CHAPTER NINE
Mason
Of course being nice would come back and bite me in the ass.
I should have walked away thirty minutes ago, but my stupid ego forced me to see it through.
To pretend I’m enjoying the movie I desperately wanted to watch, acting as though I’m completely oblivious to the giggles and flirting coming from the opposite couch.
The movie ends and I jump up so fast you’d think the couch was on fire. But it’s not fast enough.
Jack pulls Jenna to her feet, laughing richly as he whispers in her ear.
“I’ve been drooling over it since I first arrived,” she tells him, her eyes wide with excitement.
“Let’s do it.”
“Gah. Yes!”
Gah? I didn’t take Jenna as a “gah” type of girl, but what do I know? And what the fuck has she been drooling about?
The letter comes to mind and my stomach sinks. Not that I get time to process it before Jack’s phone erupts in a siren and the room stills. Me included. Jack curses while Jenna steps back, her subtle eye roll making it clear she knows what that particular ringtone means.
Though, I doubt she has anything to worry about this time. Not with the way tonight’s playing out. If Jack wants Jenna, now’s his chance. Even he’s smart enough not to walk away from that.
“I’ll be back,” he says, surprising me, my eyes flashing to Jenna’s to find her expression neutral.
“Sure thing. I’ll get my bikini on and meet you by the pool upstairs.”
Jack leaves the room and I groan under my breath. Mother. Fucker. The pool on our balcony runs right past my bedroom window. I should have gone out. Why the hell did I cancel—
“What’s that about?” Jenna asks, cutting into my thoughts, her eyebrows perfectly arched.
“What about?” I expect her to ask about Jack, but I’m off base.
“The groan.” She playfully smirks.
“Oh, nothing important,” I lie. “I’m shocked you’re bothering with a bikini. You’re not shy about your body. It’s dark; why not skinny-dip?” I’m trying to be an ass except now I’m picturing her naked in my pool and that’s not ideal.
Jenna’s head drops back as she laughs out loud. “You’d love that, wouldn’t you? Maybe you could join us. I believe I’m owed a peep show.”
“As tempting as that sounds…” I fake a smile, letting the sarcasm drip from my tone. “I’m good. You kids have fun.”
Jenna grins but I don’t let her say anything else as I turn, walking away quicker than I need to, her parting giggle sending a shiver down my spine. Why am I letting her get under my skin? I promised myself I wouldn’t.
I pass Jack as I walk into the hall, and the regret in his eyes stops me in my tracks. Nooo. Fuck. Surely not. Come on, Jack, you’re better than that.
Taking a deep breath, I spin around at the same moment he delivers the blow to Jenna. “I have to go. I won’t be as long this time but—”
“No,” I boom from behind him, making him jump. “For once in your life, think about what you’re doing.”
“I am.” He looks back at me, a scowl marring his expression. “Tracey needs me. She’s—”
“Using you, Jack. Can’t you see that?”
“She doesn’t have anyone else, asshole. Just because you’re not capable of caring about others doesn’t mean I have to be selfish.”
Jenna gasps as her gaze bounces between us. “I don’t think—”
“It’s fine,” I cut her off. “You’re right. I’m the selfish one. Go.” What do I know about being there for someone who can’t look after themselves?
With a glare my way, Jack steps closer to Jenna and whispers softly so I can’t hear what he’s saying. She smiles back at him before he turns to leave.
My jaw aches from how tightly I’m clenching my teeth, but it stops me from saying more as he stalks toward the garage. What the hell is he thinking?
He flips me off, slamming the door, and I lose my restraint. “Real mature, dickhead.”
I huff as I turn around, finding Jenna’s curious gaze locked on mine. “You didn’t have to do that. He’s free to do as he pleases.”
“I love him but he’s a fucking idiot. All he ever does is do what he pleases.”
She laughs and the lightness of it instantly calms me.
She’s clearly not as affected by this as I am.
But she has no idea how fucked up that relationship is.
