That clean, soapy, masculine scent that tempted her. She thought of the way he’d touched her, the way her body had reacted to the merest brush of his fingers.
And yet, as conscious and aroused as she was with him lying next to her this way…she also felt safe. Safe on a deeply subconscious level. That was new.
She might still have misgivings about this arrangement, but at least her family and ex seemed to be convinced by their charade. Now she wasn’t dreading tomorrow so much anymore.
In fact, part of her wished this wasn’t a charade at all.
Chapter Seven
Lying in bed next to Avery all night had been a form of torture.
Mason cracked a yawn and scrubbed a hand over his face as he loped up the Ponderosa’s front steps, his T-shirt sticking to him after his early morning run around the lake.
He hadn’t slept worth a damn last night. Partly because of Avery lying two feet away, but mostly because he’d been afraid to fall asleep in case he had one of his nightmares without Ric there to alert him and wake him up before it got too bad.
Instead he’d dozed off and on. While awake, he’d watched Avery as she slept. There was something deeply intimate about sharing a bed with someone and sleeping next to them. Which was why Mason never did it. When he hooked up with someone, he made sure it was a good time for all, then he left with a short goodbye before the sun came up.
His only escape this time had been a run.
He eased the cabin door open and stepped inside. Everything was quiet as he took out his earbuds and placed his phone on the coffee table in the living room.
Before he could figure out whether Avery was still in bed, the bathroom door opened and every muscle in his body tightened when she stepped out wearing snug jeans, boots and a purple sweater, her strawberry-blond hair styled to perfection and subtle makeup highlighting her features.
“Morning,” she said before he could stop staring. “Did you go for a run?”
He found his voice. “Around the lake.”
Her eyebrows drew together. “Did I snore or something?”
“No.” He rarely slept well, and last night had made it impossible anyway. Heading out early to burn off some of the restless energy seething inside him had been a necessity. After yesterday he wanted Avery more than ever. And it was getting harder and harder to remember that this was just pretend. “You look great.”
“Oh.” She glanced down at her feet, her cheeks flushing, as though she was unused to receiving compliments. “Thanks.”
Man, what he wouldn’t have given to be able to slide his hands into her hair and kiss her right now. “What time are you meeting your mom and sister?”
She met his gaze again. “Seven. We’re going to go to the spa, then have lunch before the ceremony. What are you going to do?”
“Told your dad I’d meet him for breakfast at eight.”
She gave him a skeptical look. “You did?”
“Yeah, he asked me last night.”
“Wow, he must really like you. He’s a known introvert.”
“Well, then, I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“You should.” She turned and started to edge past him, trailing her delicious scent in her wake. “I’m all done with the bathroom if you want to shower.”
“Thanks.” Watching her sleep last night, all her barriers down, had roused a new level of protectiveness in him. His growing feelings for her surprised him. He’d come here as a kind of distraction, looking forward to having fun, and maybe even getting her naked at some point.
Now it felt like something more. Something he couldn’t shut off and wasn’t sure he wanted to even as part of him balked at the idea.
Minutes later as the hot water streamed over him in the shower, he couldn’t stop thinking about her. About how she’d been naked and wet in here only minutes before. About the barely concealed hunger he’d seen in her eyes when she looked at him. The need she tried so hard to hide from him.
His cock swelled as he imagined quenching that fire in her eyes. Of showing her a hint of the dominant edge inside him that he wanted to unleash on her.
He wanted to pin her under him. Hold her down to show her his strength and demonstrate his control. Get her so hot she couldn’t stand it, and then get her off—on his terms.
He wanted to drink in each and every shift in her expression. Watch her shields come down inch by inch until there was nothing left but need, and then fulfill it. Make her cling and tremble and cry out, desperate for more.
Wanting him. Needing him.
He reached down to wrap his fingers around the aching length between his thighs, stroking himself as he thought of her face. Those gorgeous golden eyes staring up into his. The softness of her lips, the way she’d melt when he kissed her, sliding his tongue inside to taste her.
The fantasy raced on in vivid, erotic detail. Him exerting his authority and control. Stripping hers away layer by layer. Making her face her desires and then surrender to them.
He imagined her gasp of mingled shock and pleasure as he reached beneath the hem of whatever dress she wore to the wedding, and cupped her heat in his palm. Imagined what she’d sound like when he made her come. Then her sinking to her knees after and taking him in that pretty, sassy mouth until she swallowed every last drop of him.
His entire body contracted, pleasure rocketing up his spine. He held his breath, locked his teeth together to smother the rough moan trapped in his throat as he started to come.
But as good as it felt, it wasn’t satisfying. He wanted it to be real.
He was a little disappointed to find her already gone when he stepped out of the bathroom dressed and ready a few minutes later. The air still held the faint trace of her perfume, and it made him edgy. He left the cabin to wander the grounds for a bit before heading to the main lodge to meet her father for breakfast.
“Mason.” Mr. Dahl smiled broadly at him and rose to offer his hand. “Sleep well?”
Not at all, but it had been more than worth it. “Great. You?”
He made a face as he sat. “Wife kept poking me to make me roll over. Says I snore.”
Mason grinned and helped himself to the coffee already set out on the table. “How long have you guys been married?”
“Forty-two years.” His eyes twinkled. “Avery rushed us along a bit.”
“Really, a shotgun wedding?”
“Sort of. My wife was the one who needed convincing. She wasn’t too sure about marrying a military man.”
“What branch did you serve in?”
“Army. Avery tells us you did as well, in Canada.”
Mason nodded. “Joined up at eighteen and stayed in until I left a few years ago.”
“Ah. Avery didn’t say as much, but based on how vague she was on the details, I’m guessing you weren’t regular army?”
“No.” He didn’t say what unit he’d been with, or what he’d done.
Mr. Dahl eyed him. “Do you miss it?”
“Every damn day.”
“Me too.” His grin was pure mischief. “But don’t tell my wife I said that.”
Mason smiled back, glad he’d accepted this invitation. Making connections with people was hard for him now. Avery’s dad seemed like a great guy, and him being former military helped Mason feel more at ease. “Never.”