The small breeze from his warm breath in her ear sent a tingly awareness all over her. Brushing away the thought of his lips on hers, she tried to focus on other things. Knowing he had super abilities, it didn't surprise her that he had run there. Most likely he'd figured out that she'd taken Remus's car to get home, so he had come to retrieve it.
"It's way past your bedtime and you have to work tomorrow. I should go." He got up and gave her his hand. The force of his pull made her leap into his arms. Inhaling a small gasp, she immediately drowned in their tangled bodies. In his arms she felt small, but safe for the very first time. From that moment, she knew without a doubt that she could trust him.
Mason finally released Skylar after gazing into her eyes longer than usual. "Umm, I should go now." His eyes scanned her from head to toe as he guided her to her bed. "So, is this what you wear to bed?" He gave a mischievous grin, twitching his brows.
Warmth flushed to her cheeks. She realized she wasn't wearing a bra, and immediately got into bed and pulled the sheet above her chest.
"Why?" She examined what she wore-short shorts and a tank top. "What's wrong with what I'm wearing? Should I be wearing something else?"
"Kind of skimpy, don't you think?"
Great! He was back to being himself again. "Kind of skimpy? It's hot," she stated. Suddenly, she felt like she was exposing herself.
"It's hot all right. Wear something longer next time or else I may not be able to control myself."
Skylar flushed with warmth again. He was actually flirting with her.
"Close your eyes," he said, guiding her lower until her head was on the pillow. Then he sat on the edge of the bed. Flexing his muscles, he pressed his hands on either side of the pillow. The intensity of the want and need in his eyes as he looked at her left her breathless. His eyes traveled to her lips, then back up to her eyes, and stayed there as he slowly moved to close the distance.
Withering beneath him, Skylar's breath was still caught in her chest. His close proximity aroused every inch of her and undeniable desire brewed in the energy between them. In anticipation of the sweetness of his lips on hers, the pitter-patter of her heart made her chest rapidly rise and fall. Parting her lips, she was ready for him as he lowered toward her . . . closer . . . closer. Though it seemed to take a great amount of effort for him to turn away, he nuzzled the side of her neck instead.
"Close your eyes." He huffed out a heavy, rough breath as if he was trying to restrain himself from something he wanted to do. His hot breath brushed against the side of her neck, making her quiver in all the right places.
Frozen in place, Skylar had to gather herself from the letdown before she could speak, "Close my eyes? But you're still here." Her words barely escaped her lips. Snuggling into her pillow, she tried to shake off the heated daze.
Raking his hair back, he sat up, looking overcome. "Stop talking, Echo, or you're going to the naughty corner." His lips stretched into a smug half grin-that grin he did so well-frisky and sexy at the same time.
"And if I don't? What are you going to do, spank me? No wait, are you going to shock me?"
He arched his brows playfully. "You really want to know? We can do both and see how that feels."
With no comeback she sank deeper into the mattress, hiding beneath the sheet, secretly thinking how hot but twisted that sounded.
His hand reached over, covering her eyes. "Go to sleep, Echo." His authoritative tone was final, but she was up for the challenge.
"My name isn't Echo and you're still here," she yawned, suddenly feeling exhausted but waiting for his response. When she didn't feel the light weight over her eyes, she opened them. There was no sign of Mason, or any evidence he had gone out the door.
"Hey, pretty ladies," Jack greeted. "Why do you look so tired, especially you, Skylar? Rough night, huh?"
"You could say that," Skylar replied, putting on her white apron and tying her hair back. Rough night was an understatement. Rough week and a half was more like it.
"You girls get to work the late shift today?" Jack asked.
"Yippee," Kayla said sarcastically, twirling her index finger up in the air.
"Oh, cheer up. Your mom is interviewing waitresses."
"Really? I hope she finds a replacement for us soon."
"She will. She already has a few in mind."
"Perfect," Kayla said with a smile. "What's the special today?" Kayla moved behind the counter.
"Today is Tuesday. Chicken soup," Mona stated, walking out of the storage room. "Good to see you, girls. Tuesday is one of our busiest days, so let's get ready for the lunch and dinner rush."
"So bossy, Mona," Jack muttered. "Aren't we in a bad mood?"
"I have to work with you every day. Yeah, that would do it," Mona joked, straightening the chairs around the tables.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's why you never leave. You can't be apart from me after all these years. I can't even make you leave me."
"Whatever you want to think is fine by me." Mona scoffed.
Their teasing was interrupted by the sound of the bell chiming as a customer entered. Everyone went back to their posts. It was extremely busy during the lunch hour before they finally had a break. As they got ready for the dinner rush, Skylar noticed Kayla standing near the kitchen, smiling and holding her cell phone.
Skylar went behind the cash register and took out her phone to text.
What are you doing?
I'm texting with Nick.
Mona will get mad.
I don't care. You're texting too. Lol!
Lol!
Nick is on his way and so is Mason. I'm glad you two talked it out over the phone last night.
Me too.
Hugs hugs!
Hugs back!
You end.
No, you end.
Mona coming. End.
During the drive to work, Kayla had asked about the cut on her lip. Skylar told her she'd accidentally bit it. It was almost the truth, but since the cut was hardly noticeable, which was odd, it was believable. She had also wanted details of their fight. Skylar didn't know what to tell her, so she made up a story, telling her they had argued about where their relationship was headed. Feeling bad about their fight, Mason had called her on her cell phone. Kayla fell for the story and didn't ask any questions after that.
Skylar wanted to see Mason, but for some reason she felt nervous to see him after the heated moment they'd shared the night before. Not knowing exactly what she meant to him, she thought he might be playing with her emotions. She kept herself busy, wanting to keep her eyes away from the clock. Anxiously, she waited as customer after customer came and went. Finally, at about seven p.m. Nick entered.
Kayla beamed a smile, escorting him to his table. Skylar wondered where Mason was but about five minutes later he walked in with a girl by his side, the same blonde that was at the nightclub. Skylar's heart dropped. He might as well have stomped on it. She looked just as Skylar remembered-too pretty and too blonde. Her attire was casual, but it didn't matter what she wore. She was naturally gorgeous.
Nick raised his hands to let Mason know where he was seated and the two of them walked side by side toward him. Not wanting to see him, Skylar ducked where she was standing, hiding behind the cash register. How could he bring her here after last night? Was he that cold and heartless? But she knew she had no right to feel that way. They weren't going out. Come to think of it, they weren't even dating.
He was just her knight in shining armor and that was it. The fact that he flirted with her a little and took care of her obviously meant nothing to him, but it did to her. From the corner of her eye, she saw Kayla taking their order and giving it to Jack. While waiting, she pulled out her phone. From the look Kayla gave her, she knew the text was from her.
What the hell! Who in the hell is she?
The same girl he was with at the club.
What is she doing here?
I don't care. We're not dating. He can go out with whomever he wants.
But I thought you two made up.
I guess it meant nothing to him.
Forget him!
I will!
Ass!
Yeah, heavy sigh . . . but a gorgeous one though.
With nowhere to run, Skylar took a deep, painful breath and stood up to face him. Be brave! Skylar could tell Mason was trying to make eye contact with her, but she would not give him the satisfaction. She kept on repeating to herself that he didn't care about her and that she deserved better. When she thought she could make it, Mona stood in front of her.
"Skylar, could you please take these plates to that table over there?" She pointed straight across to Mason.
"Can you ask Kayla?" Skylar whispered. "I should stay here in case a customer needs to pay."
Mona chuckled. "You've been eyeing that table ever since Mason got here. Now take these and go say hello. That's an order," Mona whispered back.