32. Kamryn
The holidays are always a stressful time. The malls are jam-packed, traffic is a nightmare, online orders pile up, and I think I speak for a lot of designer’s in that we have to maintain our reputation and bring in new shoppers.
Last summer, I was brainstorming the idea of making an affordable version of ‘Ryn amp; Co.’ called ‘Kamryn’ for the everyday worker that doesn’t have the hefty bank account like some of the others. None of the pieces are to be priced over $50 to make it so that everyone could afford this line. The line is a mix of solids and patterns, vibrant pieces and muted tones, business casual to nights out on the town. Our hope for the ‘Kamryn’ line is to eventually add shoes to the brand.
I’m envious of my customers as I wish I had a line like this when I was teaching. Thankfully, my clothes from college were acceptable for my teaching, but it wasn’t doable in the long run.
It’s been over a year in the making and we finally launched it online in November along with a holiday line. Which was perfect timing since most people started their holiday shopping around then. Some look for deals on clothes to refresh their work wardrobe. Our plan is to keep ‘Kamryn’ online for the first year before moving it and ‘Ryn amp; Co.’ into a storefront here in the city. Now that the holidays are just about over, I have to keep the creative juices flowing and start thinking up designs for spring and summer, on top of my more high-end brand.
My phone rings with a FaceTime from Mason. “Hey, handsome.”
“Hey baby. How are you?”
“Exhausted. Planning out new designs is exhausting,” I place my glasses on top of my head.
“I’m sure. But I think I have a way to take your mind off of it.”
“How so?”
“You. Me. London. 5 days.”
“What? Baby I don’t think I can just drop what I’m doing last minute. And what about football? It’s the middle of the season.”
His injury scared me. But he assured me he was fine after his MRI. I have no reason to doubt him. Yet standing in the crowd as I watched him go limp terrified me more than I care to admit.
“Yes you can. I already talked to Jax and Olivia. They said they would oversee business while you’re gone. And plus, you need a break too. You’ve been working non-stop and you and your body need a refresh. I have something to tell you about football. But I’d rather do that in person.”
I chew on my bottom lip and mull it over. I do need a break. I’m starting to stress out and that usually means I don’t eat or sleep very well and everything else gets put on the backburner. “Okay, I’m in. When do we leave?”
“In two days. Can you be ready by then?”
Wow that’s soon. “It’s short notice, but challenge accepted Mr. Brooks.”
“Okay. I’ll see you soon sweet girl. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
London for 5 days with Mason. This holiday season can’t get any better.
I think I have everything I need. I keep running through my mental and written list. I’ve gone over it ten times because I’m that crazy about forgetting something. I’ve been to London once but it was strictly for work. So the sightseeing I’m hoping to do this time around excites me.
“Jax, will you come help me?” I plead from my room.
I hear Jax running up the stairs with Lucy right behind her. “Let’s run through your list…again. Yadi yadi ya. Seriously Kam, I think you have everything.”
“It’s paranoia Jax. Please.”
“Okay, okay.”
We run through my list again and I’m once again reminded that I’m crazy.
“I told you, you had everything.”
“I know you did. Thank you. Are you sure you’re fine staying here?”
“Are you kidding? Your house has everything and more. Plus, I have Lucy and Poppy to keep me company. Isn’t that right girl?”
Lucy barks and nuzzles Jax’s hand for some petting. Poppy, my black cat, side-eyes Lucy for her loud interruption.
“Well I’m glad that she’ll be taken care of.”
“Of course she will. Make sure your carry-on is packed and everything is charged up. That’s going to be a long flight. And don’t forget your airplane pillow. We all know you get cranky when you don’t get your sleep.”
I roll my eyes at my sister. “You don’t know me.”
She arches a brow at my statement.
“Okay fine,” I concede.
“Glad you agree. Listen, Im gonna head out. I’ll be by in the morning so I’m taking Lucy into the office while you’re out so she’s not here by herself. I know you don’t like that, but the change of scenery will be good for her. Plus, her being cooped up in the house while you’re off in London just seems like a fair trade for me. And I think Poppy will appreciate the silence.”
