Page 12 of Mason
It’s probably fucking stupid of me, but if there’s a chance he has something to say, well, I might allow it, if only to get another peek into his psyche. I’ve never met anyone like him. I find him both intriguing and terrifying. And ridiculously attractive.
I’m probably setting myself up for disaster. It’s kinda odd that I’d open myself up to something like that, but I can’t help the pull I feel toward him. He’s so agonizingly tempting, despite the darkness that seems to seep from his pores.
I let out a disappointed breath when I peek into the dining room and he’s not present. And apparently, my exhale was too noisy because all at once, I’m the center of the entire table’s rapt attention.
“Did you need something, Lennon?” Bear looks up from the mashed potatoes he’d been scooping onto his fork. “There’s food on the stovetop if you’re hungry.”
I nod. “Thank you. Um, I was wondering if you know where Mason is?”
Duke’s brow hikes up on his forehead, but he doesn’t say a word. A hush has fallen over the table, too. I couldn’t say if I stuck my foot in my mouth or not.
Bear shakes his head. “Sorry. Haven’t seen him.”
“Okay, no big deal. Thank you.”
“Listen to her kissing their asses now after showing off her titties to them yesterday.”
What the hell?I’m about to spin around and give whichever asshat said that a piece of my mind, but before I can, Bear snaps, “Whoever the fuck just said that, get in here.”
My eyes widen at the growl in Bear’s voice, and I turn tail, heading into the kitchen. I’m not really hiding; however, I have the distinct feeling that things are about to get awkward, and I don’t need to witness this guy’s humiliation. I busy myself studying the offered food while keeping my ears open. Out of the corner of my eye, I watch Quincy slide from his chair and slink into the room.
There’s dead silence for several moments, and I can only imagine that Quincy has got to be ready to shit his pants while Bear sizes him up. I quickly pile food onto my plate. Mashed potatoes from the huge pot on the stovetop, then a few pieces of sliced chicken, and a serving of green beans. Someone around here likes to cook.
I don’t have time to wonder who it is because I catch the lethal tone of Bear’s voice. “Quincy? You want to listen in on conversations and make judgments about how we handle things in this house? Go scrub my toilet. It’d better sparkle when you’re done or next time, I’ll make you clean it with your toothbrush.”
“But—”
I cringe, experiencing some very real secondhand embarrassment for this idiot. The other brothers have similar responses as there’s a bit of muffled gasping, along with one amused “Oh, shit” muttered under someone’s breath, followed by some chuckling. I think it had to be Tucker, one of the older guys.
“But. What?” comes Duke’s voice, less amused than Bear’s at the audacity of this kid.
EvenIwas paying enough attention last night to know what the expectations in this house are. They were very clear about it. Obedience, loyalty, and the ability to keep our mouths shut. That’s literally all they’re looking for. Oh, and a shit ton of money, but that’s on the parents to pay up and already taken care of. I don’t have to agree with what they are demanding of the grunts to have properly heard the instructions and be smart enough to not rock the boat on day two.
“She’s in there, listening in on every word you say. She should have to clean a toilet, too.”
“Not your call, grunt.” Duke chuckles darkly. “But if you want all things equal like that, when I tell her to suck my dick, you’d better be prepared to blow me, too.”
My eyes bug out. I can’t believe he said that. And the fucked-up thing is that while he’d still been a dick about it, in a roundabout way, he was defending me. Or maybe I’m imagining it, and he simply really likes messing with Quincy and Arik. I pick up a green bean and stick it in my mouth.
“Stella?”
I almost choke. Clearing my throat, I squeak out a quick, “Yes?” For a second time, my eyes go wide like saucers, and I stare at the cabinets in front of me. I quickly chew and swallow, then dart over to the doorway between the rooms.
Duke’s piercing blue eyes roam over me. “There’s a party tonight. You should be dressed and ready to leave at quarter to eleven.”
In my peripheral vision, I see Quincy’s mouth drop open and his arms lift in exasperation.
Duke grits out, “Not a fuckin’ word. Go clean the motherfucking shitter like you were told.”
“I’ll be ready.” Turning, I hurry back into the kitchen, only to find Arik’s dark eyes on me. Giving him a little shrug, I collect my dinner and hurry all the way up to my room, where I eat alone on my couch in front of the TV. I never switch it on, but rather sit in silence and absorb the nuances of what went on down there. One thing’s for sure, if I’m to survive this place, I’d better open my eyes and pay attention to every single one of these bastards.
* * *
Around ten,I begin rooting through my limited clothing options, and after trying on a couple of outfits, I finally come up with a multi-layered, gauzy chiffon skirt that hits above the knee that I think will work okay. It’s my favorite color, a seafoam green, and I pair it with a lacy bralette in the same color and a sheer black shirt that closes with three ties in the front. It’s kinda sexy, allowing for a tantalizing bit of skin to be exposed from between my breasts all the way down to my stomach.
I lay out the clothing on the bed, then try to remember if I brought any decent jewelry with me. I sure as hell somehow missed grabbing hair bands out of the bathroom, hence the pen I’d used to secure my hair on top of my head this morning.
A shopping trip is in order, but I’m not allowed to leave the house without one of the guys. And the money I’d saved up, I get the feeling I should hoard it—in case of an emergency. There’s no doubt that KU is a distinguished university, but while Tristan doesn’t want me to be an embarrassment, I also feel like I’m somehow being bought, like he thinks if he gives me this, it’ll shut me up. About what, though?
