Page 43 of The Spare

"Do you need help with cognitive comprehension aswellas math, Mel? I mean just that. Why not?As in why didn't you know it was me?"

"Because I didn't know!"

His voice goes lower. "You don't have a special ring tone for me?"

I arch a brow, and scoff in disbelief. "I'm sorry. I'm gen Z, and we don't even have a ringtone half the time,selfish."

He snorts. "Whatever. Well, tick tock, sweetheart, get to moving," Mason growls. I blush, standing up as she gets the last shoe on. "It's five twenty-five. You know I don't like to be kept waiting."

My heart skips a beat at the sound of his voice. It's smooth and elegant, not rough like his brother's. Mason's timbre drips effortless sophistication and arrogance. His slight Spanish accent bleeds through a bit thicker today, and it's so sexy.

"I'm coming, Mason.Jesus."

"Melody, if you get in my car and I see you're late because you have a pound of makeup on your face we're going to have a serious,seriousfucking problem."

I make a sound and snatch up my clutch, tucking it under my arm. "Just for that I'm not rushing," I lie.

I'm met with silence.

"Text me the address! I'll be there in about an hour and a half," Karissa whispers, opening the dorm room door and waving at me as I run with Stephen in close pursuit, tearing through the hallways. Rushing anyways because I can't help myself when it comes to him. Thank God I'm a great runner. Otherwise, I'd be flat on my face in these heels.

I make it to the library in record time and stop just before the double doors, placing a hand on heart. I know I can't not catch my breath because of running, I runmilesbefore I'm affected. It's him.Hemakes me nervous.

"Keep going."

I screech, slapping a hand to Stephen's chest and almost leap out of my skin at the sound of Mason's voice in my ear. He was so silent I'd forgotten I still had him on the phone.

Wrangling a firm grip on my sanity, I push through the double doors and gingerly make my way down the concrete stairs withStephen hovering, grumbling about ridiculous stripper heels. Feeling the hair on the back of my neck stand up, I glance up and freeze at the sight of Mason's red Ferrari parked across the street.

He stands there in a navy suit, arms folded leaning against the side of it, staring me down. God, he'shandsome.Though I've seen this man at least a hundred times since his brother married my sister, it still feels like the first time.

Because he makes it that way.

His eyes bore into mine as I step onto the sidewalk. His hand taps his bicep as he waits patiently in a movement he'd shared that he'd learned from therapy. That familiar heat that plagues me every time we're around one another swamps me again, settling in my core and spreading outwards. His gaze leaves mine to flick downwards, and he tilts his head when he gets to my cleavage then lower to where I'm showing way too much leg.

My eyes lower down him in the same slow perusal.

I bite my lip, seeing the bulge in between his legs twitch. His eyes snap back to mine, but he stands there silently, waiting for me. I immediately blush so hard I feel dizzy and tear my eyes away for a second, needing a moment to get control over myself around him because I've never seen him have an erection before.

Mason's never attempted to hide how attracted he is to me, but today something is different, he looks…hungrier.

I wait until a car drives past then walk across the street, unhurried, breaking away from Stephen who turns to join Dante, Mason's security.

Mason keeps my eyes the entire time until I make it to him. I relax my arms, expecting him to pull me in for a hug; instead, he grasps my jaw and tilts my head even further up to him. My heart pounds at the simple action. Even in five inch heels I have to look up to meet his eye.

"You're late,"he says, staring into my soul.

I swallow thickly. "Only by a minute or t-two." I blink as he tilts my head suddenly assessing my makeup. I pout, feeling shy and really laid bare. Even more so when his head lowers and he blatantly looks down my body to my legs again. "Can't be in too much trouble since you're taking your time inspecting me like a prized cow."

That draws a laugh out of him.

He leans forward, and I hold my breath as he brushes his lips ever so gently to my cheek. Brushing the corner of my mouth. His arm snakes around my waist, and his hand presses into my lower back, forcing me to close the last two steps between us. My arms twine around his shoulders, pressing my curves against his hardness, and he nuzzles into my neck.

God, he smells so good. His cologne is something deep and spicy, warm.

Even though it's a only a hug, it's incredibly intimate especially out here on the street with onlookers. I pull away shyly, not able to meet his gaze, and spend a second tugging the hem of this too short dress down. I notice the car behind his, idling with our bodyguards who thankfully makes themselves sparse when we leave campus together.

Mason clears his throat gently, guiding me to the passenger side of his car where he opens it and stands back, eyeing me tightly. I stare at the low seat for a second and then tug on my dress again.