Chapter 20

Chapter Twenty

Ainsley

We have dinner at my place.

Having Mason in my house feels perfect. He belongs here, with me. Or I'm delusional and looking too much into what's happening between us.

He said it earlier.

He's leaving tomorrow.

But I just don't want him to go.

I want him to stay for the night. I have no idea how to start the conversation. We're washing dishes, like couples do after a long day at work, and sharing a meal.

"We should get a dog," Mason suggests as he starts putting away the dishes.

We? That's a big deal. Are we there yet? We haven't even had sex yet! I freak out after that exact phrase hits my memory bank. I said the same to my ex when he decided to buy a house without asking me if I liked it.

"You're quiet," Mason breaks the silence and shuts off the running water. "What did I do?"

My gaze lowers toward the empty sink. I need to snap out of this. I overthink too much.

"You mentioned the dog." I pivot and lean on the sink. "That's a big step, and we haven't even had sex. It reminded me of something I said in the past. Not that I'm comparing the two of you." I laugh just thinking about how stupid I was back then. "I bet he never waited for me—Porter. Fuck, I believed it when he told me that we had been each other's firsts. He had too many skills to be inexperienced."

It was a good thing we always used condoms, or I'd have been a walking STD.

"Since that trip to Santa Barbara, you're the only person I've thought about." Mason cups my chin with his hands. "Nine, I care so much about you that I'd wait an eternity if that's what you need."

"What if I'm ready now?" I interlace my hands behind his neck. "You know what my problem is, Mase? You scare me. This entire situation—you can snap my heart in two, and there won't be a Mason to pick me up from the hole this time."

Mason releases my chin, circles my waist with his arms, and lifts me off the floor. He gives me a tight squeeze; one I return by clinging tightly to him.

"Nine, you scare the shit out of me, too." His words comfort me. I'm not alone in this. In fact, with him, I'm never alone. "You don't have to do this to make me happy. I swear that I have no intentions of finding someone else."

The knowledge that he would wait eases the concern I have carried around with me. It dawns on me that I have safeguarded my thoughts and held my tongue in fear of losing him.

"I'm ready for us, Mase."

His eyes drift for a second, and then they beam as they focus back on me. "If you're sure about it," he lowers his voice. "Then I'll make you mine tonight."

The anticipation of finally being with him has my body quivering and my panties soaked. As we reach the bedroom, he snatches my lips, sucking and nipping. I hear myself whimpering as his mouth detaches from mine and he gently lowers me to the bed.

"I can't believe that wish number five is about to happen," he murmurs as his lips trace my ear, my jaw, and the base of my neck with tiny kisses. My overactive brain insists that I ask what he means about wishes, but his touch makes me forget everything, and that mouth of his shuts down all coherent thoughts. "Are we… Are you okay with this? No regrets?"

"Regret you? Pfft," I respond.

He pulls off my T-shirt and the cami I wear. "This view… mmm, take your hair down. The wish won't be complete until that lovely mane is on top of the pillow."

Mason pulls down my jeans and stares at me. Well, it's more like he can't tear his eyes away from the black-lace number I wore today. My legs weaken with that look of admiration, lust, and, I want to hope, love. If it isn't love, at least caring.

"So much more beautiful than I anticipated—so fucking perfect." He lowers himself to the bed, his body on top of mine. I suck on my lip, anticipating his next move, and to my surprise, his mouth latches onto my lip. He sucks on it, teasing it gently with his teeth. "I'll call this officially mine. You can't suck on it. Each time I watch you, it makes me want to take you. Hard."

Please take me . I want to beg.

Instead, I jerk on the hem of his shirt and get rid of it.

"Slow down, Nine," he murmurs in my ear, his lips tracing my jaw and then lowering to my chest. "It's my turn, lady. You can have yours later. For now, keep your hands above your head while I taste every crevice of you. I want to hear you scream my name while you come for me. I crave to bring your entire body to life just for me." His fingers unhook my bra, sliding down one strap and then the other. The slow movements cause my entire body to vibrate with the need for more than the slight friction of his soft touch.

"Only one piece left until my present is fully unwrapped," he mumbles as his mouth travels from my belly button to the trim of my panties.

His tongue licks the edge, but instead of removing the barely-there piece of clothing, his mouth continues its exploration. He starts kissing the inside of my left thigh, skipping the important part, and heads to the right one. "You taste fantastic. I could savor you all night."

"Please, I need you to fuck me with your mouth. Have mercy on me before I combust."

"My, my, you think you can take control here too, don't you?" He laughs, and as his head tilts, I can see a storm brewing in those gray eyes. "Didn't I tell you? If I don't watch out, you'll be the one calling the shots for the rest of my life."

I whimper as his thumb traces a line on top of my clit. "I'm aching for you. Please, Ten."

"Anything for you." He pulls down my panties then looks back at me at the exact moment two of his fingers enter me. He moves them in and out while his thumb circles my clit. "As long as you don't beg me to stop." His face lowers, and his tongue begins to twirl around my pussy while his fingers continue their invasion. As the pleasure intensifies, my body meets his hand, wanting release, wanting the buildup to finally cease or… fuck, fuck, yes.

