by Ryan Michele
“Come on, Moochie baby.” I lifted him up and gave him a morsel of chicken. Damn, I forgot to ask Samantha if she’d keep him while I was gone.
Deep down I knew there would be no getting out of the cruise, and truly I didn’t want to, but it didn’t stop me from dreaming up new ways to stop it from happening. Faking my own kidnapping sprang to mind, but then there’d be an investigation, and I’d likely go to jail. Orange was not my color. It was not the new black for me.
Moocher whined for more chicken, and I gave him another piece. My boy was spoiled rotten. He trained me well and not the other way around.
Scrunching my nose up, I sniffed. A vile scent filtered through my nostrils, gagging me. “Oh dear heavens, Mooch!” I cried, waving a hand around, trying to get the smell away from me. The little jerk had farted. I jumped up, and he stared up at me with his big brown puppy dog eyes, looking at me like what’d I do. Luckily, I’d finished eating. I loved my dog, but he was the biggest pain in my ass for something so small.
“I’m going to take a bath. You stay here.” Yes, I was one of those women who talked to her dog like he understood every word I said because I swore he did. His head tilted from side to side, then he laid down and put a paw over his nose. Yes, he knew he’d been bad. Even if he couldn’t help it. He had notorious farts that could be bottled up and sold as a weapon. One jar would take out a small army.
Taking my dirty bowl to the kitchen, I dropped it in the sink and looked around at my countertops. I should clean the mess from cooking my food, but I wanted to relax in the tub and forget my worries for a little while. I’d do it later. The mess wasn’t going anywhere.
Only I kept thinking about the visual talking to Samantha had painted in my head about Mason Jones shirtless. What a sexy picture and a perfect one to get lost in, soaking in the tub.
“Hey, babe. You sure you don’t want to come into the pool with me. I’d love to get you all wet.” Mason hit me with his charming, panty-dropping smile. Droplets of water beaded and glistened, rolling down his smooth, muscular chest and carving a path down his sculpted by the gods torso. Tongue flicking out, I wanted to lick him, but I settled on capturing the tiny red straw of my fruity umbrella-garnished cocktail instead. My gaze settled on his, then traveled down his chest to the red speedo hugging his big package. Mercy, the man certainly had been blessed between his legs.
“I’m already wet,” I sassed, sucking on my straw, doing my best to appear sexy as I consumed more liquid courage.
“Everly, you keep talking like that and I’m going to throw you over my shoulder, spank your ass, tie you to the bed, and have my way with you.”
I wished he would. “That a promise?”
Mason lowered next to my lounger on the deck of the cruise ship. Hands sliding under my ass, he lifted me as though I was light as a feather. My drink sloshed over the sides of the glass.
“What are you doing?” I glanced around, but no one paid us any mind.
“Making good on my word, babe. I told you. Now you can put that sassy mouth to work by sucking my cock.” My drink disappeared into thin air, my top half jostled over Mason’s shoulder. Thwack. His palm met the curve of my ass cheek in a playful slap followed by a second and a third. Mercy, the man turned me on.
A room appeared out of nowhere. Nautical décor surrounded us. Framed pictures on the walls showcased a lighthouse and a large pirate ship that looked like it sailed from the 1700s. Mason dropped me on a light blue bedspread and covered my soft curves with his tone muscles. Fingers maneuvering behind me, Mason undid the strings holding my black bikini top up. Then he used them to bind my wrists together over my head.
“Honey.” I giggled.
“I always keep true to my word, Ev.” Mason leered at me, smelling of sunshine and the salt of the ocean breeze. Dipping his head, he captured my nipple in his mouth, licking and sucking the sensitive skin until it hardened to a point. Grasping at the strings of my bikini bottoms, he jerked them roughly down my thighs.
Blinking a few times, I sat up straight in bed and clutched my covers to my chest with my underwear around my ankles. Pulse hammering in my ears, I glanced around my bedroom. Feeling the cool empty spot next to me, my dream came crashing back. Mason, the cruise. Mercy me, we were so close to doing the deed. Heat flushed down my neck at the thought.
