Just like Noelle had said, I was shocked when we arrived at Mason’s house. Instead of the usual high school party I expected, this was a black-tie event, strictly by invitation only.
As always, whenever Mason organized a party of any kind, it was impeccable. From the lighting, food, decorations, and music to the people, I felt like a queen arriving at her coronation, mostly when Mason met up with us at the entrance and escorted me inside.
However, two hours into the party, it had slowly turned into one of those usual high school parties where virtually everyone was drunk. And people were busy groping each other on the dance floor.
“Hey, Kat, you look so hot,” I felt someone’s hot breath on my neck and turned to see Glenn, a member of the school football team. “I’ve always known you were hiding a banging body under all those jeans and t-shirts you wore,” he continued with a sloppy smile, his hand reaching to grab my waist, but I quickly evaded it.
With a scrunched-up nose, I said to the already wavering boy, “You’re drunk, Glenn.”
“I’m fine,” he scoffed. “Now come on, baby girl,” he said after a beat and grabbed my waist.
With his built appearance, it was a real bother to get him off me. Thankfully, Mason arrived just in time, twisting Glenn’s hand to his back, which elicited a loud scream and a tap of surrender from the drunken boy.
“I’m sorry, Kat, I really tried to make this as classy and elegant as possible,” Mason said, taking a quick look around as soon as he scared Glenn off.
Amused at his frustration, I stood on my tiptoes and planted a kiss on his lips.
“That’s exactly what you did, Mason,” I said after taking a step back.
“All of this is more than what I dreamed. You truly are the best boyfriend.” I watched as his sad face morphed into a proud grin with raised shoulders.
“I try,” he said so pompously that I rolled my eyes with a knowing smile. “Meet me in the pool. I want to show you something,” he asked more than said because despite retaking swimming lessons, he knew how hard it still was for me. He wanted to make sure I was okay with being in the water.
Without hesitation, I nodded but stopped to think. “I don’t have a bathing suit, though,” I said with a tilt of my head in his direction.
“I had Noelle pack one for you,” he answered with a sheepish smile while I raised my brows at him. “What? I had hoped,” he shrugged, his grin still in place. “Now go,” he shooed me away.
It didn’t take long for me to find Noelle but the position I saw her in had me blushing. She was seated on a tiny couch where she and Jake were sharing loud, passionate kisses. After finding out where my swimsuit was, I walked away so fast. It was like wasps were chasing me.
The swimsuit was a very sexy, very revealing piece, the white piece of material clinging desperately to the curves that I shyly wrapped a towel around before heading toward the suspiciously empty swimming pool.
“This is surprising,” I said when I reached the edge of the pool and saw Mason floating in the middle of the water, his gaze holding mine intensely. “How come you’re the only one in there?” I asked, knowing full well that none of the Redwood High students ever passed up the opportunity to swim in Mason’s vast pool.
He shrugged, water sloshing around him. “I ordered everyone to get out.”
My lips tilted up in a smile, cheeks hurting from smiling a lot these days courtesy of the man before me. “In that case, I don’t think I need this anymore.”
I pulled off the towel, revealing the two-piece swimsuit that had Mason taking in a harsh breath before tossing it to the floor.
Gingerly, I made my way into the water, welcoming the feel of it against my body, and soon found myself wrapped in Mason’s arms, his way of protecting me if I needed it. The thought made me smile again, my gratitude for Mason’s presence in my life quite overwhelming.
“You look breathtaking,” his hand came to rest on my face, stroking it gently before touching his lips to mine, a gesture that never failed to make my heart flutter. “Here, this is for you.” He pulled out a long box that I was sure contained jewelry and when he opened it, what laid inside took my breath away.
“Mason…” I whispered, not knowing the exact words to say to thank him.
“You don’t have to say anything,” he said, already reading my mind. “Here, let me put it on you.” He pulled out the locket that had a picture of my dad holding me as a baby. In the photo, he had raised me up with a smile while I giggled happily.
“How did you…?”
“I got it from your mom the night we spent looking at baby pictures of you,” he said as I recalled how embarrassed I had been that day. “I know how much he meant to you and how much you miss him, so…”
I didn’t let him finish talking before I threw my arms around him in a tight hug and then proceeded to show him how truly grateful I was by letting my lips do the talking.
How long we spent in the pool, reveling in the warmth of each other’s loving arms, eluded me. Still, it soon became too chilly, and I told Mason I was going to get dressed upstairs and be back to have a final dance with him before heading home.
However, when I arrived at Mason’s room, a very drunk Glenn was who I met. “What are you doing in here, Glenn? This is Mason’s room, and I don’t think he would appreciate your presence here,” I warned, stepping back as he made his way toward me.
“Waiting for you, of course,” he answered with a leering smile and a gaze that spoke of determination. I knew precisely just what he was determined to do.
