My parents had invited Mason to stay with us until we flew back to Texas, they were pretty old fashioned though and wouldn’t let him stay in my bedroom. They had said they couldn’t control what I did when I was away from home, but under their roof there were rules. Instead, he was sleeping in the spare room which was right next to mine. I snuck into him on the first night, but after a brief kiss and a cuddle, he made me go back to my room, saying that he liked my parents and wanted to respect their wishes while he was here. Part of me loved him for it, but it was a small part, the bigger part of me couldn’t wait to get my hands on him.
The day after Mason arrived I took him to Mia’s grave, I wanted him to meet her, and unfortunately, this would be as close as he got. We stopped at the florist in the village and bought a bouquet of flowers to take with us. Mason grasped my hand tightly as we walked in silence through the cemetery. Dropping my hand, he stood back a little as we came to Mia’s grave and I reached forward tracing my fingers over her name.
“Hey Mia, I’ve brought someone to meet you.” I turned around and reached my hand out for him to take. He stepped towards me. “Mia, this is Mason, the guy I told you about. Turns out he came after me.” I smiled up at him. “He’s a keeper, right?”
Smiling at me, he turned to Mia’s headstone. “Hi Mia, Libby’s told me a lot about you, all good I promise.” He said, winking at me.
Mason sat on the grass with his legs open, and I scooted between them, his chest to my back. “I’ve nabbed myself a cowboy, Mia,” I told her with a small smile. “You’d love him.” I felt Mason wrap his arms around me, squeezing me gently.
We sat for a while in silence, I was lost in thoughts of Mia, while Mason seemed happy to just hold me. After a while, I pulled myself out of his embrace and kneeled in front of Mia’s headstone. “I guess this is goodbye for a while,” I told her, my fingers picking at the grass to the side of me. “I’m going back to Texas with Mason; I’m going to finish my degree there. It’s so hard to be here without you Mia, I miss you so much. I’ll be back though, I promise.” I reached up one last time and brushed my fingers across her name before turning to Mason who pulled me into his chest, kissing me softly on the head.
“Ready sweetheart?” He asked me quietly.
I nodded, turning in his arms. “Bye Mia,” I whispered as we walked away, my eyes brimming with tears.
The next few days were nonstop, I gave Mason the grand tour of where I’d grown up, which didn’t take long. I showed him the park where Mia and I had spent so much time and the primary school where we’d met. I also took him to the bakery and introduced him to Sarah and Leo. I had been a little apprehensive telling Sarah that I wouldn’t be working for her again, I didn’t like to let her down. Sarah understood completely though, saying that I couldn’t pass up the opportunity of a lifetime.
I’d submitted the online application forms for the University of Texas, and someone from the admissions office there had called to speak to me. They told me that it looked promising that I would be offered a place, and I would find out officially in a few weeks’ time.
I’d called Aunt Claire and told her of my plans to study at the University of Texas, she had been so excited and insisted that I stay with them. I was so grateful to them for taking me in. I had considered looking for accommodation on campus as I didn’t want to impose, but Aunt Claire wouldn’t hear of it, saying I belonged with them. I thanked her three or four times, telling her that I’d see her soon.
Before I knew it, it was time to say goodbye. Emotions were running high, and plenty of tears were shed. Saying goodbye to my parents for a holiday, like I had last time, felt completely different to saying goodbye and not knowing when I would see them again. They had said that they would try to visit in the summer, before I started university, but that still seemed a long time away.
Fifteen hours later we were back in Austin and waiting outside arrivals for Savannah, who had agreed to pick us up. I was exhausted, the flight back had been bumpy, to say the least, and I couldn’t relax enough to sleep. Savannah was late, and I was desperate to crawl into bed. “Where is she, Mason?” I moaned, sitting down heavily on my suitcase.
“Here she is grumpy.” Mason teased. I stuck my tongue out at him and he laughed.
