9. Mason

NINE

Mason

There's a knock on the door right when I expect it, and I head over to let Bridget in.

"Mia! Bridget's here!" I call out, and within seconds, I can hear the pitter-patter of her little footsteps rushing to the door.

I'm glad she's here a bit early today, too. I have a number of things that need to get sorted at the office for the renovations I'm doing to the newly acquired lodge, and getting a headstart on them could mean I'm not home so late this time.

Reaching for the door, I start thanking Bridget for coming early before I even see her.

"Bridget, thank you so much. I need to head into the?—"

Hudson is standing on my porch, and even though I see Bridget there, I'm surprised to see my buddy at the door today.

He's been waving from the car before heading to his own job since he started bringing Bridget here to watch Mia.

Why is he gracing me with a face-to-face now?

"Hey, buddy. Something I can help you with?" I cock a brow at Hudson and notice Bridget smiling out of the corner of my eye.

She steps forward, slipping past me to go inside, and I turn long enough to see Mia run into Bridget's arms. Bridget carries Mia to the stairs, likely going up to her room.

"Yes, actually. Mind if I come in?"

Turning back to Hudson, I shake myself back into focus and nod. "Sure. What's up?"

Hudson steps in, going to the kitchen and leaning on the tall marble countertops with a sigh.

"I'm afraid your buddy overpromised, and I really can't afford to underdeliver."

Cracking a bit of a grin as I roll my eyes, I walk to the other side of the counter, standing across from Hudson as I fold my arms over my chest.

"Explain."

Raking his hand through his hair, Hudson stands up again, taking a deep breath as he leans back.

"The boss asked me to host a work function. Which, you know, is great and wouldn't usually be a problem if it were just for the local office. But this time, he's inviting the entire regional team. He doesn't want to use an event hall, either. He wants it ‘comfortable, a relaxed get-together.' His words."

My head naturally tilts to the side as I realize what Hudson is asking. He wants to use my house for the event. I know that the home he shares with Meredith isn't massive, and I'm the one boasting the enormous backyard.

Still, I can't help but be annoyed on Hudson's behalf. His boss is asking for about eighty people to gather in a house for a "little shindig." That's way too many investors in one place if he's trying to keep it chill.

"So, you want to…?"

I let the question hang, somehow hoping that Hudson would say something else and surprise me yet again.

"Use your huge backyard to host the party? Yes." He raises his brows, making that damn puppy-dog face I've seen him use on his mother. "Would you be so kind as to let your oldest and dearest friend use your facilities for a work event that he never wanted to plan in the first place?"

"Hudson," I level him with a stare, "we're talking like eighty-some people, right? That's way too many people for a house party."

"I'm aware the headcount is too high. I'm working on cutting some of the departments that won't want to travel this far for some work event, but you know how it is. Please?"

Hudson is laying it on thick, and before I know it, he's on his knees in front of me, actually begging with his hands clasped together at his chest.

"I swear, if you do this for me, I'll owe you for anything you want. No questions asked. Whatever you need. Please, Mason. You're my only hope."

I roll my eyes. It's a familiar move of Hudson's to quote Star Wars , but dammit, it's working. I can't leave him hanging when his actual job is at stake.

"Fucking hell, man. Get up." I help pull Hudson to his feet. "Okay, okay. You can use my place, but you better pay out the ass for a cleanup crew. And no smoking. It's a damn fire hazard."

Hudson nods emphatically, shaking my hand like I've just struck a deal with the devil.

"Of course. Totally. The place will be spotless. Like we never had a party." He smiles, quickly moving away as he says, "So great. This weekend, then. I'll give the caterers and event people your address."

"This weekend?!" My brows shoot to my hairline. "Well, thanks for the notice, asshole. How am I supposed to find a place for Mia to stay in less than a week?"

"I know, I know. I mean, Bridget is around, and you know that Mia is more than welcome to stay with Xaden and his kid, Daisy. That's where I'll be sending Juniper for the evening. So he'll be right next door, and so would Mia if you wanted."

