Chapter 26: Drunk

JAMIE

I pulled a button-down blazer from the hanger and slipped it on over my silk blouse.

I looked in the mirror, wondering if the outfit was sophisticated enough for a business dinner with Mr. Blair and Joshua.

I wore a pair of ankle-length pants and a pair of black heels. The checkered blazer was the finishing piece.

“If it were for any other reason, I wouldn’t let you ditch Friday-night drinks.”

Carmen lay flat on my bed, her dark hair tousled over her face slightly.

“It’s work, Carmen, I have no choice but to be there.” I adjusted the blazer. “And I don’t mind it. I’m looking forward to seeing Joshua again.”

She glanced over at me. “Is he hot?”

I knew she would ask that—even despite knowing that he’s gay!

After a couple of weeks of messaging back and forth with Joshua, I was looking forward to seeing him.

Hopefully he’ll be here long enough for us to have a proper catch-up.

If not, maybe I could visit him in Seattle. I wouldn’t mind going there again.

I rolled my eyes. “He’s gay! Remember? He is very cute, though, and so easy to talk to. No conversation is off-limits with him.”

Mason Knight wasn’t at all like Joshua. A closed book.

“A lot of personal topics are off-limits with Mason, I’m guessing.” Carmen turned onto her side, resting her elbow on the bed. “What are you going to do about it?”

“Wait.” I shrugged. “I’m going to wait for him to open up. When he’s ready he’ll tell me about himself. There’s something about his mum… Harry told me there’s a lot of guilt over her death. I thought it was kind of weird at the time.”

Carmen’s brows snapped together.

“I guess that is a bit weird. He didn’t kill her or anything? Maybe you’re next!”

She cackled.

“I’m pretty sure he would be paying the price for it if he had. He can be sweet when he wants to be.”

“Jamie, love, I really think this is more than just casual sex. It might take him some time to realize that.”

As long as he’s seeing me and only me, time is something I can give him.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do about my dad, though. He’s not happy about Mason being in my life at all, and I haven’t heard from him…”

My phone vibrated on the bed; I picked it up and looked at the screen.

“He’s parked out front—I should get going.” I smoothed down my outfit. “What are your plans tonight?”

“Lacey’s. Ethan and I are going to try to get each other laid, so I guess we’ll see how that goes. Don’t forget, speed dating tomorrow night. You’re not getting out of it!”

I was hoping she would forget about that!

I slipped my phone into my clutch.

“I didn’t think I was getting out of it. I’ll be there,” I circled my arms around her. “Good luck getting laid.”

“See you in the morning. Don’t get too drunk.”

I chuckled on my way out the door.

I’d learned from my mistakes in Seattle, and I was going to be professional about this—from the business to the alcohol.

I took the elevator downstairs and walked toward the front entrance.

Sebastian, the driver, stepped out of the car and opened up the passenger door when he saw me.

The corners of my lips quirked up. “Thank you, Sebastian.”

I slipped into the car and moved across the leather seating. Mason was all dressed up.

“Jamie. Don’t you look gorgeous.”

He kissed me, reaching up and removing the pins from my hair.

I pulled back and looked at him.

“Mason! It took me quite a while to get that hairstyle right.”

I clicked my tongue.

“Oh, but I like it better down.”

His hand spread across my cheek as he kissed me again.

I had missed him, his touch. But just being in his company was what I’d missed the most.

I pulled back from the kiss, my lips curving into a smile just for him.

“I’m guessing I’ll be spending the night at yours again?”

At this point, it was practically a given—I’d been there more than I’d been home.

“Of course you are! You’re ditching me to hang out with friends tomorrow night, after all.”

He leaned back in his seat as the car began to move.

“I wouldn’t exactly call it ditching,” I chuckled. “Anyway, I’m sure you have plenty of things to occupy your time.”

Mason placed his hand on my lower thigh before smoothly making his way up.

“You’re all I want to occupy my time,” he whispered.

His fingers found the waistband of my pants, and I stopped him.

He’s crazy if he thinks I’m going to let him touch me in the back of a car with Sebastian up front. He should know better.

Instead of pushing him away completely, I laced my fingers in his. Knowing that hand-holding wasn’t him at all, I expected him to pull away.

But he didn’t.

He held my hand the entire ride to the restaurant.

Both of us sat there. It was a good silence, being comfortable in each other’s presence without saying a word.

***

We were seated at a round dinner table with Mr. Blair and Joshua.

We’d just ordered dessert. I had one of those cravings for ice cream, so I thought, why not!

The drinks were flowing—not for me, though.

Mason and Mr. Blair had had a couple scotches on the rocks while they talked business.

It’s been a good night so far!

I was looking forward to getting back to having Mason all to myself. It was surprisingly hard, sitting here all night not touching him.

Especially in one of those crisp white shirts that hugs his broad shoulders.

“I must say”—Mr. Blair smiled—“I was all in before Christmas, but I wanted the excuse to come to London, so I decided to hold off.”

Mason chuckled. “You’re welcome here anytime, Mr. Blair. It’s a pleasure doing business with you.”

The desserts came to the table, mine in a cute bowl with ice cream and heated chocolate sauce.

I scooped some onto my spoon and placed it into my mouth, tasting the rich Belgian chocolate and vanilla ice cream.

I was looking down at the notes I had taken over the course of the evening, but as I placed the silver spoon in my mouth again I could feel Mason’s eyes on me.

“By the way, Knight, I’d like to meet your father while I am in town.” Mr. Blair picked up his scotch glass. “Maybe tomorrow?”

“Well, I’m sure he’d love to meet you. I’ll set it up. You’re in town until Sunday, is that right?” Mason held his scotch glass in his hand and took a swig.

I heard the sound of clattering plates from across the restaurant.

I don’t understand why people do business dinners in restaurants—there’s too much noise around to even think.

I was looking around the room when Ryan caught my eye.

He was walking in the direction of our table.

Shit.

What the hell is he thinking?

He didn’t look like his usual self, that much was clear.

He was staggering a bit; I guessed he was drunk.

He can’t really think coming over here is a good idea!

By the look of him he wasn’t in the mood for polite conversation.

Bolting out had crossed my mind, I’m not going to lie, because seeing him again meant I had to feel the guilt over what I’d done.

~Run, Jamie!~

Too late. He’s here.

“Jamie.”

Ryan spoke my name with a tone, like he wasn’t happy to see me—for obvious reasons, of course.

Everyone looked up at the five-foot-ten guy standing in front of our table.

Mason’s knuckles whitened as he turned in his seat and looked at me.

Scratch what I said about a good night.