Chapter seventeen
Maria
Mason and I are enjoying a peaceful evening out, sitting at a cozy table in the corner of a patio overlooking the river. The ambiance is perfect, soft lighting, the hum of quiet conversation, patio fires on low, and the delicious scent of Italian cuisine filling the air. I take a sip of my sweet wine, feeling warmth spread through me.
“This might be my all-time favorite place in the city,” I tell him. I also love that this has become our place. I can’t imagine coming here with another man. All I’d do is think about Mason anyway, so it would be a disservice to someone else.
Mason reaches across the table and takes my hand. “I love anyplace we’re together, but I have to admit, this is my favorite as well. I love the ambiance and food, but it’s most certainly the company that makes it perfect. I love having you all to myself.”
“Such a smooth talker,” I tell him with a chuckle. “You always know the right thing to say. This entire relationship has been a whirlwind, but a very good one. I normally love my work, but I’ve been slightly resentful to be so busy lately as I want to play hooky with you,” I admit.
He grins at me. “I know how you feel. I love working more than the average person, but I’ve despised the travel lately because I don’t like being too far from you for very long. I’ve always mocked clingy couples, and now I’ve become that guy,” he says, not ashamed to admit this. It’s another reason I’ve fallen so hard for him.
We fall into an easy conversation, talking about our work lives, the newest authors I’m working with, and his favorite guests he has on his show. We both lead pretty exciting lives and there’s never a moment we don’t have things to talk about. Even in the rare times we aren’t talking, it’s still comfortable. Of course, a lot of the times we aren’t talking it’s because we’re moaning. I don’t mind those times one little bit. As a matter of fact, I’m ready to do some moaning again very soon.
“Maria, you excite me, there’s no doubt about that, but I haven’t enjoyed being with anyone as much as I enjoy our time together. There’s been no other woman who’s made me want to be with them more than I like hanging with the men.”
I laugh. “Even in bed?” I tease.
He shakes his head as he holds his hands up. “I’m a very smart man and know when to speak and when to shut up. I also know to say I can’t remember any other woman except for you. Anyone I’ve ever dated before has been long forgotten,” he says.
I laugh with him. I then widen my eyes as if I’m in shock. “You’ve dated women other than me?” I dramatically gasp.
He laughs harder. “Man, do I enjoy you,” he tells me. I reach over and take his hand.
“Not as much as I do you,” I tell him.
Before he can respond, we’re interrupted. I’m still smiling as I look up at the person daring to interrupt our date. When I see who it is my smile instantly falls away. Sabrina’s standing over us with a smug expression on her face. The skin-tight dress she’s wearing is meant to catch attention. I might dislike this woman, but I have to admit she looks good . . . and she knows it.
She doesn’t even look at me. “Mason,” she purrs in a sultry voice she’s surely practiced again and again. “I’ve missed you.”
I’ve been having a perfect night and I’m not letting this woman throw a cold rag on it. I have to fight down my irritation. She clearly doesn’t take rejection well. My grip on my wineglass tightens before I bring it to my lips and take a long swallow. I have a feeling I’ll need a lot more alcohol in the next few minutes.
Mason’s smile has long dropped as he gazes at Sabrina. “What are you doing here?” He doesn’t bother greeting her. Clearly, being cordial to her at the conference has led her to believe she’s welcome. She’s not.
“I miss us being out together. We had a few dinners at even nicer places than this,” she says, not caring that he’s obviously on a date with me.
Before he has a chance to respond, I realize I’ve had enough. I won’t make a scene, but I’m going to let this woman know she’s not welcome and her behavior’s abhorrent. My chair slides backward as I push back before standing. She’s a few inches taller than me, but my confidence in myself is real, not painted on like hers.
“Sabrina, I might be a nice woman, but even I have my limits. It’s more than clear that Mason and I are on a date together, and this is completely unacceptable,” I tell her, trying to keep my voice down so all eyes aren’t on us.
