Page 61 of The Only Reason (The Trident Trilogy 2)

“Ow.” Mason’s voice whispers in my ear. He lets go of me slowly.

“Mason,” I whisper as I whip around to face him. “Someone’s going to see us.”

“No one is going to see us. I’ve done this before.”

“What? Accosted a woman in a garden?”

“I didn’t accost you,” he says, smiling. “Settle down.”

“Did you hear what the spa manager said to me?”

“Yeah, that’s why I grabbed you. Seems like the fish are biting. He definitely was trying to send you a message.”

“He one hundred percent knows who I am.”

“You think your aunt is going to be at your spa day tomorrow?”

“I don’t know, but something’s going to happen. Maybe he will give me information that gets us closer.”

“Are you going to tell Alex?”

“No. Raine was right. There’s something off with him. I’ve never seen him so out of focus. I think I’ll keep it to myself for now and see what happens tomorrow.”

He nods. “We’ll stay outside the spa while you’re in there. Close enough that we can hear you yell if anything goes wrong.”

“Okay. Are you sure you don’t want to get a massage?”

He shakes his head as he starts laughing. “I’ve told you how I feel about strangers rubbing on my body. You rubbing on my body is another story. You think you can arrange to be my masseuse?”

“Master Chief, do you ask that of all your agents?”

“Every one of them. Even the guys.”

“Well that’s something we’re definitely going to have to discuss when we get home,” I say, smiling. “I should get back to Alex before he gets suspicious and comes looking for me.”

“Mills. I’m trying to be objective, but if he kisses you again, I’m going to fucking kill him.”

“Not if I kill him first. It was completely inappropriate.”

“Are you sure you’re safe in the same room with him?”

“Yeah,” I say quietly. “He was drinking at dinner. He’s never been able to hold his liquor. It makes him kind of creepy. But he’s fine. He’s not going to try anything. He knows I don’t want it, and he hates being rejected.”

“Are you going to sleep in the same bed tonight?” His tone is light, but his eyes are serious.

“I don’t know. If we do, it’s a king-size bed. We’re not going to even touch.” His eyes aren’t blinking. “Mase. Alex is a lot of things, but he’s not going to force himself on me. I’ve made it clear I’m not at all interested. He’s not going to try. Even if he wants to.”

“Okay.” He finally blinks. “I’m just in the next room.”

“I know. I’ve got to go.”

“Agent Marsh,” he says as I walk away. “I like the costume you’re wearing.”

I turn around to find him giving me a very appreciative once-over. “It’s not a costume, you weirdo. It’s traditional dress for this region.”

“I definitely think you should bring it home. Maybe you can wear it when you’re giving me the massage.”

“Stop,” I say, laughing as I duck under the jasmine vines and out into the night.

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