Page 152 of Grand Love

Mase

I brushmy fingers over Nina’s forehead, moving the hair back from her face. She’s so peaceful. The true meaning of beauty—for me.

Being here, in this house, it doesn’t bring back a haul of memories. There aren’t smells or sounds that creak in the night that have me reminiscing about being a child here. Instead, I feel somewhat restless. Like I shouldn’t be here at all.

“Nina.”

“Hmmm.” Her hand reaches blindly, smoothing over my chest as her legs tangle tighter with mine.

I smile, kissing her wrist. “Nina.”

She stirs again, her chest rising as she inhales deeply. “Time is it?”

“Three a.m.,” I whisper into her neck as she rolls to her back.

“Masseeee,” she moans, her brows drawing together.

“I owe you a dance.”

Her eyes flutter open, and I instantly feel seen. “Right now?”

I nod, kissing her forehead before rising from the bed.

“Where are you going?” she asks.

“To the ball.” I smile.

“I don’t have my clothes,” she complains, watching as I search for my shirt. I don’t miss the hint of excitement in her voice.

“Wear your dress.”

“It’s three a.m. Do you have any idea how long it took me to get into that thing? It’s tight.”

I crawl over her, blanketing her body with my own. “I want to dance with you in that dress.”

“And I want to sleep.” She cocks her head with a smile. Leaning in and kissing my lips. “Compromise.”

I glare at her, already knowing I won’t fight her on it. “Fine. Wear my shirt.”

She slips out from under me, bouncing on the tips of her toes as she bends to pick up my shirt. I watch her as she slides it over her shoulders and starts to button it up.

“Keep looking at me like that, Bossman, and we’ll be dancing in the sheets instead.”

“Maybe we should do that,” I muse, lying with my hands linked behind my head on the pillow. My cock grows harder the more buttons she does up.

She shakes her head. “Nuh-uh, I wanna dance with you.”

My heart swells in my chest. She wants to dance.

“Here.” She throws me my jacket and trousers, then pulls my boxers on.

“You sure you don’t want the jacket, too?” I say sarcastically.

She pulls her long hair up into a bun, then starts towards the door. “Only if it gets cold.” She winks. “Come on, Bossman.”

I take off after her as she slips from the room, still barefoot. I manage to get my jacket on before I reach the door but stumble into my pant leg as I try to catch up to her.

“Shhh! You’ll wake Ellis!” She chuckles, watching me struggle.

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