Intimate Affairs [ON HOLD]

X I I I

"Come on, you can do it."

"Mason . . . you're . . . fired." I said breathlessly as I summoned up the last of my strength to climb the steps. 

My legs protested with each stride that when I reached the top I collapsed. Gasping for air that would hopefully calm my heart rate, I rolled onto my back on the cool surface of the cement porch. It was a Friday afternoon and Mason's day off from work. 

Of course he decided to spend it torturing me.

Mason had been persistent with his knocking and then begging me to go run with him. 

"It wasn't that bad." Mason commented. He'd been the athletic type, I could tell. He stretched then ran in one place for a few seconds before finally winding down. “Phew, I worked up a good sweat.”

"We ran four miles!" I complained. It was two miles to run to our destination then another two to run back. 

"Exactly, that's not bad." He said, a little too chipper. 

"Stick a fork in me—I'm done."

"You'll be okay. Exercise is good for you." He opened the door to Luc’s house and held it so that I could walk in first.

I hadn’t moved an inch from the ground when I raised my arms for assistance. “You're gonna have to carry me inside."

Mason rolled his eyes playfully, but came to me to hoist me in his arms bridal style. “Only because you were a good team player."

When we turned the corner of the foyer, I spotted a body sitting at the island countertop with a plate of Dorothea’s cooking in front of him. I hadn’t seen him in so long that he was a sight to behold and instantly took my breath away. “Luc."

He looked over when I said his name. “Don’t tell me she’s broken again.”

Mason fake laughed. “Ha-ha. No. We just went for a run.”

He set me down on my feet that we still wobbly from running to keep up with Mason. I found my balance then faced Luc. “Are you working today?”

“No. I’m taking the weekend off.” He didn’t pass me a second glance as he went back to eating what was prepared. I was too far to see what it was.

If he didn’t have to work then that means he was going to spend more time at home. I tried not to let my excitement show on my face. “I’m going to take a shower.”

None of the brothers objected when I exited the room. 

I don’t know why, but I wanted to look presentable for Luc. He didn’t need to see me all sweaty and beat from the excessive running I did. I stripped out of my only pair of yoga pants and t-shirt then crossed the room to chose an outfit from my box. 

All that was there that wasn’t dirty was blue jeans and a red shirt. I remember wearing this on Tuesday then I wore it the week before on Thursday. I sighed. My wardrobe was in serious need of an upgrade or at least I needed more pieces to chose from. I’d been wearing the same thing for a month now, just switching it up a little so that they appeared different.

The shower was much needed and as hot as I allowed it to be. This had been my favorite part by far since living with Luc. The bathrooms were like their own bedroom, spacious and grand. The walk-in closet was connected to the bathroom, but all that was in there were my two boxes. 

I towel-dried then put on my clothes, tied my hair into a bun, and then rejoined the brothers.

Mason was still in his athletic gear, but his face had dried from the sweat. He was silently talking to Luc until he saw me show up. “I’m heading out. It was nice working out with you.”