Page 27 of Mason

Mason steps toward me. “That’s not the case.”

I drop my hands to my sides, leaving myself open and vulnerable. My gaze drops to the floor, but he cups my chin with two fingers and lifts my face so that our eyes meet. I’m trapped beneath them, mesmerized by the intensity of his stare. “You are unlike any woman I have ever known, Liv.”

My hands tremble. “Just stop. I can’t, Mason.”

“Give me a chance to prove that to you.”

The flutter in my stomach inches up my throat. Mason takes my silence as permission, and pulls me close to his chest. His mouth hovers over mine, leaving me breathless, speechless. He kisses me, tender at first, our lips barely touching. And then he carefully pries them apart with his tongue.

I breathe in a gasp, and reach up to grab the nape of his neck. His hand winds through my hair and pulls me close. Impossibly close. I swear I can feel his heart beating against mine, steady.

My belly twists into knots.

His mouth devours mine, and with each passing second, the last of my defenses begin to erode. I’m aware we’re making a scene in the airport, but I don’t care. For these seconds, I pretend it’s just us. The world around fading into the background.

When at last our mouths part, I press my finger to my swollen lips.

“Just give me a chance to prove it,” he says again, whispering. Somehow this time I believe him, cling to the hope that he isn’t just feeding me a line. “I can’t explain it right now, but if you can just try to trust me.” He swallows. “I need some time.”

Time. Such a vague measurement, undefined and abstract. Endless. My mother’s voice niggles at the back of my mind, but the voice of reason is drowned out by desire. I want Mason. And I can’t resist him right now, not when he’s telling me exactly what I’d hoped to hear.

And maybe that’s weak or wrong—but for now, it’s enough.

“Fine,” I say, lifting my head to look up at him through hooded lashes. “I won’t quit my job. And I’ll give you space, time. But I can’t wait forever for this proof.”

His shoulders relax. “Good,” he says, his eyes darkening with desire as he stares at me.

“But I won’t stay here,” I say, forcing myself to stand firm. On this, I’m not willing to budge. “Not after hearing what your partners think of me, the things they said.” I swallow hard against the painful memory. “I won’t allow myself to be treated like that by them.”

Maybe in time I’ll be able to face them.

Not here. Not now. If Mason won’t accept that, I’ll have no choice but to get on that plane.

Mason kisses my cheek. “I agree to those terms. We’ll leave immediately.”

Surprised, I tilt my head. “Just like that?”

“Just like that.” He takes out his cell phone and quickly dials a number. My stomach clenches as it rings. “Lucas,” he says, his tone curt. “You and Holden will need to finish up meetings without me.” There’s a beat of silence, and then. “Something’s come up. I’ll be going back to the city immediately.”

There’s another long pause—and I can only imagine what’s being said—and then he hangs up. I search his face for regret, but his eyes twinkle with mischief instead. He loops his arm through mine and grins. “Shall we get out of here, Miss Landers?”

I have to laugh, despite or maybe even because of the craziness of it all. “Why, Mr. Wood, I thought you’d never ask.”

Chapter 16

I’ve always thought that New York City has one of the most beautiful skylines in the world. Through the small plane windows, the skyscrapers stretch into the sunset-filled sky, tips so high I’m sure they’ll clip our wings.

Mason stretches out on the leather sofa, calm even as we begin our sharp descent. “Come to my place tonight,” he says.

My stomach does a slow flip. Somewhere in the middle of those buildings below, my sister is making herself at home in my apartment. “I should…”

He cuts me off with a lazy grin that almost stops my heart. “Your sister can wait another day.” He lifts an eyebrow. “You did tell her you were on a business trip, right?”

Actually, I’ve left most of the details about this retreat to myself, still unsure how to explain it. No matter how I phrase the words, Renee will read the subtext, and she will be relentless in her pursuit of the truth. But he’s right—she isn’t expecting me home yet. “I guess I could stay one night…”

Mason’s grin widens. “I’m glad you have the strength to suffer a few more hours in my presence.”

“The sacrifices I’m willing to make for this company.”