Page 83 of Played
“There were a few guys I saw regularly, but like I said, it was only for sex.”
A pang of irrational jealousy spikes in my chest. “And you never caught feelings for any of them?”
He grins, no doubt aware of my motive for asking. “No. Feelings and me aren’t exactly on good terms either.” He trails his knuckles across my cheek. “Except where you’re concerned, and then I feel everything, maybe a little too intensely. I think I never got over my first love, and I don’t plan on ever trying.”
“The feeling is mutual.”
The moment stretches out between us, and I wish we could stay in this safe little cocoon we’ve built for ourselves. But the real world is out there waiting. And as much as I want to share that with him too, there’s no sense in pushing him before he’s ready.
“You think we could do the whole date that’s not a date thing again?” he asks.
I can’t stop my smile. This is a huge step for him—for us. “Do you have anything particular in mind?”
He shakes his head. “I wouldn’t know where to begin. But it would have to be like last time. Just two guys…”
“Who look like friends. I get it.” I press a soft kiss on his lips. “Leave it with me.”
Chapter
Forty
KING
Ianswer Mason’s call wearing the same smile I have on my face anytime I hear his voice. But nobody in this diner knows who I am or who I’m on the phone with, so I allow myself the simple pleasure of being openly pleased to hear from him.
“We have plans tonight, Hotshot,” he says.
“We do?”
“That date that’s not a date you asked for.”
My smile grows wider. “Oh, yeah?”
“Pack an overnight bag and meet me in my office at seven.”
Now I’m all kinds of intrigued. “Can I get a clue as to where we’re going?”
“Somewhere nobody will look twice at us.”
“At least tell me what I should wear.”
He hums softly. “Smart casual. I have to run. See you at seven.”
He ends the call, leaving me wondering what the hell smart casual consists of in Mason James’s world. The waitress smiles and flutters her eyelashes at me. Fuck, I’m grinning like an idiot. Because I’m going on a date with Mason James. It’s like I’msixteen again, about to go meet this really hot guy who makes my stomach do a fluttery kind of thing that it’s never done before.
Mason is waitingfor me when I get to his office, with his overnight bag slung over his shoulder. He’s wearing a dress shirt—the sleeves rolled up, showing off his toned forearms—and dress slacks. I’m glad I opted for similar attire.
“So, where are we going?” I ask him.
He smirks. “To the roof.” He brushes past me and heads for the elevator. “You ever been in a helicopter before?”
I fall into step beside him. “Plenty of times.”
He chuckles. “Good to know.”
“Someone’s flying us somewhere?”
He flashes me a cheeky wink. “Not someone. I’m flying us somewhere.”
