Page 36 of Without Judgment

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Avery

I should have been grateful he’d gotten me out of the house. But as I sat in Mason’s truck, a large, gray, four-wheel-drive Ford pickup, all I could think about was that he’d had Melanie’s number. And he’d called it. When he got out of the truck, she smiled at him, looking beautiful with Koda on a leash beside her. I gave her a small wave while fighting the unexpected jealousy. As I opened my door, I forced myself to relax and avoid that road.

She glanced between the two of us before pointing inside. “Oh, Mason, in my office, I have some doggie waste bags and some treats for his day out. Do you mind grabbing them?”

“I don’t mind. Be right back.”

The second he was out of earshot, she turned to me. “I’m going to ask this fast. Have you two gotten together since last you were here? I was thinking about asking him out, but I never would if I thought you were with him. I don’t want to overstep.”

Funny how my ‘friends’ wouldn’t have bothered asking, but sweet Melanie did. Despite my jealousy, I was honest. “Thanks for asking, but nothing has changed. He’s my security detail for another week, and that’s it.”

After he’d made it clear how horrified he’d been about finding me in his bed this morning, I knew my attraction to him was one-sided. It was a blow to my self-esteem, especially since I’d been cheated on, but I’d learn to deal with it.

Melanie was searching my face. She must’ve believed me because she relaxed. “Oh, good. Is he nice? He seems to be doing this especially for you.” Her eyes suddenly got wide. “Oh, God, I’m so sorry I’m such a bitch. Mason told me on the phone, and I’m sorry about your mom. And here I am asking you about dating him.”

I gave her a reassuring smile. “No, no. It’s fine and thank you. And yeah, he’s nice.” Most of the time. And handsome, witty, and super sexy, especially this morning when he—

Mason chose that exact moment to come out the door.

I could tell by the heat flooding my face I was probably turning red.

He quirked his head. “Got the stuff. Thanks again, Melanie. See you in a couple hours.”

“Sure. See you both then.” She flashed Mason a grin before winking at me. Evidently, she’d ask him out once we returned.

Taking inventory of my feelings, I knew my jealousy was unreasonable. I had no claim to Mason. But I couldn’t help the way I felt. No doubt once he wasn’t the center of my world, spending his days and nights with me, I wouldn’t feel quite so possessive. At least I hadn’t tried to sabotage Melanie.

Putting my thoughts on the matter to the side, I focused on Koda. He was almost dancing he was so excited to get into Mason’s truck. Guilt immediately struck me. This was only going to be a couple of hours since Koda wasn’t going home with me.

We climbed up into Mason’s truck, and I noticed his gaze on me.

“What’s with the frown?” he asked.

I burst out laughing because I was frowning instead of him, for a change. “It was silly. I was thinking about how happy Koda is to be in your truck and with us now. Then I let the thought of having to return him in a couple of hours threaten to ruin that.” I petted his head where he sat in the middle of the bench seat. “I suppose it’s a lesson for me to live in the moment.”

“I won’t disagree. What were you and Melanie talking about?”

He didn’t miss a thing, did he? “She said she was sorry about my mom.”

He was already shaking his head back and forth. “And the obvious errand where she sent me inside was only so she had an opportunity to say that?”

Oh, why the hell not? A ‘friend’ would tell him what Melanie had shared. The key was being able to do it without revealing my true feelings on the matter. “Fine. She inquired if there was anything going on between us because she wants to ask you out.”

I made certain my gaze was on him, so I could I gauge his reaction. I wondered if he was thinking back to this morning as I now was.

Probably not, since he merely lifted a brow. “What did you say?”

I told her you have wickedly talented fingers when you’re half sleeping, but I can’t speak to the orgasm. Nope, couldn’t say that when I’d vowed never to discuss the matter with him again. “What do you think I said? I told her no. There was nothing. And to go for it. I’m guessing she’ll do it once we return.”

He was quiet and simply continued driving.

Annoyance built up when he didn’t share what he was thinking. Finally, unable to stand it any longer, I had to ask. “Well?”

“Well, what?”

“Are you going out with Melanie?”

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