Impassioned: A Salvation Society Novel

by Lea Coll

  Principal Bryant was quiet for a few seconds, considering me. “Having a relationship with a parent isn’t forbidden. Nothing she did was inappropriate. I told your parents that.”

  Relief coursed through me, making me light-headed. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. I also warned Mia that your parents might continue to complain. I’m not sure if you can do something to intervene.”

  “I will. I think it’s time I changed my emergency contact form.”

  Principal Bryant shifted in his chair. “That’s something you can do on your way out.”

  I needed to see Mia, to make sure she was okay. “Is Mia here? Can I talk to her?”

  “No. She took a personal day, said she’d be back tomorrow. I think yesterday was an emotional one for her.”

  She saw Everett as her responsibility, not just because I’d asked her to care for him but because that’s who she was. When I let her in, she let in Everett too. We were a family.

  “Good luck, Mr. Arrington. I hope we can stop meeting in my office.” Principal Bryant smiled.

  “I hope so too.” I left his office, asking the office secretary for a new emergency contact form. It was possible Mia wouldn’t want me to make this change after yesterday. Maybe she’d changed her mind about us, about me. Maybe she thought being involved with me was too much. I signed the form, pushing it across the counter.

  “I’ll place this in Everett’s file,” the woman said.

  “Thank you.” Intending to go straight to Mia, I pushed open the door to exit the school when someone called, “Mr. Arrington?”

  I turned to find a blonde-haired woman, with glasses, in a button-down shirt, skirt, and heels rushing down the hall. “Please wait.”

  She came to a stop in front of me a little out of breath. “You’re Mason Arrington, right?”

  “I am.” My brows furrowed, wondering what she could possibly need.

  She placed her hand over her chest as if to calm her breathing. “I’m her friend, Hannah. I wanted to talk to you about Mia.”

  My stomach dropped. Was she going to tell me Mia wanted nothing to do with me? It didn’t seem like Mia’s style, but she hadn’t answered her phone yesterday. “What about her?”

  “She was so worried about Everett yesterday, more so than herself or her job. She’s sweet, loyal, and she cares so much.” She stopped to catch her breath.

  “I know.” I shifted on my feet, impatient to finish this conversation so that I could talk to her myself.

  “She was the one who noticed Everett was missing. She wouldn’t rest until he was found. She called his grandparents, had his phone tracked.” She took a breath, her eyes pleading. “She wouldn’t answer my calls last night. I’m worried about her. She’s probably blaming herself for everything. She’s worried she screwed up, she overstepped, or that she’s not good enough for you. She won’t be happy I’m talking to you, but I want you to understand that—"

  “I’m the one who’s not good enough for her.”

  “What?” Hannah seemed startled by my interruption.

  “I’m the one who’s not good enough for her. I’m on my way to talk to her now, to tell her I love her. I hope it’s not too late.”

  Hannah smiled. “That’s great. I’m so happy for her. She deserves someone as amazing as her.”

  “I don’t fit that bill but I sure as hell want to try. I need to see her.”

  She nodded. “Go. She needs you too.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Mia

  I couldn’t get out of bed. I wasn’t sure how Mason felt about yesterday. I didn’t know how Everett was. Paul and Daniel insisted on Everett going home with them and I didn’t fight it. They were listed as the emergency contacts, not me.

  Paula was so adamant that I’d made a mistake yesterday. Would Paula take things a step further, filing a formal complaint, forcing Principal Bryant’s hand? Would he give me a good recommendation for another placement, or would he place a note in my file that I was too emotionally invested in my clients?

  One thing was certain, it was time I accepted I’d never be a counselor who could leave my students and their issues on my desk each night. I carried them with me. Maybe I needed a more hands-on job where that quality would be revered and appreciated. I understood schools had to be careful. Maybe it wasn’t the best fit for me. When I ended my pity party, I’d start looking for other job possibilities. I rolled into the fetal position allowing myself to wallow in the uncertainty, the fear, and the emptiness.