A heavy sigh leaves me, and I nod. "Well, I guess…fuck. Okay. At least I won't be sticking her with a complete stranger. And Xaden's helped before. Still, why aren't you asking to use his house for your little party?"

"Xaden volunteered to watch Juniper before I could, and I did need somewhere for him to go, so…"

"Ugh, all right, all right. Juniper, Mia, and Daisy will be over at Xaden's. They'll have a blast."

Hudson sags with relief.

"You are a lifesaver, Mason. I swear. I'll have all the information sent over to you so that you can look at it, too." Hudson glances at the clock. "But hey, I need to go. Another big meeting at the office. We'll talk soon, okay?"

Work is calling for the both of us so I just offer him a quick shake as I clap him on the shoulder.

"Big time, my friend. You owe me big time."

He grins, the guilt showing through, and makes for the door. "I do! Anything you need. As long as it's after the party."

Hudson is out in a flash, and then I'm standing in the kitchen alone. I hang my head, exhaling long and hard as I scrub my hand over my face.

"You okay? I know Hudson sprung that on you pretty fast."

I turn around to see Bridget coming down from Mia's room. She offers me a sympathetic smile, and I can't help but take in how she looks in those little jean shorts.

The hems are frayed, likely on purpose, and the smooth skin of her thighs is on full display.

There's nothing special about the outfit she's wearing, just another shorts and tank day to deal with the rising temperatures. But for several moments, I can't pry my eyes off her.

Stop this, Mason. Come on.

I swallow hard, trying to ignore this feeling I've been struggling with for days now, and it's not working.

It's just… her. Bridget looks like that same girl I knew five years ago, and my stupid emotions are getting the better of me just like they did then.

Bridget walks over to me at the kitchen counter, offering a quick pat on the shoulder before she circles the island and heads to the sink.

My empty travel mug is still sitting next to the coffee maker, and she pours the liquid inside for me, humming to herself.

After all this time, she still has such a lovely voice.

Plus, Bridget's always on her toes about getting me set to leave, and I swear her attention to detail just makes her that much more attractive.

I clear my throat, remembering that she actually asked me something. "I'm fine. Can't say I'm looking forward to this, but…Hudson's my best friend. If I can help the guy, then I will."

Turning around as she screws the lid on my mug, Bridget meets my eyes with a smile.

"You're a good guy, Mason. And I know Hudson was really panicking about asking. He was jabbering nonstop in the car. And sorry about running a little later. Mom's grocery delivery came, and I had to help her put it away."

Laughing lightly, I walk toward Bridget to snag the to-go cup and start making my way into the office.

"Oh, is Saul still dragging those things around? I use him, too, but I really wish the poor guy would just retire."

Bridget rolls her eyes with a nod. "I know, right? The man is like ninety-two."

I need to be going as well, and as per usual, spending too much time around Bridget has my entire body thrumming with pent-up energy.

But as I get there, Bridget reaches for the mug at the same moment I do and we collide with each other.

"Oof," she yelps, her eyes wide. "Shit! Did I get any on you?"

She's looking me over for spilled coffee, her hands traveling over the length of my shirt as she searches for stains.

Setting the mug down on the counter, I grab her hands, stilling her frantic movements.

"Bridget, I'm fine. The lid was on. All good."

Stilling, Bridget looks up at me with a crooked smile. Her cheeks swell with a deep pink color as I hold her there, and then I do something so fucking stupid.

Our bodies are inches apart as I guide Bridget's hands to the counter behind her. The position forces her chest forward, her breasts pressing against me.

I note the slight tremble of Bridget's hands, and her lips part ever so slightly.

Releasing her hands, I frame Bridget between my arms as I tower over her. She's trapped between me and the counter, and my erection strains behind my slacks.

Fucking hell, this is bad. I need to get out of here.

But even as I tell myself to leave, I don't move. I'm frozen there, staring down into Bridget's beautiful blue eyes.

"You know I really don't like the brown. Why'd you change it?"

