“Hey, where you off to?” Preston called from their apartment kitchen as Mason wandered around the house making sure he had everything he needed.
Keys, wallet, cologne. Check.
“I’m going out with Joss tonight,” Mason said casually, but he knew Preston wasn’t going to leave it at that. It was Saturday night, and now the second one in a row that he’d ditched his buddies to hang out with Joss.
“Where you guys going? I can grab Bo and we’ll meet up with you.”
“We’re going out dancing. I don’t think you’d like it. Let’s go out later this week, ’kay, man?” Mason said, shuffling toward the door, hoping the brush-off would work.
“Not cool. You’ve ditched us for this chick too many times! What’s the deal? She ugly?”
“Fuck you, dude.” Mason turned toward Preston, shooting him a warning glare.
“So, what is it then?”
“She’s smokin’ hot, and we’re just friends. I don’t want you messing that up, trying to hit on her and shit.” It was the truth. Mason did think Joss was beautiful, and he knew his friends could be douchebags; he didn’t want her thinking poorly of him because of them.
He was a little surprised that Preston hadn’t put two and two together and realized that Joss was the girl who often visited him at the bar. Then again, Preston didn’t spend much time at the bar, and as of late, neither had Mason.
“So, that’s it, ditching your bros for some chick you aren’t even getting pussy from? I see how it is.”
“Don’t be a dick.” With that, Mason made a swift exit, leaving Preston standing in the living room with an unhappy expression on his face.
* * * *
Mason had conceded this time and let Jocelyn meet him at the dance hall downtown. When he offered to take her out dancing he had to clarify that they weren’t going to a nightclub, but he insisted on keeping it a surprise.
He made sure to get to the venue early to wait for Joss; he hated the idea of her standing around downtown all by herself. Unlike the women he was used to going out with, he didn’t know how she would respond to being hit on by some creep walking by. And frankly, the idea of another man chatting her up angered him. She was his tonight, and every time they went out. What she did in her free time was a different story. At least that’s what he tried to convince himself of. How his feelings toward her had made such a change in a short amount of time wasn’t something that concerned him. It was natural, organic, and he was pleased.
“Mason.” Jocelyn’s sweet voice pulled him from his thoughts.
Looking up at her, he was completely stunned, and that was putting it lightly. While she typically curled her hair, today it hung sleek just past her shoulders, with a slight swooping over her face. The red, lace dress had a vee neck, and it hugged every inch of her petite body, stopping right at the knee with a small flare.
“Oh God, am I overdressed?” Jocelyn’s eyes looked up at him with alarm, and he knew she had misread his expression.
Closing the distance between them, Mason gently placed his hands on her forearms before leaning in and kissing her cheek.
“Jocelyn, you look unbelievably gorgeous.” He said the words in a hushed tone, still taken aback by her.
A wide smile covered her face, and she tilted her head down, trying to hide her embarrassment.
“No, really, Joss, it’s perfect.” Mason placed his hand on her shoulder as a gentle reassurance.
“Thank you,” she said, now looking back up at him, but the flush on her cheeks had yet to fade. “You look incredibly handsome yourself.”
Mason had stepped up his game tonight. While he typically wore jeans and a t-shirt, or the occasional polo, he didn’t think that was good enough for tonight. He decided on his gray slacks, paired with a black belt that matched his black, button-down shirt. He rolled the sleeves up about three-quarters to give it a more laid-back look.
“Only the best for you.” Mason shot her a wink before continuing. “You ready?” He offered her his arm as he nodded to the front doors of the large ballroom.
“I think so, but please tell me what I’ve gotten myself into here,” she teased.
“Swing dancing.” He grinned.
“Really?”
“Yep. They’ve been doing it here for years. The first half an hour is a lesson, and then the rest of the night they have a live band. It’s pretty fun and brings in a diverse crowd for sure. You still up for it?”
“Of course,” Jocelyn agreed enthusiastically.
* * * *
Jocelyn let Mason lead her into the old, large, brick building that took up a half a square block. She was familiar with the place by name, but she’d never been inside. Walking in now, she realized what a shame that had been. It was in fact a grand ballroom. The ceiling was stunningly painted with clouds and surrounded with figures that mirrored something from the Sistine Chapel. She had no words as she turned, circling around, trying to take in the whole venue.
Her gaze moved down to the people who were gathering inside. Some in traditional swing attire, some in more casual attire, and some dressed liked her.
“What do you think?” Mason asked, leaning into her.
“The only words that come to mind are utterly epic.” She turned, meeting Mason face-to-face. “Thank you so much for bringing me here.”
“Let’s get a drink before the lesson starts,” he suggested.
* * * *
It was two hours into the night, a dozen dances, and three and a half dirty martinis later when Jocelyn realized just how tightly her body was pressed against Mason’s. The smell of his cologne was making her desperate to get closer. Wanting to nuzzle into his neck while he held her tenderly, twirling her around the dance floor. She hadn’t caught onto the dance steps as quickly as others had, but they’d been having a good time making up their own steps as they went along.
