Jocelyn lay tangled up in the black sheets of Mason’s bed, with a silly smile on her face. It was weird to think about, but it’d been a long time since she was in another man’s bed. But it didn’t feel strange; it felt oddly natural. She’d been hesitant going back to Mason’s place, but she let him convince her, without much pushback. If they were going to do this, she wanted to be all in, and that meant she couldn’t fear running into his friends or being in his space. She needed to get out of her safe bubble.
“What are you thinking about?” Mason asked, pressing a kiss to her head, giving her a light squeeze into his body.
“Nothing really.” She paused. “I guess just how life has changed so much for me. How it’s gotten so much better. It was something I’d never expected to have again.”
“I know what you mean,” Mason agreed lightly. “How about a shower?”
Jocelyn giggled at the thought. A nice soapy Mason sounded fantastic. She loved getting her hands on his hard, lean body at every chance she could. Mason hopped out of bed, not bothering to pull on boxers, and headed to the en-suite bathroom. Jocelyn pulled her bottom lip between her teeth; the view of his toned back and firm ass took her breath away. Mason was sexy as hell, and naked was the cherry on top.
Jocelyn sat up, giving herself a minute before following Mason. It was in that moment that her cellphone rang from the nightstand. She took a deep breath before exhaling as she picked up the phone. She had an inclination as to whom was calling. There were only a handful of people who ever called her. And she wasn’t wrong—Taylin’s number flashed across the screen.
“Who’s calling?” Mason asked, popping his head out of the bathroom door.
She was surprised he could hear the ringing over the running shower.
“It’s Taylin.”
He nodded. “If you want my advice, take the call. Hasn’t this gone on long enough? Maybe she’s ready to get over it? If not, don’t you want to know either way?”
Jocelyn gave Mason a half-smile as she answered the phone. He only nodded, turning back to the bathroom.
“Hello,” Jocelyn said.
“So, your phone does work, and it appears you haven’t been kidnapped. Does that mean you’ve been avoiding me?”
“Yes,” Jocelyn said unapologetically.
“Wow.”
“Did you call for a reason?” Jocelyn asked, eager to get to the point. This was the moment of truth.
Jocelyn heard the loud breath against the phone from Taylin’s side, pausing before she replied.
“I’m sorry. You’re my best friend, and I wasn’t acting like a very good friend to you. I guess I was just taken by surprise. The whole situation doesn’t seem like you, but that’s not for me to judge. I miss you, Jossie.”
“I miss you too. And you’re right. I haven’t been the same since I met Mason, but I love that. I appreciate your apology.”
Jocelyn wasn’t sure what was covered in the apology, but it was nice to hear that Taylin recognized that she hadn’t been the greatest friend. But had Taylin come around to the idea? Was she ready to be supportive?
“Can we do brunch tomorrow?” Taylin asked timidly.
“I think that sounds wonderful. The little bistro on second?” Jocelyn asked, referencing their usual spot.
“Perfect. Want me to pick you up or just meet there?”
“I’ll meet you there at eleven,” Jocelyn offered. “Does that work?”
“Perfect.” Taylin paused. “You’re at his house, aren’t you?”
Jocelyn giggled. “Yep.”
Taylin laughed. “Well, at least it seems you’ve taken some of my advice. I bet he’s great in bed. And get ready to tell me all about it.”
And there it was, the easiness of their friendship already showing back up; Taylin teasing her. Jocelyn let out a sigh of relief, knowing that tomorrow’s brunch was going to be as if nothing happened, and she was okay with that. Sure, they had a few things to work out, but she was confident that it would.
“All right, lady, I’ll let you get back to Mason. But I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Absolutely. See you then. Bye.”
“Bye,” Taylin said before hanging up.
Jocelyn set her cellphone down, and with a skip in her step, she headed to the bathroom to join Mason. She slid back the shower door and slipped in. Mason took no time at all to pull her into his embrace. His warm body against her was relaxing.
He pressed a kiss to her willing lips. “How’d it go?”
“Pretty good. She apologized, and we’re going to brunch tomorrow. I think it’s going to be fine.” Jocelyn smiled up at him.
“I’m very glad to hear that. I’d hate to come between two friends.”
Jocelyn raised her eyebrows at him. “I know the feeling.”
“Welp, it looks like neither of us needs to worry about that.”
In a swift, smooth motion, Mason turned them around, letting the warm water cascade over her back.
“I think that’s enough talk about them,” Mason said.
The huskiness in his voice, and the way his hooded eyes filled with passion locked on hers, made her knees weak. Thankfully, he held her tightly. No man had ever made her weak in the knees. But no man was like Mason.
Jocelyn pushed up on her toes and wrapped her arms around his neck, making sure that her core grazed against his growing cock.
“You’re right,” she said.
“I’m always right.”
Jocelyn rolled her eyes. “Spoken like a real man.”
“Let me show you what a real man can do for you.”
A quiver ran up her spine, and the heat hit low in her body, yearning for his. Overcome with lust, she was putty in his strong hands as they roamed down her wet skin.
* * * *
Mason awoke to the faint sound of rustling in his room. He wiped the sleep out of his eyes as he turned to the empty side of the bed where Jocelyn had been. Looking around the room, he saw her cute, pantie covered ass swaying in the air as she gathered her clothes off the floor.
“You sneaking out on me?”
Jocelyn jumped at the sound of his voice, turning quickly. “Shit! You scared the hell out of me!”
