We arrived back at Mason’s about fifteen minutes later. Like every other time he had driven me anywhere, he held my hand the whole way home, stroking his thumb across the back of my hand, my body tingling with the anticipation of what was to come. He parked the truck and slowly made his way around to my side, his eyes watching me through the windscreen. Opening the door, he reached into the cab, his hands going around my waist as lifted me from the truck. I instinctively wrapped my legs around him as he lowered his head to kiss me. I heard the slam of the truck door as he carried me towards the cabin, his mouth never leaving mine. He pressed my back against the front door as his tongue snaked into my mouth. I kissed him back eagerly, reaching my hands up to run them through his hair. He fumbled in his pocket for the keys, and after a few minutes, he managed to open the door and carry me inside.
He broke the kiss and gently dropped me to my feet. “Is this too fast Lib? I don’t want to rush you.” He looked down at me, his eyes full of concern.
I smiled at him shyly. “Well, I thought that we didn’t have to do… everything?” I watched his mouth curve into a smile, and he reached for me again pulling me into his chest.
“What did you have in mind sweetheart?” He asked, grinning down as me.
“I think you can work it out.” I murmured into his chest.
“I think I can too.” He whispered, picking me up again and carrying me up the stairs to his bedroom.
He put me down next to his bed. Standing in front of me, he reached his fingers up to sweep my hair behind my ear, and then traced them around my jaw. My breathing increased as his fingers stroked down my neck, he leant down kissing me softly on the lips, I reached my arms around him and pulled him closer deepening the kiss.
“God Lib, I could spend all day kissing you and never get tired of it.” He murmured against my lips, kissing me again while his hand slipped down from my waist to stroke my thigh, my body trembling under his touch. He broke the kiss taking a step back and turning me so that I was facing away from him, he moved my hair over one shoulder and placed soft kisses in the nape of my neck. I felt his fingers reach for the zip of my dress and he pulled gently exposing my back to him, my breathing became laboured as I felt his fingers brush my spine. He spun me around to face him before letting my dress drop to the floor, I stood in front of him in just my bra and kickers.
“I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve you Lib, but I’m never letting you go. You are so beautiful.”
I smiled and dropped my eyes from his. “I think you're wearing far too many clothes cowboy,” I told him, pulling his t-shirt over his head and dropping it on the floor next to me. I ran my hands up his arms over his shoulders and down his hard chest, stopping at his belt. My hands were shaking, and I fumbled with the buckle. Mason reached down and removed my hands, undoing it himself.
“Breathe sweetheart.” He whispered, scooping me up bridal style and placing me on the bed. I sat up on my elbows and watched him as he pushed down his jeans, kicking them off. He stood in front of me wearing only a pair of tight black boxer shorts, my mouth went dry at the sight of him. He was absolutely gorgeous. He saw me watching him, and his mouth curled up into a smile. “You’re staring again Lib.” He teased.
“Yep! I am! I’m just looking at what’s mine.” I told him with a smirk, repeating his own words from yesterday.
“I’m all yours baby.” He said as he climbed on the bed, lying next to me.
I turned on my side so that we were face to face, I felt his fingers trace up and down my bare thigh as we stared at each other.
“I love you Lib.” He whispered as he leaned towards me brushing his lips against mine, my heart stuttering at his words. The kiss started off softly but soon turned heated as our tongues battled together. He rolled me onto my back, lowering his body over mine and pressing me down into the mattress. His hand reached under my knee, and he wrapped my leg around his back. I could feel him hard against me, and he ground his hips against mine, his erection hitting me right where I needed him. I arched my back in an attempt to get closer to him and moaned into his mouth, his other hand reached around my back to undo the clasp on my bra. He slowly peeled the straps down my arms, taking his time as if he were unwrapping a present, he then tossed it over the side of the bed, his eyes focused on my naked chest. His lips left mine, and he brushed small kisses down my neck continuing until his head was level with my breasts, he swirled his tongue around my nipple, and I gasped as pleasure raced through my body settling between my legs.
“God Mason,” I muttered, my hands threading through his hair. He released my nipple from his mouth and moved up my body kissing me again, I hungrily kissed him back my body aching for him. After a few minutes, I pulled out of the kiss and pushed Mason onto his back.
“Are you okay?” He asked me, his voice full of concern.
“I’m more than okay Mason,” I told him, sounding more confident than I was. I lay down next to him, nerves bubbling in my stomach. I wanted to touch him, but I had no idea what I was doing. I turned my head and kissed him, tracing my fingers over his chest, biting down on my lip I sat up and straddled his waist, his hands found their way to my hips, and he gazed up at me through hooded eyes.
“You look incredible sitting there Lib.” He told me, his voice husky.
I leaned down and kissed him again, I could feel his erection pressing against me, and I moved my hips rocking into him. He moaned into my mouth, his fingers gripping my hips tightly. I continued to rock my hips, encouraged by the sounds that Mason was making and finding that it felt good for me too. I sat up, and he moved his hands from my hips to cup my breasts, his thumbs stroking my nipples. I arched my back pushing my breasts further into his hands.
