“What’s that from?”
His jaw locked. “Nothing.”
“It doesn’t look like nothing.”
“From an operation when I was a kid. No big deal.” He sat up, adjusting my hips back, rubbing my entrance over his cock, his voice low. “My scar is not what I want to talk about right now.” He lifted his hips into me, pushing the tip inside, causing me to lose my thoughts. My back arched, a groan puffing from my mouth. “I need to fuck you, to be so deep inside you I can’t find my way out.” He grabbed my hair, holding me down as he thrust up into me.
“Oh god…” I moaned loudly, his strokes slow and deep, his thickness hitting all my nerves. “Mason!”
“Fuck, I love when you say my name,” he growled, hitting harder, our forms moving together in a violent dance.
Our rhythm picked up, our groans filling my bedroom as I rode him harder. It wasn’t long before I clenched around him, already feeling my climax coming.
Dammit. He was right.
He pushed me on my back, moving over me. His thumb pressed down on my throat, dotting my vision as he hammered into me.
My spine bowed, my hands sinking into his ass, pushing him in deeper, the sounds of my wetness almost obscene.
“Fuck!” His cock twitched inside me.
My climax went around him like a fist. Mason bellowed, releasing inside with his warm cum, making me orgasm again. A scream ripped from my throat as I almost lost consciousness, my world fracturing into pieces.
Our time was limited. I understood it, but I wasn’t ready to give him up yet.
Chapter 23
Emery
The days leading up to Christmas were a haze of being at the shelter, cooking dinner with Mason, and sex… unbelievable, relentless sex. In every room and surface of my house.
It became this little routine—him coming over after he helped his grandparents to bed, making sure Grace was settled. We cooked, watched movies, and fucked like fiends through it all. We actually burned last night’s meal because we were too busy screwing on the kitchen table. We’d go to bed, where we’d continue to fuck all night and at least twice before he left, slipping out early enough to make sure he could help Grace with her morning routine.
How in a few days had it become so natural and comfortable, but at the same time so forbidden and reckless? Why did the thought of it ending make my chest flutter with panic?
“How long are you going to be gone?” Mason pushed me against the car, his body leaning into mine.
My gaze darted nervously out the open garage door, hoping no one was walking by. It was dangerous enough for him to be seen coming here at all, but to be caught like this? There was no excuse.
“Two nights.” Making sure the coast was clear, I turned back to him. “I’ll be back the twenty-sixth.”
It was Christmas Eve. My car was packed with presents, ready for my four-hour journey to Harper’s.
“Two nights.” His mouth grazed my ear. “Of not being inside you. Not feeling your pussy spasm around my cock. Not tasting your release on my tongue. Not kissing you.” His lips captured mine, his hands holding my head, controlling the kiss, flooding heat through my veins and between my thighs.
Was it selfish I didn’t want to go? The idea of staying here, lying in bed with him all day, was infinitely better. Two days without him sounded miserable, and the last place I wanted to go back to was the town where Ben and I lived as man and wife.
I hadn’t thought of Ben as much since Mason and I had gotten together. It scared the hell out of me. The safety of my life was crumbling around me.
“Mason.” I pulled back, my eyes darting outside. “Anyone can see us.”
A rumble came from his throat, and his nose flared with irritation, but he dropped his hands, stepping back.
“Text me when you get there?”
“Isn’t that crossing our only sex rule?” It was half a tease, but it fell flat as his expression darkened.
“Right.” He nodded. “Have a good holiday.” He turned for the exit, his shoulders stiff. Angry. Irritated.
“Wait.” I reached for him before my brain even weighed in, emotion taking over. I swung him back to me, going up on my toes, my hands cupping his jaw, my lips finding his mouth. A noise hummed from his chest, his hand clasping the back of my head, our lips saying more than we ever would. The need for each other constantly thrummed between us, quickly turning a simple kiss into something heated.
Regrettably, I broke away, knowing where this was heading—me on top of the washer or dryer, trying not to let my neighbors hear me getting railed by a twenty-year-old.
Shit. Why did that turn me on so much?
“I’ll text when I get there.” I went back on flat feet. “And tell Neal and Grace Merry Christmas for me.”
“I will. I think my grandpa has a crush on you. He mentions you all the time.”
“Really?” I grinned coyly. “Ex-fighter pilot? Sounds just like my type.” Sadly, this world would probably accept a relationship with him more than they would me with Mason. It seemed perfectly acceptable for men to be far older than women to be.
“That’s really disturbing.” Mason snorted, a smile tipping his cheek. “Drive safe.” He kissed me again before he reached down, grabbing the waist of my jeans. His fingers glided under my panties, sliding through me, pushing into me. A gasp hurled from my lips. His eyes flashed as he pulled his arm away, placing his fingers in his mouth, sucking me off them. “For the road.” He winked before sauntering out of the garage.
A strange sound tumbled from my chest as I sucked in and out. My skin flushed with need, my core aching for him to finish. The equivalent of blue balls.
“Asshole.” I huffed, walking shakily to my car. He was devious knowing I’d be horny as hell for the next four-hour drive, my thoughts focused entirely on him.
Fantasizing about him. Needing him.
“Aunt Emery!” Arms wrapped around me, Addison’s frame almost knocking me down to the ground as I got out of the car. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“I’ve missed you too.” I hugged her back.
The guilt I seemed to be able to push away now came flaring up at seeing Addison right in front of me. The notion of making her cry or hate me pooled acid in my stomach.
“Em!” Harper ran out of the house, clobbering me in another exuberant hug. “I’m so glad you are here. We’ve both missed you.” She pulled away, smiling at me. “Welcome home.”
Home.
My eyes drifted over the familiar small blue house my sister had lived in since she married Joe. It wasn’t in a great area, but it was cute and clean. I used to be here often, so it did feel like another home at one time. Yet, the moment my car crossed back into this town, I knew I’d never call this place home again. Nothing had changed; it was all the same. I passed the street where Ben and I had lived, and I could easily see myself shopping at the local market or going to the yoga studio on 11th Street. Now it seemed similar to that old sweater you used to love but stopped wearing. Then one day you put it on again, and it just didn’t feel the same. This place no longer fit. It was for the version of me who was still married to Ben, who would’ve probably had me pregnant by now because he was in such a rush to have kids. Even though I wasn’t, I would have given in. To make him happy. To make Alisa and John happy.