Everly

The next few days flew by as I soaked up all my new duties at the manor. Savannah and I had taken to each other like long lost sisters, and Mrs. Potts was the stern yet caring grandmother I’d never had. I fell into life at Kingsley with ease, pinching myself each morning because I was so thankful to be here and have this opportunity.

Taking care of a sweet, joyful English girl and being around her wonderful family was just the distraction I’d needed. And the fact that an incredible man had taken my virginity...I felt more alive, more womanly. I felt utterly different and more myself than ever before. Mason did that to me. Somehow, when I’d found Mason, I’d found myself.

I ran a brush through my hair, preparing to head downstairs for dinner. I’d also been helping Mrs. Potts in the kitchen every day. Savannah loved to hang out with us and color at the kitchen island while Mrs. Potts chatted away, telling me about the history of the estate and about her own childhood growing up in the village.

I took in my reflection in the antique vanity that sat in my opulent room decorated with rich curtains and thick rugs running along the wooden floors. This home was out of a dream and the family that lived in it charming. I dabbed on pink lip gloss before leaving my bedroom and winding down the stairway, following the delicious smell of home-cooked food.

As soon as I entered the kitchen, as if something connected us that neither one of us could see, Mason’s eyes swung to me. They landed on my lips instantly, then traveled over the soft waves of my hair that fell down my chest. As though I was drawn to him by magnetic force, I padded slowly across the kitchen to where he and Savannah stood at the kitchen island.

“You smell pretty, Everly.” Savannah peered up at me, an innocent smile on her face.

Mason's heavy hand fell on his daughter’s head and ruffled her curls. “Everly looks pretty.”

“Sit, sit. We don't want it getting cold.” Mrs. Potts sped past us, a basket of freshly baked bread in hand.

Once we were settled at the table, Savannah tucked her napkin in her lap and looked at me. “Daddy says I have to go to bed early tonight because I have a riding lesson in the morning. Can you come to the stable and watch me ride tomorrow? Cookie is my favorite horse. I always bring him carrots!”

“That sounds like so much fun, Savannah. I can’t wait.” I beamed at her, her rosy cheeks nothing short of angelic.

I did my best to eat the amazing food I’d helped Mrs. Potts prepare earlier, but Mason’s eyes lingering on me left me feeling a little short of breath. Mrs. Potts and I talked about what we would have for dinner tomorrow, but Mason suggested we order takeaway—fish and chips from the best place in the village. I agreed eagerly, before I lost my voice again from Mason’s gaze hovering on me from across the table.

“I was thinking I could take Everly to the pub for a drink tonight. Introduce her to a few of the locals, show her some of the local flavor.”

“Flavor? Is that what they’re callin’ it these days?” Mrs. Potts’ accent thickened as she teased Mason. “She doesn’t need the acquaintance of any of those loons.”

The three of us erupted into laughter before Savannah, eyes darting around to all of us, followed suit without even realizing what we were laughing about.

“I think it sounds like fun,” I said.

“Perfect. Now you, little miss”—he smiled at Savannah—“need get ready for bed.” His eyes returned to mine. “We can leave after?”

“Sounds great.”

“Sounds lovely,” Mrs. Potts chimed in, her eyes sparkling as she looked from Mason to me.

Mason’s eyes cut to the old lady before his face broke into a sheepish grin. His face turned back to me as his eyes rolled adorably. Charm came off him in masculine, intoxicating waves.

I couldn’t help but wonder more about Mason’s sister...Savannah’s mom. They’d suffered a tragedy I couldn’t even begin to fathom. But despite the heartache, or maybe because of it, they were close, loving, connected. Watching Mason smile down at his daughter, pride and devotion pooling in his eyes, was something that warmed me down to the tips of my toes.

Mason and Savannah needed me. For the first time in my life, I was needed, and that meant more to me than almost anything else.

“Open your mouth and swallow,” Mason purred an hour later, passing a pint of hard cider into my hands. “Best cider in all of Great Britain.”

“How often have you used that line?” I teased, accepting the glass and taking a long sip.

His eyebrows arched as he watched me drain almost half of the glass. “I was not expecting that.”

I grinned, feeling ridiculously proud. I licked my lips, setting the glass on the old wooden bar. “Glad I can keep you on your toes.”

“You do way more than that.” He tucked a lip between his teeth, mouth crooked to one side in a cocky grin. “Wanna try an Irish car bomb?”

“That thing with the shot inside a pint of Guinness? Uh, no thank you.” I scrunched my face. “I’ll stick with the cider. It’s just girly enough for me.”

“It is pretty girly, isn’t it?” He tipped his hand to the bartender, signaling him over. “Hey, Toby.”

My mind wandered as Mason chatted with the bartender. He’d told me when we’d walked in that he and Toby had gone to grade school together. I got the sense that much of this small village was the same way—everyone knew each other, had a history—which was oddly comforting.

My gaze traveled across the bar, taking in the sea of bodies, mostly middle-aged men milling about with a pint in hand. Unlike American bars, music was absent, the wood amplifying the low chatter of voices catching up on the day’s events. The pub was heavy with the scent of rich, fried food only a pub could serve.

