Page 187 of The Young & the Sinner

My breath got stuck in my throat when I caught his familiar scent lingering in the air, and my eyes watered as I took in his huge form in the middle of the bed.

He wasn’t wearing a shirt, and even with the low lighting, I could make out his shape. Every hard muscle, every curve, and crease that I had familiarized myself with over the past few months.

I knew this body.

I knew this body better than my own.

I loved this beautiful body just as much as the heart and soul of the man inside it.

I held my breath as I made my way toward him, tears streaming down my face. I didn’t make a move to wipe them away. When I was close enough to feel the heat emanate from his body, I paused.

I supposed we needed this time apart to find our way back to each other. I couldn’t bring myself to regret it, but now that I was near, I wanted nothing more than to burrow myself into him and never leave.

Instead, I started pulling off my clothes until I was in nothing more than a plain white t-shirt and panties. Then I pulled the covers back and got in the bed with him. He didn’t wake, and for that, I was grateful.

It was late, and I didn’t want to talk about everything that had happened between us. I just wanted to be near him, to feel his warmth and listen to his deep breathing while he slept.

I kept to my own little corner on the bed, not wanting to disturb him, and pulled the covers up to my chin. Then I closed my eyes and, for the first time in a long time, I fell into a deep, restful sleep, positive that Mason would keep out all the monsters, if only for tonight.

* * *

I wokewith arms wrapped tightly around me and kisses on my cheeks, my forehead, chin… lips… and then my neck.

I let out a deep moan, stretching my body a little, still somewhere between sleep and wakefulness, and sinking in closer to Mason’s body for warmth against the cold morning.

This was heaven.

I moved my lips over his pecs, kissing the warm skin there, trying to go back to sleep.

“Olivia, wake up, sweetheart,” he said softly, his arms tightening around me briefly.

I let out a small groan and buried myself deeper into his chest. “Hold on, Mason. I want to sleep.”

He let out a small laugh that sounded both joyous and strained.

“I know, sweetheart. I know you must be tired, but I need you to open your eyes and look at me.”

I moved back a little and peeked an eye open to look at Mason. His cerulean eyes were the first thing I saw, a fire brewing in them with some unnamed emotion.

I was fully awake then, all the memories of last night, of the past few weeks, rushing back to me in full force.

I cupped his cheeks, loving the way his stubble felt against my soft palm, and those beautiful eyes watered. My own eyes started to burn, and I didn’t say anything when I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him down to me.

I didn’t realize how tense I had become until the very moment his lips touched mine and I relaxed into his body. He cocooned me, and I had never felt more protected… more loved.

My arms tightened around him, holding him close to me. When he finally pulled away, his chest was pushing against mine with a labored breath, and our lips were just a millimeter away from each other.

“Don’t let me go, Mason,” I whispered against his lips.

His body shuddered, and then his face was buried in my neck. My hands went to his back, running my fingers up and down his strained muscles, just as I felt the first tear hit my skin.

He was crying.

I tightened my hold on him even more, and my own tears were falling. I made no move to wipe them away, letting them slide down the sides of my face.

“I missed you, baby,” he said softly.

I made a noise, a cross between a whimper and a moan, just as he pulled me away to look at me.

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