Page 43 of Coastal Rewind

He sighed. “Now, we go to bed.”

My face fell and he definitely noticed because instead of backing away, he scooped me up so my legs were around his waist and started walking toward the bedrooms. When we got to my door, he opened it without putting me down before pushing it closed with his foot.

He slid me down his body, but didn’t take his hands off me before whispering, “Go put your pajamas on.”

Confused, I turned to my drawers and pulled out a little cotton pajama set. I slipped into the bathroom and shut the door closed behind me.

Once again, I expected him to get me into my room and rip my clothes off, but he didn’t. I wasn’t even sure he’d still be there when I walked back into the room.

I stepped out of my jean shorts and slid on my cotton ones, opting to leave on my white tank—sans bra—and let my hair out of its messy bun. I fluffed it a few times in the mirror and opened the door.

I stopped when I saw a shirtless Mason laying in my bed with one muscled arm behind his head and the duvet pulled up to his waist. He looked over at me and his smile fell as his eyes trailed down to my pebbled nipples that were clearly visibly through my tank.

“Fuck, Sunshine,” he gritted out.

I smirked and sat on the bed next to him, leaning over to turn off the light. He slid an arm around me and pulled me into his broad chest. Something about it was so much more intimate than sex. I could feel the rise and fall of his chest as I laid my head on it.

“You’re not going to fuck me tonight, are you?” I said into the darkness.

“No, baby, I’m not.”

“Why not?” I could feel tears building behind my eyes and I wasn’t entirely sure why. I’d slept with plenty of men. I’d had flings and friends with benefits, but for some reason this particular man opting to sleep in my bed without actually having sex with me made me feel more vulnerable than any of the others.

“I don’t know how much you know about me, Ryleigh, but I don’t do casual sex. I’m not going to fuck you and never speak to you again. I’m not going to take advantage of this. I’m going to take you on a date. I’m going to keep doing nice things for you that you pretend to hate, and then, when the time is right, I’m going to fuck you so hard you see stars.”

He kissed the top of my head as a single tear fell. If Mason felt the cold, wet drop hit his skin, he didn’t say anything. He just held me tighter as we drifted into the best sleep I’d had in years.

nineteen

Mason

I was sitting in the hotel lobby, waiting for Nolan when my phone buzzed in my hand. I glanced down and saw a text from Ryleigh with a picture attached. It was of MJ dressed in his school uniform holding a sign that said last day of first grade. Something about missing his last day brought a wave of sadness over me, but I was grateful Ryleigh shared these moments with me without me having to ask.

She was always sending me pictures when I was on the road. Pictures of them baking or swimming in the pool. Pictures of hikes and them building blanket forts in the living room. Every single picture I received showed MJ with a massive smile and the two of them looking like they were having the most fun ever.

My fingers hovered over the keyboard as I considered my reply.

He’s so grown up.

Ryleigh

You did actually raise a little old man. He refused to leave the house without his belt this morning.

The dress code is serious business.

Ryleigh

He already had a belt on. He just wanted black instead of brown so he matched his shoes.

I barked out a laugh when I felt Nolan sink down next to me on the cushy sofa. I swiped to the picture and held it out to him just as another came through. This one was a selfie with Ryleigh and MJ squished together.

“Damn, she has a soft spot for that kid.” Nolan shook his head but his tone was teasing.

“I think I’m okay with it.” I locked my phone and stood to walk outside.

We won our series in Texas yesterday, and tomorrow we were heading to Florida for a series in Tampa. Ryleigh and MJ were meeting us the day after. I was buzzing with excitement to see them. It had been less than a week since I’d been home, but it felt longer and longer each trip.

I wanted to have Ryleigh in my arms again. The bed in this hotel was too lonely.