Page 135 of Grand Love

“So I fucked up because I wanted to buy some photos of you?” he scoffs, his pointer finger touching his chest before he lifts it and scrubs at his face.

“No. But I won’t cut him off because you don’t like him. He’s my friend.”

His stare is fixed on me, his eyes dark. “I won’t apologise for wanting what’s mine. Joey is a prize prick, and I wouldn’t trust him as far as I could throw him.”

“How can you be so judgemental? You don’t even know him!” I yell the words at him and internally slap myself the second they pass my lips. I don’t want to do it like this. “Mason. Joey would have given them to you if you’d just asked. They’re—”

“No, he wouldn’t.”

I tilt my head to the side, knowing he won’t get it and that I have to let it go. Tonight has been too good to spoil, and I need this man more than I need my pride. “Okay, maybe you’re right.”

“I am,” he states, so sure of himself.

I shake my head, ready to drop it. “You should know though…” I swallow thickly, meaning every word that leaves me. “You could be the poorest man on earth, and I’d still love you.”

He tips his chin. “Then you’re a fool.”

“And you’re a jackass,” I counter, trying my hardest to stay calm.

Talk about prize pricks.

He pops a dark brow. “A jackass who’s at the centre of all your fantasies?”

“Don’t flatter yourself, pretty boy.”

His laugh is scornful as he steps up to me, chest to chest. “Pretty boy?” he questions.

Goose bumps pebble along my arms, the air in the room quickly taking on a different vibe entirely. If I don’t leave now, I know exactly where this will end up.

“I’ll see you on Saturday, Mason,” I say, my voice coming out throaty but final.

His burning eyes hold me in place with more force than if I glued my feet to the ground myself. My eyes are transfixed on his, and as he leans forward a fraction of an inch, my mouth parts, sucking in a shaky breath. This man shouldn’t make me nervous. But he does.

Time seems to wait along with me. Slowly. So, so, slowly. He brings himself closer, letting our breath mingle before brushing his lips against the corner of my mouth. I lift my chin to meet him, seeking him out, but the moment I do, a low chuckle vibrates from deep in his chest. “See you Saturday, Pix.”

He looks down his stupid crooked nose at me, pulling his bottom lip between his teeth.

Cocky jackass.

Mason follows me into the elevator, a smirk firmly in place as he stands at my back and uses the mirror to watch me. It annoys me that he can be so confident. He doesn’t show any reaction to what’s just happened. He just smiles and carries on.

He needs to be brought down a peg—or two.

“Ugh!” he gasps, then groans as my hand squeezes his balls. Not enough to hurt him but enough to make him squirm.

“What’s the matter, Bossman? You’ve lost your smirk.”

He exhales through his nostrils, and I have to bite my lip to stifle a laugh. But my triumph doesn’t last long, his breath rushes out heating the shell of my ear as he rolls his hips, grinding his erection into my back. I tighten my hand around his balls. “You think I don’t like your hands on me, baby?” His teeth pull at my earlobe and I can’t help but drop my head to his shoulder. “Harder,” he groans, rolling his hips as I squeeze him tighter.

His chest rumbles with a laugh as the elevator pings. Warm, wet lips smash into my dimple before he rights me.

I remove my hand just before the door slides open to Vinny.

* * *

I don’t goto my apartment right away. I hate being alone on any night of the week. But tonight, I’m rushing to Joey’s door for an entirely different reason. He hasn’t returned my text and when I tried to call him on my way home, he didn’t answer. It’s not unlike him, but after the six missed calls from before, it makes me worry.

Joey gave me a key when he moved into the flat, and I use it freely. But the coward in me is hesitant as I approach the door.

---