Chapter 27
You wouldn’t get in the way of true love, would you?
Mason entered Lola’s, looking less like the cocky jock persona he usually slipped into when out in public and more like the boy I grew to love in high school.
His hair was disheveled as if he had raked his fingers through it on repeat all evening.
My heart vibrated against my ribcage. Whatever I told myself to believe—that I was immune to him—was nothing more than a blatant lie.
Other than the few times we crossed paths, we hadn’t seen or spoken to each other in almost a week.
I knew he was keeping up with the aquatic therapy because Donovan had seen him twice leaving the pool.
Deep down, I was a little bit hurt that Mason had never asked me to join him again. Perhaps he needed his space too.
When I was alone in bed at night, my mind often wandered to the day he had declared his love to me in my sociology class, and I’d turned him down.
He looked so defeated when he walked out, but what I hated most was how many people had watched our exchange.
Everyone knew who he was, and of course, they talked about it afterward, to my great despair.
Even Jules had heard about it, and not just from Tessa this time.
Then my mind drifted to our awkward encounter in the hallway of the athletic building, leaving me even more confused.
I had no idea where we stood anymore. I kept beating myself up, searching for a way to set things right between us.
What I did know was that I couldn’t lead him on any longer.
I either had to cut him loose or declare my love to him and see where it would take me.
I had to be the one making the next move—even if it scared me.
His eyes searched mine, and I froze as he sauntered in my direction.
I sucked in a breath, not sure what to do, while readying myself for whatever he was about to do.
Mason appeared different tonight. More relaxed.
For once, he was here alone, not surrounded by his teammates. No one to crack dirty jokes or steal the attention. He wasn’t hiding behind any costumes or magic tricks.
When his eyes captured mine, I lost the use of my vocal cords as he neared the bar.
He parted his lips and ran his tongue over his bottom one.
I clamped the counter with all my might and braced myself for whatever he was about to say.
After the hot dog episode, nothing could surprise me anymore.
My knees wobbled under the weight of his stare.
Was he here to break us up for good and tell me there was no future for us, or to try to win me over once more?
His throat worked on a swallow as he erased some of the distance between us. The intensity emanating from him was like a very powerful magnet and something I’d never witnessed before.
My breath hitched, never quite reaching my lungs.
“We gotta talk,” he said. No trace of silliness painted his features tonight. Mason had never looked so serious before. And so handsome. Even my ovaries noticed.
I swallowed, not sure how to react or what to say.
“Can we go somewhere?”
I shook my head. “I’m working. Now isn’t a good time.”
He swept his tongue across his lip again. Was he nervous? “Huh… It-it can’t wait.”
I challenged him with a raised eyebrow. “Say what you have to say then.”
He surveyed the room around us. It was still early, and the pub was mostly empty except a few tables at the back and people playing pool.
“I—”
I folded my arms before me and tipped my hip forward. “Whatever it is, you either say it now or you wait until I’m off later.” My hands were moist, and my heart racing. I hoped I still appeared confident, even though inside I was a jumble of nerves.
He rubbed his hands together and took a deep inhale, never breaking eye contact.
“Showing up dressed as a hot dog and declaring my undying love to you in front of your class wasn’t my finest moment.
I recognize that. But listen, I had no idea how to prove to you I was being serious about us.
It was stupid. I know how you hate having all eyes on you, and I didn’t think it through.
I should have known better. I will know better from now on.
Please don’t let it change how you feel about me. ”
“Still, you believed coming here to make another declaration was the right thing to do?” Why was I giving him attitude?
Mason had never done anything to make me doubt his intentions, yet here I was, putting him on the spot.
Inside, I was a jittery chaos. I felt so out of my game.
Right now, I was trying to build a wall around my heart to protect it but failing miserably.
“No. I just…”
“As I told you, I’m working. Are we done?” He was here, taking me by surprise, and I had no clue how to react. I hated the words as they left my mouth. Gosh, I probably sounded heartless. What was wrong with me? I had no excuse to put the blame on him.
