So instead of answering, I turn the shower on and wait only a minute before climbing under the spray. The water is hot, the pressure is perfect, and it would be so easy to indulge in a little me time.
The thought makes me smile because this isexactlythe kind of thing that would happen to me—launching from bastard ex-husband to all around amazing guy who wants to talk to me before coffee.
Apparently, there is no middle ground.
Still, when is the last time anyone besides Amara or my kids went out of their way to say good morning to me?
After breezing through the necessities, I turn off the water and wrap a towel around myself before giving in and returning his text.
LANA: It’s awfully early for that level of excitement
MASON: You didn’t complain about it the other morning
LANA: That’s because you used your tongue to do all the talking
MASON: I’m fully prepared to wake you up like that every chance you give me
LANA: The shower is far less satisfying…
I grin,biting my lip and feeling far younger than I am in this moment. I like that Mason has me feeling playful—silly—and wildly desirable. It’s a heady mixture.
MASON: Warn a man
MASON: I just choked on my coffee and Bodhi is giving me the side-eye
LANA: I distinctly remember choking on something far better this weekend
MASON: Fuck
MASON: I’m hard
MASON: And completely blanking on my go-to list of boner killers
LANA: You have a list?
MASON: Every guy has a list
MASON: Baseball, chafing while running, mowing the lawn, burpees…
I laughout loud as I pad my way back into my bedroom and pull out a gray pencil skirt with my favorite cream silk blouse and put them on. Debating only a second, I take a selfie and hit send. Arguably, it’s not sexy—not to me at least—but I feel like teasing the man on the other side of this conversation a little.
LANA: (mirror selfie)
MASON: Dammit baby you are not helping
MASON: But don’t stop
MASON: You look sexy as hell
LANA: You don’t have to flatter me to get into my panties, Mr. Amato
Three bubbles appearand then disappear before my phone starts ringing. I’m surprised when Mason’s name flashes across the screen, even though we’d just been texting and there’s no one else brave enough to engage with me this early.
Heart pounding in my chest, I accept the call but don’t even get a chance to say hello before his voice comes over the line. It’s deeper than I remember and filled with this deliciously gravelly undertone that has me squeezing my thighs together.
“Dream Girl, you shouldalwaysexpect me to flatter you. If I’m not, then you better kick my ass to the curb.”
“I happen to like your ass,” I say boldly because seriouslywho am I?Also, it’s not a lie. I’d sunk my nails into his tight ass as he fucked me until I screamed incoherently.
