Prologue Mason Kennerly #2
I picked up my drink and took a sip just as a petite woman stopped in front of the mystery man.
His previously steely expression softened into a smile as he looked down at her, and when she walked away, he chuckled and shook his head.
My heart started pumping when he looked around the room and caught me staring.
But much to my surprise, his eyes lingered a moment before he went back to scanning the room.
“How did your date go the other night?” Carson asked, drawing my attention. “I forgot to ask.”
Lennox broke out laughing, making me blush. “She was a little too much for our Mason,” he said.
“I blame you,” I said, tipping my glass toward Lennox. “You should have known that wasn’t going to work. That’s the last time I let you set me up.”
Lennox grinned as he ran his hand over his beard. “I’m sorry. Sometimes you’re a man of few words, and she was a sure thing. Didn’t think you’d have to talk once she got a look at your blue eyes and sandy-brown hair.”
I scoffed. “How about you set up St. James instead of me?”
Carson held his hands up. “Nope. I’m good, thank you. I’ve been seeing someone. I think maybe she might be the one.” The problem was, I don’t think he really believed that. He was just trying to derail the matchmaker.
I raised my brows. “Really? That’s great, man.” Carson smiled, but I recognized that doubt in his eyes. And he was a terrible actor. He never tried to talk his way out of a penalty when he knew he was guilty.
Luckily, Lennox didn’t look as closely as I did, or he was letting him off the hook. “Well, that leaves my matchmaking skills all for you, Mason.”
I snorted. “How about you match make yourself into a few dates. Or better yet, let us do it.”
Lennox grinned. “You never know. The Bachelor Auction is coming up, so who knows what might happen.”
I shivered at the thought, making them laugh. When the conversation turned to which apps were better for finding relationships over hookups, I glanced away to check on Tom Ford. But as my luck would have it, he was gone. And so was Evan and the governor.
Looking around the room, I leaned toward Lennox. “Hey, where’s Evan?”
He frowned and looked around the room, coming up empty in his search as well. “I don’t know. Jesus, I hope he hasn’t bailed for a hookup.”
“Nah, I don’t think so,” I said. “He was talking to Governor Gatlin.”
As the room began to fill with attendees, we were sidetracked by fans and people congratulating us.
While I wasn’t uncomfortable in public, it wasn’t my favorite way to spend the evening.
As we engaged in conversation, the governor appeared with Tom Ford.
I was fascinated with them as they headed to the front of the room.
Governor Gatlin stopped to shake hands and speak to guests as the suited man stepped back into the shadows.
Something about him called to me like a siren’s song.
I just hoped I got a better ending. But I’d never know if I didn’t meet him.
Taking a sip of my drink, I rose to my feet. “I’ll go try to find him.” This was so unlike me to approach someone, and they knew it.
“I’ll go with you,” Lennox offered, but I stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.
“No need. I got this. People want to talk to the quarterback, not the center.” I didn’t give either of them time to ask questions as I headed out into the foyer. Just as I hoped, the man I was looking for was in the hallway.
Clearing my throat, I willed my racing heart to slow down. “Uh, hi. I’m looking for my friend. Big guy.” I raised my hands to Evan’s height. “He was talking to the governor earlier, and now he’s disappeared into thin air.”
One side of the man’s jaw turned up in a smile. Dang, he was even more handsome than I thought. “Yes, I know who you’re talking about. There was a mishap with a bourbon, so Governor Gatlin took him away…”
My eyes widened at the opportunity to be witty. Jeez, what was wrong with me? “He’s been abducted by the governor?”
A sexy as heck grin spread across his face as he looked at me. “No,” he chuckled. “He’s been taken to the governor’s office to get a new shirt. Governor Gatlin thought he might have one to fit him.”
I turned to glance at the governor standing at the front of the room, then turned back to look at him with raised brows. “I might be wrong, but I don’t think Evan could wear his clothes. He’s a big dude.”
“Yes, I’m aware. That’s why Ms. Harrison ordered one to be delivered.”
I watched the smile spread across his face, and it reached his eyes. That meant he wasn’t placating me. Nodding, I stuck out my hand. “I’m Mason Kennerly, by the way. I play…”
He cut me off when he took my hand. “Center. Drafted five years ago from the University of Virginia. Go Wahoos.” I grinned as he went on. “It’s nice to meet you, Mason. I’m Thomas Kingsley, Director of Security and Governor Gatlin’s personal bodyguard.”