It’d been forever since I’d remembered a sex dream and had one so freaking vivid that I shoved my panties off. Good grief. I was turned on, and I wouldn’t be satisfied until I took care of the problem with my friend BOB. Or, at least, I‘d hoped. Though if I recalled my dream and pictured Mason in all his naked glory, I doubted it would take long.
Everly
That Awkward Moment When You’re Wearing Nikes And You Still Can’t Just Do It…
“It’s one blind date. Come on. David is a nice guy. Say yes. It’s one drink and maybe an appetizer, if you don’t hate him.” I knew Samantha meant well and wanted to help, but it wasn’t like I could go on one date with some random guy she set me up with and then proceed to invite him to go on vacation with me for a week. How awkward would it be, like oh, by the way, dude, my family thinks you’re my boyfriend. Because that wouldn’t freak any sane person out. I loved Sam, but sometimes she forgot that my mother could be neurotic, and the last thing I needed was to impose some random weirdo on my family. But time was running out. My options were zero. Desperation clung to me.
“I don’t know.” I picked at my fries, but they were soggy. Why oh why did they have to turn bad so fast?
“Don’t you at least want to look at his picture?” She grinned, thrusting her phone in my direction, knowing I’d have to peek.
“Fine. Tell me about him.” I gave in, though I should’ve known better.
“David is divorced and a little older than you, but no kids or weird baggage that I’m aware of.”
“How much older?” I pressed, staring at the photo of a shirtless man with muscles big enough to give the Hulk a run for his money. Big blue eyes and light blond hair that could have some streaks of silver peppered in there. While handsome, I got the impression this guy and I had quite the age gap.
“Um … early forties.” Her lips rolled inward.
“Sam!”
“He’s good looking. And a really great guy.”
“I’m twenty-nine. What could we possibly have in common?”
“Well, there’s me for starters.”
“How do you know him?” I tossed my fries down and grabbed my soda, taking a swallow.
“He owns the gym I go to, and he’s very nice. He has money and would insist on picking up any extras.”
I narrowed my gaze on her. I knew he seemed familiar. “You dated him.” I slid the cell phone back to her side of the table.
“Maybe date is a strong word to use here. I had sex with him a few times.”
“Oh gross. Hell no. I’m not going on a date with your ex-fuck buddy. Jesus, Samantha. I’m not that desperate.”
“I’m trying extremely hard not to feel offended right now.”
“Don’t make this about you. I’m the one who needs a boyfriend.” I pouted and shoved a greasy fry in my mouth. Ugh. I spit it out into my napkin and went for a stick of gum to get rid of the bad taste left in my mouth.
“Then I shouldn’t need to remind you that beggars can’t be choosers, and you, my dearest friend, are running out of time.”
“Ugh. Don’t remind me.” I groaned and rubbed my temples.
“I’m just saying. Don’t shoot the messenger. I told David all about your situation, and he’s okay with playing pretend.”
“I appreciate what you’re trying to do. I truly love you, but he looks the exact opposite of what I told my mother my mystery man looks like.” Not to mention he’d done the naked tango with my best friend more than once.
“And just who did you describe?”
The alarm I sat on my phone chimed. Saved by the bell. “Time to go.” I gathered up my garbage, but this wouldn’t be th
e end of the conversation. When Samantha got stuck on something, she was like a dog with a bone. She only meant to help, and I had no idea what my problem was. She was giving me an option. One that I didn’t have. Something was just holding me back.
“I’ll catch up with you later. I gotta drop by the dry cleaners to get Mr. Lowry’s suit.”
“Later.”
“If you change your mind about David, let me know.”
I gave her a wave over my shoulder. Not that I’d sleep with David, but knowing my best friend did gave me the heebie-jeebies. Going on a week-long date, who knew what he would expect.
Back at work, I’d been swamped with applications for a new building of condos. The city had been booming, the population continuing to rise these past few years. My desk was full, and there was no way to get through them all today.
