Page 81 of Rage

He appears in the doorway, silhouetted against the dim light of the corridor.Even from here, I can see the tension in his shoulders, the tightness in his jaw.His eyes lock on to mine, dark and intense.

I slide off the bed fighting myself to not run to him, to rake my hands all over to make sure he is okay and nothing has happened to him.

In an instant, he’s across the room.His arms wrap around me, pulling me tight against his chest.I sink into his embrace, breathing in the familiar scent.

“It’s done,” Mason murmurs, his voice a low rumble against my ear.“He can’t hurt you or anyone else ever again.”

Relief floods through me, my knees going weak.Mason’s grip tightens, holding me up.For a long moment, we simply stand there, clinging to each other in the quiet aftermath of violence.

When I finally find my voice, it comes out as barely more than a whisper.“Thank you.”

Mason pulls back slightly, cupping my face in his calloused hands.His eyes search mine, a storm of emotions swirling in their depths.“Always,” he vows.“I’ll always protect you, Meadow.No matter what.”

As his lips meet mine in a fierce, possessive kiss, I know with bone-deep certainty that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.

Mason’s body radiates heat, his muscles coiled tight beneath my fingertips.I trace the lines of his tattoos, feeling him shudder at my touch.His hands roam my back, rough calluses catching on the fabric of my shirt.He pulls me closer, crushing me against his chest until I can feel every thundering beat of his heart.

“Meadow,” he says, voice low and gravelly.His breath is hot on my neck, sending shivers down my spine.“I need you.Now.”

I arch into him, desperate for more contact.“Then take me,” I whisper, my lips brushing his ear.

In one fluid motion, Mason lifts me, my legs wrapping instinctively around his waist.He carries me to the bed, never breaking eye contact.The intensity in his gaze steals my breath.

He lays me down, hovering over me.His eyes roam my body, dark with hunger.“You’re so fucking beautiful,” he murmurs.

I reach up, threading my fingers through his hair.“Show me,” I challenge.

A wicked grin spreads across his face.“Oh, I plan to.”

His lips crash into mine, the kiss searing and possessive.I moan into his mouth, arching up to press against him.Mason’s hand slides under my shirt, calloused fingers tracing patterns on my skin.Every touch ignites sparks, desire coiling low in my belly.

“Off,” I gasp, tugging at his shirt.“I want to feel you.”

Mason obliges, stripping off his shirt in one smooth motion.I drink in the sight of him, all hard muscle and inked skin.Scars map his torso, each one a story I long to hear.

“Like what you see, darlin’?”he teases, voice rough with want.

I trace a particularly nasty scar that runs along his ribs.“Every inch,” I breathe.

Mason’s eyes darken.In a heartbeat, he’s on me again, his weight pinning me to the mattress.His hands roam my body, leaving trails of fire in their wake.I writhe beneath him, desperate for more.

“Mason,” I whimper, “please.”

He grins against my neck, teeth grazing my pulse point.“Patience, sweetheart.I’m gonna take my time with you.”

His words send a shiver through me.As Mason’s lips trail lower, I lose myself in sensation, the world narrowing to just us and the fire building between us.

Mason’s lips trail farther down, his stubble scratching deliciously against my sensitive skin.I gasp as he nips at my collarbone, then soothes the sting with his tongue.My fingers tangle in his hair, holding him close.

Mason’s hands slide under my shirt, pushing it up slowly.His rough palms skim over my ribs, thumbs brushing the undersides of my breasts.I arch into his touch, silently begging for more.

“So responsive,” he murmurs, voice thick with desire.“Gonna make you feel so good, Meadow.”

He tugs my shirt over my head, tossing it aside.His eyes darken as he takes in the sight of me, bare beneath him.I fight the urge to cover myself, instead meeting his gaze with a challenge of my own.

“Your turn,” I say, reaching for his belt buckle.

Mason catches my wrists, pinning them above my head with one large hand.“Not yet, I’m not done with you.”

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