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Chapter 7

  • She arrived at her apartment precisely 5 minutes after leaving the park. She let herself in, closing the door behind her. She stood alone, leaning against the door, her heart thumping wildly, the heat between her legs aching as she remembered the day's events. She had had a crazy day. She took off her shoes and walked from the sitting area and into the bedroom, lying on the bed in a jump. She was still going over everything in her head when she heard a knock on her door.
  • It had to be Ross, she reasoned. He came a bit early, but that just made everything faster. She'd tell him today without a doubt.
  • "I thought you would not be coming until 6. You finished work early?" She said as she opened the door to meet an angry Mason. She stumbled as she attempted to move backward and nearly sprawled on the floor. Mason lunged forward and caught her before she could fall. His hands remained firmly wrapped around her arms even after she'd steadied herself. Her cheeks flamed with embarrassment, and she hastily moved out of his grasp.
  • "Are you alright?" Mason asked in a low voice.
  • "I'm fine," she managed to get out. "What are you doing here?" His mouth quirked into that half-smile, and he regarded her with that lazy gaze.
  • "I came to see you. Why else would I be here?"
  • "Take a moment and sit down, Lisa. Let's talk. I assume you must have read my contract and probably have an answer for me" he walked further into the apartment like he owned the place. Taking in the whole place as he had here before.
  • "An answer? Are you freaking kidding? We only met this morning. Why did you have to come see me? Did you think I would just sit down and talk to you alone in this apartment, much less about such a topic? My boyfriend could come home any moment, Mason."
  • "You leaving him anyway, so you'd better stop calling him that," he said with a grin.
  • She wasn't about to tell him she would do that this evening. Hell, she wouldn't put it past him after she did. He would brag about the fact that he probably had something to do with it. With a resigned sigh, she sat in the chair across from him on the counter stool in the kitchen and levelled a stare in his direction.
  • "Why are you here, Mason? You said I had until Monday."
  • "I wanted to see what my competition was," he said bluntly. She glanced at Mason, her knees shaking a bit.
  • "There's a lot in that…contract." She could barely get the word out. She lowered her gaze because she couldn't meet his stare any longer. "A lot to consider." she went on when she chanced a peek at him; there was a look of absolute satisfaction in his eyes.
  • "So, you've already read over it then."
  • "I skimmed it," she lied, sounding casual and at least sophisticated. As if she entertained such offers all the time. "I intend to go over it more thoroughly tonight."
  • "Good. I want you to be certain." He reached across the table and slid his fingers over her wrist. Her pulse leaped and reacted to the simple touch, and chill bumps raced up her arm.
  • Before she could react, he walked from behind the counter and pulled her forward, tilting her chin up with his finger. His mouth melted over hers, hot and breathless. She didn't move, didn't pull away. She went soft against him, leaning further into his embrace as he deepened the kiss. His tongue brushed over hers, teasing lightly before retreating. He licked over her bottom lip and then tugged gently, sucking it between his teeth.
  • He could still taste the sweet honey in her mouth, smell the fresh spring scent of her. Her lips had parted for him with such innocent ardor, but then she kissed him back with the same intensity he did, like she wanted him to know she wanted him just as much. Like no one had ever kissed him before. He groaned. He wanted to lift her just then, rip her clothes, toss her on the bed, and pound into her, making her his.
  • But no, he couldn't. Not yet.
  • "Think about it, Lisa," he whispered. "I'll be waiting for your decision." And then he pulled away and walked out.
  • Lisa stood staring at the door long after he'd pulled away. Her lips tingled from his kiss, and she put her fingers over her mouth. She could still smell him and feel his body's imprint against hers. She was startled from her limpness after about 5 minutes when she heard her door code being entered outside, and Ross walked in.
  • It was time; he looked up and saw her.
  • "Is something wrong, Lisa?" he asked. She took a deep breath and slowly expelled it.
  • "There's something I need to tell you and Ross."
  • "You want to take the job with Mason?" Ross asked.
  • Lisa nodded and then turned her attention to the near-boiling water on the stove. She was making spaghetti for dinner time, and she figured that she might as well give him food before she broke his heart into a million pieces.
  • "Come on, you have to tell me more. What prompted this decision? I thought our talk the last time would have made you change your mind or how it will affect our relationship."
  • "And how will it affect our relationship, Ross?" Lisa muttered.
  • Ross's eyes narrowed. "Do I have to spell it out?
  • You're still clearly holding out on me about today's meeting, and it's driving me crazy!" Lisa hesitated and then clamped her lips shut. She couldn't tell him about the contract. Or anything about her meeting with Mason. If she was going to agree to this, and apparently, she was giving it serious consideration, she didn't want the details of her private life with Mason to be known to her boyfriend.
  • "He offered me a job and that's it," Lisa said.
  • Ross's eyes widened. "And why does he want you to work for him?" Yeah, it sounded pretty lame to Lisa too, but she wasn't saying a word about that damn contract.
  • "He thinks I'm wasting my talents doing nothing and he said I was qualified for the position."