Chapter 7

Chapter Seven

Mason

I stop myself from dipping my head and taking a taste of those plump, rosy-peach-colored lips. I plant a peck on the top of her head to satiate the need to devour her mouth. Not the same, but that'll have to do for the foreseeable future—or forever.

We're friends. She doesn't need a man like me.

Ainsley has had a rough life. She faced demons and fought battles that made her a strong woman. She's a warrior who needs someone stable. A rock, a family man. Not me. But that doesn't stop me from wanting to spend at least a few hours with her. It's been so long.

Too long.

If I can only have one more moment with her before I go back to my life, I'll take it.

"Reed," I call out to the owner of Silver Moon. "I'll send you a quote no later than tomorrow with what you asked for."

"Do you want anything to drink?" Reed questions again as he wipes a glass with a white towel. "It's on the house."

"Nah, I'm heading somewhere more private." I tilt my head to where Ainse stands. "Maybe grab some dinner."

"You're fast," he chuckles, eyeing Nine. "Never seen a girl picked up this quick—or snatched from a Decker."

"She's a friend, Chris's daughter," I say with a warning. "Jacob is staying. Make sure to text me when he leaves, please. If he's drunk, take away his keys. I'll give you a discount for that."

Jacob has his periods, and right now, he's at the point of drinking until he passes out or fucks as many girls as he can. Women who don't give a shit about the poor man. From what I remember, it should end in a couple of weeks, but babysitting him is a pain in the ass.

"You sure you don't want to stay?" Ainse sucks her lip, unsure of why I want to head out.

In another life, I'd change everything just to be with her. If I was a different man and the circumstances were different, what would I need to have to be enough for her? A different set of parents and upbringing?

"Nah, as I said. There's nothing better I want to do than catch up with you."

I could think of at least three things.

Kiss her.

Fuck her.

Love her.

And though I'm tempted to at least do two of them, I won't.

Her big, green eyes grow two sizes and brighten. I guess I said the right thing. The words made her happy, or whatever she is now. And my heart pulses faster because I get a weird high when I see her smile.

Fuck me, this is not what I need. But it's so hard to fight the pull between us. The invisible thread that ties our souls. I could deny it all I want, but I'll just be fucking myself. Earlier, when she entered the room, I felt her. It's like part of what I was missing reappeared. I felt whole.

I'm whole.

Exiting the room, I place a hand against the small of her back and walk close to her. I tell myself that I'm protecting her from the crowd. I know better. I'm doing it so every man who looks at her knows she's off-limits.

Yes, off-limits for you, too, I remind myself.

We reach my car. I open the passenger door and close it behind her when my phone buzzes.

Jacob Decker: Dude, I saw that. She's my sister. Keep your big paws away from her.

Bradley: I'm just driving her home.

I refrain from snapping at him. Has he forgotten that he let Porter Kendrick fuck with her mind for years? To this day, I regret not being close so I could see what was happening to her. I failed her then, but I won't fail her again.

If there's something I'll never do, it's hurt Ainsley.I'd shoot myself before hurting her at all.

Jacob Decker: You hurt her, and I'll hire someone to dump your ass in Antarctica.

Bradley: That's rich coming from you. Later, asshole.

I open the door to my old SUV and help her climb in. It has oversized tires that make it taller. I changed the entire chassis a few years back. Matt and I did our cars. It's easier to take the vehicles off the road. They're great for camping. Without a word, I pull out of my parking spot. It's not until we've driven two blocks when I ask, "Where do you want to go?"

"Huh?" The tone of her voice when she's confused is adorable as fuck.

"Do you want to dine in or take out?"

If given a choice, I'd say let's go to your house. Which is a bad idea. The two of us alone in a home could end up in at least a hot kiss or… well, me spending the night in her bed, naked.

"I'm boring when it comes to food," she says with disdain. "But I can be fun overall."

Fuck me, that sultry voice is not helping with my resolution of staying away from her. I glance over, and the smirk on her face and the image of having fun with her hit my groin. I slightly swerve the wheel, taking control within seconds. Damn, I shouldn't have come to Seattle.

This woman is going to kill me, slowly, with lust.

Or can I just fuck her out of my system?