Page 154 of Poet & Protector

The sound of footsteps on the porch pulled me out of my sad reminiscence.

Leaving the bedroom, I went to meet Mason in the living area.

When I saw him standing beside the kitchen table, I didn’t say anything. My voice was lodged in my chest, buried under the rubble of my broken heart.

He looked around the space we’d both become so fond of. “Clutch intervention by Tom and Caleb. They even left a plate of Halloween cookies for us on the kitchen table. Did you see that?”

I shook my head. I’d been so tangled up in my own web of dark thoughts I’d completely missed the cookies.

“They went all out,” he said, grinning. “Bats, ghosts, pumpkins, witch hats. We should send them a fruit basket or something. You know, to show our gratitude.”

His teasing voice worked a miracle. I laughed. Despite everything, I laughed and found my voice again.

“They might appreciate a singing telegram more.”

“Or a stripper.”

“I’d wager that’s a bridge too far.”

“Spoilsport.”

In the space of our exchange, Mason had crossed the room to stand in front of me. “Hey, you.”

I smiled at him, but my voice had abandoned me again.

He walked past me, trailing his fingers along my arm. I followed him into the bedroom.

“Very nice.” He gestured to the crackling fire before turning to face me.

My smile was becoming brittle despite my best efforts to match his playfulness.

Mason saw it and sighed. “You’re supposed to say something romantic, poet of mine.”

Swallowing, I shook my head and struggled for words. “I’m sorry. I don’t know how to do this.”

One corner of his mouth tipped up. “We’ve done this before. Should I be offended that it wasn’t memorable for you? ’Cause those were kind of life-changing moments for me.”

I let out an exasperated breath. “Mason.”

“Nev.” His smile continued to tease.

When I ran a hand through my hair in frustration, his expression sobered.

“I know how hard this is,” he said softly. “I’m…I can’t think about tomorrow. About anything after tonight.”

I nodded, grief flooding my throat.

“You’re going to help me not think about it.” His voice roughened. “That’s why you brought me here. To make sure I’m not thinking about it. Didn’t you?”

I nodded more slowly this time as I watched heat build in his gaze.

“You’re going to make me forget about everything but you.” Mason unbuttoned his vest and took it off, tossing it aside. His fingers moved to the buttons of his shirt. “All I want is you.”

The desire in his eyes coaxed embers to life beneath my skin, sparking through my limbs. A new fire that burned away my sorrow.

“Nothing changes, Nev. This is us. Only us. Always.”

Mason slowly pulled open his shirt. It coasted down his shoulders and he slipped his arms free of the sleeves, letting the garment drop to the floor. Firelight played over his torso, shadows contouring every cut and curve of his muscles.