Page 148 of Stolen Moments

My breath catches in my lungs at the sight of him grinning, the gold streaks in his eyes glimmering in the firelight. His previously growly expression has softened, and he looks like the Mason I fell in love with at the beginning of last year. Butterflies erupt into a frenzy in my belly, bringing with it a wave of heat that rolls through me, settling in my chest. I wish I knew what was going on in that head of his.

As if he knows what I’m thinking, he crooks his finger at me.

“Happy New Year, Em!” Scarlett yells, pulling me into a hug, breaking my connection with Mason.

Oh, thank heavens.I might have done something stupid, like go to him and let him kiss me senseless in front of everyone.

“Happy New Year, Scarlett.” I return her hug.

“I have a feeling someone’s New Year’s wish is going to come true,” she says, releasing me.

“How do you know what I wished for?”

“Not you. Him.” Scarlett inclines her head in Mason’s direction.

He’s still watching me, a smile on his lips.

Looking back at Scarlett, she stops me. “Nuh-uh. Open mind and open heart.”

My mouth falls open at Rylann’s echoed words. “How—”

“What? Do you really think you’re the only one she’s used that line on?” she asks.

I shrug. There is still so much I need to learn about these two.

“She told me the same thing when I met Levi all those years ago and I was unsure of starting something with a man I met on vacation. Turns out, it was the best advice I could have received. So maybe you should do the same. But—and I’m serious when I say this—don’t go easy on him. Make him work for it.” She wiggles her brows at me, and I can’t help but laugh. “I’ll see you later, and if you change your mind about the room, let me know.”

“I will. Thank you, Scarlett.”

“Always, Em.” Scarlett heads off in Levi’s direction as Mason approaches and the firework show ends.

“Happy New Year, beautiful.”

“Happy New Year.”

He leans down, placing his lips a fraction of an inch away from my ear and whispers, “It’s definitely going to be a good year.”

Shivers wrack my body as he pushes a strand of my hair behind my ear, lighting my body on fire.

Mason steps back, putting distance between us, taking his woodsy ginger scent with him. “Are you staying here tonight?”

His eyes track my tongue as I lick my suddenly parched lips.

“No. I was planning on going home. I can’t leave Henry alone all night. But…” I glance around, searching the faces of party guests bundled up outside. Where the hell did Graham disappear to? “I seem to have misplaced my ride home.”

“I can drive you,” he says, scraping his hand across his jaw.

My thighs clench, recalling the way his scruff chaffed my skin as he buried his head…

I’m so screwed. I can’t be trapped in a car alone with him. He’s dangerous.

“Oh, no. You don’t have to. It’s late, and we’ve been celebrating.”

“I haven’t had a drop to drink tonight, and I have the keys to the rental. Please. Let me drive you home. Besides, you’ll be doing me a favor.”

“How will driving me home be doing you a favor?” My house is, at the least, a forty-five minute drive.

“I’ll be able to rest easy tonight knowing you’re home safe and sound. And alone.”

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