Fall in Love

by Anthology

  Feeling bolder, and I suppose, horny as all hell, I pulled the sheet down to her waist and moved my hand under the T-shirt she wore. There was something innately sexy about seeing a woman wearing your shirt, and not much more. Some primal part of me loved seeing it, like it was some kind of proclamation that this girl was mine.

  I grazed lightly over her nipple and felt it harden further. I rubbed it between my thumb and index finger and she arched with a moan. I moved my mouth along her jaw line and met her lips with a crushing kiss. She responded by wrapping her legs around my waist. My eyes rolled back in my head as she ground herself against me. Minutes later she pulled her lips away from mine and I missed the contact immediately.

  “What time is it?” she asked in a breathy voice, panting heavily.

  “Hmm?” I’d heard her but couldn’t get my brain to function properly to answer her. Most of the blood in my body was headed south of the border at the moment.

  “Time, the time?” She unwrapped her legs from around my waist and moved from underneath me. I groaned my disappointment. Sitting up against the bed frame she grabbed her phone off the night table to check the time. “It’s ten o’clock. I should probably be going.” Disappointment hit me fast and deep. I wanted to spend time with her, even if it meant I only got to hang in her company.

  “We were just getting to the good part.” I wagged my eyebrows up and down.

  She giggled. “The good part will have to wait. My mom’s already texted me a couple times to see where I am.”

  “Mind if I have a quick shower before I take you home?” I needed either a cold shower or to take care of myself on my own, the second option seeming more likely.

  “Of course. Mind if I make some coffee while you’re in there?”

  “You could join me,” I said in my most cajoling tone.

  “If I join you I don’t think I’ll be getting home any time soon,” she said getting out of the bed. I followed her.

  “That’s the point.” I smiled.

  She looked down to my waist. “Actually, I think that’s the point.”

  She laughed and went to make her way out of the room. I came up behind her and wrapped my arms around her front, pinning her to my bare chest.

  “Mason,” she said in a voice that was half playful, half warning.

  I bent my knees and rubbed my obvious arousal across the globes of her perfect ass. Her breath hitched and she leaned her head back against my chest.

  For whatever reason at that moment the possible leak of the pictures from the day before popped into my head. It was like having a bucket of cold water thrown on me. I pulled away from Ellie and spun her around to face me. Her eyebrows scrunched together, clearly wondering what was up.

  “My manager said something else you should know about.”

  “Okkkaay,” she said, seeming to sense my trepidation.

  “The National Examiner called him to get a comment about the girl I was with in Texas.”

  “Those photographers…”

  “I’m trying to put a lid on it, make it so the pictures won’t be published but I can’t promise it’ll work.”

  She took in a big breath and nodded. “Okay, I knew this was a possibility.”

  “You’re not angry with me?”

  “Why would I be angry with you?”

  “I know you’re trying to fade out of the limelight…not be thrust back into it.”

  She put her hand on my cheek again. It was an intimate gesture and I loved that she was sharing it with me. “I told you last night I’ll try to deal with whatever happens. Besides, you think after the orgasm you gave me last night you’re going to get rid of me that fast?” She chuckled.

  I pulled her into my chest and hugged her fiercely. It was the first time in a long time that I didn’t feel the giant weight of responsibility on my shoulders. Oh, it was still there lurking in the background. People were still counting on my success: Justin and Olivia, Troy, the record company, the people who worked for me. Somehow it all seemed easier to handle, though, with Ellie by my side.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  It was a couple of days before I could see Mason again. It took me longer to get my résumés out than expected and Monday night I had to work late and went home and crashed.

  Saturday night had been remarkable. The time spent in the pool, or ahem, on the edge of the pool, was epic. We’d shared a connection beyond the physical…it was intimate and comfortable. Maybe it was because we both understood what it meant to have a less than ideal mother and we didn’t have to explain exactly what that meant.

