Chapter 9
1003 Words
I stared at Mason as he just stood there.
Did he not hear me?
I saw his expression shift to confusion and I had been pretty sure he almost seemed annoyed.
It dawned on me that to an outsider, this might have seemed a little crazy. Did he think that I belonged to people who wore white uniforms and big nets?
I rubbed my hands on my face and tried to put myself in his shoes. The pantry door opening could have really just been the wind. The woman walking down the hall, maybe some sort of illusion my mind conjured up in my peripheral vision. I did not have any rock hard evidence.
Not as rock hard as the chest of the man standing right next to me.
Why did Mason kiss me? Was it really because he thought that I needed it after I visited coocoo town?
Or was it because he wanted to? Obviously I've wanted to since last night but I only met him yesterday. It was soon. Too soon and without facts, I couldn't afford to make Mason question my ability to look after Grace.
I quickly straightened my back and shrugged. “I mean, maybe we can fix it up a little for your Gran’s sake. Make it a little more homey and a little less…. scary?”.
I saw his composure relax a little and I relaxed along with him. At least he didn't think I was crazy anymore. I hoped.
“Yeah. If you want to. But, that's really not in your job description.” he deadpanned.
I shook my head. “I know it's not, but seeing that I will be living here for a while, I might as well help you make it more livable.”
“What do you suggest?” he asked, slightly excited.
“Well… We can start in the living room.” I suggested.
He thought about it for a while and nodded. “Okay, that seems fine. We’ll start first thing tomorrow.”
I nodded and stepped out of the room. Closing it behind me to give Mason some private time with Grace, I marched back to my room.
Maybe it would be a good idea to fix up this house. That way, it might not seem like someone kept watching me. Old houses tend to have that effect on a person. It's an all in the mind thing.
I opened my bedroom door and just stood in the doorway for a while. Surveilling, just to make extra sure that my peripheral vision really did fail me.
Nothing was out of place. Everything seemed normal. Apart from the constant feeling that I was never alone, everything was fine.
I plopped down on my bed and sighed. It just felt good to relax a little because since yesterday, it felt like so many things had happened.
Another thought struck me. I had kissed Mason and I only now had had the perfect opportunity to over analyze what the kiss had meant.
I brushed my fingers over my lips and smiled at the memory of the kiss. It was as if a spark had ignited when his lips touched mine. It was amazing.
Those full, juicy lips had not disappointed me in the slightest. It actually did quite the opposite. Instead of quenching the thirst I had had for Mason since last night, it had only made things worse. Because now, after that kiss, I only wanted him more.
But did he feel the same way? Or was the kiss, just a kiss? He is a man after all and they don't normally gush over simple things like kissing.
I decided that instead of making myself vulnerable by assuming that things would progress, I'd rather wait for Mason to make his move again. It would not be the easiest of choices but I had to protect myself from getting hurt.
-
The next morning I woke up early, hopped in the shower and fulfilled my duties with Grace.
I stalked my way to the living room to find Mason.
I strode over and grabbed a brush. Mason, already on a ladder painting, turned his head to my direction. “that's what you're wearing to paint?”
I glanced down at my outfit. I had black leggings on with my white sneakers and a red tank top. “What's wrong with it?”
“For starters, you are going to ruin your shirt.” he deadpanned.
I rolled my eyes and shrugged. It was just a tank top. Not something fancy that I would miss if paint were to spill in it.
“Just go to my room and grab one of my shirts.” he suggested as he turned back to continue painting the wall.
I shrugged and turned on my heel to go grab a t-shirt from Mason's room.
I entered his room and started trailing my eyes across his room. This had been the first time I had been in his room.
It seemed boring. Just like the rest of the house, the furniture in here didn't belong to Mason. It had antique furniture and I reminded myself that this wasn't exactly Mason's room, just the one he spent time in, babysitting the babysitter.
Nothing in his room was going to tell the story of Mason. I would not be able to get to know him better by just stalking around.
I found the dresser and opened the first drawer and grabbed the first t-shirt I found.
Holding it up against my chest, his scent found my senses. God, he smelled so good. I couldn't help myself and I basically smothered myself by pressing the t-shirt against my face so that I could just breathe all of him in.
“uhhh… What are you doing?” A familiar voice echoed through the room.
I jumped a mile and swung around, only to see Mason standing in the doorway.
Oops!
- Writer
