with the ring, and in the meantime I was becoming more and more okay with the idea of getting married.
I was not Analise.
He was not James.
We were a completely different couple.
As we moved to another machine, I watched Taylor continue to fight with Matteo. By now, it was mostly in jest. She’d caught on that he was more interested in hanging out with Grace than fighting to get to the machine.
After one more machine, she admitted defeat. Taylor held her hands in the air and told Grace, “Go with Matteo. I think he’ll help you better than me.”
Grace’s entire face was beet red, but we could hear her giggling the rest of the time we were there.
Courtney and Taylor stayed with Mason and me. Courtney seemed a little quiet around Mason. She watched him as he moved around, and I thought I caught a twinge of jealousy in her eyes, but it was always gone by the time she looked over at me. I wasn’t insecure. It was the opposite with Mason, but I was more on edge because of the way girls reacted to me because of him. I didn’t want another Kate situation, but that wasn’t Courtney. If that were going to be anyone, it would be Faith.
A little while later, when we were done and walking back out to the parking lot, I saw Faith getting into a Yukon.
Speak of the devil.
Taylor stopped next to me. “I really hate that girl.”
I grinned. “Is there another weight room on campus?”
Courtney was on my other side. “There’s a VIP room that only some of the star players get to use.” She frowned at me. “You should have access to that, actually. You and your boyfriend.”
Mason came up behind us, and I turned toward him. “Do you have access to a VIP weight room?”
He paused. “Yeah.”
“Could you have taken me to the other room?”
“You, yeah.” He glanced to the others, and I got his drift. The others couldn’t have gone, and he didn’t bring it up because he knew I wouldn’t have left them.
I frowned. “That’s not fair.”
“It’s for the players who need more attention,” Taylor said. “If someone is rehabbing, they get to use it too. But yes, it’s generally for the star athletes—the ones who bring in boosters and more money. It’s exclusive, but it kind of does make sense.”
“You knew about it too?”
She gave me a look like I’d grown two heads. “My dad is Broozer. Yeah, I knew.”
“Oh.”
Mason unlocked his Escalade and stored his bag inside. He shut the door, waiting for me. I glanced to Taylor. “What are you doing now?”
“I’ve got this guy I’m dating. I haven’t seen him all day, and I thought maybe I’d check in with him. Maybe give him a smooch or two.” She grinned at me.
I arched an eyebrow. “Logan’s sarcasm is infectious. Who knew?”
She laughed. “He’s at your place. I was hoping to hitch a ride since he brought me this morning.” We glanced over to Courtney. Grace and Matteo were coming out of the building and heading our way.
“What about you two?” Taylor called over. “I bet I can get Chef Logan to make an appearance. He can cook for all of us.”
“I’m down.” Matteo gave her a nod, his eyes skirting to Grace beside him.
Taylor touched Courtney’s arm. “You and Grace want to come over?”
“Uh.” Courtney turned around to look at me. I’d migrated over to Mason by his Escalade. “Is that okay with you?”
I shrugged. “Why wouldn’t it be? But to be honest, I think if Logan found out we didn’t invite you at this point, he’d be chewing my ass within seconds.” I grinned, sinking into Mason’s side. I noted how Grace was touching her hair and grimacing. “If you guys want to go shower and change, just head over when you’re done. You know where we live.”
“Okay. Sounds like a plan.”
Mason’s arm came down around my shoulders. “Matteo, are you coming over right now?”
“Yes. If that’s okay?”
Grace and Courtney took off for their vehicles, their heads bent together. It was obvious the topic of conversation. Grace kept looking back at Matteo, and he seemed receptive.
He turned toward Taylor once the two girls got into a car.
“Can I give you a ride to your man?” he asked. “I have questions to ask. You have answers to give.”
“Really? Do I?” Her eyes rounded. “I’m just kidding. I’ll take the ride, but I’m not divulging any secrets Grace might’ve confided in me.” She looked over to me. “See you guys there?”
I nodded, but once Mason and I were in his Escalade, he said, “No, she won’t.”
“What do you mean?”
He started the Escalade and pulled out of the parking lot. “I’m going to be selfish. I want alone time with you. Being in our bedroom when the house is full doesn’t cut it for me sometimes.”
I leaned back in my seat, grinning at him.
That sounded more than all right to me.
