The kiss felt like their first. Fresh, new, cautious. A little awkward from their seated positions on the rock. And real. It was the most real thing Emma had ever felt. His lips were warm and soft, maybe a little dry, but she pulled back long enough to lick her own lips, their foreheads together. She and Mason opened their eyes to each other, too close to look without going a little cross-eyed, and Emma giggled, kissing him again.

Mason’s hand slid around her back as he moved onto one knee and lowered her down to the rock. He lay on his side, tucking her into the curve of his body. Their lips met, parted by wandering tongues in slow exploration. Mason’s fingers found the hem of her shirt, tickling her stomach in traced patterns. She inhaled sharply, and Mal perked up. Emma’s pleasure rolled into irritation and then understanding.

“What’s wrong?” Mason pulled back, his hand pulling the hem of her shirt back into place.

“Someone’s coming. Probably mundanes.”

Mason cocked an eyebrow at her. “And they have never seen two people having sex in the woods?”

“I would rather they didn’t see us. I want you all to myself, thank you very much.” Emma ran her hand over the bulge in Mason’s pants. Still, she was close to reconsidering. “Besides, the rock isn’t particularly comfortable.”

Rolling on to his back, Mason let out an exaggerated sigh.

Emma shoved him in the shoulder. “Don’t you even go there, phone booth shifter. If you could make it thirty seconds naked in front of complete strangers, I’ll start carrying my own satchel.”

“I don’t think Mal would like that very much.”

“Trust me. We don’t want to go there.” Laughing, Emma levered herself up with a hand to Mason’s chest. “Come on.”

She slid off the rock and reached out, pulling Mason up after her. She didn’t let go as she led him back down the hill. They only made it half way before he pulled her back into him, pressing Emma against a tree, his lips claiming hers with a nip. She moaned as he traced his tongue along her chin ending with a kiss on her throat.

Emma pushed him back, breaths short. “Not. Here.” She pecked him on the lips and ducked out of his arms, turned to look over her shoulder as she ran down the hill.

“That’s not fair,” he called after her, pace slowed by his injured ankle.

“I could carry you. I’m sure Mal wouldn’t mind at all.”

“I already tangled with a bear or two this week. I think I’ll pass.”

Emma waited for him at the bottom of the hill, just long enough to grab Mason’s hand and drag him down the trail behind her. They passed a group of hikers within a quarter of a mile. They had two children with them, and they were most definitely mundane. Emma shot a pointed glance at Mason, and she thought she saw his cheeks warm, just a little.

“So much for the warning signs,” he said, as they passed the notice board at the trail head.

Emma shrugged as she unlocked the car and slid into the driver seat. Mason wasn’t far behind her, and as soon as he sat down he had his hand between her legs, teasing her over her jeans. She gave in to him, just for a moment, her pleasure rising to critical mass. But she wasn’t going to let this happen in her car. Not even close. She could feel the charge building, an intensity in her need that scared her, but also invigorated her. She almost laughed out loud. For a damned porcupine.

She pushed his hand away and shifted the car into gear. “Your place or mine?”

“Which one is closer?”

“Yours.”

Mason fell back against the headrest. “Not close enough.” Then his fingers found hers, and they laced together before Mason pulled her hand to his lips for a kiss. A shock of anticipation ran up her arm from the point of contact, and she shivered. If she looked over at him, she might crash the car. As it was, she wasn’t completely sure she should be driving. She could feel his eyes on her, the weight of his presence in her hand filling the entire car.

The tires skidded as she braked into his driveway. She barely had her seat belt off before she was kissing him, her hand roaming over his pants. Emma considered crawling across the front seat into his lap, but then they would never make it to the house. Still, his hands had found the hem of her shirt again, and she felt every millimeter of movement as he found his way to her breast.

The armrest dug into her side, and Emma groaned, pulling herself away from him. “Inside.”

They scrambled out of the car, Mason hopping on every other step. He dropped the keys to his house twice before the lock opened, helped immensely, Emma was sure, by the way she kept sucking on his ear. Mason pulled her through the door, slamming it shut behind her.

Emma flung her arms around his neck, lips crashing into his as he spun her around and pressed her back into the door. His hands were on her hips, then under her shirt. She considered bringing Mal out just to get her clothes off faster, the electricity of Mason’s touch along her ribs feeding the maelstrom of passion below her belly button.

Raising her arms over her head, Mason pushed her shirt further up, stopping only as it came free of her head. Then he tightened the fabric around her wrists, holding them against the door as his other hand fumbled with the button on her pants.

Emma moaned with frustration, kicking her head back against the door and closing her eyes. She felt the button pop free and then his hand was between her legs, fingers running along her slick womanhood. She bucked against him, breathing his name as he pushed his fingers inside her. Emma peaked onto her tip-toes, legs shaking with the tension that held her up right.

