by Tawny Weber
“Because you don’t have your Mama to have these conversations,” Frannie said gently. She was right. What's more, it was something that had been plaguing Sophia since the wedding planning went into full swing.
“How did you know?” she asked quietly.
“Oh baby girl. You’re never too old to miss your Mama. I still miss mine, and I’m sixty-five.”
“But Billy seems to have gotten over it. He hardly ever talks about our mom anymore.”
“Of course he doesn’t,” Frannie answered. “He has you. Your mom was sick for a long time. You practically raised that boy. Biologically you might be his sister, but you’re the mother of his heart.” Frannie’s words resonated with her. When she thought how much her opinion of Rebecca mattered to Billy, she realized he had treated her like a beloved parent.
“Frannie, I’m not sure I’m up to that level of responsibility. Sure, Mason and I are talking about starting a family, but I worry I don’t have what it takes to be a good mother.”
Sophia pulled the phone from her ear at her friend’s loud laughter. As Frannie settled down, she finally got words out.
“You’ve got to be kidding me. You’re one of the most nurturing people I know, Sophia Anderson soon-to-be Gault. You’re going to be a fantastic mother. Billy thinks the sun rises and sets with you.” Sophia’s cheeks heated.
“Frannie, I–”
“I think you should start working on making babies immediately. Get rid of the rubbers.”
“Frannie!”
“Okay, if not the rubbers throw away the pills. I want to be holding your son or daughter by next year.”
“You’re outrageous.”
“You’re just figuring it out now?” Sophia laughed some more. Nope, she’d known for quite some time that Frannie DeLuca was outrageous and it was why she loved her so much. She also knew the woman was trying to lift her spirits and she greatly appreciated it.
“Sophia, are you still there?”
“I’m here. Have I told you how much I love you?”
“Ah, I love you too. Both Tony and I love you like you were our own. Now hurry up and give us a beautiful baby to love on.”
“We will, we will. First, I have to change the sheets.”
“Clean sheets are not a prerequisite. I thought they explained things better than that in health class.”
“Good-bye, Frannie.”
“Good-bye, Sophia.”
Sophia hung up the phone with a smile. She always ended up smiling after talking to Frannie. She had really been gifted with some great people in her life, but none was better than Mason Gault. She still thought about that night in the alley when he rescued her from her attackers. She rubbed at the scar on her arm. He’d saved her twice, once from the initial attack, and then after she’d been kidnapped. He truly was her knight in shining armor and now she was going to get to marry him. A smile blossomed on her face, and she pressed her palms against her cheeks. Life didn’t get much better than this.
Chapter 3
Mason was nervous and he was never nervous. Of course, this was the first time he’d come home wounded.
He shut off the radio as he exited the Five Freeway, and took the side streets that led him to the home he shared with Sophia and Billy. His shoulder throbbed and it pissed him off. He loved it when she launched herself into his arms and he carried her into their bedroom. If he did it tonight, he’d probably tear the stitches. Dammit! He’d have to tell her about the injury right from the get-go. He hit the steering wheel hard.
“Fuck!” That had hurt. He had to remember not to use his right hand for a few days.
He had no idea how she was going to take it. They never really had a deep dark discussion about the dangers of his job. Sophia seemed to take it in stride and that was enough for him. What happened if this changed things?
Fuck. Are my palms actually wet?
He and the guys always said they would only want to be with women who understood their need to be SEALs. Their need to serve their country and the fact it included going on dangerous missions. He always assumed Sophia was that kind of woman because she had handled it so well when he left in the past. But what if this injury changed things? Mason couldn’t imagine a life not leading his SEAL team. But he couldn’t imagine a life without Sophia either.
This time, he used his left hand to massage the tense muscles in the back of his neck.
He made the last turn down the street to their house and pulled into the driveway. The door flew open and there she was. All of his worries temporarily flew out of his mind as he looked at the breathtaking woman who had agreed to marry him. She was wearing a yellow sundress that looked beautiful in the moonlight. She waited for him on the top stair of the side door at the kitchen, ready for the launch. Mason was slow getting out of his truck. He didn’t bother with his duffle, he’d get it in the morning. Sophia was practically vibrating with excitement and he grinned at her. But her smiled dimmed as he walked slowly around the cab of the truck.
“Mason?” His name was a question.
“I’m all right.”
She moved faster than he had ever seen. In less time than it took to blink she was in front of him, looking up at him, her hands on his chest, and then cupping his cheeks.
“Mason, what happened? Should you have been driving? Do you need help getting inside?” He looked at her in amazement. There was no wailing, no censure, no histrionics, nope, nothing.
“I need a kiss. I need my welcome home kiss. I’m only sorry I won’t be able to carry you to our bedroom.”
He watched as she bit her lip. “I think I need our kiss more than I ever have before,” she said.
She stood on tiptoe and he scooped her up with both arms, uncaring about the pain in his right shoulder. He needed to feel Sophia pressed against him. He was hungry for the taste of her and he ravished instead of seducing. She trembled and forced himself to pull away.
“Too much?”
“Not enough. It’s never enough but tonight it’s worse.” Her green eyes were shiny, and it wasn’t just the reflection of the moon.
