Page 6 of Forbidden Cravings

“You’ve changed, Mason,” Casey said, her smooth voice breaking the silence.

“That happens after so many years. I could say the same about you, Casey. Without the braces and pre-teen awkwardness, you’re…” I wanted to tell her how sexy she was, but I knew it wouldn’t be appropriate. No matter how attracted I was to her, she was Tyson’s sister and that crossed a line.

“What?” she asked, tipping her chin up and waiting for me to finish.

“Different.”

Her brow lifted with a beautiful arch. “Huh.”

“Huh? What does that mean?” I scratched my neck, forcing my eyes from her and looking back at my glass.

“I thought you’d say something more definitive.”

“It’s no different from what you said,” I countered, daring to look back at her.

Humor lit her eyes, and she rested her back on the bar as she perused my body slowly, her tongue coming out to lick her lower lip. Her confidence was a turn on that I didn’t need, especially now that we were alone.

“Well then, you’re…larger than I remember, definitely sexier.” Shit, this was not a conversation I wanted. I needed to take control before she rattled me more and worked her way into my bed. Crossing my arms, I hardened my look, but she only inhaled in a way that sank into my body. “And that right there, along with those tattoos, is enough to break any girl.”

I cleared my throat, desperate to get away. There had never been a woman who worked me the way Casey did in just the short time she’d been here. “That’s probably not the best response,” I said, hating that I sounded like a scolding parent, or worse, like her brother.

“Why not? Afraid Tyson will hear you tell me how you can’t keep your eyes from lingering on my body?” She stepped closer, but I stood my ground, not moving back like I wanted to. “That I’m not the little girl who left all those years ago?”

“No, you’re not.” I looked down at her as she pressed her breasts against my arms. It was taking all my strength not to grab a fistful of her hair and smash my lips into hers. Although another part of me wanted to yank her head back and admonish her for her brazenness. “But you are Tyson’s little sister,” I said, releasing my arms, intent on taking her by the shoulders and pushing her back. My move caused her to lean further and left her chest resting against mine. Those hazel eyes shimmered with desire as they looked up at me. “And you’re entirely too easy, Casey. You don’t do this in Armina, do you?”

The thought caused a strange streak of jealousy to run through me. One I didn’t like.

Her lips pursed, and she stepped back. “I’m not easy, Mason. I just know what I like, and I don’t hesitate to stake my claim on it when I find it.”

That was it. I needed my control back and to remember who I was. She’d left me rattled, and that was a weakness. I grabbed a handful of her hair and yanked her head back, hearing her sexy exhale. “I’m not one to be claimed, little girl. And you’re not one I can take, even if I want to.” Her eyes were sparkling with excitement, which wasn’t making this any easier.

“And what would you do to me if you could take me?”

Fuck, she was killing me. I jerked her forward, her body slamming into mine. “Things that would make even you blush. And things I know your brother wouldn’t want anyone doing to you.”

“What if I want you to do those things?”

I clenched my jaw, lowering my face to hers. Her lips parted, a sigh escaping. I could feel a slight tremble run through her and it left me wondering how she liked it.

“That’s a shame because I won’t. Now, I’m going to pretend you didn’t throw yourself at your brother’s best friend and expect me to stab him in the back like that. And I’m going to assume this is some sort of test of my strength. But if it isn’t, you’re playing with fire, Casey, and I guarantee the heat will be too hot, even for your sun-kissed skin.”

I shoved her away and turned away from her. “Go to bed, Casey.”

“Good night, Mason. Will you be thinking of me when you’re jerking off?”

I halted my steps. Damn, she’d gotten the last play, and I hated that she’d beaten me. I glanced over my shoulder at her and slowly surveyed her body once more. There were so many things I wanted to say back, dirty things I’d regret in the morning. Keeping my mouth shut, I returned to walking away,leaving her there and wishing I could get her out of my head just as easily.

Chapter Four

CASEY

Ipoured myself another shot of scotch before I returned to my room, drink in hand and alone. Not that I’d thought I would have company. But damn, I wished I did. I’d had a crush on Mason when I was a kid. He was older, cute, and tall, with eyes that could see into your soul. But now…now he was every type of man I loved in one package. And that package was enough to drive me mad.

I changed into the soft nightie I’d brought, wondering what Mason’s large hands would feel like pushing it up my body. He was right. I’d been easy, throwing myself at him, but my attraction to him caught me off guard and I told him the truth—I was never shy about telling a man I wanted him. I’d been shy in my younger years and learned quickly that it was the confident, sexy women who got what they wanted. And I always got what I wanted.

But Mason Brinks was someone I couldn’t have. He was Tyson’s best friend, and I didn’t want to come between that. Being out of the same room as Mason cleared my head, and I could see how naughty I’d been. I couldn’t do that to Tyson, no matter how desperately I wanted to. Nor could I put Mason in that position. They were like brothers, and Tyson wouldn’tforgive him if he touched me. He was too overprotective, and he would expect Mason to be the same with me. It was bad enough I had to keep my party life in Armina from him. If he knew half the things I did with men, he would have brought me back to Treemont years ago and locked me down. And then there was Riley. I was here for her, not for sex with her brother. I wasn’t so sure she would mind, but I needed to stop.

Crawling into bed, I promised myself I would keep my cravings under control, something I didn’t know if I could easily do. The way Mason’s hand had tugged my hair told me exactly what kind of lover he would be. I was self-assured, a demanding presence, but the type of men who ran in my circle were the powerful types, built to kill, not afraid to play dirty or hard. And I could tell from how Mason slammed me to his chest, his grip in my hair tightening that Mason was as controlling and aggressive in the bedroom as he was in life.

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