"I…"

Bridget doesn't offer anything more, and this nagging part of me that finds it impossible to resist her peaks.

"Cat got your tongue, Songbird?"

I'm leaning over her before I realize it, hovering closer and closer as my brain fills with images of Bridget splayed out on the counter like the finest meal.

Bridget's breaths shudder in and out of her, and I can smell her sweet perfume this close. I'm out of my mind for doing this, and my logical brain is screaming at me to pull up.

I'm enraptured, though. It's like Bridget has cast a spell on me, and it's useless to fight the sway she has over me.

The rough scrape of my zipper across my cock is nearly enough to stop me in my tracks, but then Bridget has to go and whimper lightly.

That sound is too fucking good, and I lower my mouth to the shell of her ear, whispering.

"Do you know how difficult it is to have you here, Bridget? How hard it is to watch you every day looking so damned beautiful? Every day, I have to fight the urge to?—"

My words are cut short when I'm unable to bring myself to say them.

"You're driving me crazy, Songbird."

I'm not sure what I expect Bridget to say or do, but whatever I could have guessed, it's nothing like what she offers.

Bridget's eyes darken, her stare going lidded. There's the tiniest tilt of her head as her brow ticks up, and I can almost make out a smirk touching the corner of her mouth.

Fucking hell. Was that a challenge?

I'm moving before I can think better of it, my mouth closing the distance between us until my lips ghost over hers.

"No go to work! No Daddy go!"

Mia's voice breaks the spell, and I yank myself away from Bridget before she can get into the kitchen and see how close we're standing.

I see Bridget sag against the counter out of the corner of my eye as I scoop Mia up into my arms.

That was way too close.

Smiling down at Mia, I kiss the top of her head. "Honey, I need to go to work, but Bridget will be here with you until I get back. You love hanging out with Bridget. Yeah?"

Mia frowns, her little lips pouting.

"Yeah?"

She whines slightly but then offers a quiet "yeah."

"That's my girl. Be good for Bridget, and I'll be back this afternoon, okay?"

The floor creaks as Bridget comes up behind me, and I hand Mia off to her like we've done the past few days.

I know Mia fusses for a while after I leave, but Bridget says she calms down quickly. Which really should be my only concern.

"Come here, sweetie. Daddy will be back very soon. We'll have lots of fun—just you and me."

I have to tear my eyes away from the two of them, so I go for my coffee. Seeing them together is both a slap of reality and too tempting.

Bridget looks too damn good with Mia in her arms, and it's just…

It's not happening, is what. Pull yourself together, Mason.

Giving Mia another kiss on the head, I snag my briefcase from the table near the door and head out to my car.

"I love you, hun. I'll see you later," I call out over my shoulder, unable to bring myself to look back at them.

As I cross the short distance to my car, I sigh. That was not a good idea. I was doing so good, restraining myself, and now this?

"Ugh."

I yank the car door open and take my seat behind the steering wheel. My coffee goes in the cupholder, and I toss my bag on the passenger seat.

Staring out through the windshield, I glare at the front door like it's responsible for my predicament.

It's not, of course, and I don't feel any better for giving it the stink eye.

I give the push button start a firm press, letting my head fall to the steering wheel as I curse.

After a moment, I lift my head only to slam my fist down onto the thing, the radio playing some too-happy tune in the background.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" I look at my eyes in the rearview mirror. "You need to pull your shit together, Mason. You got that? No more. No more close calls. No more near misses. You let that shit go."

A rough sigh escapes me, and I hang my head as I grip the shifter and maneuver it into reverse.

I know exactly what I need to do. Still, I'm not sure if I can anymore. Every day with Bridget, it gets harder and harder to keep myself away.

I know it's not her fault, and she needs the money, so I don't want to look for a new nanny.

Unfortunately, it might be inevitable if I can't get ahold of myself.

"Come on, Mason. It's just a high school crush. You're a grown man, and you do not still love her."

Maybe if I say it enough, it'll be true.