Chapter Fourteen

Mason arrived back at Tessler’s building just after eight o’clock that night. He’d put in a few hours of office work at Ventura Security, then went home to shower and change for his date with Tessler. Now he was sitting outside in the backseat of the car service, sending Tessler a quick text message.

“I’m here,” Mason typed.

“Okay, I’ll meet you out in front of the coffee shop.”

Mason eased from the backseat and thanked the driver before he shut the door. When he turned around, Tessler was standing there with a huge smile on his perfectly tanned face. It made him remember the time when Tessler mentioned he had no tan lines. He hadn’t been able to get that visual out of his head, and his cock was in total agreement—the image of Tessler’s fully tanned body was definitely boner-worthy.

“You’re just in time to see the sun set behind the hillside,” Tessler said. He held out his hand for Mason to take, then started to tug him towards the entrance of the building.

They stepped inside, and Mason was acutely aware that this was the exact spot where he’d kissed Tessler for the first time. That thought had barely registered in his head when Tessler had him pushed up against the brick wall, and his lips slammed down on his. Swift and needy, Tessler took immediate control of their kiss with his tongue licking the crease of Mason’s lips before sliding inside. Teeth clinked together while their tongues wrestled as they devoured each other’s mouths. It was a decadent feast that had Mason’s entire body on fire.

His cock ached for attention, but he couldn’t bring himself to pull out of the kiss to even suggest they move upstairs. The slippery wet haven of Tessler’s mouth already had Mason’s nerves on overload. Suggesting more physical contact between them might possibly cause Mason to come in his pants, and did he really want to spend the rest of the night trying to hide the wet spot? This kiss was heaven and hell, because it wasn’t near enough to quench his need for the man pressed against him, but damn, it felt so fucking good. It was Tessler who finally pulled out of their lip lock. His heavy pants of breath further heated Mason’s already flushed face.

“I had to see if our second kiss would be as good as the first,” Tessler admitted in a hoarse voice.

“And was it?” Mason asked.

Tessler chuckled and said, “It was even hotter.”

“I’d have to agree with that assessment, but we should probably do a little more research to fully prove the data,” Mason said and grinned as wickedly as he could.

“Mmmm, then let’s go,” Tessler said. He took Mason’s hand and started to tug him down the hall towards the elevator.

Mason followed close behind Tessler with so many different emotions flooding his veins. He wondered where the night would take them, and if there’d be a second date. There had to be another date, right? With the kind of chemistry they shared, Tessler would have to want to see him again. There was no way in hell this was one-sided or that Mason was imagining the attraction. Tessler was just as turned-on as he was, and he’d felt the evidence of that pressed into his hip just a minute ago by the doorway.

“You’re walking without a cane,” Tessler mentioned as Mason stepped onto the elevator car after him.

“For five days now,” Mason said. “BB isn’t happy about it, but I felt it was time.”

“You look really good. Strong, like you’ve been spending your days at the gym while I was away.”

“Not the entire day,” Mason corrected. “I’ve been seeing BB in the morning and working at the office in the afternoons, then, if I can handle more torture, I do another shorter workout in my apartment before I go to bed,” Mason elaborated.

“That sounds like a lot,” Tessler said.

“BB said the same,” Mason admitted and shrugged. “I feel good, and it doesn’t seem like too much to me.”

A moment later, the elevator stopped on the roof level of the building. When the doors slid open, Mason’s eyes were greeted with a scene like none he’d ever witnessed. It was like stepping onto a movie set: Strings of white lights draped through the open air above them and were attached to a wire frame which created a canopy that looked like twinkling stars.

The stone fire pit was to the right of them and elevated up on a round, granite platform. It was loaded up with burning firewood, and fingers of smoke snaked around them and permeated the summer sky. An L-shaped, gray couch, with thick throw pillows covering the plush cushions, was positioned in front of the fire pit with cocktail tables set at each end. Both tables had candles burning in the center of them.

