There’s a murmur of assent and a few wisecracks in response. I strip down and head for the showers. A few minutes later, I’m dressed in my street clothes and ready to go find my parents and Anna. They’re in one of the VIP lounges, waiting for me. When they see me, Anna immediately stands.
“Congratulations,” she says, flashing me a warm smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes. When I get to her, she puts her arms around me and I give her a kiss. It’s all for the benefit of the other people in the lounge, who are looking at us with interest. But all the same, my heart speeds up and my arms tighten around her. A wave of relief washes over me. Anna might still be mad at me, but at least she’s not letting it show in public.
“I’m sorry,” I murmur against her hair. “Can we talk later? I want to explain.”
“Let’s just concentrate on having a good time with your parents,” she whispers, detaching herself from me. “Mason, your mom and dad were saying they’d like to go grab something to eat,” she continues in a normal voice.
“Sure,” I say, trying to ignore my disappointment. “How about Angelo’s?” Angelo’s is a popular Italian place in the area. My mom is a pretty adventurous eater, but my dad is more of a traditional type. He likes Angelo’s, so it seems like an easy, obvious choice.
“Sounds good,” Dad nods. “Should we meet you there?”
“I’ve got my car,” Anna says hastily. “I’ll drive myself. I have to be somewhere later.”
I almost argue, but then I remember my parents know Anna’s not really my fiancée. Still, I was hoping to have a few minutes alone with her. “Fine,” I nod. “See you guys there in about twenty.”
All the way to the restaurant, I try to think of what I can do to make things right between Anna and me again. Fortunately, I’m a faster driver than she is, and I see my opening when I get to the restaurant first. I go inside and put our name in for a table, then come out and wait for her to arrive. When she does, about five minutes later, I go to meet her at her car.
“Anna,” I say immediately as soon as she opens the door, “I’m sorry. I was an asshole the other day. I didn’t really mean any of it. I was just upset. Derek makes me crazy, and I don’t like to talk about him.” My words come out in a hurried rush. I catch her hand in mine and look deep into her eyes. “I really didn’t mean to take it out on you.”
“It’s okay,” she says, giving me a little shrug. “It’s not like I’m really your fiancée.”
“I know,” I interrupt her, grabbing her other hand. “But, you’re more to me than just a… business partner. And you deserved to be treated better.”
“What am I exactly, Mason?” she asks, a challenge in her eye.
“I don’t know, exactly,” I admit. “You’re a friend. But I think maybe… you’re my girlfriend, too?”
“What?” Anna’s head snaps back as she looks at me, surprise written all over her face.
“Think about it, Anna,” I urge, not letting go of her hands. “I know it was a fucked-up way to start things out between us, but we’re good together. You know we are.” It’s fucking crazy to hear myself saying this. I wasn’t planning any of it. But as the words tumble out of my mouth, I realize they’re true. I can’t help but flash her a cocky grin. “And besides, the sex is off the charts. Admit it.”
“Well… yeah. I mean… yeah,” she concedes reluctantly. “But a relationship is about more than just sex, Mason.”
“I know it is,” I agree. Well, at least I know it in theory. I’m not sure I’ve ever had anything you could actually call a relationship before. “But come on. We have a good time together. Hell, a great time. I make you laugh. You’re hot…”
Anna rolls her eyes. “Seriously, Mason?”
“Okay, you’re more than hot,” I correct myself. Fuck, I’m no good at this kind of talk. “You’re smart, you’re funny, you’re tough. Plus, you don’t let me get away with shit. I probably need that.” I take a deep breath and let it out. “So come on, what do you say? Be my girlfriend, Anna. And my fake fiancée.”
She shakes her head slowly, but I can tell she’s not quite saying no. “I don’t have any idea how that works, Mason.”
“Neither do I,” I murmur, pulling her to me. “But let’s figure it out together. Okay?”
