Page 52 of A Little More Hope

“Okay. Makes sense.” I waited as he logged me in and opened a blank spreadsheet. “I might need your help,” I remarked, not entirely sure I had the necessary skills to do this. I’d not kept up to date on this type of technology as I couldn’t afford to. Instead, I stuck to using my phone as it normally had everything I needed. Plus, my own renovation plan had been to wing it and work on whatever I needed as I went, writing notes as required. Thinking over his suggestion, I saw the merits in his plan. Along with how protective and caring he’d become of me, his strange need for organization had me falling for him all the more.

Oh… Wow. Okay. Yep, I really was falling head over heels for the guy.

I surreptitiously glanced over at him as he worked, studying him intently as his body moved. His wide shoulders, broad back and narrow waist were hugged by the tee, highlighting his gym-toned muscles. I panted a little as my gaze continued traveling down his body, stopping to admire his firm round butt cheeks encased in snug shorts, remembering their power as he’d thrust into my throat. Moving on, my gaze traveled down his strong thighs and sculpted calves. A complete work of art—I thanked the stars he faced away from me as I’d likely hyperventilate if I caught sight of the light chest hairs at the V-neck of his shirt and the prominent bulge at his crotch I knew firsthand hid a hefty cock.

I shuddered. The damage he could do to my ass with his dick made me weak at the knees. He was sex personified, and all I’d ever wanted in a man. But his looks on their own weren’t the only part of him making me act like my head had gotten stuck in the clouds every single time I caught myself staring. There was also his gentle smile, or the way he laughed low and husky if I said something funny. And the fact he was always, always interested in what I had to say and remembered every small detail of our conversations.

Plus, the kindness and care he’d shown me all week also loosened the straps around my heart. Add in the confirmation of his jealousy at the prospect of me being hit on, when we went to the Bay, gave me the warm and fuzzies. Him jealous of me! But most of all, it was the way he’d look at me, his eyes dark with intent. His heated gaze roaming all over my body making me feel wanted, desired, and no one had ever made me feel the same way.

So yeah, I’d readily acknowledge I was falling so far and so deeply in love with him, I’d need a map and compass to find my way out. Regardless of the fact we weren’t going to last, and he’d break my heart when he eventually left me behind, I’d be his for as long as he wanted me.

“How are you getting on with the list?”

“Huh?” He’d turned to me, and my stomach flipped, performing more somersaults than a gymnast.

He pointed to the laptop. “The list.”

I stared at the empty spreadsheet in front me. “Slow,” I fibbed.

“Well, let me know if you need my help.”

“I will.”

Pulling my head out of my ass, I forced my brain to concentrate on making the damn list. My focus lasted all of five seconds before I went back to staring at Mason, the revelation of my feelings making me want to drink him in as much as possible while still able to.

Eventually, I stood and dragged the deck chair, which Mason had banned me from lifting, out onto the balcony so I’d not be tempted to ogle at him any longer, and I could focus on what I should be doing.

Three hours later and extremely pleased at what I’d accomplished, I gave myself a mental high five. For the time being I’d finished listing all the items I could think of that needed to be done, only asking Mason for his input the one time I’d needed to check I hadn’t missed any important tasks. Next, I’d input all the information into a project planner of which he’d also given me a quick demo, so I had a detailed timeline for every item on the list: how long I estimated each task to take, their dependencies, and expected completion date.

The most surprising aspect I discovered was how much fun I’d had messing around, getting all the different parts in the correct order, working out what went where and deciding if I should do all the work on my own or sub out the electricals, plumbing, heating, and kitchen build and installation. The whole process had been strangely satisfying, and for the first time ever, I saw a path through the trees opening up on a career I’d possibly want to pursue, instead of floundering around aimlessly the way I’d done nearly all my life. I’d enjoyed every aspect of the journey so far, so perhaps buying and flipping houses might be a possible job option after all.

While I congratulated myself on a job well done, an email popped up in Mason’s inbox. We must be close enough to pick up the Wi-Fi from next door. Not enough of the message appeared without clicking on the small notification, so I only noticed it came from someone called Tyrell and had the title “Welcome Back.”

Those two words sent ice into my veins and a chill deep into my bones as their meaning sank in.

Mason was leaving, returning to New York. Going back to his job and his life.

When had he decided this? And why hadn’t he discussed what he was going to do with me? Hadn’t we gotten close? Meant something to each other? Obviously I’d made a mistake. I wondered if he would ever have told me, or just simply left one day without saying goodbye.

“You all done out here?” the man himself asked. I immediately snapped the laptop shut, feeling like he’d caught me with my fingers in the cookie jar, and pasted a big smile on my face.

“Yep.”

“You want to grab a bite to eat? I’ve got ingredients for a chicken club sandwich next door if you’re up for it?” I glanced at my watch, noting the time was already after one in the afternoon. Ordinarily, I’d have immediately said yes, as I enjoyed having lunch with him and chatting about the progress of the reno. But today, I needed some space, time to think, to strap on some armor and rebuild my defenses.

“Actually, I can’t.” I steadfastly ignored the disappointed look on his face. “I, um, have some errands I need to run.” Hastily standing, the lack of space between us suddenly made me feel claustrophobic. I shoved the laptop at him, needing to be rid of the reminder of what I’d seen and moved to walk past him. “I’ll likely only be an hour or so.”

“You want some company?” he asked, stopping me in my tracks. I so wanted to say yes. Escaping the confines of the house and going someplace where there’d be several people on the streets was a big step for him. Plus, going somewhere relatively quiet today would be good practice for when we went to the bar tomorrow night. Saying yes was the correct answer, but for some reason, I couldn’t.

Separation. I needed time away from him. “It’s okay. I’m only going to be standing in lines in the bank and at the post office.” I reluctantly leaned in, hoping to get away with a kiss on the cheek. Nope. No such luck.

“Nuh uh,” and he shook his head. “You can do better than that,” he told me, his voice dipping an octave, the low timbre banishing the chill in my veins in an instant. He dumped the laptop on the chair, and his strong arm snaked around my waist and drew me in close, my body lining up along the length of his. Cupping my chin with his thumb and forefinger, he asked, “Shall we try again?”

His gaze dropped to my mouth, and I licked my lips in preparation for his kiss. Oh so slowly his lips descended, lightly brushing against mine, nibbling along the seam, giving me a taste of the man I craved, but also bringing back the sharp reality of what I’d lose when he left.

Warring with the need to escape, I tried to hold back, tried to cling to my resolve to leave, but my willpower failed me when he bit my lower lip, setting off sparks of pleasure all over my skin. His teeth held the plump flesh, adding extra pressure, the slight pain sending me higher, making me want more. My heart rate rocketed, thumping like a drum against my ribs, yet I kept clinging to the need to flee, to find sanctuary somewhere, anywhere, away from this dangerous man.

Mason’s tongue followed behind his teeth, soothing the sting, the tip rubbing sensuously at my lips. “Mase,” I whimpered, the fight deserting me when his hand slid into my hair and gripped tightly. Angling my head to the side, he sealed his mouth over mine and took over complete control of the kiss, taking me over along with it.

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