by Mia Ford
“I didn’t even know you were joining us. Why didn’t you tell me?” She asked as I shrugged casually.
“It was a last minute trip. I didn’t have anything going on and I haven’t seen Colby in a while.” I explained as she nodded and leaned back, telling Kendra to buckle her seat belt for the flight. The engine started and Isabelle rested her hands beside her as we took off, glancing over at Kendra. “She’s great.”
“Yeah, she is. This trip is going to be so good for us.” Isabelle told me as she looked over, meeting my gaze. I watched as she moved her hand beside her, out of sight of Kendra and I reached for it. Our fingers intertwined as she smiled and looked past me out the window. I had almost three hours with her and I was going to enjoy it.
We settled in the sky and I asked Kendra if she wanted any snacks. She asked what I had with a mischievous look in her eyes and I went down the list. We were prepped for long flights and her eyes lit up when I mentioned popcorn and chocolate candy. “Are you the man that sent Mommy home with the fancy chocolate for me in the pink bag?”
I pressed a button on the microwave and nodded. “I am. I was out to lunch and thought you two might enjoy that. Was it good?”
She smiled just like her mom and nodded. “It was the best chocolate that I’ve ever had.”
“I second that,” Isabelle agreed as I looked at her smile. I got the popcorn and candy and set it on the tray in front of her as Kendra dug in. I grabbed a bag of candy for us to share and sat back down as she looked at me. We shared the candy and chatted about what we liked in San Diego and I glanced over at Kendra an hour into the flight. “She’s out.”
Isabelle looked to see her daughter resting against the window surrounded by books and snacks, laughing. “She sure is. I think that she’s been up all week thinking about this trip.”
“I can use the jet for that any time it’s not booked.” I told her as I reached for her hand again.
“Why are you so nice to me?” Isabelle asked as she looked at my lips.
“I told you that you’re a different kind of woman,” I reminded her as she nodded. “You make me want to do things for you.”
“Is there a bathroom on the plane?” Isabelle asked as I told her it was in the back. She got up and walked to the door as I watched her, glancing at Kendra again. I grinned and stood, heading to the back and leaning against the wall to wait for her to come out. The door opened and Isabelle walked out, raising an eyebrow when she saw me. “What are you doing back here?”
“I just wanted to do this,” I told her as I leaned down to kiss her, pulling her against me. Our lips molded together as she slipped her arms around my neck.
“Is she still sleeping?” Isabelle asked against my lips as I nodded. She kissed me again, and I turned her back to the wall, listening for Kendra as our tongues danced together. I wanted to take her to the bed and worship her body but this was not the time or place.
We made our way back to our seats after some heated kisses and settled back in for the remainder of the flight. I held her hand as we watched the land below us and talked about places we’d been and wanted to visit. I realized that she didn’t travel too much before Kendra and certainly not after. I was lucky enough to travel a lot as a kid and young adult. “I am hoping that I can save for something with the job. I at least want to take her to Disneyland, even Disney world. There’s so much to see out there.”
“If we went somewhere fun for a work trip, I think you could bring her. Could your mom come and keep her busy while we’re working?” I suggested as she looked at me with a big smile, making me look at Kendra and kiss her again.
“I think so. We’ll see what comes up.” The pilot came over the speaker to announce that we would be landing in forty-five minutes and Isabelle stretched. “I’ll wake her up when we’re closer to landing. She is going to be up late tonight.”
The plane began to descend, and Isabelle walked over to rouse Kendra out of her sleep. “We’re almost there, Ken. Wake up for Grandma and Grandpa.” Kendra stretched and looked around as Isabelle started cleaning up the surrounding bags.
“Someone cleans it after every flight,” I told her as Isabelle gave me a stern look.
“I am going to clean up after my daughter, Mason.” Kendra helped her and Isabelle took the trash to a small can in the corner. I laughed as we nodded and she sat down for the landing. I let them exit the plane first, getting their bags for them before we walked inside to meet her parents.
