Page 162 of The Golden Hour

Of course, Honey just wants to focus on Daisy and give her all the love and attention in the world, but it is nice to dream.

To hope.

Two strong arms wrap around her from behind, and Honey smiles as Mason rests his chin on her shoulder.

“I’m sorry that I left this for you to do alone the first time,” he whispers, pressing a kiss to the junction where her neck meets her shoulder. Honey’s eyes flutter closed, and a shiver crawls down her spine at the sensation. “Never again, Honey. My Honey, my girl…”

Honey hums, tilting her head and granting him more access. He takes advantage, pressing soft kisses on her skin, his beard tickling her and making her giggle.

“I love you,” he rumbles, his voice thick. He presses his body against hers, and when she feels how much he desires her, it’s like all the insecurity melts away.

This is Mason.

He has seen every iteration of her so far, and he has loved her throughout it all.

“I love you,” Honey gasps. “I miss you.”

“I’m right here, baby.”

“No,” she says, turning to meet his eyes. “I miss you, Mason.”

His pupils dilate as he understands her meaning. Slowly, his hand trails over her stomach, and she doesn’t recoil when he brushes against the extra inches because his touch is reverent and firm. It’s a loving caress.

He moves his hand up, over her breasts. As soon as everyone had left, she had taken her bra off, leaving her in one of Mason’s old Penn t-shirts. She gasps when he touches them, and he groans loudly into her neck.

“God, you’re so fucking beautiful, baby,” he practically whimpers, pressing hot open-mouthed kisses to her skin. “You feel amazing.”

“Really?” she asks, her voice turning small despite herself. “Still?”

He freezes for a moment before his hand tilts her head back to meet his eyes.

“Still?” he repeats.

She swallows. “I’m just scared you’ll see me and you’ll… everything's different.”

“I know,” he says, and Honey feels her heart drop before he continues, “And there has never been one second of my life when I looked at you and wanted someone else. There has never been one version of you that I didn’t think was the most beautiful woman in the world.”

She blinks. “Mason…”

“You are Honey,” he says simply, like that explains everything. “My Honey.”

Then he crashes his lips against hers, mouths opening in sync as the kiss deepens. One of Mason’s hands remains on her cheek while the other locks around her waist, pulling her flush against him.

“But my breasts are⁠⁠—”

“Perfect,” he says, squeezing her right breast lightly.

Honey squeaks, panting now, and arching back into him. “My skin is⁠⁠—”

“Delicious,” he whines, dragging each syllable as he licks at her bottom lip.

She smiles helplessly.

“My stomach is⁠⁠—”

“Gorgeous,” he purrs.

She surrenders to his touch, kissing him again.