“I’m sorry if I embarrassed you with my clothes but you are the one who bought them for me!”
“Michelle! Wait just a minute.”
The door slammed in my face.
“That didn’t go so well.”
Connor’s smirking face appeared in the kitchen window.
“Shut up.”
“Oh, you are bossy today! Why so cranky, Mase?”
His mocking tone was grating on my nerves.
“That woman will be the death of me.”
He laughed.
“Probably. I’m guessing she just wants your attention.”
I stared at him, things clicking into place. She was… flirting? She had dressed like that for me?
Maybe she was lonely too. Maybe she needed a man. I grimaced, realizing how many men would line up for that sort of opportunity. I exhaled and made a decision.
If Michelle had an itch that needed scratching, then I damn well was going to be the one to scratch it. Not one of these jokers. I’d give her whatever she wanted and make sure she knew I wouldn’t expect her to do anything more than that.
She would stay with me, in whatever damn bed she wanted!
Including mine.
I clenched my jaw in determination and opened the screen door.
Just in time to watch as three different men closed in on her offering drinks.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Michelle
“Refill?”
I looked at the empty glass in my hand. It had been full of soda water and tequila a minute ago. Now a lemon slice sat in the bottom of the glass, all alone.
I didn’t drink often, but whatever I was drinking tonight was going down easy.
“Oh, that went fast.”
Dave grinned, flashing perfectly straight, Chiclet white teeth.
He was cute, and seemed nice, but he didn’t do it for me.
Only one man had since I went out on my own.
I caught Mason’s eye from across the room. He was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. Not talking to anyone. Just… staring.
At me.
I felt a shiver go through me as Dave wandered off with my drink. Fred took his place, smiling and charming me as best he could. I laughed, because he was silly, but not to encourage him. He didn’t need any encouragement. Not one of the single men at the party did.
My plan had worked, just with all the wrong men.
I sighed, realizing I had waved a red flag at a room full of raging bulls. Meanwhile, all I’d done is piss Mason off. He thought I looked ridiculous, which made me want to crawl into a hole and hide.
But I was here and I wasn’t backing down. If he didn’t want me, then so be it. But I wasn’t going to let him see me cry about it!
I let out a shaky breath. Dave was back quickly with my drink. I thanked him and took a big sip. I could barely pay attention when they tried to engage me in conversation.
“Excuse me, please.”
I ran for the bathroom, the second half of my drink sloshing in the glass. I set it on the counter and stared at myself in the mirror.
I heard a knock.
“Just… just a minute!”
I tried to make myself sound normal. But I wasn’t normal. I was tipsy, which was rare for me. And I was on the verge of tears.
I spun when I heard the door open.
“I said I’d be out in a minute!”
Mason was slipping inside, and locking the door behind him. My mouth opened in surprise.
“What are you doing?”
He took a step towards me. Then another. Until he was flush against me, my back pressing into the countertop behind me.
I lifted my chin.
“Are you going to tell me I look ridiculous again?”
His thumb came up and brushed my bottom lip. He was staring at my mouth in a way that made my insides flutter. But I wouldn’t be charmed into forgetting what an ass he was being!
“No.”
“Well, that’s a relief. I was thinking I should try and find a clown nose or—”
His mouth came crashing down on mine. I froze for a split second, surprised as hell. I realized my plan must have worked and melted into him. He cradled my head tenderly in his hands, slanting his mouth over mine this way and that.
His hands were gentle but his mouth was… not.
I felt like I was being eaten, but it didn’t hurt. Like I was being absorbed, but I could still feel everything. That’s how insistent he was. How close. Everything he did was try and get closer.
Finally, he tore his lips away. He didn’t move away this time though. I could feel his arousal pressing against my belly. It was big and hard and burning into me where it pushed against me eagerly.
He was brazen. He was not pulling back this time. He was… not pulling back.
“You don’t look ridiculous. I’m the one who is ridiculous.”
“No. You’re not.”
“Yes, I am. I’ve been afraid…”
“You? Afraid? I don’t believe it.”
He nodded solemnly.
“I was. I didn’t think I was good enough for you.”