To the left on the street side of the building, there was an outside kitchen complete with a grilling station, a full stove top range, and an oven. Beside it was a table made of a dark wood that Mason thought might be teak. Two place settings sat on top of the table with cream-colored candles, their flames flickering in the center. The scent of grilled meat met his nose, and Mason moaned out loud.

“You like steak tips?” Tessler asked.

“I do and it smells amazing,” Mason said. “I can’t believe you went to this much trouble. I thought you said something about keeping it simple.”

“No busting my balls about me doing this,” Tessler answered. “I never get the opportunity to entertain up here and I felt … I don’t know … inspired, so shut up.”

“Trust me, I’m not complaining,” Mason countered. “I’m a little stunned, is all. No one has ever put this much effort into being with me.”

“Oh, you’re definitely trouble, but I have a feeling you’re worth the effort,” Tessler said and his lips lifted on one side in an adorable grin.

Mason felt that crazy flutter in his stomach again. It seemed to happen a lot with Tessler around. He was gradually becoming a huge fan of that anxious knot and the sweaty palms that came along with it. All wrapped together it was a rush like no other, and it made him feel more alive than he’d felt in a very long damn time.

“Come with me and let me get you a drink,” Tessler said and walked over towards the kitchen area. He opened up a full-sized refrigerator and looked over his shoulder back at Mason. “What would you like? I’ve got beer, wine, or I can make you a cocktail.”

“I want you,” he said.

Mason’s words hung heavy between them in the night, and Mason did his best not to show his lack of confidence. Had he really just said those particular words out loud? When did he get to be so bold? He was often the strong, silent type. Someone who expressed himself better through actions. Tessler was a wordsmith, and maybe some of that was rubbing off on Mason with the more time they spent together. It was bringing out a new side to Mason. A side that was starting to become more comfortable with saying how he felt and what he wanted, and judging by the reaction, Tessler sure as hell seemed to appreciate his honesty.

Tessler’s fingers latched onto the waistband of Mason’s black jeans and sharply pulled him closer. “And you can have me—after we eat,” he whispered against Mason’s slightly parted lips. “Now, tell me what you’d like to drink.”

Tessler was making it difficult for Mason to keep his self-control in check. Hell, he was making it difficult to fucking breathe. He loved the rough touch from Tessler as much as he enjoyed the tease of the soft, but at the rate they were going, they’d never make it through dinner before Mason had Tessler bent over the back of the couch or vice versa. It was the vice versa that had Mason shivering where he stood.

Mason shifted quickly and had Tessler pinned to the front of the now closed refrigerator door. “What if I want to eat dessert before the entree?”

Tessler rolled his hips against Mason’s erection. “You’re pushing your luck, Mason.”

“That’s the thing,” he said. He licked at Tessler’s bottom lip and hissed through his teeth with the next intake of air. “Right now, I’m feeling like the luckiest guy in the world.”

Fast like a bolt of lightning, Tessler had their positions switched, and suddenly Mason was the one slammed against the metal surface of the refrigerator. “You are impossible for me to resist, but I’m still gonna make you wait for dessert, you horny fucker.”

“Your dirty mouth only makes my dick harder,” Mason said. Again, his bold words were unsettling to his own ears, but Jesus, he loved the flare of heat he saw spark in Tessler’s eyes from hearing them.

Tessler’s fingers slid up the back of Mason’s head and gave him goosebumps. His long digits fisted the short bit of length he had on the top and tugged hard. “Something tells me you like a good challenge,” Tessler whispered the words against Mason’s mouth, then flicked his tongue inside. “So, I’m going to challenge you to eat the dinner I prepared for us before you rip the clothes off my back. If you achieve that goal, then I promise dessert will be something you’ll want to savor on your tongue for a long time to come. You might even beg me for seconds.”

Tessler punctuated the last sentence with a final punch of his hips against Mason’s groin before he pushed himself away and left Mason’s boneless form ready to slip to the floor in a heap of sexual frustration. Mason reached for the edge of the counter top to catch himself and chuckled. Tessler was like no one he’d ever met. The mixture of pheromones and wild imagination bouncing between them like a tennis match was a sensual cocktail Mason wanted to either slurp up or drown in. It was hot and desperate and Mason couldn’t wait to experience everything Tessler had to offer. Including dinner.

