Page 57 of Mason Wilder
Mason snuck up behind Tessa and wrapped his arms around her waist.
She jumped, then laughed a little. “Don’t do that!” She shoved him lightly, but her small hand on his left pec barely dented the muscle. “I could have fallen over the balcony and killed a pedestrian.”
“It’s early.” Mason leaned over the railing. “There’s barely anyone walking down the block.”
Tessa exhaled. “I love the City, but I’ll never get used to the noise and so many people practically running down the street. Why are they in such a rush?”
“Places to go and people to see.” He knew she loved Long Island and all of its greenery and beaches, but most people didn’t realize that the City offered a lush oasis hidden in the middle of the island. It was probably too far to walk to the Pool, but he could show her the beauty of Central Park. “C’mon. Let’s go for a walk.”
“A walk?” She looked at him as if he was crazy. “I’m wearing heels. Oh, wait!” She held up her index finger. I left sneakers here once, didn’t I?”
“Yep. They’re in my bedroom closet. I’m surprised you remembered.”
“A girl always remembers where she leaves her footwear,” she said before she disappeared into his bedroom to retrieve them.
He forgot why she had brought them, but it was years ago. He used to remind her that they were here, but she had always said to keep them in case she needed them again.
Tessa appeared, hot pink leopard sneakers on her feet, modeling the footwear. “I can’t believe I never brought these home. They’re adorable!”
“You’re adorable.” He put his arms around her waist, but when he went to kiss her, she had a crazy smile on her face, causing him to emit a small laugh. “What’s so funny?”
“I have a confession to make.” She covered her face and laughed behind her hands. I can’t believe I’m about to tell you this. It’s so lame.”
Lightness filled his chest and he smiled wider. “Tell me what?”
“I always knew these were here. I left them here on purpose. I loved the idea that something of mine was tucked away in your closet.” Her voice took on a dreamy inflection and a faraway look covered her eyes. “I used to imagine that you’d come across them one day when you were searching for something to wear, stop what you were doing and think about me.” She ran her fingers down the length of her arm. “At that exact moment, goosebumps would rise on my arms and a chill would race down my spine as an image of you popped into my head. For a few brief seconds, our worlds would still and we’d be thinking about one another at the exact same time.” She burst out laughing and covered her eyes for a second. “I told you it was lame.”
He put his arms around her again as happy laughter bellowed from his mouth. He smiled so hard he could feel his cheeks dimple, and he beamed at her so brightly that he could practically see the sparkle his eyes projected. He wondered what took him so long to realize that she was the girl for him. He’d always been a happy guy. A smile on his face, never in a bad mood, he was the eternal optimist. Now, it seemed as if he’d been thrust into another dimension and lifted to another realm where everything in the world was right. It was as if he’d been living in the dark before and now that they were a couple his heart opened and let the light inside. “I don’t think it’s lame at all. I think it’s incredibly romantic. Only you would dream up something so amazing and vivid. You, Tessa Blade Garcia, are the most romantic person I know.”
She sighed dreamily and placed her arms around his neck with a whimsical smile. “It’s my Latina blood.”
“Whatever it is, I love that your mind is so creative and your heart is so big.”
She stiffened and swatted his chest. “You love my mind? That’s not romantic!”
He lifted his chin and laughed up to the ceiling, then drove a deep kiss onto her mouth. She wilted in his arms and he held her tighter. The closeness of their bodies, the way her breasts pressed against his chest and the tiny little moans that escaped her, stirred his desire for this amazing girl. He’d known her for her entire life, yet he only showed her how much he loved her for such a short time. He pulled back and ran his hand over her glossy dark hair. The passion that filled his soul eradicated all smiles and laughter, so that he was deadly serious when he spoke. “I’m not a romantic guy. I’m sorry I don’t think about bringing you flowers or taking you for a walk on the beach at sunset.”
“I don’t need any of those things, Mason,” she whispered. “I only want you.”
“You deserve them. You deserve the world. And you already have me.”
Her eyes glazed over and she sighed deeply. “Then I have the world.”
His chest ached with the love he had for her. Never had his heart ballooned and swelled with so much intensity. “I love you,” he said, softly, before touching his lips to hers. Somehow, the barely there meeting of their mouths conveyed so much more than a hard passionate kiss, and he knew she felt it. He vowed to be more romantic and spontaneous, and he was going to start with a walk through Central Park.
They headed out of the building and actually made it all the way to the Park before a group of fans stopped them. It was probably the car that had blared its horn at them as they crossed 59th Street that tipped off the small crowd. At first, Mason thought the driver had honked because he was annoyed that they darted across the street, but it turned out to be a car full of fans that just wanted to wave and call his name.
Most of the small group hung back and whispered while they stared, but a young couple brazenly approached.
“Oh my God!” The girl gushed. “Mason Wilder! I can’t believe I ran into you! You’re my first star sighting in New York!”
The guy with her looked even more star-struck. “You’re an incredible drummer. I’ve seen you live and it’s totally blown me away. You’ve inspired me to take lessons.”
No matter how many times fans reacted, whether it was a girl crush or genuine respect for his talent, it still made Mason’s cheeks flush. He knew his cheeks were red because his ears were hot. He flashed his signature smile. “Thanks, man. It’s really nice of you to say that.”
“And Tessa Blade Garcia!” the girl fawned over Tessa. “You’re so beautiful. And your voice. It’s incredible. I love watching you on stage. And your clothes.” She scanned Tessa from head to toe. “Are you wearing Jessi Blade?”
Mason couldn’t help the bubbly laugh that left his lips. This girl sounded like she was interviewing Tessa on the red carpet.
