Page 114 of Game Plan

“Still want me to touch you?” Mason asked after a beat.

“I want much more than that with you, Mase. A whole lot more.”

We kissed for a beat longer.

“Mase, take me home with you.”

He pulled back. “You sure?”

“Not sure I’m ready to do everything tonight, but I want us to sleep in each other’s arms. For real this time. No clothes in the way. If it’s okay with you.”

“Okay with me?”

I nodded, worrying my bottom lip.

His face lit up. “If it were just up to me, Mel, I would never let you out of my sight for the rest of time.”

I buried my face in his chest, getting drunk on his scent, driftwood and pine, as we stayed still for a long minute.

“We should clean up,” I said.

“Nah, I have a team for that.”

“Who?”

He snorted. “My brother and Bailey. They said they’d be on call.”

“You thought of everything, didn’t you?”

“Who can blame me? I had six years to plan the perfect date.”

30

You’ll be the death of me, but it will have been worth every second

It turned out that dating Mason Pierce was everything I wished it to be and so much more. Since the night of our first date almost a week ago, we’d been inseparable. He’d even come to cheer me on during swimming practice two days ago. Our busy schedules were often conflicted, but so far, we’d made it work.

Tonight, after my shift at Lola’s, I was spending the night at his place for the third time since we had officially become an item. I had packed a bag earlier, and he would pick me up later. Tonight felt more official than any of the other nights we’d spent together so far, because I had a goal. Sleeping in Mason’s arms and kissing him senseless had been fun, but I was ready for more. So far, he had put a stop to our make-out sessions every time things got too heated between us.

I knew he wanted us to go slow, but this had become sweet torture. Lately, I had transformed into a ball of needs—needs that had to be quenched. Only Mason Pierce possessed what I craved, and I was done denying myself.

Most nights, we kissed and explored each other’s bodies with our hands and lips. Mason was knowledgeable in the sex department, while I had very limited experience. Parts of me wondered if what had gone down with Nathan Bellevue back in high school—when Mason had walked in on us and prevented me from getting assaulted—had something to do with the blockages I experienced every time I’d almost had sex afterward. I feared it had made me raise walls around me that no guy had broken through so far. I wanted to be done with it. Mason had always possessed a special key to my heart, and somehow, it felt right to let him in.

We’d talked about it multiple times, and I’d decided tonight should be the night—the one where I let go and trusted him with more than just my heart. Inside, I was a nervous wreck, though. Outside, I hoped I was projecting confidence and enough nonchalance.

I closed all the tabs at the pub, counted my tips, hung my apron in my locker, and grabbed my overnight bag. Entering the dining area, I noticed Mason deep in conversation with George. My boss loved and respected my boyfriend a lot, even after Mason had butted heads with him the night we first kissed. Especially after that.

“Ready to go?” Mason asked when I wound an arm around his middle and snuggled against him.

“Yes.”

“See you later, George,” he said before leading me away and kissing me on the sidewalk as if it were the last time. He took my bag from my grip and hauled it over his shoulder. “Still coming to my place?”

I nodded, and we made the trek toward his home.

“If you prefer I drive you to the dorms, we can grab food and watch a movie or do something else. I don’t want you to feel like we always have to go to my place.”

I smiled. When Mason acted all caring and stuff, I wanted to rip the clothes off his body and let him do to me everything I’d pictured in my dreams. There was just something about him I couldn’t resist.