Page 17 of Forbidden Cravings

“Wanna tellme what’s up with you and Mason?”

I jumped, dropping the dress I was pulling from the bag. Riley stood at the door of the closet, her arms crossed.

Stooping to pick the dress back up, I fumbled for words. “Nothing.”

“Uh, huh.” She waited for more, but I really didn’t have more to give her. I didn’t know what was up with us, nothing but extreme flirting that was soaking my panties every time I was in his presence.

“Nothing, Ri.” I hung the dress and went back to unpacking the few things I’d bought during my uneventful trip to the city.

“Case, Mason is the calmest man I know, and I’ve never seen him so flustered. You two were talking a long time this morning and there’s a weird tension between the two of you when you’re in the same room. That whole fight for control about going out today was intense.”

“There’s nothing going on, Riley. Just some playful flirting.”

She snorted, and I threw her a glance before I flopped on the bed, defeated by the day and by Mason. Sitting next to me, she brushed my curls back and took my hand.

“Whatever it is, I’m okay with it. I want my brother to be happy. He’s been so worried about me, he deserves to be happy for a change.”

“Why don’t you tell him that,” I muttered.

“Mason’s stubborn, and you know he and Tyson are as close as brothers, Case.”

“Yeah, Tyson would kill him.” I let out a deep sigh, knowing it was the truth, and that’s why he wouldn’t give in to his desires. Chewing my bottom lip, I decided I didn’t like being down. I wasn’t a sad person. I was bubbly. “Aren’t I supposed to be comforting you?” I asked.

“I’m good. You did comfort me. You woke me up and pulled me out of my funk. Now I’m doing the same for you.”

“Let’s go out, Ri. Just you and me…and whatever broody henchmen Mason sticks us with. How about drinks and dancing?”

“Drinks and dancing? I think you’re mistaking me with your friends in Armina.”

Laughing, I pulled her from the bed and ran to my closet. I’d bought a few new dresses and although I was larger framed than Riley, I wore my party dresses tight, so I was sure she could make one work. Grabbing a black one with short sleeves, the most conservative one, I held it up to her.

“You can’t be serious,” she complained.

“I am. I need to get my mind off your brother, and you need to get yours off Tides.”

“I don’t need my mind off Greyson.”

“You know what I mean. And you need to get out of this house.” I gave her my biggest puppy dog eyes. “Please, Ri?”

Rolling her eyes, she took the dress, holding it up. “There is no way Mason is letting me out of the house in this. It makes me look desperate for a good fuck. Is this what you wear dancing?”

“Yes. And it’s a surefire way to pick up a few sexy guys.”

Her eyes narrowed, the green matching the intensity of Mason’s. “Is that what you want? To bring a guy back here and fuck him while it tortures Mason?”

His conflicted expression and words played through my mind, and I wondered what would happen if I did pick someone up. “No, I don’t want to torture your brother, but since he’s been torturing me, I need some release. Even if it’s just dancing drunk on a dancefloor with my childhood friend.”

She gave me a doubtful look. “I don’t want to pick a man up, Case. I have one.”

I almost fell over. Her words were confident and committed. “You’re going back to him,” I said.

“Yes, once I learn enough about the business. Don’t tell Mason yet, although I’m sure he suspects. I…I can’t not go back. I love him and being away from him has left this emptiness I can’t seem to fill, like a part of me is missing.”

I gave her a warm smile, my heart happy for her. Now I understood why she’d emerged the other night without the cloud of depression that had clung to her when I’d first seen her. Pulling her in, I gave her a hug. “I’m happy for you, Ri. I really am and you better make me your maid of honor.”

Her laugh was a hearty one, and she hugged me back.

“This is all the more reason to go out,” I said, releasing her. “Let’s celebrate. I promise I’ll be the only one flirting, and I’ll keep the guys from you.”

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