by Lea Coll
I knew her skin would be soft, her nipples hard as pebbles, and limbs shaky with need.
She visibly shivered, then unlocked the door with shaky hands. “The things you say sometimes—”
“You like it.” I kicked the door shut behind me.
She stood there uncertain, her lips swollen from my kisses, her cheeks flushed.
I stepped closer, tucking her hair behind her ear, which was messy and wild from ice skating and the wind. “It’s just you and me tonight.” I kissed her. “Getting to know each other.” I pulled away. “There’s no right or wrong, no worries, no insecurities, just us.”
Her shoulders relaxed, her eyes softened. “I like that.”
I pushed the jacket off her shoulders, tugging up her sweater so I could feel her warm bare skin under my fingers. The sensation anchoring me in this moment with her. My hands spanned her waist before drifting up, teasing the underwire of her bra, skating over her nipples, puckering and straining through the lace.
“Mason—”
My name on her lips was like a prayer for more I couldn’t resist. I pulled her sweater over her head leaving her in a tank top and jeans. She reached down to untie her boots, giving me a glimpse down her shirt, rounded globes, her chest heaving as if she was breathing hard.
She rose to her full height. I hurriedly toed my boots off, stepping into her body, kissing her. I could do this all night, lying next to her, kissing her, getting to know what she liked, making love to her soft and sweet.
“Mason—bed.”
Seeing the look of longing on her face, her need for more, I nodded, adjusting my cock in my pants, wanting to release the pressure. “Lead the way.”
I followed her down the hall, resisting the urge to touch her, to push her against the wall, lifting her so I could grind against her core. I wanted her anywhere I could have her, but first, I wanted her on the bed, spread out like I’d already described. My cock was hard, straining against the zipper of my jeans.
I barely registered anything in her room beyond the bed. Mia turned to face me, her eyes wide and uncertain again. I stepped closer, letting her feel my presence, my warmth, taking her mouth in mine again. When I stopped touching, kissing her, her uncertainties crept up, and I didn’t want her to feel anything surrounding her but me.
Her hands slipped under the hem of my shirt, my breath caught. I stopped kissing her to tug my shirt over my head. Her eyes scanned my chest, my abs, then lower, her fingers blazing a trail.
I pushed her wrist away to unzip my jeans, pushing them down, leaving me in my boxer briefs.
She looked at me in wonder, her gaze like a warm caress. “Mason, your body. It’s unbelievable.”
“No. You’re unbelievable.” Warm, caring, sweet, and innocent. Everything good in the world I wasn’t. How I was in her bedroom was beyond me, but I’d do everything in my power to be the man she wanted, the man she saw when she looked at me.
She hooked her fingers in the waistband of my briefs, her gaze following her movements as she pulled them down, slowly inch by inch, releasing my cock as she sank to her knees. I meant to pull her upward. Instead, my fingers tangled in her hair, my cock twitched. She looked up at me, as if questioning if it was okay. All I could say was, “Mia.”
She must have taken that for assent because her hand wrapped around the base of my cock, her lips covering the head. The sensation of her pumping hand, her tongue swirling over the head, made my head light, my knees weak. If I was a stronger man, I’d stop her. Instead, my eyes drifted shut as I enjoyed the sensations of her touch, her tongue. Speeding up the rhythm of her hand, her mouth took me in deeper. This woman owned me—body, mind, and soul.
Then it hit me, she was pleasing me when I should be worshiping her. When she hollowed her mouth, sucking me as if nothing was more important than getting me off, I threw my head back. Groaning, I fought to regain control. I tugged her up.
“No, no, no. Not yet. This is about you.”
I was naked, my cock glistening with her saliva, while she was still fully dressed. I gripped the base of my cock. “I want to see you.”
She pulled her tank over her head, leaving her in a pale pink lace bra. I couldn’t wait another second to have my hands on her, running over her back, her stomach, her breasts. I tugged a cup down, dipping my knees, so I could take one nipple in my mouth. Her head dropped back, so I supported the back of her head with my other hand. Lifting my head, I nudged her back on the bed. She moved until she was laying in the middle. I placed one knee on the mattress, wanting to savor this moment.
