15. Bridget

FIFTEEN

Bridget

Mia has treated me to another excellent tea party when Mason comes in through the front door. He's running a bit late today, and I can see the way he's dragging himself along like he could pass out any moment.

I only saw him yesterday, but it looks like this Monday has been a particularly rough one, and I offer a sympathetic smile.

"Hey. Sorry I'm late. I got hung up at the office." Mason sounds just as tired as he looks, and he shuffles inside, dropping his briefcase near the door and taking off his suit jacket.

"I'm sure you've been waiting to go home. I appreciate it."

As Mia runs over toward him, I follow behind her.

"It's okay. I'm in no hurry."

Mason's phone rings, and when he looks at the screen, he sighs with an annoyed grumble.

"Dammit, I'll…I'll just call back later."

Anyone can tell that Mason needs to answer that phone, so I just smirk at him.

"It's fine, Mason. Go. I'll watch Mia while you deal with work stuff."

He sags with relief. "Thank you. It won't be long."

"Like I said, I'm in no rush."

As he moves past me to take the call in the office, Mason puts a hand on my shoulder and meets my eyes.

"Really. Thank you. You're a total lifesaver, B. I'd be lost without you."

Mason heads off, and I know he was just being complimentary since I'm doing him a little favor. Still, I can't stop my stomach from doing backflips.

"Tea!"

I snap to attention, looking down at Mia with a grin. "Right. Tea. Let's go."

It turns out that the phone call is actually quite long, and I have Mia help with dinner so that Mason doesn't have to worry about feeding her.

But when Mason still hasn't come out of the office, and I can hear him exchanging frustrated words, I decide to put Mia down to sleep rather than keep her up.

She's clearly tired now, too, her little eyelids drooping, and getting her tucked into bed and off to sleep is easy.

When I come back down the stairs, I can hear that Mason is off the call. Still, he hasn't come out of the office, and I know he hasn't eaten.

My eyes move to the door and then back down the hall toward the office.

Mason is a big boy. He can get his own dinner. Just leave a note and say that Mia went down like a charm and that you'll see him tomorrow .

But my heart just pounds in my chest at that idea, demanding I help the poor guy who is unlikely to eat anything tonight if someone doesn't make him.

I've known Mason for a while, and even when we were teens, he could get distracted by projects or jobs and forget to have dinner.

This is also dangerous territory. Being alone with Mason? Even for a minute, that could be risky.

I snag my purse from where it hangs on the chair and sling it over my shoulder. I'm all the way to the door when I stop.

"I can't. I can't just leave without helping him."

Walking back to the kitchen, I flop my purse down on the counter and go to the fridge. I'll just make him a quick sandwich and then be on my way.

Easy peasy.

When I've got a bit of turkey, lettuce, tomato, and mustard—Mason hates mayonnaise—on some wheat bread, I snag a plate and get Mason's impromptu dinner ready for him, complete with a napkin because God forbid he get anything on one of his fancy shirts.

Steeling myself, I head to Mason's office and knock on the door. He's still off the phone it sounds like, and when he doesn't answer, I go in.

"Hey, you need to eat. I made you a sandwich."

A bit startled, Mason turns around from staring at his computer and sighs. He looks down at the plate with a mournful grin and nods.

"Oh. Okay. Just leave it over there. Thanks."

When I set the sandwich on the desk near him and Mason doesn't so much as glance in its direction, I know he's going to leave it there without so much as taking a bite.

I step up closer to him, trying to put my body in the path of his peripheral vision.

"Mason, you need to eat. Come on. Work can wait for two minutes."

He lets out a low scoff, looking up from his computer to level me with a glare.

"Bridget. It's fine."

I eye him right back. "It's more than fine. I remembered the spicy mustard. So?"

Our stares connect, and it's like a light switch flips in the room. What was in the dark is suddenly illuminated.

Or maybe it's more like the slow gas leak that's been building up between us has finally found a spark and everything is exploding.

Maybe it's the conversation I had with my mom, with Meredith.

But something is different.

And some part of me knows there's no going back now.

Mason's stare burns into me, licking down my spine with an intoxicating focus. I feel like the only person in the entire world right now, trapped under his intense gaze.

"You're not going to leave it, are you?"

