Page 90 of Hypnotized By Love

“Well, I’m not going to do that, given that I’m not a supervillain or a sociopath. As for the shifting-gears part, may I suggest sublimation?”

I’d studied that at school but didn’t know what his interpretation of the word was. “Meaning?”

“It’s where you express unhealthy emotions through healthy ways. So if you’re angry at me, you can just kiss me instead.”

“That’s very clever of you,” I said, and he just grinned at me, obviously pleased with himself.

“I do understand that this is hard, Sinclair. Like I told you last night, I want you to trust me, and I’m willing to earn that trust and be patient. We should take things slow until you feel like you can trust me.”

His words were perfect, utterly romantic, and just what I needed to hear.

“Why do you say those kinds of things to me?” Because when he did, the last thing I wanted was to take things slow. “You’re kind of making me want to pull you into that back seat and sublimate a little.”

Another grin. “As fun as that sounds, I’d have to say no. For now. Because it’s all part of my master plan to win over your heart and all your other good parts.”

“Good parts?” I demanded, hitting him in the shoulder.

He laughed hard and then said, “I was talking about your brain and your soul! What did you think I meant?”

That was not what he’d meant. But he was so delighted with his joke that I let it slide. “Yeah, okay.”

His expression grew tender and he reached out to stroke the side of my face, then said, “Do you know what it’s like to be in love with someone who actively wishes you physical harm?”

Not where I thought that sentence was going to end up. “I don’t actively wish it.”

“And yet it still happens.”

“That was accidental, and it was your fault for committing a felony.”

“Sneaking into an open window isn’t a felony,” he said.

“I’m pretty sure it is, Smooth Criminal.” And as much as I found myself wanting to stay out here with him, I knew I physically and emotionally wasn’t up for it. “I should go. Do you want me to get Sierra to drive you back to your place?”

“I’ll just get a rideshare,” he said.

And I was relieved that that was his choice. My sister would have grilled him, and I wasn’t ready to tell her yet. It was going to break her heart that Bridget had done this and lied, and Sierra had been in such a good mood tonight, so thrilled for all of her scheming to come to fruition.

“Okay. I’m emotionally drained and exhausted, and I’m going to go crash in bed.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to come tuck you in?” he offered hopefully.

“I think that would negate your whole ‘take it slow’ plan.”

“You’re probably right.” He grinned. “So I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow,” I agreed and got out of the car. As I walked toward my house, I realized that I was looking forward to hearing from and seeing Mason again.

And it had been a long time since I’d felt that way.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

My first client of the day had canceled late the night before, so I had turned off my alarm and looked forward to the opportunity to sleep in. My body needed the rest.

But I didn’t get that chance. I’d woken up early in the morning to use the bathroom and intended to get some more sleep. Instead I found Sierra lying on my bed when I returned. “I heard you get up, and I came in to get all the details!”

“I’m going back to sleep,” I told her as I climbed into my bed.

She yanked my covers off me. “You are not. You’re going to tell me what happened last night.”

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