Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
He was probably damning himself by thinking about Sky while taking a shower, but where else was Mason supposed to think about those sorts of things?
Doing anything in Sarina’s bed was out of the question, especially with her sleeping next to him.
His room or bathroom wasn’t an option either because Sky was using them, obviously.
But it was impossible to think of anything else when Mason woke up and he was painfully erect and aware of the fact that Sky had spent another night in his bed.
Did Sky touch himself while he was between Mason’s sheets?
He certainly had in Mason’s fantasies and his hands had wandered to his nipples while he was washing his hair.
His thumbs teased the tiny nubs, making him harder and whipping his need into a frenzy.
Mason rinsed the foam from his hair and face, then hastily lathered his hands with soap and stroked his cock and fondled his sac.
His mouth watered as he feasted on Sky’s ass and made him frantic too.
He practically heard Sky’s voice, hoarse and demanding, and it made Mason’s toes curl on the tiles.
Then, he saw Sky naked and on his knees, his full, pouting lips wrapped around Mason’s shaft and nearly lost it.
Mason had to bite down hard on his lip to hold back a loud moan, afraid he’d give himself away as he imagined flipping Sky over and sinking into his tight, round ass.
Come for me, Sky. Come for me again, and again, and again…
Mason came, his eyes crossing as his soul silently imploded and spilled down the shower’s drain.
He panted as he leaned against the glass, both grateful and frustrated—deep, deep, deep in his psyche.
Before Adele had “volunteered” their “guest room,” Mason would have said that the only thing he wanted was a second chance at friendship with Sky.
Now, he was secretly obsessed and occasionally tortured by the thought of Sky sleeping in his bed.
He wanted to fuck every part of Sky, in every way known to man, in his bed, and as many times as possible.
Mason wanted to wallow in the memories and the spirits of every one of those orgasms after Sky was gone.
He wanted them like trophies and to gather as many as he could while Sky was occupying his bed but Mason had promised to behave.
And unlike Adele, he didn’t live for drama and never did anything for the plot.
She reveled in other people’s misery and liked to be front and center for the fireworks, even at the detriment of her own children’s happiness.
Which was another reason for Mason to keep his hands and mouth off of Sky.
He didn’t want to inadvertently play right into another one of Adele’s schemes and hurt Sky any more than he already had.
Sky had slipped out of the house before breakfast again so Mason fed Sarina and Sam, then saw them off to work and to school.
Instead of waiting for Sky, Mason bravely headed over to Adele’s with a large box of Girl Scout cookies she had ordered from Nick and Luke’s older sister, Kelseigh.
Sarina had planned to take them over but Mason thought it was a good and safe-ish excuse to stop by Adele’s on the way to the office.
Who gets mad at the cookie delivery guy?
Adele did. That’s who.
She scowled at Mason over her morning martini, her eyes protected by dark sunglasses and clutching the front of her red silk robe like he was about to leap onto the bed. Mason had never been in her bedroom before or had a reason to face Adele before noon and was already having serious regrets.
“Why are you here this early and why didn’t you just send them over with Sam? I don’t even eat the stupid things but the Castles are important people.”
Jeff Castle—the boys’ and Kelseigh’s father—and his brother, Ron, ran a powerful and well-connected Manhattan law firm and their older brother, Ted, was a senator.
“Right.” Mason smiled, not wanting to show any sign of fear or weakness. “I know how you don’t like to…eat things with nutritive value,” he attempted with a wince. “But the box was there and Sina’s busy this week and I was passing by…”
“So you decided to bless my morning with your scintillating presence?” she guessed, sneering as she withdrew a cigarette from a flat, gold-embossed box and lit it. “You could have given them to Irene and left me in peace.”
“I didn’t want you to think I was being rude or avoiding you.
” Mason’s back was pressed against the wall and his hand was on the doorknob.
“I thought I’d see how you were doing and if you needed any help with all the renovations you’ve been doing here.
” That was a huge lie and Mason prayed she didn’t because he’d rather set himself on fire than work for Adele or spend a single unnecessary minute in her presence.
“I thought you had some kind of computer job. Because if it’s money—”
“No!” Mason cut her off, shaking his head quickly. “I do not need work, and my finances are just fine, thanks.”
“Wonderful,” she said flatly before taking a long drag from her cigarette.
