Wordlessly, I pull my phone from his hand and shove it back into my pocket.
‘Hopefully that shuts him up,’ he says, pushing a hand through his dark hair, looking completely unfazed, as usual.
I say nothing. The scent of him lingers around me. It’s somehow comforting and discomforting at the same time. Longing and love mixed with heartbreak.
‘It’s because of that night, isn’t it?’ Mason’s voice drops low as a pained expression settles across his face.
The fierceness of his gaze is so strong, I feel it like a physical touch. I keep my eyes trained on a spot on the wall above his shoulder, refusing to return his stare.
‘It’s why you don’t want to be around me.’
I can barely make him out over the loud beat of my heart in my ears. My chest is rising quickly, as if I’m short of breath.
‘Admit it, Anya.’
‘Yes,’ I mutter through clenched teeth.
‘I’m sorry,’ he whispers. His voice breaks and it hurts to hear. I harden my jaw to the point that it’s painful. Tears betray me and burn my eyes, but I hold on tight, determined to push them away. ‘I didn’t know how to handle everything. I was a coward.’
My face crumples and I roll my lips into my mouth, biting down hard to stop myself reacting.
‘I know this doesn’t make it right,’ he says softly, his fingers threading through the dark strands of my hair. ‘But I need you to know.’
‘It’s too late.’ My voice cracks and I close my eyes, wincing.
‘I know,’ he murmurs, his fingernails scraping gently across my scalp. Unintentionally, I tilt my head back into his touch. ‘But I want you to know I think about it all the time,and I regret every minute of it.’
I inhale sharply. ‘You regret every minute?’
The pressure of his fingers deepens, and I groan slightly at the feel of his hand working through my hair. He slides his fingers down the back of my neck, then traces a line between my shoulder blades.
‘I don’t regret you.’ His mouth is suddenly against my ear, his hand travelling lower down my back. ‘I only regret myself. My actions. My behaviour.’ His breath is hot on my skin. ‘Never you, Blush.’
I should move away. Push his hand off me. But I’m frozen. His words wrap around me, the warmth of his hand searing through the thin fabric of my dress.
‘I have to go,’ I say thickly. ‘Back to my friends.’
He turns me, cupping my face in his palms. ‘Don’t hate me, Blush. I can’t handle it.’
Slowly, I let my eyes flutter open. Those gorgeous eyes stare back at me, framed by long, dark lashes.
‘I could never actually hate you,’ I whisper. ‘No matter how hard I try.’
When the last of the party-goers stumble from the house towards their Uber, I sag against the wall. I had a lot of fun with my new friends. We talked a lot, laughed loudly, danced until our feet hurt – and I had the best time doing it. I haven’t felt this connected to friends in what feels like a lifetime.
Avoiding Mason was extremely difficult when his mission was to find me. I appreciate what he said to me, and his apology. I do truly think he regrets what happened, but it doesn’t change the fact that itdidhappen.
Pulling out the piece of paper in my pocket, I stare at the digits scrawled across it. Kai Adams – total playboy and charmer – spent most of his time trying to get my attention. I finally relented towards the end and danced with him. He left with a kiss to my hand and his number in my pocket. The last thing I want right now is a new relationship – if that’s even what he’s looking for. If he only wants a hook-up, then I’m not the girl for him. I’ve never been able to casually date.
‘What’s that?’
I jump in surprise at the deep voice. Forcing out a harsh exhale, I shrug. The effects of the alcohol are still in my system, but I’m feeling partly sober now. ‘Nothing.’
‘That better not be what I think it is,’ he warns. Mason folds his arms across his chest. His biceps bulge as he does, but I don’t let myself enjoy the view. The way he stalked around the party with stormy eyes once he saw me dancing with Kai was almost comical. I must have forgotten the part where what I do impacts him.
‘Stop,’ I glare at him. ‘Stop with this overprotective, possessive bullshit. I’m not a kid anymore, you have no right to dictate anything in my life.’
‘Don’t call him.’
