With a large smile, I entered his building, climbed up the four levels of stairs, and knocked on his door.

Anxiety filled me as I waited. A long moment passed and I wondered if I had gotten the date wrong. I checked the calendar on my phone. Friday evening, as we had agreed. He said he wouldn’t be working tonight for once. Maybe he had to go to the club anyway.

Mason opened the door with a smile even larger than mine and put a stop to all the craziness going on in my head. He wore a tight T-shirt and jeans. Nothing more. Not even socks. His hair was wet and my heart fluttered, remembering how many showers we had had together.

“Hi.” He grabbed my hand and pulled me to him before I could respond.

His mouth closed over mine, and his hands snaked around my waist, pressing me tight against him. I heard the door being closed, somehow, but I was too busy to care, devouring his sweet taste.

His hand slid down to my hips and he pulled me up, depositing me on a high stool. I knotted my legs around him. I had missed his lips, his body, and his skin on mine. I needed it. Right now.

He leaned into me and my back rested against a counter or something. I didn’t really care what it was, as long as it didn’t break us apart. With a growl, he bit my lower lip. I gasped as the urge to throw him on the floor and crawl over him became unbearable. However, before I could act, he trailed kisses down my neck, pulling the straps of my tee away.

I gasped again. “I thought we were going to have dinner,” I whispered, kicking my sandals off.

His teeth grazed against my shoulder. “Me too.”

A shiver rolled down my spine and I tugged at his shirt, wanting it off. I could lick him, every inch of him, and I would still be hungry for more.

Hungry. Food. We should eat.

I held his shoulders and forced him back.

“What?” he asked, pushing against me.

“We need to do this right,” I said. “We said we would have dinner, talk, and get to know each other.”

“Right.” His body relaxed a little and I let him put his arms around me. “This isn’t only physical. I know. You’re right.” He brushed his lips against mine. “But it’s hard. I want you so badly.”

I arched my back at his touch. “I want you too.” He kissed me, but I only smiled and pushed him away. “No. Stop. And cook me dinner.”

Grinning, Mason did an Army salute. “Yes, ma’am.”

I laughed and slapped his arm. This was what I missed. His playfulness and good mood, our great chemistry and rhythm. Even though we hadn’t shared any important information during spring break, we had bonded. We had spent six perfect days together, and I wanted that again, but for way longer this time.

For how long, I didn’t know. I wasn’t stupid to think our relationship would last long. First, my mother would keep forcing me onto Donnie or other young politicians. Second, I didn’t think Mason would want to stay in the closet forever. He deserved better. The right thing was not to get involved. However, I couldn’t bring myself to tell him that and walk away. Not right now. Not yet.

Rescuing me from my thoughts, Mason grabbed my hand and pulled me into the kitchen with him.

“So, what do you want to eat?” he asked, opening the fridge.

I arched a brow. “What can you cook?”

A lopsided grin spread through Mason’s lips. “Anything.”

“Hmm, endless options.” I strolled to him and spied the fridge with him, my chest on his back, my chin on his shoulder. “I can think of something.”

In a second, Mason whirled to me and had his arms around my waist. “Hey, you’re the one who stopped me. I would have finished what we started.” He leaned to kiss me.

“I know.” I wiggled away from his arms. “Surprise me.”

Mason sighed, sounding disappointed. “All right.” He grabbed some stuff from the fridge and set them on the counter. “Can you cook?”

I snorted. “Only frozen pizza out of the freezer and into the oven.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Nope. Had cooks my entire life. They didn’t even let me get my own water out of the fridge.”

“That’s unreal.”

I leaned against the counter, right beside where Mason stirred some white goo inside a pot. “That’s completely unnecessary.”

“I didn’t know governors made that much money.”

“They don’t.” I was about to stop there, but decided to be honest with him. After all, I wanted him to know me better. “My father’s family always had a lot of money, and my mother’s family isn’t too shabby either.”

“Oh.” Mason grabbed a frozen chicken package from the freezer, put it in the microwave, and then went back to his white goo. “Sorry.”

“For?”

“I know you don’t like talking about money.”

“True, I don’t.” I crossed my arms. “It’s just … people tend to judge you differently if they know you have money. They tend to treat people differently. I don’t like that. I’m just me. With or without money.”

Mason leaned over me and kissed the tip of my nose. “I like that you’re just you.”

I felt my cheeks heat. As his focus went back to whatever he was cooking, I stared at him. He looked incredible. Dark jeans and fitted gray T-shirt. His biceps flexed with every movement he made. For a moment, I reconsidered my whole having-dinner-first rule.

Mason peeked at me. “If you want, I can teach you some easy dishes.”

I smiled. “I would like that.”

Mason explained to me step by step his allegedly famous Norm Chicken, which consisted of a secret white sauce recipe and small chunks of chicken. He also made rice and mashed potatoes.

“I can honestly say, I’m pleasantly surprise,” I said as I sat down on the chair Mason had pulled out for me.

“Good.” Mason sat down across the table from me, and served our plates. “I hope you like it.”

“I’m sure I will.” The smell was wonderful and I was starving. He handed me my plate and I dove in without ceremonies. I moaned when my taste buds exploded in my mouth. It was delicious!

“Oh, so you do make those sounds when not in bed too?” Mason asked, with a naughty grin.

I almost choked on my food, and then laughed. “Funny. I remember you enjoying them.”

“Oh, baby, I love them.”

Our eyes met. The air crackled around us. The shine in Mason’s eyes caught my breath. It was as if he was undressing me with his gaze, touching me, having me. I was about to jump over the table and attack him. Literally.

The sound of the neighbor slamming a door shattered the charm, and I was able to go back to the original plan.

I broke the stare. “So, tell me about you.”

Mason cleared his throat. “As you know, I was born and raised in California. Lived with my parents and brother. We kinda struggle with money, you know. Matt and I started working when we were fourteen. I always thought about moving out, but that would cost me a lot of money, and well, it was easy, you know, living with my parents. They never bothered me and I was …” he paused, frowning.

“What? I want to know all about you, even a quick review of your previous relationships.”

“Okay.” Mason took a sip from his water before proceeding. “I was in a serious relationship. I didn’t need a bachelor pad to bring in all the girls. My parents liked Tamara, so she slept there all the time.”

“How long were you and Tamara together?”

“A little over three years.”

I picked at my food. “What happened?”

A frown appeared between Mason’s brows. “I found her in bed with another guy.”

“Ouch,” I whispered. “I’m sorry.”

Mason shrugged. “After that, I found out she had always cheated on me, so though it hurt when it happened, I’m glad I found out sooner rather than later.”

“So, I was your rebound girl.”

“Well, you were supposed to be,” Mason said, reaching over the table and entwining his fingers with mine. “But I couldn’t stop thinking about you.” He kissed my knuckles and I smiled. “I was serious when I said I’m glad I found you again. I really am.”