He chuckled in her ear, his breath linking the current between his lips and his hand. Emma shuddered, and her legs gave out. She pressed her thighs together over his hand. Mason pulled the shirt the rest of the way off her arms, letting them fall to his shoulders. Emma wrapped herself around him.

Mason sucked in a breath, wincing under her weight as he stepped back onto his bad ankle. Emma pulled back, biting her lip as she met his eyes. They were smiling.

Stepping out of her pants, which had fallen to her ankles, Emma took Mason’s hand and led him to the bedroom. As she walked through the door, she shot a look back at him. It looked not unlike a porcupine had made a nest in the middle of the room. The immaculate nature from their first night together had vanished entirely.

“What?” he asked incredulously, pulling free of her hands so his own could find her hips again, turning her towards him full. “I had a rough night.”

Mason backed her up to the bed until it hit her behind the knees and she fell back. She reached up to pull him down on top of her, but he backed away, waving a finger at her. Emma raised an eyebrow. He shook his head as he pulled off his shirt and tossed it into a corner.

He was going to undress for her. Like he had a point to prove. Emma sucked in her lips to keep from laughing as he undid his belt and pulled it free of the loops on his pants. It clanked against the wall, and a wince flickered across his features readily replaced by a smirk. Mason pulled down his pants, his erection falling free. And as he stepped towards her, Emma’s breath caught.

She could see the need in his eyes and she knew that he was going to take her. And she was going to give everything to him. The rushed intensity of their flight back to his house disappeared, each movement becoming slow and deliberate. Each breath measured and quivering in anticipation.

Mason stepped up to the bed and Emma lay down, scooting herself back until she could lay full length on the sheets. He crawled onto the bed, straddling her body with his own. When his face was just above hers, Mason reached down and pushed a strand of hair from her brow. His hands were trembling as he cupped her chin and placed a gentle kiss on the tip of her nose.

“I think I love you, Emma Elliot.”

Emma smiled. “I think I do too.” Her voice broke as she said it, and she laughed, closing her eyes and kicking her feet against the bed. “God damn it Mason. Please, fuck me. Before I change my mind.”

Mason shook his head, chuckling as he spread her legs with one knee and then the other. And they were one. Every question and insecurity Emma had disappeared with each thrust. He filled her, made her whole. Reached the depths of her soul with his own. She felt every push and pull with her entire body, reacting to his movements in perfect synchrony. Emma’s breaths matched his, growing shorter and faster. She reached behind her, pushing against the headboard, resisting his thrust so he buried himself deeper and deeper inside her. Pressure built until she had to hold her breath to keep from crying out and letting go. She wouldn’t release until he was ready, and she could see it building on his face, feel it in the desperation of his weight against her.

He moaned, lips parted, eyes closed. He pushed harder, faster. Emma let him lead, directing her body with his own as she cried out, unable to hold her breath any longer.

Warmth exploded inside her, the pressure of his release filling her and pushing her over the edge. His lips found hers as they climaxed together in a final thrust.

Mason rolled off her, his mouth still on hers, a hand on her stomach, unwilling to break their connection. Emma entwined her fingers with his, pulling away just so she could kiss him again, and again.

When they finally broke apart, it was only so Mason could wrap her in his arms. He peppered kisses in her hair, fingers tracing patterns on her skin. They lay in bed together for hours, alternating between sex, conversation, and sleep, one never leaving the other’s side. It wasn’t until Mason’s stomach started making noise that they were forced to emerge from their reverie.

As they stood in the kitchen, staring at the empty fridge, Emma wrapped her arms around Mason’s neck and kissed him. “I have to go take care of… things. How about you go to the store and then we can make food when you get back.”

He lifted an eyebrow. “It is entirely possible I will waste away by then.”

“I am pretty sure you will be fine. Or, you could take Bones out for a while. I’d bet he could find something to eat.”

Mason crinkled his nose in disgust and closed the fridge. “Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you? We could get food on the way.”

“Yes. I need to do this by myself.” Emma placed her hands on his bare chest. “Everything will be fine. I promise.”

“I have experience with bears now. I could be your backup.”

“Mason. If you get yourself beat up again, I will break your other leg.”

“Technically, I beat them up.”

“If you say so.”

“Ask Toot.”

“Nah. That’s alright.”

Mason slapped her on the butt as she moved away to retrieve her pants from the door and she shot a scandalized look over her shoulder.

“Just making sure you are still real.” He winked and adjusted his glasses.

Emma pulled on her pants, drawing Mal forward just enough to influence her voice with a growl. “Very real.”