I’ll tell her tomorrow,” or, “I’ll wait until I see her next?” Staring at her, I realized there would be no more tomorrows for us. I did something I didn’t think I would’ve had the strength for only moments earlier.
Careful not to disturb her, I inched myself toward her, lowering my body down beside her on the bed. Ignoring the cold feel, I took hold of her hand and began from the start. I poured out my heart and shared everything, no matter how small, or insignificant. Whatever entered my mind, I shared and soon all my hopes, dreams, and memories filled the room.
It was our final bantering session-our last time staring at the ceiling while baring our souls. I held onto the hope and belief that wherever Jasmine was, she was listening and smiling. She was at peace and missing me just as much as I was her.
A blanket of exhaustion fell over me, making my words jumble as I fought yawn after yawn. Soon it became difficult to speak, as I settled deeper into the bed, and with one final whisper, I gave in to sleep.
“Goodbye Jasmine. I love you.”
Chapter Thirteen
Something was stroking my face, leaving trails of tingles in its path as it grazed over my cheek before moving toward my jawline. I groaned, the sensation causing my skin to flush and break out into goose bumps. I stretched out lazily before remembering where I was.
My eyes opened quickly, terrified of what might be touching me, and I squeaked in shock when I found a pair of beautiful blue eyes staring back. I should’ve known it was Mason.
Cautiously propping up, expecting to find myself still in Jasmine’s room, the familiarity of my own greeted me, and I realized what must have happened. He found me and had carried me back to my own bed to continue sleeping. Reclining back again, I snuggled into his body to enjoy the contact.
I loved moments like this where we didn’t have to speak, but could find comfort and warmth from lying beside each other.
“Good afternoon, sleepy head.” His voice never ceased to give me goose bumps. He spoke in low tones that rumbled a little, and I loved how sexy it made him sound. Sometimes I wondered if he did it on purpose, just to make me smile.
“I guess the meeting is over and you found me, huh?” I smoothed down the front of his t-shirt, enjoying the way his muscles moved underneath.
“Yeah, I figured I knew where you were and you looked so peaceful so I just brought you back here instead of waking you. You’ve been out for a good hour or two so you needed it.” Resting on his back, Mason turned his head to kiss me on top of mine before staring at the ceiling. “What a day.”
I nodded and we lay there in silence, with him stroking the side of my arm and me tracing the contours of his stomach. We were lost in thought-not wanting to spoil how we were feeling with the ugliness of events.
Releasing a tired sigh, Mason spoke first. “It goes without saying you’re not to leave the house, right? No trips to town, not so much as a toe off pack property.” I knew he was trying to sound casual, but I could sense the importance hidden in his voice. This would be something I couldn’t argue about. He was on alert and the conditions of my safety were non-negotiable.
“I promise. Stay at home. Be a good girl. Don’t cause trouble.” I rattled off each sentence like I was reading a grocery list.
He laughed at my last comment. “I don’t think it’s feasible for you to keep out of mischief, but at least try to keep it within the estate. I can’t expect the impossible from you. Trouble is your middle name after all.”
I slapped him for that, the sound of my hand thudding against his chest echoed in the room, and was followed quickly by a flare of pain in my palm. It was like hitting a brick wall.
“You doing okay?” Instinctively, I knew he was asking if I was alright after sitting with Jasmine. I couldn’t help but smile at just how thoughtful he was. Even though we’d been together for a while, I still wasn’t accustomed to how in tune he was with me, how he noticed things and genuinely wanted to help. The jerks I dated in the past couldn’t have cared less. Their one focus was how soon they could get in my pants and get out.
I hugged Mason tightly, trying to convey how much I appreciated him before letting out a huge sigh. “I’m good. I just kept telling myself I can survive this, and even though it hurts, I still have you and she wouldn’t want me falling apart-especially not now with everything happening. It still feels like I have a lump in my throat all the time, like something’s missing, but I know she would want me to continue to live. It was just a shock seeing her-touching her. It made it real and my mind couldn’t refuse it.” I blew a strand of hair out of my eyes and smiled when Mason reached over to tuck it behind my ear. “I’m glad I was able to have those last moments with her. We talked. Well, I talked and she listened.”
“So it was like normal.” His fingers began to slowly run through my hair, twirling it in a soothing fashion. “I can’t tell you how many times I passed her door and heard you both in there laughing away, not knowing what you two were up to, but so glad you had each other. As a brother, it meant a lot that you both got on so well. It felt right.”
More silence followed as we both got lost in our thoughts. Sunshine blazed through the window, heating the air, and for that short period of time, everything felt perfect. It wouldn’t be difficult to convince myself this was just an ordinary afternoon and everything was right in the world. I lifted my hand into the ray of light that covered most of Mason’s upper body.
Turning it back and forth, rubbing my fingers together, it amazed me how easy it is to take for granted the simple things. I’d grown so accustomed to seeing things every day, always assuming they’d be there whenever I needed them. All it took was an instant to lose it and it would be gone forever. Staring at the dust particles dancing in the sun beam, I vowed to never become so complacent again and learn to appreciate everything I had.
“Those are some heavy thoughts there, Darcy,” Mason’s voice jarred me from my musings.
“Reading my mind, are we?” I poked his ribs with my finger and was rewarded with a squirm. I loved how he was ticklish.
“No, but this huge frown wrinkle gave you away.” He traced my brow and I slapped him hard.
“You did not just tell me I have wrinkles, Mason O’Connor. These are not things women like to hear from the men who love them. You’re not supposed to see our imperfections!” I covered my forehead with my hand, trying to hide any visible flaws.
He gently pried my arm down, kissing my palm before placing it on his chest, over his heart. “I don’t see imperfections, sweetheart. All I’ve ever seen is you and you’ve always dazzled me.”
“Smooth answer. I think I’ll let you live for a few more hours.” I laughed and I tilted my head back to kiss his chin. Thinking better of it, I nipped the skin lightly with my teeth, letting my tongue flicker over the spot. Contented, I rested back into him. I could sense the moment when he became serious by the way his body tensed, and the feel of the air became a little thicker.
“I can’t promise this won’t get messy. I’m not sure who’s behind the message, or how it includes Gary and Jasmine, but something in my gut tells me this is going to get bad. If there’s one thing I’ve learned is to always trust my instincts, the edge I have as Alpha, and right now, it’s screaming danger. I need to know whatever happens you’re going to be safe. No matter what.” He slid his arm out from under me so he could prop himself up. As he peered down at me, I reached up to trace his brow.
“Now who has wrinkles?”
“I’m serious, Darcy. I can’t give my entire focus if I’m worried about you ignoring orders.”
“Are you ordering me?” I raised my eyebrow.
“In this? Yes. As Alpha and your future mate, I’m ordering you stay on the property.” He looked so solemn and I felt the weight of his command rest on me. Even if I wanted to disobey, I couldn’t.
“I love you.” I smiled up at him, those three words letting him know I’d heard and would follow. Last night scared me, and no amount of independence was worth a repeat. “Now can you finally kiss me?”
My insides quivered as I watched the slow progression of a heart stopping grin cross his face and the way his eyes turned to instant smolder. I licked my lips in anticipation, slightly breathless as I waited for him to lower his head and press his lips against mine.
“What is it about you that I can’t resist?” he asked, inching painstakingly lower until he hovered just about my
