The pale grass of the field brushed up against my fingertips, and I smiled at the beauty of it all. Rarely did I get a chance to get outside, really get outside—being a student and working at a restaurant left me indoors far more than I liked.
Soon we were in the middle of the vineyard, surrounded by growing crops. Mason led me through everything, and I couldn’t help but to reach out and touch the silky leaves. How had he known I’d enjoy this so much? This was turning out to be the craziest, most exciting date I’d ever been on.
We reached a clearing and Mason set down his mysterious bag, opening it and producing a checkered fleece blanket with a flourish.
“A picnic?” I asked, helping him lay it out on the ground.
“A picnic of sorts.” He produced two glasses and a bottle of expensive red wine. “What better place to drink wine with a beautiful woman than in the vineyard where it was made?”
I laughed again, giving a little twirl as I took in the beauty of our surroundings. “Mason, this is absolutely perfect.”
He shrugged. “It works.” He grabbed my hand and tugged me down onto the blanket.
I collapsed, falling over him laughing. I could feel his body vibrate with his own laughter as he wrapped his legs around me, my back leaning against him. He reached around me to uncork and pour the wine, his bicep muscles hard against my shoulders.
The wine tasted heavenly in the warm sun, with Mason leaning back against a rock and me wrapped in his scent and body.
“This is good,” I said, turning a little and tilting my head back so I could see him.
“The wine? Yes, one of the best vintages around, I think. But there’s something you can do to make it taste even better.”
“Oh?”
He nodded, taking a large sip of his wine before setting his glass down on the ground, one hand coming to rest beneath my chin, the other taking my hair between his fingers. He kissed me, slowly, gently. So gently that I thought my heart might melt. His fingers preened at my scalp, tongue working its way inside my mouth.
Suddenly, I knew what he had meant. The wine did taste better when it was mixed with the taste of him.
I turned around, setting my glass next to his, straddling his hips as I deepened our kiss. While caressing my hands along his strong cheekbones, I felt his fingers wander down from my head to my hips. He was rubbing his body against mine through our jeans.
In one swift motion, he deftly unbuttoned my pants as I moaned against his lips. “These need to come off.” He whispered.
I nodded, laughing against his mouth as he tilted me backward, slipping my pants off easily.
“Better,” he said, eyes traveling up and down the smooth skin of my legs, hands following his gaze. “Much better.”
I giggled, propping myself up on my elbows as I watched his hands explore me, taking their time as they made their way up my thighs, teasing the edge of my panties before slipping beneath my shirt, following up each of my ribs.
His face drew close to mine once more, peppering kisses along my neck and chin.
“You’re right,” I told him, spreading my legs a little more as I felt the warm, growing pressure of his manhood inside of his jeans. “This place is pretty crazy.”
He nodded, sinking his teeth lightly into my shoulder as my fingers worked on the outside of his jeans, teasing him. “I bet we could make it even crazier.”
I grinned, gasping as his fingers pushed aside my panties, playing with me before sliding up inside of me. Grabbing the back of his neck, I forced his mouth to meet mine again, covering my moans with the pressure of his lips. I could feel him grin against me, thrusting his fingers up a little further, stroking that sweet spot deep inside of me.
I convulsed once, twice, and suddenly my body was on fire. “Mason...”
“Patience,” he whispered in my ear, nibbling at my lobe before sinking down, kissing his way across my body until his lips rested on my clit, tongue swirling around the small area.
I shook my head, tugging at him. “No, please, Mason...”
He raised an eyebrow, smirking at me as he wiggled his fingers inside my tight space, making me groan again. His other hand worked at his belt and pants, pulling them and his tight briefs down, freeing his member.
“Are you sure?”
“Please,” I begged him, grabbing hold of his hips and tugging at him again. “Please.”
Then he was inside of me, his girth stretching me even more, his movements so fast and calculated that I could hardly hold onto myself. He pulled my hips to him, forcing himself even deeper inside of me, hitting my every sensitive spot as I was coming to realize he was so expertly adept at.
The world blurred. I screamed as the black and grey overtook my consciousness, as he ground his hips against mine.
Suddenly, I was back, and Mason had collapsed on top of me, burying his face in my hair.
“You...”
“Yeah, I did,” he interrupted, pulling out of me. I could feel his warmth dripping out of me. His fingers stroked me, wiping some of it up.
I grabbed his wrist, bringing his coated fingers to my lips and taking a taste, sucking on them suggestively.
He laughed, kissing my cheek.
