I groaned at the realization that I’d completely insulted his house, not realizing it was his.
He stooped down to look at me. “I want to see you again,” he said simply.
“I don’t think so.” I forced myself to meet his gaze. “Look, I get it, you like your anonymity. But I’m not okay with half-truths,” I told him firmly.
“No, you shouldn’t be,” he agreed quietly, his eyes searching mine.
“No hard feelings. It was nice to meet you, Mason,” I added with a forced smile. “Lily?” I turned to her expectantly.
“Ready.” She nodded, following me out the door.
I felt Mason’s eyes on me the entire walk to my car and tried not to let the fierce ache in my chest allow me to turn around for one last look. I lost the battle and turned briefly to find his formidable body framed in his doorway as he stood with heated eyes watching us go.
His muscular arms were crossed over his broad chest, and I felt heat travel down my spine, making my knees weak. No man had ever caused a physical reaction in me the way he did. But I couldn’t accept being lied to. I told myself that was the only reason I was walking away, not my nearly nuclear attraction to him.
“El, what thehell?” Lily demanded as we pulled out of his gated community and onto the freeway. “You just shot Mason freaking Jackson down!” she exclaimed.
“Not now, Lily,” I muttered, feeling close to tears. I felt foolish at the intensity of my emotions.
“You liked him?” she asked quietly. She knew how big that was after so many years of my indifference and occasional skittishness toward the opposite sex.
“Yeah, I did,” I sighed.
She left me to my thoughts for the rest of the drive. Lily had known me a long time; she knew when to pry and when to leave me alone.
“Call me tomorrow. Love you, sweetie,” she said quietly when I dropped her off at her place.
“Okay,” I agreed with a half-smile. “Love you too.”
I let myself into my building, taking the stairs to the second floor and putting my key in the lock. I could already hear Kodi, ready to greet me on the other side of the door.
“Hi, bud,” I murmured, bending to give him a rubdown. “You’ve never let me down, you know that?” I questioned as he stared up at me, tongue lolling, head cocked to the side.
I put him out on the deck to do his business on the grass pad I had out there for just that purpose, and for when taking him down two flights of stairs wasn’t practical.
I surveyed my loft, taking in the open concept and hardwood floors. I’d fallen in love with the space immediately when I’d first seen it just under two years before. With its large windows, exposed brick, and high ceilings, it gave me room to breathe while still being cozy enough to feel secure. My bedroom was up a flight of stairs and visible from below. Living alone suited me, though Lily complained it just exacerbated my reclusive tendencies.
My family had been concerned when I’d shared my plans, and our compromise had been Kodi, a released police dog who was my protector and loyal companion. In the end, it hadn’t been a compromise at all for me.
I let Kodi in, and he immediately went to his bed as I shrugged out of my jacket. For a moment I stood staring blankly, not sure what to do with myself. I knew I couldn’t sleep, not yet. So, I headed for my easel, deciding to lose myself in art, something that always anchored me.
It was far later than I’d intended to stay up by the time I headed for bed, and exhausted as I was, I still tossed and turned, trying unsuccessfully to rid my mind of those warm brown eyes, so troubled, as though he’d lost something significant, as I’d walked away.
Chapter 2
ELLIE
When my buzzer rang Saturday evening, I looked down at Kodi with a cocked brow. “She waited longer than I thought she would.” I muttered dryly as I hit the speaker.
“Hey, Lil.”
“How’d you know it was me?” she demanded. In my bemused silence that followed, she huffed. “Oh, fine, just let me up.”
I grinned, buzzing her up before pouring her a glass of the wine from the bottle I’d just opened. When she walked in a few moments later, she was greeted by a very enthusiastic Kodi before she set eyes on me.
I held out the full glass. “Hell yes, thank you.” She sighed, accepting the glass and plopping down on one my barstools. “So, are you proud of my restraint or what?” she demanded, her blue eyes wide and earnest. “I haven’t even texted you.”
“Very proud,” I confirmed, trying to fight a smile as I took a sip from my glass.
