Page 62 of The Artist
Leaning over the bed I reached for my top and put it on. “It’s a matter of self-protection, that’s all.”
When I lay back down again, he lay propped on his elbow watching me. “I’d say it’s a cowardly way to live life. A life without emotions would be like eating food with no taste.”
I didn’t agree or disagree. It was hard enough to stay stoic and keep a straight face.
“Just tell me one thing, Belle.”
“What?”
“Just because you don’t express your emotions doesn’t mean that you don’t feel things, does it?”
He was prodding at a sore part of my psyche and I bit back where I knew it would hurt the most. “Has being around Motlanders for almost a week rubbed off on you? Since when are you so interested in discussing emotions? I thought that was a Motlander thing.”
I knew that comparing Mason to a Motlander was an insult in his eyes and sure enough, his face tightened, and he instantly gave up on our conversation. Turning off his night lamp, he turned his back on me. “Good night.”
I felt awful. Mason had been nothing but nice to me but being with him sexually was making me hope for things I could never have. Hearing him say that he wished he could marry me had just about undone me. If I opened my heart to him now, who was going to stitch me up when I was back home where I’d be alone with my broken heart?
“Good night, Mason. And just for the record, I do have feelings. I’m not a robot. I just prefer not to discuss my emotions. What good would it do to fantasize about things that can’t be?”
To my relief, Mason rolled onto his back and placed his hand across me.
“It’s late. Get some sleep, Belle. I’m not guaranteeing that we’ll get through the night without a second or third round of sex. I’m still going for that ten.”
CHAPTER 16
Small Bladder
Belle
On Saturday, we left the cabin at noon and flew back south in the same groups as we had flown up here.
I was with Thor, Aubri, Freya, and Celeste.
When the Northlanders got into an argument about who should fly the drone, Celeste leaned against me and whispered with a smile.
“I heard you and Mason last night.”
My body tensed. “What do you mean?”
“You had sex. I heard him moan and the bed rock.”
I looked out the window, feeling my cheeks heat up.
With her hands on her pregnant belly, she nudged me with her elbow. “What was it like? I offered Indiana sex one year and I think he was tempted but he rejected me. I’ve always wondered what it would be like with one of those giants.”
“It was nice.” I kept my answer short.
“Did his penis match the size of his body?” she whispered with her eyes glistening with curiosity.
“Yes.” Moving in my seat I tried to signal that I wasn’t comfortable talking about what I would have preferred to keep a secret between Mason and me. “Don’t tell anyone.”
“Don’t worry. I wouldn’t have heard you if I didn’t have such a small bladder. It’s annoying, but I need to get up to use the bathroom several times during the night. Honestly, I’m a little envious. I like sex.”
“I never did, but Mason is proving that I might have judged sex too harshly.”
“You should try Victor. He’s a sex god.”
I frowned. “You’ve been with Victor?”
