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  He waited for an answer, but Amelia said nothing. She just picked at her napkin nervously.

  “Oh my God!” Mason exclaimed as it dawned on him why she was so reluctant. Amelia stared at him and held her breath. “It’s because of me, isn’t it?”

  “No, it’s just…” she replied, searching for something to say.

  “You’re afraid of what I want in return,” Mason said, and Amelia cringed as he had hit the nail on the head. “You think there is a catch.”

  “Isn’t there?” She answered honestly, finally looking up at him.

  “No Amelia,” Mason said pinning her with his eyes. “There is no catch.”

  “Then why are you doing it?” Amelia asked holding his stare.

  “Because I can,” he replied as he lifted his glass of wine and took a sip. Amelia wanted the ground to open up and swallow her.

  Amelia’s eyes fell to her glass once again, but she didn’t pick it up. She knew that coming here had been a mistake and one she needed to fix. She sat her napkin down on the table and stood up.

  “I am grateful for the gesture,” she said without looking at Mason. “And for the wine and pizza, but I think it’s best that I leave.”

  “But you haven’t eaten anything,” Mason sighed and Amelia cringed again. She had upset him, and that was the last thing she had wanted to do.

  “I am not very hungry,” she replied as she finally allowed her eyes to meet Mason’s. Her heart raced as his eyes burned into her, almost looking through her. “I should go.”

  She turned to leave but Mason stood up.

  “Wait,” he said as he pulled his wallet from his pocket and took out enough money to cover the cost of their uneaten food. “I will take you home.”

  “There really is no need…” Amelia began to protest but Mason stopped her with a look.

  “I will take you home,” he repeated. Without another word, he took her by the hand and led her out of the restaurant. Amelia’s heart was racing.

  She was almost jogging, trying to keep up with Mason. She knew he was angry and that she had upset him. She really wanted to pull her hand free and tell him that she didn’t need him to take her home, but something stopped her. Maybe it was fear, or maybe it was something more.

  Mason didn’t say a word for the entire walk back to her apartment, nor did he slow down or miss a step.

  When they reached her apartment building, he released her hand for her to fish her keys from her bag. Amelia was surprised when she opened the door and Mason took her hand once more and led her into the building.

  “I can find my way to apartment from here,” Amelia said pulling her hand free from Mason’s.

  “I said I was taking you home,” he said abruptly before he turned and headed for the stairs. Amelia sighed and followed him up the two flights of stairs to her apartment on the second floor. Mason stood silently as Amelia slipped the key into her apartment door and unlocked it.

  When the door was open, she turned back to Mason and took a deep breath.

  “Thank you for bringing me home,” she said nervously. Mason didn’t reply, he just watched her from where he stood. “I am sorry for this evening.”

  Again he said nothing.

  Amelia stared at him for a few minutes before she sighed and stepped back into her apartment.

  “Good night, Mason,” Amelia said giving him one more smile before she began to close the door.

  Suddenly, his hand came up and stopped the door from closing. Mason pushed it back open and took a step towards Amelia.

  “What is it you want from me?” He asked, his eyes never leaving hers. “What are you so afraid of?”

  “I…I am not afraid,” Amelia stuttered. “I just…I.”

  “I am not some snot nose teenager trying to win a bet,” he said as he took another step closer to her. “I am not that guy, Amelia.”

  “Then what are you?” Amelia cried as she stepped back from him until her back was flush with the wall. “What do you want?”

  “I want you,” he said stepping so close to Amelia she could feel his warm breath wash over her face. “I have wanted you since the first time you crashed into my life.”

  Amelia just stared up into his face, as her heart hammered rapidly in her chest.

  “Tell me you want me too, Amelia,” Mason whispered against her lips but still he didn’t kiss her.

  “I’m scared,” she replied breathlessly.

  “Don’t be,” he said as he finally pressed his soft lips to hers. At first, Amelia didn’t respond. The only sound she could hear was her heart drumming in her ears. She was so afraid, but she could hold back no longer. She pressed her lips to his and her body leaned into his.