She calls, and he goes running. I used to think he had a crush on her, and that he was waiting for his shot.
I’ve since discovered he likes being her hero.
It gives him some kind of fucked-up high, which was fine when it wasn’t affecting anyone else, but now, he’s ditching Jenna for her.
“How many years are there between you and Jack?” Jenna’s voice cuts into my anger, her curious gaze returning.
“Six,” I bark before huffing in apology. “I’m thirty-three,” I say, softer this time.
“And still living with your brother?” She raises an eyebrow, biting back a smile, and I hate that it makes me chuckle. Her teasing should piss me off. She doesn’t know me. But…
“Unfortunately, yes.”
“Why don’t you move out?” Well, Jenna, I ask myself that question on a daily basis.
“Would you?” I counter, waving my hand around the space. I love this house, but it’s much more complicated than that.
“Definitely not.” Jenna snorts, her expression awed. “This house is incredible. I’d kick my brother out. If I had one.”
There’s a sadness to her tone that has my smile fading. “Are you an only child?” I ask, wanting to keep her talking.
“I am. I would have loved to have a sibling growing up. However, I can also see the challenges.”
“Having a younger brother who treats houseguests like shit?” I smile until Jenna shakes her head.
“No. The responsibility for said younger brother.”
“What?” A pounding raps at my rib cage, the beat getting stronger the longer Jenna stares at me, seeing me better than anyone ever has. And she barely knows me. What do I say to that?
“Do you ever get the chance to let loose?” She breaks my inner spiral, and whether she sees how uncomfortable I am or doesn’t want the conversation to get too deep, I appreciate the change of subject.
“Of course,” I lie.
“You nursed the same beer for seven hours at the pool party yesterday.”
“I had two beers, thank you.” I smirk and she lets out a snort laugh. “Not everyone has to drink to let loose. I have my ways.” My voice deepens of its own accord, making my admission sound much dirtier than it is.
Jenna’s eyes fill with intrigue and I almost laugh, guessing where her mind went.
“Like what?” she asks.
“The waves.” I shrug nonchalantly and her lips twist.
“Wrong answer.”
“Wrong answer?”
“Yep.” She pops the p. “That doesn’t count. Let’s go.”
“Where are we going?”
“You’re going to meet me at the pool. We're doing shots.”
“Shots?” I stare, unimpressed. That sounds like hell, and something my brother would do. I see the effects of shots whenever I’m at work.
“You’re going to love it. I’ll tell you what… For every shot you have, you can ask me a personal question.”
Her reaction to Christmas comes to mind, and my intrigue gets the better of me. “Fine.”
“Yes! I’ll be back in five minutes.” She rushes off, but the excitement in her eyes lingers in my mind. It would be much easier if I wasn’t goddamn attracted to her. Too late for that.
Five minutes later, I’m in the pool waiting, but when fifteen minutes tick by, I question my sanity. Is she playing me?
Palms flat on the pool’s edge, I lift my body out of the water and freeze, my muscles locked as Jenna walks outside.
My throat tightens at the sight of her. She’s the embodiment of a goddess, her gold bikini sparkling in the light, her soft curls cascading down her front, covering her chest. The innocence of it makes her all the more alluring and I can’t drag my eyes away, desperate to see what’s underneath.
“Oh, yay, you got the good stuff.” Her words jolt me as she points to a bottle of vodka beside me, and I find a smile gracing her lips when I finally look at her face.
Her gaze drops until she openly ogles my chest, and the fire in her eyes forces me back into the pool.
“If you’re making me do shots, I want it to taste good. This one’s flavoured.” I shrug because I’m not sure that makes it much better, but it’s worth a try.
“Flavored?” Jenna snaps out of her leering and rushes over, grabbing the bottle in her grasp. “Vanilla?” Her smile widens. “This is going to be fun.”
I smile back at her, but the pit in my stomach tells me I’m not as sure as she is.
But God, I hope she’s right.
