Oh god, that smile. The entire world melted away when Emily looked up at me like that.
My hands slid up her back as my lips brushed hers. The electricity between us was so strong I could have sworn it altered the rhythm of my heart.
“Don’t be scared, my sweet angel,” I heard myself murmur against her lips as if in a dream. “But I’m falling for you. Completely.”
Her gasp dissolved into a moan that made my hips clench. I needed to be naked with her, now.
But first, I’d need to feed my sweet girl, and learn more about her so that I could find new ways to make her happy.
9
_____
Emily
Dinner was incredible, and it was amazing to see Mason so relaxed, after having removed his jacket and tie and rolled up his shirt sleeves to reveal his thick forearms when I showed him how to assemble our fajitas.
It was hard to look at him without that fire rising in my belly, so I simply stopped trying to squash it back down. The physical pull toward him was distracting. It was also downright weird, having such a wealthy, powerful man casually announce that he was falling for me.
How could I possibly keep up with a worldly man like this?
He belonged with someone who would know how to navigate his world, and make clever small talk at corporate events. Not a girl who preferred to be wrapped up in her pajamas and butterfly print blanket to read by ten pm.
The more I revealed about myself, the more infatuated Mason seemed. He didn’t laugh at my confession of having an elaborate bath ritual, or that I always had to fall asleep on my right side. He kept prying details from me until I felt like he knew me almost as well as my parents did.
There was still no way to tell what Mason would think about Aunt Betsy’s prediction about my supposed dream man, and how he matched each point perfectly.
Mason was a man of science. Everything about his company was focused on research and evidence. University studies and proven conclusions. He really didn’t seem like the crystal gazing type.
He wouldn’t be offended, would he?
Still, I didn’t want to take a chance on telling him any of that just yet. I was already too nervous wondering if he would have any expectations for tonight.
As we settled in the living room, with a cup of decaf Earl Gray tea for me, and a half-caf spiced cold brew Mason’s housekeeper had left for him, I stared around in wonder.
The room was almost unnaturally huge, and was straight from one of those European decorator magazines. Everything was minimalist with clean lines, except for the ornate moldings and old-fashioned windows.
Everything was black, gray, and white, even the massive abstract paintings across one wall. The other wall held black and white photographs of crumbling stone landmarks.
Maybe there was a tiny chance that Mason was right, and I would bring him balance.
Mason pulled me so that I sat close beside him, spinning my legs over his as he leaned me back, kissing straight down the column of my throat.
“You are delicious, my angel,” he murmured, as his hands gripped my back and hip tightly. The possessive gesture was making my thighs press together, as heat seemed to pool between them.
Then he glanced at his diamond-encrusted platinum watch. He was even incredibly handsome when he frowned.
“Gorgeous, I want to spend as much time with you as possible tonight. But I don’t want to bring you home too late, and have your father upset with me.”
His fingertips trailed along the neckline of my dress, teasing as he scooped just under the fabric. “What time are your parents expecting you home?” he asked.
“They’re...um...not.”
His green eyes blazed. “Did you tell them you were coming home with me? Or did you tell them you were staying with a girlfriend?”
Smiling, I leaned in to kiss his cheek. “They’re on one of their little weekend getaways, and won’t be back until Sunday evening.”
Did I actually feel a shudder run through him?