Free Resist (London) by Danielle Breeze

either! Friends don’t do that!”
    He swerved the car slightly, earning us a beep of the horn from a driver on the other side of the road, then exclaimed, “Fuckin’ hell Harp! Don’t do that. I could have crashed. Jesus, woman!”
    “Sorry.” I mumbled , I wasn’t sorry I snapped, just sorry I didn’t wait until he wasn’t paying attention to the road.
    “And anyway, friends or not babe, you’re hot, you’re beautiful, the sex was out of this world, and when I see lacy, silky, barely-there underwear, that you’ve worn, yeah, I’m gonna picture you wearing it. It’s a personal fantasy.”
    My whole body flushed and I turned my head to look out the window so he wouldn’t see my cheeks redden. I’d heard it before, that I was hot, I was beautiful, I had a good body...but it was just different from Mason.
    He was so, just good . Clean, handsome, cut, just, I couldn’t even explain... perfect.
    It scared me, my reaction to him. I liked him, and I did want to spend time with him. But my heart was locked in a steel cage and I could already feel the locks rattling. I’d never been in love, wouldn’t know what it felt like, but I was starting to worry that if felt a lot like what was happening to me.
    I didn’t get chance to analyse the feeling too much, we pulled into his driveway and I looked up at the house thinking I really should have paid more attention the last time I was there.
    I could definitely understand why neither Mase nor Ruben wanted to move out. It was a palace! Balconies from every room on the top floor, huge rooms, and it had a garden! A real garden. Lush, green lawns, a paved patio, stone water-feature off to the side...it was beautiful. Even with the garden alone, I knew the place must have been worth a fortune, considering gardens were scarce in London, in general.
    It’s a capital city. Therefore, it’s all about businesses, tourist attractions, high-rise buildings and apartment blocks.
    I stood at the window, staring out at the garden as I waited for Mase to get changed, wondering what it would be like to be able to sit out there all the time, knowing it all belongs to you.
    Amazing.
    “I’m ready Sunshine, you want me to drop you home? Or you coming to the club for a bit?” A voice asked from behind me. I tore my gaze from the view and turned to face Mason.
    At his question, I faltered.
    I wanted to go home, but I had something to say to his brother, Jackson. I hadn’t seen him since I entered their place and wondered if he was home.
    Mason frowned, like he didn’t know why I wanted to see his brother, but replied, “Not yet babe, he took Taylor out I think.” He glanced at his watch, then said, “But he should be back any time. You want to wait for him?”
    “I could?” I asked, thinking that if I lived in a house like that, I wouldn’t want to leave anyone in it without me being there. Clearly, he didn’t feel the same.
    “Of course, I trust you. Why d’ya wanna talk to Jax anyway?”
    “Nothing big, just something to do with Taylor, I’ve helped him a bit, and I think I know what he should do next . ”
    “You’re helping my brother, sort out issues he’s having, with a woman he wants to be with?” He replied, sounding incredulous. I had no idea why. It wasn’t something out of the ordinary.
    “Yeah.” I answered, like it was obvious.
    He shook his head and whispered, ‘wow’ , under his breath. Again, I didn’t get it. I vaguely wondered if maybe he just thought it was a nice thing to do. But I didn’t question it.
    “Sure thing babe, make yourself at home, if you’re gone by the time I get home, which you probably will be, then I’ll just see you tomorrow, if not then I can give you a lift back later.”
    He kissed me on the forehead.
    Then he left.
    It was things like that. The sweet things, gentle things, stupid fucking loving gestures that were messing with my head...and although I hated to admit it...my heart.
    I didn’t have to wait for long by