I knew what that was like. It took me a while to get him to go to bed when it was time. I was secretly glad Mason wasn’t good at everything.
“What are you eating?” he asked and gave me the side eye.
“Marshmallows.”
“How did you get to the shops?” He was sitting up now, a scowl on his face, ready to yell at me. I could feel him gearing up for it. He was even taking a deep breath in when I interrupted him.
“Relax. Geesh, I was a good little girl and stayed on the farm. I found them in the back of your cupboard.”
“I didn’t buy them. Did you check the expiration date?”
I waved him off. “They’re all sugar. Basically impossible for them to go bad.”
He sank back into the couch, mollified. “Just don’t throw up in bed. The smell is a bitch to get out.”
I snorted at the thought. My stomach was made of iron. I could pretty much eat anything. “Don’t worry, your precious linens are safe.”
He didn’t respond and stared at the TV instead. I didn’t even know what show was on, having zoned out a while ago and had instead scrolled through bodybuilder memes on my phone.
“I’ll be out of your hair tomorrow. Things should be settled down by then.”
Mason didn’t seem to like that thought and got up. “I told you before, and I’ll say it again: you can stay here for as long as necessary. I have plenty of room.”
“And I said that I was fine and didn’t need to stay here.”
“Right, just like you were fine last night?”
“That was just a stupid coincidence. Won’t happen again.”
“For fuck’s sake, how can you be so naïve?”
I got up as well, not liking sitting down while he was standing over me.
“I’m not naïve. I just don’t like being told what to do.”
“I noticed. Too bad you make shitty choices and need someone to tell you when you do.”
I balled my fists and got up on my toes, making myself taller. Not that it made much difference, since Mason was a giant and over six feet tall. Must run in the family since his brother was tall as well.
“Because you don’t agree with my choices, doesn’t make them shitty,” I yelled. Damn it, and I was doing so well not shouting at him. Guess there was more calming tea in my future.
“Damn it, Stella, he could have taken you,” he yelled back, running his hand through his hair, then yanking on it. “Your mother owns this town, and you know it. Once she has you, there’s no turning back. The cops are in her pocket and nobody would dare stand against her.”
I was surprised he knew how far my mother’s reach extended. I guess it wasn’t as much of a secret as I thought.
“Don’t you think I know that? I’ve had to live with her for most of my life. I know her better than anyone. And I know there’s no way I’ll go back.”
The last part was delivered rather dramatically, my voice high, my eyes wide, and my arms waving around wildly.
“Then let me protect you, instead of running the other way every time you see me.” He was getting right up in my face, his voice still raised, his body tense.
But I wasn’t scared of him, never that. If there was one thing I knew, it was that he would never hurt me. At least not physically. His insults stung, his actions too, but he would never lay a hand on me. Of that I was sure.
“I’m not running the other way.” I sighed, frustrated and tired. “But I won’t let you talk down to me when I don’t even know what your fucking problem with me is.”
“My fucking problem? I tell you what my fucking problem is,” he yelled. We were toe to toe, and I could feel his breath on my cheek and smell faint traces of his cologne.
I was standing in front of him, thinking if I should yell back or just walk away, when his lips were on mine and all the air left me.
My heart jolted and I melted into him. We were the perfect fit, his body curling around me, making me feel cherished. His kiss was soft, his touch gentle, his actions the opposite of his earlier fury.
He nipped and sucked and licked my lips until I opened eagerly. His tongue slipped inside and my whole body broke out in goosebumps. I felt like I couldn’t get enough, pulling him closer by his shirt, even though every part of me that could possibly touch his body already did.
He pulled away and I moaned in protest. The sound died on my lips as soon as his mouth touched my neck, kissing a path down to my breasts. Every touch set me on fire, every kiss stoking the flame. He pulled my sweatshirt up and cupped my breasts. Not wearing a bra came in handy right now.
How could his kisses turn me into such a brainless mess? If that was a preview of what he was capable of, I was a willing participant. Even if it was just for one night. For tonight, I just wanted him.
He groaned and pulled away, his eyes still fixated on my breasts. My nipples were rock hard under his hands. His eyes wandered down to my stomach, and his face went from looking dazed to predatory.
I put my hand to his chest, my brain functions somewhat returning and telling me that this might not be the best idea. But since I was never one to miss an opportunity, my damn hand started to wander. I brushed across his chest and down to his abs, loving the feel of the hard ridges under my palm.
“Stella,” Mason ground out.
My hand wandered even lower. “Mason,” I answered as I grazed over his belt buckle, and then I was finally at my destination. He was big all over, and the bulge in his pants
