Same time, but don’t rush.
Get here when you can.
“Shit,” Mason said, dropping his phone in the cup holder. He was definitely going to be late.
When Mason arrived, he didn’t see any other cars in the driveway. He usually came in the side door that led into the kitchen, but this time he walked to the front and rang the bell. When Xeni opened the door, he was stunned by how good she looked, even better than the night before. Her thick hair was up, piled on top of her head. She was wearing loose, flowy pants and a skin-tight t-shirt. Her breasts looked amazing.
“Hey, come on in. Ms. Jordan got stuck in traffic. You’re the first one here.”
Mason’s eyebrow went up as he smirked. “So, we’re alone.”
“We are, but I’m not blowing you on the porch, so please come inside. It’s hot as hell.”
He laughed and followed her through the house to the large remodeled kitchen. Xeni had set out refreshments on the kitchen island. She turned toward him and leaned against the counter. He knew she could feel what he felt. Whatever had happened between them the night before, that energy, that pull, it was still there. Xeni cleared her throat and straightened her shoulders like she was trying not to notice it.
“I asked Mr. Barber if we could move things here so you’d have somewhere to sit. I can’t believe he made you stand that whole time. That was so rude.”
“Thank you.”
“It’s nothing. Just basic home training. You don’t make your clients stand. Can I offer you something to drink? And I am offering as a hostess catering to guests, not as your wife.”
Mason crossed the room and stopped just inside Xeni’s personal space. He didn’t know what it was about her, but now that he’d had a taste of the way things could be, a taste of her, he didn’t want to go back to being strangers.
Xeni gazed up at him, puffing out her chest. Her confidence was sexy as hell and far from a turn-off.
“Can I help you?” she rasped out.
“Did you enjoy yourself last night?” Mason asked.
Xeni scoffed, then walked backwards toward the fridge and grabbed the door handle like it would keep her from floating away. “No. No way. I’m not stroking your ego.”
“This isn’t about my ego. I genuinely want to know. If you had a shit time, please tell me. Critique me. I want notes.”
“You want notes?”
“If you have notes. I want ’em.”
“Ugh. I’d love to crush your spirit right now because there’s nothing I love more than putting a man in his place, but I have no notes. You made a bitch greedy for more. Happy now?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Uh huh.” She opened the fridge and pulled out a pitcher filled with ice water and lemon slices. “Water?”
Mason moved closer, taking the pitcher out of her hand. He pulled her to him, cupping her beautiful cheeks in his hands. Her brown skin was practically glowing.
She rolled her eyes and groaned, but didn’t stop herself from settling against his stomach. Her fingers lightly stroked his back.
“When you have to go, go,” Mason said. “But while you’re here…”
“Oh, we fucking, I know. Beeteedubs, it’s tomorrow. You said you would tell me what’s going on with this debt of yours tomorrow.” Just then, the doorbell rang.
“I’ll tell you everything tonight. Have dinner with me?”
Xeni was quiet for a moment, but she didn’t step away. “I’ll think about it, okay?”
“Okay.” She let him kiss her on the lips, then went to answer the door.
10