I undid her jeans, tugging them over her hips, down her legs, and off. Pale pink panties, her bra cup exposing her breast. I’d never seen anyone more beautiful. She was exquisite. My fingers ran over the soft skin of her calves, the back of her thighs, her bare ass. I pulled the band of her thong down, watching her eyes darken and heat as she raised up on her elbows to watch my progress.
“Mia, your bra.” I was between her legs, my shoulders pushing them farther apart as I waited for her to comply. She unsnapped her bra, letting it slide down her shoulders, onto the bed. I palmed her ass, raising her to my mouth, my mouth salivating for more, but I wanted to slow this down, savor it.
I kissed the inside of her thighs, her clit, before I licked her. I wanted to devour her, but first I wanted to tease her a little.
“Mason, I can’t—”
“Don’t think. Just feel.” I squeezed her ass, bringing her fully to my mouth so I could sink my face into her. I stopped watching her then, my focus entirely on her pussy, her moans, the quake of her thighs against my head, encouraging me to suck harder. I wanted her to come undone. I wanted every worry, every doubt erased from her head until there was nothing but her breath, the sounds coming out of her mouth, and the shaking of her limbs from pleasure.
I parted her folds, using one finger to pump inside, her pleas turned from moans to a series of oh my gods. Encouraged, I used a second finger, sucking hard on her clit, wanting her to have a powerful orgasm that would shake her to her core, forgetting any man who came before and ruining any man who’d dare to come after.
Her pussy clamped down on my fingers as her body convulsed. I wanted to be inside of her. I stopped only when her body slumped back on the bed. With one last kiss to her clit, I moved slowly up her body, kissing my way to her breasts, my cock ready for more. I cupped her breast, licking first one nipple then the other.
“Mason, I need you—”
“I know.” Blood pounding in my head, my cock nestled in her folds, I barely remembered we needed a condom. Stepping away from her, pulling out the one I’d placed in my wallet before coming over, I tore the wrapper, quickly sheathing myself before resuming my position on the bed.
This time I looked at her face, her expression open, her fingers caressing my hair, my face. I closed my eyes for a second relishing in the feeling. Is this what it felt like to be with someone? To feel this overwhelming desire. “Are you sure?”
“I’ve never been surer of anything.” The sense of rightness that surrounded Mia, settled around me as I pushed into her pussy one agonizing inch at a time. My hands braced on either side of her, I struggled to go slow, not wanting to hurt her but wanting to sink inside her slick heat.
“Move, Mason. I need you to move.” She arched into me, urging me on with her hips.
I slid the rest of the way in, her wet slick walls surrounding me. What would she feel like bare? Nothing between us? Fuck. I wanted to know, because if she felt this amazing with a condom between us, I knew it would be mind-blowing. I lowered to my forearms, taking her lips in mine. She moaned into my mouth, widening her legs for me to go deeper. I wanted to sink so far inside her we’d become one.
I pulled out slowly until only the tip was inside her before driving in again. Nothing had ever felt so good, so elemental. Nothing else mattered other than Mia, her body, her moans.
When our kisses become unfocused, I buried my head in her neck, lifting a littl
e, so I could reach her clit with my fingers. I circled it before pressing down firmly, her hips arching into me as she cried out.
“You’re so beautiful,” I said softly. The bow of her body, the flush on her skin, her eyes fluttering closed, was the most amazing thing I’d ever seen.
Tingling started at the base of my spine urging me to go harder, deeper, knowing I’d never be the same after this. A few more thrusts and I erupted, sagging onto her, wanting to sink into her bones, her soul, and never come out. Finally, I rolled to the side, spent physically and emotionally.
I kissed her. “I’ll be right back.”
