Page 36 of The Associate

“Oh, you really think we will be sharing a room?”

“We probably should, because no one will believe we are engaged or married if we are not seen coming and going from the same room.” He stands up straighter. “Just so you know, my room has a better toy box.”

The shock of that comment must have been written all over my face because he laughs at me again. “You got thirty minutes, Princess. Get yourself organised and ready. We are going ring shopping.” With that comment, he leans over, kisses my forehead and makes his way to the door, patting Mia before leaving.

Why did I have to go and open my mouth about this to my father?I am internally kicking myself, but at the same time, I am feeling a little giddy inside. Butterflies are fluttering around in my stomach because he is playing along with it.

I know this isn’t real, I know he is just putting on an act, but fuck I want him for real. And, after last night in the gym, I know he has feelings too.

It’s hard to climb out of bed, but it is even harder to open my eyes. I am still tired, my brain and my body feeling like they have just run a marathon and both lost. I need a shower and a strong cup of coffee just to wake my body up. Picking up the phone in my room, I dial Frederick in the kitchen.

“Can you bring a coffee, black, two sugars to my room in fifteen minutes, please?” I ask.

“Yes, Miss.” He hangs up the call, and I make my way into the bathroom to shower and freshen up.

Turning on the water, I wait for it to heat up. I always have to have the water at an almost scalding temperature. As I lather myself with soap, my mind wanders to what it would feel like to have Mason in here with me, his hands roaming my body. Feeling every curve, every scar. A moan escapes my lips just thinking of him.

My eyes snap open. I’m in way over my head. We need to focus on our plan for my father and staying safe from Rico.

There is banging on the bathroom door. It can’t have been Frederick, he never knocks when leaving food or anything in my room for me. He will always sit it on my desk and then leave the room.

“Come on, Princess, we need to get going,” an all-too-familiar voice calls out from the bedroom.

One minute he wants nothing to do with me, and the next he is like a lost puppy trying to find its owner. This man is giving me whiplash with his constant mood changes.

“Are you not talking to me because I was just a little upset with what you did last night?” he calls out.

“Will you get out of my room? I am still getting ready, so you can go out into the foyer and just be patient,” I call back, not even wanting to give him an answer to his previous question. I’ll just make him stew on it, thinking it’s true.

I’m not upset with him for being upset with me. I want to see how he will react when I force his hand. I need results to be faster than the snail pace he is taking things. It’s why, after what happened in the gym, the lust and need in his eyes and yet still turning down my advances, I knew I had to go to my father and put forward the idea of marriage, forcing his hand. I had told my father that by showing that I am already spoken for, it will hopefully have Rico and the rest of Blackmere back off from trying to take me for himself.

That by being engaged to my father’s second in charge and one of the most dangerous men among the Underbelly would benefit the family more and provide me with extra safety. I just hope that it’s all true.

“Viv!” Mason yells from right by the door, a singular knock every few seconds. “Please, just hurry up. I got shit to do.”

I inhale a deep breath and let it all out, rolling my eyes at him even though he can’t see through the door.

“For fuck’s sake Mason! Learn some goddamn patience!” It is tempting to stay under the water just that little bit longer to piss him off. Instead, I sigh and call: “I’m getting out of the shower now. Go find something to do for ten minutes.”

He lets out a loud grunt, like a toddler who has been told no to getting a new toy at the store. “Fine! But you better be quick.”

I hear the door close and release the breath I’m holding. I dry myself off, wrapping my wet hair in a towel. I will let it dry this way first before using my blow dryer for the rest. I put on a light amount of makeup before I wrap my other towel around my body and make my way out into my bedroom.

The smell of coffee fills the air.Thank you, Frederick,I think as I step onto the carpet. I hear a whimper come from Mia, and when I glance over in her direction, I let out a squeal at the sight of Mason sitting there on the floor patting her.

“Hi Princess!” He beams before his face turns to one of intrigue, looking at the towel still wrapped around me. “Oh, you can’t go out wearing that.”

I raise a brow at him. “Why are you still in my room? I told you to go do something else for ten minutes and then come back.”

“Well, Iamdoing something else.” He grins. “I am patting your dog. She is beautiful and so sweet.”

I groan in frustration. “Ok, well you have had your pats, now can you please leave my room so I can get dressed?”

“You can get dressed, I’ll sit here and face this gorgeous girl while you finish getting ready,” he says, turning his attention back to my dog. She is lapping up the attention like the traitor she is.

“You are insufferable right now, I hope you know that.” I turn and walk to my wardrobe, searching for the right thing to wear.

Pulling out a little red dress that barely skims the mid-thigh, I smile. He wants to play this game, I am going to win it. I snag a matching pair of heels before sneaking back into the bathroom. They are red, with straps that wind up and around my calf.

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