I take her in my arms, and kiss her deeply. At first, she resists, but it only takes a second for her to melt into me, her mouth opening to mine with a soft moan. My cock hardens, and for a second I think about taking her to the SUV and having my way with her in the back. But just then, the sound of a horn startles me out of the moment. I open my eyes and glance over at the sound to see my dad waving at me from his rental car.
“Shitty timing, Dad,” I groan, and let go of Anna, who looks up at me and blushes.
Dad parks the car and the two of them come walking toward us. Mom gives us a curious look but says nothing. I hold the door open for the three of them and we go inside.
25
Anna
I was afraid meeting Mason’s parents would be super awkward, but to my surprise it really wasn’t. Sitting with Robert and Patsy at the game is actually fun. They’re incredibly proud of their son, and extremely excited to see him playing professionally again. They never mention anything about our ‘business arrangement’ except for when his mom thanks me for what she delicately calls ‘helping Mason get his career back on track.’
“He’s had such a difficult time being patient,” Patsy remarks to me as we sit in the stands. She’s speaking low enough that no one can hear her but me. “It’s been hard on him, especially given that he wasn’t at fault.”
The big elephant in the room, of course, is his brother Derek. But I don’t say anything about him, and neither does Patsy. I just nod. “I’m sure it had to be incredibly difficult for Mason,” I say, and turn back to watch him move down the field. “It’s clear he really loves the game. I’m just glad he’s back where he wants to be. The Rockets are lucky to have him.”
“Yes,” Patsy agrees, smiling at me kindly. “They are.”
The game goes by pretty quickly. Despite my personal vow to keep my relationship with Mason strictly professional, I’m on pins and needles every time he’s involved in a play. Whenever the team scores, I’m up and out of my seat, yelling myself hoarse along with the rest of the fans. A couple of times, Mason’s mom leans over and murmurs to me that we’re on the Jumbotron screen, and I just pretend I don’t notice.
After the game, I insist on driving myself to the restaurant so I can keep my distance from Mason. But despite my best efforts, he beats me there and manages to get me alone for a few minutes outside in the parking lot. He apologizes profusely for getting mad at me about Derek. But then he says something that almost kicks my legs out from under me.
He asks me to be his girlfriend.
I want to say no. I want to tell him that I’m establishing a new set of ground rules.
But even though I can practically hear Harriet scolding me, I don’t do any of that.
“So come on, what do you say?” Mason murmurs huskily, taking me in his arms. “Be my girlfriend, Anna. And my fake fiancée.”
There was nothing in the contract about what would happen if we actually got involved.
This is impossible. Isn’t it?
“I don’t have any idea how that works, Mason,” I admit, shaking my head.
“Neither do I,” he chuckles, pulling me to him. “But let’s figure it out together. Okay?”
I’m a little shell-shocked at the restaurant. Mason’s mom and dad saw us kissing in the parking lot, and his mom keeps shooting us strange looks. But otherwise, they’re just as nice and friendly as they were at the stadium. They ask me about my work at the TV station, and about my family and where I grew up. They tell me stories about what Mason was like as a child. It feels a lot like I’d imagine it would feel if we were really engaged.
Eventually, there’s a lull in the conversation, and Mason’s mom clears her throat. “So, Mason,” sh
e begins. “Have you heard anything from your brother?”
Mason stiffens a little, then nods. “He called me a few days ago,” he says, his gaze flicking to me. “He’s uh, still in Denver.”
“How is he?” she asks, her voice thin and anxious.
“He… he didn’t sound like he was doing all that well.” Mason pauses. “He asked to borrow some money. I don’t think he’s working right now.”
“Well,” Mason’s dad interrupts, wiping his mouth roughly with his napkin. “Let’s not bore Anna with our family’s dirty laundry. Anna, tell us why you decided on broadcast journalism as a career.”
I oblige, and we continue eating, all conversation about Derek over. But a wave of sadness washes over me as I feel the pain at the heart of this family. Centered around a wayward son and brother, whom they’re powerless to help.
After we’re done eating, Mason’s parents decide to go back to their hotel. “We have an early flight out tomorrow,” his mother explains to us with a smile. “Mason, you let us know as soon as you can about your plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas.”
