Page 71 of Sweetheart

“I’m glad you like it.” Levi wanted to ask if Mason would move in there with him, but he didn’t want to start that conversation when they were both wrecked from the long day.

Levi left Mason long enough to get the shower started before he returned.

“Can I check your injuries?”

“I really am fine,” Mason said. “But sure.”

Mason lifted his arms as Levi started to push the T-shirt Mason wore up his chest. The bruises down his ribs had rage flashing sharp and quick through his body. Levi had to bite down on his bottom lip to keep from snarling.

“It looks worse than it feels,” Mason said quietly.

“I hate that I couldn’t protect you.”

Mason shook his head. “You were shot in the throat. I thought you were dead. I would go through all of it again just to make sure that you were okay.”

“I’ve already healed.” Mostly. Levi ran his palms down Mason’s arms. “It will take longer for you.”

“I know.” Mason sniffled. “But when…when I thought my father had killed you—”

“It’s okay.” Levi kissed his boy gently. He did understand. Hearing his mate being beaten. That was traumatic but he’d been sure that they’d make it out of there. Mason hadn’t known that. He drew back.

“More.” Mason tried to follow his lips.

“Patience,” Levi teased.

Mason huffed. “You promised me naked skin!”

“Did I?”

“Yes?” Mason stuck out his bottom lip.

“Funny, I don’t remember that.”

“You said we’d share a shower,” Mason pointed out. “Did you plan on showering with your clothes on?”

He smirked before yanking his shirt over his head. “Better?”

“God yes.” Lifting his right hand, Mason traced his fingers across the scars over his heart. “How’d you get this?”

This was not a story that Levi had wanted to get into. “My father.”

Mason’s eyes widened.

“Why I decided to leave my clutch. my parents and siblings, my father marked me for betraying them. They believed we should live in our stone forms away from humans and other paranormals.”

“Forever?”

“Yes. I wanted to find my mate. I didn’t think that would ever happen with my clutch.”

“Why wouldn’t your parents want you to find your mate?”

“They didn’t believe it would happen,” Levi shared. “They wanted all of their children to stay safe with them.”

“I’m sorry this happened.” Mason leaned forward to press his lips against Levi’s scar. Just inches above his nipple.

Levi groaned. He’d only been half erect when he’d carried his mate into the bathroom. Too many worries circling in his head. The first touch of his mate’s mouth on him…yeah, he was fucking turned on now.

“You like that?” Mason taunted then traced the scar with his tongue again.

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