Warning, steamy scene ahead. If that offends you or you are a bit young to be reading teen rated stories please skip down the first few paragraphs! This is a great chapter and ton happens so I wouldn't skip it completely. Thanks for reading you're the best! I promise a new Mason chapter this week, probably Friday.

All I felt was an explosion of feeling. One second Mason was all over me kissing, nipping, and teasing me like he was possessed man. The next I was screaming his name, again. This time he didn't feel the need to muffle me it seemed to egg him on. Mason scooped me up and tossed me on my bed. I landed on my back with a bounce.

Mason stood in front of me staring at my chest. I should have felt embarrassed, but I didn't have any urge to cover myself up. I felt powerful in a way I never had before. I was making this strong fierce man lose control and I loved it. The look of unguarded joy told me everything that I needed to know.

Mason's words surprised me, "You really are the most beautiful thing that I have ever seen."

I reached down to tug on the ties of my bottoms, but Mason stopped me, "Paris, I'm only so strong." He looked tortured.

"I don't want you to be strong," I said running my finger tips over his glorious stomach.

Mason shook his head at me, but the smirk on his face told me that he didn't really disagree. "I know you're freezing, you should get in the shower."

"You want to take a shower with me?" I asked him boldly.

"Paris?" Mason burst out, "I'm not sure it's a good idea for me to be naked with you. The vision of you all soaped up does wicked things to me."

I laughed. "I'm glad. You should keep that memory for later," I joked raising an eyebrow at him.

Mason swallowed and I could see the muscles moving in his throat. "Paris what's gotten into you. I know this isn't what you want."

"Really," I questioned him, "being with you isn't what I want?"

"Maybe it seems like a good idea now, but I think that you would regret it later," his face fell. "I can't be the one to take that from you. I can't be your first."

"What if I want you to be?" I asked him wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him on the bed with me.

"You deserve better than this," Mason said his eyes piercing mine, "you deserve the best, someone that's able to give you the whole world not just one night," with an apologetic face he continued, "I'm leaving Friday." His hands started stroking my face gently and I leaned into his touch.

"I want to be with you," I whispered, "but I'm not going to beg."

A pained moan came from the back of his throat. "This isn't something you want interrupted." Mason motioned to the adjoining door.

I shrugged and pushed his back onto the bed and flashed him a wicked smile, "That doesn't mean we can't fool around right?"

"O we can definitely fool around," Mason grinned up at me as I straddled him.

"Umm maybe I should check the door first," I said uncomfortably.

Mason gave me a quick nod and his unguarded laugh, "Good idea."

We spent the next hour getting tangled in my sheets. His lips sliding along my skin. My hands finally getting a chance to explore him. I got to know every inch of Mason's skin, he was surprisingly modest. Mason didn't scream my name when he lost control, he moaned it.

Laying in the crook of his arm exhausted I ran the tips of my fingers over his stomach. It was a work of art and it was also incredibly ticklish.

"Hey stop it, "Mason laughed circling my wrist with his thumb and pointer finger.

I yawned, "I'm sleepy."

Mason burrowed his face in my hair and took a deep breath. "You want to hear something funny."

"Always," I purred into his arm pit.

"When I went back to my room earlier, after bowling," Mason spoke into my wild hair," I had a present waiting for me."

"Good present or bad present?" I was almost afraid to ask.

"It seems someone sent my coat out to be cleaned. It was all wrapped up in plastic and waiting for me."

I couldn't hold in the laugh that bubbled from my throat. "You think that I did that?"

"Didn't you," Mason wondered.

"Nope," I told him as I watched our fingers weave together. "Apparently my grandmother was so horrified at the sight of me wearing your jacket that not only did she have someone come in and remove it, but she had it sent out to be cleaned. If you makes you feel better she left me four ridiculously expensive designer replacements."

"You're joking?" He said hesitantly, "What did she find so offensive?"

I shook with laughter, "The smell."