“I’m safe. I came back to you. I’ll always come back to you.”
Her head dipped down for a moment, and then she looked back at him. “I love you. And I need you, handsome.” She gave him a saucy grin. “And, since you can’t carry me does it mean I get to finally carry you?” Mason shouted with laughter.
“How about we race to the bedroom?” Sophia shot him a worried glance.
“It’s my shoulder, honey. I can race just fine. I’ll need some help getting out of my clothes. Are you willing to play nursemaid?”
“Who’s been helping you when I wasn’t around? Drake? I swear that man has had a secret crush on you for years.”
“Nah, it was Clint. You’re going to have to break it to Lydia that he’s probably going to end up leaving her because of his unrequited love for me.” He threw his arm around Sophia, glad she was willing to banter instead of obsessing about his injury. He’d been worried about nothing. Now he could focus on the important thing—making love to the woman who owned his heart.
When they were finally naked on their bed, she kissed him on top of the large bandage on his shoulder.
“How many stitches, Mason?”
“About the same amount you had when you were attacked.”
“Then should we be doing this? You could end up pulling them out. Maybe you need to rest.” He was kneeling in front of her. He pulled her hand to the front of his thighs so she could caress his throbbing cock.
“I would end up far more injured if I weren’t allowed to make love to you tonight. You’re my compass. Anytime I get lost or something goes wrong all I have to do is think about my Sophia and I know where I am supposed to be. My place is with you.”
Mason cupped her cheek.
“Tonight I need to touch you.”
He kissed the side of her lips.
“I need to kiss you.”
He stroked downwards
until he was cupping her breast, his thumb lazily brushed forays around her nipple.
“I need to caress you.”
Mason smiled as Sophia moaned in pleasure. Then he groaned, as she shifted her hand and began to stroke up and down, measuring his need.
“I need to caress you too, Mason.”
She bent forward and licked one flat nipple and he shuddered in response.
“I need to kiss you.”
He pulled her hand away from his erection, knowing he wouldn’t last if she continued to caress him. He drew both of her arms up so they twined around his neck, and gave her the kiss they both needed. A butterfly soft brush of lips, teasing and tantalizing until they both opened and sighed. The kiss morphed into a languid play of tongues, seducing and loving. For long minutes they pressed closer and closer together, their mouths gently gliding in a passionate mating confirming they were once again back together.
Sophia whimpered, and Mason tasted salt.
“Baby, what is it? What’s wrong?”
“It’s too much.” Her nails bit into his neck, and her nipples were pebbled against his chest. He’d been so intent on not rushing her, on holding back his own passion so she could have the time and gentleness he thought she needed, that he hadn’t realized she was as hungry as he was.
Mason eased her down onto their bed. His fingers slid into the silk of her hair, spreading it across the pillow, loving the way the golden strands contrasted against the blue colored cotton. She grasped his short hair so he was forced to look at her.
“Play later, I need you now,” she said in a voice hoarse with want. In all of their time together, he’d never seen this level of intensity.
“Sophia?”
“I could have lost you,” her voice broke and her eyes slammed shut. She bit her lip and swallowed. When she opened them again they were bright with unshed tears. “Please don’t make me beg, Mason.”
“Never, baby. Never.” He shifted, and found a welcome between her already spread thighs. “I need this as badly as you do.” He began the slow slide into her body, she was soft, silky, and responsive. It felt like he was truly coming home.
“So good,” she murmured as she lifted her knees and clutched him. “All the way Mason, don’t hold back.”
Finally, they were as close as two people could be and he groaned with satisfaction. “You’re perfect, Sophia.”
“You’re my Mason. My white knight. You’re the one who’s perfect.” His heart went into overdrive. He wanted to be that for her. He needed to be that for her. Then all higher thought went out the window as she clenched around him.
“Again, baby. Do it again.” She gave him a sultry smile.
He pushed in and she cried out, her neck arched as she clenched again. They continued the dance, pleasuring one another, higher and higher.
“More, Mason,” she gasped. He lowered his head and licked her nipple. She began to pant. She raised her legs and locked her ankles around his hips. He began the final drive, taking them upwards.
He looked into the emerald depths of her eyes and saw his past, his future, his forever and knew no matter what, she was the only thing in the world that truly mattered.
“I love you, Sophia,” he cried. They crashed into heaven together.
Lying in Mason’s arms, having him stroke her hair was almost, almost, as good as making love with him. She pressed her ear against his chest and listened to the beat of his heart.
“So what did you do while I was gone?”
“I–” His stomach rumbled loudly and she peeked at him through her lashes.
“Ignore it, I want to hear about the last ten days.”
“I have lasagna warming in the oven.”
“We’ll eat later. I’ve missed you. I want to hear every detail of how you spent your time. I know you were planning on some girl time with Rebecca, did you get to do that?” She loved he remembered what she had told him and was genuinely interested in her life.
“We went out to–”
His stomach growled even louder.
“Did I tell you I have vanilla ice cream and homemade brownies for dessert?” He pushed her off his chest and she went sprawling in a heap of giggles.
“To hell with the lasagna, I’m having dessert first, then dinner, then dessert again.” He gave her butt a swat and she laughed even harder.