I went to the bathroom to dispose of the condom and to wash up. I threw cold water on my face, my hands shaky. I’d never felt this way during or after sex. Is that what I’d just experienced, sex? Because it felt earth-shattering.
I came out of the bathroom to find her on the bed, limbs weak, eyes soft and full of emotion. “I’ve never seen anyone more beautiful.”
“Mason.” She sighed, running her hands through my hair. “You’re—”
“I’m what?” I moved her hand from my hair to my mouth, kissing her, before tugging her on top of me, wrapping a hand around her back to pull her close.
“Nothing I expected, but everything I need. Does that make sense?”
“Yes.” Her words settled in the air around us. I felt the same. She was nothing I expected but everything I needed.
We lay in bed together wrapped around each other not wanting to let go for another half an hour. I didn’t want to leave but I had to. Everett was too young to be left alone overnight. “I have to go.”
“I know.” Her voice was low and resigned, her breath tickling the hair on my chest.
I tightened my arms around her. “I want to stay.”
She tilted her head up so I could see her face full of understanding. “I know. Don’t apologize for being a good dad.”
“Yeah, but you deserve to be number one in my life.” In someone’s life. She deserved more than I could give her.
Mia lifted up on one elbow. “Mason, I knew coming into this, your child comes first.”
“Yeah, but—” My hand touched the strands of her hair.
“Don’t tell me I deserve better, or someone else.” Her eyes narrowed on me.
“I’m not. I promise.” She did deserve better, but fuck if I was going to tell her that.
“Walk me out. I’ll be back early tomorrow to work on the shelves.”
She rolled her eyes. “How early?”
I moved off the bed, gathering my clothes scattered on the floor. “I’ll bring coffee and donuts.”
“Okay.” Her voice sounded put out, but a smile played on her lips.
I pulled my clothes on before kissing her again. I wanted round two and three. Smoothing her silky hair, looking into her brown eyes, I wanted all night with her. I kissed her soft and sweet. Nothing that would ignite something I didn’t have time to finish.
She walked me to my door, my arm wrapped around her shoulders, her hand on my chest. “Thank you for a wonderful night.”
She’d pulled on a T-shirt that barely covered her bare ass, her nipples clearly visible, my cock twitched in my pants. “I need to leave now before I can’t.”
She laughed.
“You’re a vixen, you know that?”
She bit her lip. “I’m not.”
“With me you are and I love it.” I kissed her softly once more. “I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow.”
She stepped back so I could open the door. “See you.”
I committed the sight of her in the see-through white T-shirt, mussed hair, and pink cheeks to memory.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Mia
Last night was perfect. The old me would be imagining moving in together, dreaming of engagement rings, and a life together. The new me was cautiously optimistic, holding off to see how he’d react. Would Mason freak out, take a few steps back or would he pull me in further?
When the doorbell rang early the next morning, I was ready. I’d showered, dried my hair, dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. I took a deep breath before opening the door.
Mason stood there, his face serious, a tray of coffee cups and a donut box in his hand. Same as yesterday but everything was different. Feeling vulnerable, my insides were between us for anyone to see. This was the moment he’d make or break me. He’d solidify what we’d started last night, or he’d shove it aside like it meant nothing.
I wanted to think he wasn’t like the other guys I dated, but my history with men told me differently.
Everett grabbed the donut box, slipping past me with a grumbled, “Morning.”
Mason smiled, murmured, “Good morning,” before handing me a coffee cup.
My fingers curled around the still-warm cup. My brain urged me to ask where we stood, but I kept my lips firmly shut. I wouldn’t be that girl begging for definition, for direction, for a label. I could handle whatever would happen.
“Everett’s probably eating all of the donuts.” His tone was light, his words telling me nothing I needed to hear.
“Yeah, probably.” I laughed lightly, feeling awkward in a way I hadn’t last night.
He leaned in, whispering in my ear, “Everett’s here, so I can’t greet you how I want to.” He paused, a finger trailing down my neck, sending a shiver down my spine. “If he wasn’t, I’d have pressed you against your door, kissing you hard enough to convince you last night was real.”
