Chapter Five #3
My head spins and the next thing I know sunlight is streaming through my bedroom window, and someone has planted a hatchet in my head. I wince at the sound of the front door slamming. God, why did I drink so much? “Ian?” I call, my voice hoarse.
Instead of Ian, Mason’s grinning face appears in my doorway. How did he get in? “What the hell are you doing here?” I ask, closing my eyes and trying to quiet the thump thumping of my brain.
Doubt flashes across his face before he shakes his head. “Do you remember last night at all?”
I have to think about it. Mason showed up at the bar and acted all Neanderthal. I flashed some guys. He dropped off my friends. Damn, it appears my memory ends in his car. Did I fuck him? I jerk back the covers to see I’m wearing a t-shirt and panties, and not the ones I left the house in.
“Nothing happened, Evie. You had alcohol spilled on your clothes. I helped you get a shower and put you to bed. That’s all. I slept on the couch.” While I’m grateful he didn’t take advantage, I can’t help but see it as evidence he isn’t interested in sex with me anymore. So why is he here?
“What are you doing here?” I repeat, forcing myself upright, groaning when my head protests.
“I brought you home. You were trashed, and I didn’t want to leave you alone.”
“That was nice of you. I’m fine now. You can go.”
Ignoring my petulant comment, he leaves the room and returns with a glass of orange juice and two ibuprofen. “Take these. You’ll feel better. Do you think you can eat some toast?”
Food is the last thing I want. “No thanks. I appreciate the ride home and all, Mason, but I just want to sleep off this hangover. I’ll call you later,” I lie.
He frowns and sits on the edge of the bed. “Evie, I’m sorry I didn’t call.”
“Stop,” I interrupt, holding up my palm. “You don’t owe me an explanation. I’m not your girlfriend.”
“I know, but we had a lot of fun together and I really like you. I want to spend more time with you, and I hope you want that too.”
I lean back against the headboard, keeping the covers pulled to my waist. “A week with me, then a week with her? Sorry, just because I’m not looking for a relationship doesn’t mean I’m cool with sending you off to fuck someone else when we aren’t together.
” His brow furrows as I continue. “I like you too, and I did have fun, but I think it’s time to give it a rest.” Before you tear my heart out and stomp on it.
I have no doubt he can. I’ve really missed him this week, drove myself half crazy wondering why he didn’t call, and that’s just not me.
I’m the one who doesn’t call. I’m the one who moves on.
“I’m not fucking anyone else. Why would you think that?” His gaze is intense.
“I’m sure Selena would be heartbroken you’ve forgotten her so quickly.”
He looks at me like I’ve just escaped the nuthouse. “You think I’m fucking Selena?”
“Everything was fine until she called, then you couldn’t get away from me fast enough. Your quick escape was followed by a vanishing act. It’s not hard to figure out.”
He sighs and runs his hands through his hair. “Selena works for me, that’s all. She’s married, and I’m certainly not fucking her. I wasn’t lying when I said I had to work. It was a last minute emergency that took me out of the country for a week.”
“What kind of emergency?”
He moves to sit beside me. “My job is complicated and sometimes shit happens at the last second that I have to deal with.”
Could he be more vague? “Outside the U.S.?”
“Striking Back helps build and fund abuse shelters in a few other countries. I don’t get called away for that long very often, but it happens. Usually, Alex or Parker handle the overseas management.”
“Oh.” It’s all I can say. I’ve been a jealous wreck and I feel foolish and embarrassed.
He takes my hand, entwining our fingers. “I wasn’t with anyone else.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t have the right to tell you who you can see when we aren’t exclusive.”
He grins and wraps his arm around me, tucking me against his side. “I’m glad you missed me, and I’m not opposed to exclusivity. I want you to myself.”
“I didn’t say I missed you,” I point out, stalling as his offer sinks in. I think I just argued myself into a relationship I’m completely unprepared for.
“Well, I missed you. Go away with me.”
“Excuse me?”
“I’ll take a few days off work, and we’ll go somewhere. I want to spend some time with my girlfriend.”
Girlfriend. Do I want to be his girlfriend?
He’s too good to be true, too good to last. I’m already crazy about him.
Can I really deal with another heartbreak when he leaves?
He isn’t giving me time to think. It shouldn’t be a hard decision, should it?
Stay home and stick to my same boring routine, or run away with a tattoo covered God and fuck our brains out. No decision really.
I know spending more time with this man I’m already too attached to isn’t a smart choice. Unfortunately, my brain doesn’t seem to be all that active in the decision making process. I want to be with him. “Camping?” I suggest, after a few moments of silence.
A wide smile appears and he chuckles, “You’re perfect.”
“Yeah, don’t forget it again.”
“Why don’t we leave in the morning? I know you don’t feel well.”
“Okay,” I agree, stretching back out on the bed. Call me when you wake up tomorrow?”
