Page 23 of Damsel in Defense
“Well, I guess I don’t need to end my workout with a cardio session.That scare got my heart rate right up.”
“Sorry,” I say again, stepping into the room.“I didn’t mean to scare you.I really did knock.”
“No, it’s fine.Didn’t hear you,” he says, swiping a towel across his chest.“Obviously.I was in the zone.”
“And by ‘zone,’ you mean…embracing your inner Wyld One.I had no idea you were a fan.”
He gives me another stunning smile, only amusement shining in his eyes.
“What can I say?I’m a recent convert.”
I swallow hard, trying not to stare as he wipes sweat from his abs.He’s still grinning, totally unaffected.I feel like I’m on fire.
“So…” he smirks, tilting his head.“Did you come to take concert notes or…?”
I blink.What did I come for?His glistening skin has me totally losing my train of thought.“Furniture,” I suddenly blurt out.
His brows lift.A long pause grows between us.“Furniture?”he finally prompts me.
Son of a bitch.Get it together, Victoria.“A bed frame,” I say, like he hasn’t been waiting for an explanation for a stupid amount of time.“I got a new one.The old one fell apart.I mean, I’m falling apart.No—itfell apart when I moved.I’m just… I thought… You have arms.”
I stop talking.
I close my eyes and hang my head while taking a deep, defeated breath.
I’ve forgotten how to form sentences.
“You feeling okay, Vic?”
I nod, not ready to look at or speak to him yet.A hand rests on my shoulder, causing me to peek between my fingers and spy on Mason’s expression.He’s trying very, very hard not to laugh.
“Clearly, trying to put my new bed frame together alone has made me lose my mind.What I wastryingto ask was if you’d be open to helping me.I’m ashamed to admit that I can’t do a two-man project by myself.”
I can’t read the look he’s giving me, but I know it’s not a bad one.More like he’s confused and amazed at my confession.When he doesn’t say anything after an excruciatingly long minute, I pop my lips and point to the hallway.
“I should go.Let you finish.Whatever…rep that was.”
He holds up a hand, still smiling.“Give me ten minutes.I’ll shower, then come down and help…with my arms.”
I nod way too fast, needing to get out of there ASAP.“Perfect.Thank you.Great.Shower.Yep.”
And we’re back to talking nonsense.I spin on my heel to make a smooth exit—and slam my shoulder directly into the door frame.
Cool.Just kill me now.
I don’t even turn back as I mumble, “See you in a bit.”
The door clicks behind me, and I press both palms to my cheeks, trying to will the heat away.No luck.
As I step into the elevator, one thought cuts through my embarrassment like a spotlight through fog.
Idefinitelydon’t regret seeing him like that.
Not one bit.
CHAPTER NINE
MASON
