Page 51 of Grand Love

Nina

“Nina?”Rochelle’s eyes are sharp and zeroed in on me. She’s standing over Mason with a jug of water clenched in her hand.

Mason stands and buttons his jacket, a deep frown marring his handsome face. “Nina, I didn’t know you were working today.”

My nostrils flare as my body flushes hot. “I bet you didn’t.”

“Excuse me a moment, gentleman.”

My eyes flick around the room, noting the three men and a young girl in the corner who looks to be taking minutes. Unease suffocates me, but I’m too angry to allow my mind to catch up and put all the pieces together.

“Mr Lowell, I’m so very sorry for this interruption.” Rochelle’s lip curls as she looks at me. “She’s new. I’m sure we can offer some kind of compensation to you and your team, and rest assured she will be dealt with.” Her eyes scan me up and down in a judgemental stare and I snap.

“Oh, will you just fuck off!”

Mason’s head snaps to me, and Rochelle’s face drops, quickly losing all its colour.

“I beg your pardon?” she stammers.

“You heard me! This whole month you’ve been coming at me, telling me how much you hate me, how I could lose my job, and how tardy I am. Well, fuck you! You can shove your job up your arse.” I step up to her, knowing I should stop but not being able to. “You’re a piece of work, Rochelle. You must have a magic vagina or something to bed a man like Elliot. Good luck with that now.”

“Nina—”

Her hand connects with my face moments before Mason steps between us. I chuckle as I welcome the sting. I needed that.

“Nina.” She instantly panics.

“What the fuck do you think you are doing!” Mason’s voice is like thunder, vibrating through the entire room. My eyes drift closed as I turn and leave them. “You do not lay your hands on her!”

The hair on the back of my neck stands on end as I round the threshold. If I didn’t know Mason, I’d be afraid of him right now. His voice is deadly yet controlled.

“Mr Lowell, I’m…” Rochelle’s voice falls quieter and quieter the farther away I get from the room.

“Nina!” Mason snaps, and I turn, his tone leaving no room for me to do anything but submit. He steps up to me, taking my face in his hands, and I melt under his dark stare. I hate being so open and easy to him. My body doesn’t care though. Like it doesn’t know any better, it craves something inside of him.

Our eyes lock and find the perfect focus, as if we are looking through the same lens. He’s all I see—feel—breathe in the moment. Why can’t I take him back, why can’t I unlearn that look. Unlearn him.

My voice is hoarse as I lift my chin. “If I could make you a stranger to me I would. I’d go back to that first night and I’d—” My mind drifts to Ellis and I close my eyes, regretting my words immediately.

His hands fall from my face as I step back and out of his reach.

“Nina,” he warns, as my feet lead me backwards three steps. “Nina.”

I shake my head, clenching my hands at my side. “Not now, Mason.” Not ever. “I’m not doing this today,” I tell him.

Anger steals his features, his jaw tightening into a sharp line as he watches me. He knows I’m going to go. It’s the way it’s always been.

I make my way into the back office and get my things, grabbing everything I can that’s mine. Rushing through the reception and out onto the street, I spot the Audi parked at the curb.

Vinny spots me, smiling wide as he slides down the window. “Nina, I didn’t know you were working today.”

My eyes fill with tears before I can stop them. Vinny has become more than a friend to me over this past year. “Of all the people, I never believed you’d lie to me, Vin.”

“Nina!” Mason shouts from the hotel entrance.

I move quickly, stepping into a waiting taxi. “Please just drive,” I tell the driver.

He turns in his seat, looking me up and down before casually righting himself again. “I have a client.”

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