Page 12 of Anchored Love
Back at work, I’d been swamped with applications for a new building of condos. The city had been booming, the population continuing to rise these past few years. My desk was full, and there was no way to get through them all today.
I glanced at the clock noting I was due for my fifteen-minute break. My bladder felt ready to burst from the jumbo coffee I had after lunch. Caffeine at its finest. Perked you up, but would lead you to the toilet.
After I refreshed in the bathroom, the supply room was on the way back to my cubical. Needing a new pen, I headed that way. The second I turned and stepped into the hallway, I smacked into a hard body. The scent of Dior washed over me. Even while trying to steady myself embarrassment hit, and I closed my eyes.
Mason Jones.
The man appeared to be everywhere, his strong hands coming to my arms to help steady me. Why did his touch have to set every nerve ending in my body on fire in the most delicious of ways?
“You know, Everly, I’m not sure who won round one, but I’m a fair guy, so I’m going to give you round two. We gonna go for best out of three?” He grinned, towering over me, and a blush warmed my cheeks.
The way he stared at me was exactly like my dream wrapping around me. Heat flashed on the back of my neck, pulse quickening, and warmth pooled in my lower belly. I clenched my thighs, remembering all too well the way his hands felt on me in my fantasy, and how hard I got off thinking about him when I pleasured myself with afterward.
“I’m sorry, Mason. We’ve really got to stop meeting like this.” I took a step back, needing to put some distance between us before I did something dumb. You know, like reach up and kiss him.
His tongue darted out to wet his lips, and my arousal spiked. I imagined he’d be an excellent kisser. “I don’t mind it all. You can touch me any time you like.” His voice took on this husky erotic tone that melted over my skin like butter.
Was he flirting with me? Holy shit. He was. Nerves hit, and I wished gum was in my mouth; maybe then it would calm me.
“Just ask him,” Samantha said casually as she darted into the supply room, brushing right past the two of us.
I shook my head, wanting to strangle her. Payback was going to be a bitch. “Ignore her.”Please ignore my crazy, pushy best friend who can’t mind her own business.
His grin widened. “I’ll make this easy for you. Whatever it is you need, the answer is yes.”
Samantha ducked her head in the doorway, obviously eavesdropping. “Perfect, make sure your passport is up to date. You set sail next week.” Oh she was dead. So very dead. If I didn’t fear being fired or arrested, my hands would have been around her throat.
I stared at my leopard print peep toe heels, scared to meet Mason’s eyes. He probably thought we were certifiably nuts, and he wouldn’t be wrong. Mortification colored my cheeks and flushed my neck, spreading over my chest.
A firm finger tucked under my chin and lifted my gaze. Our eyes met, and Mason had this mixed expression on his face. I had no idea what he’d say. Did he realize what he just agreed to? Not only that, why on earth wasn’t I telling himno, never mind.Instead, I stood there waiting for him to say something.
His honey brown eyes melted into me like M&M’s in my palm. Lips tipping into a smirk so damn sexy it should be outlawed, he held me captive. “So do you want me to wear a speedo, banana hammock, or board shorts? Your choice.”
I felt my mouth fall to the floor. A banana hammock, what the hell was that? Unable to say words, I hummed. “Um…” My tongue twisted around itself.
“Mason,” someone called his name, saving me from further embarrassment and the question that was on the tip of my tongue. Google. That was where I was headed next.
“I gotta…” He trailed off and pointed a thumb over his shoulder, still smiling. “We’ll be in touch.”
“Yeah, me too.”Me too? We’ll be in touch! What did he mean by that? Did I even want to know?I ducked into the supply room with Samantha, face as red as a beet. “I’m so going to kill you,” I grumbled under my breath loud enough that only she heard me.
She shot me a wicked grin. “You should be thanking me. You, my friend, just landed yourself a hot as fuck date for your brother’s wedding.” She continued, pointing a pen at me. “You’ll be seeing all that in … how did he put it—your choice of a speedo, hammock or trunks. Please. You should be kissing my feet. I think treating me to some dinner before you leave will serve as thanks.” Sam blew me a kiss, left the room, and went back to work.
That little witch. I still hadn’t asked her about keeping Mooch for me. She owed me. I went back to my desk and opened up my email to ask her before I forgot. She had better agree, or else. After the stunt she pulled, she more than owed me a good favor, and I intended to collect and then some.
Sam,
Before I forget, I need to ask you for a teeny tiny favor. Since it looks like I will be going on this cruise, is there any way you’d be the amazing best friend we both know you are and keep Mooch while I’m out of town? Pretty please? PS. You owe me.
Ev
Within a few moments Sam emailed me back.
Ev,
You know I love Mooch more than you, so of course I will keep his smelly butt. He better not piss all over my new carpet, though. Just let me know his schedule and when to feed him and stuff.
Sam
