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“Just getting up to get dressed to go out for breakfast,” I finish his sentence.
Natalie’s jaw literally drops. “Go out, as in outside the hotel?”
Mason shuts me down immediately. “No, we were not.”
“So youarescared,” I tease.
“I’m not scared,” he says, a little too defensively. Crossing his arms in front of his chest, he glares at me.
Mirroring his stance, I cross my arms over my chest. “Prove it. Let’s go get breakfast somewhere. I’m sure this hotel will survive without you for a few hours.”
“It sure would,” Natalie chimes in with excitement in her voice. “Nothing going on today. Take the day off.”
Mason shoots his sister a glare that would make a grown man quiver in his boots. Natalie, on the other hand, laughs.
“Seriously, Mason, when was the last time you even left the hotel?”
“There’s never a reason for me to leave.”
“Until today!” I exclaim.
“Good thing I brought you a fresh set of clothes.” Natalie points at the light pink dress hanging over the back of the couch.
Yes! Finally, something colorful.
With the biggest smile on my face, I grab the dress and scurry into Mason’s bathroom. I close and lock the door behind me, taking in the luxurious space. His bathroom is about the same size as my bedroom. Sleek matte tiles cover the walls, while textured tiles cover the floor. As I take a few steps, I realize they are heated as well. Fancy.
I strip out of my borrowed clothes quickly, discarding them into a laundry basket next to the double-headed shower. If I wasn’t so hungry, I would definitely rinse off. Maybe he’ll let me shower when we get back… maybe he’ll join me.
My lips curl up into a smile of their own accord at my naughty thought. Would he? He let me sleep in his bed and didn’t seem to mind my cuddle attack, but he also hasn’t made a clear move, and not for lack of opportunity. Does he like me that way, or does he feel obligated in some way? Ugh, I wish I could read him better. Mason is like a high-security vault with mile-thick walls protecting him. Could I ever tear those down? Maybe not, or maybe I just need to climb over them instead.
MASON
“Don’t lookat me like that.”
Griffin blinks rapidly while his head snaps back in surprise. “Like what?”
“Like the way you were looking at me just now. Like you can’t believe what you heard.”
“That’s because I can’t.” He glances toward the closed door my sister disappeared through seconds ago, just before he entered. “Now I get it.”
“Now you get what?” Do I sound offended? No doubt. Can I help it? I’m not so sure of that. I wish I could. Everything about this situation has me in self-defense mode. Fight or flight, on a smaller scale. I know my life isn’t inherently in danger.
It only feels like it is.
He jerks a thumb toward the door and smirks. “Nat was grinning from ear to ear. I was wondering why.”
Yes, she would. We might need to have a talk about putting me on the spot and how I’ve never appreciated it.
“So what brought this on?” he asks while I check my pockets to make sure I have my wallet, keys, and everything I need. I wish this didn’t feel so foreign. I also wish it didn’t seem like so much is hanging on what, for most people, would be an everyday occurrence. Going out for a little while, nothing more. I’ve gotten too comfortable around here. These walls have a way of making a man feel comfortable and safe in a world he knows is anything but.
“Just going out for breakfast, that’s all.”
“Sure.” Griffin doesn’t seem convinced. “I came up here to let you know we found Karl. He’s dead.”
I’m not terribly shocked at that. Death has been a daily part of my life. “Do we know who killed him?”
“Not yet. But I’m looking into it.”