Mason was quiet and for a second I thought that I might have actually upset him. "Did I give you a stinky coat to wear?" Mason said horrified.

I sat up and looked at him adoringly. "What. No. I thought it smelled amazing. She had to fight me to take it off."

"Is it weird that I liked seeing in my clothes?" Mason asked shyly.

"I have no idea if that's weird, but I loved it. Girls at my school steal their boyfriend's sweatshirts all the time. When I found it missing I was kind of mad," I admitted.

A slow satisfied smile moved across Mason's face, "Well, I'll have to get you something else to wear."

I hugged him close to me and took a long deep breath, "Just make sure that it smells like you. I love the way you smell. "

"What do you mean? You want my dirty clothes," he chuckled.

"No," I swatted his arm, "just something that you've worn. Maybe to bed or something."

He tilted his head away from me, "What do I smell like?"

I took another deep breath in his arm and sighed, "You smell like mint and something manly. I'm not sure what it is exactly, maybe your shaving cream. It's tangy." I yawned long and hard.

Mason pulled me back into the crook of his arm. "Sleep sweetheart you've had a long day."

"We don't have much time left," I said softly.

"I know," he was suddenly very quiet, "just rest." Mason began to gently smooth my hair and I quickly drifted off.

When I woke up the midday light had filled my room. I blinked away the bright light. It was strange how easily I had become accustomed to not seeing it. I realized quickly that Mason was no longer in my room and I was still mostly naked. The light of day slapped me in the face. Last night was crazy. I was crazy. I practically begged Mason to sleep with me and he said no! That was by far the sluttiest thing that I had ever done and just thinking about it had me cringing.

I showered and stripped the sheets off my bed. After dumping them in a pile at the end of the bed I left a note for house keeping to change them. Questions about why my bed smelled like Mason were the last thing I wanted from my father.

Just as I was about to leave my room in search of coffee, something pink caught the corner of my eye. On the table in the sitting room my beautiful pink lei was arranged with a lavender card. I opened the envelop and smiled at the overly neat handwriting. Mason had written me a note in Russian.

You are more lovely than the most beautiful flower. ~Nikolai

I had no idea how he got the flower back for me. Leaving it behind had frustrated me. How had he known that I wanted it?

I loved that he written the note to me in Russian. It was intimate and special, like a secret just between the two of us. He just assumed I could read it.

It was astonishing to me that he had signed it with his given name. That was so special, it made me feel trusted and cherished. Folding the letter I placed it in a book by my bed. My heart was racing and I felt a little dizzy. This alien feeling had a name. I had to protect my heart, I couldn't give into it.

I scooped up my computer, sent Quinn a quick text, and headed off in search of caffeine. The cafe was a ghost town, not the bustling hub of activity I had seen in the past. Even though it was close to four in the afternoon most people had chosen to sleep away the daylight hours of their last few vacation days. As I sat down and spread out my technological gadgets I spotted Quinn enter with a thick book. He took a table across the room and after giving me a small wave turned his attention to its pages.

I cracked open my Mac book and began to dig through the ridiculous amount of mail in my inbox. Even though I had email on my phone I hadn't had a chance to respond to anyone. I sent both Ben and my mom a few pictures I had taken of the resort and an upbeat update on my adventures. A huge part of me wasn't ready to leave Mason, but I was equally anxious to return to my house. I was a little home sick. I missed my room and normalcy of being surrounded by my things. I had some guilt knowing my mother and Ben would be relieved to have us home. I was even longing for the quiet companionship of our dogs.

When I finished with my email I moved on to cleaning out and updating my goodreads page. Despite bringing along quite a few books, I hadn't made a dent in any of them. None of the stories held my attention like the dramas I had lived through at the resort. I sipped my coffee, put some headphones on, and pulled out my ipad. The simplicity of being able to sit and play mindless games seemed like a gift. I sent all of my sims to work and moved on to my neglected kindle.

I lost myself in a story until I felt a light tap on my shoulder. I looked up and saw Jill giving me a indulgent smile. I pulled out my earbuds and returned her smile.

