Six
“Well, fuck me. If it isn’t Amy and Alex. You two are like a reoccurring dose of the clap,” Boyd McKenna’s voice drilled into me. He was such an insulting git. His comment drew raised eyebrows from both Betty and James. “Bit far from your neck of the woods, isn’t it?” he added.
My eyes must have reduced to the size of slits. What the hell he was doing there was anyone’s guess. My pulse twitched, the countless memories of the battles I’d had with this boy, springing into my thoughts. I had been to this party for the last three years and the McKenna boys had never come before. Just my fucking luck. I needed to be on my guard, and so I attempted to chase away the alcohol-infused fog in my brain. Luckily, I sobered up with impressive speed.
Twisting my head to the side, I observed him warily as he joined us and stood in our group with a bottle of Bud Light in his hand. Boyd was wearing shorts and a tank top, displaying his rather large arms. I so didn’t fancy him though, not even slightly . I noticed he wore flip-flops, those huge ugly feet of his sinking into the sand. I wasn’t into feet in general, they were unsightly things; even my own, but men’s feet were worse. Especially Boyd’s with his, gross hairy toes. Fucking Hobbit.
I saw a nod of recognition exchanged between Chris and Boyd. From the looks of things, they’d known each other before that night of the fight. Betty and James also acknowledged his arrival with a smile and a nod of the head. Fucking traitors.
“We could say the same Gate Crasher,” I sneered, pushing my sunglasses up onto my head so I could deliver a well-deserved level of glaring. The look I gave him could have frozen molten lava.
Alex shifted in his seat and withdrew his phone. I knew he was using it as a distraction so Boyd didn’t start with us. Good luck with that pal.
“ We were invited. Unlike you the other night,” Boyd shot back with a crooked smile. He wore aviators and so I couldn’t see whom he was looking at.
I didn’t relish his reply, and ignored his comment about me being at the fight, “We?” I questioned, twisting in my seat to glance around the beach. It was quite messy now with beer bottles, cans and cups strewn around. There were also piles of clothing which people had shed so they could go in the sea.
“Yup. All the McKenna boys are here. It wouldn’t be a party without us.”
I snorted abruptly; his confidence was unshakeable. “Keep telling yourself that Boyd. Now you’ve arrived, I think the party is over, for me anyway,” I snorted with disgust.
“ Relax , you’re so fucking uptight,” Boyd shot back.
I fought the urge to smack him around the head, “Around you and your brothers, that’s a good thing,” I returned slyly.
“Suck my dick.”
“No thank you. God knows where that thing has been.”
Boyd was of those immature morons that still twanged girls’ bra straps. He was such a twat.
An unpalatable thought swam into my head, as I wondered fleetingly if Nixon was there with Jenna somewhere. Boyd did say all the McKenna boys were there.
Boyd peeled his sunglasses off and tilted his annoying fucking head to one side.
“Ah, don’t be like that. Things are about to get much more interesting,” Boyd said with a grin and a flick of his head, looking sickeningly pleased with himself. He motioned behind me and I didn’t need to look to know who stood there. The Mason proximity alarm in my skull started to whirr with looming dread. Would I ever be free of the clowns that were the McKenna boys?
OMG, would he mention the kiss? One could only hope not and I’d deny that fucker anyway. I had to keep my mask in place. That tough girl, I projected to everyone. I wouldn’t allow Mason to reveal my weakness.
Chris uncurled his hideously pale body from his seat, as he stared over my shoulder at the vision that was no doubt, Mason. “Mase! The man himself. You want a cold one bro?” he shouted across me.
It was like a movie star was standing there. I remained seated and slid my hand across the small space to link fingers with Alex.
“Nah, I’m good. Is Jax here?” Mason questioned in a rough, raspy voice.
Who the heck was Jax ?
Alex’s fingers moved from his phone and curled protectively around mine and I was thankful for that.
Chris lowered himself back into his seat again and turned to shoot a quick grin at Rachel, who was three sheets to the wind; had been since lunchtime. Bloody lush.
“Nah, Jaxon’s still on tour,” Chris replied, dashing his hand through his girly-like hair.
On tour? Was Jax or Jaxson a rock star or something? My nose scrunched, had I heard that name before?
Mason joined his brother which shook off that thought. He wore black shorts and was bare-chested and holy shit! The guy should come with a fucking warning, I hoped my tongue wasn’t hanging out. I flipped my glasses back over my eyes with my free hand and squeezed Alex’s fingers. I certainly didn’t want to be caught in mid-ogle and incriminate myself. My body suddenly stood up and took note. My mind totally didn’t agree with its reaction.