I glanced at the clock noting I was due for my fifteen-minute break. My bladder felt ready to burst from the jumbo coffee I had after lunch. Caffeine at its finest. Perked you up, but would lead you to the toilet.
After I refreshed in the bathroom, the supply room was on the way back to my cubical. Needing a new pen, I headed that way. The second I turned and stepped into the hallway, I smacked into a hard body. The scent of Dior washed over me. Even while trying to steady myself embarrassment hit, and I closed my eyes.
Mason Jones.
The man appeared to be everywhere, his strong hands coming to my arms to help steady me. Why did his touch have to set every nerve ending in my body on fire in the most delicious of ways?
“You know, Everly, I’m not sure who won round one, but I’m a fair guy, so I’m going to give you round two. We gonna go for best out of three?” He grinned, towering over me, and a blush warmed my cheeks.
The way he stared at me was exactly like my dream wrapping around me. Heat flashed on the back of my neck, pulse quickening, and warmth pooled in my lower belly. I clenched my thighs, remembering all too well the way his hands felt on me in my fantasy, and how hard I got off thinking about him when I pleasured myself with afterward.
“I’m sorry, Mason. We’ve really got to stop meeting like this.” I took a step back, needing to put some distance between us before I did something dumb. You know, like reach up and kiss him.
His tongue darted out to wet his lips, and my arousal spiked. I imagined he’d be an excellent kisser. “I don’t mind it all. You can touch me any time you like.” His voice took on this husky erotic tone that melted over my skin like butter.
Was he flirting with me? Holy shit. He was. Nerves hit, and I wished gum was in my mouth; maybe then it would calm me.
“Just ask him,” Samantha said casually as she darted into the supply room, brushing right past the two of us.
I shook my head, wanting to strangle her. Payback was going to be a bitch. “Ignore her.” Please ignore my crazy, pushy best friend who can’t mind her own business.
His grin widened. “I’ll make this easy for you. Whatever it is you need, the answer is yes.”
Samantha ducked her head in the doorway, obviously eavesdropping. “Perfect, make sure your passport is up to date. You set sail next week.” Oh she was dead. So very dead. If I didn’t fear being fired or arrested, my hands would have been around her throat.
I stared at my leopard print peep toe heels, scared to meet Mason’s eyes. He probably thought we were certifiably nuts, and he wouldn’t be wrong. Mortification colored my cheeks and flushed my neck, spreading over my chest.
A firm finger tucked under my chin and lifted my gaze. Our eyes met, and Mason had this mixed expression on his face. I had no idea what he’d say. Did he realize what he just agreed to? Not only that, why on earth wasn’t I telling him no, never mind. Instead, I stood there waiting for him to say something.
His honey brown eyes melted into me like M&M’s in my palm. Lips tipping into a smirk so damn sexy it should be outlawed, he held me captive. “So do you want me to wear a speedo, banana hammock, or board shorts? Your choice.”
I felt my mouth fall to the floor. A banana hammock, what the hell was that? Unable to say words, I hummed. “Um…” My tongue twisted around itself.
“Mason,” someone called his name, saving me from further embarrassment and the question that was on the tip of my tongue. Google. That was where I was headed next.
“I gotta…” He trailed off and pointed a thumb over his shoulder, still smiling. “We’ll be in touch.”
“Yeah, me too.” Me too? We’ll be in touch! What did he mean by that? Did I even want to know? I ducked into the supply room with Samantha, face as red as a beet. “I’m so going to kill you,” I grumbled under my breath loud enough that only she heard me.
She shot me a wicked grin. “You should be thanking me. You, my friend, just landed yourself a hot as fuck date for your brother’s wedding.” She continued, pointing a pen at me. “You’ll be seeing all that in … how did he put it—your choice of a speedo, hammock or trunks. Please. You should be kissing my feet. I think treating me to some dinner before you leave will serve as thanks.” Sam blew me a kiss, left the room, and went back to work.
