Chapter 19
19
PIA
Are we talking about the intense chemistry between us that had me wanting to toss you on my bed this morning, not giving a fuck if I was your boss?
I hadn’t been able to think about anything else for the rest of the night.
That was exactly what I’d wanted to talk about, figuring to clear the air and address the elephant in the room. Because he took up more and more space in my mind every day. Tonight it had gotten to the point that even breathing normally had become difficult around him.
Not giving a fuck if I was your boss…
With every step toward the house, the urge not to let it drop became stronger, especially strange since I’d done a great job of avoiding eye contact with him since he’d said that to me. Of course, it had been pretty easy when he took off, surprising me less than my companions.
By the time I passed his bedroom, my fingers itched to text him. The second I hit send, I’d wanted to take it back. Sort of.
The door opened.
He wore boxers and a T-shirt and an expression that was easy to read.
“I agree we should talk,” he said, his voice low and husky. “But now probably isn’t a good time.”
Of course it wasn’t. What had I been thinking? “You’re right,” I said, taking a step back.
With a sound in his throat that was part groan and part guttural growl, Mason’s hand shot out and grabbed my arm, stopping me from backing away any farther.
He pulled me into his room, slammed the door closed and pushed me up against it. Surely he could hear my heart hammering as he grabbed both of my wrists and pinned them above my head. The authority with which he moved… his intentions, which were quite clear… seeing Mason lose control, something he did rarely… It was all too much.
“Mason.”
The word sounded strangled to my own ears. It was desperate and pleading but filled with pent-up longing and a need to know what a kiss from this man would be like.
He filled the remaining space between us with his body, Mason’s chest now touching mine. His hand gripped my wrists so easily that, even if I tugged to pull them away—which I didn’t—they wouldn’t budge. So much power and strength…
“Tell me to stop, Pia.”
As if I’d do such a thing. I met his eyes, defiant.
“I am your boss. This isn’t right.”
It felt right to me. My chin lifted, but I said nothing.
“Pia,” he warned, and I could tell it would be my last warning.
Good.
Mason’s other hand moved to my face. Gripping my chin with his strong fingers, he held me in place. He wanted to dominate me?
Fine.
Kiss me?
More than fine.
But if Mason wanted me to stop this, he was in for a rude awakening. Every nerve ending in my body was ready for this kiss.
My lips parted.
Mason’s head descended, both of his hands holding tight. The first touch of his lips was softer than I’d expected. Immediately I opened for him and Mason took advantage, his tongue swooping inside. Pressing harder, opening deeper, the kiss went from gentle to demanding almost immediately.
I did pull my wrists from his grip then, wanting to touch him, to get closer. Mason’s hand not only held firm, but his other hand joined the party. I was well and truly pinned to the door as his lips continued their sensual assault. This kiss was everything I’d imagined, and so much more. It was as if our mouths were made for each other, Mason’s head slanting for even better access.
I wanted to touch him so badly.
This time, when I pulled my wrists he let them go, my arms immediately encircling his shoulders. I pulled him closer. Or maybe he pulled me closer, his hand wrapping around my back. Our bodies pressed together as the kiss spiraled more and more out of control.
After what felt like days, or only a few minutes, Mason pulled back.
“Pia.” He looked down at me with an expression I’d never seen on him before. It was pure, unbridled passion. Desire. Maybe even need. “If you knew how much I wanted to do that every fucking time we’re together.”
“I do know.” Because I wanted it too.
“Like I said at the bar, I’d give my right arm to carry you over to my bed and spend the night making love to you over and over again until you couldn’t walk tomorrow.”
My core clenched at his words.
“I want to be inside you so fucking badly, especially after that kiss.”
“But?”
Not only was there a but in his words, but Mason’s grip was no longer as tight on me as before.
“But I promised myself not to touch you.”
I untangled my arms from his neck and stepped back. This time, he let me.
“What are you saying?” I asked, the dumbest question ever. It was clear what Mason was saying, but my ears refused to believe it. Not after that kiss.
“I’m saying this shouldn’t have happened. I’m your boss. It’s not right.”
“Maybe not,” I conceded, “but you can’t deny there’s something between us.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” His tone was softer than his words. “Of course there’s something between us. I’ve never wanted a woman so badly in my life.”
I wasn’t sure if I believed that, completely, but it was still nice to hear, especially since he was basically turning me away.
“I get what you’re saying.” I tried not to notice Mason through his boxers. “And I agree that it does complicate things.”
“Big time.”
“But I wonder if it’s something more than that?”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know. I just get the sense…” I stopped. Convincing someone of my worth was not only a waste of time, but it was degrading. And I wouldn’t do that to myself. Not again. “Never mind. This was a mistake.”
“Pia,” he said. “The last thing I want to do is put you in an awkward position. I have no idea what’s going to happen with the inn, or what direction I’m taking.”
“What do you mean?” Now it was my turn to be confused.
He took a deep breath. “My leave is only thirty working days. When that’s up, I have big decisions to make, as you know. There was always the possibility I would still sell.”
“I know. But I’m not sure what that has to do with us.”
“There are just too many question marks.”
As in, he could be leaving. “I get it,” I said, heading to the door and opening it.
“Pia.” He stopped me. How could he have had me pinned against the door five minutes ago, kissing me like I’d never been kissed, but was now rejecting me so easily? Like it was nothing. Mason’s expression was a mask of indifference, so different than it had been just a few moments before.
Rangers are as tenacious as they are disciplined .
The more I read about them, the more I began to understand Mason. The man who watched me walk out his bedroom door was all Ranger. I should have listened to him when he told me he was nothing like his father. “Less nice” was putting it mildly.
“It’s fine,” I said, knowing it was anything but. “This was a mistake.” I repeated his words. “I’m sorry I texted you.”
As I was about to close the door, Mason stopped me.
“Pia.”
I looked up into the eyes of the man I’d been kissing so passionately just a few minutes earlier. “Remember, never apologize to me. Especially when you haven’t done anything wrong. I pulled you into my room. I kissed you. You understand?”
I nodded, just wanting to leave. “Goodnight, Mason.”
“Goodnight, Pia.”
It took everything I had not to run down the hall to my bedroom and slam the door. I wasn’t a child, and maybe I also wasn’t as disciplined as Mason, but I could control my emotions too. Or at least I thought I could, since the second I opened and closed the door, tears began to well in my stupid eyes.
I wanted him. And he wanted me, too.
And that was precisely the problem.