Chapter 8

Katy awakes in a state of disorientation and confusion. Looking around she finds herself in a completely different bedroom than the one she's been in the past few days. Memories of yesterday night filter back in but there's still a hole at the memory how exactly she ended up in this bed. To ease that slight wave of panic, Katy quickly pats down her body, noting in relief that she's still clothed and nothing seems to be out of the ordinary. So if she didn't stumble into bed herself then that would mean...Mason tucked her in. Her breath catches as she imagines Mason lifting her princess style in that romantic novel sort of way and softly placing her in the luscious bed. Well, actually the more accurate image would be him struggling to the door before very quickly dumping her body on the bed. Although clearly he's a very athletic man, she doubts even he can easily lift her. 

Speaking of whom...She glances around for signs of the space next to her having been occupied, but with the sheets still smooth over that half of the bed, she's doubtful he was ever there to begin with. Her heart melts a little at that. That can't be right, guys just aren't that chivalrous and sweet, at least not in the real world.

Katy stretches her arms and clicked her back, before frowning. The waistcoat, as soft as it is against her skin, is too constricting. She wishes she'd have taken it off before sleeping because now she has kinks in her back but there's nothing to be done about that now. Rather a few muscle kinks than bruises. It doesn't mean though that she can't do anything about it now. She tugs off the buttons and tosses it aside, allowing her chest to finally sigh in relief. Her breasts felt much more free, just being enclosed in a cotton bra and not squished flat anymore.

Now though, there's a different problem. She can't exactly strut around in just her bra looking like an eyesore.

She glances around the room again, spotting the chest of drawers with delight. Against her better judgement Katy, pokes through each one, until finding the one with folded t-shirts. Picking up a royal blue one she slips it on, hoping Mason won't mind. The t-shirt's far too wide at her shoulders, the neckline drooping over one of her shoulders and revealing her bra strap, however it's either that or allowing a deep v to sag at her chest and this seems like the more modest option. The bottom half of the t-shirt's not that much better, as it hangs loose at her waist before tightening sharply around her hips. It's another restriction but a better one than her chest.

Tip-toeing quietly out of the bedroom she scans around the open plan living room, to spot the rumpled couch with a blanklet tossed haphazardly over it. She peers around again, spotting Mason leant over a frying pan. There's a quiet sizzling, but with Mason's bare muscled back blocks her view of the contents of the pan. Then again, the view just as great as it is. Subconsciously Katy's eyes trace the deep line running all the way down his back to those low-riding, pyjama trousers that showcase the dimples of his lower back and skim his ass. She's pretty sure too that she can see the outline of-
"Katy!"
Katy jumps in surprise, snapping her eyes up to his dark blue eyes and trying to cease the guilty blush.
"...Um, good morning," she shyly replies. 

Mason has his own battle trying to suppress the smug smirk he feels coming on from catching his little mate blatantly checking him out. The light pink tint at her cheeks is far too adorable and that alone ceases him from teasing her about it.
Its only seconds later he realises the t-shirt she has on is his. And if it's just the most enticing thing he's seen on her yet! The light-pink lace strap of her bra is such a stark contrast to her dark skin and there it glints at him, teasing him mercilessly. He's left to his own imagination to picture how the rest of the damned contraption looks like pressed against its owner.
Shit, that's definitely not helping the morning wood. Thank God for the bagginess of his trousers.

"Mason! It's burning!" cries Katy rushing to him, or rather the smoking pan behind him.
Mason snaps quickly out of his musings, only to have Katy already on the situation. She switches off the stove before wafting away the smoke towards the exhaust pipe. Sifting through the burnt eggs, Katy glances at Mason and suddenly notices their proximity.
"Ah...um..." she mumbles, stepping back a little. Trying not to be offended at the movement, Mason glances back at the eggs.
"Well there's a few pieces maybe, that's not too burnt..." he states, spotting rare yellow gems from the burnt ashes.
"Will you try them?" Mason asks eagerly.
He's already gone through a few attempts this morning hoping to impress Katy or at the very least, cook an edible breakfast. Katy grimaces before nodding, finding the hopeful glint at Mason's eyes adorable. Never has a man been so eager to have her approval; she admits she does enjoy it just a smidge.
She grabs a fork picking out a bit that doesn't seem too burnt. As her lips wrap around it, Mason waits anxiously.
And then... a few minutes later, Katy splutters into coughs as she winces. She rushes to grab a glass of water, gulping it down immediately.