I wondered where Mason was going to take me. I assumed a hotel. We’d get a suite, have some hot and rough sex . . . when he pulled up to a construction site and hopped out to open a gate, it was the last place I expected to be.
Well, to be honest, I wasn’t sure where we were.
He got back in and pulled the Escalade inside before parking and closing the gate behind us again.
I started to get out, but he waved me back. “I gotta drive a little bit still.”
There were buildings and walls all over the place, along with construction trucks and machines.
“What is this place?” I asked, as he went down a small trail.
“You remember hearing about that old amusement park Logan took Taylor to last year?”
I nodded. “This is it?”
“This is it while it’s being torn down and turned into a big resort kind of thing. James bought it, and I came across some of the plans they have for it this summer. I did a little more digging and found out some of what’s already done.” He grinned. “I swiped the access code, and I know they’re not building tonight or tomorrow. They have those days off for some reason, so it’s ours.”
“Oh.” I laid my hand on his arm. “You’re so sweet. A construction site. It’s where every girl dreams of being ravished.”
His grin only deepened. “Joke will be on you when you see where I’m taking you.”
I laughed, leaning my head against the headrest again. “I was teasing, but I do mean it. I appreciate the gesture for some time alone.”
“I’m going to miss Logan when he goes to law school, and I know Nate will be moving out eventually, but we do have a full house.”
I agreed. It seemed to be getting fuller every year.
“We’re here,” he announced.
Mason parked outside of a large building. As I got out and he took my hand, I tried to guess what we were stepping into, but nothing could’ve prepared me.
“Mason!”
It wasn’t just a pool; it was one of those you find at water parks. There were slides and a kiddie pool. There was a large butterfly statue in the middle of one section, off to the side, and it looked like a real oasis. The wings were made of material that shimmered all different colors. Just watching it a moment, it was blue, green, orange, and a stunning teal color. The whole place looked almost like a fairytale.
Palm trees overshadowed the edges of the pool. Foliage hung from the tops.
It all looked so real.
A bar was at the far end, with stools to sit on in the water.
“It’s useable too.” I could smell the chlorine in the air, feel the humidity from the room, and a second later Mason switched the lights on.
He came up behind me and kissed my cheek. “They’ve been using it for office pool parties and some other events. I think they’ve rented it out a couple times. This is the next big deal in Cain. I thought my dad was going to sell it again, but he got approached by some guys, and changed his mind. It’s sma
rt, if you think about all the sports the university has. That’s a lot of cash flow. James is going to capitalize on that.”
I turned back to him, feeling one of his hands fall to my hip. “And does James know we’re using it?”
Mason shrugged. “I know it’s empty tonight. That’s all that matters.” Then his grin darkened, and before I could register what was going on, I was in the air. I shrieked, and the sounds echoed off the walls. Then I was in the water.
It felt warm and refreshing all at once, and just like that, my inner kid surged out. I kicked off the bottom and broke the surface just in time to see Mason pull his shirt off. His sweatpants were on the floor too, along with his shoes and socks. Then he launched himself over me, sinking into a cannonball so I was splashed all over again.
I waited, my heart picking up pace, but he didn’t come back up. Instead, two hands grabbed my waist and pulled me down.
“Ah!” I yelled when I popped back up, but by then he was at the far end of the pool.
His eyes danced. “Come and get me, Strattan.”
The challenge was on.
I climbed up, pulled off soaking clothes until I was in my bra and underwear, then dove in and was at his side within moments. He dropped below the surface, watching me under the water. I tried to grab him, but he caught my hands and found my waist. He lifted me in the air again, tossing me once more.
I got in a few good dunks when I surprised him, but Mason was strong and quick. I was dunked more often than he was until we’d been swimming for an hour, and our touches started to linger. The grins and laughter turned more serious, more lust-filled, and it wasn’t long before I was pressed against the edge of the pool.
Mason trapped me, his arms on either side and his legs underneath me. I wasn’t even going to attempt to get away. This was exactly where I wanted to be, and I sat down, straddling him instead. I had my hands on the pool’s edge behind me, but I pushed myself forward so my breasts touched him.
He groaned, his eyes almost black with desire. “You’re killing me, Sam.” He nuzzled my neck, just under my jaw and murmured, “They could have cameras.”
“Then turn the lights off,” I whispered, searching for his mouth.