  It was clear Mason struggled with his feelings toward his mom. I’d already dealt with my issues, accepting a long time ago exactly who my mother was, but Mason couldn’t say the same. When the subject of his mom came up he was intense and steely; like the window to his emotions had closed and was impenetrable. I wished there was something I could do to make him feel better but I knew nothing I said would make up for a childhood with a mom he couldn’t count on.

  I shook the negative thoughts from my head as I knocked on Mason’s door. My mom had had dinner ready when I’d gone home to change after work so I’d eaten with her and Ralph before heading over to the beach house. I didn’t know what Mason had planned but I hadn’t worn the PP’s tonight.

  I’d gone back and forth on that, but after what had happened in the pool the last time I was here, what was the point?

  Mason opened the door with a giant grin. He was wearing dark grey cargo shorts and a light blue V-neck t-shirt. He made a quick appraisal of my beige shorts and fitted white tank top and pulled me in for a kiss. He smelled like high-end cologne, and the feel of his muscular arms around me made me want to press my thighs together.

  I curbed the urge and let out a small sigh as his tongue came into my mouth and I tasted him again. It only fueled my desire and I forced myself to pull away from him to try to maintain some semblance of respectability around him. I didn’t want to jump him with one foot in the door like a cat in heat.

  “I needed that,” he said as he took my hand and pulled me into the house. “It’s been a long couple of days.”

  I laughed. “Didn’t you come here to relax?”

  “Yeah, but then I met you and since then that’s been the furthest thing from my mind.”

  We were in the kitchen and he backed me up against the fridge and kissed me again. He placed his hands on either side of my face. He started off slow and began building from there until we were both breathing heavy and clutching at each other.

  He leaned his forehead against mine. “It really has been torture not seeing you. I was left with just the memory of you and the memory isn’t near as good as the real thing.” He kissed my forehead before turning around to grab something out of one of the cupboards.

  That damn forehead kiss again. What the hell did I find so endearing about it? I was pretty much putty in his hands when he did that.

  “I remembered that you’d ordered red wine when we were at the restaurant that night so I picked some up for you.”

  “Thanks. That was sweet.”

  “Care for a glass?”

  “Absolutely.”

  He poured me a glass and went to the corner cupboard and reappeared with arms full of every confection known to man. “I thought we could watch a movie tonight. I didn’t know what type of munchies you liked so I got a little of everything.”

  “Boy, I’ll say. You look like you robbed a convenience store.” I laughed.

  He started spreading our options out on the granite counter. “Let’s see, we’ve got popcorn, chocolate, pretzels, chips, cheesies… I even picked up some assorted nuts.”

  It was likely childish that I had to try so hard not to blurt out the naughty joke that was ran through my head at that moment. “Chocolate, always chocolate.”

  “Done. I’m going with the chips.”

  We grabbed our treats and our alcohol and made our way into the great room to get settled on the couch. Cuddle
d up to Mason all night? Yeah, I could definitely handle that. Besides, everyone knew that movie was basically code for making out, and that sounded good.

  We settled into the couch and Mason grabbed the remote off the coffee table. “Any requests?”

  “Don’t worry I won’t force you to watch some chick flick.”

  “Chick flicks can be okay depending on who’s in them,” he said.

  Realization dawned that it wasn’t improbable he could have dated one of the actresses in whatever movie we picked. I wasn’t sure I could handle watching him watch a movie with a woman he’d dated, or more likely slept with before. I’d be distracted the entire time, thinking of him watching her on screen reliving some memory they’d made together.

  “I only have one request,” I said. It was petty and juvenile but I didn’t care.

  “Shoot.”

  “I don’t want to watch any movie starring an actress you’ve dated.”

  “Ellie, that’s not how I meant it.”

  “It’s not a big deal. I just don’t want to be distracted the whole time thinking of you and her…you know…instead of watching the movie.”

  Mason pressed his lips together and seemed about to argue with me. He must have thought better of it because he just nodded and turned his attention to the TV. He began scrolling through the list of available choices when he passed a comedy I’d been wanting to see for a while.

