Page 28 of A Little More Hope

“I’m sure he’d appreciate you asking him,” Mason replied and returned his attention to the wall. For the next few hours, we carefully removed the wood until we could see clear through to the kitchen space.

“We might be able to make some other furniture too with the amount we have,” I said, ridiculously pleased at being able to retain a part of the original house and turn the remnants into a beautiful piece of furniture I’d get to keep forever. Aunt Mary Ellen would’ve been so proud. She always loved to reuse everyone else’s junk, turning whatever she found into unique gifts to sell at the local market.

Standing in what used to be the kitchen, I scanned the expanse of the lower floor. “You were so right.” I replied, awed. “This place is gonna be amazing.” I fully got why he loved his job. Knocking down walls, seeing the space opening up, seeing the potential, was a total rush.

Mason’s infectious grin matched my own. We were both covered in dust from head to toe, but he was without a doubt the hottest man I’d ever seen. Perspiration dotted his brow and dripped down the side of his face and neck, disappearing into the fitted white T-shirt he wore. Which, incidentally, clung to his torso like a second skin from the sweat produced by his efforts, making the damn cotton almost translucent.

Friends. Just friends. I kept reminding myself but trying to honor that was really difficult when his chest and arms bulged every time he wielded his sledgehammer.

Surveying the damage and the mess, Mason narrowed his eyes. “You know,” he remarked far too casually, “you shouldn’t be staying here while the demo is going on.”

“I’ll be fine,” I replied. “As long as I keep my bedroom door closed, I’m sure there won’t be a problem.”

“I disagree.”

I cocked my head at him “How so?”

“I’ve done what you’re trying to do, and it doesn’t work. The dust and dirt get everywhere.” He gave me a penetrating look. “Plus, it’s not good for your lungs.”

He had me there. Hmm, maybe I should stay with Sawyer or Cam?

“I think you should stay at mine, at least until the demo is complete,” he finished.

I swallowed a couple of times. “I’m not so sure staying at yours is the best option.” Waking up each morning with Mason in bed a few feet away across the hall, possibly wearing nothing at all. Seeing him all sleep ruffled and hearing his morning voice each day. I’d go batshit crazy wanting the guy. “I’m sure I’ll be fine,” I stated again. “There’s not really too much dust.”

He raised an eyebrow as his gaze traveled leisurely over my body, making my gut clench with need. His eyes hovered briefly on my crotch. What? Before continuing his journey to my feet and up again. I looked down and surveyed my black tank and shorts covered in white dust and bits of paint and plaster and who knew what else. Yeah, okay, he had a point. A layer of crap already covered my clothes, so how much more lingered in the air for me to potentially inhale?

“I’d really feel a whole lot happier with you away from all the dust and any other hazards.”

I was a sucker when people asked nicely. But could I feasibly stay next door with him?

“Please, Ash.” Wow, the guy had already figured out how to pull on my heartstrings.

Holding up my hand, I stopped him from saying any more. “Okay, okay. If it makes you happy, I’ll stay at yours.”

His wide smile lit up his face, making his eyes twinkle. You’d think he’d won the lottery; he looked so pleased.

“It will make me happy,” he confirmed. The slight tremor in his voice unfurled an unfamiliar sensation deep within me, creating a balm for my soul. It shouldn’t have mattered if this made him happy, but it did, and knowing I was the one causing his reaction, satisfied a yearning I didn’t realize I had.

“Let’s clear up the mess and finish for the day,” he said. “You’re going to want a nice hot bath when we get back.”

“Oh, no, I don’t do baths. I much prefer showers.”

I received a pitying look. “Trust me. You won’t be feeling the effects yet, but your muscles will hurt like hell tomorrow morning, so a bath tonight will go a long way to easing the knots and reducing the ache in your muscles.”

I shrugged. “Sure, okay. If you think so.”

“I do.”

As we tidied up, another facet to Mason, I’d yet to witness, revealed itself. Since I’d agreed to stay at his, it was as if a switch had flipped inside him. Any reticence or hesitation had disappeared. In its place were not orders exactly, but a firmness, a clear direction of what needed to be done. As if I was under his protection and his responsibility to look out for. I hadn’t had anyone do that in the four years since leaving Melrose Bay.

*

The tub sat in the en suite of the master bedroom at the top of the stairs. The bedroom had a lovely, vaulted beamed ceiling and took up the whole width of the house, with the same type of bifold doors as downstairs, leading out onto a glass-railed balcony. Being a bit higher, the views of the beach and ocean were stunning.

“How come you don’t use this room while you’re here?” I asked, following behind Mason.

“It’s Gabe’s bedroom,” he stated by way of explanation. “I just didn’t feel right sleeping in his bed.”

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