  I’d turned my phone on silent last night, not wanting to hear Mason’s reaction. I couldn’t bear for him to be angry with me for screwing up.

  I startled when a loud knock sounded on the door. Who would be knocking at this hour? I glanced at the clock, surprised it was eleven in the morning already. There was no one I wanted to talk to. I’d apologized to Mason in one of the many messages I’d left yesterday. My head felt so heavy I couldn’t get up to see who it was.

  My family never stopped by. I’d messaged Hannah that I’d call her later today, so she wouldn’t check on me.

  When the knocking didn’t let up, I finally pulled on a robe over my pajamas and trudged to the door, pulling it open without looking. My hair had to be a rat’s nest, I hadn’t brushed my teeth, my face was probably puffy from crying.

  Mason stood there, leather jacket, jeans, and boots, looking as handsome as ever when I felt like I’d been run over by a truck. “What are you doing here?”

  I shook my head to clear it. “I’m sorry. I should be apologizing to you. You trusted me with Everett. I screwed up. He could have been hurt. He could have gotten into trouble, if not on his own, but someone else could have taken him. I didn’t protect him. I didn’t make sure he showed up at school.”

  “Mia. You didn’t do anything wrong.” Mason’s voice was sharp as if he was trying to break through the fog I was in.

  “Everett was missing, the police were called, your parents showed up. I don’t think you understand the gravity of the situation.”

  “Mia. Can I come in?”

  “Sure.” I gestured for him to come in, shutting the door behind him. This conversation had to happen. I needed to apologize. He needed to express his disappointment in me. Then we could move on to whatever our new normal was. With or without him, I’d be okay. I always was.

  I sat next to him on the couch. I thought I’d cried enough last night, but water formed behind my lids as I tried to come to terms with the fact that Mason was here to break up with me. “I feel horrible about yesterday—”

  “Mia. Stop.”

  His voice was soft and commanding. I opened my eyes to see him staring at me. His eyes were filled with frustration, his hair looked like he’d run his fingers through it repeatedly.

  “I’m sorry. You should say what you came to say.” Tell me quickly so I can curl up on my bed.

  “I wanted to make sure you’re okay.”

  I sighed. “Of course, I’m okay. I’m not the one—”

  “Has anyone ever told you how frustrating you are?”

  My thoughts froze at his characterization. “No. I don’t think I’ve ever been described that way.”

  “If that’s true it’s because no one knows you. No one sees you like I do.”

  The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. “Are you saying that you see me?”

  He took my hands in his. I looked from our joined hands to his eyes which were amused. “Thank you for taking care of Everett. For always taking care of us before yourself. You weren’t worried about your job yesterday. You were concerned for me.”

  “I mean, I was a little concerned about my job.” I laughed nervously, not sure where he was going with this.

  “You know what I mean. You did what you had to do because Everett was missing.”

  I tried pulling my hands from his grasp. “I did what anyone would do.”

  “You didn’t. No one, not even my own parents have ever stepped up for me or E
verett like you have.”

  A warmth spread through my body. “I don’t understand what’s going on?”

  “What’s going on is that I love you, Mia. I love you so much. I don’t want to lose you. There’s no way I can repay you for everything you’ve done for me.”

  “I’m sorry?” I swallowed hard. I’d stopped listening after those three words. The words I’d longed to hear for so long. My throat tightened and my eyes pricked with tears.

  Mason’s brows drew together. “I hope you aren’t going to leave me hanging.”

  I hesitated, trying to gather my thoughts. “Of course I love you. I’ve loved you for a while, but I didn’t think—”

  Mason stilled. “Didn’t think what?”

  “That you could love me. That I’m lovable, I guess.” My aunt and uncle hadn’t wanted me. I wasn’t close to my cousin. No guy I ever dated loved me.

