Crash (A Billionaire Contract Romance)

Debut

Just earlier I was in Mason’s arms. Feeling reassured and happy. Currently, I’m back to feeling small, worried, lacking.

Insane.

Who’s going to believe someone as handsome, compassionate, caring, rich, and powerful as Mason would want me. Spinning in the mirror I regret turning down Mason’s offer. I’m going to stick out like a sore thumb.

He’s giving me my dreams. Debt-free. For a year of my time. How could I have said no?

I got this dress for Senior Prom. I found Grandma at a second-hand store. There wasn’t a huge selection to choose from, maybe five or six dresses. I tried on everyone.

We both were dying from laughter. I tried this one big poufy pink dress on, it was a frilly, glittery monstrosity. But the second I slipped into it I couldn’t help but crack up, I had tears dripping from my eyes, my cheeks hurting, Grandma was losing it right along with me. She even pulled me into her arms and started dancing around the dressing room with me. I swear I slammed into the stall a couple of times, only making the giggles come harder.

“Oh, you are getting this one!” Grandma’s words came out short, out of breath, still full of giggles and joy, and worn out from our little dancing skit. She had been looking frailer lately her age starting to catch up to her, scaring me.

“I would win best dressed for sure. Think I would get a trophy?” We laughed one more time before we swapped it out for this royal blue, silk, spaghetti strap dress, with a v neck, cupping my limited cleavage nicely. It hugged my curves and brought out my eyes. The back was low, but not indecent, just more than I’ve ever shown off. My right leg stuck out of the slit whenever I took a step. It left us both breathless.

“Aria!” Tears gathered in her eyes as she gazed at me, “You look, beautiful dear. I can curl your hair for you, and I have a gorgeous earring, necklace set. You’ll look like a princess.”

She was right, the necklace and earrings went amazing with the dress, Brian loved the look too, but he almost instantly made me wear his thick black jacket. Even though the heat of the dance floor and my repeated pleading to leave it at our table. He said he wanted to be the only one to see that much of me. He made me feel special.

As they say hindsight is 20/20 and all that.

I kept Grandma’s jewelry after she passed, there wasn’t much nor was it all that fancy, but she still had the set I wore to prom. I put them on again tonight. I wish she could be here to do my hair once more and maybe talk some sense into me.

I wish I could feel her kiss my cheek and hug me tight before meeting Mason. I miss her so damn much.

I did my hair myself, keeping my waves loose to cover some of my shoulders and back. My makeup was done step by step through a tutorial video, it’s heavier than normal but I wouldn’t say I look terrible. I just know I look a lot like a waitress and not much like the supermodel the world would picture Mason Maverick with.

Mason should be here soon I should really get downstairs. Spinning once more I stop as Brian’s voice fills my head, “You look like a slut, Aria.”

“Gaining weight Aria”

“Told you that you’ve been having too many of your little treats”

“Maybe time to cut that s**t out.”

“Jesus, Aria why can’t you be like other women, get your hair colored? You should probably try a little harder.”

I’ve definitely gained a few pounds since high school, the dress does fit pretty well, but there’s some…pudge. I’ve still never dyed my hair, it’s a golden honey color, not bright and attractive. Plain and simple.

My phone's alarm starts screeching, forcing me to walk away from the self-doubt and get moving. Mason will be outside in five minutes. Shutting the alarm off I grab a little clutch and head out the door.

The limo is pulling up as I’m approaching the curb. He surprises me when he swings the door open before waiting for Ray to come around and do it for him. He’s wearing a dark suit, that hugs his body just enough to show off his toned muscles, yet not look like it’ll rip if he moves too much.

“Aria, you look magnificent.” His gaze drags down my body, heated eyes meeting mine. I want him to reach for me, pull me into his arms and kiss me breathless. I want to feel his warm embrace, the electric current surrounding us like a blanket. The truth in his words and gaze fighting against my earlier doubts.

Some warmth fights for space against the chill in my body.

He does grab for my hand, dipping at the waist to kiss it, the whole-time keeping eye contact. I feel my cheeks warm, blushing to my mortification. Smiling awkwardly and with a chuckle, I pull my hand away.

“That’s weird Mason. People only do that in the movies.” I’m wiping his kiss-off on the die of my dress like it’s burning my skin. Not really hate the kiss, but really do not like the way my heart flipped.

He doesn’t seem to take offense, he just lifts his eyebrows a smirk on his face as he watches me scrub at my hand. “Come on Crash.” He grabs my hand away from me, gentle but firm, rubbing his thumb along with the spot I was scrubbing. My heart is practically somersaulting at this point.

I take everything in as I follow him into the limo, never having been in one. It’s just as cool as I imagined, the seats are an off-white, matching the carpeted floors, interior, and roof of the limo, the only surprising factor. I always pictured it dark. This is light and open, I like it.

There’s a light strip lining the roof, and along the bar. The best part is the two sunroofs, letting in light and fresh air. Champagne glasses hang from a rack, a few bottles of champagne and some liquor resting in the cooler filled with ice. There’s even a T.V. and controls for everything.

“I’m going to admit that you were right.” His voice pulls me out of my inspection. Our hands still locked, his thumb still running a path up and down my hand.

“I don’t know what for but I’m happy to hear it.”

His voice drops low, seductive. “You can dress yourself just fine.”