“That feels so good baby.” He said breathlessly, moving his hips against mine.
“Mmmm,” I replied, my body moving quicker as the I felt the sensations building inside me. Mason reached his hands around my neck and pulled me down so he could kiss me, his teeth biting gently on my bottom lip before his tongue pushed into my mouth. His hands moved back to my hips, and he moved my body against his, finding a rhythm that felt good for both of us.
Breaking the kiss after a couple of minutes, he whispered breathlessly into my ear. “I’m going to come sweetheart.” Hearing his words, I felt myself let go, and I shuddered in his arms. I heard him moan out my name and his fingers tightened on my hips as he came. I dropped my face into the crook of his neck breathing heavily. His arms snaked around my body, and he held me close to him. “I haven’t come in my underwear since I was a teenager.” He murmured into my hair, amusement evident in his voice.
I lifted my head to look at him. “Was it okay?” I asked him nervously.
“Baby, it was incredible, you are incredible. When you’re ready, and we do make love, it’s going to be explosive.” He gently kissed my nose.
“I love it when you do that,” I whispered.
“Do what sweetheart?”
“Kiss my nose.” I paused and smiled. “Stupid I know,” I told him shrugging my shoulders.
“It’s not stupid, I love kissing you anywhere.” He rolled me onto my back, kissing my nose again. “I need to go and clean up darlin’.” He reached on the floor for his t-shirt, motioning for me to sit up he pulled it over my head. “Do you need anything?”
I shook my head at him and pulled the duvet over me, loving the feeling of being wrapped up in him, his scent surrounding me. I was going to have to sneak one of his t-shirts in my bag so that I could wear it to bed when I wasn’t sleeping over. I let out a contented sigh and found that my eyes felt heavy, closing them I sank into Mason’s mattress quickly falling asleep.
I stirred as I felt Mason pulling me into his arms and kissing me on the head. “Night, sleepyhead.” I heard him whisper. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” I murmured sleepily. Looking up at him I saw a huge smile on his face, closing my eyes I fell back to sleep safely folded up in his arms.
“Libby! Libby wake up!” I heard Mason frantically calling out to me, his hand gently shaking my shoulder. My eyes flew open, and I sat up, my heart racing and my body covered in sweat. “Sweetheart are you okay? You were having a nightmare.” He said to me gently, sitting up next to me. I turned to look at Mason and saw his face full of concern.
I closed my eyes in an attempt to calm down, my trembling hands reached for Mason, and he pulled me onto his lap. I nuzzled my face into his neck, breathing in his familiar scent. “I’m okay, I’m sorry I woke you.”
“Don’t apologise baby. I’m just glad I was here with you; I wish I could take away your pain. Do you want to talk about it?” He stroked my hair, my heart rate calming at his touch.
“What was I doing? Was I screaming?” I asked him quietly, cringing into his neck at the thought that he’d seen me like that.
“Yes.” He paused. “And shouting out for Mia. Were you dreaming about the accident?” I nodded my head, and I felt his arms tighten around me.
After a few minutes, I reluctantly pulled my head out of the safety of his neck and looked up at him. “It’s always the same dream, the van hitting us and the sound of metal hitting metal, I don’t think I’ll ever forget that sound. Mia’s screaming my name, desperate for me to help her, but I always wake up before I can reach her.” I didn’t realise I was crying until Mason reached his hand up and wiped my tears away with his thumb. He didn’t say anything; he didn’t need to, there was nothing to say. He simply lay me down, wrapped me in his arms and stroked his fingers up and down my back until I felt my eyes closing and sleep taking me.
I woke up the next morning stretching my arms above my head, I turned over to find Mason’s side of the bed empty. I sat up listening for any sounds that might indicate that he was downstairs, but I was met by silence. My stomach fluttered with nerves, had he changed his mind about us now that he’d seen how messed up I was? I closed my eyes and shook my head, no that couldn’t be it, he was so supportive last night, I was just jumping to conclusions, my insecurity taking over. I scooted to the end of the bed and dropped my feet to the floor, looking up I saw a note on the chest of drawers along with a bunch of wildflowers. Picking the note up my nerves disappeared as I began to read.
Morning Sweetheart,
Sorry, I’m not there to kiss you good morning, I had an early fishing trip to lead. You looked so beautiful sleeping in my bed I couldn’t bring myself to wake you, and after last night I thought you could do with the rest. Help yourself to anything you want, feel free to take a shower… I’m already imagining you naked and soapy!!
Text me when you wake up.
Love you
Mason xxx
A huge smile came over my face, and I picked up the flowers he’d left me, bringing them to my nose and inhaling deeply. I loved that he’d gone to the trouble of writing me a note and picking me flowers. I found my phone and fired off a message to him.
Me: Morning babe. Thank you for the flowers I love them xxx
I made my way downstairs making coffee in the small kitchen before flopping on the sofa to drink it. My phone vibrated on the table, and I reached for it seeing that I had a text from Mason. Grinning like an idiot, I read it.