His expression remained the same, so it seemed that my little attitude display wasn’t fooling him. “No. I’m just beginning.” He smirked. The stupid smirk that made my heart skip a beat.
I relaxed a little and blew out a breath. Okay, Mason could tell I wasn’t being harsh on purpose, but my defense mechanisms were kicking in. For a moment, I’d forgotten just how good he was at reading my moods.
“You can’t.” I failed at keeping my composure this time, a hint of a smile breaking free.
His own smile wavered just a bit. “Sure, I can…and I will.”
“Mase.”
“Mel. I’m desperate for a chance. Just one. You can even leave after the appetizers if I’m boring you, but please gimme one evening to show you we belong together.”
He stepped forward, and for a split second, I feared he would beg me on his knees.
Looking into his eyes, I saw no trace of Mason Pierce, the player I’d known for most of my life.
He wasn’t the womanizer or the infuriating boy who used to rile me up all those years ago.
He wasn’t the hot-dog-dressed star quarterback trying to make a statement.
He was him. No walls, no pretenses. Just him, pouring out his heart with a vulnerability I’d never witnessed before.
“Mase, what are you doing?” I begged him with my eyes to drop it, feeling the patrons’ gaze on us and my cheeks flaming up.
“Mel, there’s never been anyone else but you.
For years now, I’ve been trying to catch your attention, but all I ever seem to do is push you further away.
You always have this shield around you whenever we’re together, and I’m done with it.
My heart is already yours, whether you agree or not…
It has been for a very long time. Since we were just kids, to be exact.
You are my person. I’m sure of it. And I believe I am yours.
All I’m asking is a real chance. Not a coffee date or a walk around the park, but dinner.
Where we dress pretty and eat a four-course meal, and I get to pick you up and open your car door.
The whole nine yards. I know this isn’t a grand gesture.
I tried it once, and it didn’t go as planned…
I want to be able to kiss you and hold your hand and call you mine.
All the things I already do in my head, but I am too afraid to do in real life, in case they chase you away.
We lost our chance once. I’m not losing it again. It’s not—”
Before he could finish his sentence, I rounded the bar, walked up to him, and crashed my lips on his, swallowing his last words.
Time stopped.
The beating of my heart pulsed in my temples.
My thoughts evaporated.
Every single pair of eyes aimed at us vanished.
In that moment, I wanted to prove to Mason—and myself—there was no future possible between us. That our chemistry was friend-zoned at the most, and he had to stop chasing me. Making all those declarations.
Instead, the feeling of his mouth against mine proved the opposite. It shattered my foundations, rocked my world, brightened the darker corners of my soul.
His lips claimed mine in the slowest and most torturous kiss of my life. Our tongues danced together. Kissing Mason Pierce felt as natural as breathing. He became an extension of me. Our heartbeats synced. Why did I resist him for so long?
I looped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer, deepening the connection we shared. Holding on to him like he was already mine.
A low guttural sound formed in his throat, and I moaned when it reached his lips. I was under a spell I wished to never wake up from.
Mason’s hands locked on my waist, and I melted into him. Like two pieces of a puzzle, it felt as if my body had been molded to fit his. How could I have been so blind not to notice it until now?
He glided a hand along my back, leaving goose bumps behind, and curled it around the nape of my neck.
I had never felt something so powerful and so right at the same time before.
My entire being shuddered under the intensity of our first kiss, and I felt my soul coming alive.
Heat flooded my body.
My head spun at a vertiginous speed, but I refused to abandon the ride.
Right now, I could tell something special was developing between us. That it wasn’t just a kiss, but the kiss. The one about to change the course of my life.
Forever.
Someone clearing their throat beside us snapped me out of the hypnotic state we had fallen into. Slowly, I returned to the present, still mesmerized by the guy who held me as if I were the most precious thing he had ever cared for.
“Melinda?” The voice took a long time to reach the processing center of my brain. When it did, I jumped back. My boss, George, stood two feet from us, his arms crossed, wearing a zero-bullshit expression. “This is not the place for public displays of affection, young lady.”