When he smiled, a dimple formed in his cheeks. And he was still holding my hand. “You do your homework like an FBI agent, knowing all that about me. Do you know my other stats?” Centers didn’t have traditional statistics.
He smirked at me. “I was one of those, too. It’s my job to know things about the people the Governor interacts with.”
My eyes widened. “Even football players?”
“Even football players. You can never be too careful with security. But your pass protection stats are impressive. Nice job protecting your quarterback. Must be why you got that nod to the Pro-Bowl.”
I was gobsmacked that he knew all that. “That’s why I was concerned about Evan.
All of that is impressive, Agent Kingsley.
You should lead with the ‘agent’ part when introducing yourself.
I bet your wife likes it.” Please don’t let him be married.
And who was this mouthy weirdo I’d become?
I never engaged anyone in conversation like this.
“No significant other.” He rubbed his temples. “Why am I telling you all of this?” he muttered, but the look on his face said he didn’t mind. I knew what regret looked like, and that wasn’t it.
“Because we’re friends now, Agent Kingsley.”
Before he could refute my claim, Evan came walking down the corridor with the little lady I’d seen earlier. Thomas turned to look behind him, then back to me. “See. No abduction.”
“Hey, Mason. Everything okay?” Evan asked, stopping at my side.
Everything was great. “Yeah. Just checking on you. Lennox was afraid you’d ducked out for a hook...” I curled my lips to shut myself up. “Never mind.”
“No way I’d miss this,” he said, then turned to the lady. “Thank you for the information.” He winked at her, then slapped me on the back. “Let’s go, buddy. I’m starved.”
It became clear my friend had been busy making new friends, because all through dinner, I saw him and the governor catching each other’s eye. So much so that after the gala, when we stood to leave, Evan didn’t get up.
“You coming, Ellis?” Carson asked.
“Yeah,” Evan replied. “I’m just gonna speak to the governor. I’ll meet you there.”
Taking one more look over my shoulder, I found my new friend talking to the governor with a dinner plate in his hand. My eyes lingered a little too long as Thomas caught me staring. Again. But this time, he smiled as he sat down alone at his table.
When we got outside, I had taken three steps down the stairs when I stopped. There was no reason for me to rush away. If I wanted to talk to my friend, I could go back inside. “You guys go ahead. I’ll be there later. I want to take a picture.”
Carson frowned, then looked at Lennox. My quarterback studied me, and I assumed some smack talk was getting ready to happen. But I was wrong. “Okay, Mase. We’ll be at the bar in the hotel.”
Grateful for the reprieve, I turned on my heel to reenter the building.
When I got inside, I headed back to the ballroom.
Just as I thought, Thomas was still seated alone.
Weaving through the tables, I quietly took a seat in front of him.
Thomas looked up. “Good evening, Mr. Kennerly. What brings you back?”
I straightened in my chair, my heart pounding a mile a minute.
I didn’t do things like this, but something inside told me it would be a mistake not to talk to him a little more.
“You. I noticed you were eating alone, and I didn’t have dessert.
..” I trailed off, suddenly feeling quite stupid.
“So, I thought maybe I could have it with you.”
My face lit on fire as Thomas smirked. “I appreciate that, but I’m used to eating alone.”
I shook my head. “Wanting to be alone and having to be alone are two different situations. If you want to be alone, I’ll leave. Just say the word.”
He smiled, then motioned for one of the servers. “Candace, could you bring us two cups of coffee and Creme Brulé?”
“Yes, sir, Mr. Kingsley. I’ll be right back.”
We sat in the ballroom, talking until the building had to be closed. I walked with him to his car, then he dropped me off in front of the hotel. I invited him in for a drink, but he declined. “It’s been a very long day. Another time.”
I smiled and held out my hand. “It was great to meet you. If you ever come to San Diego with Governor Gatlin, let me know, and I’ll get you game tickets.”
He smirked but didn’t respond.
When I got out of the car, I watched him drive away. For the first time in a long time, I felt like my old self. Mason, who said more than a few words. Mason, who was comfortable in his skin. And I wanted more.
Over the following year, I got to know Thomas as his boss and my friend fell in love. We ate tacos and talked about books whenever he had time to spare. We both loved history and dogs. And when my world fell apart, Thomas was there to put me back together.