28. Callie
Chapter twenty-eight
“Where are you going? I bet it’s somewhere fancy. Mason Heart’s like a gazillionaire.” Aurora leans closer and lowers her voice. “I heard West telling Mum he wouldn’t go easy on him just because he’s rich, and if he doesn’t open your door, he’ll riot.”
I glance to my left, where Aurora’s sitting on my bathroom counter, watching as I put in my earrings.
“Did he now?”
Mason and I have spent a lot of time together, but tonight is the first time we’re going out just the two of us for a fancy dinner.
Maevyn offered to do my hair and makeup, and though I usually don’t bother with anything more than mascara and a bit of tinted moisturiser, it is nice to get dressed up for special occasions.
She gave me a dusty pink lip, gold eyeshadow, and bold winged liner that I could never have achieved myself.
My hair is half up and styled into big waves.
My favourite star charms are threaded through the two braids on top that lead into the high ponytail.
I might be dressing fancier than normal, but I still want to feel like me.
I did put myself out for a pair of heels, so I hope Mason parks close to the restaurant.
“Yep.” Aurora nods. “But Mum told him to mind his business and just let you enjoy yourself.”
I chuckle as I spray a few pumps of perfume on myself. “When I grow up, I wanna be just like your mum.”
Aurora grins, then we both head into the lounge room where Westley and Maevyn are hanging with Navie. My feet are already hating life in these heels.
“Callie! Hot mama!” Maevyn whistles. “Mason’s not gonna be able to keep his hands off you.”
West sputters, glaring at his girlfriend. “Mae!”
“What? Your sister’s hot.”
“Thank you.” I smile at Maevyn before glowering at my brother. “And quit complaining. You have no idea what I have to endure at girls’ nights.” I raise my eyebrows, making my brother squirm.
The distinct sound of a sports car rumbles down the driveway, and butterflies fill my stomach.
My front door’s already unlocked, and Mason walks straight in, pausing at the threshold when he notices all the people gathered in my kitchen, or maybe it’s just me he notices.
With a gigantic bouquet in his hand, a mix of romantic pink and sultry burgundy blooms, he stares, lips parted and eyes wide, in my direction.
His attention roams over the sweetheart neckline of my fitted blouse, my shoulders exposed by the draped sleeves.
They hover at the ruffled hem of my mini skirt and slowly down my bare legs until they seem to short-circuit on my red, strappy heels.
“Callie baby, you—”
“We can see the thoughts written on your face. Please don’t vocalise them,” West grumbles, cutting Mason off.
I scowl at my brother, but Mason chuckles. Stepping forward, he wraps an arm around my back while holding the flowers up to me.
“You look beautiful,” he whispers before kissing my cheek.
The touching moment is interrupted when Navie squeals in delight. West holds her back to his chest, but her legs chase the air as if she’s trying to run straight into Mason’s arms.
“Thank you.” I take the flowers from him, searching for a vase as Mason rounds the counter, taking Navie from my brother.
Mason holds Navie above his head as if she’s his sun before bringing her down to kiss her cheek, then holds her to his chest. His eyes meet mine as he speaks low in Navie’s ear with a secret smile. Navie burrows her face against his, clutching his cheek in her little hand.
“Take your time at dinner,” Maevyn says, bumping her hip against mine so she can take over putting the flowers in a vase. “Just go out and enjoy yourselves.” She looks my way, her deep brown eyes heavy with insinuation.
I’ve been told one too many times how much Maevyn can’t resist my brother when she sees the way he interacts with Aurora … I totally get it. Mason would be an amazing dad, but damn, he looks good as a daddy.
We say our goodbyes, with Mason leading me out the house, opening the door of his Bugatti for me as I throw a smug look to my brother as they all stand outside the door watching us leave. Mason winds his fingers through mine, kissing the back of my hand as he drives us to our destination.
We end up in the city centre, pulling into an underground car park, and only a short distance to an elevator. Mason hits the button for the thirty-third floor.
“I love everything you wear,” he says, kissing up the column of my neck as we climb each floor. “But I may need a minute alone with just you in these heels.”
I throw my head back and laugh, feeling the air of his chuckle beat against my throat. Goose bumps rise as it mingles with the wet spots he’s left behind from his kisses.
