" Wow, " I whisper, watching Ashley converse leisurely with the woman he's just bumped into. He says something, she laughs, " I knew he was a pain in the ass, but never figured just how much, " It was meant to be an inside thought, but now that it's out, Mason observes me with renewed interest.
" You sound disappointed, " He notes quietly, just a touch above a whisper.
" No, not at all. I dreaded this conversation the whole day. If I'm being honest, I kinda hoped I was wrong about him and his interest in me would be a bit more genuine, " I muse, with my eyes on Ashley, who gently caresses the woman's arm, while she warmly smiles up at him. From afar, it feels all so very real. To me, it feels like a lie.
" It was, " Mason says, " I've been the only one for you, " When I meet his gaze he bites down on his next words and smiles.
" That's very presumptuous of you to assume that you've been the only man I've been with," Not true, and he knows it because he smirks but his features soften quickly.
" Is it not? Then you must forgive me, " He plays along, nonetheless, " I'd love to hear about your countless lovers. And if I may be forward, and you're feeling generous enough to share those magnificent experiences with me, I'd be grateful, " He tucks his hands in his pockets and looks away pretending to survey the crowd.
" How very gracious of you, " I smile when I catch him looking at me from the corner of his eye, " But I don't kiss and tell," I add as an afterthought.
" Indulge me, " There is a slight edge to his tone, betraying his annoyance. It could be because he remembered that I've spent a year in Helej Norun, and there is an undeniable appeal to dark, glistening skin.
" Only if you're sure," I say firmly, and he nods.
Time to craft a fantastical story.
" Well, there was this boy in Helej, he came by every other day to the spice shop, Denmar and Nareen owned. Quite the looker. You could tell that he worked the spice fields, by the way his tunic stretched across his back and chest, and those well-defined mus-" I stop speaking when Mason grabs my wrist and gives it a firm squeeze.
" I think that is enough to give me an idea. How many times have you slept with him?" Oh, he is taking me seriously. Angling my head ever so slightly, I look at Mason to gauge his expression.
" You're jealous of a man I just made up?" He doesn't look at me but subtly nods.
" You're thinking of other men....not something I want to hear," Not really.
" No, in case you didn't hear, I just made him up, " I pull my arm out of his grip, but he snatches it back. I can feel the imprint of his digits digging into the soft flesh of my wrist branding me.
" I did hear you. But still, don't like it," He grumbles, and it almost looks like he is pouting. For now, our joined hands are hidden by the flowy skirt of my dress, but if he moved an inch to the left everyone would see.
" You know," I sigh, " You're the only man I ever thought about in my entire life. Before I met you, I never really fantasised about the opposite sex. Not in the dirty kind of way, " At that he smirks. Truth be told, I'm still a newbie when it comes to bedroom affairs and it shows.
" No, I didn't know, but I'd love to hear more. Maybe I can fulfil some of those fantasised, " He picks up a glass of wine from of one the trays and hands it to me, " This should help loosen your tongue later," I take a sip, and smile at him over the rim of the glass, our eyes meet, before he turns and looks around the room.
" I'm going to need more than one glass," I say quietly, which seems to be the new theme in my life. Secrecy, love affairs behind closed doors. I'm living the best life.
" I'll have no problem supplying you with plenty of wine, but make sure you eat," He flags a waiter who's wandering aimlessly around the room.
The waiter hands over the tray, Mason thanks him and sends him to get some more. Taking one, I pass him back the tray so he can help himself.
" Are not hungry?" I ask when he just stands there holding the tray for me
" I'm saving myself. I don't want to ruin my appetite," He smiles, his charisma shining through at an all-time high.
" For what?" I'm pretty sure, there is no room in the house left to seat everyone at the table. The house has been filled to the brim.
He leans in a touch closer, the intensity of his gaze has me swallowing the food as it is, unchewed. I don't breathe, tensing under his burning gaze, " I'm saving myself for a mouth-watering spread that I'll have later on this evening, " He licks his lips, slow and sensual, igniting every cell in my body, my temperature skyrocketing and I pray that my dress is fireproof, because I'm on fire.
" I can't wait to lick you from head to toe. I've been salivating all night long," Good thing there are a few inches between us, otherwise, this would look extremely indecent, " I've been hard since the moment you stepped out of the car Lily, " And thank god for music, " I can't wait to get you naked, and in our bed, " I can't even take this damn jacket off," He leans back out of my breathing space, and my gaze gets pulled down to his crotch, which covered with his jacket. Trailing back up his face, I notice that his jacket is buttoned up, in spite of unseasonably heat in the room.
" Fuck, " He drops the tray to a table nearby and leaves me there watching him saunter his perky ass out of the room.
The party is in full swing, and I briefly wonder if anyone would notice my absence. One glance around, before I storm out of the room to find Mason.
The gods of fortune are definitely not on my side because the moment I lift my foot off the ground to leave, Will sprouts in front of me out of bloody nowhere, " There you are" She beams, " I've been looking for you, " You have? Why?" I almost whine at the sheer misfortune.