Page 22 of The Hero's Bride
Sully turned. “Thalia, you take the bedroom with the attached bath. Red and I will take the others.”
Thalia bit her bottom lip to keep from protesting. She didn’t want to seem ungrateful for the offer. Still, this was a new place and no matter how tired she was, she doubted sleep would come. She would’ve felt much better sleeping in the room near Mason.
Mason touched her shoulder, reminding her she wasn’t alone. “Can I walk with you? I know Jude and the FBI have already cleared the room, but I’d feel better if I looked myself.”
“And I’d feel better having you walk me there. I could get lost in a room this big.”
Mason chuckled and took her hand. She loved the way his steely expression softened when he smiled at her.
“Night,” Sully called walking down the hall where Jude had indicated the two additional rooms were located.
“Good night,” Thalia said as Mason walked her down the long hall, opening the lone door at the end. The light was already on, showcasing the room. The bed looked large enough to hold six people. Beyond it was a sitting area framing a stacked stone fireplace. A credenza held more fresh flowers, although these didn’t carry a scent. Thank goodness. A headache was beginning to build behind her eyes and while she wanted to lie down and rest, the large pretentious room was making her feel trapped, just as she’d been in the Day estate.
“Thalia.” Mason’s voice reverberated through her, and she wasn’t sure she’d ever be immune to the way his gruff tone sent a thrill spiraling through her. “Tell me what’s going on in your head right now.”
“It’s just… The space is beautiful, but it makes me feel anxious. It’s silly, but it reminds me of the Day estate.” She sighed and glanced at the floor, wishing she could shove the words back into her throat. Red was from a completely different world from her, and yet, she knew he wouldn’t judge her statement, even if she felt stupid for making it.
“That’s not silly at all.” His finger stroked the underside of her chin, and she looked up, instantly soothed by the compassion radiating in his expression. “Up until a few weeks ago, you were held against your will for years in a showy mansion. After that you were subjected to another type of captivity. It makes perfect sense that the space is bringing you back to that time and place.” He stroked her cheek and for the first time in a very long time, she felt cared for. “How can I help?”
The breath rushed out of her lungs at his simple question. He had taken a step closer, so they were face-to-face, and she took comfort in his steady gaze. “Will you stay?”
He looked at her for a long moment, as if lost in some type of internal battle. “Are you sure?” The light pressure of his large hands smoothing down her arms made her sway closer. “If having me close helps, I’m happy to stay. I can take the couch.”
“The bed is more than big enough for both of us.”
He leaned closer and kissed her forehead. “Wouldn’t matter if it could hold a dozen people. If you’d rather me sleep on the couch, I’m more than fine with that.”
“I’d feel better if you were near me. That is, if you don’t mind.”
Mason nodded and cleared his throat. “There should be a robe in the closet. It’ll be more comfortable than sleeping in what you’ve got on.”
She gave him a smile and walked toward the bathroom. Mason continued to do things that made her realize the depth of his kindness. If he knew the robe was there, he could have taken it for himself, and she wouldn’t have thought twice. She was sure his clothes were equally smoke-tinged from the explosion, and he’d sleep better in something clean, yet he didn’t hesitate to offer it to her first. She walked into the bathroom, bypassing the mirror and the stone countertops. Opening the closet, she found not one, but two thick cloth robes with a lion embossed on the lapel. As she turned, she spotted the deep bathtub in the corner of the room. She smiled recalling the songs her mother used to sing as she played in the tub.
“Did you find one?”
She turned to where Mason was standing in the doorway. “Better. I found two.” Thalia slid one off the hanger and tossed it to him, earning her one of his quick grins.
“Thanks. Take your time. I’ll change out here.” He closed the door behind him and Thalia stripped out of Mason’s T-shirt and shorts, not bothering with the bathroom lock. With anyone else, she wouldn’t dream of leaving herself vulnerable, but Mason was different. She pulled the belt tight around her waist and walked back into the bedroom. He’d taken the side of the bed closest to the bedroom door and she had no doubt that was due to his protective nature. She slid under the covers, sighing with pleasure at the soft mattress and sheets beneath her.
“Would it be okay if I put my arms around you?” he asked. Without answering, she moved closer, wrapping her arms around his waist and laying her head against his chest. While the bed was comfortable, her whole body seemed to melt against him. Despite their stark differences in size, their bodies were a perfect fit. His heart thumped against her cheek, and as his hands came around her, she felt cocooned in his warmth.
“When I’m with you, I feel safe,” she murmured into the material of his robe.
Chapter Twelve
Red lay stilland absorbed the feel of Thalia in his arms. He’d woken ten minutes ago as a glow began to seep through the edge of the curtains, allowing him to see her face in the dimly lit room. Goddamn, she was beautiful with her dark hair spread over the pillows. Before sleep had claimed him, a burn spread through his chest when Thalia’s arms wrapped tightly around him. More when she’d buried her face against his chest and sighed deeply. When she murmured that he made her feel safe before dropping into sleep, that burn settled deep in his heart. A place previously untouched. A place that belonged only to the woman swathed in his arms. He wasn’t about to let his guard down, but they’d made it safely across the border.
After she gave her statement about her abduction and worked with the FBI to see if she could discern any useful information about her initial entry into the United States and her time with the Days, he was taking her straight home after a quick stop to reunite her with Vivienne. He angled his head to rest his lips on her hair, dragging her scent deep into his lungs. She mumbled something incoherent and snuggled closer, slipping her leg between his thighs. The sensation of her bare skin on his made his cock swell. Christ, she was killing him. The last thing he wanted was for her to wake up to the feel of his erection. For nearly ten minutes, he soaked in the feel of her while willing his body to cooperate. Then, he felt her lips move at the base of his throat.
“Sleep talking again,” he chuffed lightly.
“Good morning.” Her voice was thick with sleep, but she sighed and stroked her tongue over the sensitive skin of his neck.
The groan broke past his lips before he could stifle it. “Morning,” he choked out, as her mouth continued to flutter up his neck to his jaw. “Thalia,” he breathed, all the air rushing from his lungs.
She sat up quickly, blinking her eyes. “Are you okay?” Her long hair swayed against the side of his face and his fingers itched to fist into the thick strands. “I should’ve asked before—”
“Come here,” he growled. She giggled as he dragged her down for a kiss. If that wasn’t the best sound to wake to in the morning, he didn’t know what was. He felt her smile against his lips, then swallowed her moan as he took their connection deeper, quickening the stroke of his tongue over hers. His blood pounded through his veins and roared in his ears. Thalia. His Thalia. He’d never dreamed he’d see her again, but after all these years their paths had crossed. The thought of letting her walk away before she knew how much she meant to him was getting harder and harder to picture.
