Page 40 of My Secret Santa Mason

If he knew what had happened, if he knew the men were afterhim, he’d never forgive me. He’d leave, and I couldn’t bear the thought of losing him now.

You’re selfish.

Wasn’t that exactly what Dylan had done to me—kept secrets, hidden things until everything blew up in my face?

I pressed my hands against my sides, trying to calm the storm of emotions raging inside me. “Mason, you don’t have to worry about me. I can handle myself.”

His jaw tightened. He wanted to protect me, but he also knew I wasn’t some fragile thing that needed saving. Still, he knew something was off. And he still chose to trust me.

That hurt like a bitch because he couldn’t trust me.

Clearly.

“Alright,” he finally said, his voice gruff. “But if anything happens, you call me. I don’t care what time it is.”

I nodded, a lump forming in my throat. “I will.”

Mason didn’t leave. Instead, he moved closer again, his hand coming up to brush a stray strand of hair from my face. His touch was gentle, careful, and it sent a shiver down my spine. I couldn’t help the way my body reacted to him—my pulse quickened, my breath hitched, and all I wanted was for him to wrap me up in those strong arms and make me forget about everything else.

“Why do you care so much?” I blurted out. “You don’t know me. We don’tknoweach other. Not really.”

“Because you matter to me,” he said simply.

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I wasn’t used to being someone’s priority. With Dylan, I’d always felt like an afterthought, like I was never enough. Mason made me feel like I was worth something, like I was worth protecting, worth caring about.

I wanted to tell him about the men who had come here, about how they’d threatened me. But I needed more time to figure out how to fix this without dragging him deeper into the mess that was my life.

I let out a shuddering breath.

Being around him made it so hard to think straight. All I wanted was to be close to him. All I wanted was to feel the safety and warmth he offered and forget about the rest of the world.

“You don’t have to worry about me,” I said softly, stepping closer to him. “I’m okay.”

He let out a soft chuckle, the sound deep and soothing. “I’m not going to stop worrying about you, Cami. That’s not how this works.”

His words wrapped around me like a warm blanket, and I realized how much I’d needed something like this—the feeling of being cared for, of being protected by someone who genuinely wanted to be there for me.

I’d never had that with Dylan. He’d always made me feel like I had to earn his affection, like I wasn’t good enough unless I was doing something for him. Mason didn’t ask for anything in return. He just… cared.

I looked up at him, and the air between us shifted again, thickening with a tension that had nothing to do with fear or danger. It was electric and undeniable. My breath caught as his hand cupped my cheek, his thumb brushing lightly over my skin.

“Mason…” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

His eyes darkened, and before I could say another word, his lips were on mine.

The kiss was slow at first, tender, but it quickly grew hotter, more urgent. I melted into him, my hands finding their way to his broad shoulders, pulling him closer.

My mind went blank, and all I could focus on was the heat of his body against mine, the way his hands roamed my back,pulling me closer, deeper into the kiss. It was intense and raw and terrifying.

When we finally pulled apart, breathless and flushed, I looked up at him, my heart hammering in my chest. Mason’s eyes were dark with desire, but there was something else there, too.

“You don’t have to handle everything alone,” he murmured, his voice rough with emotion. “I’m here, Cami. I’ve got you.”

I was probably making things worse by keeping him in the dark, but I couldn’t bring myself to ruin this.

Not yet.

18

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