A strange sensation entered my system like a dose of a lethal injection and my breasts felt heavy. My breath quickened slightly and I could feel my cheeks getting warm. What the hell was that about? Had someone spiked my drink with the essence of Mason?
From behind the safety of my glasses, I could not pull my gaze away. A handful of uncensored thoughts sashayed through my mind. That memory of that mouth on mine.
He’d been naked from the waist up at the fight, but it had been dark and I’d been spooked. Mason’s body was unreal . In the soft glow of the sunshine, it looked even better than the other night. He stood there tall and broad-shouldered without an ounce of fat on his perfectly sculptured frame. His chest held a light smattering of dark hair and why the hell did I suddenly want to run my fingers over it? How much had I drunk?
His pectoral muscles were flawlessly crafted, those male nipples of his, suddenly appealing to my lips. Mason’s stomach held a full six-pack and then some and his legs were strong and corded with muscle, that fine dark hair also covered the skin there. You could see faint bruising on his ribs, which he would have gotten from the fight. He was like sex on legs and was now calling to every part of my being. WTF? I needed to get a grip and fast. I reminded myself that he was a bastard and we hated each other. Irrespective of the fact that we’d played tongue tennis.
I needed to get the fuck out of there. My nipples were suddenly hard and were probably poking through the tiny bit of nothing that was my bikini top. I so wanted to cross my arms over my chest, but I didn’t. That would draw attention.
“So, how’s things? You, OK man? Good fight the other night. What do you bench now?” Chris cooed like a proper kiss-ass. Just ask him for his fucking autograph and be done with it, you sap! I had never witnessed one man crawling up another man’s arse so quickly. I wanted to yank Chris’s shorts down so I could see what a man with a vagina would look like. The thought made me chuckle, which drew a brief, sharp look from Mason.
I turned away, tuning them out, my nose wrinkling with disgust at my body’s attraction to the man of my nightmares, “I’m hungry, you want a burger?” I whispered to Alex. I didn’t want to be anywhere near the McKenna boys, especially when I’d had a few. Strange things came out of my mouth when I was in the presence of these guys, even when I was sober. I also needed some space to establish what the hell was going on with my libido. I was desperate, I had to be.
Alex smiled, “Please, whatever you’re having. Want me to come with?”
Mason, Boyd, and Chris were all in conversation about the illusive Jax and weight lifting, Rachel was trying to keep her eyes open and Betty and James were now all over each other. Proper going at it. Yuck.
“Nah, I’m good. Need a walk to clear my head.” And have a word with my body about its traitorous behaviour.
As I pushed to my feet, I stretched my limbs. I’d been seated for too long. From my hiding place behind my glasses, I could see I’d drawn both Mason’s and Boyd’s attention. Mason looked up and down my body like the feast was his to taste, and the knowledge of him watching me in that way made my tummy flip-flop. Something else that was new? To be honest, everything was at that point.
I lifted my arms over my head to fully alleviate that stiffness ground into my bones. I did it on purpose of course. I knew I looked smoking hot and I moved my body in a way that screamed look at what you will NEVER have !
Chris was speaking, but both McKenna boys were not listening. It wouldn’t have been obvious to the half-cut McKenna wannabee, but I knew all eyes were on me .
Bending over, showing them my backside, I retrieved my phone from the pocket of my discarded denim skirt. Even James pulled away from Betty and stared. I briefly checked for messages before collecting my skirt.
As I straightened, I turned toward Mason and shot him a syrupy sweet smile.
Those dark eyes roamed over my body again, before coming to rest on my face. There was a definite charged atmosphere between us. It was written in the air and fucking underlined in marker pen!
“Why wear anything at all, Amy?” Mason drawled in a deep voice thick with emotion. What type I couldn’t decide. Boyd had pocketed his aviators, his arms crossed over his chest, and he was doing that looking from one to the other thing he’d done at the pub.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I knew exactly what he meant.
He cocked an eyebrow, “That fucking scrap of nothing.” Mason’s eyes were literally roasting me with that burning expression. I knew he liked what he saw, even though he tried to hide his desire. Mason McKenna was now looking at me like a man does with a woman he fancies. I felt a sudden urge to giggle like a schoolgirl. It must have been the wine, that’s the only thing that made any sense to me. I was no different from any other girl my age, alcohol made me flirty.