“My girls!” A voice called as I glanced up to see a woman that Isabelle strongly resembled. She ran over to hug both of them before fussing over the little girl for a moment. She stood and looked at me in surprise before glancing at her daughter. “Mason Drury. It’s nice to meet you. I didn’t know that you were coming as well.” We shook hands as she took me in carefully.
“I got a last-minute invite to visit a friend. I wanted to see that they made it okay as well.” I looked at Isabelle and Kendra, who was hugging her Grandpa. Melanie Evans looked between us as a smile spread over her face.
“Why don’t the two of you go out for a while? Get some dinner. We can take Kendra back to the house.” Isabella’s mouth dropped open as she stared at me.
“I am sure that he has a friend picking him up,” she protested as I grinned.
“I am renting a car. He works a lot, so I wanted my own transportation.” I looked down her body, keeping the look clean. “You’re dressed for dinner.”
“Go, sweetie. We’ll take your bag for you.” Melanie told her as Isabelle shook her head. “How does pizza sound on the way home, Kendra?”
“Yummy, Grandma. I had popcorn and candy on the plane,” Kendra told her as she grinned as Isabelle and I. She walked over and hugged her mom tightly before turning and wrapping her arms around my legs. “Thank you for the plane and candy.”
They made their way to the car, and I looked at Isabelle standing beside me. “Let’s go get my car. What do you like around here?”
CHAPTER 15
Isabelle
I couldn’t believe my mom. Mason was my boss and she shouldn’t encourage this. Could she see that there was something between us?
Mason walked forward, and I followed him, slipping my purse over my body. He walked to the car rental section and walked up to the Hertz counter, giving his name and smiling at me. When we walked out to the convertible Mustang, I laughed and gave him a long look.
Mason opened the door for me, giving me a slow kiss as I closed my eyes. I slipped into the seat when he pulled away and stared forward. We could do this here. Mason put his bag in the trunk and got into the driver’s seat, starting the engine. “What’s good here?”
“There are a lot of seafood places on the water that are good. Just catch the freeway and head towards the ocean. We can decide there.” Isabelle leaned her head back and laughed. “I can’t believe my mom.”
“You deserve to have some time to yourself. She’s right.” He told me as I smiled at him. “Maybe she knows that there’s something going on. Have you told her?”
“I didn’t tell anybody anything. I wouldn’t know how to explain this,” I said slowly as he merged onto the freeway. Mason moved past all the other cars and I smiled with the feeling. Life had been so safe for so long. He got off in La Jolla and headed along the water, both of us searching for somewhere to eat. “Lucy’s is great.” I told him, pointing to a sign.
“That is where we shall go,” Mason told me as he eased the car into the small lot. We parked, and he opened my door for me, offering his hand before we walked inside. I took it with a soft smile and we walked together as I looked at the waves rolling up to the rocks to my left. Mason opened the glass door, and we walked to the hostess asking about a table as I looked around. She gave Mason an appraising look before glancing at me and calling out to one of the waitresses to seat us.
I chuckled as we followed a blonde to a table that overlooked the cliffs where the full moon was shining in the sky. It cast a beautiful r
eflection on the water and I smiled as I looked out. “You’re a popular guy,” I told him as Mason stared at me.
“I am with you, Isabelle.” I looked at him, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. “I knew when I met you that you were special but I’ve gotten to know that more over the last few weeks. This is probably wrong and risky but I will handle anything that comes about in your career. I just want to be with you.”
“Mason,” I murmured as he leaned closer to me to kiss me. We were seated beside each other, and I parted my lips for him to deepen the kiss. I wasn’t the kind of girl to make out in a restaurant and I giggled as I sensed someone at the table. I looked up to see the waitress staring at us as Mason reached fluidly for the wine menu.
