The long flight across the Atlantic would give him plenty of time to think. And he had a feeling he’d be spending most of it worried about her.
***
Taylor yawned as she finally awoke several hours later, stretching her arms above her head. Her sheet brushed against her bare breasts, reminding her of how she’d slept naked wrapped in Mason’s arms last night.
She was deliciously sore, her body well aware of how thoroughly Mason had claimed her. She blushed just thinking about screaming his name, about his hard cock thrusting into her again and again as she surrendered in ecstasy.
They’d awoken at some point in the middle of the night, his erection pressed up against her ass, and he’d gently parted her legs and made love to her again, holding her in his arms. His fingers had rubbed against her clit as he’d thrust into her, and she’d exploded again, crying out in his arms before they’d fallen back asleep, Mason’s cock still buried inside her.
Glancing at the clock on her nightstand, she saw that it was already ten in the morning. Although she kept a late schedule with her work hours, this was sleeping late even for her. Grabbing her cell phone from the nightstand, her eyes scanned over the text from Mason.
An unexpected trip?
Confusion washed over her. She knew Mason and his friends got sent out when needed, but she’d assumed she’d have at least some notice that he’d be gone. She’d imagined making passionate love before he kissed her goodbye, promising to return soon.
A quick text from him after they’d made love the night before wasn’t exactly the same thing. He hadn’t even woken her up to say that he had to go.
Sighing, she stood up from her bed, her skin heating as she realized his scent was all over her skin. Mason always smelled of soap with a hint of spice, but there was something else erotically male as well. She wrapped her arms around herself, not wanting to let the moment go.
When she showered, she’d wash off his scent. The memory of him in her bed would be more distant, too. Sinking back down onto her bed, she swiped a few tears from her eyes.
She missed him.
She knew he’d be up early this morning to head onto base, but she’d assumed she’d see him again soon. Mason had told her himself he never knew how long he’d be gone when his team was sent out.
Would he be back in a few days? A week? Longer than that?
Rationalizing that she was being silly, she decided to go shower and dress. Her entire life didn’t revolve around a man she’d gone out with a couple of times. It’s not like they lived together or were married or something where she’d always be sure to see him before he left. When he packed for whatever mission he had to go on and rushed out the door.
They’d…slept together. Again. Sure, he cared about her, but she shouldn’t make this into something it wasn’t.
Her phone buzzed with an incoming call, and for a brief flash, she thought it was Mason. She tried to ignore the disappointment in her chest as she saw Bailey’s name flash across the screen. She clutched the sheet to her chest, somehow feeling like she needed to cover herself even though her friend couldn’t see her.
“Hi,” she said, hating the slight waver of her voice.
“Hey hun, what’s wrong? You sound sad.”
Taylor laughed despite herself. “I said one word to you. How on Earth did you interpret that as sad?”
Bailey laughed. “I’m your best friend. So spill. What’s going on?”
“Mason left,” Taylor said.
“Left as in you broke up?” Bailey asked, sounding surprised.
“Left as in he had to for work. Deployed. Got sent out. Whatever you want to call it. He spent the night, and I knew he had to be on base early this morning. The next thing I know, I wake up to a text saying he’ll be gone. I mean, do you think he purposefully didn’t tell me he was leaving?”
“Oh, sweetie, no. He’s not like that. Why would he go through all this trouble to help you deal with Eric only to sneak out?”
Taylor sighed. “He didn’t exactly sneak out. He told me last night that he had to be up early to be on base. I just assumed it was for training or something and that I’d see him later on.” She went on to explain everything that had happened with Eric yesterday.
“Hell no,” Bailey said. “Eric did not show up at Anchors and say that.”
“Oh, he did,” Taylor said miserably. “He wasn’t acting like himself at all—he was angry. Mason came right away when I called him, but now I’m right back where I was before. Mason can’t be around every second, and honestly, I’m surprised Eric didn’t show up at my place last night.”
“Maybe he was passed out drunk. Let’s go have a girl’s day,” Bailey suggested. “Lunch, shopping, maybe a mani/pedi. I don’t have to work until tonight.”
“Yeah, me either. My shift is from seven until close.”