She stayed in bed and enjoyed the view as he pulled on a pair of jeans. God, the man had the best ass in the entire Universe. She was going to have to take a bite when they got back in bed. He looked at her over his shoulder.
“Quit ogling and come into the kitchen with me. I don’t want to eat alone. I’ve missed you too much.”
Her heart melted. She got out of bed and pulled on the shirt he had been wearing. She loved wearing his shirts. She had worn one every night while he was gone. He grabbed her hand and they walked to the kitchen.
“Milk or ice cream with your brownies?” she asked.
He was right behind her with his chin propped on her shoulder. “What are you having?”
“Milk.”
“Then I’ll have milk to begin with. I’ll have a brownie sundae after dinner.”
“Well, you’ll be eating that by yourself.”
“I bet I can tempt you into taking a bite.” He probably could. He was very good at tempting her into things.
She got the milk and he got the glasses. When she went to sit down, he coaxed her into sitting on his lap.
“God Sophia, you are the world’s best baker. How is the business going? How’s the diner?”
“Busy,” she said with a deep sigh. “I’m still bummed about Irene quitting. She was doing so well. But this new girl Corrine is getting the hang of things quickly. I already gave her a small raise so she would be incented to stay.”
“Can you afford it?” He broke off a piece of his brownie and offered it to her. She stared into his deep blue eyes, took the milk chocolate treat, and then sucked his fingers into her mouth.
“Sophia,” he breathed.
“Yes. Yes, I can.”
“What?” he asked in a dazed voice.
“Yes, I can afford to give her a raise.” She smiled.
“Good God woman, how can you multi-task like that? You start in with that licking thing and I can’t keep up with a conversation. So things are going that well with the business?”
“Mason, I had to turn down two stores because I wouldn’t be able to keep up the level of service and quality people have come to expect. They said they would up the amount they’d be willing to pay and they’ll wait for us. One of the store owners asked to have lunch with me. She is part of a Women in Business Network she’d like me to join.” Sophia still couldn’t believe it. She never would have thought of herself as a businesswoman.
“That’s great, honey.”
The brownies were gone. She got up to get the lasagna out of the oven.
As they ate their meal, Sophia regaled Mason with Frannie’s bridesmaid dress debacle.
“I don’t understand. The dresses aren’t going to match?” he asked as he scooped his third helping of pasta.
“No, they’re all navy colored, but the styles will be different to flatter the figure of the woman or girl wearing it. What will look good on Ashley won’t necessarily look appropriate for Rebecca.”
“Makes sense. So tell me what your dress looks like,” Mason asked innocently.
“Oh, I got a red one. It’s really pretty. It’ll look great for our wedding photos. I especially like the sequins.”
“There was a time, Miss Anderson, when you weren’t such a smart ass.” Mason grinned at her.
“It must be the company I keep. If you’re a good boy, after your dessert you’ll get an even better dessert. But if you keep asking sneaky questions I might be too tired.”
“You’ve convinced me, no more sneaky questions. Stay put and I’ll clean up and get the ice cream.” He brushed a kiss on the top of her head as he cleared the table. She saw him wi
nce as he used his right hand but she chose to ignore it. Tonight was a celebration. This was a time for them to enjoy the moment not for her to focus on what might have been.
Chapter 4
“So what’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong?” Mason was thoroughly sick of this line of questioning. Drake had been at it for ten minutes, and he could have stopped eight minutes ago as far as he was concerned.
“Would you back off already?” Clint bent to pick up one of the basketballs and place it on the rack at the side of the court. “Let the man be, he just got his stitches out and finally got to really exercise. Maybe he’s feeling his age.”
“No, that’s not it,” Drake said eyeing Mason thoughtfully. “He’s been off for a week now. He hasn’t acted all commander-ish.”
“Well, I am now Avery. Shut the fuck up. There is nothing wrong.” Mason winced. He didn’t sound authoritative, he sounded desperate.
“Ah-Ha. I knew it. Spill it.”
“Maybe I’m just upset Finn missed the last basket,” Mason said glancing over at his teammate. Finn shook his head.
“Don’t try and blame me. I’m with Drake. I wasn’t going to call you on it. But now you’re dragging my name through the mud…”
“Okay, it’s the girl’s bachelorette party,” Mason lied. “I’m worried. Lydia was supposed to be the one planning it since she’s the maid of honor, but Ashley has taken over and she’s scary.”
Darius did a double take.
“Ashley? And Sophia is going for it?”
“I actually think Sophia is kind of excited. Even when she went to the community college, she was kind of sheltered because she had to go home most nights to take care of her mother.”
“Lord save us,” Drake said. They headed out of the gymnasium into the bright California sunshine. “Why isn’t she doing like you are and having a PG bachelorette party since Rebecca is one of the bridesmaids.”
“Because they’re having a bridal shower and that will include Rebecca. The bachelorette party is for the adults and like I said, Ashley took over,” Mason groaned. The more he talked about it, the more he realized he was concerned. But not as concerned as he was about Sophia’s trouble sleeping. Still this wasn’t something he felt comfortable talking about with the guys.