Chapter 12

"Thank you."

As Mason stepped out of the Uber behind me, I assessed him, confused. What was he thanking me for? He'd insisted on paying for the rideshare as well as admittance to the zoo.

"I was frustrated about not being able to work out and about still being on IR." He shrugged. "But I had a good time today. Just being with you took my mind off what I can't do."

"Yeah, it was fun." It had felt like a date. Hell, it had been better than any date I'd ever been on. Yet it wasn't one. For days, I'd been fighting the pull between us. I'd been tense and guarded, which had made it hard to enjoy hanging out with him. But at some point today, all those worries had slipped away.

As we headed to the entrance of his building, he rested a hand on the small of my back. Though I knew I should, I didn't push it away. The warmth of his palm soaked into me, making heat curl in my core. His pine scent only amplified the dangerous feelings I was having toward him.

I was lost in thoughts of Mason when a flash of gray caught my eye and forced me to focus on my surroundings. When I did, my heart leaped into my throat, and I jumped back. Because there was a bird headed straight for us. I collided with a wall of muscle, tucking my head into his chest, and squeezed him and the stuffed puffin with all my strength.

"It's just a pigeon," Mason mumbled into my hair, looping an arm around me fully. "But don't worry, I've got you."

His deep voice rumbled through me, causing me to shiver. Slowly, I looked up, only to find him already watching me. His gaze burned into me, and my skin heated under his scrutiny. Without breaking eye contact, he tilted forward, bringing his face closer to mine. And I couldn't pull away. Didn't want to. But…

"You know we can't do this," I whispered when his mouth was so close I could practically taste him.

"Maybe we shouldn't," he said, his breath rushing over my lips, "but I need to kiss you more than I need my next breath."

The heat in his eyes burned bright, and the world around us disappeared. He cupped my face in both hands and continued what he'd started, moving in closer and pressing his mouth to mine.

On contact, I brought a hand to his pec, and a deep sigh escaped me. As if something I'd been missing had finally returned to me. He licked at the seam of my lips, and when I opened for him, his tongue darted in, stroking my own, and I melted into his embrace.

Mason growled as he pulled back, almost like he hated that he had to. "Inside," he whispered, his chest rumbling under my palm.

"Yeah." I nodded, still dazed. Though I was alert enough to realize that we shouldn't be doing this on the sidewalk in broad daylight.

He turned me, the move dislodging my puffin, but he caught it in midair. Then, with one hand on the stuffed bird and one hand low on my back, he led me into the building. He only gave the valet a quick nod as he rushed me onto the elevator. The second the silver doors slid shut behind us, he yanked me into the hard plane of his chest and slammed his lips to mine in a bruising kiss. The groan that reverberated through him as he took the kiss deeper sent a shiver racing down my spine.

Digging his fingers into my hips tightly, he backed me up against the wall. And as the feeling of the cool stainless steel at my back warred with the heat of him at my front, I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer. He skated his hands down my sides, then cupped my ass and lifted me so I could wrap my legs around him. His tongue tangled with mine as he explored every inch of my mouth. Whimpering, I tightened my hold on his neck, needing him closer. But instead of obeying, he pulled back suddenly.

I blinked, and my stomach sank. Was he putting a stop to this? After I'd finally given in? But then I realized the door behind him was open. Oh. With a deep breath in, I dropped my legs from around his waist. Begrudgingly, he released me. Though once we'd stepped into the hall, that hand was on the small of my back again.

He groaned from behind me as we moved down the hall, the sound making heat pool low in my belly.

"We need a bed," he mumbled, adding to the desire already taking over.

When I glanced over my shoulder, his focus was locked on my ass.

But as he opened the door to his apartment, questions swirled in his green irises.

He was giving me a chance to tell him he was being presumptuous. But I wanted this as much as he did.

"I've waited eleven years for this." He ran his tongue across his lower lip, studying my face. "But if you're not sure…"

I stepped forward, pressing a palm to his chest. "I'm sure." Popping up on my toes, I brushed my lips against the rough skin of his neck.

The shudder that worked its way through him filled me with a sense of power. Knowing I could make this man shiver gave my confidence a huge boost.

Keeping my lips against his skin, I said, "I want you."

His pulse pounded below my lips.

"Badly," I whispered.

His groan vibrated through me, and in a heartbeat, I was backed against the closed door, with his arms braced on either side of my head.

His lips were a breath away from mine, but he didn't close the distance. "Oh, I intend to give you everything you want, baby. But be prepared, because I'm going to take my time with you." He examined every inch of my face, then perused my body as well. Each flick of his eyes felt like a promise of what was to come. "I want to taste every part of you. Fuck, I've wanted this body for years."

"Good." A smile curved my lips in response to the need in his voice.

I ran my hands through his hair as his skimmed down my sides and bit into my ass with a pain that was so full of pleasure, it pulled a moan from deep within me. He lifted me like that and carried me toward his bedroom. His mouth was on mine again in another desperate kiss that I couldn't get enough of. But then I was falling. My stomach flipped just as I landed on his soft mattress.

Running my tongue over my bottom lip, I propped myself up on my elbows and watched as he toed off his shoes and pulled his T-shirt over his head.