"Are you trying to balance the national debt?" Jill said laughing loudly at her joke.

I gave her a questioning look, "What?"

"You look so serious surrounded by all of this technology. Your mother did always have a thing for Apple products I shouldn't be surprised that she bought you all of them." She tilted her head forward and spoke softly, "Just like your mom you always look like you're solving puzzles or hacking into a some super secret government files."

I let out my own giggle, "Nope, not unless you consider Candy Crush an important puzzle."

"What are you listening to," Jill asked tilting her head toward my earbuds.

I looked down at my phone and handed her one of the buds "O I think this is Florence and The Machine. The song is called Shake It Out."

"Never heard of them," she admitted, "but, it's a cool song."

I grinned at her approval.

Jill paused, "Something is different about you." She squinted at me and shook her head. "You seem more grown up. I was really impressed how you handled yourself at the benefit yesterday. It isn't as easy as people think to keep a smile on your face and be patient. At least we raised a truck load of money for sick kids." Jill went on as she sipped her latte.

I shrugged and closed the screen on my computer, "It wasn't a big deal. I was kind of surprised that my grandmother had such a good time. She seemed to want everyone there to know all about me."

Jill nodded enthusiastically, "Don't get my wrong Paris, you are an amazing kid. The best really. I just wasn't expecting this level of acceptance from your grandmother. I just don't want you to get crushed if she does something stupid."

I gave her a huge smile. "You are always worried about me," I pointed out as I stacked my ipad and my kindle and giving her my complete attention. "What if she has always wanted Ben and me in her life? What if it was her husband that wouldn't let her? People do irrational things for the people that they love. Maybe she was trying to keep him happy?"

Jill leaned back in her seat. "That's possible. Nathan was a horrible man, constantly miserable and always complaining about one thing or another. After your dad told them he was leaving with your mom, there was no going back. Your dad couldn't have done anything to make Nathan happy."

"I guess it doesn't matter anymore," I said cheerfully.

"You seem awfully happy today," Jill pointed out. "What's got you in such a good mood?"

I shook my head, "I don't know. I'm finally used to this wonky schedule. I don't feel sleep deprived anymore."

"No, you look different," Jill leaned forward and rested her head on top of her folded hands, "I would almost say you look.."

"What?" I cut her off.

"O geez you and Mason have been getting closer haven't you?" Jill asked with a wicked smile. "I mean I don't want the details or anything."

"Jill!" I said a little too loudly. Luckily the restaurant was still pretty empty, but I didn't want to broadcast my private life.

Jill had the nerve to laugh. "Paris it was bound to happen sometime. I'm glad it was Mason. Just tell me, was he nice to you." She lowered her voice, "I mean, well, you know what I mean."

"I like Mason a lot, and I'm not going to lie to and say we haven't been getting closer," I rubbed my eyes in frustration. I was shockingly unashamed in my relationship with Mason. I cared about him so it didn't feel wrong. "Even though I kind of want to," I blew of a quick breath, "we haven't."

"You kind of want to" Jill repeated questioningly, "but, you haven't?"

"No," I confirmed looking around to make sure we were still basically alone. I was grateful Quinn had put his music on when Jill sat down.

"Look Paris don't you dare tell your father that I encouraged this, because for the record I'm not," Jill said crossing her arms across her chest. "We both know you have your own room and you could do a lot worst then Mason. He's a nice guy and he looks at you like you're the first girl he's ever seen. But, just make sure that it's for the right reasons, make sure that you really care about him. Otherwise I can promise you, you'll regret it."

"Don't worry so much Jill. Mason made it clear he doesn't want to." I reached across the table and grabbed her hand, "Thanks for always being there, but if you breathe a word of this to my dad I'm going to disown you."