Rachel took it upon herself to wake up at that point, her greedy gaze settling on Mason like he was her next meal. Her boyfriend was sitting right there, and I noted, was wearing the exact same expression. It appeared everyone wanted a piece of Mason.
I put my phone in my mouth and slid into my denim skirt. I checked the pocket to see if the tenner my dad had given me was still there. It was. I then gave Alex my iPhone for safekeeping, shook back my pony tail, and took a few steps toward Mason. Craning my neck so I could retain eye contact I said, without a slur in sight. “You seem to have a keen interest in what I wear Mason. But I haven’t had any objections from any of the other boys today. ”
Our eyes were tangled and I could easily identify the charged heat between us. It suddenly felt like we were alone in our own private war. His glare at that point was withering. He was trying to intimidate me and was failing. Confidence in my appearance orbited the space around me. I was untouchable when I knew I looked my best. Mason watched me in inscrutable silence. He had caught me off guard at the fight, well, never again. I was the one in control now.
Feeling the most powerful I ever had in front of him, I lifted my hand and ran a finger down his chest, right between those hard pecs. His breath caught in his throat at the contact and I witnessed him swallow. I had him. I was a strong, confident, attractive female and he knew it.
I dropped my tone. “What’s the matter Mason, don’t you like girls.”
And BOOM! Mason’s jaw clenched; the muscle flexing. He did not care for that comment at all, he was outraged . A man as masculine and virile as Mason would not appreciate his masculinity being questioned, especially in front of an audience. His glare was blistering .
My comment earned a chuckle from James and I could feel Chris physically recoiling in his seat. Boyd burst out laughing before Mason shot him a look that could have cut glass. Every muscle in his body was now tense. His hand clenched tightly around the beer he was holding, and I knew he was probably imagining the neck of the bottle was mine.
As I turned away, with a purposeful suggestive sway of my hips, I could feel all eyes on me again. Betty was saying something, but I didn’t quite hear it due to the sound of the ocean and music from the party, and my swift getaway turned into a half-jog. I didn’t want to stick around to give him time to retaliate. As I said before, the guy always came out on top.
Passing the volleyball game, it was all getting a bit chaotic as people got more and more laced with booze, there were balls flying in every direction, one narrowly missing me, and I picked up the pace.
Once I had space, I started to replay my body’s response to the nearly naked Mason. I’d always known he had a good body and was good looking and so why now? What on earth had changed between us to inspire this sudden attraction? It was like Mason’s suggestive behaviour had unlocked something and whatever it was, it was getting stronger.
Releasing a sigh of exasperation, I attempted to decide what I wanted to eat. I obviously needed to get laid, that was the only reason I was suddenly so turned on by a boy I professed to hate.
I didn’t have far to walk, there was a burger van just on the other side of the beach huts. The sun was now setting, and I realised that I hadn’t eaten anything that day. Not good, considering the amount of alcohol I’d consumed. I wasn’t drunk, not by a long shot. I was at that nice stage; tipsy I would say.
Walking up the ramp, I stubbed my toe on the concrete. Why hadn’t I put my sandals on? I wiggled my foot, and then set off past the huts that were individually placed on the tarmacked pathway.
There were a couple of people queueing with their backs to me and the burger girl was focused on taking an order. The sea crashed against the sand in the distance and I could hear the faint beat of music from the party.
My heart lurched against my chest, as firm hands slid around my upper body from behind and I was pulled back against a rock-hard chest. Air was forced from my lungs at the contact, and my arms were trapped by my sides.
“You like running. I like chasing,” Mason drawled against my shoulder.
My voice climbed in panic. “What are you doing ?” I tried to wiggle out of his hold to no avail.
Mason’s breath fanned across my neck as he lowered his mouth to the cuff of my ear. “I think we need a little chat,” he whispered in a gruff voice. Blood pumped twice as fast through my veins, like liquid fire. Shit, what had I done? Provoked the beast, that’s what!
I didn’t have time to wonder what he was doing. Mason was like a chest of concrete behind me, and he manoeuvred my body, directing me down one of the alleyways which ran between the beach huts. OMG, he was going to murder me and leave me to rot.
“I think you should let go, Mason and stop fucking stalking me.” My breathing was laboured as I attempted to pull away .
He exhaled, a short burst of breath through his nose, “I think not. Just keep walking. We need to discuss that smart mouth of yours, and how it’s going to get you in trouble one day.”
His chest pushed into me, driving me forward. I had to walk or I would have face-planted on the tarmac. I felt very aware of my bottom pushing against the tops of his legs near his crotch. I really hoped that was his phone digging into the top of my backside.