  Mason wasted no time. He slipped his arms around Amelia and pulled her closer to him.

  He picked her up and kicked her apartment door shut, then made his way along the hallway to her bedroom.

  When he reached her room, he set her back down on the floor. He turned and closed the door before he turned back to Amelia. She stood in the middle of her bedroom, watching Mason as he slipped off his jacket. She was both terrified and excited in equal measures.

  “Are you sure you want this Amelia?” Mason asked as he walked towards her slowly, his eyes never leaving hers.

  “Umm hmm,” she nodded as her breathing quickened and her legs turned to jelly. OH GOD! OH GOD!”

  Mason stepped forward and softly brushed his fingertips down Amelia’s cheek, before he took hold of her chin and tilted her face up to his.

  “Perfect,” he whispered as he took in every inch of her face. Suddenly he sealed her mouth with his, his tongue stroking hers as his kiss deepened.

  As he kissed her, Amelia slowly but nervously unfastened his shirt and pushed it from his broad shoulders.

  Mason broke his lips from Amelia’s breathlessly. He reached for her hands and took them in his.

  “My God,” he said. “You are shaking like a leaf.”

  Amelia didn’t respond, she just looked up into Mason’s eyes. He kissed her softly before he reached for the zipper on her dress. As he eased it down, Amelia’s breathing grew faster and faster. He slowly eased her dress up her body and then dropped it to the floor.

  “Don’t be afraid,” he whispered as he kissed her bare shoulder then slipped her bra strap down, then repeated the same on the other shoulder. He reached around the back and unfastened it, letting it slip down her arms.

  Then he hooked his fingers inside the rim of her panties and, dropping to his knee before her, he eased them down her legs.

  “Beautiful,” he said as he pressed his lips to her stomach and kissed her. Amelia could barely breathe as she stood there, completely naked in front of this man who had come crashing into her world. He stood up and locked his eyes with hers as he reached for the belt of his trousers and pulled it open, then he undid the zipper.

  Slowly, he pushed his trousers and his boxer shorts to the ground, freeing his swollen cock. He kicked his shoes and trousers off completely.

  A small cry came from deep inside Amelia. Her heart was beating so fast and hard, she thought it was trying to break free.

  She couldn’t take her eyes from his erect cock. Even though she was not a virgin, she had no memory of that night. She had never seen a man fully erect before.

  “Are you okay?” Mason asked as he stepped closer to Amelia.

  “Yes,” she whispered as she pulled her focus from his cock to his eyes. Her whole body was trembling with fear.

  “Please don’t be afraid,” he whispered as he stepped closer to her. He took her face in his hands and kissed her again. This time it was slow and tender.

  Amelia wasn’t even aware they were moving until she felt the bed behind her legs.

  “Trust me,” Mason said as he eased her down onto the bed. He dropped to his knees and pushed her legs open. He placed soft kisses up the inside of her thigh until he reached her soft centre.

  Amelia cried out as he ran his tongue betwe
en her lips and over her swollen bud.

  “Oh God,” she cried. The feeling was equally amazing and terrifying. Mason continued to suck and tease her clit, taking his time and pushing her higher and higher. Suddenly, Amelia could feel her whole body shake as she had her very first orgasm.

  She was still in a spin when she felt Mason slip between her legs and lean down over her. He pressed his lips to hers and Amelia could taste her orgasm on his mouth.

  “There are so many things I want to do to you Amelia,” Mason breathed against her mouth. “But for now, I want you to know what sex should be like. So we are going to take this slowly.”

  He pushed back up off the bed and reached for his trousers on the ground. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a foil packet.

  Amelia lay on the bed watching his every movement, still a little stunned by what was happening.

  Her eyes fell to Mason’s cock and she watched as he rolled a condom down his entire length.

  She held her breath as he walked back towards the bed and climbed over her. He brushed his lips against hers and smiled.

