Everly

My heart thudded in outrageous beats. Mason’s words ran on repeat in my mind as we drove back to the manor. Savannah was curled up in the seat behind us, head dropping to one side as she dozed.

I couldn’t believe Mason had asked me to stay… forever. I’d never met a man like him, who could dominate a room so easily and make my tummy twist and turn cartwheels like a lovesick teenager’s. Except my stomach had never done that when I was thirteen, or sixteen, or eighteen. Never until now. That counted for something, right?

I’d never believed in love at first sight. I’d always chalked it up to chemistry and raging hormones, but this feeling couldn’t be explained away so easily. I felt as though Mason and Savannah had clawed their way into my heart, filling it up in ways I hadn't known imaginable. Could I even think of leaving?

I hadn't considered that possibility. What about school? What about my family? What about my life back home?

What life? the little voice in my head chimed in.

I huffed, staring out the window without seeing the rolling countryside passing by. Maybe my credits would transfer to a university here, and my parents would love to visit England...

“Mighty quiet over there. Something on your mind, kitten?” Mason’s heavy palm came to rest on my knee, his fingertip running small figure-eights and making me think about what his hands would feel on the rest of my body. His lips trailing across my hip bones, his large palms kneading my breasts, his dick sliding between my hot, wet…

“I can’t think when you’re touching me!” I blurted.

Mason’s rich laugh filled the car. I hated that he had this effect on me, and I hated even more that he knew it.

“So my plan is working then?” That reckless smile turned his lips and melted my heart to molten lava.

“You’re a lot to take.” I rolled my eyes at him.

“I’ve heard that before.” He chuckled as the car slowed and we turned into the driveway of Kingsley Manor.

“You keep telling me to feel, but all I feel is you. Your hands, your lips, I can’t even think straight when you’re in the room.”

“What’s to think about? You said yourself this feels right.”

“Yeah, but—”

“No buts. No overthinking, remember? Listen, I’ve spent my entire life overthinking every move, and it’s gotten me here. A great job, sure, where I can work from home and take care of the people who matter most to me.” His hand moved up my thigh. “But I’ve been an empty shell going through the motions. I want what my parents had. I want someone to share my life with. And I want my hands on your skin, my mouth on your body every night.”

His words stole my breath as the car came to a slow stop. How could he say things like that, so forward and unfiltered? And why couldn’t I control the way my body churned with newfound desire every time he said those things?

“Everything about you feels right, Mason. Too right. But I’m terrified.” I squeaked. I was afraid to get wrapped up in him and the little girl sleeping in the backseat only to have it all snatched away from me. If his love was yanked away, my heart would be left to bleed out on the floor at my feet.

“Meet me tonight.” His hand locked with mine, his intense gaze splitting me open. “What?”

“We’ll eat dinner, put Savannah to bed, then I’ll come for you. Words only go so far, Everly. Let me show you.” His eyes seared into me. “Let me show you how your body reacts to me. Let me show you pleasure like you’ve never dreamed of.”

I opened my mouth as his words hung in the air for long, breathless moments. I was stunned by his proposal. “Mason… I…”

His fingertips traced up the sensitive skin of my arm, lighting every nerve on fire and fogging my brain with ideas like love and marriage and beautiful English babies. His eyes held mine, penetrating me so intensely, I felt as if he was fucking my soul.

“I’ll come for you.” One side of his mouth tipped into a cocky grin.

Unable to form a reply, I nodded, eyes riveted on his hooded gaze. I was completely helpless against him. I only had to hope I could trust him with my heart.

A small voice in the backseat mumbled, “Are we home?”

The corners of Mason’s eyes crinkled with a warm smile before he gave my thigh another squeeze and turned to look at Savannah. “Ready for dinner, baby girl?”

Savannah’s innocent yawn hit my ears. “I’m not really hungry.”

Mason laughed that beautiful laugh that always seemed to land straight in my belly. “Of course you aren’t. Too much candy?”

“Too much walking.” Savannah giggled then pressed through the space between us and planted a kiss on her daddy’s cheek. Then she opened the back door and barreled out into the fading sunlight.

“She’s got you wrapped right around her little finger,” I teased.

His smile only deepened. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

I smiled, something soft and warm unfurling deep inside me. Was this what love felt like? Inescapable, inevitable, deliriously thrilling? “If I stay—”

“When you stay?”

I laughed, shaking my head at his persistence. “If I stay—”

“You’ll stay. I’ll do everything in my power to make it impossible for you to walk away.”

I huffed. “That's going to be hard enough as it is.”

“Good. I’ve got three months to make it impossible. Now we should get in there. Mrs. Potts is probably angrier than a wet hen that we’re late for dinner.”

“Mrs. Potts? Angry? I can’t imagine it.”

Mason came around the car, opened my door, and helped me out. “She gets mighty angry at me all right. You should hear some of the names she’s called me.”

“My ears are ringing, and I know what that means!” Mrs. Potts chose that moment to step out of the front door, a hand on each hip and a tea towel over her shoulder.

“I bet you deserved every last thing she’s said to you,” I teased, brushing by him with a quick wink.

“You’re blooming right he did.” Mrs. Potts winked at Mason too, before she looped an arm around my elbow and escorted me in, leaving Mason and his infectious laugh behind. She whispered conspiratorially once he was out of earshot. “He’s a good man, ya know. In all my years, I’ve never seen a man love a child as much as he loves that one.”

“I can see that. And she’s just as in love with him.”

“That she is, Everly. That she is.” She stroked my wrist as we walked down the long hall. “I’ve been with Mr. Kingsley for more than ten years now. He needs a good woman to take care of him. He’s been alone so long… well… I’ve worried about him.” Her eyes peered up at me. “I’m so thankful you’re here, dear.” She smiled then released me, scurrying off into the kitchen. “Did you have a good time out today, Savannah?” I heard Mrs. Potts ask.

“The best! And guess what, Mrs. Potts?!”

“What, love?” She put a hand on Savannah’s cheek.

“I saw Daddy kissing Everly!”