I sucked in a breath, my eyes darting to his. My mouth dropped slightly open, but I couldn’t respond, the words stuck in my throat.
His fingers tilted my chin up. He dropped a light kiss, somehow searing my lips, branding them as his. He stepped inside, my eyes following as he talked to Everett about getting started.
I closed the door, realizing my panties were damp from one light kiss and his confirmation that last night was as real as I hoped. My heart picked up as I crossed the room, standing behind the couch, watching the two of them work, discussing what needed to be done, gathering wood and tools.
“Are you going to eat?” Mason looked at me.
“Um, yeah. In a minute.” I was content to stand here and watch all day, warm contentment settling in my chest, my traitorous heart galloping toward the future I always wanted, the one he hinted at this morning.
“Eat, because I’m going to need your help soon.”
“Of course.” I wiped my trembling hands on my pants before turning to the kitchen, needing a second to regroup. I sat on a stool at the counter, placing a donut carefully on a napkin, not picking it up, just staring at it.
Was it too much to hope for more mornings like this? Ones shared with Mason and Everett, helping each other, spending time with each other. I could hold myself back, protecting myself, or throw myself in, relishing each sensation, each move as if it was part of our story, the one that didn’t end, but continued forever.
“Go ahead and measure the next shelf. I’m going to grab a donut.”
I sensed the heat before his chest was pressed to my back, his hand grabbing a donut. I turned in time to see him take a large bite. He watched me, chewing, then swallowing before taking a sip of coffee.
Placing his donut and coffee on the counter next to me, he turned my stool so I was facing him, bracing his hands on the counter behind me. “You’re overthinking things.”
“I’m not.” I was.
“I’m not going to hurt you. I never want to hurt you.” It was as if he was telling himself as much as he was me.
“I believe you.” I believed he didn’t want to hurt me. Whether he would was another matter.
“I’m scared too. Be in this with me.” He stood, raising my hand to his chest, pressing it firmly until I felt his heartbeat.
“Okay.” How could I say no? He was offering me everything I ever wanted. A promise of a future with him.
He released my hand, cupping the back of my head, angling me, lowering his mouth to min
e. He tasted like coffee and donuts and everything I’d ever wanted.
He pulled back slightly. “I want to sink into you. I want to slide into you so deep there’s no me and you, there’s just us.”
I licked my lips. “That was the most romantic thing anyone’s ever said to me.”
“I’ve had all of this bottled up just waiting for the right person to bring it out.”
“And I’m the right person?” I couldn’t help but ask, my old insecurities and fears always tugging me back from the precipice.
“Yes.” His tone was confident, sure, his grip firm in my hair. “I have to go build some shelves. Eat and then come help.” He winked before turning back to the living room. I heard his voice praising Everett for his careful measurements, but I couldn’t process anything but what he’d said, I want to slide into you so deep there’s no you and me, there’s just us.
After slowly eating my donut, savoring each sugary bite, I joined them in the living room, immersing myself in the moment, not questioning, not doubting, just content to be with them.
It wasn’t my imagination that Mason took every opportunity to touch me. His fingers brushed mine when we reached for the same tool, he gripped my hip, moving me out of his way, he brushed my hair off my shoulder, sending tingles through my body. Each touch was innocent, a promise of things to come, hopefully sooner rather than later.
If Everett noticed a difference in us, he didn’t say. He didn’t act annoyed or put out by his dad’s attention on me. I hoped that meant he was okay with us. Telling Mason he would be fine with it was different than dealing with the reality.
When the shelves were finished, the tools put away, and the sawdust cleaned up, we were sweaty and tired. Everett grabbed his phone from the kitchen, heading to the sunroom, leaving us alone.
“These look amazing. I can’t thank you enough.”
Mason stepped behind me, his arms wrapping around my middle, his lips dropping to that sensitive spot on my neck. “You don’t have to. You deserve this. You deserve everything.”