Mason

I was talking with dad and a group of his friends when Kat walked up with Daphne who wasn't looking quite herself. I don't know what it was, but I could tell something was bothering her.

"Everything ok?" I asked after excusing myself from the other conversation.

"Yeah," Daphne answered and I looked at Kat.

"She's fine Mason, Bree was just being a bitch as per usual."

"I'm sorry for whatever she said to you Daphne. She is a, well, you know," I said. Bree was a bitch but I couldn't exactly say that. Not in this environment at least.

"It's ok, I'm fine really," Daphne reassured me.

Kat and Danny were out on the balcony and I decided that some fresh air might be good for Daphne. I led her out and we talked with Danny and Kat for a while, although I wasn't fully paying attention. It was hard to when Daphne looked like that. She was hands down the prettiest girl in there. I had caught guys looking at her all night and sent glares to all of them. She really did look beautiful.

Daphne pressed the back of her hand to her mouth as a yawn escaped her.

"Let's get out of here," I told her.

"Don't we have to stay for the auction?" she asked.

"Nah, I wrote a check. I usually skip them anyways."

"Ok then," she said and I led her out of the ballroom. Most of the paparazzi were gone by now but there were still a few left. We got right into the limousine and drove back to the hotel. The car ride was silent, but not uncomfortable. It felt natural.

Daphne looked about ready to fall asleep when we pulled up to the hotel. She had taken her heels off and walked through the hotel barefoot. I couldn't blame her. I don't know how girls do it. Those shoes looked like torture devices.

I walked Daphne to her door which was right next to mine.

"Thank you for coming tonight," I told her.

"It was fun," she said drowsily.

"I can't get over how beautiful you look tonight," I didn't mean to say it out loud but it just slipped out.

Daphne blushed like always. "Thank you."

I turned to leave and I was going to, but I was pulled back by a magnetic force and suddenly my hands were on her face and my lips were on hers.

____________________________________

Daphne

I don't know how it happened but Mason was kissing me and before I knew it, I was kissing him back. I wrapped my arms around his neck and we kissed until we were out of breath. Mason pulled back and we were both breathing heavily.

I just kissed my boss. Oh my God. I just kissed my boss.

Mason leaned in for another kiss but this time I forced myself to step back.

"Mason, we shouldn't," I told him.

"Why not?"

"Because you're my boss," I mumbled.

"And?"

"It would be unprofessional."

"Do you want to kiss me?"

I was startled by the question. "What?"

"Do you want to kiss me?" he repeated.

"That's besides the point," I told him.

"I don't see how. As long as you don't feel like you're being taken advantage of or feel like you have to kiss me than there isn't a problem. If you don't want to kiss me that's fine, you won't be punished or anything. I don't do that. But if you want this as much as I do, then I don't see a problem. We can be in a relationship and still work together professionally."

Woah. He wanted to be in a relationship with me? Did I want that? My heart said yes, but my brain said I would just get hurt again. I told myself when I moved to Boston that I was done with guys, but Mason's different. No one's ever treated me as well as Mason has these past few weeks.

"You want to be with me?"

"More than you could possibly know," he said and I believed him.

"I want to, but I don't know." I shook my head to try and clear my thoughts.

"Don't overthink it," Mason told me and his hands were on my face again.

He was right. I shouldn't overthink it. In my heart I knew Mason would never hurt me, I just had to trust it.

My arms went back around Mason's neck and his lips were on mine again. He nipped my bottom lip and then his tongue was in my mouth. Kissing Mason felt so good, I nearly moaned. I hadn't felt like this in such a long time. Maybe ever.

Mason pulled back and kissed my forehead.

"It's getting late," he said.

"Yeah," I agreed.

I kissed him one more time before walking into my hotel room. I leaned my back on the door and my fingers rose to my lips. They were tingling.

My phone pinged and I pulled it out

I blushed yet again before texting him back.