Chapter 9

Mason glanced at his wristwatch " No. I have to leave early tomorrow morning. Can we leave it for another time? When are you coming back?" He rubbed his forehead and I glanced at the clock on the wall. It was pushing nine o'clock.

" In a month and a half," Ashley sighed " I'm merging the two companies that I have and transferring everything will take some time," He sullenly added, leaning back in his chair.

" Why don't you take Thaddeus?" Mason suggested, and there it was another person that I had never heard of.

" He is already waiting at Osyth. I best be going," Ashley stood up, and Mason followed. That club was popular by the looks of it.

" It's getting late Miss Morston. I don't want your father to worry about you. Mr Porter will accompany you home," Mason said as he looked at Ava. It was a polite get-out.

" Papa knows I came here. The driver is waiting for me outside," Ava didn't budge in her seat.

" And I'm sure he would like to go home," Mason pointed out, calm, steady. I didn't have that kind of control.

" Isn't that what he is paid for," Ava pouted, while Mason walked around the table to shake hands with Ashley.

" I'm going to bed," I grumbled, as I stood up, and began clearing the table. The interruption had put a damper on my appetite and the only one that had finished her meal was Enid.

" Good night everyone, " Enid didn't wait to hear anymore. It was past her bedtime.

" Good night Enid," I said as she walked past Ashley, who wished her a good night.

" So," Ava drawled as soon as Mason and Ashley left the kitchen " There is a rumour going around Morston that Mason has a lover. He has stopped going to Osyth. Do you know who that is?" Ava whispered as I leaned over the table to pick up the glasses. I froze at that question. I wasn't aware of that.

I shrugged " I have no clue, " I tried to sound as casual as possible, turning away to place the glasses into the dishwasher.

" You must know something. Does he still bring women into the house?" I raised my hands, resigned. It was a question that I didn't want to answer. I was somewhat relieved that he'd stopped frequenting the club.

" Ava," I pinched the bridge of my nose " Read the room," I advised and it occurred to me that I should practice what I preach.

"Whatever do you mean?" She smirked, as she stood up. She was fully aware that Mason didn't like her, but that didn't put a dent in her approach. Shameless and determined.

I sighed, and pushed myself off the counter " I'm going to bed. Good night Ava," I said as I made my way out of the kitchen walking past Ashley and Mason who were chatting in the foyer.

" Good night, Miss Abernathy," I heard Ashley say as I slipped into the corridor. I had had enough of the company of the two most annoying people that Morston had ever produced.

I glanced at the boxes on the floor, and the wardrobe which was getting emptier by the day. I had found a place to live but I didn't want to sign the rental agreement until I had my final answer from the academy. I still moved forward with my plans hoping to drag it out of him.

Thankfully the rain had stopped, cooling the air after a long scorching day. The hottest day on record in the last thirty years. I opened the door leading to the veranda, letting the fresh scent of rain into the room. I loved that smell.

When I stepped on the cool cobbled path, I was greeted with the salty breeze of the sea. I loved it. It soothed my senses. Even though I still didn't know how to swim, I loved being near it. The view of the dusky open horizon, felt like the world was at my feet. An uplifting feeling, different from my everyday inner torment.

The wet grass on my feet was just as refreshing. I needed that. The night had taken a different turn from what I had expected. Mason was leaving for the rest of the week. I didn't know what to do with that. He and I didn't share much, other than the bed for a small part of the night.

My breath hitched when I felt someone grabbing my shoulders " I thought you were going to bed," The sound of his voice rumbling in his chest, resonated through me. It was a strange feeling. I still couldn't get used to it.

" I was," I sighed " I just needed some air," I softly said, inhaling the saltiness that wafted around me.

Mason hummed, wrapping his arms around me from behind " The night didn't quite go as expected," He grumbled, resting his chin on my shoulder.

" Not in the least," I sighed, still feeling bitter about Ava and Ashley showing up at the most inopportune time.

" Congratulations," Mason crooned, running his nose on my cheek " How about we get into bed, and properly celebrate," I could hear the smile on his lips, and I could feel his hard cock pressing against my behind. I closed my eyes, trying to reconcile the conflicted feelings I had. I loved him and all I was to him was nothing but a good lay.

I hummed, disheartened but still didn't move while he softly traced my cheek with his lips. My body betrayed me as always and reacted to his touch. I lost control, I found pleasure in the chaos he'd brought into my life.

Turning around in his arms, I pressed my lips on his and before I knew it he'd scooped me up and I hit the bed. It was fast, Mason didn't give me much time to think.