Mason: Hey baby, glad you liked the flowers, how are you feeling after last night? Xxx
Me: I’m okay, I’m sorry you had to see me like that xxx
Mason: Stop apologizing Lib. I want to be there for you xxx
Me: Well thank you, I’m glad you were xxx
Mason: What are you up to? Are you still at my place? Xxx
Me: Yep, just sat on your sofa drinking coffee. Might have that shower in a minute… xxx
Mason: Arghhh you’re killing me, baby! Xxx
I laughed out loud at Mason’s last message, I wasn’t going to have a shower there, I was going to head back to the ranch house and hang out with Jack. Savannah had a full day at university so it would be just him and me.
Me: Just kidding… heading back to the house in a min to spend the day with Jack. How’s the fishing going? Xxx
Mason: Tease!! I’m just supervising, Taylor’s in the water with them xxx
Mason: Lib, do you remember everything from last night? Xxx
I frowned at my phone, what did he mean? Was he talking about my nightmare?
Me: Do you mean my nightmare? I think so?? Why? Xxx
Mason: No reason baby. I’d better go, Taylor’s calling me. Have a good day with Jack. I’ll call you later. Love you xxx
Did I say something I shouldn’t have last night? I thought back but couldn’t figure out what he meant. I’d have to ask him later. I finished my coffee and picked up the flowers before heading back to the house. Jack was in the kitchen when I got there.
“Hey Lib,” Jack said with a smile as I sat down in the seat next to him.
“Morning.”
“Have a good night?” Jack asked, wiggling his eyebrows at me.
Blushing I replied. “Yes, thanks.”
“My little sister’s finally in love.” He teased, eyeing the bunch of flowers I’d put down on the table.
“I’m not in love...” He raised his eyebrows at me sceptically. “Okay, okay! I might love him.” I sighed. “God Jack what a mess! Why did I have to fall for someone who lives thousands of miles away.” I dropped my head on the table in front of me.
“I wish I could tell you it will be okay Lib.” He squeezed my shoulder.
“Oh shit!” I suddenly sat up, remembering what I’d said to Mason last night.
“Libby, what’s wrong? You’ve gone really pale.” Jack asked me, concerned.
“I think I told Mason that I loved him last night?”
Jack burst out laughing. “What do you mean, you think you told him? How can you not know?”
“I was half asleep, and he told me he loved me, and… oh god! I remember saying I love you too, before falling back to sleep.”
“I’m confused, if he loves you, and you love him, then why is telling him such a problem?”
“Because I’m not ready to be in love with him Jack!” I exclaimed. “We’ve only known each other just over a week, how can I be in love with him!”
“What are you afraid of Lib?” Jack asked me quietly.
I closed my eyes, I couldn’t hide from him, he knew me too well. I whispered. “Losing Mia broke me, and now I’ve allowed myself to fall for Mason, if I lose him too…” I trailed off. “I’m going to have to go home at some point and leave him here.” Jack stood up and pulled me up with him, wrapping me up in a hug.
“You have to decide if he’s worth taking that risk Lib, but it sounds to me like your heart’s already decided for you. Sometimes love hurts, but surely, it’s better to have had Mason’s love than to never have known it. I know you’re scared but what if it all works out? What if Mason’s the one to fix your broken heart?”
I looked at him in shock, I’d never heard Jack talk like that, it sounded like he was talking from experience. “Where did all that come from?” I asked him, pulling out of his arms to look at him.
He shrugged his shoulders and dropped his eyes from mine. “I missed my chance with Mia. I stood by and watched while all those idiots she went out with treated her like shit.” He sighed and looked at me. “I waited too long, and now it’s too late. If Mason makes you happy, and I can see that he does, don’t be afraid to love him. You can make it work if it’s what you both want.”
“Why didn’t you tell me how you felt about Mia?”
“You were so lost after she died, you didn’t need me adding to your pain.”
“Oh, Jack. Why didn’t you ever tell Mia?”
“I thought I had time, you were both off at Uni, and I was travelling, I just figured when we were all back in the same place I’d tell her how I felt.” He smiled sadly at me.
“I’m so sorry Jack.”
“Don’t miss your chance Lib, if Mason’s who you want, find a way to make it work.” He stood up walking over to the sink with his mug. “I’m going to have a shower. Fancy taking the horses out for a bit?” He asked me, changing the subject.
“Yeah, that sounds good,” I told him with a smile. “I need to shower too; I’ll meet you back here in a bit.” He nodded, stopping to kiss me on the head as he went past.
Under the hot spray of the shower, I replayed Jack’s words in my head. Although I’d suspected that he had liked Mia, his feelings for her obviously ran deeper than I thought. I had been so swept up in my own grief after she had died, I’d never noticed that he was grieving as well. I felt awful that I hadn’t been there for him. I thought about what he’d said about Mason, I desperately wanted it to work, and I was pretty sure Mason felt the same. I decided that I was going to go for it, stop worrying about the future and live in the now. I knew better than most that the future wasn’t guaranteed, and that life could be snatched away from you in the blink of an eye.