“Hi,” I replied, extending a hand. “Nice to meet you. Do you play football?” I guessed, just judging by the sheer size of him.
The blonde at his side burst into giggles as Marcus’s brows rose. “Are you for real?”
“More real than most everything in here,” Mason replied coolly. “Come on, babe, let’s refresh your drink. Later, Marcus.”
“Ugh, is he some famous football player too?” I groaned in embarrassment as he towed me away.
“Something like that,” Mason replied as he stopped to level me with his penetrating stare. “He’s also an asshole. Would rather you not be breathing his air. And babe,” he continued cupping my face in his palms, “I’ve told you before, I could give two shits if you recognize anyone in here. It’s refreshing that you don’t. And fucking gratifying that I think you might have wounded his ego,” he grinned.
I snorted. “Glad to be of service. Now, are you going to dance with me or what?”
An hour later, I found the bathroom, flushed from dancing and laughing so much my sides hurt. I’d been right, Mason and I were having a blast. It was as though the rest of the world melted away and it was just the two of us.
Mason had promised to grab us some food, and my mouth practically watered at the thought. I was starving.
I’d just exited the bathroom, intent on finding Mason when a man seemingly came from nowhere, stepping into my space and shoving a microphone in my face. “Ellie Mitchell? Do you care to comment on your history regarding Brian Turner? What does Mason Jackson think of this?” he demanded. “Does he know? Does he know you have a psychotic ex? Is he worried about your past jeopardizing his career?” he demanded aggressively.
For a moment I stood paralyzed, completely shocked before I recovered enough to mutter “No comment” and tried to step around him.
“Lots of athletes have lost their sponsorships due to their girlfriend’s reputations,” the man taunted, his words causing the blood to freeze in my veins.
“What the hell is going on? How the fuck did you get in here?” Mason snarled, suddenly in front of me, guiding me behind his back.
I wanted nothing more than the ground to open up and swallow me whole as a few passersby stopped to openly gape at the scene in front of them.
“Get security now!” Mason bellowed, not seeming to care that we had an audience.
The man held up his hands in retreat. “I’ll go, I’ll go. Just asking some questions.”
“Get him out of here before I put my fist through his face,” Mason growled to the security guards that had materialized. “And I want to know who let this asshole in, because they’re fucking fired,” he snarled before turning to me, taking my hand, and guiding me toward the nearest exit.
As soon as we stepped outside, he wrapped an arm around my shoulders, the gentleness of his grasp contradicting the barely restrained fury that vibrated through him. “Fuck, Ellie, I’m sorry,” he ground out as we reached his Camaro after he’d quickly grabbed the keys from the valet. He helped me inside, going so far as to buckle my belt before moving to the driver’s side and firing up the engine. “I’d specifically required there to be no press inside the building,” he explained.
“Can you take me home, please,” I rasped, my shaking hands clenched in my lap as I stared out the window. So many emotions coursed through me, humiliation being the strongest. I needed to be in my own space.
“Okay,” he agreed, though I knew he wanted to argue.
I’d known there was a possibility my past with Brian could resurface, but I never imagined how deeply painful it would feel to be attacked so publicly about something so painfully personal. I felt cracked wide open, my wounds on full display for anyone who cared to look.
“I’m coming up,” he stated, leaving no room for argument when he’d pulled in front of my building.
I nodded woodenly as he took my hand, and we began the ascent up my stairs. “You think your car will be okay?” I had the presence of mind to ask. It was by far the nicest car on the block.
“Don’t care,” he replied as he took my keys from me and let us into my loft as I disarmed the alarm.
“I think I’ll take a shower,” I murmured, already heading up the stairs. I didn’t wait to see if he would follow; I was too lost in my own head.
I stripped out of my clothes and stepped under the hot water, my skin numb to the heat. I was stronger than this, dammit. I’d been through hell and back. But right now, I couldn’t seem to pull myself together.
Then he was there. I felt his warm presence behind me a moment before he wrapped his arms around me, turning me so that my face pressed to his chest. I slid my arms around his waist, soaking in the sheer strength of him, of the smell so deliciously and soothingly Mason.
I looked up at him, meeting his stare that blazed with an unnamed emotion. I reached my hands behind his head, tugging his mouth to mine.
He froze for a half a second, likely in surprise, before he responded in kind, his hands moving to my backside and lifting me against the wall as he took my mouth.
“You make me crazy,” he groaned against my mouth, pressing his hardness against my lower belly. “I would do anything for you, Ellie, fuck—” he bit out as I took him and guided him inside me.
“Need you.” I rasped the truest words I’d ever spoken. Despite his overwhelming strength, he made me feel powerful.