As we rounded the corner to the back of the hut, I tried to pull away again but his grip tightened.
“It appears you can add kidnapping to your list of crimes.” I tried to keep my voice level so he didn’t feel the uneasiness inside me.
“Just shut up and keep walking.”
“You’re going to break my ribs, Mason,” I lied, he wasn’t really.
“Then stop struggling, and do as you’re told,” he commanded in a firm voice. His words created a jet of excitement to snake up my spine. Fear and giddiness were intertwined within me.
Only when he was ready, did he spin me around and push me back against the rear of the hut. Mason looked down at me, like I was a snack. My eyes widened in alarm, but I had alcohol in my system, it gave me some courage. I would have to be cooperative though, I wasn’t going anywhere until he was done. I knew he wouldn’t hurt me, not really. He was just trying to scare me into obedience. Well, good luck with that. I was nobodies push over.
Releasing my arms, he stepped back, towering over me, all imposing and angry. I stared up at him as he drew in a slow, aggravated breath. My heartbeat thudded slowly against my breastbone.
I moulded my expression and shot him a sultry look, “If you wanted to get me alone, Mason, you only had to ask,” I purred, looking up at him through my eyelashes. Where the hell had that reply come from? Still, it was ballsy, stupid but ballsy.
My back was flush with the wooden panelling and so I had nowhere to go. That hulk of muscle stood in front of me, staring down into my upturned face with an unimpressed glower .
“You play the cocky bitch so well, but I know it’s all an act.”
“You’re wrong, this is me. Deal with it.” Trust Mason to see through my fa?ade.
His lip curled at my comment as he watched me with a penetrative look. There wasn’t much sunshine behind the huts, and Mason’s eyes appeared almost black.
He arched an eyebrow, “You really think you can say whatever the fuck you want and get away with it, Amy? Do you know me at all?” Mason delivered dryly, his devil’s eyes drilling into me.
“You’re such an arrogant little cow in front of your friends, but it’s a totally different story when we’re alone. I can taste your fear. That and something else. Sexual frustration perhaps?”
“I doubt that,” I growled.
“You really should do something about that. I deal with mine in the shower, perhaps you should do the same?” he suggested crudely.
“You’re disgusting .” My words were the total opposite of what my body wanted me to say. The thought of Mason jerking off in the shower, was doing crazing things in my womb area.
“You’re such a baby. When are you going to grow up and become a woman?”
I started to forget that Mason was holding me there against my will. Butterflies kicked off in my stomach, a whole zoo of them. I was relieved I had pulled my denim skirt on over my bikini. If only I had put my tank top on too, I’d have more armour against him. He was so close; I could feel the heat from his body warming mine.
“You taunt me with your fuck the world attitude and think you’re the one on top. We’ve known each other for years and yet you seem to forget, I always win,” Mason stated in a throaty voice. How I hoped he would choke on his Adam’s Apple.
I had two fingers curled into one of the belt loops of my skirt, and the other by my side. Mason now had his arms folded, the veins there standing out, another sign of his strength; a force to be reckoned with.
I had no fucking chance.
“You’re wrong Mason, we don’t know each other. Not really. And I don’t particularly want to either,” I replied in a breathless voice, narrowing my eyes. Bring it! My poise screamed. At least, I hoped it did .
He leaned close to my face, stating between gritted teeth, “You’re such a fucking liar. I tasted how much you want me the other night.”
Sexual energy bounced between us as another burst of uninvited desire pulsed through me. I wasn’t stupid, I saw it for what it was now. My body was attracted to a man my mind hated . Maybe hate was too strong a word as we had grown up together as children. OK then, severely disliked.
My tongue shot out to moisten my lips and Mason’s dark, hooded eyes followed the movement. That smouldering gaze pinned to my mouth.
He chuckled, but there was little laughter in there. Dark humour I would say, a mirthless smile.
Mason dragged a hand through his hair, “You’re such a little tease. You’d probably fucking faint if I took you up on your offer.” His voice was deep and sexy, a throaty rich rumble that suddenly spoke to that place between my thighs.
“I wasn’t offering anything , at least not to you,” I said in denial.
“You offer yourself to me, every time you fucking look at me, Amy.”
“You’re deluded. I was winding you up,” I stated in a tone surprisingly even.
“I know, and now I’m retaliating,” he whispered with a flash in his eyes. His voice was husky and the promise in it caused a wave of lust to rush through me, heat pulsing, like a river of fire.