“I told you so,” I say smugly as I can, lifting my chin up. He doesn’t need to know how wrong I thought I was for that very thing, mere minutes ago. I like hearing him admit I’m right far too much to spoil it.

Chuckling he asks, “How was the rest of your day?”

“Honestly, hard. My co-workers are not happy that I’m engaged to you.” I feel him stiffen at that news.

“What do you mean?”

“Just that they don’t get to keep their jobs for sleeping with any of the rich and powerful, why should I? What makes me special? I dumped food all over your table, got to keep my job after I was publicly fired and now I’m engaged to you? And I’m still employed. They aren’t happy.”

“What are they saying to you?”

“It doesn’t matter, I can deal with it all. It’s just exhausting.”

“You shouldn’t have to deal with any of it. I’ll talk to Josh.” He’s already pulling out his phone from his pocket. I’m quick to grab it out of his hands, instantly regretting doing so. I flinch back out of memory. If I grabbed anything out of Brian’s hands I would have been “punished”.

“Sorry.” I straighten back up, fighting against the past to return Mason’s phone by setting in his lap gently rather than chucking it back to him like a hot potato.

“You don’t want me to talk to Josh?” He just leaves his phone on his lap face up, not bothering to snatch it back. He doesn’t look angry or upset. Or like he wants to lay into me why I should never touch his things. Instead, he’s listening and asking me what I want.

He’s not Brian.

“No, I don’t. I can handle it. I didn’t tell you so you can fix it. It just makes for a hard day.”

“Sure but I’m the one that’s putting you in this situation. You were mad last time for not standing up for you. I can now. So, shouldn’t I?”.

“Lauren was a b***h and embarrassed me in front of a room full of people. It was different. This is different. They’re all allowed to have their opinions and say what they want. All you’d be doing is making it worse. Please don’t interfere.”

“Why are you still working there? You don’t need to.”

“I do need to. What if this doesn’t work out? What if the bakery itself fails. What you gave me is plenty, but it doesn’t guarantee that people will come in. I’ll quit when I open the doors, not before.”

“Have you seen people bite into anything you’ve made? Your bakery is going to soar. I promise.” I can see and hear his sincerity, it warms my heart to know he believes in me. “I think you should quit, take some time off to enjoy yourself before you spend all your time building up your business.” Sounds great, but I honestly don’t think my mind could handle being unoccupied for so long.

“I’m going to keep working Mason. Quit it.” After a few tense minutes with Mason sitting a little farther away, I break the silence. “How was the rest of your day?”

“My father is back in town, whenever he’s around it’s… unpleasant. Both my parents will be here tonight. Jaxson too. I don’t want you wandering around without me, they will pounce on you like prey.” His whole family? I shouldn’t be surprised, it’s a family company but my nerves start to gather again thinking about that encounter.

“Okay, what do I need to know about them?”

He sighs short and low. “Neither of them will ever think anything is good enough, take no offense. My mother will pick anyone apart with a few words. My father is rarely focused on anyone that doesn’t have to do with business or of his own personal interest. But once he gets his focus set on anyone he turns into a bloodhound. Just let me lead the way, we will make introductions after that it’s avoidance. Jaxson you met, he’ll be just as annoying, and he’ll try and stir up some kind of trouble. If you lose me find Jax. He might be a little s**t, but I trust him.”

“Are you guys close?” He seems to grow a little softer when he talks about his brother in comparison to his parents.

“My parents wanted obedient heirs, not children. We always had a nanny and they sent us to boarding school but at home, it was just the two of us.” I hurt for the two little boys who seemed to have everything on the outside but clearly wanted their parents. I certainly can empathize.

“I’m sure your parents missed out on a lot of really great memories with the two of you. Having your brother had to have helped a lot. At least one person that understood.” He nods to that.

“Do you have any siblings?”

“Nope, just me. My mom didn’t stick around long enough to give me a sibling.” I’m glad about it too. I couldn’t imagine having to watch my dad treat someone else the way he treated me.

“Your mom wasn’t even around?” His pity makes me uncomfortable.

“Nope, not sure what happened to her. She left with a man that promised her a better life, and a good time. She was a drug addict and wasn’t interested in being a mom or a wife.” I shrug not really caring, I haven’t cared in years. Her abandonment was never the worst thing to happen to me. It just set the stage for the rest.

“It was just you and your Dad then?”

“Kinda, I always had my Grandma and Grandpa. I didn’t live with them, but they were around as much as possible. Dad was always busy anyway. So mostly it was just me and my visits to my Grandparent's house. Which was fine with me. They were great people. I miss them every day.”

“I’m sorry. I lost my Grandfather a few years back, we were also close. I often find myself wondering what he would think of this and that. Wishing I could just ask him or playing a game of golf with him would be amazing.” He grabs for my hand once more, rubbing that spot with his thumb.

“I wish I could watch them dance in the kitchen one more time, to Everybody Loves Somebody by Dean Martin.” I’m smiling thinking about it, the years of love and friendship that were visible in their embrace and smiles. “They could dance for hours in their little kitchen. As happy as if it was their first dance all over again.”

“They sound amazing.” Nodding we’re silent the rest of the way both acknowledging our losses. Our hands stay locked together, the silence comfortable. My nerves stay as an undercurrent under my skin.