That little witch. I still hadn’t asked her about keeping Mooch for me. She owed me. I went back to my desk and opened up my email to ask her before I forgot. She had better agree, or else. After the stunt she pulled, she more than owed me a good favor, and I intended to collect and then some.
Sam,
Before I forget, I need to ask you for a teeny tiny favor. Since it looks like I will be going on this cruise, is there any way you’d be the amazing best friend we both know you are and keep Mooch while I’m out of town? Pretty please? PS. You owe me.
Ev
Within a few moments Sam emailed me back.
Ev,
You know I love Mooch more than you, so of course I will keep his smelly butt. He better not piss all over my new carpet, though. Just let me know his schedule and when to feed him and stuff.
Sam
Even being a pain in my ass, I loved the little trollop. Getting back to work, my email buzzed. Seeing the sender, my stomach did a flip.
Everly,
Can you send me the itinerary for this cruise or whatever it is I agreed to go on with you, so I can put in a request for time off?
Thanks,
Mason Jones
Senior Loan Officer
Holy moly. Mason was serious about going. I stared at his email, contemplating how to respond for a good ten minutes. What was I going to say to him? There was no way he had to go with me. It was just a spur of the moment response he had. No way was I holding him to it. It took me typing and deleting more times than I could recall to get the message sent back to him.
Mason,
Thank you for saying yes to Sam’s strange comment. You were put on the spot when you agreed to go with me, and I don’t want you to feel obligated to go. You probably thought the question was work related, not a week-long cruise to St. Thomas for my brother’s wedding. Not to mention with my crazy family. Thank you for being so gracious with your answer, but I completely understand your answer changing. Thank you for appeasing Sam.
Everly
There. That gave him a complete exit from this situation. No hooks for him. No matter what Sam said, this wasn’t a good idea. He’d come to his senses and run as fast as he could away. I stared at the screen while a brick sunk in the pit of my stomach when ten minutes passed, and there was no response.
Knock. Knock.
My eyes flew up to the door as Mason stood in the opening. Shit.
Why couldn’t he had just responded to my email, so we could save each other a bit of embarrassment when he told me he wasn’t going? Nope. Not Mason. We were going to do this face-to-face I guessed.
Needless to say, I wasn’t prepared for this.
Suck it up, Everly.
“Can we talk?” he asked, looking unbelievably hot. What was it about seeing his sleeves pushed up that got me all hot and bothered? I tugged at the collar of my blouse. Was i
t getting hot in here?
“Of course. Come on in. Have a seat.” I motioned to the empty chair on the other side of my desk, thanking the small bit of space between us. He closed the door, entered, and sat. Why was it sexy how he crossed his foot over his knee? Damn, I needed to get a grip. Who was I kidding—everything he did oozed sex appeal. The door really should’ve stayed open, if for nothing else, my sanity. His smell was all around me.
“So Drake and Kelsey are finally making it official?”
A small smile tipped my lip. “Yep. They got engaged over last Valentine’s Day.”
“And you’re going on a cruise for the ceremony?”
I exhaled, clasping my hands together on my desk. “Yes, and before you say anything, it’s fine. You were put on the spot. I totally understand.”
He ignored that and said, “So you need a plus one, and luckily, I’m available to go.”
My mouth fell. “You are?” Shocked. That was exactly how I felt, quirking a brow.
“Yeah, Ev. I’ve known you how many years?” he questioned, and it had been practically forever.
I calculated the math in my head; told you numbers were my thing. Mason and my brother had gone to high school together, and we’d worked at Boise Financial for a while, but I didn’t know if he and Drake still kept in touch.
The lie to my mother just took a turn for the worse, not including Drake and Mason’s connection. She’d have questions, and if my brother heard the name, he would too. This just kept getting better and better.
“Besides, I’ve been friends with Drake half my life if not longer. We’ll have a good time. I can embarrass him in front of Kelsey and give them a hard time. It’ll be great. We’ll have fun.”