Jill gawked at me, "Mason told you that he didn't want to?" She paused for a second and burt out laughing, "Tell me you didn't buy that load of crap? That boy must be delusional if he thinks you would believe that." Jill's face turned very serious, "Of course you know I love you. I feel bad I haven't spent more time with you." She admitted and looked down at her phone, "Eddie is meeting me in a minute and I really need to run to the bathroom. Promise I'll see you at dinner?"

I smirked knowing what was in store for her at dinner, "I promise."

Jill took off for the bathroom just as Alex and Eddie slid in the door. Seeing me sitting alone they immediately headed over to my table.

"Hey dear have you seen Jill," Eddie asked nervously.

I gave him a small smile and nodded, "Yeah she'll be right back. You okay Eddie you seem a little jittery." The normally unflappable Eddie just didn't seem right.

Eddie glanced at Alex, "Keep your mouth shut and don't react." Alex nodded solemnly.

"I'm freaking out!" Eddie spat out, "Jill's mom gave me this incredible antique ring that belonged to her grandmother. It's been in their family for like a hundred years. I thought since I had all week I would have it cleaned and sized so that when I gave it to her it would fit perfectly. The only problem is I have to go pick it up and it's New Year's Eve so the jewelry store closes at six. I keep coming up with excuses to leave, but Jill is really suspicious. If I don't get the ring it's going to ruin everything."

"Okay do you want me to distract her," I offered?

"Rose tried. Jill is adamant that I spend the day with her." Eddie said looking defeated, "She's been acting a little strange, even for Jill."

"Well I have a car I'll go get it." I tried, "Call the jewelry store and tell them I'm going to pick it up. Text me the address and I'll grab it for you. No problem."

Alex grinned and added, "I want to go."

"No way Alex not happening," Eddie grumbled. "I don't know Paris. I mean it's not a bad idea and I really appreciate the offer. If I thought your dad would let you I'd probably kiss you."

"Eddie, I run errands everyday," I said blandly, "my dad won't care. If it makes you feel better I'll make Quinn tag along." I gestured across the room where Quinn eyes us with interest.

"Okay," Eddie said satisfied with my concession, "clear it with your dad and I'll call the jewelry store." Eddie lowered his voice looking around for any sign of Jill, "Are you sure that Quinn will go with you?"

"Positive, just text me," I said as Jill emerged from the ladies room and headed over to collect Eddie.

Alex and I sat and watched them disappear out of the cafe.

"You got anywhere to be?" I asked Alex.

Alex grinned, "Nowhere I'd rather be than with you."

"Geez Alex we are going to have to work on these lines," I teased him, "maybe your brother could help you out." I winked.

"I never thought anyone would tell me to get romantic advise from my brother," he teased.

I shrugged, "I'm not complaining." Mason really was a closet romantic.

"I still can't get the vision of him from this morning out of my head. His cocky grin alone told me way too much," Alex pretended to cringe.

I tried not to be clinging, but I had to ask, "Where is Mason this afternoon?"

Alex frowned, "I'm not sure." Concern crossed over his face and he told me, "My dad came in our room and the two of them left right after." He flashed me a grin, "Mason had only just gotten back to the room. I can't believe he didn't even text you."

"It's no big deal I'll catch up with him later," I said knowing it sounded like a big fat lie.

"Right. You are a terrible liar Paris."

I nodded and frowned, "I know. I'm having a lot of fun with Mason. I'm having a lot of fun with everyone. It's going to be hard to say goodbye tomorrow."

"I'll admit I've gotten used to having you around," Alex gave me a cheeky grin.

"I think that Ben would really like you," I told him, "I hope he gets a chance to meet you someday."

"His name is Benjamin Ivashkov?" he asked wondering if my father had given him the same unusual last name.

"No," I explained, "Bennet Ivasklov"

"That's different," Alex smiled. "But Paris isn't a really popular name either. It's unique."

"Is your name really Alex or did you change it like Mason did?" I asked him without thinking.

"What?" Alex spat out all the color washing from his face.

"I'm sorry that was a personal question I shouldn't have asked." I was incredibly embarrassed.