“White or red?” He asked as I told him that white sounded perfect. Mason ordered a bottle of the house wine and we looked at the menu together as we decided on our entrees. Dinner was relaxed with a lot of laughter and talking and he paid the bill when we were done, leading me outside as he looked around. “There’s a path down there. Want to walk for a bit?” I nodded, feeling the glasses of wine that I enjoyed with dinner. We headed down and walked along the cliffs as I told him how gorgeous it was here during the day. He nodded as he listened to my rambling, stopping as we reached a rock. Mason turned to me, cupping my face with his hands before he kissed me. I returned it, feeling the strong emotions between us as I wrapped my arms around his waist. Mason didn’t hold back here, and he kissed me hungrily, telling me that he wanted more with me with his lips and tongue. I moaned as I kissed him back, my mind wandering to being alone with him somewhere where we could take this to the end.
“I want you,” I murmured against his lips before I kissed him again.
“I have a hotel reserved in Carlsbad. Want to go there with me?” Mason asked as I considered my answer. I could text Mom and tell her that I was going to be late. Kendra was fine with them.
“Yes,” I told him as I kissed him again. We hurried to the car, and he got me inside with another long kiss as I clutched his shoulders. Mason drove through the dark streets and I watched as he pulled into the parking lot of a five star hotel. We went to check in and he took my hand and pulled his luggage to the elevator. I pushed the button, and he kissed me as the doors closed, pressing me against the wall. We stumbled out when the door opened, searching the doors for his room before he unlocked it and pushed me inside.
Mason dropped his bag down and it fell over as he stepped towards me. He kissed me again, gripping my ass as he carried me towards the large bed in the center of the large room. I clung to him, craving his mouth all over my body as the dam broke inside of me. I couldn’t fight this anymore and I slid down to the mattress, unbuttoning my shirt and dropping it to the floor and removed his shirt as well. Mason unbuttoned his jeans and kicked them off as I dropped to my back and slipped the skirt down over my hips.
He crawled over me on the bed, claiming my lips as he slid one hand down my body. I arched against him, needing the feel of his skin against mine as our tongues crashed together. I wanted Mason tonight as well as forever and I moaned as he kissed down my neck and chest. Mason moved slowly, but I wanted him to taste me and I rocked up against him, feeling his hands opening my bra and cupping my breasts. He brought his mouth down to a nipple, sucking it into his mouth as I cried out. “I’ve wanted you since I met you,” Mason told me before moving to the other one to draw it between his teeth. I cried out, wrapping my legs around his body as he groaned and thickened against my thigh.
Mason made me crazy with his mouth and I was weak when he kissed down my stomach, slipping my underwear down. He tossed them and moved between my legs, inhaling deeply as he stared at me. “You smell like fucking honey,” he told me as I gazed at him with hooded eyes. I was going to come fast tonight but it would be the best feeling in the world. He bent his face down between my legs, stroking me with his tongue as I moaned. Every part of my body came alive with the sensation and I slipped a hand into his hair. Mason focused on my clit as I cried out, knowing how close I was.
I crashed, screaming his name as I came. I couldn’t stay still as I came, rocking against him. Mason watched me, moving to his pants and pulling something out of his wallet. “Do you want this?”
“Yes, more than anything.” I replied as I watched him slip his boxers off and drop them to the floor. I swallowed thickly as he walked towards me, kissing up my thighs as I closed my eyes. I was going to sleep with Mason, my boss. He moved back up my body, sheathing himself before he kissed my lips.
I always thought that I’d never want to kiss a man after he’d gone down on me. It sounded gross in theory but I ate away at his lips now, feeling him position himself between my legs. Mason eased himself slowly inside of me, filling me and stretching me open as I whimpered. “I’ll go slow. You’re so tight,” Mason whispered as he moved forward, holding me tight. He felt so good, and I arched my back as he slid deeper. Mason was larger than Jackson from what I remembered, but the memories were suddenly vague. The feelings I held towards him disappeared as Mason moved and stilled, giving me a moment to adjust to him.
We started to move together and my body burned with need. I clutched him, scraping at his back and crying out his name. Mason moved back, filling me as he rocked forward and I cried out louder. It was just a few thrusts before I was toppling over the edge, and he moved slower before he was coming with me. Mason groaned, burying his head in my neck as he jerked inside of me.
