Page 25 of Sheltered By the Mountain Man

He isn't pushing me away.

I remove my jacket and boots, then the socks that are now damp from the snow. I slip the first button free on the flannel shirt and join him in the kitchen.

Mason watches me approach, eyes heating. “Bella.”

I switch the burner off. Undo another button.

He scrubs a hand down his face and backs up a step. “You don't have to stay, honey.” His voice is deep and raspy, like it's dragged from the depths of his soul. “Not because of what happened or because I protected you.”

I open another button, revealing a sliver of skin down to my navel.

“Jesus.” His eyes are locked on my chest, watching the flannel part. He swallows, throat bobbing. “You can walk away. But if you stay...” He reaches for me, then clenches his fist and pulls back at the last moment. “If you stay, I won't hold back. I'll give you everything I have, Bella. My body. My heart, even my life. It's yours. Has been since the day I saw you drop your books in the bank.”

My hands still on the next button. “You saw me at the bank?” I whisper.

“I moved to help, but you were too quick.”

“I was embarrassed.” He saw me. Even then, he saw me. My heart melts for him. I thought I might be falling in love with him, before. I have no doubts now.

“The choice is yours, baby.”

I open the last two buttons and slide the flannel off my shoulders. “I'm not leaving.”

“Are you sure this is what you want?” His gaze feels like a hot caress on my body.

“I want you, Mason. I love you.”

He sucks in a breath like I've knocked the air from his lungs. Maybe I have. I'm feeling a little light-headed myself.

We stare at each other a beat. Then he sweeps me off his feet and strides into the bedroom, dropping me on his bed. It shocks a laugh from me. But then Mason is pressing me down to the mattress. His huge body surrounds me as he props himself up on both arms over me.

“Say it again, Bella.”

“Say what?” I tease. I know what he wants, but I need to hear him say it back.

He dips his head and nips at my nipple. “Say it.”

Heat arrows between my legs, making me embarrassingly wet. “I love you, Mason.”

He kisses me hard, lowering until our bodies are joined from chest to thigh. He's still dressed in everything but his boots and jacket, while I'm almost bare.

As if reading my mind, he hooks his fingers in the borrowed boxers and slides them off.

Mason smooths his large hands up my legs, then pushes my thighs wide enough for his shoulders.

I cup his cheek, forcing him to meet my eyes. “Do you want me to stay? Or is this all there is between us?”

“I told you I'd give you everything if you stayed.”

“Then tell me what I need to hear.”

He rises up and kisses me softly, tenderly. “I love you, Bella Brown.”

I smile, happier than I've ever been.

“Now I'm going to show you.” He slides back between my thigh, lowers his head, and licks my core.

I arch off the bed, crying his name.

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