Page 71 of House of Payne
I lift my gaze to his and ignore the low buzzing in my ears. “That doesn’t sound like surrendering control. It sounds more like they’re being manipulated.”
Mason raises an eyebrow. “No one here is forced to do anything, London. I know it’s hard for you to accept that, but it’s the truth.”
“It’s not as black and white as you make it out to be.”
“And it’s not as horrifying as you’re pretending it is.” Mason’s voice drops an octave. “Watching that footage isn’t a good idea. You need to forget it.”
I narrow my eyes. “Because you don’t think I stand a chance? You don’t know me well enough to make that call.”
“I knew you well enough to know you’re as intrigued by the idea of being fucked as you are by being able to get out.”
“Fuck you, Mason.”
He covers the distance between us in an instant, and a flicker of fear snakes its way up my chest. “I told you what would happen if you don’t get that damn attitude of yours under control. Are you baiting me?”
I clasp my hands behind my back. “Only you would make that assumption.”
“I’m a patient man, London,” Mason says, “but I’m not a saint. If you keep pushing me, I will have to punish you at some point.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“I would,” Mason warns. “I don’t care if you want to participate in the hunt. You’re not fucking doing it.”
I search his face. “I thought everyone was allowed?”
“Everyone is,” Mason replies. “You aren’t, because I’d have to beat the shit out of any man who goes anywhere near you, and I’d rather not do that. I run a business, and I don’t want to lose clients.”
His words send a quiet thrill through me.
The thought of Mason coming to my rescue and mowing down anyone who gets in his way makes something deep within me tighten.
Shit.
Why can’t I get rid of this primal pull toward him?
Maybe you need to get it out of your system, for both of your sakes. It can’t hurt, right? He could go back to whatever he does, and you’d be free to focus on paying off the debt in peace.
As soon as the thought crosses my mind, I’m wracked with guilt and horrified.
I can’t just screw Mason and get on with my life.
He’s watching me intently, and his eyes move over me again, leaving a trail of heat in his wake that makes me feel exposed.
I don’t like the look in his eyes, and I definitely don’t like how it makes me feel.
“Not yet.” Mason’s whisper caresses my skin. “We’re getting closer.”
“Never,” I say, my voice rising. “Get out of my head.”
“Forget about the hunt, London. I’m the only one who’s going to fuck you, and when I do, you won’t be able to look at anyone else.”
“You arrogant son of a—”
Mason presses me against the wall, cutting off the rest of my sentence. He rubs himself against me, and all reason flies out the window.
His bulge is pressed against me, doing strange things to my insides.
Waves of desire build within me as Mason raises my arms over my head and holds them in a viselike grip.
