Chapter 24 Chapter 24 Tennis at the Club
“He did what?” asks Gemma as she serves.
Tish returns her serve, then Erika hits the ball. I run and hit it after it bounces close to the net.
“He nutted in his pants!” I say.
“Mason fucking Jones… you got him to nut in his pants from sucking his thumb!!!” laughs Erika, and misses the ball.
Gemma shoots her a mean grin. The ladies on the court next to us scoff. Gemma picked us all up—we are playing tennis at the Las Vegas Country Club, where her father is on the board of directors. She gets unlimited visitor passes. The club consists of a golf course, tennis courts, swimming pools, a spa, and three restaurants. I am sure there are other amenities, but those are the ones we frequent. Our court is closest to the golf course; there are so many people playing golf this afternoon.
I serve, and we continue our game. All four of us have short skirts on, tennis jackets. I wear all black, Gemma is always in blue, Tish is in a yellow outfit, and Erika is in pink. The traditional color is white, but we are anything but traditional. At school, our tennis uniforms are blue and red, the school colors. Tish, Erika, and I play for our home school; Gemma plays for hers across town. I miss the ball returning from Gemma—she dropped it right in front of my side of the net.
Tish serves, and we continue our filthy conversation. Gemma tells me that Vince fucked an escort in the middle of the suite when he got off the phone with Sergey. I roll my eyes. Sergey was correct—if I wanted Vincent, I would call him. Gemma said he was hammered, and Ashley left when he started hitting on the girls Dustin brought. Tish said, other than that, they had a blast, but they missed me. I don’t ask how the escort got there—I don’t want to know the details. I do know I will be getting tested regularly from now on. Another note to self… carry condoms. Too many guys don’t, and well, I am going through my slut phase.
A few hours later, we are done playing and take the walk back to the café. Mimosas and dessert—we never skip that part. The weather is warm for January; the sun beats on us as we walk. Most people take golf carts. Birds chirp in the cool winter breeze, conversation chatter from the golf course traveling across the walkway.
Gemma flashes her member badge, and the hostess takes us to a table by the windows overlooking the garden. Crisp white tablecloths with matching white napkins. The chairs are soft and comfortable. We talk about school starting up in a week, and then Erika asks about Sergey and me.
“What have you two been doing? Have you left your apartment?”
“The first week, we didn’t. It was all sex and ordering out!”
The waiter shows up and blushes, quickly composing himself and taking our order. He is back within ten minutes with our mimosas and cake. I pick at my chocolate cake like a mouse.
“After Christmas, though, we have been out on dates every single day!”
Gemma cocks her head sideways. “Elaborate!”
“The Lion Habitat, the Dolphin Habitat, Shark Reef. We went hiking at Red Rock. Even headed back up to the slopes to ski. It’s been fun.” I pause and spot a familiar handsome face entering the dining area. “Sergey got me to bungee jump with him at the Strat!”
Gasps escape from my girls. Why? I am afraid of heights—always have been, and still am. Something about Sergey made me feel safe with him. Gosh, it’s really going to suck when he leaves. I look up, and our eyes meet—Mason Jones, Grant Matthews, Antony Olivery, and Justin Brown. They are at a table across the room, all in their golf polos and ridiculously tight khakis. They are having beers and laughing until they notice Mason is zoned out. Their heads turn. I lift my glass to them, and smiles spread across their table.
“What the hell?” Gemma turns; her back was to them. She grins. “Well, well, it’s thirty-seconds nut!”
My girls break out in laughter. I can feel my face flush. I use my free hand to cover part of my face. Right now, I really wish I didn’t tell them that little piece of information.
“They are laughing too! Do you think he told them?” asks Tish.
“If I was a guy, I wouldn’t!” giggles Erika.
“Give him something to stare at!” demands Gemma.
I shake my head. “I am not flirting with Mason Jones. It’s not happening!”
I take another bite of my ten-layer chocolate cake and can’t help but moan as I lick my fork. There is one thing I love in this world—chocolate.
“He is still looking at you!” says Tish.
“I am not looking over there. He can stare all he wants!”
“You just said you are not going to flirt, but the way you are licking that fork and moaning with every bite…”
“God, Gemma, I am just eating!” I can feel the anger roll off me.
I stab my cake and push it away with too much force. She gives me her half grin, her eyes sparkling with mischief. Scraping my chair on the floor, I stand and head for the bathroom before I punch the table.
“Shake it, baby!!!” she hollers after me.
My hands twist into fists, my nails digging into my palms. I turn and flip her off, then walk away.
I shut the door behind me too hard. Splashing water on my face, I try to calm down. I know what will make me feel better, and Sergey can give it to me. I pat my face dry and step out of the bathroom.
Wall again.
Then my world spins.
Fuck me—seriously, it’s Mason again. He smells amazing, damn him. Both of his arms are wrapped around me; we are flush against each other.
“We have to stop meeting like this!” he smiles, and I want to melt into him, but I am still angry.
Putting my hands on his chest, I shove him away. “Fuck off, Mason! Stop following me to the bathroom! Stop staring at me like that!”
“Like what?” he asks, agitated.
“Like that!” I point at his face. “With those half-hooded hazel eyes, with your lips parting like… just stop!”
Mason licks his lips as he leans back on the wall behind him. “I wanted to make sure you are okay,” his voice comes out soft, with concern. I roll my eyes at him and walk away, but he grabs my wrist to stop me.
“I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since I spotted you during my fight with Sergey. It’s the reason I followed you to the club, the reason I invited you to my house, and the reason I am here today!”
“Come on, baby!” says Gemma, cutting the tension. She tosses me my tennis bag. “Get in line, lover boy!” laughs Gemma, looking at Mason.