“Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Mason.” She slid her hand away from his, but that coy little smile had his dick twitching…and his name on her lips? Damn, he fucking loved that.
“Pleasure’s my specialty.” He winked at her before walking away and snatching his glass from the table. “I’m not sure where your friend’s at Shelby—can I call you Shelby?” She moved toward the couch.
“Please.” She nodded and sat.
“Good. As I was saying, I’m not sure where your friend is, but you’re more than welcome to stay here at my place. It came furnished, but I’ll be replacing a lot of it.”
Her playful facade fell briefly. “This is yours?” She glanced around, almost nervously.
“Mmm-hmm.”
He was fairly certain she knew his net worth. That information had to have been in one of the government files she studied, but reading it on paper and seeing it in real life were two different things.
She seemed to compose herself and shrugged. “My family owned a garage, so it’s sorta the same thing.”
“Ah yes, I met Axle. Nice fellow.” He took a sip of his drink, which was mainly water from the melted ice. “Told me how skilled he was at torture and hiding bodies.”
“Oh, I’m sure he did.” She rolled her eyes. “Although, he failed to tell me about that.”
“He seems the type to have lots of secrets.”
“He’s a SEAL. Comes with the territory. Although, maybe that’s just something that runs in the family,” she said, trailing off as she glanced around the room again.
He knew what she was getting at, but old secrets needed to stay where they were. In the past.
Mason walked away, letting her look her fill and giving her a moment to take it all in. “Would you like a glass of Scotch? I’m sorry, I don’t have any wine or beer,” he asked over his shoulder before heading into the kitchen.
“I’ve never had Scotch, but I’ll have one if you’re having one. You can experience my first time.”
He chuckled at her innuendo as he grabbed another glass, put ice in both, and poured two fingers in each. “I’m honored to be your first,” he said as he walked back into the living room, stopping dead in his tracks.
Shelby stood by the couch minus her clothes. Completely naked.
“What if I want you to be my only?” she asked softly, humor gone. He swallowed passed the tightness in his throat and made his way back to her. He placed the glasses on the table and cupped her face with both of his hands.
“You have me, Shelby. You already have me.” He kissed her then because her lips were too tempting not to.
She squirmed closer to him, rubbing her deliciously nude body against his, making him regret the barrier of clothing he still wore.
He’d soon fix that.
Mason bent and lifted her into his arms. They needed a bed, and he was grateful he hadn’t purchased a mansion with a lot of stairs. The master bedroom was just down the hall, facing the ocean. His lips never left hers as he made his way to the bedroom while still holding her to his chest. He gently placed her on the bed and stood back, quickly shucking his clothes. When he’d finished, he crawled up beside her and rested his head in his hand while his free one explored her body. She trembled at his touch, and he loved that she was so responsive to him. It made him want to wring out other responses from her, too.
“Hands above your head,” he softly ordered.
Her gaze darted to him before she complied.
He trailed the tip of a finger along the curve of her breast. She sucked in a breath, arching into the touch.
“I want to play with you, Shelby. Will you let me?”
He watched her swallow. “Yes, Maso—Master.”
His hand stilled, and he looked at her. “No, Shelby,” he gently corrected. “You were right the first time. I like hearing my name on your lips. I want you to say it freely in and out of the bedroom.”
She frowned, and he resisted smoothing the wrinkle between her brows—just barely.
“I don’t understand,” she finally said.
He smiled ruefully at her. “Me either, pet. I’ve always expected the respect that title affords me, but you…you’re different. I’ve never allowed another sub to call me by my first name, but you’re not like anybody else.”
She nodded slowly, but he saw the wheels turning as she thought it over. “But you call other subs pet and the other Masters at the club sometime called me that. Shouldn’t I get a title from you that makes me stand out above the others?”
He leaned down and kissed her softly, thrilled with her train of thought. He’d love for her to be singled out among all the subs at the club. He just wasn’t sure how she felt about all of that. Yes, she’d come to him, and she’d implied she only wanted him, but they had yet to talk about everything. He would have engaged in that much-needed conversation in the living room if she hadn’t taken her clothes off first.
He’d just have to concentrate harder to get the details out now, he thought as he reluctantly ended their kiss.
“That depends on how much you want from me, Shelby,” he said, and kissed the top of her head, unable to keep his lips off her. “I know you wouldn’t be here if you didn’t want me to a degree. I’m okay taking things as slow as necessary until you’re—”
She reached up and silenced him with the tips of her fingers. “I love you, Mason. I have for a while. I would’ve told you that day you came to my apartment, but you told me to take some time to think. I’ve done what you’ve asked, and it doesn’t change what’s inside my heart.”
“Shelby,” he breathed, taking her mouth with the force
