Mason pulled back, panting, his hot breath on her. "You're going to the naughty corner."
"What?" Skylar's eyes shot open, remembering him telling her several times that she needed to go to the naughty corner for not listening to him and for risking her life. She gulped nervously, yet it sparked excitement at the same time. "What happens in the naughty corner?"
Mason's brows arched playfully. "You'll see. I'm taking you there now." He pulled her in for another kiss. With his lips on hers, he ran his hands down the length of her back and onto her thighs. Effortlessly he lifted her up, carried her to the dining table, and carefully laid her down.
Captivated by the sweetness of his display, his playfulness, his caresses, she didn't know how she had gotten there when she looked up and saw the dining room lights as his lips moved downward. Every place he touched, every place he kissed, she could feel the heat rising from within, burning hotter by the second. Quivering, a feeling she didn't want to have end erupted through her whole essence. How wonderful it was to be in his embrace, to feel his desire, to fulfill the need.
"I think I'll have my dessert first," he teased, trailing sweet kisses down her neck, then up to her ears. "You owe me two shirts, but I'll gladly take yours." With his chest pressed to hers, she could feel his heart racing just as fast as hers was. Lowering his hands to caress her sides, he slid his fingers under the hem of her sweater. With flesh upon flesh, she ignited, and heat exploded from her head to her curling toes.
"I love it when you wear pink," he whispered, kissing her around the area of her bare stomach. "But we need to stop. Not here and not now." Seductively, his soft kisses traveled upward until he held her gaze while his hands laced through her hair. "I want to do right by you. I want to know you. Spend time with you. We need to take it slow, okay?"
Skylar nodded, trying to calm her breathing that had gone into overdrive. "Ouch," Skylar yelped. Her body jerked slightly and she looked at Mason with wide eyes.
"Sorry, did I hurt you?" With one long stroke, he ran his hand down the front of her body, making sure she was fine. "I kind of"-raising his hand, he wiggled his fingers and released small sparks-"sizzle from your touch. I call this the love shock, baby." He paused and then gave her a mischievously crooked grin. Oh, that grin he worked so well, lassoing her with one whip, reeling her in, and roping her into Mason's world. Skylar could do nothing other than smile immensely, but shyly. That was way too hot and sexy for her ears.
"I want to try something," he continued. Delicately he rubbed the flesh surrounding the area near her belly button, where her sweater was already uplifted. Light illuminated dimly from his fingertips as he moved them in a circular motion. Pleasant warmth kindled at first, then gradually flared deeper and the heat dispersed. The hot, sensual wave of desire coursed through every inch of her, completely taking her in.
"Mason," she yelped a pleasurable cry, barely a whisper caught in her throat, surprised from the sensation. It was almost the same feeling he had unknowingly caused when he was asleep, but with more intensity. Panting and breathless, erotic vibrations erupted, especially in areas she could never possibly have guessed they could just from that simple touch. Losing control, she arched her back to him as she took all of his tantalizing energy in.
With the sound of the doorknob turning, Mason snatched Skylar off the table and took her to the kitchen with the speed that she was learning to love. She felt lightheaded and knew there was a flush on her cheeks. Grinning, Skylar ran her fingers through her hair, straightened her clothes to look presentable, and tried to suppress the lingering hot sensations. Just as Emily entered, they walked out of the kitchen together.
"Hey," Emily exclaimed, looking surprised. Her eyes focused on Skylar. "What happened to your hair?" she asked slowly. "Static much?"
Skylar brushed her hair back again, imagining what it looked like. Lighting up an embarrassed smile, she diverted the conversation, "Hey, you remember Mason, don't you?"
"How could I forget?" She curled her lips flirtatiously. "Dex will be coming by soon and then I'll be off. I'll catch you both later." She headed up the stairs.
With a flash, Mason pulled Skylar into his arms. "I don't like your body away from mine too long." Mason ran his fingers through her hair to settle the rest of the static down. "Let me help you. I didn't know I could do that." He chuckled.
Giggling, she replied, "I didn't know you could do that either, but I like the naughty corner." She decided that had she known what he'd meant by "naughty corner," she would've gone there a long time ago.
"I know you do. Let's get out of here and get some dinner." Mason released her and waited for her response.
"Let me grab my purse." Skylar slipped on her jacket, grabbed her small black purse from the sofa, and walked out the door with Mason. The cold breeze slapped Skylar's hair onto her face as she huddled into herself. The dark sky was somewhat merciful tonight, compared to the nights before when the rain had been relentless.
Hand in hand, they walked down the path to the parking lot. He had held her hand before, but this time it meant so much more. His fingers intertwining with hers felt so right, so at home, as if they were made for her to hold. All the pain and torment she had felt disappeared as if it had never existed.
"Are you cold?" Mason asked, taking smaller steps to match hers.
"I was a second ago but not anymore." Skylar gazed down toward their clasped hands. A glowing dim light shone from them. Skylar's smile was as bright as the light, knowing the warmth that flooded through her body was Mason's doing. "I'm fine now. I'm perfect." Indeed she was. She was in a state of bliss as he guided her to his car.
Mason had changed for the better, to the man she was always so sure existed behind those hopeful, soul-burning eyes. He had battled the hurt, the grief, and the regrets to get to where he was, here and now. He wasn't the only one. Skylar knew that she had also changed. Being called "Sky" wasn't as heart wrenching as it used to be. Not only that, with Mason's help she'd accepted who she was, and that would help her prepare for whatever dangers lay ahead.
Her gut feeling told her there would be a heavy storm coming soon. How heavy? She would not know until it hit. That was the most frightening part. Who knew what they would be up against? She had been forced into a war that had started long before she was ever born. She was what the Oracle called "the unknown factor" or "the keeper of death," but knowing Mason would be there for her, that alone was enough. It had to be.
"Where are we going?" Skylar asked.
"I have a surprise for you." His tone was cool, but his eyes beamed with excitement.
Changing lanes and turning right at the light, Skylar recognized the familiar roads. If her sense of direction was correct, they were headed to Starla. After parking at the back of the building, Mason gripped her hand and led her through a private back door. Upon entering, they went straight to the bar.
"Do you own this restaurant too?" Skylar wasn't sure, but since the employees were more attentive to him than the other customers, it was the only explanation. Without a word he grinned humbly so she took that as a yes.
Mason pulled her close and batted his eyes with a serene look, moving in at a snail's pace for a kiss.
"So what's the surprise?" Skylar asked, pushing him back a bit just before his lips brushed hers. When she pulled away, she was startled by something, like a blurred image of a man. Whatever it was, it moved at an inhuman speed. She didn't want to lose sight of him, but it was too late. He was gone.
"Ouch, rejected already," Mason whined, curling his lips downward and looking adorable while showing his vulnerability.
"Sorry," Skylar shrugged, still trying to figure out what she had seen. "A girl's gotta play hard to get."
"I don't know if I like you playing hard to get." He frowned. "Keep my seat warm, I'll be right back. If someone tries to take it, tell him he's making a huge mistake. I will scorch him and fry him up extra crispy. Nick doesn't call me ‘Mace the Ace' for no reason. I'm really good with my fingers." He wiggled them, twitching his eyebrows playfully.
Indeed he was, in more ways than one. With a wink and a sweet kiss on her lips, he walked away. Skylar twisted her neck to see Mason stride toward the back. The women sitting at the nearby tables followed him with their eyes as he passed by. Skylar gloated inwardly as she continued to watch until he disappeared from her sight. Mine. Hands off, ladies.