The disgusting overwhelming amount of salt and pepper, washes away allowing Katy to calm down. She had bitten into the crystalised salt between the goo of the egg, and then had come the eye-watering pepper. But then seeing the heart-broken look on Mason's face, Katy cringes at her overreaction.
"It's...it's...very well seasoned," she conludes with a shaky smile. Mason glances at her before bursting into laughter. Even Katy can't help but smile widely in response. 

***************

Half an hour later, and Katy's managed to prepare an entire spread of brunch, much to Mason's delight. He won't be eating like this forever so it's best he takes advantage of it now while he can.

"So..what do you like doing Katy?" he asks.
Obviously waitressing and bar work isn't exactly her passion so what does she like? What are her hobbies?
Katy's surprised by the sincerity in his eyes, like he actually cares.
"Um...well, I don't know...I don't mind doing...anything," she stammers.
"Oh come on! There must have been something you liked to do...What was your job?" he continues.
"I didn't have a job."
Apart from being a wife and that was a full-time job with little benefits.
"Well what job would you have liked to have?" he asks.
"I...liked Mathematics in school," blushes Katy.
As geeky as it sounds it's the truth, even though does wish she could say something exotic and sexy, like dancing or acting perhaps.
Mason smiles, in surprise. That's certainly not what he was expecting to hear. Math...well, that certainly means that she has a firm head on her shoulders.
The cogs churn away in Mason's head. Katy was a captive; she had no freedom to explore so Mason guesses that she wouldn't have had the chance to go to college...

"I have a friend who's father is the Dean of the local college...if you'd like I can try arrange for us to go and sit in one of the mathematics lectures? What do you think?"
Katy snaps her head up gasping, "really?!".
College had been an unattainable dream. Firstly because her family could never have afforded it even if she had managed to get a scholarship and stay in state, and secondly she had mistakenly thought marriage to Richard would have allowed her to do this. Clearly that never happened and though she may be a little rusty now, the chance of being able to learn again invigorates her.
"Really," confirms Mason, grinning.

*********

Gliding into the car, Katy's jittery with excitement; maths equations flowing through her brain as she smooths over the invisible crinkles of her blazer. Today's outfit is more her choice, feminine as always but with a hint of professional, all in form of a cream dress and mocha blazer. All toped off with gladiator sandals and gold jewellery.

"Excited?" asks Mason watching a practically bouncing Katy.
"Sorry," blushes Katy.
Mason just chuckles, "Katy, it's fine. Although, I got to say, my mom would love how enthusiastic you are about education."
"Your mom?"
She hadn't seen any older people at the house or at least none that resembles any bearing to Mason.
"Yeah, my parents live a few states out, but you wouldn't guess it; not with all the holidays they take," he jokes.
"Do you have siblings?" questions Katy surprising Mason.
She's never actively enquired about his personal life at all before. For a lesser man it probably would have questioned her interest in him but Mason's always been confident. Now with these little steps it seems that trust in fate is paying off. 

"3. Brothers, too. Dane's the youngest, he's just finished high school and he's started learning the business. Eli's my twin, he lives further south for here. And lastly there's Adrian, the eldest of us.-"
"You have a twin?" interrupts Katy with a curious smile.
She doesn't have siblings; but in her family one more mouth to feed would have been disastrous. Still, only child syndrome means she did used to wonder what it would be like to have one. But a twin! Gosh, that must be special.
"Trust me, Little Doe, it's not as great as it sounds. We don't have that weird telepathic connection, thankfully," chuckles Mason.
Being in the same grade all throughout their adolescence meant that Eli is just another brother to him but one that's slightly noseier in his business. Even now, Eli's probably one that probes and prods the most into his life, more so than his mom in fact!

