Page 87 of Rage

My stomach growls at the mention of food.“All of the above?”I suggest with a grin.

Mason laughs, the sound warming me from the inside out.“Your wish is my command, darlin’.”

As he starts gathering ingredients, I can’t help but reflect on how surreal this all feels.A month ago, I was living in constant fear, looking over my shoulder at every turn.Now, I’m sitting in the kitchen of a man I love more than I thought possible, feeling safer than I ever have.

“Penny for your thoughts?”Mason’s voice breaks through my reverie.

I smile, meeting his concerned gaze.“Just thinking about how much has changed.How happy I am.”

Mason’s expression softens.He sets down the whisk he’s holding and comes around the island, pulling me into his arms.“You deserve all the happiness in the world, Meadow,” he murmurs, pressing a kiss to my temple.

I lean into his embrace, breathing in his familiar scent.“So do you, Mason.”

He pulls back slightly, cupping my face in his large hands.The intensity in his eyes takes my breath away.“You are my happiness,” he says softly.“Everything I never knew I needed.”

Emotion wells up in my throat.I rise to my tiptoes, pressing my lips to his in a tender kiss.When we part, Mason’s eyes are dark with hunger that has nothing to do with food.

“Keep looking at me like that,” he growls, “and breakfast is gonna have to wait.”

I laugh, pushing him playfully toward the stove.“Food first.I’m going to need my energy, remember?”

Mason grins, the promise in his eyes sending a shiver down my spine.“Oh, I remember.Don’t you worry about that.”

As he returns to cooking, I can’t help but marvel at how perfect this moment is.The man I love, making us breakfast in his kitchen.

The way he looks at me, how safe he makes me feel?I never want this feeling to stop.

twenty

Mason

I pull up to the hospital entrance, the familiar knot of anxiety tightening in my chest.Meadow turns to me, a mix of excitement and nervousness in her eyes.

“You sure about this?”I ask, unable to keep the concern from my voice.“It’s not too late to turn around.”

She smiles, reaching out to squeeze my hand.“I’m sure.I need this, Mason.I need to get back to my life.”

I nod, forcing down the urge to throw her over my shoulder and speed away.She’s right.I know she’s right.But the thought of her walking into that building, out of my protection…

Meadow leans in, pressing a soft kiss to my lips.“I’ll be fine,” she murmurs.“You can’t keep me locked away forever.”

“Watch me,” I say, only half joking.

She laughs, the sound easing some of the tension in my chest.“I love you, you overprotective caveman.I’ll see you tonight.”

With one last kiss, she opens the car door.I watch as she straightens her scrubs, adjusting the stethoscope around her neck.She looks every inch the competent doctor she is.

As Meadow walks toward the hospital entrance, my fingers tighten on the handle bars.Every instinct screams at me to go after her, to keep her safe by my side.But I force myself to stay put.

She pauses at the door, turning back to give me a small wave.I manage a smile and a nod, even as my heart races.Then she’s gone, disappearing into the bustling hospital.

I sit there for a long moment, engine idling.Part of me wants to park and wait, to be here the second her shift ends.But I know that’s not healthy.For either of us.

With a heavy sigh, I start my bike, looking back one more time.As I pull away from the curb, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m leaving a piece of my heart behind those hospital doors.

“Get it together,” I mutter to myself.“She’ll be fine.”

But even as I merge into traffic, my mind is already planning.I’ll have some of the prospects keep an eye on the place, just in case.Maybe I’ll swing by at lunch, bring her something to eat…

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