Chapter 9

Leah

I have no clue what I’m doing with this man. Or what he’s doing with me. This is beyond weird, right?

Why would a man like Mason Finch tag along with his housecleaner? The cut on my hand isn’t that bad. I think we both overreacted about it. If he’s feeling guilty for my accident, that would be silly. He owes me nothing. And I’m sure he’s busy, so why waste time with me cleaning?

Staring at the dashboard to his Maserati Ghibli, I’m suddenly at a loss for words. The audiobook is still playing in our ears, not that I’ve heard a single word of it since we got on the road after lunch. I can’t concentrate anymore.

Stealing a glance at Mason, I fall into a trance.

His profile is beautiful. Sharp angles, bold features—He looks like a Greek god. Jet black hair, dreamy eyes, perfectly sloped nose, sexy mouth, clean-shaven face, and stupidly sharp jaw line. He’s main character energy all the way.

Ugh. Why do the worst ideas have the best jawlines?

Mason hasn’t noticed me staring at him, so I don’t stop. His broad shoulders fill out his button-down shirt nicely. His black suit pants hug his thick thighs, and that Rolex makes his skin look extra tan.

He looks like a mafia boss.

A billionaire boss man.

A luxury I can’t afford.

Dropping my gaze to my lap, I’m painfully aware that I do not match his caliber of sophistication. I’m in a stupid Yankees shirt and cotton shorts that have a hole in one pocket and stains all over them. My black Converse have faded from years of use and I’m missing a gromet on one of the lace holes. I know in reality we’re both from the same planet and put our pants on the same way in the morning, but…

We’re not the same.

At all.

What is he trying to get out of this?

Is it foolish to think he’s as attracted to me as I am to him?

Being a camgirl has jaded me. Many men only have the capacity to think with one head at a time. For Daisy Ren, it’s the one in their pants. Is Mason different, or does he see a fun time and is taking advantage of it?

It would explain him fingering me before his neighbor came back.

It would not, however, explain my behavior when I made out with him in the elevator.

Stop it, Leah. You’re overthinking. What happened to having all the fun with no feelings hookup? Just shut up and enjoy the ride .

Mason laughs, startling me out of my thoughts. “He shouldn’t have done that.”

Done what? I’ve fallen behind on the storyline of the audiobook.

“This guy’s a real dumbass if he thinks he can bully her into that deal.” Mason shakes his head in disappointment. Pulling into the parking lot, he slides into an open spot and turns the engine off. “What’s a nest?”

“Huh?” I’m really struggling to focus here.

“They keep referring to a nest, but I don’t get what that is.”

A laugh escapes me, taking my anxiety down a couple of notches. “It’s her own private space. Comfy bedding, lots of pillows. All kinds of cozy warmth and luxury piled around her so she can feel safe and relaxed.”

He nods, but his brow furrows a bit. “So, it’s like a blanket fort?”

“Sort of.” I better get out of this car and back to reality. “Thanks for lunch and the ride, but you really don’t have to stay.”

“I’m helping you for the day, Leah. That’s not up for negotiation.”

Now I’m annoyed. “Why?”

We both hop out of the car at the same time. “Because…” he says, slamming his door shut. “I like spending time with you.”

That’s not the answer I was expecting.

“Look, if this is about you being X online, privacy is just as important to me as it is to you.”

“It doesn’t bother me,” Mason says. “Much.” Popping his trunk, he digs out all of my stuff. “I like you, Leah.”

He doesn’t even know me. He probably can’t even separate me from Daisy Ren. “Request another private chat if you enjoy my company so much.”

Mason slams the trunk shut. “I’d rather take you to dinner.”

“I’m busy,” I lie. There’s no way he’s making the moves on me for real. We’ve just been pushing each other today for funsies because we both thought we had something on each other.

Dinner is not on the agenda.

“Breakfast tomorrow then.” He flashes me a smile as he lugs the cart up to the front door.

“Busy then too.”

“Really?” He holds the door. “Tell you what, how about I book you for every night you’re not busy. Just tell me when and I’ll clear my calendar for it.”

I think he’s serious. My heart actually swoons a little.

Nope. Nope. Nope. He’s playing me .

“I’m busy every night.” Blasting past him, I storm to the elevator and hit the up button.

“Every single night?” he asks suspiciously.

“Yup.” I don’t look at him. “For the rest of my life.”

I thought I could handle a date with him, but it’s too much. He’s too easy to be around. Too fun. Too addictive. Those are red flags.

“Breakfast it is.” Mason gets into the elevator with me. “I know a place that makes amazing omelets.”

What a pushy little shit! “Jesus Christ, Mason. Why are you doing this?”

“Doing what?”

“This!” I wave my hands around. “The cleaning. The lunch. The dinner and breakfast. The persistence .”

“I told you…” He leans into my face. “I like being with you.”

“You don’t even know me.”

“That’s why I was hoping we could go on a date.” He slams his hand on the close door button and holds it. Then he presses into me until my body is flush against the wall. “Am I not your type, Leah?”

“Nope. Not at all.” The breath that shudders out of me gives my lie away.

His toothy grin is so prideful I want to slap and kiss him at the same time. “Liar.”

“It’s true. You’re too pretty for me. I like my men dirty.”

“How dirty do you want me, Princess?”

Fuck. Me. He’s too good at this.

“Ugh!” I shove him back. “Seriously, dude, you’re a Big Tech Bagillionaire. Why are you pretending you’re into me?” Then it hits me. “If you think that, all because you got a show online last week, you can rent me for a night to get in your bed, you’re very mistaken.”

He backs off immediately. “I’m not trying to rent you, Leah. I’m trying to date you.”

Mason has the audacity to look stricken that I suggested he pay for the pleasure of my company. When, in fact, that’s exactly what he’s done.

Last week online. Today with cleaning.

“Go home, Mason.” I cross my arms and look at the floor.

He lets go of the elevator button and the doors open. I don’t waste another second breathing the same air as him, so I snag my cart handle and drag that dumb thing with me.

“Leah,” he practically begs from where he stands.

It’s the look of utter rejection on his face that has me stalling. Bet he’s never been rejected by a woman before. Bet he’s never been told to fuck off, either.

My mouth forms the words, but they cram in my throat. I don’t know why I’m being such a bitch. I should see how far he’s willing to take this with me. A Sugar Daddy was never something I worked towards securing for myself. This baby makes her own damn sugar.

But… What if?

What if he’s being sincere?

What if he really does like me?

What if he ends up being a blast?

Either Mason is the biggest Try Hard Pick Me Boy on the planet, or he’s genuinely trying to work his way into my life. Maybe I’m the one being a shithead here.

I shove my foot in the door to keep it from closing. “Why?”

“Why what?”

If he doesn’t know what I’m asking about, then we’re done here.

Just as I pull my foot out of the door and it starts closing, he says, “I’ve never felt more like myself with another person before.”

His confession robs the air from my lungs.

Mason slams his hand against the door to keep it open a little longer. “I thought we’d have fun together. I thought maybe I was your type, and you’re definitely mine. And I thought, today, given how sore your hand probably is, you could use a little extra help.” He shakes his head. “Guess I was wrong.”

The elevator door shuts before I can change my mind.