“HOW BAD YOU WANNA KISS my mom right now?” Averie torments, standing next to Mason inside the still open front door.
He stands in the foyer, looking down at my smirking girl, and scowls. His jaw clenches and his body grows rigid. In reaction, Averie emits a small gasp.
My eyes widen.
Amelia gasps.
Connie giggles.
Shit.
Averie’s been a quick study in the way of torturing Mason Cole. But with his and my agreement to take things slow-ish for the sake of the girls, he’s on edge. I’ll say, he’s made a valiant attempt of holding himself together. But his efforts have failed because standing before everyone here, Mason is clearly struggling.
“Are you okay?” Averie questions, after hearing Mason’s low growl. “You look weird.”
“Averie, honey. Shut the door,” I scold, waving my hand for her to leave him be.
Mason casts a knowing glare, visually scaling every inch of my body. His focus stops at my chest where his gaze turns hungry.
Yes. Clearly, Mason is struggling.
“So, what are ya gonna do all day without us, Mom?” Amelia steps in, grabbing her small black purse and cramming her cell phone inside.
Amelia seems fine to have settled at middle ground. She’s still not really talking to her father, and she won’t so much as look at Mason unless manners force her to respond, but over the last week, I’ve seen marked improvement toward others.
“You ready to go shopping or not?” Mason berates Averie.
“I’ve been ready. I was born ready,” she chides. “Question is, are you?”
“Fuck,” he utters. “No. Probably not.”
“Oh, this’ll be good,” Connie puts in, sliding her arms over Amelia’s shoulders. “A day with Averie and Cole. Wish we could see that.”
“Glad we won’t,” Amelia comments, blithely.
Mason’s phone rings, taking his attention away from her. He looks to the screen before answering. He signals it’s a call he needs to take. Averie watches as Mason turns on heel to step outside.
“Should’ve let him kiss you,” Averie pronounces, coming to my side. Handing me a large brush and a ponytail holder, she turns to give me her back. “He’s in a mood. Maybe he’d be less cranky if you’d let him kiss you.”
Ignoring her accurate assumption, I tell the girls and Connie, “I think I may clean the house today.”
“Well, that’s boring,” Connie remarks. “But I guess if you’re doing that, you won’t be sitting around worrying about us.”
“I’ll bring you back some bean dip from Sir Diablo’s,” Averie asserts. “McButterpants has never been to Diablo’s. We’re going after we finish shopping.”
“Did he say he was taking you there?” Amelia questions with curiosity.
“No, not yet. But he’ll take me,” Averie replies.
Amelia rolls her eyes. “Good luck with that.”
“Okay, so we’re gonna go,” Connie bids, pushing Amelia and guiding her toward the door. “We have spa day plans.”
“I’ll be here when you get back.”
“You should just come with us,” Amelia urges. “You like mani-pedis, and massages.”
“Mason’s off the phone!” Averie shrieks from the bay window.
Connie winks at me in reassurance and starts to pull Amelia. “Let’s go or we’ll miss our nail appointment.”
As Mason enters, he’s met with Averie standing between us.
“Give me a minute with your mom?” he requests.
Request granted, kind of. Averie steps to the side but doesn’t move to leave the room.
“A minute alone,” Mason hastens.
“Eye-roll and gag,” Averie rebuts, shoulders slouched in mock annoyance.
Mason raises his brows to watch her drag her feet through the mouth of the hall.
“Are you okay?” I question.
“No,” he returns, holding his distance.
At least five feet separate from where he stands. Mason’s wearing another Henley, this one blue, dark to match his eyes. His jeans are dark as well, very worn, threadbare in places.
Walking to him, I run my hands up his chest. His eyes alight with aggression. Secretly, I love the way he looks at me. As if I’m still not his and he’s still not able to touch me. As though if he doesn’t, his head will explode.
“Honey,” I call in a tease. “You’re tense.”
Backing me against the wall, Mason blankets his body to mine, shielding me in hiding for anyone to see. One hand at my chest, the other gliding its way down my pants.
His mouth to my ear, his finger massaging my clit as another slides inside. Standing on my toes, I close my eyes and grab his shoulders for balance.
As I gasp, he says, “I’m not tense.” His hips press forward, the steel of him pushing against my stomach. “I’m un-fucking-done.”
Grabbing his wrists, I pull his head from my neck. “Averie is in the next room.”
Focusing on only this, he questions, “Where the hell did you get those pants?”
Looking between us, the erotic vision of his hand inside them, I aim to concentrate when giving, “I clean house in these.”
Mason removes his hand, brings his finger to his lips and sucks viciously.
“Cruel joke, whoever made pants like that,” he tells me. “Especially when I haven’t had you good in a while.”
“Tonight,” I promise. “The girls are staying at Connie’s.”
“The girls can stay home. I can hang around till they sleep.”
I love he’s considerate, not expecting the girls to leave their home. Sweet gesture but… “I plan to make up for time lost.”
“Girls can stay home,” he says again.
“I mean, I plan to let you have me good all night.”
“Girls can stay at Connie’s,” he agrees on a grin.
“Be safe today,” I urge, keeping the nervous tension from my voice.
I must have failed. Mason cups my cheek and reassures, “There’s nothing to worry about. Nothing touches them. Marcos is after me.”
Nodding, I reflect, “But he may see Averie.”
“Baby, he’d have to kill me to get to her. And I’m not big on the idea of dyin’.”
“Mason, this doesn’t help.”
“I’m motivated to get home and back to you,” he tells me. “Won’t miss tonight.”
“Still doesn’t help.”
“Katie, kiss me goodbye so I can take your girl shoppin’ and get back.”
Doing as he’s told me, I lean up and put my lips to his. Mason grasps my hair and his mouth opens. I taste myself on his tongue, the heady mix and promise of tonight sends shivers down my thighs.
“Gross,” Averie calls, entering the room. “I knew you wanted to kiss her.”
Mason disconnects, but does so slowly. Before releasing me entirely, he bends to kiss my cheek.
Walking to the door, he calls, “Let’s get this over with.” Then his gaze comes to mine and he points to the door, “Lock up after we leave.”
“See you tonight?”
“What time do the kids hit Connie’s?” he questions, keeping a two finger hold on the door.
“After dinner. So, seven.”
“See you tonight, then,” he replies and I nod. “Naked—in bed—under me by seven ten.”
Of course.