Page 55 of Mates: Posy

Oh, please, Posy,Lark begged. Please do it!

He won't like it.

Yes, he will. Trust me,she argued.Garnet say so, too.

Praying I didn't get punished for it, I angled my face and blew gently in his ear.

I did not expect the rumbly noise that vibrated out of his chest or the kiss he left on my throat that sent sparks shivering all through me.

"Um, we should—" I squeaked, stopped, swallowed, and tried again. "We should get to work."

"Mmm. In a second, baby."

His lips brushed against my skin with every word, stirring up more sparks, and a soft sound escaped me. He settled his hands on my waist and gave me kisses from my throat down to my collar bone.

I felt a tingle between my legs and something twisted in my belly.

"Mason?" Confusion and a little fear tinted my voice. "What's happening to me?"

"It's okay, Posy. Your body is reacting to mine. It's the same for me. It's natural and normal for mates. You've never felt anything like this before?"

I shook my head.

"Are you scared?"

"A little," I shrugged, "because it's different and I don't understand it."

"But not scared ofme, right?"

"No, not scared of you."

"Good. That's good, baby."

"Are you scared ofme?" I whispered.

A husky laugh sent a gust of warm air across my throat.

"Terrified," he murmured.

"Hey!" Wyatt shouted, making me jump a mile. "You're supposed to be making food, not love!"

Mason let out a deep, heavy sigh and released me, then stepped back.

"You are a pain in the butt, Wyatt," he growled, "and you startled our girl with your yelling."

"Oh. Sorry, cutie. Anyway, Cole's leaving to get Peri and Jay's linking the MacGregors with directions. Ash is setting the table, so I guess I can help you."

"No, thanks." Mason's voice was very final.

As they bickered about Wyatt's cooking ability, or lack of it, I gathered up what I needed for a quick marinade, mixed it up, and got the beef chunks soaking in it. I was searching for a knife and cutting board when Mason interrupted me.

"What do you want us to do, Posy? Dice up the peppers?"

"Well, someone can get the grill going," I suggested, "and I need the onions and tomatoes. Do you have kabob sticks or grill baskets?"

Mason told Wyatt to handle the grill, saying it was the only thing he trusted him to do, then got out a knife and cutting board and cut up the peppers and onions.

It was interesting to watch him. He took his time and was precise in how he cut it. Everything ended up in perfect squares. By the time he was done, Wyatt was back and kindly got the kabob sticks down from the top shelf for me. He and I began to assemble the kabobs while Mason cleaned up.