Aftermath Book Two Crash Series

Chapter Forty-Eight

Aria

            “I still can’t believe you just bought us a trip to Paris, for Christmas!” I wiggle my toes at him through the warm bubbling water as I sip at the wine in my hand. A surprisingly good coconut wine that I might regret tomorrow but am enjoying far too much tonight.

            “The day after actually and not just Paris, Rome, and London too.” Mason has his own glass of wine being a sport by drinking it even while it’s much sweeter than I know he enjoys. He’s leaning back with his other arm laid out next to him hugging the rim of the hot tub as we relax after our dinner and swim.

            “You realize how over the top that is? I can’t take that much time off of work yet.” I don’t know why the itinerary in that envelope shocked me so much, it’s definitely something Mason would do but I have some major doubts I can or even should pull it off.

            “Tara and Grace are doing wonderfully, if needed we can hire a temp for the few weeks we’re gone.”

            “No, I’d rather hire someone. I know it’s only been four days but business has been amazing. A fourth person is more necessary than wanted.”

            “Did you see you’re reviews? Shirley’s is trending across all the major platforms. Having them film was a great PR move.”      

            “They officially offered me my own show, I’ll have to talk to them about leaving for three weeks if I accept. And what about Dixie? The board? Edward? Stasevich? Do you really think it’s the best time to be vacationing for three weeks?” Standing I put one hand on the rim of the hot tub as I use the other to balance my wine glass.

            “We won’t just be vacationing. I’ll need to go to London next month regardless. Like I said before I won’t go alone ever again. We have offices in Rome as well as Paris, I’ll still have plenty of work to fill up the spaces in between our time.” The second I get close enough he grabs my wine glass with one hand my other wrist with the other, using the water to help pull me between his legs.  

With my hair up in a messy bun, my neck is bare like an invitation that Mase takes full advantage of. Kissing down my neck he asks, “Congratulations Aria, do you want to accept it?”

            “It can be intrusive at times.” I sigh, biting my lip. I’m so uncertain. It feels like another huge bizarre step. So far all of the bizarre has turned out to be pretty beneficial but still, I don’t know if I’m ready for something else.    

            “It can be.” Shifting up I place myself on his leg instead of the ceramic bench beneath us. Now I have a better position to take him in and do my own little seduction. So far we’ve managed to make love in every room we’ve been in, including this one, but we were in the pool then. Now we're in the hot tub with enough time in between to have Mase ready for more.

            “It will also give me a platform, a voice of my own. One day people could know me for me and not because I’m with you or everything that happened with Brian.” Caressing the side of his cheek I watch him for any signs of what I’m saying might be hurting him in some way. I don’t want him to think I don’t want to be associated with him, I just want my own identity separate from being his latest girl.  

            “Having your own identity is important.” He agrees. Leaning back he runs his hand up my back only stopping briefly when he gets to the thin string of my bikini so he can snap it lightly before continuing up my body. Much to my delight.

            “Do you think it’s selfish?” If I had my bracelet on now would be the time, I’d be running my thumb across the life jacket, but I decided it was best to be left upstairs on the vanity.

            “Why do you think it would be selfish?” His curiosity is clear in his features as he pulls slightly back searching mine for answers.

            “Wanting all that attention, thinking my voice is more important than someone else? I don’t know it feels, weird or wrong. I’m not sure what.” I groan, it’s strange voicing my honest concerns. I told you I’m not good at this vulnerability thing.

            “Do you think when I run for office that will make me selfish?” His hands find my thighs as mine find his chest, both of us getting lost in touching the other.

            “No of course not. You can change a lot of lives by winning.” I shake my head at his absurdity. What he’s going to do is actually quite noble. The man is willing to risk it all or give it all up to better all of society over himself.

            “And what your voice won’t? Look at what you’re doing already? Imagine what you can do in five years. The difference you’ll make in this community and countless others because you have the chance to inspire someone else through a show that’ll provide you with an opportunity to grow the skill you love so much. That seems like a win-win to me.” He smiles up at me like it’s no big deal that he’s offering me his support, his vote of confidence, his belief in me.

            “I-I guess so.” I clear my throat as I work the words out, my hands stopping as I work to control my rising emotions.

