Crash (A Billionaire Contract Romance)

Where the Rich Live

Friday morning I walk into work, with my head down, tying my apron around my waist. A second after the door swings shut behind me I collide with a hard body, I would be flat on my ass if Mason didn’t hug me to his chest. What is he doing here?

“Mason?”

“I’m starting to think you’re addicted to dangerous attention, Crash.”

“Usually someone isn’t just creepily standing right in the doorway.”

“I was waiting for you.” He gets a giant eye roll for that one.

“Here we go!” I put my hands on my hips, my spine straight, prepared for whatever Bullshit he’s about to spew.

In response, he puts his hands up like he’s showing the police he isn’t holding any weapons. “I don’t want a fight, calm down with the instant animosity.” Oh, he did not just tell me to calm down. My mouth dries and I clench my fists to prevent myself from flinging myself at Mason, showing him how calm I am.

“Get to the point Mason.”

“Not here, we can go to your house or mine, your choice.”

“You just watched me walk into work, clearly I can’t go anywhere.”

“I talked to Josh, you’re covered with pay.” I roll my eyes again, resisting the urge to bang my head on the glass.

“I’m not even surprised anymore, lead the way.”

“Where to?”

“Yours if you’re offering, color me curious.” He chuckles, and if it doesn’t just make my stomach flip. Sitting in his car I’m excited to hear what he has to say, happy that he’s finally made his next move.

Terrible as it may be, knowing what I do about Mason I knew dodging him last Saturday was not going to be enough to deter him. I’ve been almost jumpy all week waiting for him to pop up. Even baking couldn’t keep my mind from wandering to Mason, wondering what he would do next.

I keep thinking about my conversation with Tara, how do I know what will happen if I gave Mason a chance? He’s different then Brian or my Dad. Trust is hard to come by but he has mine. The s*x, we could go slowly, or maybe from my previous reactions we wouldn’t have to go slow at all. But how do I know what will happen if I don’t try?

Tara is right, Mason is a really good guy that makes me incredibly angry but also happier than I’ve been in a really long time. I wonder if maybe I can be happy after all. Maybe I have it wrong. Maybe Grandma called in a favor with someone up there and got me some good luck. My payment for suffering all that I have.

I just don’t know, I’m not sure how to take that step. What if all we have is awesome chemistry? What if I let him in just so he can realize I am too messed up, and he wants something easier.

Telling Tara, I’m just not ready wasn’t all a lie, I really don’t think I am.

We talk about our weeks on the way over to his house, he asks where I was on Saturday so I tell him. We talk about hikes and where I should go next, there are a few he tells me about that I’m determined to check out before winter comes.

I know Mason is rich, I know he’s rich, rich, but I am utterly unprepared for what we pull up to. We had to drive fifteen minutes outside of the city to get to a gated building, after he typed in a code the gates opened.

His driveway rounds up a few miles of the property, trees lining most of the way, sometimes opening to show a beautiful statue or fountain. All of this already had me amazed, I honestly thought he would live in a penthouse somewhere in the city.

“This is all yours?” Curious as we continue on what seems like an endless driveway.

“It was my grandparents, my grandfather left it to me when he passed.”

“Were you guys close?”

“Closer than I am with my Dad.” There’s some major resentment coming off of him with that one statement, I wonder what his Dad is like.

“I’m sorry he’s gone.”

“Me too, the world is a better place because of him.”

“Oh. My. God.” I don’t even know how to describe it. His driveway ends in a circle, the middle of which is a giant fountain, it reminds me of Regina George’s house in mean girls, but better.

It’s a mansion, he lives in a literal mansion. The front is all gray concrete, a massive stone entrance, pillars on either side of the large front doors, balconies coming off of rooms lining the second floor. Beautiful French doors and massive windows are spaced out perfectly and frequently. Everything accented perfectly with the greens of his landscaping.

It screams money, but it’s the most overwhelmingly beautiful house I’ve ever seen.

I don’t even notice getting out of the car to get a better look until Mason is standing next to me. “It’s a little much huh?”

“It’s definitely extra, but I think it’s beautiful.”

“Come on, let me show you the inside.” His driver from the other day pulls open the front door when we get a few feet away. He’s a kind-looking man, with salt and pepper hair and laugh lines.

“Good morning Miss. Crawford, Mr. Maverick.” His voice is so polite and formal. I wonder how people can talk like that all the time. More so I wonder why Mason wants to be Mr. Maverick in his own home.

“Good Morning Ray, Aria this is Ray. He’s been with me since I was a child, he maintains the house and its staff. He’s also my driver at times.”

“Nice to meet you, Ray! Please call me Aria.”

“If you need anything at all please don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Come on, I’ll show you around.”