He huffs and gets to his feet. “Quit trying to get rid of me, Evie. It’s not happening. I’m going to hang out today and take care of you.”
“You are, huh?”
“Yep, Deal with it. I’m not giving you a chance to change your mind.”
“You think because you have a big cock, I’m going to give you your way all the time?” I tease.
“No, that’ll be because I know how to use it to make you scream. Now, I’m going to get us some takeout and movies.” He leaves the room and returns with a bottle of water. “Drink this, and take a nap.”
“Again with the orders.”
“Fine. Please drink the water and take a nap.”
“Was that so hard?”
“It’s always hard when I’m near you. Feel better, Panda. I really want to fuck you in a tent.” He kisses me on the forehead and leaves the room before I can think of a reply. Really, what do you say to that?
A call from Ian wakes me a few hours later. “Hung over?” he asks, and I know he’s grinning.
“Not so bad now. How about you?”
“I’m never hung over. So, did you work things out with Mason, or do I need to kick his ass?”
“Apparently, I have a boyfriend.”
“Whoa. That’s great, Ev. It’s about damn time.”
“Shut up. I don’t know how I feel about it yet.” I drop my voice, unsure if Mason is nearby.
“You’re scared. Get over it and give the guy a chance.”
“I am.”
“A real chance. Quit looking for any little reason to tell yourself it won’t work.”
“I don’t do that!”
“You left the last guy after the second date because he cracked his knuckles.”
“Well, yeah, it was annoying.”
“Ev,” he sighs.
“I’ll give him a chance. He’s…different.”
“And you’re crazy about him.”
“Yes,” I admit. “We’re going away for a couple of days. Camping, so you probably won’t hear from me.”
“Have fun and call me when you get back.”
“I will. Love ya.”
“Love ya.”
Mason walks in as I end the call, a brilliant smile on his handsome face.
“I picked up movies and pizza. You going to get your ass out of bed?” We spend the day snuggled on the couch, watching movies.
When we move to the bedroom, he only cuddles me close and kisses me goodnight.
“Get some sleep, baby. We have an early day.”
That’s an understatement. We’re up before the sun, packing and getting ready. Strong arms envelop me from behind and I shiver at the warmth of his breath in my ear. “You have to stop flaunting that plump little ass in front of me, or we won’t make it to the woods.” He slaps my ass, making me jump.
“I can’t believe you’ve never been to Turkey Run. Trail three is amazing,” I exclaim, turning my head to kiss him. “I’ll try not to wear you out, old man.”
“Wear me out? I’m going to fuck you until every animal in the forest knows my name.”
“What the hell are we waiting for?” I grab my backpack, and he laughs, following me to his car.
“We have one stop to make first,” he announces with a sheepish smile. “I promised to meet my brothers for breakfast today. Do you mind?”
He wants to introduce me to his family? “Breakfast with three hot men? I’ll suffer through it.”
“One hot man and two unfortunate looking younger brothers,” he corrects, pulling into a parking space at a small restaurant. His brothers are seated at a table on the patio.
“Everly, this is Alex and Parker.” He glares at his siblings. “Be nice, assholes.”
Alex smiles, showing perfectly straight white teeth. He’s the polar opposite of Mason with curly blond hair and light brown eyes. “It’s nice to meet you, Everly. Mason never shuts up about you.”
“It’s interminable,” Parker adds. “Evie this and Evie that. I can see why, though. You’re gorgeous. Come, sit next to me.”
“Don’t make me kick your ass,” Mason growls, pulling out my chair.
“You could try, but I’d hate to embarrass you in front of your girl.” Parker winks at me. He has Mason’s dark hair, cut much shorter, and his pale blue eyes twinkle as he baits his brother.
“Ignore them, Everly,” Alex advises, handing me a menu. “Everything’s a competition with them.”
“Thanks. Do you want to order, Mason? I mean, if your biggest pecker contest is over.”
“No contest there, baby,” he replies, kissing my cheek.
“Dude, I’ll whip it out right now,” Parker threatens.
“Behave,” Alex says with a long suffering sigh. The way they insult each other, play off one another, is hilarious. Under all the name calling is a clear bond of love and affection. Family. They’re eager to answer any questions about Mason, especially if they can embarrass him with the answer.
“So, are you both single?” I ask, after watching Parker flirt with the waitress.
“Why, baby? You interested?” Parker replies, earning a smack in the back of the head from Mason.
“I’m seeing a guy,” Alex replies. “It’s too early to introduce him to these idiots though. Don’t want to send him running.”
That explains Alex’s lack of interest in the cute waitress. “I completely understand.” I laugh. Mason and Parker fake identical wounded expressions.
“Your girl just insulted us,” Parker says.
“Yeah, I like her,” Alex tells Mason with a grin.
Mason puts his arm around me. “She’s one of a kind.”