  “This is how a real man treats a woman,” he whispered as he slipped back between Amelia’s legs.

  “Look at me Amelia,” he instructed. When her eyes met his, he smiled again. Suddenly he pushed inside her and Amelia cried out. “Are you okay?”

  Amelia just nodded as her body tried to process the sudden fullness.

  Mason began to move, sliding his entire length out before he pushed back inside her. He watched her closely, taking great care not to hurt her.

  With each thrust, he pushed deeper into her and soon Amelia closed her eyes and got lost in the moment, but Mason’s eyes never left her as he pushed her higher and higher.

  Soon Amelia found her rhythm, and her confidence grew. She opened her eyes and looked up into Mason’s as once again the feeling of losing control spread through her body.

  “Oh, God, Mason!” She cried as she held onto him tightly. Mason picked up his speed, pushed on by her cries of pleasure.

  He finally stilled as he erupted inside her, the frustration of the last two weeks finally gone. Amelia smiled as Mason crashed down next to her on the bed ne, breathless and sweating.

  “That was….”Amelia said searching for the right words. “I mean, was it okay?”

  Mason lay on the bed next to Amelia, without saying a word. Amelia lay there waiting for him to speak, or even move but there was nothing.

  Finally, she could wait no longer and she reached out and touched his arm.

  “Are you okay?” Amelia said. “I mean, I thought it was…but maybe I am wrong.”

  Mason suddenly sat up on the edge of the bed. Amelia sensed something was very wrong.

  She held her breath for a moment, unsure of what she should do next. She took a deep breath and moved to the edge of the bed next to Mason.

  “Have I done something wrong?” Amelia asked nervously.

  “No,” Mason said looking up at Amelia. “It’s nothing you did.”

  He pushed up off the bed and picked up his clothes. He quickly removed the condom before he got dressed, the whole time, he didn’t look at Amelia.

  “Mason, what’s wrong?” She asked as she reached for her dressing gown from the chair next to the bed, and pulled it on.

  “It’s nothing,” he said as he pulled on his shirt, still he didn’t look at her. “I have a meeting in the morning. So I have to go.”

  “Tomorrow is Saturday,” Amelia said trying not to freak out too much.

  “It’s an important client,” he replied and Amelia knew he was lying.

  “Okay,” she said, trying not to react to what was going on.

  Mason grabbed his coat and walked to the door. He hesitated before he turned back to look at Amelia.

  “I am sorry, Amelia,” Mason said, still not meeting her eyes. “I think you need to forget about what happened here tonight. This was a mistake.”

  Without saying another word, he turned and disappeared down the hallway, leaving Amelia wondering what the hell had just happened.

  Chapter 9

  Mason pulled up outside Andrew’s house a little after three and switched off the engine. He had thought about calling Andrew several times that morning, but he knew Andrew would have insisted he go. Besides, Sadie, Andrew’s mom was going to be there, and Mason knew she was expecting him.

  He sighed as he reached for the large brightly wrapped gift sitting on the seat next to him. He had no idea what it was. He had sent his assistant, Sophie out with his credit card and told her to pick something for the baby.

  He pushed open the car door and got out. He took a deep breath before he walked to the door. He stopped before he pressed the bell, Mason really didn’t want to be there. A house full of people was the last thing he needed, especially with the mother of all hangovers.

  He had spent the entire Saturday in his underwear, with a bottle of scotch, in front of the TV. Mason never watched TV but he had little or no desire to do anything except reach the bottom of the scotch bottle.

  His head was a complete mess, filled with thoughts of Amelia. He tried not to think of her, but she consumed his every thought. Her smile, her laugh, the smell of her delicate skin and the sounds she made as he had slowly made love to her. She was simply perfect.

  When he closed his eyes, he could remember how it had felt to be lost inside her. It was unlike anything Mason had ever felt before, and that terrified him.

  He thought about his night with Amelia and he felt sick to the pit of his stomach. He knew she was inexperienced and innocent, but nothing had prepared him for how being with her, would make him feel.

