Page 15 of Merrily Mine
“I need to hear it.” Needed to hear him say the words.
Why he’d left the bar. Why he was so insistent on checking on me. Why I felt the way I did.
“There’s a winter storm warning.” He repeated the same words from outside, as if that made a difference.
My tongue swiped out over my bottom lip. “And?”
“And…” He blinked. “You’re all alone here.” Mason frowned, like that meant something. And maybe it did. Maybe it meant everything.
“Mason… I don’t understand. You rejectedme.” My words were a whisper.
He winced, shaking his head. “That’s not what happened, Darlin’.”
“No?” Because that was what I remembered.
Mason shook his head, running his fingers through his dark brown strands. “No. Told you I was trying not to do something stupid.”
I propped my hands on my hips. “Right. And now… you’re here, sweeping me off my feet, telling me you came to make sure that I was okay because I’m alone during a storm? So whatnow?”
“Fuck it.” He let out a growl, stepping forward and swiping his beanie off my head before cupping my jaw. “I’m not sure I care anymore.”
My eyes widened as his body pressed up against mine, eliminating every inch of space between us. His eyes were on my lips, and I swiped my tongue out, moistening them.
“You feel this—this thing between us—too, don’t you? This…heat.” He pressed his forehead against mine, still holding my face in his hands.
I nodded. Of course I did. I’d never been this attracted to anyone before. I was practically burning up with desire, with need. So much so that I didn’t feel cold anymore. “But what does that change?” I asked him, feeling like I was ruining it before we even started. “I’m still Hunter’s little sister.” And I couldn’t have that ruin things between them.
As much as I wanted this—wantedhim,and had forever, I didn’t want to be something he regretted. Because I knew, deep in my soul, that I’d never regret him.
His thumb stroked over my face, an intimate motion that made me practically pant in his arms.
“Mason…” I murmured.
“I want to kiss you. God know that I shouldn't, but I can’t fucking help it, Emily. Is that what you want to hear? That from the very first moment I saw you in the bar two nights ago, you’ve been all I could think about?”
“Yes,”I said, letting out a gasp as his lips pressed against my neck, pressing soft kisses to my skin. “Please.”
“Please, what?” Mason asked, moving his face until his lips were posed over mine.
“Please, kiss me.”
He groaned. “Fuck. I thought you’d never ask.” His arm wound around my body, every soft curve of my body snug against the hard planes of his. I was on my tiptoes as he bent down, and I appreciated how well we fit together, how he was practically sheltering my body with his.
And then—Mason Elliott kissedme.
Soft lips pressed against mine, tender presses of our mouths against each other. His beard rubbed against my cheeks as he peppered my lips and face with kisses before returning to mymouth. The time for delicate explorations was over. Our mouths opened, and we practically devoured each other. I wrapped my arms around his neck, digging my fingers into his hair, needing something to keep me anchored in this moment.
My eyes fluttered shut as his fingers dipped between the hem of my sweatshirt, fingers brushing over my bare skin. I let out a soft moan as his tongue met mine, stroking over and over, working me higher. I grabbed the back of his shirt, tugging on it and trying to free it from his pants.
“Emily,” he groaned.
“You said you’d warm me up,” I reminded him, pressing a kiss to his jaw and then trailing down his neck, appreciating the way his beard felt against my skin. “Remember?”
“God, you’re going to kill me.” He slid his hands up further, and I knew he was about to find out that I hadn’t put a bra back on. Mason let out a sharp exhale of breath as he reached my bare back, thumb brushing over my spine.
The lights flickered, and then—the house went dark. The entire room plunged into darkness, dimly lit only from the last traces of light outside.
His voice dropped to a whisper. “Fuck. I think the storm might have knocked out the power lines.”
