“I thought you were the out-of-work friend, embarrassed to admit what you did for a living.” She snorted.
“And you liked me anyway,” I rumbled.
“Of course I did,” she replied, as though that should be obvious.
“Of course you did,” I affirmed, stating one of the many reasons she was so different from all other women before her as I laid her against my sheets.
Chapter 15
ELLIE
Kodi’s bark woke me the next morning as I lay sprawled in Mason’s massive bed, a bed that was now mine. That reality would still take a bit to set in.
“Oh shit, what time is it?” I demanded aloud despite being alone in the room as I frantically searched for my phone.
“Mason! I’m late for work!” I shrieked, hauling his shirt back on my naked form and racing from his room in search of him.
What I found as I hit the landing had me stopping short. Four unfamiliar faces stared in bemusement up at me from by the front door, with Kodi and a smiling Mason looking on.
“Um, hi,” I greeted awkwardly, pulling Mason’s tee further down my legs.
“It appears my parents were a bit overeager,” Mason explained, gesturing to the attractive older couple standing by his side. “And my sister and brother-in-law,” he added with an apologetic shrug.
“And of course I’m not dressed, wow, just like a nightmare,” I blathered. “I’ll be right back.” I held up a finger as I raced back to his bedroom, laughter following my rapid exit.
Back in Mason’s room, I found some leggings and a bra, quickly putting them on before reemerging down the steps and to the kitchen, where I found Mason’s mom making coffee.
“Babe,” Mason greeted, pulling me into his side and kissing my head. “This is my pop, Cal, and my mom, Jill,” he introduced me to the dark-haired woman with a kind smile and the older man with crystal-blue eyes that, though kind, belied a countenance you didn’t dare mess with.
“Nice to meet you both,” I replied with a small wave.
“And this is my older sister, Emmie, and her husband, Gunner,” he added, gesturing to the beautiful brunette and the handsome but intimidating heavily tattooed man by her side.
“Hi,” I greeted. “Sorry,” I apologized for my rumpled appearance. “Blame Mason for not waking me up.”
Emmie laughed. “Oh, that’s easy. He’s my kid brother; I’ve been blaming him my whole life.”
“Mostly for shit I didn’t do,” Mason grunted without anger.
“True,” his mother agreed with a soft smile. “It’s so nice to meet you, Ellie.”
“You too,” I agreed before looking up at Mason, who still held me tight to his side. “I’m way late for work,” I whispered up at him worriedly.
“No, you’re not,” he assured me. “I texted your boss this morning. You have the rest of the week off.”
“You did what?” I demanded; the fact we had an avid audience doing little to diminish my frustration.
“Ellie, we need time to sort this out. This is a major escalation—I don’t want you leaving the property.”
“Do you think that’s maybe something we should talk about?” I asked with all the calm I could muster.
“Been there, girl,” Emmie commiserated.
“Em.” Mason’s glare shot to his sister before his gaze returned to me. “We can talk about it all you want, babe. Still won’t change the fact that you’re not leaving the house while that asshole is out there.”
“He’s using credit cards again,” Gunner interjected. “And getting sloppy. Makes him much easier to track. We’ll get him soon.”
“Thank you,” Mason replied gratefully.
