“I’ll go fix your car and bring it back.” He glanced over his shoulder and gave her a bone-melting smile.
“Uh, thanks. That’d be great.” While she’d been hatching ways of keeping him in bed, he’d been planning on fixing her car. It was kind of cute. Then his comment registered. He was coming back.This is supposed to be a one night stand.But the thought of spending another day with him was irresistible. “Late lunch, then?”
“Sounds good.” He leaned across the bed and kissed her, long and slow, until her whole body burned with need. “Hold that thought.” His voice was gravely as he pulled back. “I’ll never leave this room if you keep looking at me like that.”
*
Half an hourlater, wearing only PJs and fluffy dressing gown, Piper watched him drive off and she still had a dreamy smile on her face when she went back into her flat. Alfie, obviously worn out from the journey home from Peyton’s old school friend, was still asleep, and her sister pounced on her.
“Mason? As in MasonHunter?”
The only problem with being so close to her sister was the fact they told each other almost everything. Peyton had known about her crush on Colton’s brother since that fateful Halloween night, so there was no point trying to deny it.
“Yes. Can you believe it? After all this time?” She flopped down on the sofa and hugged her knees. “He was actuallythereyesterday. I couldn’t believe it.”
Peyton sat crossed legged at the other end of the sofa and hugged a cushion. “Why did he turn up after all this time?” Then she shook her head. “Who cares why he turned up? How did you manage to get him back here into bed?”
“I’ve no idea. It just sort of happened.”
Peyton grabbed her foot and shook it. “Just sort of happened? Don’t hold out on me. I want to know every filthy thing he did to you.”
She laughed and kicked at her sister. “Use your imagination. And then some. I think I had more sex in twelve hours than the rest of my life put together.”
Her sister groaned dramatically. “I’m so jealous. It’s been so long I’ve forgotten what all my bits are for.”
Piper knew the feeling. But at least she’d dated a few guys after Colton. Peyton had become a nun after Alfie’s dad, Sam, had done a number on her.
“It’s about time you got back out there,” she said, and not for the first time. “You know I’ll always look after Alfie anytime.” Peyton might’ve ranted about Sam when he’d disappeared before she even discovered she was pregnant, but underneath it all Piper knew her sister was still in love with the guy.
Peyton shrugged impatiently. “Don’t try and change the subject. So, has he been secretly lusting after you for the last five years? Is this the start of something epic?”
“Of course not.” He’d hardly spoken to her five years ago. Probably hadn’t even thought of her in years. “I think it’s more a case of just taking what I offered. I mean he didn’t fall at my feet declaring undying devotion or anything.” No, but he had offered to take her home. He could’ve just let her call a cab. “He’s changed, though. He doesn’t have a bike anymore.”
“Don’t let that put you off. He’s got the badass vibes coming off him in waves.” Peyton leered at her over the cushion she hugged to her chest. “And that body. I swear, I nearly came just by looking at him.”
Piper slapped the cushion, but couldn’t help laughing. “Behave yourself. You really need to get out more.”
“That’s okay, I’ll live my sexy times through you. Now come on, spill.”
*
It didn’t takeMason long to change the flat tire with the new one he bought on the way. He tossed Piper’s flat and spare into his car. He’d fix and return them to her next week. It’d give him a good reason to go see her again.
He stopped off home for a quick shower and change of clothes. The studio flat was part of a soulless purpose built brick building in a less than great part of London. It suited him for now, but it wasn’t somewhere he wanted to bring Piper. It was just a place he crashed at night, and while he’d brought other girls back here Piper wasn’t just another girl.
She was used to the good things in life. And even if she no longer lived in a mansion, her flat was light years better than this one. He’d planned on buying his own place within five years. It was time to bring that plan forward.
Slow down buddy.He’d spent one night with her. And while she appeared fine about seeing him again that didn’t mean she wanted to get serious. How many times had he metaphorically run when a girl he’d slept with wanted more than casual sex?
He wasn’t going to fuck this up. He’d go as slow as she wanted, even if it killed him. And next week he’d go to the bank and see about getting a mortgage.
*
It was mid-afternoonby the time he got back to Piper’s and he was bloody starving. He’d take her out somewhere for something to eat. Like a date, but he wouldn’t call it a date.
Jesus, get a grip.He never tied himself up in knots when he asked a girl out. Then again, he’d never asked Piper out before. He took a deep breath and rang her bell.
She opened the door and her smile damn near stopped his heart. Her hair was loose and she was wearing skinny jeans and a purple sweater that looked as though she’d poured herself into it. To hell with taking things slow. He wound his arm around her waist and tugged her close for a lingering kiss.