A friendly-looking guy, probably a few years older than Mason, thrust a hand at me. “Hi, I’m Michael.”

“Hi.” I smiled kindly. “I’m Everly.”

“Pretty name. That an American accent I hear?”

“It is.”

“What brought you here of all places? Pretty girl like you should be drinking cosmos in London.” He leaned in closer and took a sip of his beer, eyes trained on my lips.

I felt Mason shift closer to me. His low voice was still deep in conversation with Toby, but his body clearly sensed something was up.

“I’m here for a job actually. Only for a few months.” I turned back to my pint and took a sip, wishing Mason would cut in and save me from any more probing questions.

“Well, there isn’t much to see, but if you ever need a friend, let me give you my number—”

“Everly, can I have a word?” Mason butted in, looping his hand at my elbow and pulling him against his chest.

My heart dropped instantly and my knees went weak as I felt every hard inch of his solid body behind me. Jesus, what was he doing and why did I like this?

“Sure,” I whispered, smiling at the stranger before Mason shuttled me away from the bar and down a short corridor.

“Bloody tosser.” He growled, shoving through a door and pulling me in behind him. Flicking on the light, he spun me, hands caging me against the wooden panels.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, chest heaving. My every single breath was consumed with him. His scent, the primal, beast-like energy radiating from him. Everything about him turned me on.

“I don't like his eyes on you.” His hands were at my waist, sliding over the curve of my ass. His fingers found the hem of my dress, inching it up my thighs to land at the curve of my ass. “I don’t like him looking at what’s mine.”

“Mason, I don't think he was—”

“Don’t tell me what he was thinking. I know men, and I’ve known that one longer than I’ve known just about anyone. He wants you.” His teeth edged the shell of my ear.

“So what if he does?” I offered lamely.

“You made me cum in my trousers, Everly. I’ve never done that before. I love you shuddering beneath me. My lips on every inch of your skin...feeling you so deeply it shatters your soul. That makes you mine. Do you need me to remind you why, kitten?”

Mason’s fingers hooked in my panties and pulled them just down my thighs.

“Please…” I whispered, my hands wrapping around his neck.

“My sweet little pussy cat is soaked.” His fingers ran through my slit and sent me arching up onto my tiptoes.

“I’m always wet around you,” I confessed, unable to stop the words.

“I know, I love it.” He pushed his thumb into his mouth, sucking off my arousal before his grin tipped up. “Show me how you touch yourself.”

I waited breathlessly, hardly comprehending his words.

“Do it, Everly. Touch that pretty pussy.” He guided my hand between my thighs, groaning when my fingertips made contact with the slick skin. “That’s it, sweetheart.”

I heard the swift sound of his zipper, then I watched, riveted, as he pulled his thick erection from his pants. Fisting it at the root, he ran his hand in slow strokes up to the tip and back down again.

“Oh my god.”

“That's it, kitten. Let him hear you now.” Mason’s words burned in my ears. “Pinch your clit.”

I did as I was told, pinching then swirling, gaze bouncing from the cock in his hand to his eyes, then back again.

“Now slip one finger inside and swirl the bud with your thumb. Don’t hesitate.”

I sank a finger inside myself, my arousal heightened tenfold by the way he groaned, low and deep from somewhere in his belly, when his eyes landed on my hand fucking myself.

“Beautiful, baby. So bloody perfect.” He fisted his cock faster, squeezing and pumping as my thighs began to shake, my knees weak. Mason hummed, his lip tucked between his teeth before he pushed a hand into my hair and pulled my lips to his in a fierce kiss. His tongue plunged past my lips as our hips rocked together, our hands shaking violently before he growled low and deep. “You’re mine, Everly.”

Long, hot jets of cum dampened my pussy and hand, his mouth still locked on mine as my own release spread through me in a crashing wave. I whimpered, kissing and pulling away, desperate for breath, before kissing him again. The smell of sex filled the air in the small room.

“That’s it, kitten.”

His hand was between us, mixing our shared arousal and pushing it across the skin of my thighs, massaging it over the lips of my pussy, spreading it with slow strokes across my cleavage. He dragged a trail of slick cum past the hollow of my neck before plunging his soaked fingers into my mouth.

“Let him try and take what’s mine now.” Mason grinned before sealing his promise with a dominant kiss.

I nearly fell to my knees at his feet. Everything about his words was so wrong, so unfiltered, so filthy, so fucking incredible.

“I can’t believe that just happened,” I finally said.

“I don’t share what’s mine, kitten.” He pulled my panties up tenderly, sliding them into place before straightening my dress. He even smoothed out the wrinkles and ran his fingers through my hair. “I dare say you look even more beautiful now than you did when we walked into this closet.”

I shook my head, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks before I pressed up on my toes and kissed him. “I didn't know the English were so cheeky.”

He grinned, locking my hand in his before leading us out of the room. “You bring it out of me, sweetheart.”