Page 15 of Damsel in Defense
There are going to be rules though.I don’t want it blowing up in my face.
When I’m finally able to get off the phone with Cece, assuring her that Mason and I will be seeing each other again, I pull up his number.
I stared at it for a while, chewing my lip, then finally typed out a reply.
VICTORIA:Ok.I’m in.
I only have to wait a minute before he replies.
MASON:Dinner at my place tonight?7ish.To talk everything through?
VICTORIA:Yes.I want some rules in place.This isn’t going to be some free-for-all situation.
MASON:Your trust in me is staggering.Rules sound great.
VICTORIA:See you later.
I toss my phone onto the couch, hug the chip bag like a security blanket, and let myself grin for the first time all day.
God help me…I’m actually looking forward to this.
CHAPTER SIX
VICTORIA
By the time I reach the penthouse floor, I’ve wiped my sweaty palms on my jeans so many times I’m starting to wonder if denim can get water damage.
The hallway is quiet, which does nothing for my nerves.I swear I can hear my heartbeat echoing down the hall as soon as I step off the elevator.
Maybe I should have taken the stairs.That would have backed up my lie as to why I’m so sweaty and out of breath.
I smooth my tank top down over my hips, wishing I’d worn literally anything else.But I didn’t want to show up like this was a date.It’s not a date.It’s a business meeting with quinoa and emotional boundaries.
I raise my fist to knock just as the door swings open.
Mason stands there in sweatpants and a fitted tee, barefoot, looking entirely too relaxed for the conversation we’re about to have.
Damn, he looks good.I’m trying my best not to stare at the bulge of his sweatpants, but I know I’m failing.
He grins over at me.“We thought the same thing.”
“What?No.Wait.What are you talking about?”I stumble over my words.There’s no way he’s having the same dirty thoughts I am.
“About wearing comfort clothes.”
“Oh,” I breathe out, relief cascading through my whole body.“Yeah.”
“I love that you’re early too,” he says, smiling.
I look at my phone screen.“I’m on time.You said seven.”
He steps aside to let me in.“Ish.Sevenish.”
“Well, I like to be punctual.Ho-ly crap…” My voice trails off.
The condo is massive.Open-concept, glass walls, views of the lake and skyline.It’s decorated in that effortless masculine way: gray tones, dark wood, and one very large sectional that could fit half a hockey team.
“This is…” I glance around.“Big.”