I have a black cat and a golden retriever. Still never would’ve guessed that pairing for me. “Okay. Fine. Go. I’ll see you in the morning before I leave.”
Once Jax is gone and I’m sure that I’m not missing anything from my suitcases, I’m cuddled up on the couch with Lucy, reading with the TV on as background noise. I’m just to the good part when someone knocks on my door. Lucy gets up and starts barking, sending Poppy upstairs to hide.
“Who is it girl?” I look through the peephole and see Mason standing there with a suitcase next to him. I open the door, surprised that he’s here.
“Surprised to see me?”
“Yes. What are you doing here? I thought you were picking me up in the morning?”
I step aside to let Mason in. When I lock the door and turn around, he captures me in a bear hug.
“I just missed you. And I couldn’t wait until the morning.”
“You’re too sweet. I missed you too.”
Mason leads us back over to the couch. He pulls off the blanket from the back and wraps it around us. I look at him curiously, but he just picks back up my e-reader and places it in my hand. As he waits for me to power it back up, he pulls me to him and wraps his arm around my shoulders.
“Read your book,” Mason says and kisses me on the temple.
Nights like this are what I dream about. Mason and I settled in complete comfort. He’s exactly what I ever wanted in a man. He’s selfless, kind, warm, passionate, dedicated, adventurous, loving…mine.
“Baby wake up,” Mason lightly coos in my ear and presses a kiss to the side of my head. I feel the plane making its descent into the London City Airport.
Traveling first class has its advantages but it also makes me sleepier than I should be. I blame the time zone changes. Or that I’m blindly handing over my trust to two men to make sure that we make it to our destination and I naturally freak myself out til I have to go to sleep.
I open my eyes to Mason looking down at me. I’m always shy after I wake up. And no matter how many times Mason and I have woken up together, that hasn’t faded. He still turns me into that bashful eighteen year old girl.
“You’re so cute when you blush. What were you thinking about?” Mason notices everything about me. It’s one of the things I love about him.
“How you still manage to make me feel like a love-struck teenager. And how I hope with everything in me that that feeling never fades.”
Mason leans forward and presses a soft and too chaste kiss to my lips, yet I still feel it all the way to my toes. “Me too, baby.”
When we safely land, the captain makes an announcement and everyone aboard claps and cheers. Once the plane is stopped safely, the first class passengers make way to gather their things from the overhead compartment and off the plane.
Mason gets up first and dutifully grabs both of our carry-on bags, leaving me to follow him. Not that I mind. My man has an incredible behind. I will never let him forget it.
“Kamryn? Are you coming?” Mason asks with an all-knowing smirk gracing his face. Oh, he knows all right.
“Eventually,” I respond cheekily. Okay, so I’m always horny for him. It’s like my lady bits are electronically wired to him. And it makes it a little uncomfortable at times. Okay, a lot uncomfortable at times. Like right now. Get a move on Kamryn!
Someone clears their throat behind me, snapping me out of my daze. Heat creeps up my cheeks in embarrassment when I turn around to apologize.
“I’m sorry. I got distracted,” I tell the older woman behind me.
She must be in her late sixties to mid seventies. She looks as if she’s about to reprimand me when she looks past me at Mason. “It’s no problem sweetheart. I would’ve gotten distracted too.” She ends with a wink.
And with that I walk towards my amused boyfriend who thankfully lets me pass him to leave the plane.
“It’s not funny!” I say to Mason as he tries to control his amusement.
“It’s very funny. You can’t keep your eyes off of me.”
“Okay, Mr. Ego. Let’s reign that in just a bit.”
“Only for you angel face.”
I let that name pass. He knows that’s my least favorite pet name. “So what’s the plan now?”
“Well, we’ll get our luggage. Find our car. And then eat and sleep for the rest of the night. And then tomorrow we start our exploration. How’s that sound?”
“Perfect.” Because it really is perfect that he’s planned all of this out.
We walk with the rest of the passengers to baggage claim and wait off to the side immersed in each other.
