Ishivered at the sound of the voice that stirred my dreams into restless desires.
It couldn’t be. But as my body tingled, I knew Mason Greer just out bid every man in the Wild Shrimp for me.
It means nothing, Charity.
I swallowed, trying to remind myself of all the reasons I should stay away from him, despite the flutter in my stomach. He was fifteen years older than me and my dad’s best friend. That alone should stop my heart from pounding in that odd, familiar way. It didn’t. The distance and time apart did nothing to stop the vivid image of him beneath me, or wishing his mouth claimed mine as if I were his.
But distance and time only increased my frustration.
“We have a winner!” Paul said into the mic.
I didn’t move. Couldn’t. As if under a spell, I remained rooted to the floor, unable to break free from Mason's gaze. My fists clenched at the power he had over my body.When did that happen?But I already knew the answer. It wasn’t what he did, but how he made me feel when I was around him.
Safe.
Protected.
I peered toward the bar for a glimpse of Mason, but all that was there were shadowy silhouettes.
“Do you know that guy?” Paul asked.
I blinked, remembering where I stood. “He’s my” — the words ‘my dad’s best friend’ stuck in my throat — “He’s a family friend.” I tightened my fists at my inability to say the words that had always kept a distance between us, but they felt hollow now.
He’s much older, Charity.But I was no longer a little girl.
He kissed your friend.That had stung my younger ego. He wasn’t mine; I reminded myself. Despite his current divorce status, I still held a small grudge towards him for his past actions while he was still married. Though I knew my anger was probably overblown, I held onto it as I walked off the stage.
“You killed it!” My girl, Naomi squealed.
“Thanks to this Kick-Ass dress you designed.”
“Hmm huh.” Naomi wiggled her brows. “I don’t think my dress has anything to do with it.”
I groaned. “You saw him?”
“Yep,” Naomi smirked. “Said hello too.”
“What did he say?”Why did I ask!“Never—”
“He said he liked my design…”
Nothing else?My brain screamed, not that I’d ask out loud. “I told you this dress is fire.”
“But you know what’s interesting?” She didn’t wait for a reply. “The entire time he was talking with me, Mason never took his eyes off you.”
My skin heated.Did he feel it too?That spark of awareness that had held her in place long after the bid was over?
“Oh,” she said, handing me my purse. “He’s waiting to take you home.”
“He’s taking me on a date now?” I asked, bewildered.
Naomi shrugged. “I don’t know, but I think you owe it to yourself to find out what this thing is between you two.”
“There is no ‘thing,’” I lied. But Naomi was my best friend since middle school, and she saw through my bullshit. “I can’t.” I clenched my teeth. Just the thought of Mason and me had me clenching my thighs. “What if there’s no there, there?” I sigh. “My dad's friendship is really important to him. If we mess that up, my dad will blow a fuse.”
Naomi folded her arms over her ample chest. “Yes, things could get blown to shit, but Charity, you’ve been spiraling and you know it. You’re lonely. You won’t date, and while I’m glad I’m your designer, new outfits every month will not make you forgethim.”
“I go on dates.”
