Page 12 of Gin and Lava

“Wow,” I say, shaking my head. “That’s an image.”

“I aim to please.”

“The earrings match.” I pull my hair back, tilting my head from side to side so the leaf-like patterns catch the patio lights.

“So they do,” he nods.

“Want to know a secret?” I ask, hiding the earrings back behind my blonde waves and feeling brave.

“You’re really into anal and you’ve been experimenting with butt plugs?”

“Oh my God, Mason!” I slap him and he laughs, jolting backwards.

“Careful, Tate!” he teases, moving quickly, only the jerk of his body causes my necklace to snap.

The gold chain drops.

“Oh shit.”

Mason moves fast, snatching the necklace before it slips over the patio railing and is lost down the side of the building.

“Nice catch, Mason,” I praise, stepping closer to see if it’s ruined. It’s one of my favorite pieces. Thankfully, only the latch has opened, and the chain is still intact. I test the clasp, and it works beautifully. “It looks okay,” I say, after a moment of inspection. “Here, can you put it back on?”

I turn and show Mason my back, lifting my blonde hair off my neck.

“Um, sure.” He coughs awkwardly, then steps up behind me. The heat of his body is palpable. I’m not supposed to notice Mason, or the warmth of his breath on my neck. I’m not supposed to shiver at the delicate way he lifts the chain over my head and dangles it between my breasts.

The metal of the necklace grazes my skin.

My nipples perk.

My breath goes soft.

I gaze out at the moonlit ocean to where the bay is sparkling. What a gorgeous view for a wedding. First vows on the beach, then a reception looking out at the horizon.

It’s so damn romantic.

Romantic in the same way Mason is leaning over my body from behind and clasping the tiny chain. The delicacy of his hands on my neck a soft breeze.

My bodyisreacting to him.

I’m sure that’s nothing more than the fact that my body has physical needs, and I’ve been denying them. It’s not Mason I’m reacting to, per se, but the fact that I haven’t had a good lay in six months. Not since Sam and I broke up.

Rebound sex is supposed to be hot, but frankly, it’s been boring as hell. After a couple months of missionary and heavy petting and full-on lack of arousal … I just stopped trying. Bad sex can be worse than no sex. At least with a vibrator I know how to get myself off.

So, yeah, of course my body is reacting to Mason. It would be reacting toany mantouching me. That’s just biology.

Mason’s fingers trace my collar bone as he positions the necklace. Then, he brushes a few strands of stray hairs off my nape and I shiver. His hands are so damn delicate I have to bite back a whimper. How can Mason’s hands be so attentive and careful when he says nothing but crude comments?

How can he be such an oxymoron?

Warmth spreads through my body as his fingers fumble with the clasp—his fingers electric. And I don’t know why, but suddenly, I’m fantasizing about the two of us alone and Mason pushing the straps of this dress off my shoulders. Then—wearing only this necklace—his hands begin to test out the responsiveness of my nipples.

What’s wrong with you, Naomi? You shouldn’t think about Mason like this! Even though you’re more turned on by Mason clasping a stupid necklace around your neck than you have been with all your rebound candidates.

That doesn’t make sense.

It’s Mason.

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