The rush of oxygen in his face made him take in a long lungful of atmosphere that wasn’t filled with the scent of Jenna. He stepped to the iron fence and leaned forward against it as though putting a little more space between him and the woman inside would help him think straight.
“Mason. What are you doing?” Rafe’s voice came from behind, only seconds after Mason had exited the building.
Mason whipped his head around and found Rafe glaring at him. “I told you to keep away from her.”
“I heard you.” Mason turned back around and stared into the night.
“Why do I get the feeling you aren’t going to heed my advice?”
Mason stayed silent.
Rafe groaned. “Dude, she’s not like us. She has no idea about our alternative lifestyle.”
Mason turned toward him. “Neither did Katy when you met and look at you.”
“That’s different. Katy’s—”
“What? Submissive? Open-minded? Whipped?” Mason chuckled. “That’s rich, man. What makes you think Jenna isn’t like her?”
“She’s just not. Trust me. She has…baggage. A lot of baggage.”
Mason smirked. “Don’t we all?” He turned and leaned against the fence. “Look,” he held both hands up in surrender, “I’m not going to ruin your big day, okay? Promise.”
“It’s more than that, and you know it. My woman will have my head if you fuck with her friend. I don’t want to see her wrath any time soon. We’re about to get married for Christ’s sake.”
“I hear you.” Mason looked down. “Please don’t worry about me. I promise to keep my pants on and zipped.”
“Swear?”
“Scout’s honor.” Mason saluted his friend.
“Dude, you were never a scout, and I’m pretty sure that isn’t the sign they make.” Rafe grabbed his friend’s arm and laughed. “Let’s get back inside before Katy sends out reinforcements.”
•●•
Soon after Mason bolted from the table, Rafe jumped from his chair and left also. That left Jenna glancing to her left to find a very anxious Katy staring at her. “Didn’t you get my meaning earlier?”
“What? Your subtle head shake? Yes.” Jenna grinned. “What’s wrong with Mason? He’s a friend of Rafe. How bad can he be?”
“He’s not…bad. He’s a perfectly nice guy, but he isn’t your type. Trust me. I know that look you have in your eyes. He will only hurt you if you let him. Let it go. Please.” Katy’s eyes blinked as she begged, and then she stuck her lip out in a pout.
“Is it that big a deal?”
“Yes.”
“I’d love to hear more of this story. It must be a good one.”
“It is. Believe me. But not now. I don’t have that kind of time tonight.”
Jenna laughed. “That bad, huh? Okay, but I’m holding you to it. You owe me a girl’s night when you get back from Hawaii, and I intend to dig all the gory details about this bad boy you insist on warding me off of.”
“You got it. Promise. Please don’t jump in his pants and do all the things I can see your mind whirling with. He isn’t your kind of guy.” Katy narrowed her gaze. She grabbed Jenna’s arm and squeezed hard. “Promise?”
“Yes. Fine. Okay. I won’t jump into his pants. Promise.”
“You’re still coming over tomorrow morning to help me get ready?”
“Of course. What time do you want me?”
“I’ll call you when I get up, and we’ll spend the day getting nails and hair done.” Katy clapped her hands together as the men returned to the table.
Rafe leaned in and kissed his fiancée. “What’s so amusing?”
“Hair and nails. First thing in the morning. Wanna come?” Jenna teased.
Rafe stepped back and held his hands up like he’d been burned. “Not a chance in hell. You ladies enjoy yourselves. I’ll meet you at the altar. Nails done. Hair poofed. Smiles in place.” He stared at Katy for a second and then shifted his gaze to Jenna.
Why did it feel like he was warning her off his friend in the same way Katy had just finished lecturing her?
Katy glanced at her watch. “We should go. Big day tomorrow.”
Rafe frowned. “I was hoping to have a few moments alone with you before you leave. It’s not midnight yet. As long as I have you home by twelve, I’m not breaking any rules, right?”
Everyone got up from the table and gathered their belongings. Jenna stood at the same time Mason returned to the table. As the perfect gentleman, he held her chair out for her and reached to retrieve her purse where it had fallen on the ground.