The wine, mixed with the sun and the male glory that was Mason, suddenly made me brave. What would I do if he tried to kiss me again? That thought lit a torch inside me. Had my breathing quickened? I couldn’t form any words; I was suddenly tongue-tied.
At that moment, I realised that even if I could rewind time back to before I’d taunted Mason, I would still say those same words. Mock his sexuality. I wanted this showdown, needed it. The battle of wits between us was a turn-on and I realised that I had always known this, but had never accepted it.
Mason watched me with a stare that could have melted steel. I took a moment trying to decide how to respond, my palms suddenly felt clammy, but before I could answer, he made his move.
Mason shifted then and switched places with me, tugging me off the wall with his hands on my arms and turning us. He leaned his back against the hut and then dragged me firmly back against his chest again. I could feel he was hard against my spine and knowing that I had made that happen again, forced a panted breath from my body, it came out like a sexual sigh of pleasure.
“I’ve been wanting to touch that tight little body of yours all day.” He inhaled against my neck, taking in my scent which I would imagine was mixed with salt from the sea.
So, Mason had been at the beach all day. Probably watching me. The thought excited me more.
He held me against him, and I leaned back, basking in that heat and strength behind me. My nipples were so hard they ached. I felt confused, but my body was telling my head to shut the fuck up and go with it. I needed this, whatever it was. I felt like I had been wound so tightly and now something had sprung open.
Mason started to nuzzle my neck, his nose skimming my pulse and I tilted my head to allow him access. Keeping his hold on one of my arms, he released the other and smoothed my ponytail to one side, exposing the skin of my neck even more. Goosebumps broke out across my arms. What am I doing, what am I allowing to happen again? This boy made me sexually curious, and I so hadn’t seen that coming.
The feel of Mason’s lips against the softness of my throat felt amazing . I lit up like a bonfire and I craved his touch everywhere .
His tongue tasted me there, and then I felt his free hand slide down my belly to the top button of my denim skirt. A jet of fear mixed with excitement bubbled in the pit of my stomach. OMG, was he going to…
Still kissing my neck and bare shoulder, Mason slowly released the top buttons of my skirt, before sliding his hand slowly into the waistband. My legs suddenly felt like jelly and I parted them slightly so I didn’t lose my balance.
A gasp fell from my mouth.
And then, things kicked up into the next gear. I leaned back onto him, Mason supporting me with his rock-hard frame.
I held my breath as that strong hand then slid down into my bikini bottoms and I was lost. I resisted the nervous instinct to close my legs. I wanted, no needed to know how it would feel to be touched down there .
Intense excitement thundered through my pubic bone and up into my chest and my back arched automatically. The feel of his fingers against my bare flesh created a sensation, unlike anything I had known. I unhooked my fingers from the belt loop of my skirt and wrapped them around his wrist, stopping him from going any further. His fingertips rested on the soft thatch of hair at the junction between my thighs.
“Mason…” I said breathlessly.
His hand’s journey into the unknown ceased, and he lifted his head, whispering into my ear, “If you want me to stop, I’ll stop.” He was giving me a choice, the chance to say no.
My nails must have been digging into his skin as I battled with a thousand thoughts racing around my head.
And then, I let go.
My hand dropped to my side, the invitation for him to carry the hell on was out there.
I felt his lips curl into a smile against the shell of my ear, before he lowered his mouth to my shoulder again. His teeth pinched the skin there as his hand slipped further into my bikini, and more heat flooded between my thighs. That slight pain in my neck was also pleasurable.
Mason’s fingers stroked the core of me, gently but confidently. He’d probably done this to a hundred girls, but right then, I didn’t care.
I heard the moan, but wasn’t aware that it came from my lips. I was so hot, it felt like I was about to erupt.
Mason continued to touch me there and my pelvis moved towards that beautiful sensation he was creating as he cupped me.
“You’re soaking wet,” he whispered against my skin, nibbling, and tasting the softness of my neck and shoulder.
My body was on fire and my mouth parted as his free hand moved to grip my hip, his fingers continuing to work their magic. It was bliss , I was soaring, and that feeling in my body was getting stronger, my breath being coaxed from my lungs in long, unsteady pants.
Just when I thought the feeling couldn’t get any better, Mason slid one, sure, confident finger inside me and I almost came apart. My knees felt weak. He must have noticed the change in me, as he slid his free arm under my breasts to hold me upright, his hand catching my nipple, sending another thrill through me.
Between my legs, Mason caressed that special bundle of nerves with his thumb whilst sliding another finger inside me.
“You’re so tight,” he whispered.
