Chapter Four
“Mom, I think this is the place.” DJ pointed out to the large stone mansion.
Brandi gaped as she slowed down to take in the magnificent structure. She glanced at her directions. 218 Crawford Road. She already knew Mason Collins was probably wealthy since he owned a couple of car dealerships, but she still didn’t expect such splendor. Turning into the driveway, she gave her son the speech.
“Remember what I said when you go in there. You will thank Mr. Collins for having you over and you will behave yourself. If I hear that you’ve misbehaved, no more sleepovers. Do you understand, mister?”
“Yes, Mom. This place is sweet! I bet Mr. Collins is real super rich.” DJ echoed her earlier thoughts.
“I would imagine so if he lives in a place like this,” she agreed, bringing the car to a halt. When her son came home earlier in the week to say that his new friend invited him for a sleepover, Brandi could hardly say no. DJ was a good kid who always got good grades, but she felt wary about seeing Mason Collins again. There was something about him that nagged at her. Since the night they met, she couldn’t get him out of her mind; it was disturbing.
Whatever it was, she had to tread carefully. She didn’t need any more complications in her life right now. Rodney was mad at her because she didn’t want to set a wedding date yet. The sullen silences and petulant side glares were unnerving whenever she was with him. The more petulant he became, the less she wanted to set a date. She didn’t know what had gotten into him lately, and Brandi didn’t like it one bit.
She and DJ got out of the car and walked up to the imposing door. The little redheaded kid she remembered from Parents’ Night answered the bell, a big smile on his face.
“Hey, DJ. Come in. I’m playing Super Mario Brothers on my Switch. Hi, Mrs. Evans.” Ben beckoned them inside.
Ben Collins was a cutie pie with his bright red hair and deep-green eyes. She knew he would be quite the heartbreaker when he grew up. Already he looked the image of his sexy father.
Sexy? Where did that come from? Get a hold of yourself, girl. Just then, the object of her thoughts appeared.
“Hi, DJ. I’m glad you could make it. Why don’t you put your stuff down and Ben can show you his new game.” Mason spoke to her son, but his intense green eyes never left her face.
DJ looked up at his mother. “Go ahead, baby. Be good.” She leaned over to kiss his cheek.
When the boys ran off, leaving the two adults alone, Brandi suddenly felt nervous. Mason smiled at her with even white teeth.
“Thanks for bringing your son over. Ben has really been looking forward to this.”
“So has DJ. He’s been talking about this nonstop.”
“So, Brandi…I mean, Mrs. Evans--”
“Please call me Brandi.” She smiled at him.
“And you must call me Mason. Where’s your daughter tonight?”
“She’s at my mother’s house. Well, I should be going, but please call me if DJ gives you any trouble. He can be quite a little rascal when he wants to be.”
“Boys will be boys. I’m sure it won’t be anything that I can’t handle, but do you have to leave so soon? Stay and have a drink.”
“Well….”
“That is, unless you have plans, in which case I understand, of course.”
She promised Rodney that she’d call him after she dropped DJ off so they could make plans for the evening, but the way he’d been acting lately, she wasn’t crazy about seeing him tonight. She knew it probably wasn’t a good idea to stay for a drink with Mason either, but for some strange reason, she couldn’t walk away.
“A drink would be nice, thank you.”
“Come to the living room. What would you like?”
“Do you have white wine?”
“Yes. Let me get it for you. Make yourself comfortable. I’ll be right back.”
Brandi took a seat on the big white sofa. The house was magnificent and obviously the work of an interior designer. Despite the fact that everything was tastefully done, it seemed cold.
A picture caught her eye. It was of Mason standing in front of his car dealership. He looked as handsome as he did in person and yet not the same somehow. Brandi scanned the rest of the room. She found it odd that there were no pictures of Ben or anyone else around. The only pictures on display were his. He didn’t strike her as a narcissist.
“Here is your wine, Brandi.” Mason’s voice interrupted her thoughts.
She took the glass he offered and took a sip. “Mmm, this is good wine. Thank you.”
“I noticed you were looking around. What do you think?” he asked as he sat down next to her.
Brandi’s mouth went dry. He smelled so good, and she could feel the heat of his body. Self-consciously, she scooted over. “Umm, your house is very nice.”
“But not your cup of tea?” His shrewdness took her by surprise.
“Well, you have to remember, I live with two active eight-year-olds, so our house looks a little more lived in than this,” she said as diplomatically as she could.
“I know--I mean, I can imagine. This place does look a little like a mausoleum. I was thinking of redecorating. A woman’s opinion would be nice.” He smiled at her.
