Chapter 14: Mistake

JAMIE

I stepped onto the tarmac. Mason Knight wasn’t far behind me.

I could hear the noise of his shoes with every step and smell his expensive cologne.

Mason had spent most of the flight home buried in his work, finishing up the details from the business trip.

It was pretty much like last night had never happened.

Exactly what I had expected. What I’d prepared myself for.

One time, and one time only.

That was the best I’d ever had. After the deed was done, we’d collapsed onto the king-size bed.

I woke up during the night and found Mason had left. There was a note on my bedside table letting me know our flight home would be an earlier one than planned.

“Do you need a ride home, Jamie?”

I smiled. “No, thanks. My friend is waiting for me. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

“You’ve worked through the weekend, I think you’ve earned a couple of days off.” Mason stopped by the door to his car. “I’ll see you Wednesday morning.”

That’s generous of him; I was worried about working two weeks straight.

I was absolutely exhausted too.

“Thanks, Mr. Knight. See you Wednesday morning, then.”

Then I walked away, trying my best to be casual. This was normal for him, but it wasn’t for me.

How am I going to go on day in and day out, working for him, knowing what’s underneath those clothes?

After hearing him moan while he did anything he wanted with me, it wasn’t exactly something I could just erase.

Carmen was waiting in her car outside the private runway, just like we had arranged. I opened the back door and threw my bag on the seat.

“Hi, love.”

“Hey.” I opened the door to the passenger side and slipped in. “Thanks for picking me up, we left earlier than planned, since business was taken care of.”

Carmen winked. “Naughty business?”

So we’re getting right to it, then. I sighed and smiled. “Business of multiple sorts.”

She squealed. “Oh my God, I knew it! I knew you couldn’t resist his Moby Dick.”

I chuckled. “You had that one saved up in case I slept with him, didn’t you?”

“I rehearsed on the drive over. So, I want to know everything. Don’t be stingy with the details. Tell Carmen.”

She started up the car and we got on our way.

“I don’t know what there is to tell. It was hot and rough, just like I expected, and he was in control the entire time.”

Carmen grinned. “How big? Massive?”

“A cucumber has got nothing on Mason Knight, that’s for sure.”

She could hardly contain herself with laughter. Definitely not a good thing for the driver.

Maybe I should have saved the saucy details until we made it home.

“So what happens now, then?”

I shrugged. “Nothing, I suppose. He only sleeps with a woman once, remember?”

I was his brunette exception for one night. That’s that.

“Well, at least you’ll always have that night together. The memory and a dildo will keep you going.” She glanced over at me. “Well, and Ryan.”

“Ugh. I’ve been feeling so guilty over him. I slept with Mason despite not even going on a date with him, yet I’ve been out with Ryan a number of times and I still turned him down the night before I left.”

He was such a good guy, so patient and kind.

“He’s going to treat me well, you know?”

Carmen shrugged. “Maybe you weren’t feeling it with him. I think you’re trying to convince yourself that you like him like that.”

“Carmen! Am not! He’s cute, I like him.”

“Cute he may be. But not the best fuck of your life.”

I dropped my head into my hands.

“Just let me drink myself into oblivion. I guess sleeping with Mason was a mistake. I’d rather not discuss it again. Let’s just pretend it never happened.”

“If you say so.”

Two days off work. I would like to have a drink so I could forget the events of the weekend for a couple of hours.

That is, until Mum called and invited me to dinner.

***

I was sitting at the table with my dad after being roped into playing his usual game of cards.

Playing cards with Dad was something Jake and I grew up doing, especially while we waited on dinner to come to the table.

A few years ago, when we were still in uni, we played a game of Slaps.

It was one I never forgot. Let’s just say my brother left the table with more than a sore hand and a bruised ego. He hasn’t played cards with me since.

“How was your weekend in Seattle?” Dad asked, not looking up from his cards. I was sure he had a good hand.

“Yeah, it was good.” I could feel my face getting hot.

Even though I’m older now, when I’ve done something I’m not proud of I always think my parents have immediately found out somehow.

“Well, I hope that Mr. Knight has given you some time off considering you’ve worked through the weekend.”

My mum had her hands in a pair of oven mitts as she took out the casserole. The smell of spices wafted through the air. She always makes a separate dish just for me.

I love family dinners, but today I wanted to avoid the questions. “I’m off until Wednesday. Mason gave me two days off. He isn’t as bad as everyone makes him out to be.”

~Ugh, Jamie, could you sound ~more~ obvious?~

Dad scoffed. “I don’t know about that. A man with money and power, that’s all gone to his head, I doubt he knows the meaning of the word ~respect~.”

Yikes.

“Well, maybe someday he’ll learn,” Mum butted in. “He is quite yummy, though, isn’t he, sweetheart?”

“Jesus Christ, Mum!”

I had a feeling my face couldn’t get any redder.

My dad rolled his eyes, leaning back in his chair.

“Your mother has a thing for younger men now. I’m pretty sure there’s more than books being discussed at Tuesday’s book club.”

“Oh, don’t complain now, Clay, there’s plenty of me to go around.”

Mum placed the casserole down on the table.

My dad spanked my mum lightly before placing his arm around her waist. “Julia, you are all mine, you know that.”

Much to my embarrassment, I sat watching their display of affection and playfulness.

I’ve grown up watching them like this; I suppose it’s why I look up to them when it comes to relationships.

“Okay,” I mumbled, “that’s enough of the kissing and the slapping and the nauseating—”

Mum chuckled. “There’s nothing wrong with showing affection to the one you love. This will be you down the line, believe it or not.”

I rolled my eyes. “I doubt that.”

Mum grabbed cutlery from the kitchen island. “How are things between you and Ryan?”

I knew she was going to ask about him sooner or later—she was so rooting for us to become official.

“We’re not official or anything, just seeing how things go for now. I want to take my time and get to know him before rushing into anything.”

She looked at me, hopeful. “But you like him?”

“Yes, I like him. I’m seeing him again this week. I don’t know what we’re doing yet. He wants to keep it a surprise.”

“Well, that sounds promising. I know he’ll treat you well.”

Mum placed the vegetarian casserole down on the table in front of me.

The front door opened.

“Helloo!”

Jake walked down the hall into the kitchen.

“Well, aren’t you lot thoughtful, waiting for me before you start!”

“We haven’t started, sweetheart.” Mum waved him down. “Sit and I’ll dish up for you.”

She grabbed a plate and fussed over him like she always does.

“Thanks, Mum,” My brother stuffed his face with a mouthful of food. “I was out with a girl all day, I’m famished.”

I groaned. “You’re gross.”

Jake chuckled. “That wasn’t what I was talking about, but shows where your mind is at. By the way, Jamie, how is Carmen?”

I groaned more loudly. “Shut up.”

“Touché.”

“So Christmas is the week after next. You’re both staying the night, right?” Mum looked across the table.

“Sure I am,” I said. “It wouldn’t be Christmas if we didn’t stay the night.”

The thought alone had me excited. We haven’t gone a year without being under the same roof on Christmas morning, so why stop now?

“All right,” Jake sighed, though he was only pretending to be indignant. “Count me in. It’s tradition, after all.”