“I want these five days to be all about us. I want new memories. I want new firsts with you,” Mason claims.
As if I need more convincing. I wrap my arms around his waist and slide them under his sweatshirt and caress his back. “Yes. I want all that too.”
Mason gently tips my chin up so we’re eye to eye. “I love you, Kamryn Rawlins. You’ve been the only girl for me. You’ve been the only girl to see me for me. And not just as an athlete. As a human being. Thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me for loving you.”
Mason presses another soft kiss to my lips. It’s still not enough so I push forward on my toes to make it last longer. But whimper when he pulls away.
“I know, baby. But if we get started I’m not going to be able to stop.” Mason explains pulling me closer to his front. And if what’s poking me in the stomach is of any indication that he’s as turned-on as I am, then I know I’m in for a fun night.
I place a kiss on his sweatshirt-covered chest and breathe out a frustrated breath.
“You two are so adorable,” The older lady from the plane says to us. “Honeymoon?”
“No, ma’am. Not yet. One day though.” Mason answers.
My heart rate triples in speed. Being with someone that’s so sure of what they want never fails to surprise me.
“Well you two are lucky to have one another. Enjoy your trip,” The older woman says.
“Thank you.” Mason responds before looking back down at me.
“I love you a lot,” I tell him honestly.
“Ditto baby girl.”
Once we get our bags and wait for the car to pull around, I’m utterly exhausted. That is until I see our hotel.
I hear Mason chuckle next to me, but I’m too enthralled by the beauty of the front of the hotel.
“You like it baby?”
“I...I have no words.”
“Come on. Let’s get our bags, check in, and order some food.”
I’m even more impressed when we walk inside. “Wow.” I whisper under my breath. I’m almost too afraid to speak at a normal level.
“You’ve got a little drool,” Mason teases.
“Shut up!” I whisper-yell.
“Why are you whispering?”
I lightly shove him towards the front desk, “Go check in!” I urge him, embarrassment heating my cheeks.
I watch until Mason gets to the receptionist desk and I look around the hotel in awe. I’ve never stayed somewhere as extravagant as this. Yeah, my family and I went on some memorable family vacations, and traveling for fashion shows meant staying in whatever hotels were closest to the show. But none of them were like this. Most likely because the focus of those trips wasn’t to stay holed up in the hotel for the majority of the time.
“Rendering you speechless is one of my favorite things to do. Let’s go.” Mason says when he walks back over with the key in his hand.
“Is that because it’s the only time that I’m quiet?”
“I am shocked that you would even think that I don’t like hearing your voice all of the time.” He says with a dramatic hand to his chest.
We step into the elevator and Mason presses the button for our floor.
“How about we play a game?”
“What did you have in mind Ms. Rawlins?”
Hmm. I can play this game. I sidle up in front of Mason and walk my finger up his chest and then back down. Teasing the hem of his sweatshirt and the waistband of his sweats. I hear the choked groan in his throat.
“I don’t think I have to spell it out any further. Loser pays for room service. Winner gets to do whatever they want to the loser. As long as the loser okays it. Consent and all of that. Are you up for it?”
Mason clears his throat before answering. “I’m all in.”
The elevator dings before I can continue my torture. I feel like a boiling kettle of water that’s about to explode with steam. I can’t be the only one that’s feeling like this. If Mason’s kiss and his growing erection were any indication of what he’s feeling, then I have no idea who’s going to win this little game.
When the door opens and we walk over the threshold, I’m rendered speechless again. Mason has really outdone himself. I’ve only read about the Garden House Suite in Vogue, but seeing it in person is jaw dropping. I turn to read Mason since he’s reading me. But the only thing I see in his eyes is heat.
And that heat in the pit of my stomach evolves into a full on inferno. My breathing matches that of Mason’s. Deep. Heavy. Full of longing in not just our breathing, but in our heated stares.
Slowly, I trail my hands to my cardigan and start unbuttoning it. Taking his cue from me, Mason begins to slowly unbutton his light blue button down.
It’s a draw. We both lost.