“Are you asking me? You don’t even know me.”
“Maybe not yet, but I’m sure you’re a woman of good taste. I bet you decorated your own house.” His mesmerizing eyes seemed to be looking at her to her very soul. Her body tightened in reaction. Why was this man affecting her this way?
“I did decorate my own place, but that was different. For a place like this, I really think you would be better off with a professional.”
“Let me at least show you around and you can tell me what you think.”
“Okay. Why not?” She placed her drink on the coffee table.
Mason stood up, taking her hand in his. Brandi shivered; she felt that same spark she felt when they first shook hands. Snatching her hand from his she backed away.
“Umm, you know what, Mason? I think I should head out.”
Disappointment seemed to wash over his face. Damned if she didn’t want to throw her arms around him.
“What’s wrong? At least let me give you the tour first. I’ll make it the quick tour.”
There was something in his eyes that she just couldn’t say no to. “Okay, but after that, I need to run.”
He gave her a dazzling smile. “Great. Follow me.” He took her hand in his again. This time, she didn’t try to release herself.
His house was really something else. It was hard to believe that people actually lived like this. As they went from room to room, she made polite comments. The house was beautiful, but it was missing a little soul. She and Damon made do on their combined salaries, while raising two young children. But they’d never lived in such luxury.
They stopped when they reached the first room at the top of the stairs. “This is my bedroom. I will understand if you don’t want to see it.”
“I don’t mind.”
“Are you sure?”
“Of course. It’s not like you’re going to try something, right?” She laughed, but in the back of her mind, she wondered how she would react if he were to make a move on her.
He opened the door and she covered her mouth. It looked like a tropical nightmare. There were tall potted plants all over the room, a leopard print bedspread, and scenes from a rain forest painted on the walls. “Pretty cheesy, huh?” he smiled sheepishly.
“If you don’t mind my being so blunt, it is a little over the top,” she admitted.
“I’m not sure what was going through Mas—my mind when I had this decorated.”
Unable to contain herself any longer, she cracked up. He smiled at her with an indefinable expression in his eyes. “You have a great laugh.” He stood in front of her.
Brandi stopped laughing. She looked up into his eyes and this time his expression came through loud and clear. Desire.
“Mason—”
“Please don’t say it. I know what you must be thinking, but I didn’t bring you into my bedroom to hit on you.”
“I know you didn’t.”
“Yet, I see the wariness in your eyes. You don’t have to be frightened of me. I would never do anything that you didn’t want, but I really have to get something off my chest.”
“What?” She knew they were treading on dangerous ground.
“At Parents’ Night, when we saw each other, there was an instant attraction. Don’t deny it! I saw it in your eyes.”
“We shouldn’t be having this conversation. I’m engaged to be married.” She turned to leave, but he grabbed her arm and spun her back toward him.
“Do you love him?” Mason demanded.
“You have no right to ask me that. Now, I will thank you to take your damn hands off me so I can leave.”
“Why are you pretending that you’re not attracted to me, too?” he demanded.
“I don’t even know you!” she protested, trying to pull her arm out of his grasp.
“That can be remedied.” And with that he tugged her into his arms. His mouth crashed down on hers with a hungry desperation that took her breath away. Brandi was stunned at first. She tried to twist away from him, but her body betrayed her. She felt tension build up from the pit of her stomach. His tongue thrust forward and her lips instinctively parted, allowing him to deepen the kiss.
Mason’s hand gently cupped her face and Brandi felt herself melting against him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, returning his kiss, matching it with an intensity of her own. Her nipples stiffened against the hard wall of his chest. Her pussy clenched, aching for his touch.
As if sensing her need, he cupped her ass in his hands, lifting her up against him, his mouth never leaving hers. She could feel the hardness of his cock grinding against her, and it was driving her crazy. Before she realized it, her back was against the wall and Mason’s body was pressed against hers.
He ripped his mouth away from hers to place hot kisses against her throat. Brandi’s fingers threaded though his dark red hair.
‘Oh, God, Brandi. You have no idea how much I’ve missed this,” he muttered against her neck. What did he say? She couldn’t think about it right now. The feel of his hands roaming over her body drove all rational thought away.
Mason’s hands went under her blouse and Brandi cried out in pleasure as he squeezed and kneaded the sensitive mounds. “Oh,” she moaned as he lowered his head to nibble on her earlobe. Her body trembled as he kissed her behind her ear. Somehow Mason knew exactly where and how to touch her. She felt like jelly beneath his expert hands. While one hand fondled her breasts, his other hand fumbled with the button of her jeans.
