Page 46 of Open Arms

“Hey.” He stood between my legs and rested his forehead against mine. “Stay with me tonight.”

I felt my head nodding automatically. But before I could form a coherent thought, footsteps on the stairs jolted us back toreality. We broke apart in a scramble, Mason turning to busy himself at the sink while I smoothed my skirt and slid off the counter on shaky legs.

Just in time, as Abby bounded into view, her grin bright with innocent excitement. “I put all my toys away! Can we have dessert now?”

19

Mason

I closedthe last of Abby’s storybooks with a soft thump, her eyelids finally giving in to the weight of sleep. She mumbled something about ponies and unicorns, and I couldn’t help but chuckle. Tucking the blanket snug around her, I planted a kiss on her forehead, her skin warm and soft beneath my lips. My sweet girl, dreamin’ of horses, just like her old man used to do.

“Night, kiddo,” I whispered, my voice barely above the sound of the crickets outside.

I lingered for a moment, watching her chest rise and fall, her face serene. This was what life was all about—these moments of peace. But as I stood there, the warmth from earlier that evening crept back up my neck, spreading heat across my cheeks.

Chloe.

Lord, that woman had me twisted up inside in ways I hadn’t felt since . . . well, ever.

I eased out of Abby’s room, leaving the door cracked the standard inch. Chloe waited for me in the hall. I grabbed herhand and led her to my room, a mix of nerves and excitement making each step feel like the first drop off a roller coaster.

When we got to my room, I closed the door, locking it behind us. Turning to her, I took her face in my hands, admiring her beauty for a minute before dipping down to press my lips to hers.

When she moaned into the kiss, I deepened it, but only for a moment. We needed to talk first. Begrudgingly, I broke the kiss, and pulled back, but took her hands in mine.

“Look, I know things have been movin’ faster between us than you originally wanted,” I said, suddenly feeling nervous. “But I ain’t never felt anything quite like this before. And I want you, Chloe. More than I’ve wanted anyone in a long time. No, more than I’ve ever wanted anyone.”

She bit her lip, a small gesture that sent another wave of desire coursing through me. “Mason, I?—“

“Shhh,” I cut her off, stepping closer, close enough to feel the warmth radiating from her body. “Don’t say anything yet. Just know that every laugh, every glance . . . I know it’s complicated. I know it’s not what either of us planned. But you’re under my skin, Chlo. I want you.”

Her hand reached up, her fingers tracing the stubble along my jawline, sending shivers down my spine. “I’m scared,” she admitted, her honesty hitting me square in the chest. “I’m scared because I want you too, and it feels like jumping without knowing if there’s ground below.”

“Hey,” I said softly, cupping her face in my hands, needing her to see the truth in my eyes. “We’ll jump together, alright? I got you.”

A smile toyed at the corners of her mouth, brave and vulnerable. “You promise?”

“Cross my heart,” I vowed, my thumb brushing over her scar,a reminder of the battles she’d fought alone. But she wouldn’t have to fight any more of them by herself—not if I had anything to say about it.

“Okay,” she breathed out, her resolve setting in. “Okay, let’s jump.”

I pulled her left hand up to my lips and kissed her knuckles. “Thanks for agreeing to stay over.”

She squeezed my hand, blue eyes reflecting the moonlight that spilled through the window. “I want to be here, Mason. With you.” Her voice was a whisper, but it held volumes of courage.

“Good.” A smile spread across my face. “Because I’m pretty sure I’d find any excuse just to keep you a little longer.” My words seemed to hang in the air between us, laced with the promise of shared moments yet to come.

“Is that so?” she teased, her tone showing me she was more at ease now. A spark of her feisty spirit shone through, and man, did I love that spark.

“Absolutely,” I replied, my heart thumping a wild rhythm only she could inspire. The space between us was charged with an energy I couldn’t ignore, didn’t want to ignore. I leaned in, slowly, giving her time to pull back if she wanted to. But she didn’t.

Our lips met, and the world faded away to nothing but the taste of her, sweet and intoxicating. The kiss deepened, and I poured every ounce of my longing into it, telling her without words how much she stirred me up inside. How much I craved this closeness.

Her hands found their way into my hair, pulling me closer as if she couldn’t get enough. And damn if I didn’t feel the same—like a man who’d been wandering the desert and finally foundhis oasis.

“Chloe,” I breathed against her lips, the need in my voice raw and unguarded. She responded with a soft moan that sent a surge of heat straight through me. This woman had me tied up in knots, and I didn’t ever want to untangle them.

“More,” she whispered, her plea sending a thrill down my spine.

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