Chapter 68 I know you like it
“What’s that?” Mason asked, though his tone was icy.
“Security,” Caleb replied confidently.
Mason took a deep breath, tightening his grip on the steering wheel.
Caleb went on, undeterred, “She’s been through family turmoil before, and she’s been holding it together all these years on her own. Now, with her mom’s situation like this… Honestly, whether it’s a young girl or a grown man, anyone in her position would cling to a lifeline like a savior.”
Mason remained silent.
Caleb chuckled softly, “Mason, if you want to win over Leila, you need to show her that you’re dependable.”
Caleb’s advice came from years of failed experiences.
People often saw Caleb as a playboy, but they didn’t know he had once loved a woman deeply. The result? She turned out to be heartless and dumped him. After that, Caleb understood that love between a man and a woman was a tricky thing-if you fell in love first, you lost.
Mason only said two words before hanging up: “You idiot.”
In the other car, Leila’s mood was equally unsettled. She reached out to play a soothing song, taking a deep breath.
The car arrived at Mason’s villa and the two parked their cars, one after the other.
Mason came over to help her with the luggage. As Leila stepped towards the entrance, he reached out and caught her wrist. “Let’s talk,” he said.
“Talk about what?” Leila replied.
Mason rubbed his forehead with his fingers, “Today was my fault. I promise it won’t happen again.”
“Anything else?” Leila asked.
Mason leaned closer, his deep eyes downcast, as if reluctantly admitting his grievance, “Leila, I truly understand my mistake this time. I’m not like you, I haven’t been in love before, I’m learning, maybe not doing well enough. Give me some time…”
Leila had never seen Mason like this before. Her breath caught, and her heart beat a little faster.
The next moment, Leila blushed and turned her gaze away. “You don’t have to tell me all this.”
Mason achieved his purpose; a hint of amusement flashed in his eyes. “Okay, I understand. You still… don’t like me.”
When Mason said “don’t like me,” his voice sounded particularly aggrieved…
A few minutes later, they appeared in the villa’s living room. Esther saw Leila and greeted her warmly.
“Mason told me you’re moving in, so I’ve prepared a room for you in advance. Let’s see if you like it,” Esther said, leading Leila upstairs.
Leila thanked her as they walked. Esther brought her to the master bedroom door unexpectedly. Leila was taken aback. “Esther, I’m…”
Esther caught on to her thoughts. “Don’t worry, he’s moved to the next room.”
Leila hesitated, “But… isn’t it inappropriate?”
Esther smiled knowingly, “There’s nothing inappropriate about it.”Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!
Just as Esther was speaking to Leila, Mason approached from behind. He gave Esther a meaningful look, and she found a reason to leave.
Alone now, Mason walked over to Leila, hands in his pockets, and spoke seriously, “There generally aren’t many people around here, but I can’t guarantee absolute privacy. Leila, we don’t beat around the bush here. The fact that you’re staying with me will eventually get out. When that happens, staying in the master bedroom will do more for your reputation than staying in the guest room…”
Mason’s words were a double entendre, referring not just to the bedroom but also to their status. He was reminding Leila that it would be better to give each other a legitimate status.
Leila met his gaze. She understood, but pretended not to, “Thank you.”
With that said, Leila picked up the suitcase Mason had brought up and stepped into the room.
Later that evening during dinner, Esther once again prepared a variety of Yort City dishes for Leila. Leila thanked her sincerely, and Esther smiled warmly.
After dinner, Leila retired to her room early to rest. Mason sat in the living room scrolling through his phone. Esther approached quietly, “Have you made a decision?”
“What?” Mason replied.
“You’ve brought her here, but haven’t made a decision yet?”
“I’ve just brought her here.”
Esther continued, “Do you like her?”
Mason stretched his legs and admitted frankly, “I do.”
Esther immediately understood, “And she doesn’t?”
Mason replied, “She just got out of a recent breakup and has been through a lot at home. It’s not realistic to expect her to dive into a new relationship right away.”
Esther didn’t know about all the things Leila had been through. She sighed lightly, “She’s been through a lot, just like you.”
Mason chuckled, “Me?”
Ignoring his jest, Esther lowered her voice, “Does she not like you?”
“Why don’t you ask her?”
“I’ll find a chance to ask.”
Upstairs, Leila, in the master bedroom, was unable to sleep. The entire room was saturated with Mason’s scent. It wasn’t the usual scent of pine or musk; it was a unique blend of fruity notes and whiskey, intoxicating in its allure.
Her phone, resting on the bedside table, suddenly buzzed twice. Leila reached for it and saw a message: [Interesting. No wonder you refused to cooperate even for ten million.]
Leila frowned. It was that person again. Just like before, she forwarded it to Mason, adding a message: [Do you know who this is?]
No response came from Mason for over twenty minutes. Then, a knock at the bedroom door interrupted her thoughts.
There was no need to guess who it was. Leila hesitated briefly before getting up to open the door.
Mason stood in a bathrobe, steam rising off him. His voice low, he explained, “Just taking a shower.”
This was his way of explaining why he hadn’t responded to her message promptly.
Leila leaned against the door frame, not inviting Mason inside. “Do you know who sent that message?”
Mason admitted honestly, “I have suspicions, but I can’t be certain.”
“Is it a business rival or…?”
Mason took a half-step closer, resting a hand on the door frame, and chuckled softly, “You’re concerned about me?”
Leila met his eyes head-on, tilting her head slightly. “Mason, I’m curious. What do you like about me?”
Leila’s question was direct, catching Mason off guard. He smiled suddenly, “If I tell you, would you believe me?”
Leila didn’t respond directly, but it was clear she wasn’t convinced.
Mason lowered his head slightly, his lips brushing against hers, “Leila, you don’t trust me, yet you’re asking me…”
His actions were teasing, his voice seductive.
Leila’s breath quickened, instinctively stepping back.
Seeing her reaction, Mason reached out, hooking her waist and pulling her into his arms. With one hand holding her jaw gently, he kissed her softly.
The kiss was assertive, making it difficult for Leila to resist. After a few moments, she found herself pressed against the wall.
Leila bit her lip lightly, breathing heavily. Mason’s eyes were filled with desire.
“Leila, do you want this?” Mason asked, his voice husky.
Seeing that she remained silent, Mason’s hand that had been on her thigh moved to her waist. He spoke in a low, hoarse voice, “Leila…”
Leila looked up at him, her face showing a mix of emotions – desire, embarrassment.
Mason lowered his head, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “Leila, you can sleep with me, but … not for free.”
Leila’s cheeks flushed red.
Mason’s lips brushed against her ear as he murmured, “You can temporarily deny me, but you can’t go out and fake another relationship, even a pretend one.”
Leila’s hand at her side tightened.
Mason didn’t give Leila a chance to respond. He simply lifted her and carried her back to the bed.
“Wanna?”
He asked in a whisper while tracing his finger down to her chest. She shivered to his touch and closed her eyes, feeling his hard chest pressed against her tender breast.
He palmed her breast and spoke softly while he squeezed them,”So soft”.
“We shouldn’t be doing this…”
He caresses her tiny nipple with his finger,”Stop fighting it, I know you like what I’m doing to you”. He lowered his head down to her ear and whispered.