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“I’m coming off like a complete freak, aren’t I?” He buried his face in his palms.

I put down the plate and pried his wrists out of the way. “You might have feelings for me?” I asked.

“I might.” His blue eyes caught me again, and the memory of our moments on the couch brought a low heat to my belly.

“Listen, Mason. Whatever does or doesn’t happen with us, I’m going to take the job your mother offered me.” I put up a hand to stop his reaction. “But I am not going to let anyone control me.”

He smiled, but his eyes remained sad. “You don’t know my mother. My sister’s a manipulative bitch, and she got it from her.”

I blanched. “Where is your sister anyway?” I asked, taking up my plate once again and leading the way back to our seats. I had to admit I was curious, since I hadn’t seen Nicole Bennet since our official introductions the other day.

“Fashionably late, I presume.”

I smiled as we returned to the table where this time Mason took the seat between his mother and I. He tilted his chair so he could focus on me. Between the music, the amazing cuisine, and the wine that kept flowing, I began to wonder if perhaps I misjudged the possibilities regarding this place.

Regretting that I couldn’t take another bite, I let my fork clatter to the plate of my half-eaten tiramisu and leaned back in my seat.

“Would you care to dance?” Standing, Mason offered me a hand, and I hesitated.

I glanced at the dance floor. The only couple out there was a middle-aged man and woman who appeared to be swing dancing to Frank Sinatra.

“I don’t know. I’m not much of a dancer,” I said, unsure if my stomach could take it.

“Come on, you aren’t afraid of what people may think, are you?” he asked.

I took his hand. “Never.”

The more we danced, the closer we drifted, until his body pressed along mine, fitting perfectly together. My heels brought me to just the right height to rest my head on his shoulder as we swayed to the old music. I wondered if he could feel the blood rush through my body. I could certainly feel how excited he was to be pressed against me.

But I wasn’t ready to get all swoony just yet.

“I’m sorry I was an ass. I didn’t mean to sound like I wanted you to pass up a career opportunity just because of my family drama. I guess I’m just protective of you,” he said, breath warm against my ear.

I tried not to melt into him more—and failed. Doing my best to pass it off as a sway to the music, I shrugged. “Yes, you were a bit of an ass, an attractive one, but an ass nonetheless.”

With a skill that made me gasp, he swept me around the dancefloor.

“I will work tirelessly to make it up to you.”

That sounded promising. “Thanks. The only reason I’m taking it is because I need the distraction with all that’s going on with my own family right now,” I admitted.

The look he gave me made my knees weak. “I should have realized that. I’m sorry.”

I leaned into him, drawing a low moan from him. I loved the feeling of power that gave me as I nuzzled against the soft space between his neck and shoulder, so smooth and intoxicating with his salty, hibiscus scent. Knowing it couldn’t be seen by others, I allowed my tongue to dart out and lick the exposed skin above his collar. He did taste a little salty, and heat swelled between my legs as his body shuddered in response.

“It’s going to take me time to recover before we go sit down,” he murmured over my ear. I smiled into him.

When I came down to Paradise Atlantis, I dreaded what awaited. Now the possibilities made me drunk. I still hated being underwater. Whenever I let myself think about it, my chest grew tight. But thanks to my new job offer I might actually have some control over my own safety. And tucked in the crook of Mason’s neck, I allowed myself a real smile. The job certainly wasn’t the only thing I looked forward to passing the time with.