I coughed. “George, I’m sorry.” My voice cracked as I spoke. “I was… We were…”
Mason grabbed my hand in his and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “Sir, it was all my fault. I’m the one to blame. Don’t get upset at Mel for something I did.”
George’s eyes widened in recognition. “Mr. Pierce. Are you responsible for this scene my entire pub just witnessed?”
Heat rushed through me. Would I get fired over this?
Mason stood tall beside me, never letting go of my hand. “I am, sir. And I’m really sorry for disturbing everyone’s peace. This had to be done. It couldn’t wait any longer. I couldn’t wait another second.”
“Mr. Pierce, I’m glad you got it out of your system. Now, since your presence here is affecting one of my most dedicated employees, I will ask you to leave. Do we have a deal?”
Ohmygod, this was beyond humiliating. Being caught making out by your boss, and your…whatever Mason and I were or weren’t…coming to your defense.
“Yes, sir. Just so we are clear, I intend to invite Mel on a date tomorrow night, and if she’s on the schedule, please make sure to find a replacement.”
George chuckled. “Mr. Pierce, you sure have some nerve, assuming I’d do as you ask and let you run my business.”
Mason winked at me. “All I’m asking, sir, is for one night with the girl who’s finally giving me a chance to prove myself. I’ve waited six years for her to kiss me. You wouldn’t get in the way of true love, would you?”
George’s eyes lit up, and I’d never seen my boss amused before.
“No. Never. I had that once. Lola. She passed away four years ago. We were married for thirty-seven years.” He extended his hand for Mason to shake.
“We have a deal, son. But no more PDA in my establishment during work hours. Are we clear?”
Mason grinned. “Absolutely.” He turned to me, claimed my lips in a quick kiss, and walked away. Before he exited the pub, he glanced at me over his shoulder. “Tomorrow night. You and me. It’s a date.”
He left without another word while my heart thrummed so fast I feared it would smash against the walls of my ribcage.
Through the window, I saw him pumping his fist and jumping around.
Happiness swelled inside me, and no matter what I did tonight, I would never be able to get rid of the smile splitting my face in two.
The murmur of the patrons made their way back to my ears, and I realized the entire place had witnessed our first kiss. The one that had been six years in the making.
“Oh wow, she kissed Mason Pierce.”
“Who is she? I wished he would defend me like this in front of my boss.”
“This is Mason Pierce? The Mason Pierce? What do I do to be the next in line?”
“Is she the girl he’s been asking out for weeks now?”
“Are they together? I heard Mason Pierce wasn’t the commitment type?”
Pushing their comments away, I returned behind the counter to take a minute to calm down.
For the last two weeks, Mason had claimed I was his true love in front of people I either worked with or went to classes with.
My romantic heart cartwheeled in my chest. I cupped my pounding organ with a hand, trying to relax.
In vain. This was better than any fantasy I’d ever had about him.
Better than any swooning scene from a movie.
The connection Mason and I shared was too good to be true, and I could no longer deny it.
How could kissing someone feel so right that it was like you’d rehearsed it multiple times in the past?
My brain frizzled with all the thoughts running through my head.
Mason Pierce had kissed me. His mouth had been on mine. Well, technically, I had kissed him. I had been brave enough to take the matter into my own hands and lock lips with him.
For once, I had acted without analyzing everything first, and it felt more freeing than anything I’d done before. I was bold for a change, listening to my heart instead of my fears, and it made me pretty proud of myself.
Donovan would tell me he’d warned me. I could already picture his victorious grin. Cassidy would tell me she had told me so and would be right to boast about it.
I traced my lips with a fingertip, trying to relive the moment. Mason’s mouth on mine. The caress of his tongue. His hand traveling all over my back. The way I’d melted in his embrace.
I had no idea what Mason and I were, but one thing I knew for sure was that I wasn’t done kissing him. If we only had one date together, one chance at this, I would spend the whole time with his lips on mine because nothing in my life had ever felt so right.
Yeah, I wished I had listened to him much, much sooner.