********************

For the rest of the car ride, Katy listens to Mason recounting his life: From his childhood, to adolescence, to now-his manhood. She loves his adorable, light-hearted stories; rolling her eyes at his label in high-school of the moody 'bad boy'-despite being a good student. She doesn't doubt at all that even through the awkwardness of puberty Mason had girls throwing themselves at him. As if she didn't more any more reason to feel humble against him, he gives it to her anyway.

***************************

"Wow...this place is huge," Katy exhales, wonderstruck by lush green spaces and gorgeous buildings.
Mason remains quiet, despite disagreeing. The campus is in-fact, fairly small compared to most colleges, but he decides to let her bask in her awe. Although, it really is just like any regular campus; people milling around sipping coffee, texting and talking. Many are huddled in groups, laughing loudly and messing about.

Suddenly a sharp whistle cuts through the air, causing Mason to spin around towards that direction heard. Luckily with his quick reflexes he manages to catch the soaring football just in time. Like anyone would be, he's more than a little pissed at the assault and glaring through the crowds he tries to spot the culprit.
A grinning guy jogs up to them causing Mason's anger to immediately vanishes into humour.
"That how you welcome all your friends Holsway?" he sarcastically greets, pressing the football against the brunette's chest.
"Maybe you have visited more often then," retorts the Reese, beaming wider.

"Sure. Sure. Anyway, this is Katy. Katy this is Reese," introduces Mason.
The two exchange quick 'hello's' and an awkward handshake, before Reese smirks knowingly towards Mason. Mason refrains from rolling his eyes and giving his friend a push at the no-doubt suggestive glint in that look.
Instead Mason brushes his hand against Katy's back, gently tugging her back onto their designated path.
"So, not that I'm not happy to see you, but man but what're you doing here?" enquires Reese, trailing along with them.
"Katy and I here to sit in on one of the math lectures-"
"You-math?! Seriously? You hate math," exclaims Reese bursting into laughter.
Katy stumbles in her steps as horror flashes before her. She shrinks slightly into herself, head facing away from him as she realises that he's only here because of her. And now, she's making him do something she hates too.
"Katy's smart as she is beautiful," replies Mason simply.
"Whipped," coughs Reese teasingly, only to have Mason punch his arm. 

"You'd be best of sitting in Mr Donald's class. He's the best lecturer in maths, or so I've heard. But he's pretty young, so his classes fill up fairly quick," offers Reese, heading into one of the auditoriums rooms.
"Wait, don't you have any classes?" asks Mason.
Reese leads them up to one of the middle rows, nearer to the front as he slides in.
"Nah-I'm free today and what's more fun than a maths lecture?" he teases more directed at Mason than Katy.
Mason just shakes his head at his friend's ribbing, choosing to take the high road and ignore it as he slumps into his seat. 

"Mason?" whispers Katy drawing his attention away from Reese to.
"Yeah, what it is sweetheart?"
"...Nothing," she murmurs back.
He smiles back and circling his arm around her neck to her shoulders. Surprisingly, she snuggles closer to him rather than inching away. 

Reese and Mason continue to talk as the theatre fills up. Finally when the room is more than half full, the lecturer strides in and sets his briefcase on the desk. He's a man in his youth just as Reese mentioned. His hair's styled oddly; strands of light brown hair flopping over one side of his head against his parting, yet only one strand flips forward onto his forehead. His trousers are smart, plain black, leading to similarly scuffed shoes. A skinny dark belt wraps around his narrow hips, into which a white shirt that's tucked into. A dark blue skinny tie, trails down the shirt, which too for some reason looks just as haphazard as the rest of him. 