Mason rolled to his side, drawing me close to him as I drew in a breath. “I have wanted that for so long. At least, it feels that way.”
“I waited for six years for that. I never thought I’d find someone that I trusted again, but you changed that. I don’t remember anything about Kendra’s dad now. I think I’ve finally put it in the past.” I smiled at the idea and gazed at him in the light from the entry.
“Good, because you’re mine now. This isn’t it for us, Isabelle.” Mason stroked my damp hair back and stared at me.
“What about work?” I asked as he shrugged.
“The rules aren’t that strict, Isabelle. Hannah likes to give me a hard time and I suspect that she was protecting you, due to your daughter. I have been casual with women and nothing more. I have an ex that slept with my brother a few years back and it hardened me.” I reached forward to wrap my arm around him as best I could. “When you crashed into me in that coffee shop and I looked into your eyes, I wanted nothing more than to ask you for your number. I took the high road and acted angry, never thinking that I’d see you at work.” Mason kissed me softly. “The rules are there so it doesn’t get crazy but I can talk to my uncle. He will support me knowing that this is real for me.” I stared at him, watching his eyes lock with mine. “I am falling in love with you. I know that you don’t want to have me in Kendra’s life this fast, and that’s fine, but I want to keep seeing you.”
“Actually… she hugged you at the airport. That was big for Kendra. Maybe she is ready for someone to be in our lives.” I smiled at him. “We can take that part slow because I am falling for you as well.”
“Sounds great,” Mason agreed as we kissed again. I stayed a little while longer with him and then he drove me to my parent’s house. We made plans to meet up the next day and take Kendra to the beach casually, and I looked at him as I kissed him in the car.
“Are you here to see a friend?”
“In part. We are going to have dinner tomorrow night and he does work a lot, hence the car and hotel. I didn’t think that we’d get together like this, but I’m glad we did.” I kissed him one more time before running to the door and unlocking it. The light was on in the kitchen and I saw the light on in the living room as I ran a hand through my hair. I walked in, seeing my parents snuggled together with Kendra sound asleep on Mom’s lap.
“How late was she up?” I asked as Mom smiled.
“Ten. That nap on the plane gave her a lot of energy but dinner and playing wore her out. How was your night?” Mom asked a
s I smiled.
“It was fun. Thanks, Mom.”
“You don’t get that chance in Seattle as easily. I can see that Mason has feelings for you.” Dad looked at me as I blushed.
“He’s my boss,” I reminded her as Mom shrugged.
“It will work out,” she assured me as I walked over to pick up Kendra. I carried her to my room and put her in the big bed, changing into pajamas before I crawled in beside her.
I thought about Mason sleeping alone in his hotel room, but that was okay. I could balance time between him and Kendra but she would always come first. He understood that but the way she hugged him tonight was so different for Kendra. Maybe she could see something in him, in us.
CHAPTER 16
Mason
I had trouble sleeping after I took Isabelle back to her parent’s house. I wanted to spend the night with her and wake up to go for breakfast, but this was different. She had a daughter that she had to put first and I respected that. Our time together would be precious but it felt like I would be a part of their lives very soon.
I turned to look out of the window at the clear sky, playing back the way it felt to be inside of her. Isabelle was perfect, and I’d start locking my office door if that’s what it took to feel her again.
Not really. I had to respect the basic rules of the company and keep us under wraps as much as possible. I closed my eyes and drifted off for a little longer, not planning on getting to the house until later in the morning. Her family deserved time with her and I could see them after that.
I woke up to a call from Colby, canceling dinner tonight due to work and I told him it was fine. I might be busy but I didn’t tell him that I planned around our visit. I ended the call and dressed to go check out the gym before running along the sand instead. It was still cool out, and the sun was bright with the air salty from the ocean.
I loved Seattle but it would be nice to have a place by the ocean as well. Maybe I could get a vacation home down the line and bring Isabelle and Kendra here for a break. They had family here and it would be perfect. I looked down the long beach to see other joggers as well as people just wandering along and smiled as I ran past them.