Brandi knew she should have told him to stop, but she couldn’t; she was too damn horny. When he slid his hand inside her damp panties and cupped her throbbing pussy, she thought she would lose her mind. His fingers glided against her slick, swollen entrance.
She pleaded as he squeezed her labia, “Yes, oh, please.” But he didn’t touch her where she wanted it the most.
“You like that, honey?”
“Yes!”
“Good. I like touching you like this. You’re so hot, Brandi; hot for me.”
Brandi could only nod, not trusting herself to speak.
“I want you to tell me, Brandi.” His green gaze was insistent.
“I can’t,” she whispered. In the back of her mind she knew this wasn’t right, but her body was telling her otherwise.
“Yes, you can.” He gave her a knowing smile as his middle finger slid between her folds, touching her clit.
Brandi gasped. Holy shit, what was this man doing to her? Mason rolled the blood-engorged button between his thumb and forefinger. The exquisite torture made her yearn for more. She wanted his fingers inside her, stretching the walls of her needy cunt.
His lips lightly brushed her. “Brandi, you’re so sweet. Let me make love to you,” he whispered.
She moaned her acquiescence. There was nothing she wanted more at this moment than to be with him. Mason wasted no time in carrying her to the king-sized bed, laying her down in the middle. He stood over her, looking at her with unashamed passion. When he sat down next to her, his thumb glided gently over her bottom lip, before sliding it into her mouth. She could taste herself on the probing digit. The flavor of her on his finger was delicious. Oh, how she wanted this man.
She quivered helplessly as he pulled the jeans down from her hips. When she was free of them, he slid down the length of her body. Mason planted kisses on her belly, and Brandi could feel her insides go soft. His kisses were making her lose all rational thought.
“You’re so beautiful. I can’t believe you’re here with me,” he whispered against her heated skin.
Mason dipped his tongue in her navel and Brandi moaned again. She threaded her fingers through his hair. She squirmed at the delicious sensations his tongue was creating. His tongue traced patterns on her skin as she oohed and ahhed in delight. The way he touched her, held her, and kissed her felt so familiar. It almost seemed like he knew exactly what to do to make her melt for him.
“Mason, that feels so good.”
“It’s not as good as I’m going to make you feel,” he muttered. With that, he tugged her underwear down with his teeth and pulled them down her thighs before using his hands to do the rest.
Brandi bit her lip in anticipation. The feel of his breath against her pussy was sending jolts of pleasure up and down her spine. More than anything, she wanted to feel his mouth on her pussy. She was so wet she could feel the dampness on her thighs. “Please, Mason, please,” she begged, wanting him to stop teasing her.
Mason pushed her legs apart and parted her labia with his middle finger before leaning forward to give her a deep kiss inside her pussy. Brandi cried out. “Oh, God, Mason!”
He kissed her clitoris and then licked it. Brandi bucked her hips against his face, wanting more. His tongue swirled around her clit with a precision that any skilled lover would be jealous of. Brandi looked down and her breath caught in her throat. The sight of his dark-red head between her thighs was so erotic that another wave of passion whipped through her.
“Do you like this, Brandi?”
“Yes!”
“Do you want me to eat your pussy? Because I want to eat it. It tastes so good, smells so good.” He gave her clit another kiss before capturing it between his teeth, gently nipping at it.
“Oh!” she yelped.
Mason lifted his head. “Did I hurt you?” For the first time, a note of uncertainty entered his voice.
“No. You just took me by surprise. That feels wonderful, Mason. Please don’t stop.” Brandi grabbed his face, grinding her aching cunt against his lips. He inserted two fingers inside her as lips latched onto her clit once more.
It had been so long since she felt this way. Although she found him sexy as hell, Brandi never would have imagined that Mason could make her feel this good. His tongue, mouth, and fingers made her feel things she didn’t know she was capable of feeling again.
She writhed beneath him, unable to lie still under his hungry mouth. He continued to finger fuck her, then lifted his head. “Open your eyes, Brandi.”
She looked down at him; his green eyes were full of lust.
“Tell me that you want me. Tell me that you want this.”
“I do,” Brandi moaned.
“You’re so damn wet for me. Do you want my cock?” His words were insistent. “I want to hear you say my name again. Tell me you want me.”
“I want you, Mason. Please.”
“Please what?”
“Please fuck me.”
