Chapter 30

Ithought Mason was impressive at the skateboarding competition, but that was before I saw him do a kickflip in a suit.

His eyes burned with intense passion while he executed trick after trick. There was something undeniably alluring about a man who enthusiastically pursued what he loved. And Mason was a true master of his craft.

I hoped his tricks would distract me from our kiss, but it only left me wanting him more. I squeezed my legs together in an effort to ease the throbbing pressure of my desire.

"Are your legs cold?" Mason didn't wait for my answer before he removed his suit jacket, gently draping it over my bare legs.

"That's better," I fibbed. Though, it was a bit chilly.

He did another trick for me, shifting his weight on the board to lift one set of wheels off the ground as he rode it.

"What's that one called?" I asked.

"It's a manual," he replied.

"Another impossible-looking trick," I laughed. "How did you do that?"

"It's all about balance," he explained. "You hold the front wheels off the ground, but you can't let the tail touch either."

"That sounds even harder than it looks," I told him.

"It takes practice," he admitted, "but it's one of the easier tricks. For me, at least."

With a graceful kick, he pushed off the concrete. I watched in awe as he flipped and twisted through the air, his movements fluid and precise. The sound of his skateboard against the pavement echoed around us as he continued to showcase his skills.

Each maneuver was more impressive than the last, leaving me absolutely captivated by his abilities.

I could have watched him all night.

"Alright, that's enough for tonight," he said. "Let's get you home."

"Okay," I said.

But if I were being honest, I didn't want the night to end just yet.

We climbed back into his Jeep, the seats creaking beneath us as we settled in.

"Thanks for tonight," I said.

"You have to stop thanking me constantly," he chuckled.

"I know, I know!" The palm of my hand smacked my forehead. "I'm working on it."

"I wouldn't be here with you if I didn't want to be," he continued. "No thanks needed. If anything, thank you for hanging out with me."

The engine's roar echoed as we crossed the bridge over the Cooper River. In the distance, the lights of downtown Charleston twinkled. My mind raced as I tried to think of a smooth and seductive way to ask Mason to stay the night, but my thoughts were jumbled.

Had he wanted to kiss me, or had it just been a performance?

"What are you thinking about?" Mason asked.

"Nothing," I lied.

A faint line appeared between his brows. "Do you do that a lot?"

"Do what?" I asked innocently.

"Lie," he laughed.

Keeping my inner world hidden felt necessary when vulnerability was usually seen as a weakness.

"I was thinking about our kiss," I finally admitted.

His eyes darted over to me before returning to the road in front of us. "Oh yeah?"

"And how much I enjoyed it," I continued.

His calloused hand traveled over to my thigh, gliding gently over my bare skin. The soft brush of his fingers against my flesh was like a soothing balm, easing any doubts or fears I may have had.

No words were needed. His touch told me everything I needed to know.

"Stay with me tonight," I whispered to him.

His intense eyes locked onto mine, a spark of desire igniting between us. At that moment, I could feel the pull of his longing just as strongly as mine.

"I've never wanted anything more," he finally said.

With his words, the air thickened with anticipation. We were mirrors reflecting each other's desires.

∞∞∞

As soon as Mason shut the door to my apartment, he effortlessly lifted me into his arms and pressed me against the foyer's wall. A silent promise was etched in his gaze when he smiled tenderly at me.

My heart raced with anticipation as his lips hovered just inches from mine. "Kiss me," I begged. "Please."

He brushed his lips over mine with a feathery touch. His teasing kisses were like a tantalizing dance, making me ache with desire.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he pressed his lips to mine in a rough, passionate kiss. I let out a small squeak of surprise, which only seemed to fuel his desire as he pulled me closer with a firm hand against the small of my back.

As our tongues intertwined, a deep groan escaped his lips and reverberated throughout my body.

Knowing he was just as desperate for me as I was for him drove me wild. I squirmed against him, greedy for the friction between my legs.

"I've never wanted anyone the way I want you," I told him.

Hearing my confession, his lips devoured me with a ferocity that left me breathless.

And, at that moment, I realized I had never felt more alive.