She throws her head back with a laugh, her neck on full display. Tempting in ways she probably doesn’t realize. Before she can cut off her laugh, he’s sliding out of his booth and striding our way with determined steps.
He drops an arm around her shoulders, and she tenses slightly beneath the weight. Then he presses his lips to her temple, lingering like she’s his.
“Introduce me to your friend,” he murmurs, bringing his gaze to me. Tension radiates from him, and his eyes suck the air from my lungs and make it hard to remember what words are. Wild, untamed green, fierce and captivating as the heart of nature itself. It’s no wonder he lives here in Blue Ridge, he screams rugged mountain man if I’ve ever met someone who does.
I force myself to smile. My lips curl into my trademark pout effortlessly as I pin him in place. Damn, up close and personal, he’s even hotter. Pure animalistic alpha pours from him. He’sstaking his claim on her. Not that she seems to realize it. His musk alone screamsback off, she’s mine.
Yet, it makes something inside of me wake up and take notice. I shift in my seat as blood decides to rush between my legs. I’m up for a challenge. At least I won’t be bored.
CHAPTER 4
Mason
When the chimeover the door rang, the last person I expected to see walk in was Chad fromOmega in Paradise.My sister's obsessed with that show, and since I've been crashing at her place, I’ve had no choice but to sit through the latest season.
When Lake throws her head back with a throaty laugh just for him, my fists curl on the tabletop. A tightness forms in my chest, and my jaw clenches. I’m not jealous—no way. This is just about looking out for my best friend’s little sister. If Landon could see her now, he’d put a stop to the flirting in a heartbeat. That thought alone is enough to propel me out of my seat.
I stride over to the booth with purpose, my eyes locked on Chad. Without missing a beat, I drop my arm around Lakelyn’s shoulder and press a kiss to her temple, my lips lingering just a moment longer than necessary. “Introduce me to your friend,” I murmur, keeping my tone casual, though the tension in my body betrays my true feelings.
Chad’s gaze snaps to mine, sharp as a blade, and I can see the cunning intelligence he wielded so well on that show. His lips curl into a pouty smile, and damn it, I feel it shoot straight to mydick. There’s this electric pull—something I’ve only ever felt for Lakelyn—surging between us.
He shifts his attention back to her, dismissing me so casually I want to demand his attention back, taking his time as he scans from her Vans, over her legs, up to the way her auburn hair is perfectly contained. Then, just as slowly, his gaze swings back to me, dark eyes locking me in place.
“Is she your girlfriend?” His voice is low, but there’s a hint of something else there, something that feels more like he’s asking if I’m sleeping with her.
Every protective instinct I have flares up, and my fingers tighten on Lakelyn’s shoulder, pulling her closer. My whole body tingles at the contact, short-circuiting as I’m caught between the two of them.
“No,” she says, pushing me away with an awkward laugh and ducking under my arm just as I say, “Yes.”
Chad’s smirk widens, his eyes glinting with amusement as he looks up at me. “You sound a little desperate,” he says, not bothering to hide the teasing in his voice. Then, leaning back, he adds, “But I get it—if I had someone like Lakelyn close to me, I wouldn’t want to share either.” His words are blunt, almost like a challenge, and the air around us feels charged, ready to ignite.
Chad's smirk never falters as he shifts his gaze back to Lakelyn, effectively dismissing my presence beside her for the second time in just as many minutes. He leans forward, resting his elbows casually on the table as if we aren't in the middle of a silent standoff.
"So, Lakelyn," he says smoothly, his voice dripping with charm, "any recommendations on what's good here? Besides the service, of course."
Lakelyn's cheeks flush a delicate shade of pink, and she tucks an imaginary loose strand of hair behind her ear, clearly flustered by the direct attention. She fumbles with the notepadin her hands, her usual composure slipping under Chad's intense gaze.
"Um, the pancakes are pretty popular," she replies, her voice a little higher than usual. "But if you're in the mood for something savory, the breakfast burrito is my personal favorite."
Chad's eyes light up, and he chuckles softly. "Breakfast for dinner? I like the way you think." He pauses, letting his eyes wander over her for a moment before adding, "I'll take whatever you recommend. Surprise me."
I can feel my jaw clench tighter with each passing second, an unfamiliar heat bubbling up inside me. This guy waltzes in here like he owns the place, turning Lakelyn into a blushing mess with just a few words. It's infuriating. Her blushing is for me. I do that to her.
Wait, what? No, fuck, that isn’t my job.Get it together, Mase.
Before I realize what I'm doing, I slide into the booth opposite Chad, fixing him with a hard stare. His eyebrows lift slightly, clearly amused by my bold move.
"Mind if I join you?" I say, not bothering to mask the edge in my voice.
Chad leans back against the booth, draping one arm over the backrest as he assesses me. "Make yourself comfortable," he replies. "Didn't peg you for the breakfast-for-dinner type, though. More the type to throw back a few beers with your friends. Find a random warm body to take home."
Lakelyn’s eyes flicker between us, clearly not liking that I forced myself into the situation. Her lips press into a determined, thin line, and I know she’s going to try to shoo me away before the words even leave her mouth. But it won’t work.
"Mason," she says, her tone steady despite the underlying tension, "don't you have work to get back to?" We both know I don’t. The dog shelter closes at five, and as long as all the dogshave been walked and fed, I’m free for the rest of the night. You couldn’t pay me to leave him alone with her.
I hold Chad’s gaze, trying to assert my presence, but her look stings more than I’d like to admit. "My schedule just cleared up," I reply, forcing a casual tone. "Thought I'd stick around and maybe try that breakfast burrito you love so much."
Chad’s chuckle rumbles low, clearly entertained by the situation. And I’m shocked at the fact I want to hear the sound some more.
