Blood Bath, A Paranormal/Urban Fantasy (The Maurin Kincaide Series Book 4) (30 page)

"It wasn't that long ago your heart beat like that for me." Aidan brushed one last kiss on my temple. "I was just saying goodnight."

"Don't you mean goodbye?" Mason was telling, not asking.

"No, I meant
exactly what I said. Maurin is the Regulator of my cleaning crew and I report directly to her. So it's not really goodbye now is it? See you around, Hunter." And just like that he was gone, leaving Mason and me standing awkwardly outside my apartment. I would bet next month's rent he knew I was going out with Mason tonight. It was too much of a coincidence and I don't believe in coincidence.

"Are those for me?" I pointed to the flowers, desperate to get our night back on track. "They're beautiful."

"Wildflowers. They reminded me of you."

"Come on, you can put them in water while I get ready." I took his hand and led him up the three flights of stairs to my apartment like we were any normal couple. "So where are we going?"

"You'll have to wait and see."

I left Mason with the task of floral arranging while I jumped in the shower. I was determined not to let Aidan ruin this. I had been putting Mason off for weeks. Tonight was his night and I wa
nted to show him that I was worth the wait.

Wrapped in a towel, I headed to my closet to figure out what I was supposed to wear on our mystery date. He dress
ed up his black tee shirt and jeans by putting them on his body. I needed to step it up. Band tee shirts wouldn't cut it tonight.

A little glimmer on my bed caught my eye. Laying next to a familiar string bikini was a silver chain with a delicate apple branch charm hanging from it. I didn't normally wear jewelry but this was beautiful. There weren't any stone
adornments on the matching silver charm. It wasn't over done. Its simplicity making it the perfect necklace for me. I fastened it on before holding up the string bikini that had been laying next to it.

"I'm still not wearing this!" I called out, loud enough for him to hear me over the
TV in the living room.

A few minutes later I stepped out of my room in a pair of black wedges, skinny jeans and a black tee shirt fitted around the waist and hung off the shoulders. My hair was up in a messy bun. If we were
headed where I thought we were it would be a waste of time styling it.

"Ready?"

Mason stood, his eyes fixed on the dark purple strings tied around the back of my neck. He stalked across the room, his desire heavy in the air. He didn't even notice I wore the necklace he gave me. He was too busy imagining what I looked like in the bikini.

"Cross Bath?" I squeaked as he backed me up against the wall.

"You're wearing the bikini. We might not make it to the baths." His mouth burned a trail of kisses along my neck. "You smell like apples and honey. It's nice but I liked you better covered in my scent."

"I would have worn
the bikini this time even if you hadn't given me the necklace." I ran a finger along the chain and then the charm, stopping at the rise of my breasts.

"Necklace?" He dragged his eyes away from my chest to the charm dangling above it. The small silver apple branch was dwarfed by his large hands as he examined it. "This i
sn't from me. Where did you find it?"

"What do you mean it isn't from you? It was on my bed with the bathing suit." Mason rested his forehead against mine. "What is it?"

He looked down at my mouth, watching me nervously pull on my bottom lip with my teeth. "A problem for tomorrow." His hands clutched my hips, pulling my body against him as he claimed my mouth. His tongue demanded entrance as he deepened the kiss until we both had to come up for air.

"Tomorrow
," I said breathlessly. I pulled him in for another kiss as we slipped into the between.