Page 50 of Mase
He stares off toward the lake. “I prefer for us to make new memories. All the ones here are diluted with bad ones.”
I nod. “I get that.”
“What about your mom? You don’t talk about her at all.”
I shudder and close my eyes, and when I open them, Mase is watching me closely.
“My mom was in this life for the money, and that’s what she got.” I shrug, hoping the conversation moves on. I’ve always had my suspicions about what happened to my mom and what part Jeff played in her death, but that’s not something I want to really think about now.
“Sum, I want every part of you. Not just the ones you choose to share with everyone else.” His words make my breathing stutter; they clutch at my torn heart and slowly begin piecing it back together. “When you’re ready to tell me your secrets, sweet girl, I’m here for you.” He links our hands and brings them to his lips.
His touch scorches my skin, delivering me with promises of a future I long to keep. Whatever it may cost.
TWENTY-NINE
SUMMER
“Are you going to tell him?”Trav asks from across the breakfast bar.
“No.”
“Summer. What the hell are you thinking?”
“I need a way to get out of this, Trav. That’s what I’m thinking.” I slide my eyes down to my stomach and rest a hand there.
“You’re going to break his fucking heart.” His eyes drill into mine. “You know he loves you, right?”
A sickening feeling rushes through me, and my throat clogs. “Pl-please don’t.”
He entwines our hands together. “Maybe he can help?”
“He’ll never forgive me if I tell him the truth,” I whisper.
“Summer, you already said he hated his father.”
“There’s hate, Trav, and there’s hate. What I’ve done is unforgivable.”
“What’s unforgiveable?” Mase asks, strolling into the kitchen, and dips his head to place a kiss on my head. He’s completely shirtless and sweaty, and my body stirs witharousal. My gaze travels over his broad shoulders and the tattoos that run down his back as he opens the refrigerator. “Sum?” he queries, and my focus snaps up to his face.
“Huh?”
“I said, what’s unforgivable?” He takes a swig from the water bottle. My shoulders bunch tight, and every cell in my body begins to panic.
“The baby names I suggested,” Trav intervenes, and my body relaxes. “Dusty, Diamond, that kind of thing.”
Mase wrinkles his nose. “The fuck? My kids are not going to be strippers or porn stars.” I burst out laughing until I see the disgruntled look on Trav’s face.
Thank you, I mouth toward him, but he shakes his head.
The doorbell cuts through the room, and Mase takes off toward the door, leaving me feeling more deflated and like a fraud than ever before.
THIRTY
MASE
I swingthe door to the mansion open, and I’m stunned to find Reed standing on the doorstep. “What the?”
“You appeared severely distressed when I spoke to you last,” he explains, pushing into the house.
