“And here she is,” Mason gestured to me, ignoring his sister’s ribbing.
“Here she is,” Jill murmured, her expression warm as she walked toward me and pulled me into a hug. “I did come here to meet you and to make sure my youngest was in good hands,” she admitted with a playful smile. “And boy is he ever. We all have a past, some darker than others,” she continued, her expression sobering, and I knew from what Mason had told me she was referring to her abusive first husband, “and I can say from personal experience that with sheer will and a solid man in your corner, you’ll stay in the light.”
“Thank you,” I rasped, fighting back tears.
“Everything points to Turner leaving the state as of last night,” Gunner put in. “For now,” he added. “Still wouldn’t let your guard down.”
“Not planning on it,” Mason grunted.
“There’s a chance he got wary of all the security,” Emmie mused. “Clearly, Ellie’s well protected.”
“Still not letting my guard down,” Mason affirmed.
“Not with such precious cargo.” She winked in my direction as Mason and I helped them with their bags.
“It’s funny,” I mused as we waved to his family as they departed in a black SUV, “you’d think with our upbringings, our families would be totally different, but I actually think they’d get along great.”
“They will,” Mason replied assuredly. “Now, I finally have you to myself, and I’m going to make the most of it,” he growled, shocking me by throwing me up over his shoulder and stalking inside.
“This house is huge; it hardly matters.” I squealed as he tossed me on the bed moments later and smacked my ass.
“You’ve been holding back on me,” he accused as he eyed me hungrily.
I had been quieter than normal, fearing his parents overhearing us.
“Now you’re going to scream for me,” he vowed as he whipped his tee over his head, revealing the cut muscle and smooth skin underneath.
My entire body trembled at the sensual promise as he prowled toward me, a lithe predator with prey within his sights.
“Show me what’s mine,” he ordered, pulling my jeans and underwear down my legs.
I obliged, allowing my legs to fall open, baring myself to him completely. Before I could take another breath, he’d dropped to his knees, his head between my thighs.
I cried out at the delicious onslaught, trying to lift my hips to reduce the intensity, but he held me down tight, his large hands gripping my hips and holding me still.
He was unrelenting as he devoured me, bringing me to release faster than I’d ever thought possible. I was panting as he rose up, shoving his jeans down his thighs and pushing inside me without hesitation.
And I did in fact scream for him, more than once.
* * *
When I finished up with work a few hours later, I went in search of Mason, hearing him from his office before I entered the room.
“I said fucking no,” he rumbled. “I’m not putting my woman at risk because he’s a fucking asshole,” he growled as I leaned on the doorframe, making my presence known as he held his cell to his ear. “Come on, don’t pull that shit with me, Coach. There’s more to life than football. I’m learning that more and more every day.”
He looked over at me, his ferocious expression softening as he spotted me wearing nothing but his Broncos tee.
“I’ll call you back,” he said, hanging up and tossing the phone on the desk.
“What was that about?” I asked, crossing the room and into his open arms, situating myself in his lap.
“That fucking idiot Marcus got caught with two prostitutes.” He sighed, rubbing a hand over the stubble of his jaw. “Then on top of it, got a DUI trying to evade the cops.”
“Wow, when he steps in it, he really goes all out, huh?” I commented. The one time I’d met the wide receiver had been enough.
He snorted. “Guess so. Coach and the team owners want me at the press conference.”
“Of course they do,” I reasoned. “You’re a leader for the team like any quarterback, but unlike every quarterback, you’re damn good at it. They need you.”