  “Oh, what about that one. Have you seen it?”

  “No, but…um…”

  “Never mind.” I knew what that meant. Rather than dwell on it and let it ruin my night I tried not to think about it.

  A couple of minutes later he whizzed by a blockbuster action flick that looked interesting.

  “Oh, that one’s supposed to be good.”

  He turned his head and without saying anything I could tell he’d been involved with the actress in it. Seriously? She was a huge star. We’re not talking B list movie actress here. I was pretty sure I’d read somewhere she made twenty million a picture. I rolled my eyes at him and let him continue scrolling through the list.

  Eventually we settled on a romantic comedy and a few minutes in I’d forgotten all about my earlier insecurities. Instead I decided not to let anything ruin our night together. We were on borrowed time and this was our first real date where everything was out on the table. No more secrets, or omissions of truth. He knew my story, I knew his.

  I wrapped my arm around his hard waist, settled my head into the nook of his outstretched arm and heaved a contented sigh.

  “Everything okay?” he asked as those sexy eyes of his looked down on me.

  I returned his gaze full on. “Perfect.”

  The movie ended and we headed into the kitchen to refill our drinks. I poured myself another glass of wine while Mason grabbed himself a beer from the fridge. I took a seat at the centre island and sipped my wine.

  “What do you want to do now?” I asked him when he leaned against the breakfast bar beside me.

  “Hmmm…” He brushed my hair behind my shoulder and leaned in to nuzzle my neck. “I can think of a few things we could do.”

  The whiskers on his face tickled me and I giggled and brought my shoulder up to my chin. Mason moved away to face me.

  “Not the reaction I was hoping for,” he said wryly. “Do you wanna watch another movie?”

  “Nah. Let’s do something more fun,” I suggested.

  “More fun, eh? Hmmm…we could go skinny dipping in the pool.”

  I raised my eyebrows at him.

  “Don’t like that one. Okay, I could check your body for any strange-looking moles. You can’t be too careful about skin cancer living in all this Virginia sunshine, you know.”

  I grinned at him this time.

  “Damn, you’re a high-maintenance girl. What about beer pong? We could play a few rounds.”

  “What, are we fraternity brothers now?” I laughed.

  “No, but we could always make it interesting. Make up our own rules.”

  That piqued my interest. “Such as?”

  “Such as if you miss you either have to drink, answer a question truthfully, or remove an article of clothing.”

  I laughed. “Are you serious?”

  “I know you’re concerned about losing to me, Ellie. But don’t worry, I’ll go easy on you.” He winked and gave me a lop-sided grin that accentuated his dimple. God, he was handsome.

  “Is that right? Well, we’ll see about that. When I’m finished with you you’ll be begging me for mercy.”

  “I certainly hope so,” he said with a sly grin.

  It took a few minutes to set everything up but once we were finished we stood at opposite ends of the island with six cups each in front of us. Mine held a small amount of wine in each, and his held a larger amount of beer. I’d reasoned that wine was stronger than beer and to be fair he’d have to consume more than me in each cup. He’d bought my argument and agreed. Since we didn’t have a ping pong ball lying around we improvised and used a piece of tin foil we’d scrunched up into a ball.

  Mason motioned to me with his hand. “Ladies first.” He had a smug look and I couldn’t wait to wipe it off his face.

  I closed one eye, held the tinfoil ball in my hand and eyed up my targets on the other end of the island. I released the tinfoil and watched it sail toward Mason, where it landed in the cup closest to me.

  “Woohoo!” I cheered, jumping up and down.

  “Beginners luck.”

  “I don’t think so. Now, I get to choose and I say you have to remove an article of clothing.” I crossed my arms over my chest and cocked my hip out to one side, feeling confident in my ability to kick his ass.