"No it's totally fine," Alex soothed me, "I just can't believe Mason told you that. Only a few people know that about us." Alex surprised me by explaining, "My birth father was really angry when my mother didn't name Mason after him. He insisted that I was. The story I was told was that my mom hated it so she always called me by my middle name. I have always gone by Alex because I knew that's what she would have wanted."

I melted back into my chair, "Thank you for sharing that with me."

"Well I guess if Mason trusts you," Alex winked at me, "I can too."

I laughed and took the last long swig from my coffee," Come on I want to show you something." I got up from the table and signaled to Quinn. The three of us jumped into an elevator and made our way back to the room I had practiced in the day before. After filling Quinn on my conversation with Eddie he agreed to come with me as long as he talked to my father first. Quinn excused himself to make some phone calls. Walking into the large room I sat down at and reached into the my bag for my sheet music. I noticed that Alex had stopped just inside the door and hadn't followed me farther into room.

I waved him over, "Come here. What are you so afraid of?"

"I thought you had something to show me." Alex said hesitantly.

Patting the bench next to me I encouraged him, "I do. Get your butt over here."

Alex walked across the room, but stopped behind me instead of sitting down.

"So I heard you sing the other night at the piano bar and I incredibly impressed. Your are so naturally talented." I paused to give him a chance to absorb what I was saying, "It made me wonder if you knew anything about music."

"I love music. I sing any chance I can," Alex told me softly, "I never had any lessons or anything."

"Do you sing at school, like in chorus?"

Alex's eyes stared down at the carpet, "we don't have anything like that at St. Vlads."

"Okay," I said cheerfully, "so Eddie gave me this music he wants me to play during dinner tonight, but it's written way too low for me. You want to give it a try?"

"You mean," Alex hesitated, "you want me to sing the words? I don't know what any of the symbols mean."

I began by explaining the time signature and tempo to him. Once I broke the ice Alex began to gain more confidence and sat down beside me. He started asking me questions about the sheet music and the how to follow along. I patiently explained it to him.

After playing through the music a few times I surprised him, "You ready to give it a try?"

"I'm not sure I can do it," Alex said softly looking down into his hands. This guy I had seen with all of confidence in the world was afraid to mess up.

"Listen Alex it's just you and me here. No one is going to judge you if you make a mistake and I'll follow you," I encouraged him.

Alex looked over at me apprehensively, "Do you think that you could sing through it once. The only way that I have learned music in the past was by listening."

I nodded, "It's way too low for me so it won't sound great, but just jump in when you feel comfortable."

I started playing the music slowly and kept the tempo where I knew he could follow along. I sang through the song once and was starting to really fall in love with it. When I finished I flipped back to the beginning of the music and started again. Just as I suspected Alex jumped in the second time and it was amazing. I had not been wrong, he was incredibly talented. The soulful tone of his voice matched the pained words of the song perfectly. Alex wasn't perfect though. I found that occasionally he would lose confidence and his tone would start getting flat, but each time we went though it he got more comfortable.

"It sounds good in here," Quinn said entering the room.

"Thanks," I grinned, "any news on our field trip?"

"As a matter a fact there is," Quinn said leaning on the top of the piano with his elbow, "I just got off the phone with your dad and he's okay with our adventure as long as we go soon while it is still light out. After a creative diversion from Rose, Eddie was able to give the jewelers a call and got the okay for us to pick up the package. We just have to show ID when we get there. I have to say I wouldn't be onboard with this if it wasn't so close by, but it's a nice thing you are doing."

I blushed a little. "You were very thorough and I appreciate your help."

"Do you think that I could run upstairs and get the keys to the SUV without you getting into trouble? We don't have time to mess around." Quinn asked.

I agreed and Alex promised not to let me leave the safety of the room.

I watched Quinn stalk out of the room and returned to our lesson. "Do you like the song?" I asked.

"It's all right," he responded honestly, "I don't really understand it."