“I will, Mom,” he says, kissing her on the forehead.
“It was lovely to meet you, Anna,” she says to me, a twinkle in her eye. “Thank you again for helping Mason.”
“It was nice meeting you, too,” I reply sincerely, looking from her to Mason’s dad.
We watch as they get into their rental car, waving as they turn out of the parking lot in the direction of their hotel.
“Your parents are really nice,” I remark.
“They like you,” he grins down at me.
I snort. “They like that I’m helping you salvage your career.”
“Nah. It’s more than that. They like you.” He leans down and nips at my earlobe with his teeth. “I don’t blame them.”
I suppress a moan and try a shaky laugh. “I don’t think you’re judging me by the same criteria they are.”
“Probably not.” He puts his arms possessively around me. “So. Are you going to come back to my place with me, or are you going to make me argue with you?”
“I thought you said there was a team party tonight,” I protest, trying to ignore the flush of pleasure that ignites inside me at his words.
“Right now, I’d rather have my own private party with you.” He slides one hand to my ass, cupping it and pulling me to him. I feel the hard length of his erection against me, and instantly a familiar ache begins between my legs. “There’ll be other parties. C’mon, doll. You know you want to.”
I hear Harriet’s voice in my head clear as day: You are an idiot, Anna.
“I’ll follow you in my car,” I whisper.
26
Mason
I’m painfully hard on the drive back to my place. I’m so eager to get Anna inside and sink myself deep inside her, I have a hard time not speeding. But since she’s driving behind me, I obey the limit, keeping her in my rear view mirror the whole way.
There’s something else swirling around in my head, too, but it takes until I’m almost halfway home to identify what it is.
Relief.
Relief that she isn’t mad at me anymore. Relief that I get a second chance to prove to her I’m not a total jackhole.
I really, really don’t want to screw this up, I realize. Somehow, this business deal with her has turned into something a whole lot more. For me, anyway. These past few days without Anna, it’s felt like there was an enormous hole in my life. I was turning around in circles, jumping at every phone call and text, hoping it was her.
I didn’t even know she had gotten under my skin so much, until she wasn’t there anymore. In a way, it was almost worse than last year, when I had no team, no prospects, and no future to plan for.
Now, when I wake up every morning, I’m looking forward to practice, and working out with my team. But especially, I’m looking forward to telling Anna about it at the end of the day. Anna’s got me thinking about the future in ways I never did before I met her. Not having that felt like my whole life had been pulled out from under me.
I drive up into my circular driveway and wait for Anna to pull in behind me. When I get her inside my place, my hands are under her shirt almost before the door is even closed. A sharp spark of arousal runs through me, and the hitch in her breath as I pull her against me tells me that she’s feeling it, too.
“Fuck, Anna,” I groan. “I’ve missed this. I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve… missed this, t— oh!” she gasps as my thumb finds her taut nipple and grazes the sensitive skin. Her hips buck involuntarily, grinding against my rock-hard cock. Jesus, I can’t fucking wait to be inside her.
Anna clutches at my shirt, whimpering as my other hand goes down to her ass. I lean her against the wall and lift her up, until she’s straddling my waist and her legs are wrapping around me. It’s my hardness against her softness, and I can tell by the way she’s panting and moaning that she’s already wet and ready for me. My mouth finds hers, and we kiss, our tongues dancing in desperation and lust.
“Mason,” Anna moans against my lips. “I’m going to come like this if…” she doesn’t finish, her hips bucking against mine as her body takes control. She starts to shake as I press more forcefully against her, and I know she’s right, she’s on the edge, and I’m going to make her come like this, by God, but this is just the beginning. I thrust and grind, right where I know she likes it, and suddenly she shudders and clings to me, her orgasm taking her all at once as I hold her and try to stop myself from coming in my pants like a goddamn high school kid.