"Okay, afternoon everyone! We're going to be looking at Boolean algebra today, also known as...Boolean logic. Logic being something, I'm sure none of you lack," the man grins teasingly causing a few chuckles especially from the front row of girls.
"Now Boolean algebra has some laws; these being defined as axiomatic..."
Mason zones out. He never liked algebra at high school and he sure as hell isn't going to like or even understand this Boolean algebra thing. Glancing across he watches with a strange fascination of Katy fully absorbance in it; her eyes darting from the strange tables, to the lecturer as she scribbles the words onto a piece of paper he didn't even realise she had. His arm remains settled on her shoulder completely oblivious to her. Mason smiles silently to himself, pleased he's manage to do something right that's bringing her happiness.

There's soft buzz of chatter outside the room, indicating that like many before him, this lecturer is also running over. He quickly wraps up, causing Katy to snap out of her 'zone' as there's a flurry of action throughout the room.
"Have a nice afternoon everyone! If you have any queries stay behind or come find me at my office. Your assignments due in on the 26th have been sent to you online. Thank you for attending and see you tomorrow!" he concludes switching off the projector. Students file out, some rushing and some dawdling. A handful stay behind as they chat to the lecturer, while Katy packs away her paper and pen before smiling brightly at Mason. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes he slowly uprights himself, glad the long lecture is finally over. His mind flashes back to his brother Adrian, wondering how on earth he actually managed to sit through something so tiresome; although, maybe if he had any interest for college he could. Learning however is something he likes but definitely not college. Tugging on the leather jacket, he follows Katy down to the front; who contrary to what he would have thought, waltzes right up to the lecturer and starts conversing, leaving him to catch up.

"That was great!" she gushes, causing the man to beam.
"Thank you, I'm glad I could keep you awake," he jests, grinning towards Mason.
It's an unappreciated joke, causing Mason's eyes to narrow slightly as he throws a possessive arm around Katy. He's sure the man isn't hitting on her but just in case the point is not clear. Katy simply tries to suppress the laughter as the professor's face falls slightly before another huge smile lights up his face.
"So what's your name, mathematician?"
"Katherine-Katy...Oh, um, this is Mason."
The lecturer gives a weary look to Mason before nodding, "Right, Thomas Reynolds, pleasure to meet you, and terribly sorry Katy, but I have another lecture to attend."
"Of course, sorry; and thank you again," raves Katy.

Mason's lips curl into a frown. Some stupid letters, numbers and wiggly lines; she gets turned on. Seriously? Math? Trust his luck to find a girl who gets off on something he hates doing.
"Ow," quietly hisses Katy. Mason drops his hand like it's on fire. Shit. He didn't even realise he was holding her that tight.
"Damn it! I'm sorry, Little Doe. I'm so sorry, baby," he whispers pulling in close.
"Mason, its fine. It's okay. I get it," she smirks coyly breathing into his chest.
"Huh?" he asks pulling back.
"You were jealous, right?"
Mason glances down at her mischievous, beautiful face and just rolled his eyes.
"Yep. That's it," he sarcastically responds but they both know the truth and even if Mason doesn't want to admit it.

********************

As both exited the car and the garage lights flickered on, Katy feels the overwhelming urge to thank Mason build up to a peak. She's always thought any type of further education was beyond her. People had always told her to not even think about it because they had seen her in the same light as Richard-stupid. But he hadn't.

"Look, if you'd like, you can sign up to the online college..." he'd suggested to her on the ride over, discussing how he would be happy to fund her if she would continue to help out at the club.
Katy smiles remembering how she'd blushed and nodded her head like a cartoon character, having that much enthusiasm.

"Mason!" she calls as he locks the car and goes to head inside the house.
He spins around but remains silent even as she draws closer. Hesitantly, her arms raise up, and before she evens has to get on her tip-toes, he's pulling her in close and bending down to embrace her.
"Thank you so much," she whispers, her words fluttering at his ear. Although she means them innocently enough, teamed with her body pressed against his, Mason can't help the fleeting lust he felt.
"I told you, I only want to help you," he responds back, his fingers trailing down her spine slightly.
Hearing her small intake of breath, he smirks to himself slightly, before letting go. She stumbles, only to have him steady her at her elbow.
"T-that's very...kind of you. I um, I wish I could repay you."
"...You can..."
"I-I can?"
"Let me take you out for dinner,