  “All right then.” Mason grabbed his t-shirt behind his neck with one hand and pulled it over his head and let it slide down his arms and fall to the floor in front of him. He kicked it to the side with his foot.

  I should’ve given more thought to my tactic. Having to see Mason’s rippled six-pack every time I took a shot was going to be distracting as hell. He leaned forward to grab the tinfoil out of the cup and the muscles in his chest and abs flexed and tightened with the small effort. Yep, I definitely should’ve made him drink. Damn.

  “I hope you’re ready for me to return the favour.” He lined up his shot, released it, and it almost went in one of my glasses but bounced off the rim. “Damn it.”

  “Now, now, don’t be a spoiled sport,” I said while shaking a finger at him. It was my turn again and I landed another shot. This time he could take a shot. Getting him tipsy might affect his throwing abilities and help me win. “Take a drink.”

  “I see, trying to get your opponent drunk are you?” He lifted the glass to his lips and swallowed the beer.

  “There’s nothing wrong with employing a strategy to ensure my victory.”

  “Strategize this.” He let the tinfoil loose and it landed right in one of my cups. “Take it off,” he said and cocked an eyebrow at me.

  I blew out a breath and then lifted my tank top over my head and threw it on one of the stools. I was wearing a white lacy bra. I told myself it was no different than the two times he’d already seen me in a bikini but someone forgot to tell my nerves because my tummy got the swirly feeling in it again. I clamped down my self-consciousness and didn’t wrap my arms around my chest the way I wanted to.

  From the other side of the island Mason gazed at me through half-lidded eyes. All right, he wants to do this? Let’s do it. I grabbed the piece of tinfoil out of the cup, threw it and it landed in another one of his. “Drink.”

  He said nothing, locked eyes with me while raising the cup to his lips and drank down the contents of the cup. He pulled the tinfoil ball from the bottom of the cup. “Game on.”

  We went back and forth for a while, each of us getting in more shots in than we missed. He now stood only in his Calvin Klein boxers. I was pretending not to notice the very noticeable lump underneath. When Mason sunk our makeshift ball in my cup and told me to
remove an article of clothing I didn’t find it as difficult as the first time. It’s a teensy bit possible that was a side effect of the wine I’d been consuming. I started to undo the top button on my shorts.

  “Wait,” Mason said from the other side of the island. “Let me help you with those.”

  He didn’t have to ask me twice. I’d been dying for him to kiss me for the last half hour but he’d been maddeningly well-behaved. He came to stand behind me and wrapped his hands around my midsection until he reached the button of my shorts. His hard chest pressed into my back and it was all I could do not to rub my ass across him like an animal in heat.

  He slowly undid the button and lowered the zipper down inch by agonizing inch. My breathing had grown heavier and his breath tickled my ear every time he exhaled. I stood waiting for him to dip his hand into my shorts, instead he grabbed the bottom of them and pulled them slowly down my legs. When his hands couldn’t pull them down any farther he crouched down until he was on his knees behind me. My shorts slid down to my ankles and I stepped out of them.

  Thank God I’d ditched the idea of wearing the P.P.’s tonight. Instead, I’d worn the matching white thong to my bra. Mason ran each of his strong hands across my ass. My breathing hitched in anticipation of what was next. As he stroked my ass he planted a kiss on each side, then stood and walked back to his side of the island.

  I was a little dumbstruck and a whole lot disappointed. Seriously? He was going to leave me hanging like that? He smirked at me from the other side of our battlefield. Hmmm…well, two could play that game.

  I grabbed the tinfoil and leaned over the counter like I was gauging the distance to the cups, deciding which to aim for. The movement made my breasts almost spill out of my bra and it was clear that Mason had noticed. I mean the evidence was right there pointing in my direction if you catch my drift.

  “Hmmm…which one should I aim for?” I shimmied a bit, causing my breasts to jiggle. Mason took a large gulp. Seemed my work here was done. I stood up straight, aimed for a cup and hit my target. “All right, you’re getting truth.”