“I may need to put up with the pain more often if there’s the promise of pleasure afterwards.”
“I will pleasure the fuck out of you anytime you want.” Mason presses his body into mine until my back hits the wall.
“Mason,” I gasp. “The doors will open any minute. Someone will see.”
His hands tease my thighs, fingertips lightly grazing under the hem of my skirt.
I tilt my head, giving him more access to where he continues to caress my neck with his tongue, sucking slightly at the curve that meets my shoulder.
“See what? That I can’t keep my hands off you?
That I’m a lucky bastard that gets to call you mine? ”
I smack his chest playfully. “Don’t sell yourself short like that.”
He pulls back with a furrowed brow. “Like what?”
“Like you don’t deserve to have good things. You work hard, and you’re incredibly sweet and generous. It’s not luck that brought me here, it’s you.” I bring a hand to his cheek, my thumb brushing over his bottom lip. “Just you.”
His eyes flutter as he lets out a breath, touching his forehead to mine. “I—”
The elevator opens with a light ding, revealing a room full of empty tables, backlit by city lights.
“Is this even open?” I ask.
Mason looks over his shoulder, then tugs on my hand with a smile, pulling us into the restaurant.
Low, glowing lights overhead circle the centre of the room.
A single table ahead of us is dressed with a white tablecloth and flickering candles.
The room is a circle of windows, with 360-degree views that look over Heart City, and we’re the only ones in here to see it.
“Mr Heart, thank you so much for choosing to dine with us tonight.” A tall woman with auburn hair pulled back in a sleek bun greets us. “My name’s Cadence, and I’ll be your host for the evening. Please follow me.” She turns with a smile and leads us over to the one table that’s set up for dining.
Mason pulls out my chair, with a kiss to my temple, before he takes the seat opposite me.
“We’re very excited to present you with the custom menu you arranged with our chef. I’ll be over shortly with your wine and entrees. Is there anything else I can get for you now?”
Mason shakes his head, offering her a polite smile. “No, thank you, Cadence.”
“Very well, sir.” She nods to someone in the distance, then takes her leave.
“We have this whole place to ourselves?” I ask Mason once we’re alone.
He reaches over the table, holding my hand in his. “I didn’t feel like sharing you tonight.”
I prop my elbow on the table, resting my chin on my knuckles as I take him in, this incredible man who I’m slowly but surely falling in love with.
From the corner of my eye, I notice the building behind Mason shift. Thinking it’s a trick of the light, I don’t linger on it until it feels as though it’s shifting again.
“Is it me or is the building… moving?”
Mason looks out the window. The sky is a deep midnight blue. Thousands of city lights dust the ground below us, each building reflecting in the windows of another, the river just below it catching the lights and glittering like diamonds.
“It’s a rotating restaurant,” he says. “Takes ninety minutes to do a full circle.”
“We’re spinning up here? Thirty-three floors off the ground?”
He chuckles. “I didn’t think you were scared of heights?”
“I didn’t know spinning restaurants were a thing! I feel like that comes under its own category.”
“I’ll keep you safe,” he says, lifting my hand to kiss the back of it.
“Your rosé, sir.” Cadence returns with a bottle. With Mason’s nod, she pours us each a glass as another man joins her, setting down a plate of roasted vegetables, artfully arranged with a deep yellow sauce and what look like arancini balls.
I wait until they walk away before quietly speaking to Mason. “What’s in the balls?”
He muffles a laugh behind his fists. “Something with mushrooms,” he says. “Everything tonight’s vegan, so have at it.” He smiles and picks up a fork, dipping some broccolini in the sauce.
“Everything’s vegan?” I ask as he nods to himself, impressed, and goes for another bite.
“I won’t be bothered if you eat meat in front of me.
” I’m just realising now that every time we eat together, Mason eats what I do.
I know he’s not vegan. I’ve seen the lunches he brings in from his grandmother.
“I like sharing things with you,” he says easily.
My heart overflows as I watch him enjoy every dish brought out to us, and the way he shares his gratitude with the chef, who comes out at the end of the meal, thanking him for creating something special for us.
I like sharing things with him, too.
I think maybe I’d like to share a lifetime if he’ll give it to me.