"Okay, well think about the words of the song. In the opening it talks about not blaming yourself for who you love right?" Alex nodded. "Don't you think that Eddie had some guilt about falling in love with Jill? She probably seemed way out of his league."

"I'm sure," Alex agreed, "but they are so great together."

"Right and then the words talk about not understanding love because they had never felt anything remotely like it," I pointed out.

"Didn't Eddie's mom leave him at the academy when he was just a really small?" Alex asked.

"Yeah she did."

Alex turned and looked through the words of the rest of the song. "It doesn't seem like a terribly romantic song to sing. If I was going to get engaged I would pick something a little more romantic."

I laughed, "This song is important to them as a couple. A long time ago Eddie tried to break things off with Jill. He didn't feel worthy of her. They went to some event and ended up dancing. Jill sang this song to him as they danced. It was a turning point in their relationship."

"Jill asked him to let her love him like the words of the song. Okay that is incredibly romantic. How did you know all of that?" Alex wondered.

I pulled a paper out of the packet of sheet music. It was a long letter from Eddie explaining how important this song had been to him and how ever time he thought of giving up with Jill she would play this song for him."

"Wow Eddie must really trust you if he told you all of that. It seems very important," Alex pointed out.

"I'm glad he does. Both Eddie and Jill are like family to me. I'm not sure Eddie knew why at the time, but it was a good thing that he did share the story with me."

"Why's that," Alex frowned.

"If I didn't understand the how important the words were to them I would have probably just played the song," I said sneakily.

Alex gave me a confused look. "You're going to sing the song at dinner tonight?"

"Not me," I smirked, "you."

"What no way," Alex responded. I stayed quiet and let him work it over in his head. "I mean no one has ever heard me sing really, just that one night at the piano bar. What if we mess up? What if it turns out terrible? I could mess up the whole thing."

After a second Alex's stopped hyperventilating and I explained, "It's going to be great. If you stop or mess up I'll jump in and help you. I've played this song enough times now that I could probably change it up if I had to. Think about how amazing it will be if we can work it out." Alex just shook his head in response. "Here," I said reaching down and pulling out my ipod, "listen to this version of the song while I'm gone and tell me later what you decide. Listen to the words and try to make a connection to them, it will make you a better singer."

Alex took the ipod from me begrudgingly. "How did I let you rope me into this?" he said to the ceiling.

I giggled at his dramatic answer. "I wonder what's taking Quinn so long," I responded and collected all my papers together and stuffed them back into the envelope. As soon as I opened the door I spotted Quinn barreling down the hallway.

"What took you so long?" I asked Quinn as he got closer.

"Politics," was his only response. "We need to move, we're losing light."

I turned back and said, "Think it over Alex. By the way you have no idea where were we are. You haven't seen us right?"

"Haven't seen a thing," Alex shook his head at me in amusement.

I followed Quinn up the hall and to the front doors. I was a little startled when one of the guardians at the door grabbed my arm. "Miss where are you going?"

"It's none of your business where I'm going," I told him annoyed I had to explain myself.

The man's grip tightened on my arm and I let out a small yelp, "You don't get to go off and get yourself into trouble. Then you become my problem," the guardian tried to intimidate me. He was a big guy with an ugly face. He wasn't expecting my attitude, but he was about to get a lot more of it.

"Myron," Quinn yelled snapping my attention, "she's with me. It's been cleared and we are hoping to get back before dusk, let Paris go so we can get a move on."

He let go of my arm and pushed me harshly away from him, "Whatever,"

Without looking back we took off in the direction of our rental car.

"That guy is a real winner," I commented still rubbing the sting out my bicep.

Quinn let out an impatient breath, "Myron is a pain in the ass, but he's good at his job."

Quinn's steps were so quick and long that I was almost jogging to keep up. "I would probably hate the world too if my name was Myron," I pointed out. I had no idea how he knew where the car had been parked or why he didn't just have the valet bring it up to the front.

"Throw me the keys," I said walking over to driver side door.