“Sorry, I’m late!” Savannah cried as she jumped out of the truck she’d borrowed to pick us up. She flung her arms around me. “I’m so glad you’ve sorted things out.” She said, squeezing me tightly.
Mason had loaded our luggage and jumped in the back while I was sitting up front with Savannah. “I hope you didn’t mind me giving Mason your parents email details?” She asked me, biting down on her lip. “It wasn’t like I had much choice.” She turned and glared at Mason. “Your boyfriend can be quite persuasive when he wants to be.”
I burst out laughing. “Told you she’d be pissed,” I said to Mason smugly.
“Hey.” He said, holding his hands up in defense. “I got my girl back, that’s all I care about. Sorry Sav, but I’d do it all over again if I had to.”
“Well after that little speech I guess I can forgive you. You brought her back, that’s the main thing.” She said smiling. “Let’s get you home, you look like shit.”
“Thanks a lot!” I told her, as she burst out laughing.
An hour later and I was in Mason’s bed, his arms wrapped around me. “God I’ve missed you, baby.” He whispered in my ear.
“I’ve missed you too. Thank you for not giving up on me.”
“I could never give up on you Libby. We’re meant to be together.” I turned my head, brushing my lips against his. He rolled me onto my back, his body pressing me down into the mattress. As he deepened the kiss, I moaned into his mouth and he ground his hips against me. After a few minutes, he pulled away, kissing me tenderly on the nose. “If I don’t stop now, I won’t be able to. As much as I’m desperate to make love to you sweetheart, you need to sleep.”
“Sleep’s overrated.” I told him, reaching up to pull his mouth back down to mine. I felt him smile against my lips as I kissed him.
“We’ve got forever to be together baby.” He told me quietly. “There’s no rush.” He rolled off me and pulled me into his body my broken arm resting across his chest.
“Tease,” I whispered, my eyes getting heavy. Feeling safe, I succumbed to sleep, wrapped up in him.
Mason woke me up the next morning with breakfast in bed. “You do realise that I’m going to expect this every time I stay over?” I teased, grabbing a piece of toast off the tray.
“That’s fine by me sweetheart.” He bent over me and kissed me gently. “I need to go and check on a few things around the ranch. I’m taking you out for lunch though, so I’ll be back later. Make yourself at home.” He winked at me over his shoulder as he made his way downstairs.
“Will do,” I called out. “Bye.”
“Bye baby.”
I forced myself to get up, heading downstairs I jumped in the shower, covering my broken arm with the waterproof protector the hospital had given me. As I was attempting to wash my hair one handed, I heard the door to the bathroom open, screaming, I tried to pull the shower curtain around my body.
“Baby it’s me. I’m sorry I scared you.” Mason said, walking closer to the bath. “I forgot my cell…” He trailed off, his eyes roaming over my body, the shower curtain failing to cover me. I felt my face flush under his gaze.
“Sorry. I thought you’d left, I thought…”
“You thought it was Amber, didn’t you?” I nodded. “She’s gone Lib, you don’t have to worry about her.” He pulled his t-shirt over his head and started to unbuckle his jeans.
“Mason, what are you doing?”
He looked up at me, his eyes hooded. “I can’t go to work knowing you’re here, wet and naked in my shower. It’s been a long week without you baby.” He climbed into the bath and gently pushed me against the tiles. I gasped as the cold hit my skin.
He brought his head down to mine and kissed me slowly, his teeth nipping my bottom lip. I opened my mouth, and his tongue swirled with mine. He pulled away, kissing around to my ear. “I’ve missed you so much, Lib.” He whispered, his breath tickling my skin. I moaned, unable to form any words. He kissed me again as his hand found my breast, his fingers rolling and teasing my nipple. My head fell back against the tiles as his fingers continued their sweet torture, creating a pulsing sensation between my legs.
“Mason…” I moaned against his lips, needing more from him. I felt his hand move from my breast, caressing down my stomach. As he reached between my legs he pushed a finger inside, using his thumb to stroke me.
