Dusk & Dawn

Chapter 35

Mason and I abruptly jumped apart, though we hadn't been doing anything wrong. It just felt like we had been caught in a stolen moment, intimate and raw.
"Uh, yeah. The fair was great. I'm actually quite hungry. Are you hungry? I mean, I'm starving," I stumbled over my words, leaping up from the couch and frantically rummaging through the kitchen cupboards, my face burning with embarrassment.

"Quinn, there's a plate of cookies right here on the table..." Lexi giggled, clearly enjoying the situation.
"Um, yeah, I know that. But I'm craving something savoury" I must have looked like a deer caught in headlights by now. I adjusted my clothes, suddenly feeling suffocated by all the attention focused on me.

"Nice sleeve. Glad you finally let it see the light of day," Zach pointed out, gesturing to my tattoos.
"You knew?" I shot a questioning glance at Lexi. She shrugged in response.
"It just slipped out, sorry," she apologized, her tone filled with remorse. I waved it off, not really bothered anymore. It didn't matter now. I was too flustered to think straight. "I'm just glad I don't have to hide it anymore."

"So, what gave you the sudden burst of courage to show off those guns?" Zach inquired, his arms wrapped around Lexi's waist. My eyes shifted to Mason, not yet ready to share the whole story, afraid it would disrupt the pleasant atmosphere of the evening. If I spoke about what had transpired earlier, I'd surely dissolve into a blubbering mess.
"Quinn's shirt got caught on a bush and tore a bit. I noticed the amazing ink, and it went from there," Mason interjected, his soft smile radiating kindness as he glanced in my direction. I offered him a small smile of gratitude for the little white lie he told on my behalf.

"So, what do you guys want to do? I'm not ready to call it a night just yet. I want this day to last," Lexi twirled around, completely smitten and in love. I couldn't quite share her sentiment. This day had dragged on long enough for me. All I wanted was for it to end. Well, except for those precious moments with Mason just ten minutes ago... Those I wished could have lasted.

"Oh, Zach, how about showing the girls our new cover?" He winked mischievously, a small smile playing on his face. I couldn't help but chuckle. Watching Mason was always entertaining. He could effortlessly transition from sexy to cute in the blink of an eye. Lexi squealed with delight, clapping her hands in approval. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. Any chance to hear Mason sing was a treat.

"Just gonna grab my guitar," Zach called out as he darted toward his bedroom. Mason headed to the kitchen panel to dim the lights. Foolishly, my heart fluttered a bit.
"So, how did things go with your parents?" I asked Lexi, still trying to shake off the embarrassment of being caught in such close proximity to Mason.
"They loved him, Quinn... I mean, really loved him. They even invited him over for dinner... but enough about me. What was going on with you two before?" Lexi's voice lowered as she leaned in closer, while the guys plugged in their instruments, preparing for their impromptu performance. My silly heart skipped another beat. Was I going to end up needing intensive care after this? I doubted my heart could handle any more excitement.

"He was just admiring my tattoos... and I sort of liked it," I confessed, quickly covering my mouth, surprised by the impulse to speak the truth. Lexi's jaw dropped in astonishment.
"Oh my God, Quinn! Just so you know, I 100% approve! Zach has told me so much about him, and how he can't stop gushing about you when you're not around. It's honestly the cutest thing ever." I glanced over at the guys, and they were engaged in hushed whispers as well. I wondered what they were discussing.

"Are you girls ready?" Mason asked, taking a seat on a bar stool, while Zach settled at the edge of the couch. Mason's eyes trailed up and down my figure, and he licked his lips. His cheeky smirk sent warmth coursing through my stomach and down to... that place again. What was this guy doing to me?

But that was nothing compared to when he opened his mouth to sing. No microphone, just the air between us.

Every word that flowed from his lips exuded sensuality. While Zach's gaze remained fixated on Lexi, playing solely for her, Mason's eyes were locked intensely on me, igniting a blush that spread across my face like wildfire. Desire pooled at my core as I shifted my legs to cross the opposite way they already were to ease some pressure.

"All that I've got, skin to skin, oh my god, don't you stop, girl..." he sang, extending his hand towards me, coaxing me off the couch. Lexi flashed me a thumbs-up, her grin stretched to its cheesiest as she sashayed over to Zach, placing her hands on his shoulders and swaying to the rhythm of the song.

"I'm gonna make you feel like a dangerous woman..." Mason's voice resonated as his hand encircling my waist, guiding me into a slow dance in the living room. I was overwhelmed with embarrassment, my gaze fixated on our feet moving in perfect sync. I had never been the centre of attention like this in such an intimate display of whatever this was.

I stole a glance at Lexi, who was completely consumed by the music, mouthing the lyrics in Zach's ear. Gathering my courage, I dared to lift my gaze to Mason, and his celestial voice serenaded away all my fears, replacing them with a scorching desire for him. Mason spun me around, just as he had done back at the beach, and a smile crept across my face.

As the song drew to a close, Lexi and I erupted in applause, our smiles radiant.
"That was... so good, guys. I genuinely believe this one will catch the attention of scouts. You should definitely add it to your set," I suggested, attempting to shake off the thick sexual tension between Mason and I.

"So, you liked it?" Mason's voice, low and dangerously close, sent shivers down my spine. I caught a whiff of the cool mint on his breath.
"Yeah... it was... amazing... I loved it," I mumbled, avoiding his gaze, afraid that meeting his eyes would shatter any remaining self-control I had. Why was I still fighting this overwhelming feeling? Was it because deep down, I clung to the hope that my parents would one day accept me? And... I was scared.

"You guys were incredible, truly," I mustered a weary smile for Zach and Lexi. My mind was swirling with the events of the day, and I needed some time alone to sort through my emotions before dragging Mason into my complicated mess.
"I'm going to get changed. I'll catch up with you guys later. Goodnight!" I announced, making my way to the pool house, consciously avoiding any eye contact with Mason along the way.

After that display of affection during the song, I desperately needed to clear my head. A pang of longing for Mason tugged at my heart as I strolled through the garden toward the pool house, leaving him behind in the lounge room, his hand rubbing the back of his neck.