Fuck! That’s right. I have to get through dinner first!

“Hungry?” Tessler asked.

The one word question pulled Mason from the fog bank his brain was suffocating in, and his eyes bounced to Tessler removing plates of food from the oven. Hungry? Was he fucking kidding right now? “Yeah, I’m starved,” Mason answered.

“Good, because I grilled way too much meat for us to eat,” Tessler said around a devious grin. He was obviously having fun with his word choice and that annoyed Mason as much as it turned him on.

“I’m sure I won’t have any trouble eating what you’ve prepared,” Mason replied.

“Good to know,” Tessler said with a teasing tone. He glanced at Mason and winked, then carried a tray over to the table with plates of grilled steak tips, roasted vegetables, and a bowl of wild rice.

The aromas swirling around the kitchen area right now were incredible, and Mason’s mouth watered. Besides his mother, Mason couldn’t remember anyone else who had cooked for him before Tessler. The entire atmosphere Tessler had created tonight, between the lights and candles and the food, was so . . . intimate. It felt powerful and somehow Mason knew, all their teasing aside, this moment was seriously important to both of them—no matter what may or may not happen on a physical level after dinner. The fine hairs on Mason’s body lifted as that thought settled into him, and he found himself reaching for Tessler after he’d set the tray of food down onto the table.

“Hey,” he said as his fingers slipped around Tessler’s forearm. Warm flesh greeted his fingertips, and he almost lost the thoughts inside his head before he had a chance to say them. “I want to thank you for this—all of it. This is probably the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.”

Tessler tipped his head to the side, and his face seemed to flush with pink. Gone was his cocky self assurance from a few moments ago, and in its place was a veil of something that looked a lot like shyness. Tessler’s hand pressed to Mason’s chest and his fingers fanned. “I’m happy to do it,” he said quietly and the timbre of his voice had Mason falling a little bit more for the man. “Truth is, I’ve never had someone I wanted to do this for.”

Mason pulled Tessler flat against him and kissed the side of his head. He hadn’t felt this light in months. In that moment, he didn’t feel pain from the fire, and his leg felt strong enough to run a marathon. He felt invincible while holding Tessler and leaned back to make eye contact with him. There were so many things he wanted to say, feelings he knew he should try and share, but his stomach chose that very moment to growl in hunger.

“Let’s eat before it gets cold,” Tessler suggested. He stepped out of Mason’s embrace and walked over to the refrigerator to get the bowl of tossed greens he’d prepared to go along with their meal.

“Where do you want me?” Mason asked, and Tessler’s feet stopped short. Their eyes met and Mason felt his cock twitch behind his zipper. “I mean, where do you want me to sit?”

“I knew what you meant,” Tessler said and grinned before he started to walk again. He set the bowl of salad onto the table and then pointed to the chair at the end. “Right there is fine.”

Mason pulled out the seat Tessler had directed him to use and sat down. He watched Tessler walk back over to the refrigerator and pull out two bottles of wine—one white and one red.

“You never said what you wanted to drink, so I’ll pour you a glass of wine,” Tessler said.

“That’s because you distracted me,” Mason admitted.

“Is wine okay?” Tessler asked.

“Wine is fine. Thank you.”

Tessler finally sat in the chair beside Mason and uncorked the bottle of red, then began to fill their glasses. Mason couldn’t take his eyes off of Tessler to even see which vineyard the wine came from. The flickering candles on the table in front of them had cast such beautiful shadows across Tessler’s face it left Mason’s mind empty of any rational thoughts. He finally managed to clear his throat just as Tessler was passing a glass of the wine over to him.

“Beautiful,” Mason choked out.

“What?”

“The lighting,” Mason explained. “It’s … beautiful.”

Tessler nodded as if he understood the real meaning behind Mason’s explanation and lifted his glass. “Should we do a toast?”

“To first dates?” Mason asked.

“And hopefully a second?”