Anna’s still quivering when I put both arms around her and carry her to my bedroom. When I let her down on the bed, she looks up at me, her hooded eyes full of sex. She’s fucking beautiful, so beautiful it chokes me up for a second. Then, as I watch, she leans forward and undoes the button on my jeans, then the zipper, pulling down until the fabric’s on the ground and my cock springs free. Anna makes a little noise deep in her throat and moves forward. She looks at me through her dark lashes, and then wraps her soft lips around the head of my cock.
I hiss her name and freeze. “Fuck, Anna. Jesus, that feels so good.” Her mouth is warm, wet, and willing. She slides forward a little, taking more of me in her mouth. I close my eyes at the pleasure, then open them again because it’s the hottest thing I’ve ever seen. God, I want to watch her suck me off and make me climax like this. But the urge to be inside her is too strong. I let her keep sliding her hot mouth up and down my shaft, until I get too close for comfort, then stop her and pull away. She utters a little moue of protest.
“You need to be naked,” I order her. Pulling my T-shirt over my neck, I sink down on the bed next to her and slide my hands back under the fabric of her shirt and help her take it off. Underneath, she’s wearing a black, lacy bra I’ve never seen before. My cock gets even harder at the sight, pulsing almost painfully. “Did you wear that just for me, doll?” I demand.
“No,” she murmurs. But her cheeks flush pink as she says it, so I have my doubts.
I take a few moments to admire how the dark fabric offsets her creamy skin. “I definitely approve,” I growl. “But right now, it’s in my way.” I reach behind her and undo the clasp, chuckling in satisfaction as her breasts fall free and heavy. “Fuck, you’ve got nice tits,” I tell her, grazing my thumbs against her nipples again. Anna shivers and throws her head back; even though she’s already come once, she wants more. And I’m going to give it all to her.
“Take your pants off and let me taste you,” I order her. Anna locks her eyes on mine and complies, shimmying her hips out of her tight little jeans. She takes her panties off at the same time, so when she finishes she’s naked in front of me. Goddamn, I cannot wait one second more to taste her. A little roughly, I push her knees apart and move between her legs, plunging my tongue inside her wet pussy.
“Mason!” she cries out. Her thighs fall open even further, her hips angling up to thrust against my tongue. She’s soaking. I st
art to lap and lick at her, and she’s whimpering and uttering these little cries of pleasure that just make me want to fuck her, but I’m not going to yet.
“Tell me what you want, baby,” I croon, my lips against her pussy. She shudders and moans quietly. “Tell me, come on.”
“Oh, God, please make me come,” she begs. “Please… fuck me with your tongue… make me come with your tongue.”
That’s what I want. I want my little Anna to talk dirty to me. “Is that what you want?” I tease, brushing my lips against her pussy.
“Yes, Mason, please…” she whines. “Please don’t make me wait…”
I want to draw it out, to make her beg some more, but I need to be inside her. I plunge my tongue inside her pussy, then draw it out against her clit and take the nub between my lips, sucking gently. Anna freezes for a moment, tense like a rubber band, and then she explodes, screaming my name as she bucks and shakes through her orgasm. I keep licking as she writhes and shudders, and when she’s finally over the crest, I kneel and position myself between her legs, sliding my cock against her hot slickness. She’s still coming as I push myself inside her in one smooth, hard thrust, and I feel the muscles of her inner wall clenching. I start out with slow, shallow thrusts, but can’t keep the pace for long. Soon, I'm fucking her in long, deep strokes that drive her wild. Anna’s legs wrap around my hips, her nails digging into my back as she writhes under me, crying out; her voice incoherent.
“Anna,” I moan, pressing my mouth against her throat.
When I feel her body start to tighten around mine, I fuck her faster and harder.
“Mason!”
The way she cries my name drives me over the edge and suddenly I'm orgasming, pleasure rushing through me as I empty myself deep inside her. I pour myself into her, all the strength going out of me, and when I’m completely spent I roll us over, so she lays limply on my chest. I card my fingers through her hair and try to catch my breath. Holy shit.
PLAYERS: The Complete Series (Springville Rockets (Sports Romance Books 1-3) Page 48