Mason laughed. “Sorry, babe. But seriously, what are you doing?”
“I’m meeting Taylin for brunch at eleven. I need to go home and get ready. I didn’t want to wake you.”
Mason stretched out in the bed, before he sat up. “Don’t ever worry about waking me up. I’d prefer it to you sneaking out.”
“I wasn’t sneaking out.” She gave him a stern look.
“I know.” He chuckled. “It was sweet of you. Let me go put on a pot of coffee at least before you leave?”
He watched Jocelyn’s brow pull together as she considered it.
“Okay, I have time for a cup of coffee.”
Mason smiled and hopped out of bed, pulling on a pair of boxers and basketball shorts. He walked over to Jocelyn, giving a kiss on her cheek. “Take your time getting dressed. I’ll get the coffee going.”
With a nod and smile from Jocelyn he left, closing the door behind him, and made his way to the kitchen.
The early morning light shone through the large windows of the apartment. It was a little before eight, not a time he was used to being up, but there was no way he was going to let Jocelyn slip out of his place early in the morning, like the walk of shame. He wanted to make sure she was comfortable there. How comfortable?
The delicate footsteps coming down the hall pulled him from his thoughts. Moving around the kitchen, he pulled two mugs from the cupboard, filling them with coffee as Jocelyn sat at the island bar.
“Here.” He set down the coffee. “Oh. Um. I don’t know how you take your coffee. Cream or sugar?”
“Nope. This is perfect. I take it black in the morning. In the afternoon, I pick up something fancier,” Jocelyn said, taking a cautious sip of the hot liquid.
“I take mine black too, but mostly because I’m lazy, or I forget to get creamer at the store,” he joked. “So, I was thinking.” Mason paused, leaning against the counter. “I feel bad that you have to get up so early to go home and get ready. What if you just left some things here?”
Mason’s heart beat fast in his chest; he’d never asked a woman to leave stuff at his place. They’d done it on their own accord, but he didn’t think Jocelyn would be the type to nest without being asked. And the pale look on her face was concerning.
“Come on. Don’t overthink it,” Mason tried to reassure her. “I wasn’t thinking you’d move in. Just maybe a toothbrush and a spare change of clothes?”
Jocelyn took another drink of her coffee. “Maybe.”
Mason would be lying if he said he wasn’t a little hurt by her reluctance. He hoped that she’d be staying more nights with him, and it only made sense for her to keep a few items here. But he wondered if she felt pressured to offer the same to him. He didn’t want to push her for anything, and honestly, he thought it was a harmless suggestion.
“Whatever you want to do,” he said, trying to play it off. “So, brunch with Taylin, then what?”
Jocelyn took a heavy breath, exhaling before she spoke. “I guess I have to get started on the gallery event. I really need to pin down a date and send out ‘save the date’ cards.”
“Sounds like a busy day.”
“It will be something for sure. What are your plans?”
“I’m not sure. I might see what the guys are up too, maybe spend a little time with them so they stop giving me shit.”
They both laughed but stopped as footsteps approached the kitchen.
“Doesn’t anyone in this place sleep in?” Mason asked as Preston came around the corner.
“Not today, apparently.” Preston shrugged. “Morning, Jocelyn.”
“Hi,” she replied sheepishly.
“Really, what are you doing up so early?” Mason asked.
“I’m going golfing with the guys.”
“Got room for one more?” Mason asked.
Preston scoffed. “You mean you don’t have plans today?” he asked as he poured himself a cup of coffee.
“Don’t be a dick,” Mason warned.
“Sorry, dude. A late night and an early tee time don’t mix. But hey, at least they have beer at the golf course—a little hair of the dog might help.”
Jocelyn snickered at the comment, and Mason was happy to see she wasn’t affected by Preston’s comment, which was obviously aimed at them.
“Yeah, I think we could fit you in,” Preston conceded.
“Well, you guys have fun. I need to be going.” Jocelyn tipped back the rest of her coffee before standing up.
“I’ll walk you out to your car,” Mason said, leading the way to the door.
“Bye, Preston,” she called.
“See ya.”
Jocelyn stopped at the door, slipping on her shoes. “It’s all right, you don’t have to see me to my car.” She pressed a kiss to his lips.
“You sure?”
“Yes. Believe it or not, I can do some things on my own,” she teased.
“Fine. Call me later though. I wanna hear how things go with Taylin,” Mason demanded, pulling Jocelyn into him.
“You know it.” She smiled up at him.
With another kiss, he let her slip out the door.
Mason made his way back to the kitchen. Preston was perched against the counter, giving Mason a curious look.
“Don’t even start with me,” Mason warned.
“I wasn’t.”
Mason shook his head at his friend. He knew that Preston was holding back, and he appreciated it, but if the little digs continued, shit was going to hit the fan.
“You really up for golfing today?” Preston questioned.
“Totally. Just let me take a quick shower. I’ll be ready in ten.”
“Cool. The guys are going to be so fucking surprised to see your face,” Preston teased.
“Hey, it hasn’t been that long. Give me a break.”
“Yeah, yeah. Go get ready. We gotta leave soon if we’re going to make it.”
Mason shook his head as he moved down the hallway to his room. He was fully aware that his friends had been taking a backseat to his relationship with Jocelyn. Mason needed to figure out a way to balance the two. It sounded like the gallery would be taking up some of Jocelyn’s time, and he could use the opportunity to work in time with his buddies. Win-win, right?