Page 114 of The Artist
Mason and I exchanged a quick glance, but none of us mentioned the spark we’d seen between Banni and Aubri when they first met.
“I’m sure she wouldn’t do that,” Mason said, but it didn’t sound convincing. “She promised to come home and marry a Northlander man in a year.”
Jones’ eyes widened. “For real? Do you think I’d have a chance with her?”
Shaking Jones’ shoulder, Mason grinned. “Aren’t you a bit young for Aubri? I think she sees you as a younger cousin.”
“We aren’t related,” Jones pointed out in a firm voice. “If I work out really hard, she might come home this summer and see me with fresh eyes.”
Mason grinned. “She might. You never know, and for what it’s worth, I would be honored to have you as my brother-in-law.”
Jones had a wide smile on his face when he walked away.
“Wow, he got over me fast,” I said with a chuckle.
“Because it wasn’t meant to be.” Mason slid a finger from my hairline to my jaw. “You were always mine, Belle.”
With my head leaning back and my arms wrapped around Mason’s waist, I looked deep into his eyes. “You’re right. I was always yours.”
He dipped his head down and kissed me softly. “I love hearing you say that. If I could just get you to give me a solid ten as your lover.”
“That would be stupid of me; then you’d stop trying to impress me.”
“Never! I’m competitive. We Nmen can always find a way to break the scale. Once you give me ten, I’ll go for twenty.”
“In that case I don’t mind admitting that you earned your first ten on our first night together.”
Mason’s eyes lit up. “You mean that?”
“You blew my mind, but I was afraid of telling you.”
“Why?”
“Because I wanted more with you. I was afraid you’d get tired of me.”
Hugging me tight, Mason lifted me from the floor and spoke into my ear. “This is my promise to you, Belle Aurelius: I willneverget enough of you.”
When he set me down again, I locked eyes with him. “Are you sure?”
“Don’t you trust me?” From his back pocket he pulled out a paper and handed it to me. Unfolding it, I saw a drawing of Mason as a giant and myself standing on a ladder to kiss him.
Emotions overwhelmed me and tears filled my eyes. “Where did you get this?”
“You drew that.”
My hands trembled as I looked from the drawing to my new husband. “I know, but how? I didn’t give this to you.”
“No, you tossed it, but Freya fished it out of the bin, and I kept it as a memory.”
“You kept it all these years?”
He smiled and spoke with confidence. “Mhmm. Not only did I keep it, I cherished that drawing. Just like I plan to cherish you for the rest of my life.”
For the first time sharing my emotions felt almost easy. “That day when I drew you, I thought you were extraordinary.”
Mason smiled. “I hope you still do.”
I grinned up at him. “You have no idea. Back then I was fascinated, but now, I love you.”