“Well, you were right,” I told him.
“Oh?”
I nodded. “The wine did taste better that way.”
I felt him smile against my skin. “Good.”
I turned a little, the numbness of my ecstasy fading and leaving behind a tingly feeling in my extremities. He grinned at me, sliding off and laying beside me, his arm resting over my belly. Warmth grew in my chest at the sight of him, his mussed hair and lithe body, the way he looked at me. Everything this time felt so much deeper, so much more personal.
I wondered if I was falling in love with Mason, despite the fact that we hadn’t known each other long. I had never felt safer with anyone. With Mason, what you saw was what you got. He was a man who had everything together, but he didn’t like to flaunt his wealth, or even tell me much about it. Despite that, I trusted him. He had opened up to me in ways that I knew, for sure, he had never done with anyone else.
And, the cherry on the sundae; he liked me. At least, I thought he liked me.
I walked my fingers up his arm, playing with his t-shirt a little. “Mason, I really like you.”
He smiled, capturing my fingers with his hand and kissing each one of their tips before replying. “I like you too, Harper.”
“Everything is moving so fast, but—I don’t know—I feel different, with you.” I laughed, blushing furiously. “It’s stupid, I guess.”
“Not at all,” he said, the smile still on his face as he leaned in close, giving me a few more pecks on the cheek until I giggled.
“I wish we could stay like this forever.”
He laughed. “Me too. It’s getting late, though, and you have a new job to attend to, Miss Browning.” He gave me a wink as I looked over at him, suddenly a little nervous. “Stop worrying, Harper. Everything will be great.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“I know you, and I know what you’re capable of. You’re perfect for this job. And if you get stuck, I’ll be there to help you.”
I couldn’t help but to kiss him again, trusting his words.
We packed up and made our way through the field in silence, enjoying each other’s company. As we approached the helicopter, I felt him tug on my hand, suddenly wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me close.
His lips pressed up against mine, the taste of the sweet wine filling my mouth and overcoming my senses again. “Thank you,” he breathed, “for coming with me.”
I leaned into him, nuzzling his neck with my nose. “No, thank you.”
“Let’s go.” He kept his arm around me as we prepared to leave.
* * * *
“Okay, so here’s where you’ll be getting ready each mixer.” Mason explained, showing me to a room tucked away in the mansion’s upper floor.
I set my bags and plastic-covered dresses down on the huge, king-sized bed, looking in awe at the incredible view the room afforded.
Mason smiled as he saw me staring out the window. “I knew you’d like the view.”
I giggled, turning back toward him and taking in the rest of the room. A huge vanity sat on one wall of the room, the mirror nearly full-length. In another corner of the room a door led to a private bath and bathroom.
“What about Avery? She wanted me to help with her hair...”
“I’ll have security send Avery up when she gets here. Sound good?”
“Sounds good to me,” I said, taking a few steps closer to him, swaying my hips a little. “And, Mason? Thank you for a wonderful afternoon.”
“The pleasure was all mine.” He watched my hips as I sidled up to him, his hands automatically grasping my waist and pulling me closer. “I’ll see you later. Don’t be nervous.” He let his hands travel down, cupping my ass and giving it a playful squeeze.
“I just hope you’ll be a perfect gentleman tonight,” I breathed in his ear, licking his neck softly. I felt him shiver against me.
“I’ll be a gentleman, but I can’t promise I’ll be perfect. It’ll be hard to keep my hands off you.”
I laughed, nuzzling his neck with my nose. “Patience,” I scolded him with a grin.
He gave my ass one last squeeze, beaming as he kissed me on the cheek. “See you later.”
* * * *
Avery arrived nearly twenty minutes later, flushed and frazzled. “Okay, so I’m meeting Asher in like five minutes.” She instantly dropped her things to the floor and strode over to the vanity, touching up her near-perfect makeup.
“Oh?” I asked. I had made myself comfortable on the bed as I waited for my curlers to cool.
“Yes, apparently there is some meeting for the girls. God, I’m so nervous, this is so weird,” Avery said, laughing at herself. “Do you have any idea what Asher is like? I just keep imagining this shadowy man who only has eyes.”
I laughed. “I’ve never met him, but I’m sure he’ll be fine. You’ll be fine, too. Don’t sweat it.”
She giggled. “You’re beginning to sound like me.”
“Well, I learned from the best.”
She gave me a wink, tossing her hair over her shoulder before taking one last look at herself in the mirror. “That’s true. I’ve taught you well.”