Mason (Trinity Academy 2)

“Should I just wear shorts and a t-shirt?” I ask.

“You can wear anything to the hotel,” he answers, then he smirks. “You can swim butt naked. You won’t hear me complaining.”

“Now that’s what I call a good incentive,” I tease.Walking into the presidential suite, my eyes widen for what feels like the hundredth time tonight.

“First the helicopter ride and now this?” I ask as I glance around at all the extravagant luxury. “Not that I’m ungrateful, but… this is… a lot.” I struggle to find the right words to express how I feel.

Mason wraps his arms around me from behind, and his voice rumbles in my ear, “Just say thank you so we can get naked.”

“Thank you,” I whisper. I turn around in his arms and smile up at him. “Thank you for doing all of this for me.”

“Anything for you.”

He lets go of me and walking to a door he opens it. “Is it okay if we keep the lights off outside, or do you want them on?”

“Off is fine. Just don’t leave me alone in the dark,” I answer as I come up behind him. “This place is so beautiful. If you had warned me, I could’ve worn something other than jeans and a t-shirt.”

Mason glances over his shoulder, then frowns. “What’s wrong with what you’re wearing?”

“Mace, I look like I crawled out of the laundry basket.”

“Well, take the clothes off, then it won’t be a problem,” he teases.

“Okay.” Taking hold of my shirt, I pull it over my head and drop it on the floor. Mason leans back against the door jamb and watches me undress. “Are you swimming in your clothes?” I ask when I’m naked as the day I was born.

His mouth curves at the corner, and when I brush past him, walking out onto the patio, he says, “Seeing your sexy ass, I think we should check out the bedroom first.”

I glance over my shoulder and let out a chuckle. “I thought we could see what sex is like in a pool.”

“Works for me,” he comments and quickly begins to drag his clothes off.

I bring my eyes back to the water, and the anxiety starts to grow until I fist my hands at my sides.

You can do this, Kingsley.

Mason’s with you.

You can do this.

Mason presses his body against mine from behind, then says, “Go as slow as you need to.”

I turn around and look up at him. “Can’t you just throw me over your shoulder and jump in. Like last time. If I go slow, I’ll never get in.”

His eyes search over my face. “I’m not jumping into that pool with you, Kingsley.” He tilts his head and thinks, then he begins to smile. He takes hold of my hips and lifts me, “Legs around my waist.”

A smile instantly stretches over my face while I do what he says.

“You ready?” he asks, not taking his eyes away from mine.

I take a deep breath, then say, “Yes.”

When he begins to walk toward the pool, I glance over my shoulder.

“Eyes on me, Hunt.”

My head snaps back, and I keep my eyes on his even though he’s looking past me to see where we’re going. When he takes a step down, I tighten my arms around his neck.

“What music do you like?” he suddenly asks.

“Anything, as long as it makes sense,” I ramble the answer off when my stomach begins to churn.

“Do you have a favorite song?”

I shake my head.

“How old were you when you lost your virginity?” he asks.

“Sixteen.” He takes another step down, which has the words exploding from me, “It was in the back seat of Daniel’s car. It smelled like old gym socks.”

Mason moves forward, and when I feel the water lap at my butt, I cry, “Wait!” I almost climb up him as if he’s a tree, but settle for hiding my face in his neck. My breaths explode over my lips. “Wait.”

He tightens his arms around me. “I’ve got you.” He presses a kiss to my shoulder, then says, “I like to surf. Going out at sunrise when everything is quiet, it’s one of the best feelings.”

“I-I bet you’re good at it,” I say breathlessly from the anxiety clawing its way up my spine.

“Lake is the best between the three of us. It’s like he was born to be a surfer. The way he rides a wave… it’s something to see.”

I relax enough to ease back until I can look at Mason again. His eyes lock on mine. “Do you have any idea how beautiful you are in the moonlight?”

I let out a burst of air, not able to laugh right now.

Mason presses his forehead to mine, then whispers, “Do you trust me?”

I don’t hesitate to answer, “Yes.”

“I’m going to move forward, but I’ll stop once the water touches my arms. Are you okay with that?”