“He’s already here and it’s going to make things awkward if I go out there and send him away…”
“Then I’ll do it.” I turn to walk out but she grabs my arm before I can march out there.
“Mason, please. Don’t.” Her voice shakes, and when I face her, I see her bottom lip trembling. “I don’t want to witness another fight. I’ve seen enough violence to last a lifetime.”
Fuck. She knows how to pull at my heartstrings.
A knock pounds on the door. “Are you two doing it? I’m coming in!” Maddie announces. She walks in and stops when she sees Sophie and I. “Are you guys fighting?”
“No,” I say at the same time Sophie says, “Yes.”
“Well…can you two wrap it up? Caleb is waiting, and you’re gonna be late.” Maddie shuts the door, leaving us alone. The last thing I want is for Sophie to leave with us bickering, especially before our date tonight.
“Please don’t be mad. I’ll be back in an hour, okay?”
With my options limited, I exhale a deep breath and pull Sophie to my chest. “Let’s not fight. I want us to have a good night.”
Sophie pulls back slightly with a smile on her face. “With you, I know it will be.”
Cupping her face, I slant my mouth over hers and kiss her, my tongue finding hers. My hands slide down her body, memorizing every inch of her perfect body.
“Don’t start,” she teases against my lips.
Groaning, I lean back on my shoes as my eyes scan down her hot body. “You cannot wear those fuck-me heels.” I pout as I imagine all the positions I’d have her in while wearing those damn things.
“I wore them for you.” She winks.
Following her out, I spot Maddie with Caleb by the door. They’re chatting, but as soon as they hear us coming, Caleb’s eyes immediately scan down Sophie’s body. I clench my fists, wanting to take this guy out simply for checking out my girl. If he’s not clear that she’s mine, then I’m going to make sure it’s crystal fucking clear. However, I know it’s the last thing Sophie wants right now and after everything she’s gone through, I don’t want to bring her anymore pain.
“You ready?” Caleb asks, stuffing his heads in his front pockets.
“Hey, just about. Gotta grab my jacket.”
I grab it from the hook and hold it out for her. She pushes her arms through, then fixes her hair and adjusts herself. Once she’s turned toward me, I step closer and whisper in her ear, “You really do look stunning, baby. I’m gonna be hard all damn night long.”
She blushes and bites her bottom lip. “Better wait for me,” she teases, then walks toward Maddie and Caleb. I follow behind and see them out.
“See ya, Mads. Bye, Caleb.” I grind my teeth together as I force his name off my lips. Before Sophie walks out, I lean down to cup her jaw with my hand. “Bye.” I flash her a wink before pressing my mouth to hers once more.
Over her shoulder, I see Caleb, standing like a statue, his expression unreadable. If he wasn’t aware she’s taken, he’s hella aware now.
Sophie blows me a kiss, and I watch as the three of them pile into Caleb’s car, then take off. Moments later, Liam’s date stumbles down the stairs.
“Fuckin’ asshole,” she mutters, storming past me, out the door, then slamming it behind her.
I snort and chuckle. “What the hell did he do this time?”
Taking the steps two at a time, I walk to his bedroom and knock. “You decent?”
“Depends who’s asking.”
“Just me, ass face.”
“Then yeah, come in.”
Hesitantly, I let myself in and see him on the bed playing his PS4. “Uh, wanna tell me what happened?”
“Cheryl was expecting more than I wanted to give.” He shrugs, giving no shits at all.
“Wasn’t her name Cindy?”
“Oh, was it? Well, whatever. I told her to leave if she wasn’t happy to just hang out, and she got pissed.”
“And you wonder why you’re a bachelor,” I tease, leaning against the doorframe.
“Pfft. I don’t wonder.” He laughs, keeping his eyes on the screen. “I know exactly why, and I plan to keep it that way.”
Since I have time to kill, I decide to sit and play with him, or rather, he fucking destroys me because I never play video games. He tries to show me some things, but it’s pointless because Liam kills me every damn time.
“You suck,” I mutter after losing again.
“Actually, you suck.” He cackles.
It’s almost seven when my phone rings, and I realize time has flown, and Sophie will be back soon. I see it’s Jerad and immediately answer it.
“Hey, man,” I answer, stepping out of Liam’s room to avoid his shouting and cursing at the TV every five seconds. “You find anything yet?”
“Well, kind of. I think so. First, the license plates didn’t match a Caleb Royce.”