“Does that feel good sweetheart?” He breathed in my ear.
“Mmmhmmm.” I murmured, pulling his mouth to mine and kissing him urgently.
“I need to get a condom Lib.” He muttered as he pulled out of the kiss. “Don’t go anywhere.”
He turned to get out of the shower, and I reached for his hand to stop him. “Mason, wait,” I said, pulling him back to me. “I’m on the pill…” Hesitating, I bit down on my lip.
“Are you sure? I was checked after Amber, I’m clean baby.” I nodded my head and pulled his wet body back into mine. He picked me up, pushing me back against the tiles and I wrapped my legs around him. Positioning his erection, he slowly eased himself inside me, I gasped at the sting and the feeling of being stretched. The pain soon turned into pleasure as his thrusts increased, a familiar sensation building between my legs.
“You feel so good Lib.” He moaned, kissing my neck.
Using the wall to hold me up, he moved one of his hands and brought it back to my breast, rolling my nipple between his fingers. His breathing quickened as his thrusts became more frantic. My whole body was on fire and sensing that I was close, he bent his head and whispered in my ear. “Come for me baby.”
His words pushed me over the edge and I cried out his name, my orgasm triggering his own and I felt him jerk against me a couple of times, his breathing laboured against my neck. He brushed his lips against mine. “It just keeps getting better sweetheart.” He murmured, shaking his head.
“I love you,” I told him, not breaking eye contact.
“I love you too.”
He smiled and gently dropped my legs so that I could stand up. I reached my good hand out to the wall to steady myself, my legs feeling like jelly. “Let me wash you Lib, it can’t be easy with your cast.” I smiled gratefully at him as he reached for the shower gel, inhaling deeply as he washed my body. I smiled, loving that I was going to smell like him all day. I heard him chuckle as he watched me.
“What?” I protested. “You smell good!” He shook his head and carried on washing me. “I hope I haven’t made you late?” I asked him, worried he would get into trouble, especially after having to take time off to follow me home.
“You’ve definitely made me late, but baby I don’t care. You’re worth it.” He kissed my nose and reached around me, turning the shower off. “Let’s get you dry.”
He dried every inch of me, wrapping me up in the towel. I then stood and watched him dry himself, his toned body on full display. I swallowed and pulled my eyes away, knowing he’d be even later than he already was if he caught me looking at him like I wanted to devour him. “I really need to go baby; I’ll pick you up from the house at lunchtime.” He pulled me towards him, kissing me softly on the lips.
I nodded. “Okay… thank you for helping me.” I said shyly. He winked at me as he left the bathroom.
I spent the rest of the morning sunbathing in the garden with Savannah, she’d organised a shopping trip for uni supplies and a girl’s night out within ten minutes of me arriving. She was convinced that I needed a whole new wardrobe for uni. That girl definitely loved to shop!
Savannah had grilled me, asking to know everything that had happened with Mason while we were in England. I hadn’t asked her what had happened with Amber while I was away, I trusted what Mason had told me, and as long as Amber was gone for good, I didn’t need to know anything else.
Mason arrived not long after we’d finished talking and dropped down into the seat next to me. “Hey, baby.” He said, kissing me.
“Hey,” I replied, smiling at him.
“You ready to go?”
“Yep. Where are we going?”
“You’ll see, come on.” He said, pulling me up from my chair. I turned to wave to Savannah who was grinning at me.
“You know where I’m going, don’t you?” I asked her.
“Yep! My lips are sealed, though, enjoy!” She told me, skipping past me into the house.
Mason grabbed my hand and led me around the side of the house and towards the stables. I pulled back on his hand, slowing him down. “Mason, were not going on the horses, are we?” I asked him, nerves prickling in my stomach.
He stopped and turned to face me. “Do you trust me Lib?”
“Yes,” I answered, without having to think about it.
“Then know that I would never put you in any danger. Just trust me, okay.”