            “I think you should accept it, when you do ask them about our trip. I’m sure you can pre-film some episodes or they may want to meet us in each city. They’d eat that s**t up.” Throwing my head back I groan out loud.

            “They sure would! They’re intrusive!” I drop my shoulders down.          

“Babe we walk around with men following us wherever we go, you gotta get used to intrusive.” His arm wraps around my shoulders, I settle my head on his snuggling into him well he leans down placing a kiss on my head.

            “I don’t have to like it though.” I may have learned to like parts of it but others I don’t know if I’ll ever truly embrace. I don’t like having someone around 24/7 but that’s the life I’m choosing if I want my place to be besides Masons. Adding a more permanent and focused show on me just makes it a little more intense well also giving me the chance to show my side of it all, focus the attention where I want it.

            “No, you don’t. I’ll tell you what though, you should do an episode on cooking a turkey, I’ve never had better.” His lips peck at my head a few more times as his hand rubs up and down my slick arm.

            “You think so?” I hum digging my head further into his delicious chest.

            “Sure do.” His chin bumps into the crown of my head a few gentle times as he nods.

            “Come on, time for that fire.”

            He taps me on the side through the water while I snuggle in deeper, opposing his wishes. Even as  I say, “A fire with a side of stars does sound like the perfect end to tonight. You really outdid yourself, Mase. I had a wonderful first holiday.” Standing between his legs I hold on to his shoulders looking at him while he looks up at me.

            “It’s not over yet, Sweetheart.” He whispers back, his hands wrapping around my wrists, his thumbs tracing a path up and down my arm.

            “What the hell? Seriously when did you do all of this?” I ask for the millionth time as I wonder what more could await me. He already went above and beyond any Thanksgiving I ever heard of.

            “Go check it out.” He ignores my question again.

            “You do know this is Thanksgiving. Typically, it isn’t the holiday to go all out like this. I definitely didn’t get you anything.” He grabs me by the waist hugging me to his chest as he stands.

            “I think you just missed the memo. Thanksgiving is the new Christmas.”

            “You’re trying to write that memo now admit it.” Holding his hand he offers me I climb out of his hot tub onto the slick tile before walking over to the heated towel rack. I never knew what I was missing out on until I felt a nice heated towel right after a swim or a dip in the hot tub.

            “I’m taking advantage of the day including every minute I get to spend with you alone and carefree.” His breath caresses my ear drawing on my temptation and lust as he reaches over me for his own towel.

            “You better.” Turning around I place a quick kiss on his cheek while before he even sees me coming, he’s too busy drying his face off before moving down his body. I’m more concerned with getting a head start on our bedroom.

            I might like cooperation with no competition out in the real world but I sure as s**t love a good competition with Mase. Especially when I can lead the game in my favor by giving myself a head start. 

            “They officially offered me my own show, I’ll have to talk to them about leaving for three weeks if I accept. And what about Dixie? The board? Edward? Stasevich? Do you really think it’s the best time to be vacationing for three weeks?” Standing I put one hand on the rim of the hot tub as I use the other to balance my wine glass.

            “We won’t just be vacationing. I’ll need to go to London next month regardless. Like I said before I won’t go alone ever again. We have offices in Rome as well as Paris, I’ll still have plenty of work to fill up the spaces in between our time.” The second I get close enough he grabs my wine glass with one hand my other wrist with the other, using the water to help pull me between his legs.  

With my hair up in a messy bun, my neck is bare like an invitation that Mase takes full advantage of. Kissing down my neck he asks, “Congratulations Aria, do you want to accept it?”

            “It can be intrusive at times.” I sigh, biting my lip. I’m so uncertain. It feels like another huge bizarre step. So far all of the bizarre has turned out to be pretty beneficial but still, I don’t know if I’m ready for something else.    

            “It can be.” Shifting up I place myself on his leg instead of the ceramic bench beneath us. Now I have a better position to look take him in and do my own little seduction. So far we’ve managed to make love in every room we’ve been in, including this one, but we were in the pool then. Now we're in the hot tub with enough time in between to have Mase ready for more.

            “It will also give me a platform, a voice of my own. One day people could know me for me and not because I’m with you or everything that happened with Brian.” Caressing the side of his cheek I watch him for any signs of what I’m saying might be hurting him in some way. I don’t want him to think I don’t want to be associated with him, I just want my own identity separate from his latest girl.  