My mind spins as I stare unfocused into Jenna’s dark eyes, the reflection of the moon illuminating her features. I blink a few times as I replay what she said.
I’ve had my heart trapped in my throat for the past two shots, and I’m not sure I can take it anymore.
The first few questions were tame, with the two of us throwing around easy topics like our first kiss or when we lost our virginity. But the last couple have been a little more personal—do I consider Jack and me to be friends? And have we ever liked the same girl?
Both of which were yes.
Jenna keeps her expression schooled while I think, yet there’s a glint in her eyes as she passes me a shot glass, the vodka spilling over the edge. “Your turn.”
I nod and tilt my head back, closing my eyes as the cool liquid burns my throat. I have no idea what my limit is when it comes to shots. I haven’t done anything like this since university. However, I’m not about to back down. I can’t.
When I’m finished drinking, I lower the glass slowly, opening my eyes to find her lust-filled gaze staring back. And fuck me.
If she keeps looking at me like that, I’m… No, I’m not going to do anything. No matter how badly I want to.
Before I can speak, her eyes drop to my mouth and she bites her lip, tugging the flesh between her teeth.
God. She’s been sent here to tempt me. My own personal siren. “Why don’t you like Christmas?” I blurt, instantly bringing her out of her daze.
“What?” She blinks a few times.
“Why don’t you like Christmas?” I repeat and my chest burns with regret. Talk about jumping from zero to one hundred.
“Let’s call it abandonment issues.” Jenna’s eyes narrow and she rips the shot glass from my hand, knocking back two shots in quick succession. I move to apologise until she swipes her thumb across her lip, rendering me speechless as she sucks it into her mouth.
“What were you and Jack arguing about at dinner?” she retorts, her eyes harsher than they were a few seconds ago.
“You,” I answer without thought, my brain malfunctioning.
“What? Why?” She frowns but her questions make me smile.
“Uh-uh.” I waggle my finger. “It’s my turn.” And I’d rather not get into that right now.
“Fine. Ask away.”
I gulp down another shot, ignoring the dull ache behind my eyes. “Why’d you come to Australia?” I ask, catching myself off guard.
Jenna shrugs but answers without missing a beat. “Your brother.”
“Why?”
Dammit. I wait for the grin and she delivers, right on cue. “Uh-uh. My turn.” She raises the bottle to her mouth, taking a swig, not bothering to use the glass anymore.
“Have you ever had a serious relationship?” she asks, her intense stare penetrating mine.
“No.” I’m quick to respond. “Have you?”
“No. When was the last time you had sex?”
“A few weeks ago. You?”
“The night before I came here.”
I internally cringe but wave for her to continue, and the rapid-fire questions begin, the alcohol seemingly forgotten.
“Have you ever been arrested?”
“Have you ever smoked weed?
“Done drugs?”
“Hurt someone?”
We go back and forth, barely a breath taken between us, until I ask a question I instantly regret. “Have you ever kissed Jack?” Fuck. Why the hell would I ask that?
Jenna hisses as she pauses, grabbing the vodka again, taking another a sip, answering without emotion. “No.”
“You paused,” I rasp and Jesus. Stop. Questioning. Her.
Unperturbed, Jenna smiles. “I did. I was curious.”
“About what?”
The water sloshes as she moves closer and my breath catches. She jokes about Australia having the most beautiful people in the world, but I have never seen anyone more perfect than her. Especially now with her flushed cheeks and the spark in her eye.
A spark that should probably make me nervous.
She stops in front of me, her smile flirtatious as she bites her lip again, and nothing could stop my gaze from dropping to her mouth.
“Do you want to kiss me?” she whispers, her honey voice fucking with my head, exactly like the siren I believe her to be. “Or do you need mistletoe for that?”
“No to both,” I scoff, moving closer, the lie tasting bitter on my tongue, my entire body tingling with need.
“Good.” She stares defiantly, her chest rising with shallow breaths, her eyes bouncing between mine, and I have no doubt her next words are going to be a lie.
“I don’t want to kiss you either.”