“Okay,” I whispered.
Once we were inside the stables, he stopped in front of Titan’s stall. “We're both going to ride Titan. He’s used to having two riders, and he’s big enough to cope with it.”
“Mason.” I started.
“You can’t be on the ranch and avoid the horses Lib, I know how much you loved to ride before you got hurt, this is the start of getting you back in the saddle.”
I sighed, I knew logically that the only reason I fell was because Amber had tampered with the saddle, but I still couldn’t help feeling nervous about getting back on a horse.
“It’ll be okay. I promise.” He told me. I nodded and watched him in silence as he walked to the tack room, returning with a double saddle. He led Titan out of the stall and spent time fixing the saddle, ensuring that it was secure. “Happy sweetheart.” He asked me, gesturing to the saddle.
“I’ll tell you when I’m up there.” I half joked. He mounted Titan and reached his hand out to me. Taking a deep breath, I gave him my shaking hand, and he pulled me up. Once I was in the saddle my arms flew around his waist, and I pressed my body tightly against his back.
“Ready?” He asked, his hand coming down to cover mine.
I nodded my head and he tapped his feet, encouraging Titan to move. I squeezed my eyes shut as we rode away from the stables. Once I’d calmed down, and my heart had stopped pounding I opened my eyes, recognising instantly where we were headed. “Are we going to the lake?” I asked him, my lips tickling his neck.
He shivered. “Yes, baby.”
I loved it at the lake, it had fast become my favourite place, mainly because it was where I realised my true feelings for him, even if I had pushed him away on our first trip here. “I love the lake,” I told him.
“I know baby.” He reached his hand back and squeezed my leg. I was amazed at how relaxed I had become on Titan, I was guessing that it was because I had my arms wrapped around Mason and my body pressed tightly to his.
Before long we arrived at the lake and I dismounted Titan, followed by Mason. He reached for my hand again, and we walked to the water’s edge where a picnic blanket was laid out. I turned to him and smiled.
“I thought we could have another first date. After everything that’s happened…” He hesitated, sounding unsure.
“That’s a great idea,” I told him, going up on my tip toes to kiss him.
Pulling me down to sit on the blanket, he reached for the picnic basket that was waiting for us, as he opened it he started taking out everything that he’d brought for our first picnic.
I smiled. “You remembered what we had to eat?” I asked incredulously.
“I remember everything about that day Lib.” He said sheepishly.
I smiled at him, biting into one of the pulled pork sandwiches, finding them as delicious as before.
After we’d eaten and packed everything back into the basket, we lay down on the blanket, my head resting on his chest. After a few minutes lying there in a comfortable silence, Mason said. “Lib, I did have an ulterior motive for bringing you here.”
I pushed myself up on his chest so that I could see his face. “Really?” I asked wiggling my eyebrows.
“Not that.” He laughed. “You’ve got a dirty mind baby, where’s my innocent Libby gone?” He joked
“She’s been corrupted,” I replied with a cocky grin. “Why did you bring me here then?” I asked him.
“I wanted to ask you something.” He sat up, and I sat up with him. “Move in with me Lib, I want to fall asleep with you in my arms and wake up with you in my arms. I want to make you breakfast in bed every morning and make love to you every night. What do you say?”
He looked nervous, he didn’t need to be. A few weeks ago, I would have worried that it was too soon, that we didn’t know each other well enough, that it might not work out and I might get hurt. Now I didn’t even have to think about my answer. “Yes. I’ll move in with you.” I told him, smiling widely.
“Really?”
“Really,” I told him, laughing. “You’re stuck with me now cowboy.”
“I’m never letting you go, baby.” He murmured, pulling me into his arms.
I’d moved halfway around the world to be with him, I didn’t know what the future held for Mason and me, but I knew I wasn’t afraid to find out. Losing Mia had taught me that nothing was guaranteed in life, sometimes you just had to be brave enough to take chances.