Southern Seduction (82 page)

"Goodnight, Mason," I say over my shoulder. He doesn't get up and leave, but he doesn't respond either. I fall asleep an hour later without another word spoken.

At some point in the night, I feel strong arms drag me across the bed then Mason’s warm breath against my ear. “Stop using him against me.”

“I’m not,” I say, half asleep, snuggling closer into his side.

“Yes, you are. Every time we disagree about something, you punish me by running to him. Stop, or I can’t do this at all anymore.”

“What?” I breathe as fear starts to course through my body. Suddenly, I’m awake and frantically searching his face for answers.

“Shhh.” He tucks my hair behind my ear. “I won’t leave you, Lace. Calm down, okay?” he soothes me. He rubs his thumb back and forth across my cheek until my breathing evens out. “You just have to stop punishing me like that, or…”

“Or what? You say you won’t leave, so what is the or?”

“Jesus, Lace. Just stop doing it and I won’t have to figure it out.”

Suddenly, it hits me. I’ve never asked him the one question that brought us together. “What’s your biggest fear, Mason?”

“You.”

My head snaps up with his answer, realizing the weight of his words. “Me?”

“Well, more like losing you to Hunter. But yeah. You.” He shrugs then leans down to kiss my forehead.

“Mason…” I try to find words. Is he afraid Hunter and I will leave him? I can relate to that. But somehow I know it’s more.

“Go back to sleep, Lace. Please just stop using him against me.”

I scoot up the bed, resting my head on his pillow instead of my usual spot on his chest. I want to see him and be able to kiss his face. Even if it’s not his lips, it’s the closest he will give me. I pepper kisses across his cheek. He offers me a sad smile and rolls on his side to face me.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper, staring at his mouth.

“Go to sleep, Lace.”

“I’m yours right now. In this second, I’m completely yours. You can kiss me, Mason.”

He lets out a sigh, shaking his head. “Go to sleep, Lace,” he repeats, rejecting me like he always does. I begin to roll away, when his words flash into my mind.

I freeze, willing myself to stay still before offering him an apologetic smile. “Sorry, habit.”

“It’s okay,”

“I’ll try harder.”

He nods and drops his forehead to mine. “It just scares me. Every time you roll into his arms, I think it’s more than just a simple action. I worry that it’s a final choice.”

I’m shocked by his admission. He’s exposing a lot of himself tonight. That’s not exactly something Mason does often.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I just thought it just made you mad. I was being a brat. That’s all.”

“You really are a brat sometimes.” He lets out a small chuckle.

I lean forward, gently kissing his face, careful to avoid his lips so not to cause any more problems. As much as I want to kiss him, I want him to want to kiss me too.

“Mason, how do you see this whole thing ending?” I ask. I can’t help but think about the end. No matter how good this may be now, there is always an end. I’m in too deep with these guys, and this isn’t a lifestyle that can be maintained.

“I told you I won’t leave you, Lacey. So when and how this ends will have to be your decision.”

I know he means those words to be reassuring to me. He wants me to know that I’m safe with him, but they only make me panic. I won’t be able to leave Mason, but I can’t truly be with him either. I move to hide my face in his neck. I won’t cry, but I’m terrified of what I’ll say if stare into his eyes for even a minute longer.

“I liked you better up here. I hate not being able to see you.” He slides down the bed, bringing us once again nose to nose. I close my eyes to hide from the emotions.

A few minutes later, I fall asleep wrapped securely in his arms. If only I could have stayed awake a few minutes longer, I would have felt his lips brush mine for the very first time.

“Hunter!” I scream as we walk into the restaurant on Friday night.

“What?” He tries to pretend that he didn’t just shove his entire arm up my dress. I have got to start wearing pants more often.

“Stop.” I bat his arm away.

“You didn’t say stop this morning.” He laughs, throwing an arm around my shoulders.

“No, but if you keep it up, I will tonight.”

He laughs louder. Leaning down, he kisses my hair and whispers, “Liar.”

We walk hand in hand into the restaurant. Mason got here ahead of us. He was over at the college helping some of the students prep for a big show next weekend. He’s already sitting in the booth when I slide in on the opposite side. Hunter slides in beside me.

“Hey, Mase.” I smile, and he gives me a subtle lip twitch, which I’ve learn is the equivalent of a full-blown smile for Mason.

In the two months since this whole arrangement started, Mason has always stuck to the ‘no touching in public’ rule. Everyone thinks I’m with Hunter, and I know that bothers him. Especially when someone flat-out calls me Hunter’s girlfriend. I used to correct them, but as time passed, it just got annoying. Thankfully, Hunter doesn’t push it. He never introduces me as his girlfriend. I’m always just Lacey. Except to Mason.

“Hey, Lace.”

“Do y’all realize your little nicknames rhyme? Did you two plan that without me?” Hunter jokes.

“We sure did, asshole. That first night, we stayed up late trying to find the most nauseating rhyming pet names possible just to leave you out. It took you long enough to notice,” Mason says sarcastically and winks over at me. Not just any wink either. It’s a sexy-as-hell, playful wink from Mason ‘stone face’ Wynn. Midnight Mason just made a daytime appearance, and I can’t hide my excitement at seeing him.