Oh my God, it felt like there was a liquid fire down there. The sensation of his fingers inside me was immense .
“God, oh my God,” I panted, helplessly.
“No— Mason ,” he contradicted in a deep, masculine voice; obviously needing me to know , that he was the one giving me such pleasure. Mason’s fingers pushed deeper inside me, his thumb working that sublime magic.
I wasn’t totally na?ve. I’d read books, heard about it from friends and although I was not completely firing on all cylinders, I could feel my climax approaching. I raised my arm and grabbed Mason’s shoulder to keep myself upright, my nails digging into the skin there.
Mason, continued to stroke me, faster, setting that perfect rhythm, a tempo he owned. Just like me.
“Cum for me,” he said, his lips grazing the cuff of my ear again.
And I did. My head fell back as my body jack-knifed, my breasts pushing forward. That rush of pleasure was euphoric , like a feeling I had been missing since becoming a woman. I gasped, reaching that pinnacle, panting as I reached the most insane level of sexual fulfilment.
The curve of my body forced my head to the side, exposing my neck. Mason bit down on my skin once more, that pain again adding to my frenzy, my come-down from that high. Waves of pleasure danced through me.
My legs suddenly felt wobbly, my body weak. I was panting so hard you’d think I’d been running for miles. My nipples were tender too.
Mason held me upright and turned me slowly in his arms. I raised my fingers and braced myself, my hands on his shoulders, seeking support. He lowered his forehead and placed it against mine. We were both breathing heavily, and I could feel the hardness of his penis against my belly. He was huge down there .
My body was shaking and I clung onto Mason with our heads together, eyes closed.
After a while, Mason lifted his head and again, positioned his lips at my ear. He kissed the shell gently before he said, “Now your first orgasm belongs to a McKenna.”
And WHOOSH! It was like someone had thrown a bucket of ice-cold water over me. Shame that I’d never experienced chewed into me. My cheeks must have been flushed as they were burning.
What the hell had just happened? Mason McKenna had just put his fingers inside me and I’d let him? Was with him every fucking step of the way. I had wanted it, needed it like I needed the breath in my body.
I took a shaky step back, my legs feeling like they were attached with elastic. I felt pained and wronged, the total opposite of that sensation seconds ago. The feeling of remorse was so much stronger than after our kiss.
Mason’s heavy-lidded gaze stared down at me, taking in my no doubt flushed features. He wasn’t unaffected by what had happened, but he had more control than me.
Pulling my arm back, I slapped him across the face, as hard as I could, tears clouding my vision. In a heartbeat, he had turned something so beautiful and natural into something seedy and wrong. He had taken what was my first sexual experience and turned it dark and dirty.
At that moment, I truly hated him.
Mason’s head rocked to the side with the force of the impact, before he turned his jaw back to face me. There were too many emotions passing over his features to be defined and with a sob, I drew away and set off running down the gap between the huts. I had to get out of there, the shame of what I’d allowed to happen jabbed into me like a dirty knife. My feet hurt as they hit the concrete, but I didn’t care.
I could hear him thundering behind me. His own steps hitting the gravel.
Mason swore under his breath before shouting, “Amy, wait!”
He yelled my name, and I knew he was gaining but I didn’t care. I couldn’t face him, allow him to see what he had done to me, how he had made me feel. To sum it up in one word. Weak and ashamed .
I got as far as the ramp, ignoring the impact of the hard ground against my bare feet. I just needed to get to Alex. Alex, OMG, what had I done? I’d cheated. I was filth, a slut. The kiss and now this?
Tears ran down my face, stinging my sun-kissed cheeks. I needed to get a fucking grip. If I got back to our group in a state, there’d be questions. Ones that I couldn’t and would never answer.
I could feel Mason at my back and heard him curse as I ran through the sand, my feet felt like lead as the grains pushed through my toes.
Mason grabbed my arm, stopping my retreat and spun me to face him, growling, “Will you just fucking stop, I just want…”
“Let go of me!” I screamed.
“Mase?”
I was cut off. “What’s going on?” Boyd McKenna’s voice added further insult to what was now the worst fucking night of my life.
Mason released my arm and stepped back. An awkwardness fell between us and I cast my eyes to the sand. I couldn’t face either of them. I was so embarrassed. My breathing was erratic for numerous reasons, not just from running.
“Mason?” Boyd’s voice cracked slightly which brought my head up.
He was looking at his brother with a stunned expression, before casting a glance back toward me, his eyes narrowed in suspicion.
