TWO – JEALOUS RIVALRIES

MIRA

At the sound of my voice, Mason and Halloway come apart immediately. Upon seeing me, Halloway’s catty green eyes light like the cat that got the cream.

Mason’s fiery gray gaze pins me in place by the door.

“I asked a question.” I insist as I grab the door to maintain my balance.

Halloway’s fingers find their way back to Mason’s shoulders and she stares me down.

“Mason and I are working. Why don’t you wait until you actually get invited in.”

I stare at her incredulously. The conniving bitch.

“It didn’t look like you were working when half your boobs were in his face.”

Halloway opens her mouth, no doubt to reply with an aggressive come back, but Mason’s authoritative voice fills the room.

“Shut up, both of you.”

My body literally trembles with rage and jealousy, so I do the only logical thing that comes to mind.

I walk out…or at least I try to. I don’t even get to the door when Mason’s voice stops me.

“Where the hell do you think you’re going, Mira?”

I whip my head in his direction, my eyes glinting.

“I’m giving you both some privacy so you can continue ‘working.’’ I retort sharply.

Just then, Darth walks in and Mason spears him with a harsh glare.

“Why did you let her in here without informing me first?”

“Well, thank God he fucking did!” I screech.

I try to leave again but Mason thunders,

“Don’t let her past that door, Darth.”

“Yes, sir.”

To my horror, Darth moves to the office’s entrance and blocks it with his muscled body.

“Who’s side are you on, Darth? Let me out right now.”

Darth shakes his head.

“I’m sorry, miss Fernandez. Boss’ orders.”

“Well, to hell with your boss!” .

A part of me is probably aware that I’m overreacting, but I couldn’t care less at this point.

While I’m still trying to argue with Darth, I sense a dark presence behind me. Before I can put out any form of resistance, a strong hand whips out and grabs my arm in a manacled grip, slamming me against a hard brick wall of a chest.

A surprised shriek escapes me as Mason spins me in his arms, trapping me against him with his muscled arm bound around my waist. His beautiful grey eyes are dark and cold with annoyance, but they still manage to burn a fiery path straight to my soul.

“How many times have I told you never to walk out on me, princess. How many times?” He asks, his voice a low growl.

It takes me a second to distract myself from the sexy column of his throat to the reason for my anger.

“Let go of me, Mason.”

“That will never happen. Deal with it.”

I huff then proceed to try and free myself from his grip. After three minutes of futile struggling, I give up.

To my absolute horror, Mason lowers his face against my neck, his hot breath against my skin playing havoc on my senses.

Focus on your anger, Mira! My subconscious screams.

“Always fighting.” He whispers against me. “My little hellion.”

I shut my eyes against the influx of emotions that assail me, momentarily forgetting that there are people in the room until Halloway’s fake baby voice breaks through my daze.

“Mason, we need to wrap up the loose ends of this deal and send it out by today. Mira can wait until this is all over.”

Halloway’s voice is like a douse of cold water against my desire. I stiffen in Mason’s arms and lean away from him.

“Yes, Mason. Please go back to work. I’m leaving.”

“Mira…” he warns, his voice dark.

“Don’t Mira me!” I snap. “You’re always the one talking about exclusivity but your so-called best friend has your attention half of the time. I’m done, Mason.”

Mason’s expression becomes cold, telling me without words that I am taking this too far. I couldn’t care less.

He lets go of me and steps back, his intense gaze stripping me raw.

“You think I and Halloway…?”

I fold my arms and look away.

“It looks like it.”

For a moment, he says nothing. Then his icy voice fills the room.

“Everybody out. Now.”

“Gladly.” I huff, about to leave.

“If you take one more step towards that door, I will fuck you right here, right now so you can remember who you belong to.”

I freeze, my cheeks reddening in embarrassment when I see the slight smile on Darth’s face before he vacates the room.

Halloway walks to Mason in her obscenely tall heels and too short formal skirt and lays a hand on his shoulder. I feel my insides boil. I will break off those hands soon. Scout’s honour.

“But, Mase,” she purrs. “What about the deal?”

“Work will come later.” Mason says curtly. “I have more important matters to deal with.”

Yes, bitch.

“Mason, you don’t have to…”

“Leave, Halloway!” Mason thunders.

