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MASON

Three Years Earlier

LAST NIGHT WAS A BLUR. My head is a foggy mess. Some parts are clear as crystal, but for others I can’t quite put all the pieces together. All I do know is that I fucked up. Royally. I ruined Anya’s birthday, and Zayden is going to fucking kill me.

I need to get out of here. Now .

I’ve been saving for this; I’m prepared. I need to book my flights and go. Everything else can be sorted out later.

Still dressed in last night’s clothes, I stumble to the shower and rinse off the essence of her. The pressure in my chest feels like someone is standing on top of me, cutting off my oxygen supply.

After my shower and a strong coffee, I sit down at my laptop and read over my notes. I have everything mapped out: where I’m going and for how long. I just need to arrange the flights and book the hotels and Airbnbs. Slamming my palm into my head, I smack myself once, twice and three times. I can’t get her out of my fucking head. Last night, her mouth on mine, feeling what it was like to be inside her, I felt such a burning, intense lust for her that it fried my brain, making me lose all sense of rationality.

Is it all because I’m not allowed to have her? Because there is a forbidden nature about the whole thing? Is it because she’s always around and I know how she feels about me? Is it that cat and mouse game we like to play?

No , I think, groaning. It’s a lot more than that.

I’ve never met anyone like her.

The ache I have for her is severe and exhausting, and I’m sick of it. I need to go far, far away and clear my head. Start fresh and get away from all this. I can’t face her. Not after what I did. I can’t handle seeing those round, innocent eyes stare up at me, filled with anger, hurt and betrayal.

I’m a goddamn coward.

The first flight I find isn’t ideal. It’s long, with two stopovers in random countries, but it’s cheap and I can leave tonight. I slam my finger down on the mouse, securing one of the final seats on the plane.

The weight on my chest lifts. The tiniest bit, anyway.

I’m getting the fuck out of here.