There were a million things I wanted to scream at Mason, but I was powerless with Boyd there.
After a beat of silence, Boyd grimaced motioning toward my shoulder, “Are those bite marks on your neck?” he questioned.
I was suddenly aware of every inch of skin on my body and my fingers flew up to trace the area he referred to. Dusting that tender mark, I remembered how Mason had bitten me and how much I had enjoyed the thrill of that slight pain. Regret smashed away the excitement that thought aroused.
At that moment, I wanted to set myself on fire .
Guilt thrummed through me and I realised my denim skirt was still partly undone. There was no way I could fasten it now, or Boyd would know something had happened. Who was I kidding, he probably thought I’d had sex with Mason anyway.
Boyd’s expression became more intense as his eyes beat back and forth between us. He shook his head as realisation kicked in. You could taste the depth of his astonishment.
“Fucking hell, are you two…”
Mason cut him off, “Save it,” he snapped and that was my cue.
“You can both fucking, save it,” I shot out, still feeling flustered. Mason muttered something under his breath but I didn’t catch it.
How I moved as fast as I did when I felt so out of control was a fucking miracle.
They didn’t run after me. Mason or Boyd. They must have known that the damage had been done. Boyd not so much, but I dare say his shit of a brother would bring him up to speed.
When I got back to the group, Alex was on his phone again and a fire pit had been set up in an old oil drum, the flames licking the night sky. As he twisted his head and saw me, a worried look bled into his features and he shot to his feet, taking me gently by the shoulders and peering down into my face. I had done up the rest of the buttons on my skirt, but hadn’t been able to recover my equilibrium after what had happened with Mason. I was still shaking and not able to hide it.
Concerned, Betty and James also stood and came to my side. Rachel and Chris must have gone for food or something as their shit was still there, but they weren’t.
“No food then?” Alex questioned with a frown.
“I’ve lost my appetite,” I replied in a breathless voice from running.
“Are you OK, Amy? You don’t look right,” my friend said, rubbing my arm, her head tilted, also worried.
Alex, Betty, and James then shot a look behind me and I knew the McKenna boys were approaching. I so couldn’t be dealing with any more shit right now.
Releasing my shoulders, Alex pulled me behind his body, almost shielding me and as he did so, my eyes fell on Mason and Boyd, who were walking toward us, larger than life. Mason wore a serious expression as his eyes locked on mine .
If he told anyone what had happened, I would die on the spot. Boyd just wore a shit-eating grin. No doubt they’d both had a good laugh at my expense.
Mason’s body was highlighted amber as the glow from the flames of the fire flickered across his massive rock-hard torso. A chest I had been pulled against only moments earlier. Another trickle of shame dribbled into me. I was a slut, a dirty tart. I’d let someone I despised touch me in the most intimate way. Not even Alex had done that yet. I felt lower than I ever had before.
Mason sauntered over to Chris’s cooler and helped himself to a bottle of beer and threw his brother one. He twisted the cap off his own bottle of bud and saluted me with it. There was silence between us. All that could be heard was the sea breeze, the crackle of the fire and the beat of the music as it drummed in the background. The occasional scream or bark of laughter also came from the varying groups that were still dotted around the beach, although there was half the amount of people there had been when we’d arrived.
“What have you said to Amy?” Alex questioned, taking a step toward Mason and Boyd. My panic monitor kicked off, what the hell did he think he was doing? These boys were brawlers and fought all the time growing up. They were in a fight club for fucks sake. Alex had probably never hit anyone in his life. OMG, this was not good, if Alex got hurt, I would never forgive myself.
I stepped forward, watching Mason miserably over Alex’s shoulder before moving to stand beside my boyfriend, who had suddenly become Mr Protective. It was odd, considering he’d been such a pushover at the pub.
The McKenna boys, sensing conflict came to attention, like sharks in blood-infested waters.
Mason cracked his neck and took a step closer to Alex so they were almost in touching distance. I recognised the squaring-up behaviour as I had seen it in the ring.
“What did you say to me, sunshine?” Mason piped up.
“Alex, please. It’s fine, it’s nothing,” I stuttered, grabbing his arm, and attempting to pull him away. He put a hand out to ward me off and then James got involved.
“She’s right mate. Let’s all calm down, yes? ”
“Yeah bitch , calm the fuck down,” Boyd spat at Alex, stepping next to his brother. He had obviously taken James’s involvement as siding with us, and wanted to even the match, whatever shit was about to go down.