God, he was gorgeous. I soaked in the view of his broad shoulders and the expanse of lean, tanned muscle. I swallowed hard, itching to touch him.

In quick movements, he tugged his shorts and boxers off, and when his cock sprang free, the heat simmering low in my core ignited. Chest heaving suddenly, I sat up and tugged at the hem of my shirt. Because, while Mason was utterly naked, I was still fully clothed.

He moved in close and gently pushed my hands away. "No. Let me."

Obediently, I dropped my hands to the bed. Mason leaned over me, his fingers brushing the sensitive skin of my stomach as he lifted my shirt over my head. My heart rate picked up as his heated stare burned into me again. When my shirt had hit the floor, he slid his hands down my back and unhooked my bra, sending shivers of anticipation down my spine.

He pulled back, taking my bra with him, and when my breasts fell free, the way he looked at me had my cheeks heating.

"You are so damn beautiful." He tilted forward again, kissing the corner of my mouth. "So perfect." He worked his way down the column of my throat, then down my chest, his tongue tracing the curve of my breast.

He was teasing me, exploring me with his mouth. He moved lower, letting his tongue explore my belly before pulling my shorts and thong down my legs. When I was bare before him, his eyes blazed with that deep green I was quickly becoming addicted to all over again.

"Need you, Mason." We'd lost our chance at this eleven years ago, and now the need between us was stifling.

He slipped his hands under my knees and gave a quick tug, sending me falling back onto the mattress. Then he dragged his nose along my inner thigh, the move making me buck and moan. He stopped and pressed a kiss close to where I needed him most.

"I need to taste you." His tone was low, dark, desperate.

I shivered in response, wanting everything he was offering. But right now, what I needed most was to feel him. "I need you inside me."

He swiped his tongue along my center, teasing.

I whimpered and writhed. "Please."

"Since you asked so nicely." With a grin, he pushed to his feet. Then he opened his nightstand drawer and pulled out a condom. "But next time, I'm getting my mouth on you first."

He rolled the condom on and climbed on the bed between my legs. With one hand planted on the mattress beside my shoulder, he hovered over me, toying with me, swiping his tip up and down and coating himself in my wetness.

I hooked my legs around his waist and dug my heels into those divots of muscle right above his ass, forcing him closer. "Okay."

Jaw tense, he locked eyes with me and dipped his head a little closer. "You're sure?"

I nodded. "I'm sure." I'd never been more sure of anything in my whole life.

He entered me in one long thrust, filling me perfectly and forcing a scream from my throat.

As if he was thinking the same thing, he let out a muttered curse and gritted out, "Perfect. So perfect."

I cupped his stubbled cheek and tilted my hips, urging him on. In response, he leaned forward and molded his lips to mine. Then, as he deepened the kiss, he started to move. With each thrust, pressure built low in my belly.

Digging my fingers into the flesh of his shoulders, I matched his movements, lifting my hips to meet his. My core tightened, and the low burning heat inside me ramped up to full-fledged flames.

He picked up his pace, thrusting faster, harder, his cock hitting that spot inside me over and over. A flick of Mason's thumb across my clit, and pleasure ripped through my body, sensation after sensation shooting through me.

I was still lost in the high of my orgasm when Mason came with my name on his lips. As we came back down together, he collapsed on top of me. For a moment, he stayed like that, but as I sucked in one deep breath, then another, he rolled to his side, taking me with him. My chest heaved as I focused on regulating my breathing.

Mason pressed his lips to my temple. Then he pushed to his feet and smiled down at me. "Be right back."

I nodded, mimicking his smile, but my heart was already aching and my stomach was already sinking. Because what we'd just done couldn't happen again. God, did I want it to, but I couldn't work for the team and be with him. Even if we both wanted it. There were rules against that.

When he came back into the bedroom, he pulled me up and looped his arms around me, holding me close. "What's wrong?" he asked, pressing a kiss to my nose.

I swallowed hard and averted my gaze. "We can't do this again." I hated to say the words out loud. I very much wanted more time with Mason—more teasing, more laughing, more talking and touching—but we couldn't.

"Why not?" He pulled back, his brows pulled low and frustration simmering in his expression.

"We can't both work for the Revs and be together. It's not allowed." I sighed and lowered my head. "I can't lose my job, Mason."

"Hey." He slipped two fingers under my chin and tipped my face up so I was forced to look at him. "I would never let that happen." His look of intense earnestness made me want to believe his declaration. But the truth of the matter was that it wasn't really within his control.

He guided me back to the bed and wrapped an arm around me. As he rubbed small, soothing circles on my stomach, I stared at the ceiling.

If it came down to it, he brought in the fans. The Revs had sold more Dumpty jerseys than any other Rev this year. No one would get rid of that guy. They were franchise players. The guy management would bend over backward to keep because he was the kind of player who would retire with his number on a wall.

I looked over at Mason. That's exactly who he was.

And I was the brand-new trainer who could be replaced in a heartbeat.

He could dream all he wanted, but when push came to shove, my job was the one on the line.

Was I willing to give it up for him? I hated that I didn't know.