  He grabbed my hand, holding it between both of his. “That kills me because I’ve never met anyone more deserving of love than you.”

  The tears blurred my eyes. I’d never heard anything more beautiful.

  “Your aunt and uncle were idiots. They were so lucky to have you in their lives.”

  “I’ve never thought of it that way.” I’d always thought there was something wrong with me. Why else did I feel like an outsider in my aunt and uncle’s home. That I wasn’t good enough for them. Their son filled whatever hole in their hearts were created when they believed they couldn’t have a biological child and there was no room left for me.

  His hand on my back, the other smoothing the hair away from my face. “You don’t need them.”

  I was buoyed by his words, warmth spreading from his fingers through my body, warming me for the first time since I’d found out my parents died. I never thought I’d get rid of the chill. “No. I suppose not.” What else did I need but him and Everett? “You’re all I need.”

  “Can I kiss you?”

  “Of course.”

  He lowered his mouth to mine, his lips sweet and light on mine. I wanted to sink into him, soak up his love, bask in the warmth of his arms, and never let go. I straddled his lap, bracketing his face with my hands. “I love you so much, Mason. You have no idea.”

  “I do. I feel it every day. Even when you wouldn’t admit it, I felt it.”

  I bit my lip, wondering if I should be honest with him. “I thought you were coming to break up with me.”

  He stilled. “Why would you think that?”

  “You entrusted your son to me. I screwed up.”

  “No. You did exactly what I do every morning. I told Everett that my trust in him is blown. He needs to earn it back. I explained how his actions affected you, your career, and reputation at school. He gets it.”

  How did I get so lucky for him to come into my life? It was like I’d been waiting my entire life for him and Everett. Someone who would accept me for who I was. Who’d love me back. “Is it that easy?”

  “Between us it is. We know what’s in our hearts. We know we have the best intentions with each other. I’ll protect and care for you if you’ll let me.”

  Hearing Mason, who was so cold and closed off when I met him, saying everything I’d always longed to hear made me fall more in love with him. “Of course, I will. It’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

  He was kissing me through the tears that didn’t seem to want to stop falling. First, thinking we were over and now knowing I’d found my soul mate. The one who matched me in every way. When the tears slowed, I pulled my lips from his, secure with his arms around me, holding me tight. “Shower with me? I’m a bit of a mess.”

  He wiped the trail of tears from my cheeks, his expression tender. “I’d love to.”

  I tilted my head slightly, his hand cupping my cheek. “You don’t have to go to work?”

  “I told Mark I’d be late, but let me tell him I need the whole day. He knows what happened with Everett, he’ll understand.” He pulled his hands from me, shifting so he could remove his phone from his pocket.

  Happiness filled me that I’d been wrong about Mason’s reaction. I felt almost giddy as I waited while he typed out a quick text.

  “Mark said it was fine. He hopes you and Everett are okay.”

  To think Mason was scared his boss wouldn’t understand his family life. He was so wrong. Just like I’d been wrong about his reaction to Everett skipping school. My heart was so full of love and hope. It made me feel like anything was possible. I’d figure out this job thing with Mason by my side.

  I climbed off his lap. “Come on. I’m dying for a shower.”

  Not waiting for him to answer I headed toward the stairs. Mason wrapped his arms around me from behind, his words tickling the shell of my ear, sending tingles down my neck. “I’m dying to get you naked.”

  He placed his hands under my knees and behind my back, lifting then carrying me to my bathroom.

  “I’m perfectly capable of walking.”

  “I plan on spoiling you so get used to it.” He set me down in the bathroom while he turned the knobs, testing the temperature of the water with his hands. “Come on. It’s perfect.”

  I quickly took off my robe and pajamas, slipping under the warm water, as Mason stepped in behind me dwarfing my small shower. He cupped my breasts, my head tipping back onto his shoulder, my body flooded with desire. The water flowed over my body, his thumbs grazing my nipples, coaxing them into hard peaks before his hand drifted down my stomach reaching between my legs. I sucked in a sharp breath anticipating his touch, widening my legs to accommodate him.