  He had decided to take his time with the stunningly beautiful, Ms. Wells. He would show her that sex didn’t have to be wrong, terrifying or dirty. He wanted her to feel the true meaning of pleasure.

  The problem was, Mason hadn’t thought about what this would do to him. To Mason, sex was as much about control as it was pleasure. He loved to dominate and possess, to have someone willing to give themselves to him, for his pleasure.

  That was not how it felt when he made love to Amelia. His overwhelming thought was to please her. To give himself to her for her pleasure. He realised as he lay there next to her on the bed, gasping for air, that he wanted more from Amelia than just sex. For the first time ever, he wanted love.

  That single thought terrified him more than anything else in this world, so he did what he thought was the only thing he could do. Run.

  Now in the cold light of day, he hated himself for what he had done. He knew from the first time he saw her, Amelia was special, but he had no idea how special.

  Why hadn’t he listened to his gut when it told him she was not the right girl for him? His arrogance let him believe he could teach Amelia something, but in the end, he was the one that learned a lesson, and in the process, he had hurt Amelia.

  I am no better than the snot nose teenager that fucked her for a bet, Mason thought miserably as he rang Andrews’s doorbell.

  The sound of little feet running towards the door made Mason brace himself. He really wished he could turn and run.

  Because that’s what you’re good at, huh Mace, he thought angrily. The door opened and he was greeted with and chorus of, “Uncle Mason!”

  Libby, Andrew’s sister had four year old twin girls, and a five year old son named Brody. Before Mason had time to think, the three children ran at him, nearly knocking him off his feet.

  “You made it!” Andrew exclaimed with a laugh as Mason gave him a pleading look. “Okay kids, let Uncle Mason come into the house before you empty his pockets.”

  The three kids turned and headed back inside leaving a grateful Mason with Andrew.

  “I thought you were going to bail,” Andrew said as he shook Mason’s hand and led him into the house. “Then I would have needed bail money for Lori, because she would have hunted you down and beaten the snot out of you.”

  Mason laughed but he sighed inw
ardly. He really didn’t want to be there. Still, he was and he needed to push Amelia out of his mind, for now anyway.

  As Mason walked into the kitchen he set his gift down with the rest of the gifts, he spotted Lori sitting in an armchair out in the sunroom. She was glowing and looked simply beautiful. When she saw Mason, her smile widened and she gave him a wave.

  “You’re a lucky man,” Mason said to Andrew and he handed Mason a bottle of beer. “She looks really happy.”

  “We’re both really happy,” Andrew said looking closely at Mason. “You know, it’s not a bad life. It’s nice to know there is someone waiting for you when you come home after a hard day.”

  Before Mason could reply, he spotted Sadie, Andrew’s mom, pushing through the crowd, in his direction.

  “Hello stranger,” she said as she reached Mason and instinctively he wrapped her in his arms and hugged her tight. “I have been worried about you. You work too hard.”

  “Hi Sadie,” Mason said giving her another squeeze. He loved her so much. Sadie and Andrew’s dad, Walter, had been better parents than either of his own parents ever were. She cared about him and always made him feel part of the family. Mason dreaded to think where he would have ended up if Sadie and Walter hadn’t taken him in. They gave him the belief that he could be anything he wanted.

  The day he graduated Harvard Law, they sat in the audience with the rest of their family and cheered Mason on. Sadie cried the tears of a proud momma as his name was called out. When he walked across the stage at graduation, she stood up and cheered. Mason knew he was loved by this woman and her family. He knew he had found his place.

  “You look so thin,” she said looking up at Mason and taking his face into her hands. “You need to take time off. You have been working far too much lately.”

  “I will soon,” Mason said with a smile. “I promise.”

  “So, Drew tells me that you’ve met someone,” she said in her usual motherly tone.

  Mason immediately shot Andrew a look of irritation.

  “Mom, that was supposed to be a secret,” Andrew said as his face flushed with embarrassment.