“You want me to fuck you with my cock, like this?” He thrust his fingers inside her, making her gasp in pleasure-pain. Mason slid another finger into her pussy and thrust again.
“Yes! Give it to me.”
“I will, but first I want to play some more. I want you to ache like I do.”
Mason gripped her hips tightly before diving for her wet hole. His tongue stabbed into the entrance of her pussy, and Brandi squirmed and jerked uncontrollably at the delicious torment. He fucked her with his tongue until her body suddenly seized up. She felt as though she exploded and cried out with a mind-shattering climax.
“Now, it’s my turn,” he said, rearing up on his knees and sliding off the bed to strip off his pants. Brandi’s eyes never left his. When he stripped down to his boxers she saw the head of his cock peek out of the slit. It was straining eagerly to get out.
“Do you like what you see?”
She nodded. His body was magnificent. He was well muscled without being overly bulky.
A serious look entered into his eyes. “You know you don’t love your fiancé, don’t you? If you did, you wouldn’t want me the way you do.”
It was as though a bucket of ice water had been thrown over her. Brandi sat up. What the hell was she thinking, letting a practical stranger kiss and touch her the way he did? They nearly fucked!
Worse yet, their children were downstairs! What if one of the boys had come looking for them?
“How dare you!” was the first thing she could think to say as she scrambled off the bed.
Mason threw her an incredulous look. “How dare I? You want this as much as I do!”
“You…you seduced me.”
“You were begging me for it only minutes ago, Why won’t you admit that your fiancé doesn’t do it for you?”
Brandi’s hand flew up and connected with his face. She gasped in horror. She never hit anyone in her life.
Mason’s eyes narrowed as he rubbed his injured cheek.
“I’m sorry, but you know nothing about my feelings for my fiancé.”
“I know that if you really love him, you wouldn’t respond to me the way you do.”
“This was a mistake.”
“The only mistake we made was getting carried away while the boys are nearby. I apologize for that because it truly was not my intention to touch you, but when you’re so close to me, I can’t think straight.”
“This conversation is over. I’m taking my son, and getting the hell out of here,” she said, quickly throwing her clothes back on before storming out of the bedroom.
Mason reached out to stop her. “Don’t punish your son for something that happened between you and me. Ben and DJ like each other a lot and my kid doesn’t have a lot of friends.”
She knew he was right, but she wasn’t in the mood to be rational. “We can’t see each other again and I would rather our sons not see each other outside of school.”
“Brandi, why are you being so selfish? It’s not like you.”
“Stop talking to me as if you know me. You don’t!”
He pulled her against him and gave her one long hungry kiss. She tried to twist away only to find herself responding to the insistent pressure of his lips. His body was warm and hard against hers. When he lifted his head there was a feral gleam in his eyes. “But I want to get to know you.”
This man must have cast a spell on her because she wanted to get to know him, too. You are thinking crazy, girl. Get out of here now! She wrenched out of his arms. “No!”
Brandi ran down the stairs. “DJ! Get out here now!”
“Brandi, don’t.” Mason raced after her.
“DJ!”
Her son came running up from the basement with Ben behind him. “Mom, what’s wrong? What are you still doing here and why are you mad? Am I in trouble?”
“No, you’re not in trouble, but we’re leaving. Go get your things.”
“Why?” She tried to steel her heart against his stricken expression.
“Dad, I thought DJ was spending the night.” Ben also looked upset. Seeing both children’s faces brought her back to her senses. It wasn’t their fault she lost control of herself, and it certainly wasn’t their fault that since Damon no man’s touch had driven her to such an aching need.
She couldn’t deny she was fiercely attracted to Mason Collins even though she was promised to someone else. Which was exactly why she needed to leave.
“Mom. Do I really have to go?” DJ’s big brown eyes held unshed tears.
“Brandi, let him stay. Please.” Mason put his hand on her shoulder. She flinched away.
“Okay,” she conceded. The boys didn’t need to know what an ass she just made of herself in Mason’s bedroom. “I’m sorry I called you away from your game, honey. Mommy was just being silly. Have fun, and I will see you tomorrow.” She leaned over and kissed him goodbye.
A wide grin spread on his face before he turned to his friend. “Come on. My team is going to win.”
“No way! I was coming back,” Ben protested as he raced after DJ.
Brandi watched the boys leave the room again. When they were alone she turned to Mason.
“Don’t say a word. This never happened.”
When Mason looked as though he wanted to say something, she held up her hand. “Not a word. Have my son ready at noon.” Collecting her purse, she did what she should have done the minute she stepped foot into his house: she got the hell out of there.