I lift my legs and stretch them across the booth, resting them in his lap. I fully expect him to push them away, but I guess the table blocking this little display of affection is enough for him, because he reaches down and gently strokes my bare legs. Something so simple, but it makes me giddy. I let out school girl giggle. Mason’s eyes flash to mine as a full-on grin sneaks across his lips. He tries to hide it by looking down and shaking his head, but I saw it. It’s now permanently etched into my memory. And that memory might just be my newest prized possession.

“I need to go to the bathroom,” I say, still laughing. “Order me that salad thingy I got last week. Oh, and I’m feeling frisky. How about a double rum and Coke tonight?” Hunter stands to let me out of the booth. Just as I hit the bathroom doors, someone gently grabs my arm.

“Lacey.”

I turn to see Sean ‘douchebag’ Lee. Of course! It seems I can’t go anywhere without running into stupid people these days.

“What the fuck!” I say under my breath. “Hey, Sean.” I paint on a fake smile, hoping desperately to avoid drama tonight. Both guys are in a good mood, and Mason flirting is enough to keep me happy for weeks. I’m determined that this piece of shit is not going to ruin this for me.

“Can we talk?”

“I’m going to say no.” I turn to walk into the women’s room.

“Lacey, please. I’m sorry. Just give me a minute. I miss Abby.” His shame-filled eyes flash to the ground. I don’t feel one bit of sympathy for him. Instead, it just pisses me off.

“Well guess what, Sean? I miss her too. I haven’t spoken to Abby in three fucking years. Or my mom or my dad. And you want to know why? Because you are a lying bastard who not only fucked my sister over by coming on to me, but you fucked me over by spewing bullshit lies to every member of my family. Sure, they are fucking idiots to have believed you, but you did this to yourself. I hope you miss Abby. I hope it eats away at you nightly. Because it sure as shit does me.” I turn and walk away back toward the guys.

Fucking shit. I’m going to cry. I haven’t cried in years, but on what started out as an amazing night, no matter how hard I try to fight it, tears spring to my eyes. I get close to the table, and hear the guys laughing together. Hunters back is toward me as I approach, but Mason’s eyes meet mine and immediately slide to concern. Hunter must read his expression, because he quickly turns around.

“Are you okay?” Hunter jumps to his feet, pulling me into a hug.

“Can we go?” Tears battle against my lids for release.

“Lacey, I’m sorry.” I hear Sean approach from behind me. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

I turn my head into Hunter’s chest, away from Sean, I don’t want to give him the pleasure of seeing me cry. My eyes lock with Mason’s. He’s still sitting in the booth, but the look of confusion and concern lingers on his face.

“Who the hell are you?” I hear Hunter say while gently stroking my back.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset her. My name is Sean Lee.” He must have extended a hand, because Hunter’s hand briefly leaves my back.

“Sean?” Mason quietly asks me.

I nod. “Can we go?” I repeat, but I’m reasonably sure Mason didn’t hear me. He suddenly dives out of the booth, launching a fist directly into Sean’s face.

“You son of a bitch!” he yells as Sean falls over a table to the ground.

The entire restaurant explodes around us. Hunter releases me, frantically trying to grab Mason before he has a chance to punch Sean again. Waiters and customers rush over to try to break up the fight.

Hunter wraps his arms around Mason in a bear hug, shouting for him to calm down. Mason’s eyes are wild, and it takes several seconds for him to stop fighting against Hunter’s grasp.

“You good?” Hunter asks, never releasing him.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Let me go.”

“If I let you go, you’re not going to hit him again, right?”

“Fucking let me go. I’m done!” he yells.

Hunter releases him then glances around the room. A few onlookers have stepped up to help Sean, who is sitting on the floor with blood pouring from his nose.

“Take Lacey and go home. I’ll meet you there in a few.” Hunter says, gently pushing me toward the door.

Mason silently walks over to me. I’m frozen, stunned by what just when down. I hate fights, but decking Sean in the face is something I have wanted to do for years. A small laugh bubbles from my chest as Mason very publicly pulls me into his arms.

“You okay?” He kisses the top of my head. My small laugh turns into a full fit of laughter as Mason drags me outside.

“Oh my God, Mase. That was amazing.”

He glances down at me for a second before he begins to chuckle as well. “I’m glad you approve.”

“Approve? I’d kiss you right now…ya know, if we did that.” I laugh even louder.

By the time we get to Mason’s truck, we are both doubled over in hysterics.

“Damn, that felt good!” He opens and closes his fist.

“I didn’t take you for a fighter.”

“I’m not usually, but that guy needed it. And I wanted you to have it.”

“Have it?” I ask confused. We both climb into his truck before he continues.

“When I was fourteen, my dad beat the shit out of me when I forgot to fill the horses water trough. I called Mr. Coy, and he came over. Only this time, he didn’t just pick me up like usual. He stormed into the house and beat the ever-living shit out of my dad. It should have scared me, but it felt so fucking good watching someone, even if it wasn’t me, give it back to him. It might make me an asshole, but ever since you told me about that fuck-face, I wanted you to have that moment too.” His words make my smile fade, but they warm me on the inside.

“Thank you.” I slide across the truck, kissing up his neck.

“You’re welcome, Lace.”

He grabs my face with both hands and stares at me for a second. I try to mentally urge him to kiss me, but at the last second, he leans over, placing a meaningful kiss to my forehead.

“Let’s go home.” He releases me and starts the truck.

“Yeah. Let’s go home.” I lean my head against his shoulder as he heads towards his loft.