"Mase," I cry out before I ride the waves of ecstasy.

I suddenly feel empty as his fingers pull out, but his mouth takes the ride along with me, licking the juices from my pussy. My eyes close the moment his mouth leaves me. I listen intently and hear him ripping that foil packet and his heavy steps that fall closer to the bed. The bed dips on the right side, and the heat of his skin warms me. My eyes open.

"You sure?"

"Of course, Mase. Always."

He nudges my thighs apart and swiftly fills me. He stills and watches me for a few breaths. His mouth lowers, and as he thrusts in and out, our tongues move at the same slow, loving pace. I want to melt, to stay like this forever while I give myself entirely to him. The kiss becomes deeper while driving his cock farther inside me.

I match his strength, and we both begin to move faster, frantically trying to meld our bodies together.

He drives me to the edge, and our mouths separate as I spiral out of control, screaming his name again.

Mason thrusts one last time before releasing a primitive groan, and his body slumps on top of mine. Before I say those three words, I bite his shoulder with the same intensity that my body vibrates.

His breathing relaxes, his neck turns slightly, and as if someone has thrown a bucket of ice water on him, he springs out of bed and stares at me as if I've done something unforgivable. Without a word, he turns around and heads to the bathroom.

I wait until he comes out, and he's already wearing his boxer briefs. "What are your wishes?"

He kisses me hard, and I forget what I wanted to know. All that matters is him and me.

Us.

"Wake up, sleepyhead," a husky voice murmurs in my ear. Steel arms that hold my body, the fingers caressing my skin, and the soapy, musky smell I love.

I think I'm in love.

My eyes open wide. A hard-muscled body towers over me while greenish-gray eyes stare, and a white grin greets me. "Hi, beautiful."

Mason's mouth slides over my throat, his warm palm cupping my breast. My entire body throbs and I keep my mouth sealed, avoiding sound. His mouth takes nibbles from my throat all the way to my breasts. His thumb strums my nipple with one hand while his mouth sucks on the other.

My response is a huge moan followed by a shiver as his other hand starts to ease toward the edge of my panties. I push it away with my pelvis.

I press my lips together tightly because I can't build a word to save my life. I'm drowning in lust.He flinches, and his arms grasp me tighter as if he fears I'll escape.

Mason's lips caress mine, then he kisses my left breast. "I don't want to go."

He holds me tight. One hand is free and tucks a lock of hair behind my ear before it glides up and down my arm. "I was thinking we could have a nice goodbye kiss before I leave." Mason kisses the top of my head. "We're not leaving this bed until we agree on a few things." He kisses my forehead, my eyes, and then my nose.

"Are you torturing the witness, keeping me hostage, or making sure that I still feel you even when you're gone?"

His stormy eyes settle as they stare at me, then nothing but calmness takes over. He takes my mouth. His fingers reach for my panties again. When he reaches them, he lazily peels them off at the same time he releases my breasts, sweetly moving down to where the thin fabric used to be.

He places his mouth on my folds. His hot tongue finds my heat and swirls around it as if he has an entire day to lick me.

As close as I am, two fingers slide inside me. With impatient anticipation, I thrust myself against them.

"Patience." He freezes. "I'm in charge right now, lady. Patience, and you'll get your reward."

I bite my lip. His mouth and fingers continue their little dance and quickly the adrenaline rushes through my head. I scream as I come hard and loud. His fingers bury inside me as I ride the orgasm. As the rush is over, my limbs are heavy, but I want more. Mason kisses my hips, my belly button, and my breasts.

"You're a dream, Ainse." He leans closer to me and whispers in my ear as he buries himself deep inside me.

Lazily, lovingly, he inches in and out; calculated moves that make me feel cherished. Yes, loved. His eyes shine with love, and I close mine to make some music from it.

"Open your eyes, Nine," he orders as I'm trying to mentally record our symphony. Open my eyes? I've never… ever done it with open eyes. He stops. Damn it. I have no other option but to obey.

"Together. Don't leave me hanging, Nine." Mason's stormy eyes are trained on me. "I want to see you while we're making love, when you come, and when you breathe my name."

I focus on him and only him as he continues tormenting me with a slow pace that has me on the edge but unable to throw myself into the abyss where I'll find release. Every inch of his thickness thrusts into me, making me want more and to reach my climax at the same time. His own slow symphony rips me apart with such a tenderness I've never experienced before. I raise my hips, matching his movements.

"Come with me, Ainse." He kisses me as he buries himself deeper. Waves of ecstasy throb through my body and together we explode in a downpour of a sizzling spectacle.

"Mason." His name falls from my lips as I climax, lips he seizes as we ride an intimate roller coaster. Then, once my entire body is spent, I feel as though I have landed on a soft, wispy cloud.

The bed sinks on his side, and his hand caresses my face. "Sleep, sweet Ainse." He tucks me against his body. "If I'm not here when you wake up, I'll leave a note."

"Be safe," I whisper.

"Always."