Quinn had the nerve to laugh, "Nice try. Go climb in I need you to enter the address into the GPS. The roller coaster roads around here make it difficult to know when to turn."

"You're joking," I spat and refused to move.

"No I'm not," Quinn huffed, "I don't have time to play driving instructor right now. Get in the vehicle. Now." He wasn't just losing patience, Quinn was getting angry.

"Fine," I stomped around the SUV, "just for the record my mother taught me to drive when I was thirteen and I had my drivers license the first day I was legally allowed to. She taught me on a car without power steering or brakes incase you're worried about my abilities."

"Of course she did," Quinn agreed, "I've seen the mustang it's a beauty."

His comment pacified me and climbed up into the SUV. "Do you have the address handy?" I asked Quinn and quickly got us moving.

"Is there any particular reason you drive like an old lady on her way to church?" I teased him. Even though we were moving Quinn was taking to roads ridiculously slowly.

"The temperature dropped and it's below freezing. If we get into an accident not only am I going to lose my job, but I'm going to have to deal with your little boyfriend. Not going to happen," Quinn explained to me boldly.

O crap I hadn't even considered Mason. "You and I both know he's not my boyfriend so don't tease me about," I spoke softly all the fire coming out of my attitude.

Quinn turned his head just slightly so he could see me out of the corner of his eye, "You didn't tell him did you?"

"Mason? Did I tell him what?"

Quinn pounded the steering wheel with his fist, "About out little road trip. You didn't think to mention it to him did you?"

"You're right I forgot to tell him, but why do you think that he has the right to know where I am," I growled.

We turned down a two lane road that led us into a town so small if I had blinked I would have missed it. Only four or five stores sat along the road and trucks and other four wheel drive vehicles lined the road. Quinn pulled us into a small alleyway in front of the jewelry store and slammed the SUV into park.

Turning to me Quinn spoke, "As far as I'm concerned the morning I found you in Mason's bed he earned the right to know."

Quinn got out of the car and I heard the door slam behind him. I jumped out and grabbing my purse I headed off behind him. "I told you I didn't sleep with him."

Quinn stopped so abruptly that I almost slammed into him, "Do you think that means he won't worry about you?"

The worst part of his argument was that he was right.

The jewelry store was a small mom and pop style business with only a few display cases. He man behind the register was helpful and after seeing my ID was happy to go in the back to locate the ring. While we waited I sent Mason a guilty text message. I told him how uneventful our trip had been and how we would on our way back in a few minutes. Mason responded immediately like he was waiting for my text. He told me in no uncertain terms to get back quickly, and he was right. The light had almost completely fallen out of the sky and neither Quinn or I were familiar with the area.

I was starting to get nervous. It had been at least fifteen minutes since the jeweler had disappeared in the back and the remainder of the sun light had disappeared under the horizon. When the man finally reemerged from the back he held an old fashion blue satin box. When he opened it I was stunned. A large cushion cut emerald style diamond sat in a delicate platinum setting. It was extraordinary and exactly what Jill would pick for herself.

"I hope the young lady that this is meant for has the same reaction as you," the man said and placed it in a plastic bag and handed it to me.

After shaking the man's hand and thanking him I followed Quinn out of the door. I looped my hand in the crook of his arm and squeezed. "Thanks for coming with me Quinn. It means a lot to me to be able do this for Eddie and I won't have been able to without you."

"It is my pleasure to assist you Paris," Quinn pulled away and grinned at me.

I walked over to my door and waited for Quinn to click the locks open. "Come on Quinn I'm freezing here." After a few second I started loosing patience and walked back around the car, "What's wrong did you lose the keys?" I teased him.

I looked around the small alley way, but Quinn wasn't by the drivers side door.

My spine straighten when I spotted him. He was laying in a heap on the floor several feet away. My heart started pounding and my palms began to tingle. I could feel all of the muscles in my body tense.

Two pairs of red eyes leered at me from the far shadow of the alley just above his body.