CHAPTER 23: Mason

I loved London. There was always a chill to the air when we seemed to go and it was exciting. I missed Isabelle this time though. I rarely missed women like this.

We were busy meeting with the authors during the day and wooing potential clients at dinner that week. I seemed to have a hard time keeping up with Isabelle back home but I was glad that she was at my place. I liked that they were safe, and I tossed around the idea of asking her to move in.

The signing seemed to take forever to arrive, and we left early that morning to have breakfast with the hosts. It included several of the authors and was a great chance to get some attention, but I wasn’t enjoying the women and how much they flirted with me. I watched as Ken deflected it smoothly, not insulting them but not encouraging it either. He was professional and charming and I focused on the moment again as I sipped the strong coffee.

We went to the hotel and surveyed the crowd waiting to get in before we walked the main room. Our authors were front and center and I grinned as I looked at their tables. We paid more for the best banners and swag and it showed as Ken turned to me with a smile.

The readers were let in and the room filled with the sound of excited women. The only men that usually came were husbands to be there for wives or carry the books that they bought though there were a few readers here and there. I walked to the bar and ordered a drink, slipping a bill over the smooth surface as I reached for the whiskey. I needed it. I considered sending Isabelle a text or calling her, but I was supposed to be mingling.

I sipped the drink and felt someone move next to me at the bar. “Hello, Mason.” I froze at the familiar voice and looked over to see one of the hot agents in the business. “It’s been a while.”

“It has, Marilyn. How are you doing?” I asked, going along with the pleasantries as I put the night that we spent together behind me.

“I’m doing well. This is quite a turn out, isn’t it?” She asked, her hazel eyes raking over my face hungrily as I turned back to my drink.

“London often is,” I replied, stating the obvious.

“How long are you in town?” Marilyn asked as I stared forward for a moment.

“We’re leaving on Monday night,” I replied as she touched my arm.

“By we, do you mean Ken? Did you bring an assistant this time? I hear that you have a hard time keeping them these days.” I flinched at her touch and Marilyn pulled her hand away.

“Just Ken this trip.” I wasn’t about to discuss my assistants with her. The rumors were that she got around as well in the business. I was hardly the only one.

“Want to have dinner tomorrow night?” There it was. She wanted me to say yes and fuck her.

“I’m busy. I can’t.” My answer was curt, and I watched her stare at me.

“Really? The signing ends tomorrow. What could you possibly have going on?” Marilyn questioned as I downed the drink in one long sip.

“Business. This is a business trip after all.” I knew that I was coming off as rude but I figured I’d get it all out now. I’d be more pleasant back out on the floor. I slid the glass back on the bar and turned to walk away, seeing Ken wave me over.

“Is she breathing down your neck again?” He asked, referring to Marilyn.

“Yes. It was one night a long time ago.” I frowned and looked at the lines for our authors. I needed to shake this off because travel was a large part of my job. We made our way around and chatted with readers and authors before going for some lunch around the corner where I ordered a beer. Ken raised an eyebrow as he took a blatant sip of water.

“Are you going to get drunk for the event?” He asked me as I stared out of the window.

“No. Just this beer.” I knew that I was on edge and he smirked at me.

“I’d say that you have it bad. You look like I did the week before I proposed to Kathy.” I gave him a shocked look as he stared back at me. “I am not suggesting that you propose but you need to get this sorted out. This is a part of things and not something that I completely enjoy myself. I just know that everything is fine back home.”

“I have them at my place while I’m gone. Her apartment is so… open. I want her safe.” Ken nodded as our plates were set down. “Fuck if I don’t like the idea of them there and me with them. Is that insane after three months?”

“Would she want to?” Ken asked as I looked thoughtfully at him.

“I don’t know. It’s like she’s all in one minute and backing off the next sometimes. There’s a lot of doubt there.”

“She has a lot at stake. Will you do right by the two of them?” Ken asked as I blinked.

“You’ve never asked me so much about my love life before,” I shot back as he nodded.

“There was no reason. Lance did a shitty thing but losing her didn’t get to you. It was being betrayed by your own family.” Ken observed as I nodded. “This is the real deal for you.”

