“I finally found the door, and he clobbered me just as I wrenched it open. He wanted to pull me back inside, but it was too late. I’d been screaming too loud and made too much of a fuss, so someone had called the police, thank god.” I trembled, feeling cold despite the heat from the fire. “He had me on the floor beneath him and took my head in his hands promising me that I’d see him again, that this wasn’t over, and then he was gone.” My voice wavered a bit, and Mason squeezed me. “I went to the hospital with a concussion, some cracked ribs, and a few cuts and bruises. They picked him up a few days later, and he went to jail for kidnapping and assault.” I sat up, surprised that I wanted to meet Mason’s eyes. “I was scared for a long time after that,” I said quietly. “I went home for a while and stayed with my folks. I got some therapy and took some self-defense classes. When I came back, Lily looked out for me. Everyone thought I was crazy to get my own place, but I loved finally feeling independent. Free of him and the fear he wanted me to live with. But I have a hard time getting close to people. It’s not that I’m some meek, scared girl. Just reserved, careful. But I hadn’t wanted to date much. Here and there a bit, but I hadn’t felt a real attraction to a man, a feeling worth that risk… until you,” I said quietly, meeting his intense gaze.
He put his hand to my neck, cupping it gently, his thumb stroking my jaw.
“I’m not broken,” I stated firmly. It was important to me that he understood that. “It scared the shit out of me and still does. Especially since he got out last year. I still have the restraining order, and I know my parents worry. But I refuse to let him have any control over my life,” I said adamantly.
“You’re amazing,” he said reverently. “Thank you for telling me; I know that was hard,” he said gently.
“I feel bad that everyone is so worried,” I fretted, my brows knitting.
Mason sat up, pulling me so his face was almost touching mine. “He will never touch you again. I swear,” he said with an intensity I’d had yet to see in him, and I’d seen him be pretty intense. “But Ellie, this is part of the whole protecting you thing. You have to understand that I’m going to look into this. I want to know where that fucking bastard is. I want to know every detail of his miserable life. And if he moves so much as an inch toward our state line, I’m going to know about it, okay?” he asked with quiet determination.
I just stared at him for a moment, unable to process why he wanted to take this on, to takemeon. He was one of the most eligible bachelors in the country, and for good reason.
“What’s that look?” he asked intently, pulling me so that I lay underneath his body on the plush couch.
I shrugged and bit my lip, trying to process the whirlwind that was Mason.
“Ellie, what?” he demanded.
“I just,” I started, deliberately shifting my gaze to meet his. “I don’t really get why you want to take all this on,” I admitted. “I mean, I know I’m awesome and all that,” I teased, trying to lighten the mood when his eyes turned heated. “But you could have any woman you want. You don’t need all this baggage.” I sighed mournfully.
His tone softened, and he lifted a hand up, his fingers raking along the hair at my temple. “You’re not baggage, baby,” he whispered. “You’re a survivor. And you’re special,” he stated firmly.
I eyed him questioningly, not at all sure what that meant.
“For me, you’re different. From the moment I met you, I just wanted to be around you. You’re the sexiest, most desirable package ever, wrapped up in a best friend bow. I’ve never met a girl that I wanted to hang out with and have sex with in equal measure,” he explained, and I began to understand what he meant, because I felt the same way.
“Can we watch a movie?” I asked quietly. “Something funny?” I really needed something light to get my mind off things.
“Sure, baby,” he agreed, rising to find the remote. “Good idea.”
I lay with nearly my entire body on top of his as we watchedOld School,a movie that, no matter how stupid, never failed to crack me up.
“I’m so glad you enjoy stupid shit like this.” He chuckled. “Comedies and cheesy horror movies. My kind of girl.”
“Doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy the occasion chick flick,” I warned, my mood much lighter than before. “But I won’t make you watch them with me,” I assured him.
“If movie watching always includes you pressed against me like this, I might agree to just about anything,” he replied, his hands moving to my ass and squeezing.
Suddenly I wasn’t paying attention to the movie. “Let’s go upstairs,” I suggested, my lips moving to his neck.
God, he always smelled so good. I would bottle his smell if I could.
“Yeah?” he rasped, as he ground against me.
“Definitely,” I agreed, forcing myself up and pulling him with me.
He picked me up bridal style, making me shriek in surprise.
“In a hurry?” I laughed.
“Hell, yes,” he growled as he bounded up the stairs. “I haven’t technically gotten you into bed yet.”
“True,” I gasped as he deposited me on the massive bed, crawling up over me, vanquishing any remaining dark thoughts as I surrendered to lust and to what felt a hell of a lot like love.
The next afternoon, it was downright depressing to leave our mountain hideaway. I didn’t think I’d ever had a better weekend. We’d spent much of the day in bed exploring each other, eating junk and watching another movie—much of which we didn’t watch at all.
I didn’t want to go back to the reality of work, all the unwanted attention, and more importantly, being away from Mason.
