Page 29 of Freaks Of Nature
“27 minutes don’t give you the right to call dibs every time.”
I give air to a soft laugh. “Sure they do.”
I turn to mount the Harley but still catch Mason flipping me off in my periphery. Twisting the key in the ignition, I start the bike and rev the engine.
“You better not scratch that paint job, asshole,” he calls after me when I peel out of the garage bay.
I only take her a couple of blocks. With the wind tangling through my hair, my mind drifts back to Emily. I can still feel her nails teasing across my scalp.
A chill races up my neck that has nothing to do with the adrenaline rush from my speed. And yet it’s twice as exhilarating.
My fingers flex around the throttle. I don’t want to give her up. I know Mace and I had a deal, but after coaxing her out of her shell and seeing how she took both of us like she was fucking made for it, I want more of that.
And I think she does too. As a matter of fact, I have a feeling we unlocked something she didn’t even know she craved.
But can I convince Mason to share her?
When I return to the garage, I find him in the break room, having lunch.
“Hey.” I pull out the chair across from him and spin it around to take a seat. “We should talk about Emily,” I say, crossing my arms over the backrest.
Mason’s eyes narrow, his sandwich raised to his mouth.
“I have a suggestion for you,” I continue, leveling my gaze on him.
Jaw tense, he grinds his bite slowly as he lowers the sub onto the wrapper in front of him.
I watch him swallow. His chest inflates on a long inhale that I know is practiced restraint. I’ve seen it enough.
I take my queue when he shoves his food to the side and laces his fingers, giving me his full attention. “I’m not bowing out,” I declare. “The way I see it, I’m the one who won her over. I should get a fair chance.”
I know Mason had no intention to share her with me other than that first time, which cost me a bag of donuts, but I demand a shot at Emily. He never would’ve gotten her without my help.
I raise my hand in a placating gesture. “I know you wanted her to yourself, and I’m not expecting you to step back either, what I’m suggesting is we share her… take turns… whatever she’s comfortable with, but we both play equal parts.”
“No.” Mace shakes his head, his muscles in his face taut.
“You really think you can charm her all by yourself?”
My twin’s eyes harden at my insinuation.
“We wouldn’t be in this situation if you believed that,” I add, taunting him further.
I see his mind doing the math behind his stare.
Blinking slowly, he lets out a resigned sigh. “What if she doesn’t want to?”
Tipping my head, I arch my brow suggestively. “She didn’t seem to mind last night.”
Mason’s lips twist into an affirmative grin. The little amused huff that chases his smirk suggests he’s on board. Relief and excitement shoot through me.
That went better than I expected.
Refocusing on his lunch, he tugs on the corner of the wrapper to slide the sandwich back toward him. “It might still take some convincing, though,” he says, lifting it to his mouth.
“Don’t worry.” I rise, flipping the chair back underneath the table. “I can smooth things over with her.”
“Nu-uh,” he mumbles around a mouthful of the whole grain. “You don’t get to call dibs on that one.Igot this.”