We talked a bit more over lunch and stood to leave. I told him that I’d join him at the hotel in a moment and drew my phone out of my pocket. I dialed Isabelle’s cell, knowing that they were probably in for the night. She answered sleepily, and I smiled. “Were you sleeping?”

“Our whole life is upside down over here. We’ve fallen asleep on the couch more than I want to think about.” Isabelle said as she yawned. “How’s it going?”

“Great. The signing is successful.” I replied as she murmured something encouraging. “I miss the hell out of you. Both of you.”

“I miss you.” Isabelle let her emotions into the words and I leaned against the wall and took a deep breath. “Kendra does too. She keeps asking when you’re coming home.”

“I love you,” I said softly as there was silence on the other end of the phone. “I love you and I want to arrange my entire damn life for you.”

“I love you,” she told me as I felt warmth wash through me.

“Can we talk about taking a bigger step when I get back?” I asked as she sucked in her breath. “I don’t know what but I just need you.”

“Okay. Yes. I miss you,” she told me as I smiled. It was so good to hear her voice. We ended the call with the three words I never thought I’d say to a woman again and I pocketed my phone and walked back to the hotel.

I joined Ken on the floor as we met people and handed out cards, seeing a lot of interest. We left and went out to dinner before making it an early night. There was still the signing the following day and that meant more networking. I was exhausted when we went back to our rooms and showered before calling Isabelle. Kendra was in the background and we made it a video call so I could talk to both of them. Kendra talked about the places they went by my house and how much she liked it there. She told me that I needed a kitten or a puppy as Isabelle rested her gorgeous face in her hands. I tried to imagine a pet in my bachelor pad and slowly rearranged it in my head to make it work.

Kendra went to use the bathroom and Isabelle settled on the couch with a rueful smile. “Sorry. I think she’s enjoying herself a little too much.”

“It’s fine. That’s what I wanted.” I assured her as she laughed. “What would you think about staying there?”

“You mean moving in?” Her eyes were wide, but I saw the excitement in them.

“Yes. We could fix up the guest room to suit Kendra and make her feel at home. You could add your touch to the condo and we could just be together all the time.” I told her as I watched her bite her full lip. “I want you with me every night. I love both of you.”

A tear slipped down her cheek as I heard Kendra coming back. Isabelle wiped it and told me that she’d love to discuss it when I came home, signaling that this was to be kept between us. Fair enough. We finished the call, and I shut out the light to get some sleep. I was looking forward to flying home and being inside of Isabelle again in my bed, proving to her just how much I cared. I wanted to throw away the fucking condoms and feel what it would be like to come inside of her without any barriers and I felt my cock harden. I reached down to grip it and jerked off into my boxers, needing to release something. It would never do what making love to her did for me, but it would work until I was there again.

We woke up and went to breakfast at our favorite place, relaxing for the first time on the trip. We always spent the last day doing something for ourselves though I’d happily just head home. I went with the plan and visited a museum with Ken, picking up some small gifts for the girls as we wandered around the streets. We grabbed a light dinner before getting on the plane for the long flight. I settled into a seat, stretching out as I closed my eyes. I heard Ken find his own seat as he told me to get some beauty sleep and I gave him the finger in his general direction.

I woke up a few times throughout the flight, checking my watch every time. I’d go back to sleep but made some coffee when it came time to land, wanting to wake up so I’d be able to see the girls for a bit. I knew that Kendra would have to go to school, but I was hoping that Ken would tell Isabelle to stay home with me for the day. If the boss approved, she couldn’t say no. I sat forward in my seat, sipping the coffee as Ken opened his eyes and looked around. “Are we almost there?”

“Another thirty minutes. I made some coffee if you want some,” I offered as Ken stretched.

“I’ll need it. Kathy is going to want a break from the kids the second I’m back home.” He tried to sound like he was complaining but I knew how much Ken loved his family. “What are your plans?”

“I might be able to say hi to Kendra before she goes to school but I’ll have to see.” Ken smiled.

“Tell your girlfriend to take the day off. I think with all the work that you guys have gotten done, a day won’t hurt.” I grinned widely, and he went to make coffee before we needed to be seated for the landing.

We walked down the steps and Ken led the way to the car that was waiting for us, telling me that he’d drop me off first. I grabbed my phone and sent Isabelle a text before settling back in my seat and looking at my favorite city.