Page 97 of House of Payne
Am I doomed to live out her mistakes?
Miss Deveroux turns away and walks to the other side of the bar before I can question her. I sit there for a while, studying my shot glass as if it has all the answers. I’m desperate to call her back over, but there’s no point.
I’d recognize the pain on her face anywhere.
It’s the same haunted look my father often gets when my mother comes up.
I can’t question the only friend I have in this place, not even if it helps me understand her and prepare myself.
You should be thankful she told you rather than let you throw yourself headfirst into all this. She’s right: Sex is all you can have with Mason Payne.
I’d have to be out of my mind to get involved with him, and although I’m still questioning whether or not last night was a mistake, I know I haven’t lost all sense of reason just yet.
I know I can’t be involved with Mason, but I’ll be damned if I can’t let myself let loose a little.
Involved or not, sex with Mason Payne is the most erotic thing I’ve ever experienced, and considering how much I’ve had to give up to bail my father out, I want to have some fun.
Even if I still have no idea what to do about Noah.
For the first time in a long time, my future with him isn’t as certain as I would like it to be.
He doesn’t mean what he said. He just needs some time to cool off, and after last night, maybe a break is what you both need, at least until you figure out what’s happening.
After one night with Mason, I can’t help but wonder if Noah and I even have a future.
When it’s all over, will I be able to leave the woman in me Mason has awakened behind?
I’m stunned to realize a part of me doesn’t want to.
As I mull things over, the bar comes alive for the day. With a sigh, I down the rest of my shot and stand up. My head is swimming as I run a hand over my face and exhale. Once I feel I’ve got enough air in my lungs, I force one foot in front of the other and make it to the locker room.
I throw my locker door open and breathe a sigh of relief when I see my uniform in there, pressed, cleaned, and gleaming underneath fluorescent lighting.
I frown and run my fingers over the smooth material. Then I reach for the hanger and tuck the clothes close to my chest as I walk over to one of the stalls. I slide my dress off, shudder, and squeeze my eyes shut. A few moments later, I step out and examine my appearance in the full-length mirror.
I don’t look any different on the outside, but something about the flush in my cheeks and the gleam in my eyes makes me feel cold all over.
I don’t think I like who I’m becoming.
***
Mason
“I’m handling it,” I repeat in a tighter voice. “You left me in charge,remember? So why don’t you let me do my job?”
“I would,” Jack replies after a brief pause, “but when I’m getting phone calls from our allies—”
“Fucking hell,” I interrupt. “They don’t have any kind of patience, do they?”
I know they have the right to be restless.
Without unsupervised access to the docks, all our businesses will be affected, and while I want to blame the added scrutiny and heat on our new mayor, I know that isn’t the whole truth.
I need to find a loophole for the deal I made with London or come up with another front for this part of the business. Otherwise, there’s no telling what our allies will do next.
I have half a mind to pay them a visit and let them know what I think of them going over my head.
And what will that accomplish, other than having your father breathing further down your neck?