She steps back at his harsh tone, surprise etched on her features. Then she lifts her head, spears me with her signature Queen B icy glare and sails out of the room, almost slamming into my shoulders in the process.

When we’re alone in the room once more, Mason’s hot gaze roves over me. He settles on the edge of his glass desk, stretching his long legs out before him.

God, he’s hot as sin. Perfectly chiselled jaw; the most beautifully intense grey eyes; wide, muscled chest and hair that’s great for grabbing during an orgasm…the man should be illegal.

He should come with a warning label. Period.

“Drama queen.” He mutters.

I roll my eyes.

“I was not the one with my best friend’s boobs almost in my mouth just now.”

His eyes morph into a smoky gray mask and my pulse flutters in my throat.

“Come here, baby girl.” He growls.

My heart sings at the nickname but I stand my ground.

“I’m late for my interview, Mason.”

“Don’t play smart with me. I own this place and I have the power to decide if the interview will hold or not. Come. Here.”

I heave a breathe and walk to him. Arguing with the brute is pointless.

When I am within touching distance, he reaches forward and pulls me against him, imprisoning me against the hard wall of his chest.

When he speaks, I can feel his chest rumble.

“I have told you before that there’s you and only you, Mira. How do you want me to say it? Should I put it in writing? Should I have it enlarged and pasted on my office wall so everyone in the entire world can know?”

My heart nearly stops at the sincerity in his eyes, but he’s not done.

“I want you, baby girl. Just you and only you. I never want you to second guess yourself or your place in my life. Halloway doesn’t matter to me like you do. You’re my number one priority, Mira. You are mine. All mine. Only mine. Don’t you ever doubt that.”

My heart twists and tears spring to my eyes.

“Okay.” I whisper because I am overwhelmed to the point that I’m not sure if I can open my mouth without crying all over the place.

Sometimes it’s difficult to believe that this man wants me. This strong, powerful, ruthless man really wants me.

His gaze softens and his fingers graze my cheek, coming away with a stray tear.

“This is the only years I ever want you to cry, baby girl. Tears of joy. Anything other than that will be squashed beneath my heel. Understood?”

For a second, I see something dark cross his eyes, but it is gone before I can even begin to process it. Strange.

Mason lowers his head and captures my lips with his and I forget everything except his delicious, manly taste. His lips probe and search, tangling with my tongue and sending electrifying tingles all the way to my core.

When I attempt to put my arm around his neck, he imprisons them behind my back, not letting me touch him.

His hot lips leave mine and start a fiery path downwards, tracing over my chin and down to the curve of my neck.

“Mason…oh…”

Mason bites lightly at the skin of my throat and a surprise mewl slips from my lips. He gives the spot a gentle swipe of his tongue to soothe the sting and I begin to feel my pantries disintegrate. I kid you not.

“Why won’t you spend forever with me, baby girl? Why do you keep refusing me?” He rasps against my neck.

His vulnerable tone sets off a soft pang in my chest. I try to move away to see his face but he keeps me firmly rooted to the spot.

“I cannot spent forever with someone who doesn’t love me. You need to say the words, Mason.”

Mason finally lets go. He searches my face with his eyes, his expression morphing into one I do not understand.

Finally, he says.

“Go on, you’re already late for your interview.”

Feeling dismissed, I lay my hand on his arm.

“Mason…”

“Go, Mira.” He cuts in curtly.

I watch as he rounds his desk and settles into it.

“I will not spend the rest of my life second guessing myself, Mason. Yes, I was a choiceless whore in the past, but this whore desires to feel what It means to be loved unconditionally. This whore needs a husband, kids…a family. A strong one.”

Mason regards me with a shuttered expression but I continue,

“I will not agree to break the two year contract if I am not sure you actually love me. Nothing will change my mind.”

Then I lift my chin and vacate the room before I burst into tears.

Darth shows me to the interviewer’s office. The brass name plate on the wall reads, “Manager.”

My anxiety returns and I begin to sweat. I really need this job and I want to get it without Mason’s help.

“You’ll do fine, miss.”

I smile at Darth, grateful for his words of encouragement, then I push open the door and walk into the luxuriously furnished office.

I take two steps and freeze…because seated behind the Manager’s table is non other than Halloway Stephens.

The conniving bitch.