Page 24 of Fun and Games

"Too bad," Mason grinned. "Because I do."

"We're probably the worst people to watch movies with," I said.

"At least we'll only annoy each other and not anyone else."

I settled back on the sofa and curled my feet under my thighs.

Even though I was glad it was just the two of us, something in my gut was sounding warning alarms.

Was this the kind of thing you did with a one-night stand? I thought back to what Quinn had said. Was Mason looking for something more long term? Did I want to get tangled up that kind of situation when I knew I couldn't reciprocate?

I forced myself to push those thoughts away. I was just enjoying a movie night with a hot guy. There was nothing more to it than that.

After all, I had been telling myself I was going to live life with no regrets.

And for some reason, I knew I'd regret it if I walked out Mason's front door.

Nine

I woke slowly,my eyes peeking open a crack. I squeezed them closed when I encountered harsh light. The room was lit, not the darkness I would have expected if I'd been in my bedroom. My cheek was smushed against something firm. Definitely not my pillow.

I opened my eyes again as I remembered where I was.

I'd gone back to Mason's place. We hadn't had sex. Instead, he'd offered to watch a Disney movie with me.

We'd apparently fallen asleep on the sofa. My legs were tucked under me as I slumped over with my cheek pressed against his shoulder. Mason's long legs were stretched out, and his chin was tilted up as his head rested against the back cushions. One of his arms was curled around my waist.

My legs had fallen asleep. I carefully maneuvered myself up, taking care not to jostle him. I sat up on the sofa and placed my tingling feet on the floor. I couldn't stand yet.

I stared at Mason's sleeping face. His slightly stubbled jaw, his full lips, his perfectly sculpted chin.

He was absolutely gorgeous and incredibly tempting.

I cursed myself for freezing up earlier. If I hadn't overreacted I'd probably be tangled up in Mason's sheets right that minute.

But that kiss… that softly spoken endearment…

It was too similar to David. Eerily similar. For a moment I had been transported back to happier times, when my fiancé and I were carefree and full of hope for the future. Happier times, before David got sick. Before I was forced to say goodbye to him forever.

"Hey."

I blinked, eyes refocusing to find Mason staring at me.

"Were you watching me sleep?" he continued, his lips curling into an amused smile.

"If I said yes, would you find it creepy or cute?" I replied.

"Depends," he said. "Are you planning on peeling off my face and wearing it as a skin mask?"

"Eww, no."

"Then it's cute."

I smacked him in the chest with a throw pillow. He caught it with both hands and straightened up from where he'd been lying back against the sofa.

"Sorry I fell asleep on you," he said. "I guess all those long nights at the bar are getting to me."

"Your friends are right, you should start taking more time off." I wiggled my toes back and forth, trying to get rid of the numbness.