Page 13 of Forbidden Cravings

“She was tired, so she went back to her room,” Casey answered while Tyson gathered his things. “She’s fine, Mason.”

“Yeah, that’s the first we’ve seen of her in weeks,” Tyson said. “I told you Casey had the magic touch.”

He gave Casey another peck on the cheek, then slapped me on the back. “Remember what I said. Nobody touches her or I’ll kill him and you,” he said, low enough for only me to hear. “I’m not playing. You watch her just like you would Riley.”

I shoved him back. “It hurts that you would doubt my ability to do that,” I told him, holding my hands up to feign innocence.

His punch to my shoulder stung even if it was playful. “I know. I just like baiting you.”

“You’re an ass, Ty,” Casey grumbled, and he flashed her a grin.

“Too bad. You’re lucky I don’t have you locked down in Armina. I’m gonna have a talk with Donelli about that tattoo. That slut Angie is a bad influence on you.”

The eye roll she gave him was exaggerated, but it only caused him to laugh before he headed out the door with the two men I’d assigned flanking him.

“Why did you put these two on me, Mace? Do I look like I need babysitters?” I heard him joke before the door closed.

“Damn right he does,” Casey said, her arms crossed. “And he complains about me.”

I drew my eyes from the door over to her, my lungs burning from the air that stuck in them. It was like this every time we were alone, which was why I’d been avoiding her.

“It’s okay, Mason. I won’t push you. I shouldn’t have flirted with or teased you. I know how important your friendship is with Ty.”

But I wanted her to push me, to tease the way she had the prior night. I wanted my hand around her delicate throat, her body against mine, and it was tearing me up that I couldn’t have those things.

Her eyes widened as if she read my thoughts, likely seeing the way my eyes were currently devouring her.

“Mason, what do you want? Because you’re giving me mixed signals.”

I knew what I wanted, what I needed, but I denied myself, walking past her and through the foyer back into the main room. Grabbing myself a drink, I leaned on the bar. She left me so out-of-control every time I was in her presence.

“I’m only here a few more days. I’ll stay out of your way,” I heard her say behind me.

The idea of not seeing her was one I didn’t like. Just being away from her earlier had taken all my strength and I couldn’t figure out why. There was more than just a need to touch her. I wanted to have her, to own her, to make her mine so that no one else could touch her ever again, and I didn’t like those thoughts. Watching her at dinner, seeing the smile that had lit the room,the way her eyes danced with her laughter, and how her curls held reddish highlights in the light had left my heart racing.

Turning to her, my ability to think rationally fled. Her long curls called for me to weave my fingers through them, her full lips an invitation to kiss her.

“Don’t,” I said.

She tilted her head, her brow furrowing. “But?—”

“No buts. You stay where I can see you. With Tyson gone, it’s up to me to keep you safe.” It hadn’t been what I’d planned to say, but I couldn’t say what I was thinking.

Her face fell, her eyes dropping. “Oh, that makes sense.”

“Casey,” I said, feeling the need to lift her spirit back up.

Her gaze fell to mine, sending my pulse racing.

“What do you want, Mason?” There was a desperation to her question, the same that was clawing at me to take her in my arms and kiss her. The physical need for her had transformed into a deeper one in the short time she’d been in my presence.

“I want what I can’t have,” I muttered, taking a swig of my drink.

There was a sparkle in her eyes as her smile grew. She seemed torn for a moment, as torn as I was before she walked closer to me. I needed her to keep the distance, but I didn’t stop her as she leaned into me. My body rebelled, and her grin turned sly. There was no way she didn’t feel my reaction pressing against her.

“You want me, Mason?”

Fuck, with every fiber in my body, but I couldn’t tell her that. The control she had over my emotions and my body was unexplainable. Clenching my jaw to keep my true feelings from showing, I reached my hand out, touching the soft skin of her neck, running my fingers over it and loving how her lips parted in response. The sigh she emitted was one that gripped every part of me and fed my desire for her.

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