I smiled and moved closer to him, where our bodies touched. I chased kisses on his lips and in between them.
I said, “I think I can make room for you. Will you make room for me?”
“Baby, I’ve been trying to take care of you. But you won’t let me.”
I leaned back from him.
“I don’t want your money, Mace. I just want you.”
I tried to let him see that I meant every word I said, and he then smiled.
“Move in with me then.”
I scoffed. “What? No, I can’t move in with you. I mean, we barely know each other. I have a lease I’m responsible for. I can’t just leave my roommates hanging.”
“Allura…,” he started.
But I cut him off. “No, Mason.”
I folded my arms and looked away from him. No matter how much I would love to live with him, I just won’t abandon my friends.
“Allura.” He placed his hand over my chin and forced me to look at him. “I wouldn’t dream of leaving your friends hanging. I’ll pay the rent for the remaining months of your lease.” I was about to protest, but he touched his finger against my lips. “And as far as us knowing each other, I think that’s just an excuse. I know every inch of you, baby. What I don’t know, I can’t wait to learn. I don’t want to sleep another night without you.”
“Mason, I just think that maybe we’re moving too fast. I’m afraid that what if we don’t make it, or something happens. I know you don’t think it’s a possibility, but I just don’t know.” I admitted to him.
He sighed loudly and ran his hands through his hair in frustration. He stared out the window again before he spoke.
“Alex told me we should be heading to Miami for the quarter, semi, and final bouts. Are you planning on making the trip?”
I shook my head, confused with the change of topic. “Um…I don’t know.”
He took a deep breath. “Why don’t you come with me? I really want you to be there with me. I need you there by my side.”
I nodded and said slowly, “Okay. Let me see if I can do it.”
He simply nodded and stood. “Let’s go take a shower and go to bed.”
He helped me up, and we walked upstairs to the bathroom without mentioning moving in together. I thought it strange that he just stopped talking about it. I wanted him to know how much I would love to live with him. I’m just scared out of my mind.
As we got dressed after our rather chaste shower, he must have read my mind because he said, “I know you’re scared about this relationship we have. I really think everything will work out. But if I have to get you comfortable with the idea of living with me, then that’s what I’ll have to do.”
Mason didn’t mention it again that night. He simply pulled me to him once we were under the covers, kissed my forehead, and drifted off to sleep.
The next few weeks Mason still didn’t bring up living together. Things were the same as they always had been. He would pick me up from work at night and take me to either his or my place. What he made sure of is to wake up every morning with me by his side. I was starting to get used to him being around. I was getting used to his touch and being in his arms. If I was into a serious studying session, he would make sure I had food to eat and plenty of space. But he always managed to snuggle me next to him, no matter what time I closed my eyes.
When we had spare time, he would take me to dinner or to a movie. We would take walks along Penn’s Landing when the weather wasn’t too cold. Whenever he wanted to try and spoil me, he would take me shopping. I tried not to let him buy me too many things, but he would tell me he couldn’t stop spoiling me.
I managed to take off a few days and travel with Mason to Florida for the finals. I could tell he was very excited. The last few fights he had to crown him Champ in our circuit had been tough, but he managed to make his opponents surrender convincingly. He told me he was looking forward to fighting some serious and worthy opponents.
We arrived on Monday to the most beautiful hotel called W South Beach. The suite Mason rented for us was spectacular, to say the least. We walked down a long hallway. Behind the first door was the master bedroom and bath. The bathroom was beautiful, with marble tile, large shower, and a very inviting bathtub. As I walked into the living area, I caught my breath. I mean the room was spectacular, but the view was mouthwatering.
“Mason, will you take a look at this view?”
I stood in front of the window looking out onto the Atlantic and the darkness that was starting to consume us.
“Yes, the view is quite breathtaking.”
I turned to see his eyes hooded with lust dripping from them. The deep penetration from his eyes still captivates and stills me. I watched helplessly as he continued to claim me.