Jocelyn took in Mason’s handsome face, wanting to remember this moment. The soft scruff of his five o’clock shadow, his thin lips, and deep eyes. Those lashes. Her arms rested on his strong biceps as his arms encompassed her. He was a beautiful man, inside and out. And right now, the outside was causing her to fantasize of naughty possibilities. Having visions that she knew could never happen between them. Unless you asked Taylin. But in this moment, while it was just the two of them in this bubble, she wanted to entertain them.
Inhaling deeply, her eyes locked with Mason’s. She noticed his tongue dart out, wetting his bottom lip before giving her a sly grin that made her pant. When Mason leaned in close she hoped for a kiss, but his lips passed only to gently caressed her ear as he spoke.
“Are you okay? You’re breathing awfully hard.”
“Fine. I…I’m fine,” Jocelyn said quietly with a soft exhale.
“Have I told you yet how amazing you smell?” Mason ran his nose delicately up her neck, causing goosebumps. “Right here, yes.” He placed a tender kiss on the crook of her neck, causing a noticeable quiver to run up her spine.
She was hyper-aware of her body’s reaction to Mason’s lips on her. The uncomfortable hardening of her nipples, the dryness of her mouth, and the dampness in her panties almost made her embarrassed.
“That spot, it smells the best,” Mason said before pulling back with glazed eyes staring into hers.
Jocelyn was frozen, in a trance. While most of the time she had a million thoughts running through her head, right now it was empty. Her body was doing all the thinking, and it was desperate to make a bad decision that was going to feel amazing.
It was the absence of the music, followed by the emcee’s voice that shook her from the lust-induced coma. She sighed inwardly, unsure if she was thankful that she was saved by the bell or not.
Thankful, you idiot. Jocelyn hadn’t felt like her old self since meeting Mason, but she wasn’t sure that was a good thing. He was a good friend who was pulling her out of a funk. Friend!
Mason cleared his throat, getting her attention. “How about we sit a minute?”
“Good idea.”
She let him lead her off the dance floor to a small table. Ever the gentleman, he pulled out her chair so she could sit.
Jocelyn took a moment to pull herself together. She could not get involved with him; nothing more than a friendship. That was all she could handle, and the idea of a younger man only added to the anxiety she felt. How he’d manipulated these feelings out of her had her troubled. She flashed Mason a genuine smile, regaining her composure.
“Mason, you’re such a good friend. Thank you for taking me out tonight.” She reached across, placing her hand platonically on his forearm. Worry struck her when Mason didn’t reply, but simply looked at her hand. She watched as he took her hand in his, gently rubbing his thumb over her knuckles.
“I don’t think I’ve ever hated hearing that word so much in my life,” he said before looking back up at her with a scowl.
Jocelyn squirmed in her chair, uncomfortable now. Not in the hot-and-bothered way that she’d been before, but confused as to what to say to that. What was he saying? What did it mean? Could it mean what she thought it meant? It was overwhelming.
“I’m awfully tired. Would you hate me terribly if we call it a night?” she asked.
When Mason’s body visibly sunk down, she felt horrible. It was clear now that he had expected her to say something more.
“Not at all. I’ll walk you to your car.” He stood and held out a hand to help her up.
It was the flat smile and the disappointment thick in his words that hurt her.
She took his hand, and he wrapped it familiarly in the crook of his arm, pulling her close as he always did when they walked together, but now it felt awkward. She’d ruined everything; she was sure of it. She should have been more considerate of his feelings. Their last dance had been the closest thing to sex that she’d had in years, and she let it happen. Jocelyn had led him on, and now he was feeling rejected.
It was a short walk to her car, but a quiet one, with a somber tone.
“There’s my car.” She pointed, moving out of his hold.
Mason took her hand in his, tangling their fingers together as he helped her off the sidewalk to the driver’s side door. Reluctantly, she looked up at him, his gaze locking on hers, begging her to say something, but she didn’t have anything. Nothing she could say right now would make it better. She needed time to collect her thoughts, and maybe even give Mason some space to get over whatever kind of crush he might have. Or you might have?
“This was wonderful. I had a great time.”
“Jocelyn…” Mason paused. He opened his mouth to say something, only to close it again, giving his head a slight shake. “I had a good time too. I’ll talk to you soon.”
Mason’s powerful eyes had her spellbound. She let him take her in his arms, slipping them around the curve of her waist, melting their bodies together. He placed a long, delicate kiss on her cheek, the edges of their lips daring to touch one another. The automatic way her body responded to him, her breasts arching into his chest of their own accord, startled her from the intimate, public display of affection.
“I really should go.” Jocelyn could hear the nervousness in her voice as she twisted out of the embrace, searching for her keys in her clutch.
“No, you shouldn’t. But I’m going to let you.” He held the car door open for her as she slipped inside. “For now, Jocelyn.”
Mason shut the door, and turning, he headed back up the sidewalk. Jocelyn let out a heavy breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. She leaned her head against the steering wheel, taking a moment for herself.
For now. The words replayed in her mind. Such simple words with such big impact. For now, she’d been able to keep him at arm’s length, but from the sounds of it, for now was all he was going to allow her to do so.