Page 59 of Chief's Addiction

“Well then stop treating me like I’m one of your men who’s supposed to fall in line.”

His eyes turned to slits.

He could be pissed. I wasn’t very happy either.

“The only thing you’ve said is that it’s not safe, but you won’t tell me why or what’s happening. You’ve got prospects following me to the damn bathroom, Mason!”

“That’s an exaggeration,” he grumbled.

“Is it? Yesterday, Lid waited outside the bathroom door while I peed. I could hear him shuffling around out there like some kind of creepy creeper! He even asked if I was okay when I took too long!”

A hint of a smile twitched at the corner of his sexy mouth and it did nothing but irritate me more.

“It’s not funny!” But even as I said it, I could feel my own lips threatening to curve up. Damn him, he was getting to me.

“Okay, maybe it’s a little funny,” I admitted, running a hand through my hair. “But seriously, this is getting out of hand. Beck needs clothes, I need fresh air, and you need to stop being so damn paranoid before I lose what’s left of my mind.”

Mason stood, rounding the desk until he was right in front of me. His big hands settled on my hips, warm and possessive, as he backed me against the edge of his desk. “I’m not being paranoid,” he said, his voice dropping to that sexy rumble that never failed to make my panties wet. “I’m keeping you safe.”

“From what?” I frowned, fighting the urge to melt against him. This was his signature move, using his hard body and that irresistible voice to distract me from whatever argument we were having.

He leaned in, pressing a kiss to the sensitive spot just below my ear. “Trust me on this, baby.” His breath was warm against my skin.

Damn him.

“You’re not playing fair,” I whispered, as his lips trailed down my neck.

“I told you. I never claimed to play fair,” he murmured against my skin as his hands slid up my sides, thumbs brushing the underside of my breasts.

“No. No, Mason!”

I wasn’t letting him do it again. Pushing against his chest, I put some space between us, ignoring the way my body protested the loss of contact. “Nice try, but I’m not that easy.”

His eyebrow arched, a dangerous smile playing at his lips. “The sounds you made last night suggest otherwise.”

Heat flooded my cheeks as the memories of how I’d begged him to let me come as he teased me for what felt like hours, his fingers and tongue working me to the edge over and over until tears streamed down my face. “Don’t be an asshole,” I stammered.

A wolfish grin spread across his face, something primal and possessive flashing in his eyes. “I’m pretty sure you liked everything I did to you.” He started to come closer, his gaze dropping to my lips. “Especially when I?—”

I put my hand over his mouth. “Stop trying to change the subject. Beckett deserves to have clothes that fit. He’s a good kid who’s been through hell, and right now, he’s walking around in pants that are two inches too short. We’re going to the mall today. Period.”

Mason stared at me, that muscle in his jaw working. I could practically see the wheels turning in his head, weighing his need to keep us under lock and key against the logic of my argument.

“Fine,” he finally growled, dragging a hand through his dark hair. “But Lid and Cueball go with you. And you don’t leave their sight, not even for a fucking second. I mean it, Cora. No bathroom breaks alone, no browsing in different sections. You stay together.”

It was a victory, albeit a small one, but I wasn’t about to push my luck by arguing about the babysitters.

“Thank you.” I stretched up on my toes, planting a kiss on his cheek.

Before I could pull away, he reached into his back pocket for his wallet and pulled out a credit card. “Here,” he said, pressing the Black AMEX in my hand. “Get the kid everything he needs. Clothes, socks, shoes—everything. I don’t want there to be a reason you have to go back out.”

I stared down at the card, running my thumb across the raised numbers. I’d never held a Black AMEX before. “Are you sure?”

“Right there and back,” he growled, ignoring my question. His eyes were dark with something I couldn’t quite read. “No detours, no lingering.”

I slid the card into my pocket, then leaned in and wrapped my arms around his neck. “Go with us?”

His hands settled at my hips. “Can’t, baby. Got a ton of shit to take care of today.”

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