Page 13 of Rage

Mason’s laugh rumbles through his chest, vibrating against my back.“It’s cute,” he says, his voice softening.“But you don’t have to worry.Nothing’s going to hurt you while I’m here.”

The conviction in his voice sends a chill down my spine that has nothing to do with fear.I turn in his arms, looking up at him.In the moonlight, his eyes are dark pools, drawing me in.

“Is that a promise?”I whisper.

Mason’s hand comes up to cup my cheek, his thumb tracing my lower lip.“You bet your ass it is.”

The tension between us snaps.In an instant, his lips are on mine, hot and demanding.I melt into him, my arms winding around his neck as I return the kiss with equal fervor.His tongue sweeps into my mouth, and I moan, pressing closer.

Mason’s hands roam my body, leaving trails of fire in their wake.He backs me up until I feel the cool metal of his bike against my legs.In one fluid motion, he lifts me, setting me on the seat.I wrap my legs around his waist, pulling him flush against me.

“Meadow,” he groans, breaking the kiss to trail his lips down my neck.“God, I’ve wanted this for so long.”

“Me too,” I gasp, arching into him as he nips at my pulse point.“Mason, please.”

He pulls back, his eyes searching mine.“Are you sure?We can stop.”

I cut him off with another searing kiss.“Don’t you dare,” I breathe against his lips.

A wicked grin spreads across Mason’s face.“Yes, ma’am,” he says, before claiming my mouth once more.

As we lose ourselves in each other, the stars twinkling above and the city lights below, I realize I’ve never felt safer or more alive than I do right now, in Mason’s arms.

Suddenly, a loud crack echoes through the clearing.I yelp, clinging tighter to Mason.

He laughs loudly, holding me close.“Just a branch breaking, sweetheart.Nothing to worry about.”

I laugh shakily, burying my face in his chest.“God, I’m such a scaredy-cat.”

Mason tilts my chin up, his eyes soft in the moonlight.“I think it’s adorable.”He grins, that cocky smirk that makes my knees weak.“But we should probably head back before you have a heart attack out here.”

I smack his arm playfully but don’t argue.As much as I’m enjoying our time alone, the woods at night are starting to creep me out.

I turn on the seat, settling into the correct riding position, and it’s not lost on me that I’ve soaked my leggings and probably his seat.

To my surprise he takes me to my apartment and not back to Elle and Christopher’s.“Did you forget about my car?”I ask, amused, while hopping off the back.

I take off the helmet and I know I have a serious case of helmet hair right now.

“I don’t want you driving this late, darlin’, plus I can see you’re exhausted,” he points out, and he is not lying.“Do you work in the morning?”he asks me, and I shake my head no.“Well, how do you feel about me asking you out to breakfast, and we can grab it on the way back?”

I really like that idea, that he wants to see me again.“I’d like that.”

Mason’s smile widens, his eyes crinkling at the corners.“It’s a date then.”

He walks me to my door, his hand resting on the small of my back.The warmth of his touch lingers even as I fumble for my keys.

“Thanks for tonight,” I say, turning to face him.“I had a great time.”

“Me too,” Mason replies, his voice low and husky.He steps closer, crowding me against the door.“But I’m not ready for it to end just yet.”

My breath hitches in my throat as he leans in, his lips brushing mine softly.The kiss is gentle at first, a stark contrast to our heated encounter earlier.But it quickly deepens, Mason’s hand tangling in my hair as he presses me more firmly against the door.

I moan into his mouth, my keys clattering to the ground as I grip his shoulders.Mason’s other hand slides down to my hip, pulling me flush against him.The hard planes of his body against mine send a jolt of desire through me.

Finally, breathless, we break apart.Mason rests his forehead against mine, his breathing as ragged as my own.

“I should go,” he murmurs, though he makes no move to step away.“Before I can’t bring myself to leave.”

---