I slowly stand up and shuffle down to stand in front of him.
“No, I mean come here,” he says, scooting back and patting the space in front of him.
“I want to cuddle,” he mutters sleepily.
“Are you sure?” I whisper.
“Stop overthinking, princess,” he says, opening one eye.
When I don’t move, he reaches his hand out to grab my wrist and gently pulls me down to him.
He pulls my body against his, my back to his front.
He wraps his arm around my waist, grabbing hold of my hand, while his other arm slides underneath my head.
“Your hair smells good,” he mumbles as I push my feet in between his legs.
“Stop smelling my hair,” I giggle, snuggling into him some more.
“Shh. I’m sleeping,” he chuckles into my hair.
“Hey, Lily?” he says, suddenly sounding serious.
“Yeah?” I whisper, rubbing circles on his hand with my thumb.
“Kingsley really messed up,” he mutters, burying his face into the side of my neck.
? ? ?
I wake up really hot. I’m sweating and the bright sun pouring in through the glass door is blinding.
It must be late in the morning.
Mason is still spooning me, except now his leg is thrown over me and his dick is pressing against my back.
Even through the rough texture of his jeans, I can tell he’s not lacking in that department.
“Mason,” I groan, trying to free myself from his grasp.
“Shh, I’m still sleepy,” he whines, pulling me closer to him.
“I’m hot,” I say.
“Very.” I can hear the teasing in his voice.
I turn toward him and he hugs me-I feel so small in his big arms.
Our eyes meet and his gaze is intense yet soft. I glance at his lips, feeling a magnetic pull.
He catches me looking and his lips curve into a knowing smile.
The air between us feels charged, heavy with desire.
His fingers shift slightly on my hip, the faintest movement, but it’s enough to make my pulse race.
My body has never reacted to a man like this before.
Am I about to hook up with Mason Cooper?
LILY
Mason’s eyes stay locked on mine, like he’s daring me to make the first move. It would be so easy. Just a few inches closer, and I’d know what his lips feel like against mine.
But a small voice in the back of my mind reminds me of the possible fallout-the rumors, the stares, the hate from my friends. A kiss would feel so good, but it would really complicate my life when it’s already complicated enough. Get it together, Lily. Not the time.
I slip out from under his arm and stand up.
“I’m hungry,” I say.
“Do you want some eggs?”
“Are you offering to bring me breakfast in bed? Well, breakfast on the couch?” He smirks, sitting up and stretching so that his T-shirt rides up over those magazine cover abs. It’s enough to make me almost reconsider.
No, stay strong.
I head to the kitchen, get out the pan. He follows, leans against the counter. His bedhead is so cute.
“Do you have any plans today?” he asks.
“None,” I reply, pulling out the frying pan and cracking some eggs.
“Do you want to go get your nose pierced?”
An excited smile spreads across my face.
“Why not?”
? ? ?
“Why are we going all the way to Stokes Junction?” I ask Mason as he drives his car to the smaller city an hour away.
“I figured you wouldn’t want to be seen in the mall with me,” he mutters, gripping the steering wheel tightly.
“Right. Enemies,” I mumble, picking at the hem of my dress.
“So, what side are you going to get done?” he asks, changing the subject.
“I’m thinking my right,” I answer, pulling down the sun visor and looking at my nose in the mirror.
“I still think you should get yours done too,” I tease, flicking the visor back into place.
“Absolutely not.” He shakes his head.
“It’ll make you look badass.” I laugh as he screws his face up.
“It’ll make me look like a bitch. I don’t have the face for piercings.”
“Hmm, I guess you’re right.” I giggle. His face is perfect as it is.
“You ready for this?” Mason asks as we walk around the mall.
“So ready!” I exclaim excitedly as I spot the shop we’ve been looking for.
As we walk in, I try to tone down my excitement, but when I see a small sign on the counter it rushes back. I nudge Mason and point to the sign.
“Two for One Body Piercings.”
“Not happening.” He chuckles, shaking his head.
“What can I do for ya?” A large, bald, heavily tattooed and pierced man asks from behind the counter.
“Can I please get my nose pierced?” I ask.
“And nipple,” I add. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Mason’s head snap to me.
“Sure thing. Fill this out.” The man smirks, looking between me and Mason. I quickly fill out the piece of paper and hand it back to the man, who scans it and nods to himself.
“All righty, let’s go, Lily.” He says, gesturing to the back of the shop.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.