She washed it down with a gulp from her martini.
“If there isn’t anything else, I’m having lunch with Skylar and we’re dealing with Stewart’s study today.
It’s full of junk that Sarina doesn’t want and it’s about time we cleared it out.
I’m turning the room into a home theater, so Sam has a place to watch his little movies when he stays over. ”
Mason’s brows pinched as he tried to fathom a reason why she or Sam would ever want that but he appreciated the thought.
He would never approve of leaving Sam in her care for an extended period of time and doubted Sarina would recommend it either, unless there were no other options and it was an emergency. Nadine would still have to be there.
“Cool. I guess.” Desperate to make his escape, Mason mustered his courage and acted as nonchalant as he could. “You’ll be pleased to know that Sina and Sky are talking now and he seems to be enjoying his visit, all things considered.”
“Wonderful,” she said again, but with even less enthusiasm.
“Isn’t that why you…encouraged him to stay with us?” Mason asked carefully, gauging her reaction.
She snorted into her drink.
“Yes, that’s exactly what I was doing. So, everything’s all sorted out between the three of you, then?” she asked and appeared to be studying Mason over the rim of her glass.
He frowned and nodded slowly, unsure of what she was getting at. “Yes… Everything’s great now. We’re catching up and Sky’s getting lots of quality time with Sam and Sina.”
“Yay for them!” she replied with another snort. “We’ll be one big, happy family again in no time. What was it that set Skylar off all those years ago? He never told me and Sarina plays stupid whenever I ask her about it.”
“That’s not really for me to say, but it’s all behind us now.
A misunderstanding, really.” He laughed and hoped it sounded more natural to her than it did to him.
“But your plan was a success if you were hoping we’d work things out.
” His brows rose expectantly but she stared back at him, calling his bluff.
“Nana was hoping they would. It was one of the last things she said to me.”
The martini glass landed on her bedside table with a loud thunk! and she leaned toward him. “What else did Nana say?” she asked in an accusative hiss.
Mason shook his head. “Nothing we need to discuss. Ever,” he added and held his hands up. “I really don’t want to be involved in anyone else’s business.”
“Whatever it is that you think you know, you’d better forget about it.” She jabbed a finger in his direction.
“Gotcha! I’ve done my best to forget everything about that day.”
“Good. Is there anything else? This robe isn’t coming off, if that’s what you’re waiting for,” she said, making him jump and recoil.
“Christ, Adele! Absolutely not. It has never crossed my mind, and it never will.”
“I didn’t think so,” she replied with a bored flick of her cigarette. “Go on, then.”
Mason evacuated the premises as quickly as he could and considered running home for a shower and a fresh change of clothes.
His boxers were drenched, but Mason couldn’t risk being late for a video conference with the governor.
He had recently purchased a second home in Roseview and had taken a special interest in the town’s plans to repave the streets and repair the sidewalks in certain neighborhoods.
There weren’t any plans to repave any of the residential streets due to budget constraints, and homeowners were responsible for maintaining the sidewalks abutting their property.
It was probably a waste of time worrying about his damp boxers, so Mason braced himself and headed to the office.
At least he had a short day planned and was making one of his favorite meals for dinner: grilled chicken, baked sweet potatoes, and roasted Brussels sprouts.
Sarina was working overnight, and Sam was spending the night at his parents’, meaning it would be just him and Sky.
Mason made a note to leave a few of the chicken breasts plain and to add a regular Russet potato for Sky.
Brussels sprouts and most green vegetables, aside from cucumbers and lettuce, repulsed Sky, so Mason would pick up more baby carrots and mini bell peppers.
Sky loved those as long as they were raw.
His disturbing encounter with Adele and the impending earful from the governor were suddenly eclipsed by his anticipation.
There was a good chance that Adele would monopolize Sky’s entire day, through dinner.
But there was also a chance that they might have a few drinks and maybe spend a little time alone together after Sky returned.
Mason refused to imagine what else might happen when he was facing two hours at his desk, trapped in a video conference with the governor. Or get his hopes up.
Not when Mason had no business fantasizing about Sky like that anymore and had promised to keep a respectable distance.
I can do that. We can hang out and have a few drinks without me making a pass at Sky or making an ass out of myself.
“I’ll definitely make an ass out of myself,” he predicted, but Mason smiled all the way to the office.