“I’d listen to your buddy Alex,” Mason suggested, his stance full-on aggressive. His eyes shifted between Alex’s and me. When those dark eyes met mine, I dropped my gaze to the floor, I couldn’t bear to look at him. Even now, naughty thoughts attempted to push their way in there. Just like his… NO! I would NOT go there! The guy had gotten me off on purpose and then had thrown my response back in my face. Mason was a bastard of the first kind.
“Please Alex, don’t worry. He was just being a dick. Like normal. I can take it?” I soothed, again tugging his arm. Mason’s gaze flicked to where my hand touched Alex’s skin and his expression darken even further. It was almost a look of possession, which was ridiculous and so out of the blue. Mason McKenna wasn’t my boyfriend and had no rights where I was concerned whatsoever .
“I know she can take it,” Mason growled in a low voice, and I wanted to be shot on the spot. What the fuck! I so needed to distance myself from this situation.
I released Alex’s arm, casting a quick look at Betty whose mouth was wide open. Her eyes were glazed and I knew she was well on the way. I did my best to swallow down that worry that Mason was about to tell everyone what we’d been doing.
Then the shit got real as Alex lunged forward, and punched Mason in the face, hitting him in the jaw, a perfect shot. The cracking noise thumped in me like a drum and I watched as Alex grabbed the hand he’d used, pain etched into his features. He’d hurt himself and Mason fucking McKenna had hardly flinched. He looked more surprised than anything. I moved to half-protect Alex, ready for Mason to retaliate and knowing the damage would be far worse.
“Motherfucker,” Boyd spat out and lunged forward toward Alex, but Mason shot out a bulky arm and stopped his brother, shaking his head in a back off manner. No doubt he’d want to retaliate himself.
“Guys, come on let’s…”
“ Stay out of it, Lyons,” Mason snarled, second naming James. James took a step back and Betty moved to my side and put an arm around me. Alex just stood there smarting, holding his ground. I felt a burst of pride.
After restraining his brother, Mason stepped closer to Alex, and glared down at him. To be honest, I was shocked he hadn’t hit him yet.
“My eighty-year-old grandmother hits harder than you. You should get to the gym princess,” Mason said scornfully.
A silence fell between the group before Mason spat on the floor next to Alex, took a swig of beer and after briefly glancing my way, took off down the beach, his brother standing still, mirroring Betty’s earlier fish mouth.
He barked out a laugh, “You’re lucky Mason doesn’t hit pretty boys Alex,” Boyd sneered. And with that, he stole a couple more beers from the cooler and set off after his brother.
There was a sigh of relief between us before Betty started getting giddy with all the drama.
The rest of my evening had been strained. Pulling out my ‘headache’ card which I appeared to be using a lot on Alex, I asked him to take me home. Luckily, we didn’t see Mason or Boyd again but I did see Seth taking a piss in the car park.
I said nothing else and Alex didn’t pry. His hand was badly bruised.
Betty had soaked up the drama whereas I’d had enough McKenna shit to last me a fucking lifetime.
Alex knew something, but we kind of left it there. He had been my knight in shining armour, well in chino shorts anyway, but I wasn’t going to speak with him about what happened, no way. If it ever came up, I’d deny it.
What I had done with Mason, circled my head during the entire car journey home. I blamed it on the booze and sun, it wasn’t a great combination.
Bearing in my mind he had acted the hero, the peck on my lips as Alex dropped me off was like kissing a wet flannel. I felt nothing which was odd, my tummy usually did a bit of a flip.
So, Mason McKenna, my nemesis had ruined me for Alex, and I didn’t know how I could recover from that .
Later that night, I stood in my bedroom completely naked and looked at my body in the floor-length mirror. Did I look different? My skin seemed to carry a different hue and my cheeks were still flushed.
My fingers traced the slight bruise against my throat which had been caused when Mason had bitten me, that slight pain had mingled in with the pleasure, and had made my release even stronger.
I ran my hands down the length of my body, touching my skin, and testing it to see if it felt any different.
Something had happened tonight, something huge. My first sexual experience had been earth-shattering stuff. Cliched, I know, but frustratingly true nonetheless.
What was hard to swallow, was that the person to coax it out of me and bring me to that level of release had been Mason McKenna. My enemy .
It was majorly fucked up.
As I stood in front of that mirror, all I could think about was betrayal and how I’d let my family down.
I had experienced something special with someone that didn’t give a shit about me and did what he did to score points.
I’d made a mistake and I had no idea how I would ever fix that.
Disgust rolled through me. Hell, part of me didn’t want to fix it and so what did that say about me?