Page 19 of Boundaries

Another tug on my arm but nope. The sod still had me. “He’s a gentleman, he isn’t like you.”

His lip curled into a sneer, “No, he isn’t like me. I’d have had you on day one.” A jet of heat pooled between my thighs at the tone of his voice, and I crossed my legs under the table. Totally unprepared for that reaction.

I was flailing to understand how we had gotten there. It was like he was flirting with me again but in a weird, messed-up sexually aggressive way.

I’d had enough, “You’re a bastard and I hate you.”

Mason slowly shook his head and I was suddenly very aware of him as a man. “Whatever, keep telling yourself that.”

I felt sick with nerves. “What does that mean? You surely can’t think I’m interested in you?” An odd stirring started in my belly at where this conversation was going. Unchartered waters most definitely.

“Abso-fucking-lutely.”

It was like something in my head exploded. Almost as if I’d tried to bury something and it had popped to life. I hated the confusion, that mixed feeling which was literally humming through my body.

“My God. You’re deranged,” I managed.

“Then stop eye-fucking me every time you look at me, it sends mixed messages Amy,” Mason drawled. OMG, I didn’t do that, did I?

I was going to cry, my frustration bursting into distress. “I don’t know what you mean and you’re actually hurting my arm now,” I gasped, trying to tug away again.

“Surely, you’re not that naive, when you look at a man like that, it’s a clear come on. Or are you a prick tease is that it?” Mason seemed angry now and I felt a trickle of fear.

“No, I’m not like that,” I protested vehemently as tears started to develop in the corner of my eye. Tears of frustration, I would have described them as. I just wanted to run away and hide.

“Are you crying?” Mason shot out, blatantly not one to bend to female displays of emotion. “You’re such a baby,” he added with a sneer.

“Mason, please. You’re going to mark my wrist.”

“Oh, I’d love to put my mark on you Amy, you fucking deserve it. Stop fighting me and it won’t hurt.”

He pulled me further forward across the table, my breasts skimming the surface before he whispered. “I think Amy Taylor-Joy wants me to take her cherry.” His warm breath tickled my ear.

We were almost nose to nose, a face-off across the table but he was most definitely the one in control.

“You are so out of order,” I panted, my wide eyes searching his. I was helpless.

Mason was ignoring me, “And maybe I will eventually, you’re certainly not going to lose it anytime soon. Especially not to someone like Alex.”

I glared into his harsh features, using my free hand to dash away a tear. “You’re hateful.”

“I am. And you should remember that when you look at me with those come-to-bed eyes, the lingering looks. You’re lucky you’re a Taylor-Joy and I have some restraint.” I tensed at his words.

Mason darted a look to the side, his piercing eyes leaving mine for seconds.

“Look, the boyfriend’s coming back to save you and so I’d dry your eyes. You wouldn’t want him to stand up for you and piss me off. We both know I’d knock him out with one punch.” The guy was impossible, his behaviour was horrendous. So, what did my body think it was doing? I felt all tingly.

“Go to hell, Mason,” I spat the words into his face but only with enough volume for Mason alone.

His eyebrows shot up in surprise. Probably due to the conviction in my voice, bearing in mind he’d reduced me to tears. Not for the first time let me tell you. This guy had been making me cry for years.

“Amy, what’s wrong? Are you OK?” Alex shot out approaching the table, his gaze flicking between us.

“Yes, I’m fine. Let’s go, I just got something in my eye,”

That smug look on Mason’s face would be with me for the rest of the night.

Alex apologised for taking so long but his wallet had dropped in between the seats and he couldn’t find it straight away.

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