“Which is exactly why we’re getting drunk tonight. Stepping out of your comfort zone sometimes is good.” She rolled her eyes at me as she walked away, singing a little song about shots. I sighed, wishing I would stop letting those memories affect my life. I was better about it now than I was when I dated Sam. If I drank some wine, I could relax without the world caving in on me.
Back then, I wouldn’t drink at all, and Sam’s voice came back to me as easily as my mother’s.My friends think you’re weird because you won’t drink with us.He was full of shit. His friends never paid enough attention to me to notice. He was the one who thought it was weird. I took a deep breath, cleansing myself of the memories of both of them. If I did a shot or two, it would pacify Emma. Hell, it might even be fun.
Later that evening, I asked her to hang around with me to lock up. She seemed a little surprised but didn’t argue. I didn’t have it in me to be there by myself after everything. She drove me home, as I requested, and promised she would be happy to do it for me anytime. She made a face when she realized how close I lived. I told her I needed more time to get ready. I’m not sure she believed it but I was extremely grateful to not be on the darkening streets alone.
When I walked into my apartment, something felt wrong. I looked around carefully, noting that everything looked to be in the right place. I wasn’t particularly good at remembering where I left things but it seemed okay. Still, I recognize the same creeping sensation I sometimes felt in the hall or on the street. I opened all the doors and checked the closets, but didn’t find anything unusual. I let out a windy sigh as I stripped down and picked out a hot dress to wear for my man, feeling the intense need to cover my body, but it was silly. No one was here, I already checked.
Mason knocked on my door at exactly a quarter to ten. I pulled it open, marveling at how his proximity made everything better. “God, Claire, you are the sexiest woman alive.” He wrapped me in his powerful arms and kissed me enthusiastically without any other preamble. His hands cupped my ass, and he gave it a hard squeeze. I squeaked and the soft bulge in his pants hardened in response, “I love the noises you make.”
“I would tell you what I think of your looks and noises, but your ego doesn’t need any help.” I teased as I ran my fingers down the lapels of his dark blue suit and drifted my fingers over his erection. “You know we’re going to a club, don’t you?”
“I came straight from work,” he claimed my lips again, “and, I can wear whatever the fuck I want.” He growled into my open mouth.
“You sure can.” I agreed, as his tongue swept over mine. “Come on, Emma is expecting us.” I pushed off his chest, and he wrapped his arm around my shoulder.
“I assume from the greeting everything is alright between us,” he commented as he led me out of the building.
I let out a windy sigh. “Everything is fine, Mason.”
“I’ve learned that when women say things are fine, they’re anything but.”
“I’m not happy with how things happened yesterday, but I promise we are actually fine.” I gave him a kiss to prove my point, and he caught me before I tripped down the stairs.
“Since we’re going to a club, you should know I don’t dance.” The effortless grace with which he did everything made it hard to believe it was some lack of ability preventing him. He held the door open for me and the cool night air wrapped around me.
“Neither do I.” I agreed. He flashed me a perfect smile at my answer, and the fear gnawing at my gut faded away entirely.
The club wasn’t far from my apartment. We walked there, enjoying the last bits of the decent weather. The night was well lit, full of stars and street lamps. His hand constantly skimmed my lower back and the exposed backs of my thighs. “You make me crazy,” he commented with a light groan.
Crazy.The word kicked loose all the thoughts and fears I had before his presence erased them entirely. “Mason, I need to talk to you about something.”
“Fuck, Claire, did I misread things between us that badly?” He hid his genuine concern behind a joke. “You’re still mad.”
“No, no, that’s not what I mean. I’m crazy about you too, and I’m not angry about yesterday. It’s just...” I chewed my nail absently, and he pulled my finger out of my mouth.
“Just what?” He used the hand he held to turn me around and stared into my eyes. My body pressed against his and I laid my hands on his chest.
“Some weird things have been happening lately...” My gaze trained on his shirt buttons.
He tipped my chin up, forcing me to meet his eyes. His face hardened. “Like the guy at the coffee shop. What else happened, Claire?”
“Someone left a few threatening notes at the library. I didn’t think they were meant for me at first, even though I’ve been feeling like someone is watching me lately. I got an email today that made me realize it was all connected and directed at me.” He turned on his heel, grabbing my hand and dragging me back the way we came. I nearly toppled off the heels I wasn’t entirely used to. “Mason, stop! What are you doing?”
“Someone wants to hurt you, Claire. We’re going back to your apartment and I’m going to take care of this.” The cold efficiency in his voice frightened me. How did he plan on ‘taking care of this’?
I used all of my strength to pull my wrist out of his grip. “Mason, stop, seriously, you’re hurting me. I promised Emma I would come out with her tonight. We don’t have to stay long, and you’ll keep me safe, won’t you?” I looked up at him through my lashes, hoping my pleading would have some effect on him.
He spun around to face me with his hands fisting in his hair, “Fuck’s sake, Claire. I’m the one putting you in danger!” he was just managing to hold back from yelling.
“How do you figure? I was the one who posted the stupid ad.” I pulled his fists out of his hair and held them.
“Why do you think it has something to do with the ad?” He pressed his forehead to mine.
“Because the email today came from a proxy server similar to the one the website uses, and the subject line was the section I posted the ad in.” I cupped his face in my hands, determined to calm him down.
He took a few deep breaths, his hands twisted in my hair, holding me tightly to him. “We’re staying for one hour, no more.”