Page 57 of The Associate
As I glance up at Mason, standing there watching me, the whites of his eyes are visible in the dim light. I sigh. “I am okay, I think.”
“I heard gunshots, Johnny is dead.” he squats down in front of me, taking my hands in his. “Shit Viv!” He brings my hand up to his lips.
“It’s ok Mason.” I sit up a little straighter even though my mind is racing. “I am fine.” My voice trembles slightly.
“I don’t know what I would do without you here. You make me feel alive again, like I am that carefree seventeen-year-old again.” There is an anger I have never seen crossing over his features. It must be anger at himself.
It has been a long day, and just hearing him say those words is enough to release any anxiety or stress I felt. “I’m okay, Mason.” I place my hands over his cheeks. “It’s okay, I am okay.”
He nods before standing up. “Come on, let’s call clean-up and get out of here.” He pulls his phone out of his pocket. “Lennox. Gun range, back door.”Pause.“Three total… Yep, that’s the one… Cheers.”
He hangs up and puts his phone back in his pocket before turning to face me. His expression is unreadable.
He takes a step towards me, staggering slightly. I reach out, holding him steady. “Mason, are you okay?” His eyes are glazed and it’s like he is looking right through me.
He crouches down in front of me for a moment, taking deep breaths in and pushing the air out before he stands up again, his eyes landing on my face. “I think I am okay now” is his only response.
He seemed a little panicky and shaky and his eyes never left me the whole time. “It’s okay Mason, I am fine. There is not a scratch on me.”
His eyes scan my body, my exposed flesh. I know what he is looking for and I step back with my arms out as I spin around. “I’m okay, see? No blood.”
He nods.
“Do you ever…” I pause, wondering what I’m going to say, before shaking my head and walking over to him, taking his hand in mine before placing my head on his chest.
He places his free hand on the back of my neck, holding my head close to him and kissing the top. It is a subtle gesture, a sweet one. “Let’s get you home,” he whispers before leading me back out to the parking lot.
Chapter 19
Genevieve
It’s late when we return to the mansion. The shock of what happened sets in as I watch out the car window, street lights flickering past as we sped down the road and back into the secure area. We just have to sneak our way back into the house without my father seeing that I left with Mason.
Everyone else in the place would have seen us leaving, but no one would have been game enough to tell my father because they know Mason is worse. “Hey, are you doing okay?” His voice is a whisper as we pull to a stop in front of my garage.
“Yeah, I think so.” He reaches over, placing a hand on my leg. I look up at him. “Will you stay with me again tonight?”
He nods. “Of course, but let’s stay up in my room instead. We can make sure Mia is ok and then go up to my room.”
“She will be fine,” I say with a tired smile. “I had Frederick check on her throughout the day.”
His palm gently squeezes my leg. “Let’s go up and get some sleep then.”
We hop out of the car and I start to walk up the driveway. I am heading in my normal direction to my passage and Mason follows behind me, taking my hand in his.
It is hard to believe this is the same man who tried pushing me away a few weeks ago. Now he wants to touch me, to be with me and to spend time with me – when last week he didn’t want anything to do with me. I want him in more ways than what he is giving me now though. I want his skin against mine, his hands all over my body, his cock – just the thought of it has me squeezing my thighs together.
Walking down the passageway, he follows my every step, still unsure of the route. But, within a minute, we make our way out into the foyer just outside my bedroom. He holds his arm out in front of me, cautioning me to wait a moment before he nods, takes my hand, and gently drags me up the stairs to his room.
The room is everything I expect it to be. Dark, lacking furniture other than a bed, a side table, and a desk. A glimpse of something shiny and metal-looking catches my attention. “What’s that?” I ask, stepping closer to it.
“It’s a chain, linked onto a leather cuff,” he says, unbuttoning his shirt.
“A what?” I look back at him. “Why would you need a leather cuff connected to a chain attached to your bed?”
He raises a brow at me and in an instant, it dawns on me. My cheeks redden and I start to turn away. His hand, reaching out, takes my wrist as his other hand brushes my chin.
“Don’t turn away, Princess.” He lifts my chin up so that my eyes meet his. “Let’s go and shower and maybe we can put them to good use tonight.”
