Page 36 of Boundaries

Mason released my arm and stepped back. An awkwardness fell between us and I cast my eyes to the sand. I couldn’t face either of them. I was so embarrassed. My breathing was erratic for numerous reasons, not just from running.

“Mason?” Boyd’s voice cracked slightly which brought my head up.

He was looking at his brother with a stunned expression, before casting a glance back toward me, his eyes narrowed in suspicion.

There were a million things I wanted to scream at Mason, but I was powerless with Boyd there.

After a beat of silence, Boyd grimaced motioning toward my shoulder, “Are those bite marks on your neck?” he questioned.

I was suddenly aware of every inch of skin on my body and my fingers flew up to trace the area he referred to. Dusting that tender mark, I remembered how Mason had bitten me and how much I had enjoyed the thrill of that slight pain. Regret smashed away the excitement that thought aroused.

At that moment, I wanted to set myself on fire.

Guilt thrummed through me and I realised my denim skirt was still partly undone. There was no way I could fasten it now, or Boyd would know something had happened. Who was I kidding, he probably thought I’d had sex with Mason anyway.

Boyd’s expression became more intense as his eyes beat back and forth between us. He shook his head as realisation kicked in. You could taste the depth of his astonishment.

“Fucking hell, are you two…”

Mason cut him off, “Save it,” he snapped and that was my cue.

“You can both fucking, save it,” I shot out, still feeling flustered. Mason muttered something under his breath but I didn’t catch it.

How I moved as fast as I did when I felt so out of control was a fucking miracle.

They didn’t run after me. Mason or Boyd. They must have known that the damage had been done. Boyd not so much, but I dare say his shit of a brother would bring him up to speed.

When I got back to the group, Alex was on his phone again and a fire pit had been set up in an old oil drum, the flames licking the night sky. As he twisted his head and saw me, a worried look bled into his features and he shot to his feet, taking me gently by the shoulders and peering down into my face. I had done up the rest of the buttons on my skirt, but hadn’t been able to recover my equilibrium after what had happened with Mason. I was still shaking and not able to hide it.

Concerned, Betty and James also stood and came to my side. Rachel and Chris must have gone for food or something as their shit was still there, but they weren’t.

“No food then?” Alex questioned with a frown.

“I’ve lost my appetite,” I replied in a breathless voice from running.

“Are you OK, Amy? You don’t look right,” my friend said, rubbing my arm, her head tilted, also worried.

Alex, Betty, and James then shot a look behind me and I knew the McKenna boys were approaching. I so couldn’t be dealing with any more shit right now.

Releasing my shoulders, Alex pulled me behind his body, almost shielding me and as he did so, my eyes fell on Mason and Boyd, who were walking toward us, larger than life. Mason wore a serious expression as his eyes locked on mine.

If he told anyone what had happened, I would die on the spot. Boyd just wore a shit-eating grin. No doubt they’d both had a good laugh at my expense.

Mason’s body was highlighted amber as the glow from the flames of the fire flickered across his massive rock-hard torso. A chest I had been pulled against only moments earlier. Another trickle of shame dribbled into me. I was a slut, a dirty tart. I’d let someone I despised touch me in the most intimate way. Not even Alex had done that yet. I felt lower than I ever had before.

Mason sauntered over to Chris’s cooler and helped himself to a bottle of beer and threw his brother one. He twisted the cap off his own bottle of bud and saluted me with it. There was silence between us. All that could be heard was the sea breeze, the crackle of the fire and the beat of the music as it drummed in the background. The occasional scream or bark of laughter also came from the varying groups that were still dotted around the beach, although there was half the amount of people there had been when we’d arrived.

“What have you said to Amy?” Alex questioned, taking a step toward Mason and Boyd. My panic monitor kicked off, what the hell did he think he was doing? These boys were brawlers and fought all the time growing up. They were in a fight club for fucks sake. Alex had probably never hit anyone in his life. OMG, this was not good, if Alex got hurt, I would never forgive myself.

I stepped forward, watching Mason miserably over Alex’s shoulder before moving to stand beside my boyfriend, who had suddenly become Mr Protective. It was odd, considering he’d been such a pushover at the pub.

The McKenna boys, sensing conflict came to attention, like sharks in blood-infested waters.

Mason cracked his neck and took a step closer to Alex so they were almost in touching distance. I recognised the squaring-up behaviour as I had seen it in the ring.

“What did you say to me, sunshine?” Mason piped up.

“Alex, please. It’s fine, it’s nothing,” I stuttered, grabbing his arm, and attempting to pull him away. He put a hand out to ward me off and then James got involved.

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