Mason chuckled at that statement. Unless Tessler flat out told him to fuck off, Mason had every intention of seeing him again. He wasn’t sure he could stay away even if Tessler did tell him to hit the road. If that was the case, he might become Tessler’s newest stalker, just so he could continue to be near him.

“Dig in while it’s hot,” Tessler said as he offered Mason the plate of grilled meat.

“So, tell me about Key West,” Mason began. He took two strips of the steak, then passed the plate back to Tessler.

“What about it?”

“You go to the same place every year?” Mason asked.

“I’ve been doing that for about three or four years I think,” Tessler stated with a shrug. “I know the people there now, and no one bothers me. It’s a bonus when I can find a location like that where I can hide in plain sight.”

“A place where you can sunbathe naked,” Mason said like he were revealing a big secret.

Tessler laughed. “Is that your not so subtle way of asking if you can see my all-over tan?”

“Maybe,” Mason said and smiled. “You were right about being able to cook. This food tastes amazing.”

“I’m glad you like it,” Tessler said and his cheeks pinked up again. He seemed uncomfortable taking compliments, which Mason found adorable. He watched Tessler wipe off his mouth, and their eyes connected again. “The Keys are always a great vacation destination,” Tessler added, which shifted their conversation back to his trip. “Have you ever been?”

“I’ve been to Florida a few times, but not as far south as the Keys.”

“You should go. It’s definitely worth the trip,” Tessler said.

Mason wouldn’t mind visiting the Keys, but he found himself wanting to make that trip with Tessler, not by himself or with anyone else. Partly, because he knew Tessler would show him around, but if he were to be completely honest, he knew being there with Tessler would make the trip really feel like paradise. Jesus, you’ve turned into a Hallmark greeting card, you sappy douche bag!

“You came back much earlier than you expected to be gone,” Mason said.

Tessler nodded and chewed around the piece of steak in his mouth. “I was ready to come home,” Tessler stated. “And the unexpected visit from my sister didn’t help matters. After she showed up, I couldn’t wait to get the fuck off the island.”

“Why’s that?” Mason asked, then he added, “If that’s too personal, don’t feel like you have to tell me.”

“Typically, she contacts me a few times a year looking for money,” Tessler said. “I’m tired of dealing with her and allowing her horrible spending habits to continue. When she asked for money this time, I said no. I thought by refusing her she’d just leave, but she didn’t. I didn’t feel like arguing about it, so I left the island instead.”

“Jesus, that sucks,” Mason scoffed.

“I’ve already done way too much for my sister,” he said. “In the end, I’ve become an enabler for her to continue being a leach off of those around her.”

“I hear what you’re saying,” Mason agreed. “My parents wanted me to move home after I was injured in the fire so they could take care of me. I knew if I went home that I’d never learn how to deal with this on my own. Their hearts were in the right place, but this was my own hell to face, much like when I returned from the Middle East.”

“You have balls of steel to face what you have in your life, Mason.”

“I was only doing my job,” he countered.

“It was way more than a job, and you know it,” Tessler stated as he chewed another bite of steak.

“I was one of the lucky ones,” Mason added. “I got to come home.”

“I’m really glad you did,” Tessler said with a soft smile.

“Will your sister follow you back here looking for you to give her the money?” Mason ventured.

“Not if she knows what’s good for her,” Tessler replied. “I was very clear when I said no to her. There’s no way she could misunderstand that.”

“That’s kind of sad,” Mason said.

“I’d say it’s totally fucked up,” Tessler countered, “but it doesn’t matter either way. I’m not giving her another penny.”

Mason didn’t like to see the tension coiling in Tessler’s body and suddenly wished he hadn’t asked about his vacation or pushed to know more about his sister. He wanted to get the easy-going Tessler back, the guy who seemed about ten seconds away from mauling him senseless. That’s who he wanted to be with on this date and hoped to be making out with later on.

“I’m sorry,” Mason said. “I didn’t mean to bring down the mood we had going on with conversation about family.”

“No harm done,” Tessler replied and reached for Mason’s hand to squeeze. “I want to get to know you better, so it’s only fair I share some things with you, too.”