            “Having your own identity is important.” He agrees. Leaning back he runs his hand up my back only stopping briefly when he gets to the thin string of my bikini so he can snap it lightly before continuing up my body. Much to my delight.

            “Do you think it’s selfish?” If I had my bracelet on now would be the time, I’d be running my thumb across the life jacket, but I decided it was best to be left upstairs on the vanity.

            “Why do you think it would be selfish?” His curiosity is clear in his features as he pulls slightly back searching mine for answers.

            “Wanting all that attention, thinking my voice is more important than someone else? I don’t know it feels, weird or wrong. I’m not sure what.” I groan, it’s strange voicing my honest concerns. I told you I’m not good at this vulnerability thing.

            “Do you think when I run for office that will make me selfish?” His hands find my thighs as mine find his chest, both of us getting lost in touching the other.

            “No of course not. You can change a lot of lives by winning.” I shake my head at his absurdity. What he’s going to do is actually quite noble. The man is willing to risk it all or give it all up to better all of society over himself.

            “And what your voice won’t? Look at what you’re doing already? Imagine what you can do in five years. The difference you’ll make in this community and countless others because you have the chance to inspire someone else through a show that’ll provide you with an opportunity to grow the skill you love so much. That seems like a win-win to me.” He smiles up at me like it’s no big deal that he’s offering me his support, his vote of confidence, his belief in me.

            “I-I guess so.” I clear my throat as I work the words out, my hands stopping as I work to control my rising emotions.

            “I think you should accept it, when you do ask them about our trip. I’m sure you can pre-film some episodes or they may want to meet us in each city. They’d eat that s**t up.” Throwing my head back I groan out loud.

            “They sure would! They’re intrusive!” I drop my shoulders down.          

“Babe we walk around with men following us wherever we go, you gotta get used to intrusive.” His arm wraps around my shoulders, I settle my head on his snuggling into him well he leans down placing a kiss on my head.

            “I don’t have to like it though.” I may have learned to like parts of it but others I don’t know if I’ll ever truly embrace. I don’t like having someone around 24/7 but that’s the life I’m choosing if I want my place to be besides Masons. Adding a more permanent and focused show on me just makes it a little more intense well also giving me the chance to show my side of it all, focus the attention where I want it.

            “No, you don’t. I’ll tell you what though, you should do an episode on cooking a turkey, I’ve never had better.” His lips peck at my head a few more times as his hand rubs up and down my slick arm.

            “You think so?” I hum digging my head further into his delicious chest.

            “Sure do.” His chin bumps into the crown of my head a few gentle times as he nods.

            “Come on, time for that fire.”

            He taps me on the side through the water while I snuggle in deeper, opposing his wishes. Even as  I say, “A fire with a side of stars does sound like the perfect end to tonight. You really outdid yourself, Mase. I had a wonderful first holiday.” Standing between his legs I hold on to his shoulders looking at him while he looks up at me.

            “It’s not over yet, Sweetheart.” He whispers back, his hands wrapping around my wrists, his thumbs tracing a path up and down my arm.

            “What the hell? Seriously when did you do all of this?”

            “Go check it out.” He ignores my question again.

            “You do know this is Thanksgiving. Typically, it isn’t the holiday to go all out like this. I definitely didn’t get you anything.” He grabs me by the waist hugging me to his chest as he stands.

            “I think you just missed the memo. Thanksgiving is the new Christmas.”

            “You’re trying to write that memo now admit it.” Holding his hand he offers me I climb out of his hot tub onto the slick tile before walking over to the heated towel rack. I never knew what I was missing out on until I felt a nice heated towel right after a swim or a dip in the hot tub.

            “I’m taking advantage of the day including every minute I get to spend with you alone and carefree.” His breath caresses my ear drawing on my temptation and lust as he reaches over me for his own towel.

            “You better.” Turning around I place a quick kiss on his cheek while before he even sees me coming, he’s too busy drying his face off before moving down his body. I’m more concerned with getting a head start on our bedroom.

            I might like cooperation with no competition out in the real world but I sure as s**t love a good competition with Mase. Especially when I can lead the game in my favor by giving myself a head start.