Page 11 of Rage

Mason grins and he knows I’m giving in.He takes my hand.

“Your dinner is on the coffee table,” Mason calls over his shoulder to Elle and Christopher.“The dining room is off-limits.”

He tugs me forward, leading me into the dining room.Soft candlelight flickers, casting a warm glow over an intimate table set for two.Mason pulls out a chair, his hand lingering on my lower back as I sit.The touch sends shivers up my spine.

“I hope you like Italian,” he says, taking his seat across from me.“I made everything myself.”

I raise an eyebrow, impressed.“You cook?”

His smile is both proud and a little shy.It’s… adorable.“One of my many hidden talents.”He throws in a wink, and suddenly ‘adorable’ is the last word on my mind.

We dig into the meal.I can’t help stealing glances at him.The candlelight plays across his features, highlighting the strong line of his jaw.This is romantic.Intimate.He’s put in so much effort.

“Have you always wanted to be a doctor?”Mason asks.

I swallow my bite before answering.“I’ve always wanted to be in the medical field.But helping women in their most vulnerable times, being there for them… that’s what drew me to obstetrics.”

His face grows soft.“I’m proud of you for accomplishing all that you have, I can tell you love it.”

I smile widely, thinking of all of the cute babies I get to deliver.“All of the cute babies are a huge plus, but it is hard because sometimes it’s not always a good ending.”

My throat grows tight thinking of the times when babies came into the world not breathing.

Mason scoots closer to me.“I’m sorry.”

“But the good outweighs the bad,” I point out, and he takes my hand that’s resting on the table into his strong, tattooed ones.

The stark contrast between us is vivid, his rough, inked hands enveloping my smaller, softer one.

“I can see that,” Mason says softly, his thumb tracing circles on my palm.“Your strength, your compassion… it’s written all over you.”

His words warm me from the inside out.

“What about you?”I ask, desperate to know more about this enigmatic man.“What drives you?”

Mason’s eyes darken, a shadow passing over his face.“Protecting what’s mine.Making sure the people I care about are safe and happy.The MC is in my blood, it’s all I ever wanted.”

There’s a weight to his words, a hint of something dangerous lurking beneath the surface.It should scare me, but instead, it sends chills through my body knowing that he has a dark side.

I nod, absorbing his words.The intensity in his eyes captivates me, hinting at depths I’m eager to explore.We finish our meal, the conversation flowing easily between us.As Mason clears the plates, a mischievous glint appears in his eye.

“How adventurous are you feeling tonight?”he asks, a roguish grin spreading across his face.

My pulse quickens.“What did you have in mind?”

He extends his hand, pulling me to my feet.“How about a ride?”

“Hell yeah.”

We practically run out of the house together, with the sky starting to turn a beautiful shade of purple and orange.

His bike stands gleaming in the driveway.It’s a Harley-Davidson Road King, its sleek black paint job catching the last rays of the setting sun.Chrome accents shine like liquid silver.

He swings his leg over the seat, settling in with ease.

Mason hands me a helmet, his fingers brushing mine as I take it.“Safety first,” he says with a wink.

I slide the helmet on, adjusting the strap under my chin.My heart races as I climb onto the bike behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist.The leather of his jacket is cool against my cheek as I press against his back.

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