Page 18 of Hidden Obsession

Chapter Eight

As the night wore on,Mason found himself falling deeper and deeper under Cleo’s spell. Everything about her—from teasing him about his suits to revealing her past with her parents—showed him a woman he wanted in his life. The way she reacted to his touch set his blood on fire. It had been easy to push the threat against her to the back of his mind here where he was familiar with the people.

Her reaction to Travis had been a wake-up call. Mason had mixed feelings about inviting Travis to join them. On the one hand, he hadn’t seen his friend in over a year, on the other and more selfish side, he wanted Cleo to himself. In the end, Cleo had decided for him, and he let her have her way. Watching the smile on her face as Travis regaled her with stories of some of their escapades warmed him.

Travis flirted shamelessly, but to her credit, apart from being friendly and her usual sweet self, she didn’t respond or flirt back. If anything, she leaned in closer to Mason. Around midnight he saw her try to smother a yawn and decided to wind things up.

Mason pulled Cleo closer and kissed her head. “I think it’s time to get this one home to bed.” It was too soon for displays of ownership or over-familiarization, but he didn’t do it for that reason, it was a natural reaction, just as hers was to lean into him.

Travis offered a grin as he stood with them. “Of course. I’m sorry I crashed your date.”

“Please don’t apologize, Travis. I loved meeting you.” Cleo’s smile was genuine.

“You too, and if this guy doesn’t treat you right, call me.” His friend offered her a flirty wink.

“I will.” Cleo laughed not correcting him about the status, or unknown status, of their relationship at present.

“Mason, let’s try and get together for a drink before I leave town.”

Mason shook his friend’s hand. “Absolutely.” He had been so busy with work and recovering from the stabbing, he hadn’t seen his buddies for a while, especially ones from his Secret Service days.

“Look after this one; she’s far too good for you.” With a grin, Travis headed toward the beach with a wave.

Mason walked Cleo back to his car, his arm around her waist. She leaned her body into his, snuggling close like she was cold. He stopped, taking off his jacket and wrapping it around her shoulders before he carried on to the car.

The drive home was quiet, but not awkward. It felt content, relaxed as if they had done this a hundred times. He could imagine doing this with Cleo for the next fifty years and not getting bored. Not that he was getting ahead of himself, they had made no promises to each other, but he thought maybe one day there could be a real chance for this to go the distance.

Despite her reservations, Cleo had opened up to him, trusted him and the fact that she was now in the passenger’s seat, wrapped in his jacket fast asleep reinforced she trusted him.

He pulled up outside his apartment building and killed the engine as he watched her for a few minutes as she slept.

In a normal situation, he would walk to her side of the car, slide his arms around her, and carry her upstairs but with the current threat, he couldn’t do that. He needed to keep his hands and head clear in case of an attack so he gently caressed her cheek with his finger.

“Cleo, honey.” She startled awake, a look of fear on her face. “Hey, it’s okay, just me.” He made sure to keep a reassuring tone as her sleep clouded eyes found his. “We’re home.” The sentence settled in his gut as he realized his apartment had never felt more like a home than it had over the last twenty-four hours.

“Okay.”

When she moved to grab the handle, he gently stopped her. “Wait for me to come around.” Only then did he exit the car, quickly moving to her side and helping her out before he ushered her inside and up the stairs without incident.

Closing and locking the door behind them, he watched her drop her bag on the couch and kick off her shoes by the coffee table.

“You want anything? A drink?” Without waiting for her answer, he poured himself a small brandy.

Cleo looked at him from where she had slumped into the sofa and shook her head. “No, thanks. I should probably head to bed. It’s been a long day, and I’m shattered.”

Mason nodded, she did look tired, and he had no doubt that until this sick maniac was caught, there would be more for her to face. Mason moved toward her not wanting to rush things but not wanting her to think he didn’t want this. “I had the best time tonight, Cleo.”

“Me too. You’re fun to be around, Mason.” She got to her feet and went to straighten his tie as he moved closer.

“I want this.” He motioned to her and him. “I want us to explore what this could be.” His hands rested on her hips. He saw the pulse in her neck kick up and felt the familiar tightness in his balls from the unused desire of their encounters. “What do you say?” The answer felt like it held more weight than he could imagine.

“I say yes.”

Her answer surprised him. “Yes?”

“Yes. I realized tonight life is short, and I can’t spend it worrying about what if. I trusted you with my past, and you were gentle with what I gave you. If I can trust you with my past and my present, then I’m willing to give it a go with my future. But I have rules, and that means no more messing around at work. I’ve worked damn hard to be the best at my job, and I won’t have it ruined by getting caught fucking you at work.”

“Thank you, Cleo, for trusting me, and I won’t promise we’ll be the next Romeo and Juliet, but I can promise to be honest and respect you at work.”