  His cock was hard against my back, but he made no move to turn me. Instead, one finger entered my pussy, then two. He curled himself around me, one hand on a breast, a thumb pressing into my clit, as his fingers worked me. “Mason, I can’t—”

  “Don’t hold back.” He kissed my shoulder, pumping harder, until I was quaking in his arms. When I came down from my orgasm, he turned me in his arms, kissing me. We hadn’t bothered with soap or shampoo. It was like we couldn’t get enough of each other. We couldn’t stop touching or kissing. I couldn’t get enough. It would never be enough.

  He lifted me, his hands gripping my ass as my legs wrapped around him. He leaned back against the wall as he entered me in one motion. He was inside me, pulsing and hard. The cold tiles pressed against my back, his forehead touching mine.

  “You’re perfect.”

  I licked my lips. “You are.”

  Then his lips captured mine as if to say we were perfect together. Nothing could get to us. He dipped his legs, thrusting into me again and again, until I forgot everything but him.

  After making love in the shower we washed ourselves before drying off and then lying naked in bed. I pressed my back to his front, his hand spread over my abdomen, possessive and claiming. The whirring of the ceiling fan relaxing me.

  “I’m sorry my mother told your boss about the airport. I don’t know what her angle was.”

  I stiffened at the mention of his mother. “I think she was upset her day was interrupted to look for her missing grandson.”

  “That was my thought too. When I spoke to Principal Bryant, he said her complaints wouldn’t affect your job. You didn’t do anything wrong. Whatever happens, I’ll be by your side.”

  I always felt so alone, but I didn’t have to feel that way anymore, because I had someone by my side. I had Mason. I had Everett. I turned in his arms so I could see his face. “I think being a school counselor might not be the best fit for me. I think I’d like to go somewhere interaction is encouraged. Where there isn’t all this red tape. If such a job exists. A youth home, maybe?”

  He rubbed my back. “Is that what you want?”

  I know with certainty he’d support any decision I made. It made me feel like I could do anything. “I know how I interact with my students is different than what schools want. I can’t seem to curtail my instincts.”

  “There’s something else out there that will be a better fit.”


  “I think so too.”

  I had to keep looking to find the man for me and it was no different with a job. I just hadn’t found the right one yet. I liked the idea of being in Everett’s school but if this thing with Mason was our future, it would probably be best to give him space.

  Mason brushed my still damp hair out of my face. “I’d like to meet your family.”

  “Why?” A chill ran through me. I never brought friends or boyfriends around my family. No one but Mason knew my reality. I liked to keep it that way.

  “I want to support you. I want them to know you found happiness despite them.”

  I hadn’t mentioned my cousin’s graduation party since we spoke at Christmas. I wasn’t sure he’d remember. “If you want, you could come to the graduation party. It’s not for a few months, but—”

  “I’d love to come.” For the first time in forever, I didn’t dread seeing my family because I’d have Mason by my side, my lover, my protector, my everything.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy.” My future opened up with the potential of Mason and Everett.

  “I know I haven’t. I was merely existing until you came into my life. I never thought this kind of connection was possible.”

  I did. I just thought I’d never find it.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Mia

  Cassie, the counselor whose position I was filling in for was coming back the next year. I decided not to look for other counselor positions within the school system. I’d sent applications to several youth groups and hospitals. Over the summer I took a counselor position at one of the local camps that helps kids going through divorces. I thought it would be good to have on my resume for the job I wanted.

  The best part was that Mason supported me, he encouraged me. He wanted me to be happy. I’d been in this constant state of euphoria since he came to my house after Everett skipped school last month, declaring his love for me.

  I didn’t want to go to my cousin’s graduation party, but I felt stronger with Mason and Everett by my side. They wouldn’t let anyone hurt me.