Page 86 of House of Payne

I’m not sure if the liquid courage is for me or for him.

But I know that the burn in my throat eases after the second sip, and there’s a pleasant buzz in my ears.

All the reasons I shouldn’t pursue Mason or give in to desire no longer matter.

Not when his face is bathed in a warm orange glow, and there’s a fire in his eyes.

I wonder if he can see how hard this is for me, and if it makes him want me more.

Is it the thrill of the chase, or is there something else?

You’re being ridiculous. What else could it be? This isn’t Noah. You’re not building a future; you just don’t want to feel bad about wanting Mason.

When he hands me my drink, I take it down in one gulp, and little by little, my defenses come down. Mason shifts closer, but he doesn’t touch me.

I see the challenge in his eyes, and it dawns on me that he’s leaving the ball in my court.

Even now, he wants to maintain control.

It’s the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.

Noah never waited for me to make the first move, and I never knew until this moment how much I need to.

Mason is feeding off the chaotic energy I’m giving off, and I don’t mind.

My ears buzz and my heart pounds as I link my fingers behind his neck and brush my lips against his.

Mason’s eyes are dark with desire as he looks at me. “You can’t take any of this back.”

I shake my head. “I don’t want to.”

As soon as the words leave my lips, Mason growls and pins me against the wall next to the fireplace. His mouth is hot and demanding against my skin. I try to remember how to breathe when he uses one hand to pin my arms over my head, and the other to hike my dress up around my waist.

A draft of cold air makes goosebumps break out across my skin.

Mason presses hot, open-mouthed kisses against my neck.

I twist and inch closer, but he tightens his grip on my arms. “Who said you could move?”

“I was just—”

“And I didn’t say you could talk, either. You’ll learn to do as you’re told.”

I swallow and press my lips together.

“Every last dirty little desire you have,” Mason whispers, each wordsending a fresh wave of desire through me, “I’m going to make you beg for more.”

I’m burning from the inside out, but I don’t care.

I want more.

His words stoke a fire in me almost as potent as the heat pooling between my legs.

Mason rubs himself against me, and I whimper. He rips my underwear in two and tosses the fabric behind him. Then, he places a hand over my bare center. I shift, but he remains frustratingly out of reach. Abruptly, he releases my arms and in one quick move, he throws me over his shoulder, carrying me across the hall and into the nearest room.

I’m salivating now, and I don’t care if he can see it.

I’m embarrassed to admit how much I want him, and how much I need him to own me.