I found it. His lips claimed mine, and a tingle went through me.
I was beginning to ache for him, feeling throbbing between my legs, and I just wanted to feel him. Only him. The rational side of me was turning off quickly. I let go of the edge and wound my arms around him.
“Mason.” I kissed him, feeling his tongue sweep inside.
He groaned, pulling back. “You sure?”
“God, yes.”
He pulled himself up and went over to the panel. A second later, the pool was plunged into darkness, and not long after that I felt his hands on me again. He pulled me into a darker corner of the pool, underneath the butterfly statue, and then his lips found mine.
I raked my hands through his hair, still kissing. I couldn’t get enough of him.
“Sam,” he breathed.
His hand slid down my back, caught my leg, and pulled me tighter against him.
I moaned. The ache was building, and I moved against him, needing to feel more friction. God, he was right there. A quick shift of his boxer briefs, he could tug my underwear to the side, and he’d be in. But he waited. I waited. I was breathing hard, grinding on him.
He kissed down my throat.
His other hand rested at my waist, and he turned me so I was against the edge of the butterfly. I was almost immobile as he continued kissing. Then he tugged my bra, unclipping the back and pulling it completely off. His mouth found my breast, sucking on my nipple.
I gasped, then arched into him.
I clamped my legs more tightly around him.
He kept kissing. He kept caressing. His hand swept between us, and his finger slid inside.
A guttural groan left me. I just wanted him. Like always.
“Mason.” I was damn near begging. I panted.
He kissed me again. Home. That’s how he tasted. My arms went around his neck, and I moved my hips in rhythm with his finger. He slid two more inside, and I was soon riding him.
“I love you.” His words were a teasing caress against my lips, and then he sunk his fingers inside me again.
I kept going, kept feeling him thrust inside of me until I was damn near falling apart in his arms.
“Mason!”
He continued, holding off on his own pleasure until I had mine. I held on. I loved this Mason. His will was iron strong. He always made sure I came first, and when I was a puddle and my bones weren’t firm anymore, he’d slide inside and take me on a whole other ride.
That seemed to be his plan this evening too.
I cried out, feeling my climax rip through me, and then Mason removed the rest of our clothing and sheathed himself inside of me. He pushed in, holding me as his muscles trembled and rippled. He waited, but he didn’t have to wait long. He gave me time to adjust to him. But I didn’t need any of that. I grabbed his ass and began.
I was moving before he was ready.
“Sam!” My name ripped from him.
“Let’s go.” I pushed my hips at him, starting the ride.
“Fuck, yes.” Then he was going with me.
He thrust out, and I went with him. He went deep inside.
Anywhere he went, I was there too. How fast, how slow, it didn’t matter. My heart was a fucking stampede inside of me. Pleasure, desire, lust—it all swirled in me, building into a frenzy until all I could do was beg, plead, and answer any command he made of my body.
I felt he was near, but he held off. He kept thrusting in and out. He was giving me time to match him, to be right with him as he came.
A primal need clambered inside of me. I grabbed his shoulders and urged him to go harder. I wanted it rougher.
“Sam.”
“I want it.” I gritted my teeth, needing something deeper, darker in me.
And then he gave it. He began pounding into me. He grabbed my shoulder. Half of his hand was on my throat, and he held me in place as he pounded into me.
I came undone in his arms and nearly wept as a second climax ripped through me. I felt like I was torn in half, and then Mason came. His body surged one last time, almost crushing me, before he pressed a tender kiss to my shoulder and swept his hand down my arm and side lovingly.
“You okay?”
I nodded. I was more than okay. I touched the side of his face. “I love you.”
His eyes were clouded. I knew he didn’t like to think he hurt me, and this had been rough, but I wanted it. His eyebrows dipped together.
I kissed his lips. “I wanted that.”
He frowned, slightly. “I might’ve hurt you.”
I shook my head. I felt alive. So much alive. I kissed him again and wrapped my entire body around his. He slipped out of me and held me for a moment. We stayed like that, our heartbeats next to each other, until I began shivering. He moved through the pool, carrying me the whole way, and set me on the edge.
“Stay here.”
I wasn’t sure what he was doing. I heard some splashing before he pulled himself up and out behind me. He padded somewhere, then a small light was turned on. It was in the corner of the room, enough for us to see, but not to be seen. I could make him out as he came