Chapter 23: Jealous Mr. Knight

JAMIE

It was weird, the atmosphere between Mason and me this morning.

Pretty much like we’re a couple who had a spat over something totally ridiculous.

Neither of us wanted to discuss the elephant in the room.

He didn’t want to admit his jealousy—it was obviously not an emotion he was used to feeling.

Besides, if he admitted it, it would make the thing between us more than just a fling.

He was scared.

And damn if I wasn’t scared too.

I was sitting behind my desk, thinking back over the conversation with Ryan.

The guilt was so overwhelming, that after he’d gone I stayed awhile and drank alone.

Today I had the hangover from hell, but I deserved worse.

An email appeared on my screen from the boss himself, asking me to drop files into his office.

I stood, smoothed down my pencil skirt, and grabbed a stack of files.

The buttons of my shirt were undone, for his benefit, to tease him into conversation.

Hopefully.

I walked toward his office door and knocked.

“Come in,” he shouted.

I opened the door and walked in.

He didn’t look up from his work, not until I leaned over and placed the files down in front of him.

My breasts were practically spilling out of my blouse, and he got an eyeful.

“Here’s the files.”

I stood in front of him, hoping he would say something. He didn’t.

“Do you need anything else? I can grab you a coffee, or…?”

“No,” he sighed, “no, thank you. Will you forward me the schedule for the next two weeks? Mr. Blair is coming into town and I want to make sure I’m wide open.”

“Okay, I can do that.” I pursed my lips as I turned toward the door.

So stubborn.

“How did last night go?” he asked right before I made my exit.

I glanced over my shoulder.

“I didn’t enjoy myself, if that’s what you’re wondering. We talked. He left. That’s about it.”

He leaned back in his chair.

“You didn’t come by last night. I thought you’d decided to spend the night with him after all.”

“Of course not.” I leaned against the wall. “I told you I was going there to make things right, and that’s what I…tried to do.”

“He wasn’t happy?”

I shook my head.

“He told me he loved me and then asked me to choose—him or you. I stayed at the bar and got drunk. That’s why I didn’t come by.”

I shrugged at the concerned look creeping across his face.

“I’m a regular at Lacey’s, it was fine. I wanted some time to myself. I thought the drink would help. But it didn’t.”

He placed his hands in the pockets of his pants and sat on the edge of his desk. “Well, you did what you had to do, then.”

I had a question in mind that I was scared to hear answered.

“What did you do last night?”

“Work. I spent the night preparing for Mr. Blair. I guess it’s a good thing you didn’t come by, you’d have been bored watching me work.”

I shrugged. “Guess so. I’d better get back to work now.”

I turned toward the door yet again, my hand on the steel handle.

“Jamie.”

“Yes?”

“You’re the only woman I’m fucking. Just thought you should know.”

I nodded and waited until I had left for the relieved smile to spread across my mouth.

That’s exactly what I wanted to know.

***

Friday night, Carmen, Ethan, and I were sitting in our usual booth.

After spending most of last night drowning my sorrows, I wasn’t really feeling it, but Friday nights were the only time all three of us could meet since Ethan had moved back into his place.

“Aw, I feel bad for Ryan,” murmured Carmen. “But I think Mason Knight is by far the better choice.”

“Of course you think that, you love how hot he is,” I teased. “I’ll have to let him know what you think.”

“You wouldn’t dare. I’m living through you here. He doesn’t need to know what a spinster I am.”

“Offensive term,” objected Ethan. “You’ve just got to invest some effort.”

“Trust me, I’m trying. The pickings are slim these days. Although, I was considering trying my luck at speed dating…”

I raised an eyebrow. “Speed dating. Really?”

She shrugged. “No reason not to. I need to put myself out there if I’m going to find someone. Or at least if I want to get laid anytime soon.”

“Good luck with that.” Ethan picked up his beer bottle and swigged.

“You mean good luck to us. You’re coming with me.” She winked at him. “You need it just as much as I do.”

“I’m not going fucking speed dating, Carmen, you can get that idea right out of your head.”

I looked between the two of them.

Ethan had never been the relationship sort. He slept with people when the opportunity presented itself, but nothing had turned into more than a casual fling.

“I think you both could benefit from this,” I voiced my opinion, hoping the two of them could at least agree on that.

“Oh, you’re coming too.” Ethan pointed at me with his bottle. “Don’t think you’re getting out of this.”

I don’t think so.

I’ve never been speed dating, and it’s not something I’ve ever wanted to try.

And now I’m seeing Mason!

Why would I be interested in speed dating?

“Thanks, but I’d rather not. It’s pointless for me, and frankly a waste of time…”

Carmen clicked her tongue.

“It’s just speed dating. I’m sure Mason is seeing other women too, you know what he’s like.”

“Actually he kind of made it clear today that I’m the only person he’s seeing at the moment.”

Her eyes widened.

“No fucking way. Well, isn’t that something. So basically you’re in a relationship with him.”

I picked up my wineglass.

“I mean, it’s not exactly a relationship. He just told me that I’m the only woman he’s seeing. Which is something.”

“So, a relationship without actually saying you’re in a relationship.” Ethan shook his head with a smirk.

“I think he’s just scared of making that commitment to someone,” I explained. “It’s hard to get close to him. He’s secretive about his past. And his present. For now anyway.”

Carmen sighed.

“Whatever. Are you in or out for speed dating?”

Ethan piped up, waving a hand toward me, “I won’t go if she doesn’t go.”

I rolled my eyes.

“Go on, then, I’ll tag along.”

But not to participate—I’ll be observing from the bar.

As Ethan was sighing in relief and Carmen was pumping her fists in victory, my phone vibrated on the table.

I picked it up, looked at the screen, and placed it back down.

“He wants me to come over.”

“Go!” Carmen urged. “Be with him. Have a ball. I don’t expect to see you until tomorrow. Or maybe Sunday…?”

I chuckled. “Okay, okay.”

I stood from the booth and grabbed my things to leave. I hadn’t even finished the wine, so I was okay to drive.

“You two have a good night.”

“See you around, Jamie.”

“Enjoy, love.”

~Trust me, I will.~

***

The elevator doors opened, and I walked in.

It was mostly dark, aside from the electric fire going in the living area.

Mason crossed the room, shirtless and very sweaty.

Of course, my heart was pounding as I took in the sight of him.

“Jamie. You took your time. I’ve been waiting for you.”

“I was out with friends when I got your message.”

I turned around, removed my coat and outerwear, and hung them up on the rack by the door.

“You’re so impatient, Mr. Knight.”

I turned to find him directly behind me.

He leaned in and pressed his lips to mine roughly. He was hungry.

Well, so was I.

I moved my hands over his damp skin, feeling the firmness of his muscles. He must have been working out before I arrived.

“I fucking love it when you call me that.”

He gripped my blouse with both hands, pulling it open. The black buttons fell to the floor.

“It’s been two days, Jamie. Two days of suffering. I want you in my bed. I want to be between those legs of yours.”

“Then what are you waiting for?” I whispered against his lips.

My hands were on his neck as I kissed him again.

He unzipped my pencil skirt as we hurried toward his bedroom like a couple of randy kids.

So we’re going there now?

Another rule broken.