Page 70 of Obsessed

“Yes. I call you that. In my head.” Mason continued to ride the momentum. “I’ve been fascinated with you ever since. I thought I’d never see you again but you helped Ollie move in. And then I saw you at The Pointe.”

“Where you took sneaky photos of me.” Rain arched his eyebrow but it wasn’t unkind.

“I couldn’t help myself.” Mason hung his head anyway. “You make my brain spin. You increase and enhance my creativity. You make me want to try new things, to put your soul on paper. I have this urge to capture everything you do. Every thought, every breath, every smile…so I can show the world how beautiful you are.”

“Mason…” Rain whispered.

“I know that isn’t an excuse for violating your privacy, for taking those storage room photos without your permission, and I’m very sorry I did that.” Mason swallowed, dragging up every last scrap of courage he had. “That night, when I heard you cry out, I investigated, wanting to see you...”

“Because you wanted to be in their place?” Tilting his head, Rain waited until Mason nodded. “You know, in a way, I could tell you were there. I felt something in the room. The air was electric like it is now.” His cheeks stayed an enticing pink, giving Mason hope that they could work things out, and Mason dove back in, going for broke.

“I went home jealous because back then I already thought of you as mine.” His voice wavered with emotion, and Rain’s eyes widened, all of the storms in them blowing away, showing Mason his reflection, as if he was suddenly Rain’s entire world. “You’ve been my muse since the moment I laid eyes on you but over the months you’ve become the most important person in my life. I’m obsessed with you, I can’t live without you, and…” Reaching into his heart, Mason gave Rain one of his rare smiles, and he could hear Gran cheering him on. “I love you.”

Rain’s eyes filled with tears.

“M-Mason I...” He sniffled, trying not to cry, and flung himself into Mason’s arms. “I love you too! I’m sorry I walked out and changed my numb-”

“Don’t ever apologize for that.” Pulling back a little, Mason placed a kiss to Rain’s lips and even though it was a gentle press, it immediately felt like home. “I did something wrong, and it scared you.”

“I forgive you.” Rain quickly wiped his cheeks but they were wet again seconds later. “Besides, you made me a shrine. That’s definitely love.”

Oh, that’s why Rain had looked sad over Mason dismantling it; he’d come to like the shrine. Why was he so perfect? This time Mason went for the hug, enjoying how Rain’s body molded against his, like they were made for each other.

“I can build you another shrine. An updated one, wherever you want, just…please come back. I miss you and Mouse. Without you, Gran’s house isn’t a home. It’s empty, like my heart.”

Letting out a shaky sob, Rain nodded into Mason’s neck. “Only if you stay like this. Keep telling me you love me, okay? And never take that kind of picture of me again.” The last sentence held a growl and Mason’s eyebrows rose.

“I promise,” fell out of his mouth so quickly that Rain chuckled, pulling away with another sniffle.

“Okay.” Scrubbing his cheeks, he smiled, and it flooded Mason with joy.

“You’ll come back?” Wearing his heart on his sleeve, his eyes widened as Rain nodded enthusiastically.

“Yes!” Rain squealed as Mason hugged him again, lifting and spinning him, too full of happiness to hold back. Things had been difficult for a long time, but now he was looking at a better future, with his bullies in their place, a career that was once again taking off, and the love of his life beside him.

Rain laughed, tossing his head back, and Mason joined him, eventually putting Rain down but not letting go. Sliding his hands along Rain’s arms, he laced their fingers together and Rain seemed pleased by it, his blush ever-present.

“How did we end up like this?” Rain’s laughter dissolved into a soft smile. “I just wanted to see your dick.”

“Kismet,” Mason declared.

“What?”

“It’s what my Gran used to say. It means fate, destiny.”

“That’s…kind of cool.” Rain’s smile turned a bit devious. “And it’s also cool that you think I’m an elfin prince. Maybe I’ll buy some pointy ears.”

Mason bit his lip.

“We should go back out there.” And he definitely shouldn’t be thinking about Rain in full elfish garb or he’d tent his pants.

“Agreed. But we have to do one thing first.” Before Mason could ask what that was, Rain stood up on his tiptoes and pressed their lips together, instantly lighting up their bond, shaking off the dust and making it stronger than ever. The kiss deepened quickly as their tongues slid against each other, becoming reacquainted, the scent of the ocean filling Mason’s nostrils, its lavender edge teasing him until he was happily drowning and reaching for more.

Moving his hands to Rain’s face, Mason dove in, the intensity ratcheting up, but Rain broke the kiss, touching his lips bashfully.

“Don’t you have an opening night to get to, Mr. Hart?” Rain was right. He’d spent enough time away and Dolores could only cover him for so long.

“I do.” He already missed the taste of Rain on his tongue but he couldn’t go without one more reassurance. Holding out his hand, he sighed in relief as Rain immediately grasped it. “After we close up, let’s go get Mouse and your things?”

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