She gives me an evil smile mixed with a hint of condescension. “Oh, Maria, this doesn’t involve you. It’s between Mason and I,” she says in her most patronizing voice possible. I’ve never wanted to punch a person before, but I’m thinking about making an exception for this woman. Mason might have to hold me back.
Mason stands up next to me, and puts his arm around my back. He looks directly at Sabrina. I’ve never seen his eyes freeze over like this. “Maria’s very much involved in this. You aren’t wanted here. I’ve tried being friendly. Clearly, that’s not sending the right message. We never dated. We saw each other a couple of times. It didn’t work out. Let me make this so obvious, you can’t have any misunderstandings.” He pauses to make sure she really understands. “I don’t want you to approach me again, call me again, or ever, ever disrespect this woman I’m with. Leave us now.”
The sheer power of his voice sends a shudder through me. I don’t ever want to be on the receiving end of this wrath he’s showing Sabrina. I can’t imagine those dark eyes looking at me with such disgust.
Sabrina takes a step back, clearly seeing she’s pushed this too far. Her mouth gapes open for a moment before it shuts again. She then glares at Mason before giving me a disgusted look. Without another word, she turns and rushes away.
“I’m so sorry about that,” Mason tells me. “Please don’t let her ruin our evening.” He looks down at me, his expression instantly softening.
I smile at him as I take his hand. “Thank you. She’s a pest. Hopefully you’ve finally managed to get rid of her.”
This makes him chuckle. Before we can sit again, the waiter appears. “Is everything okay here?” he asks, looking worried as he glances in the direction that Sabrina left.
“Everything’s wonderful. We’re ready for dessert,” Mason says while placing our orders.
Once the waiter walks away, I turn to Mason. “I need help with something,” I say. I then take his hand and pull him behind me. He doesn’t protest.
I move down the hall into the quiet bathroom area, then head inside one of the private rooms. His eyes widen in shock as I lock the door behind us. I press him against the wall as I kiss him. I pull back and look into his delighted eyes.
“You’re amazing. No one will ruin our time together,” I assure him. “I’m also incredibly turned on right now.” Before he can respond, I drop in front of him, reaching for his pants.
“Maria,” he groans as I wrap my hand around his very thick hardness. Just a kiss does this to him. I love how much he desires me. I close my lips around him, and he bites his lip to keep from calling out.
He doesn’t allow me to suck him for long before he lifts me up, then pushes my dress above my hips and rips off my panties. He pushes me against the wall, and before I can say a word, he presses his mouth over mine and slams into me. Our kiss muffles my scream.
Our movements are frantic, our desperation for each other more than clear in the small space of the bathroom. I hold on tight as he pounds in and out of me, grateful for his lips on mine as an orgasm rushes through me, and I shake in his arms.
He soon follows, and I whimper when he pulls out of me and sets me back on my trembling legs. I then chuckle as I lean against him. I’ve never done anything like this before, and I absolutely love it.
“We better get out of here before there’s a line,” I tell him.
“Hopefully they don’t think we dined and dashed,” he muses. I look at him with wide eyes. That hadn’t been something I thought about.
He grins, more than happy with this turn of events. He then grabs some towels and helps me clean up before pulling my dress down. I straighten my hair as best I can and make him exit before me. He winks before heading out the door. I take another two minutes before I follow him. I don’t meet any of the dinner guests eyes as I make my way back to our table.
I’m sure the flushed cheeks, ruffled clothing, and satisfied smile give it all away. I don’t care, though. It isn’t as if I’ll see any of these people ever again, and that was too wonderful to have any regrets about.
I get back to the table where our dessert is waiting. We share them together and nothing else in life matters but this moment with Mason. No exes can put a damper on how we feel about each other. No stress at work can make a dent in it. We’re perfect together, and I don’t see anything that can come between us. I know without a doubt that I’m Mason’s, and he’s mine. I hope this will never change. For the first time ever, I’m hoping for forever.