Mason's voice is gruff and quiet, and I know without a doubt that he's not talking about the sandwich.

"I…" My voice trembles in return, and I have to swallow hard to find it again. "It's not just me, Mason. You could just take the food or…"

The air hangs so thick with tension that I can feel it on my skin. Several long moments pass where we just stare at each other, and I'm caught there—a fly in a spiderweb.

Faster than I can process, Mason yanks me down onto his lap, and his lips crash into mine. The air flies out of my lungs, and that dormant spark is reignited again, flaring higher into the stratosphere than ever before.

He feels like heaven, even better than last time, but my brain spins too hard, kicking up images of Hudson and Mia.

"Wait," I mumble against his lips before pulling myself back enough to speak, "we shouldn't."

Mason grips me, holding me to his chest as one of his hands cups the side of my face.

"What do you mean?"

My stare drops, and there's a terrible ache in my chest that makes my eyes sting.

"You're Hudson's best friend. You have a daughter to be concerned about. I can't…I can't mess up your life. You'd be dragged into all my shit, and that's wrong. I won't do that to you."

"Bridget," Mason's tone is so deep, and he pulls my face up to look at him with both hands, "I want to be dragged into all your shit."

He chuckles, and I can't help but do the same. Mason's thumb brushes over my cheek, gentle and soothing.

"All I have ever wanted—since I was a damn teenager—is you. No one else. Even when…you know. It was still you, Songbird."

The furious ache in my chest cracks me open, and tears flow despite me fighting them back.

"I'm such a mess. Why would you want that?"

He kisses me softly before resting his forehead on mine. "No one is perfect. No one has it all figured out. But I'm tired of waiting for this, Bridget. I want to do this—with you ."

As I meet his eyes, all I see in their glowing depths is warmth. He's been so open with me since I arrived. Since before I left .

I've always wanted Mason, even when I wasn't supposed to, and for the first time in years, I'm not scared of the man who's holding me in his arms so tight.

There's a beat of silence where Mason searches my expression, waiting for my response.

I've never been excellent with words when I'm under pressure, though. So, I go with what I know he'll understand.

My lips meet his again, and I fully give myself to the feeling.

It doesn't take long for Mason to wrap his arms around me, moving my legs so that they encircle his waist.

Before I can ask, he stands up from his desk and takes us up the stairs. I have a feeling I know where we're going, and for as fast as this might feel, I'm not fighting it anymore.

Mason turns at the top of the stairs, and my suspicions are confirmed. When he reaches down and opens the door, I see the familiar room and then I'm swiftly deposited on the bed.

After all these years, after wondering what Mason would feel like and regretting every moment that I went with Jai instead of him, the reality is so much better than I could have imagined.

The feeling of Mason's lips against mine is so amazing that it's downright sinful. His stubble brushes against my skin, and he tastes like whiskey and summer.

I want more of him, so much more, and I swirl my tongue over his.

As he presses into me, I can feel him pull back slightly.

He breaks the kiss, backing up as I lie on the bed.

I'm about to ask if something is wrong, but he yanks me to his mouth again, and I sigh.

"I've waited too long for this, and I want to be sure we're okay."

Mason rushes over to the door, closes it, and then takes out his phone. I study him, confused, before I see him pull up the monitor app that can let us know if Mia is stirring.

"Oh." I smile. "Got it."

I nod, and Mason is back to me in a flash. His lips find mine, and before I know it, he's working to get my tee over my head.

Nervous energy flutters through me. I remember all the things Jai said, and my heart pounds as Mason takes it off and tosses my shirt to the side.

He stares at me, and I can hardly breathe. Oh my God, what is he thinking? I know I'm not a supermodel or anything but?—

"You are divine, Songbird."

Sagging into the bed, I release a shaky breath, unable to meet Mason's eyes.

His fingers grip my chin, and he lifts me up to look at him.

"You are. And if someone made you feel like you weren't," Mason eyes me, and we both know who he's talking about, "then fuck him."

My cheeks burn, a swell of emotions roaring through my chest, and then the stupidest thought hits me.

I'm wearing a sports bra.

It's not like I had time to change into something sexy for this, and I didn't plan on sleeping with anyone, so…

Oh, hell.

"You might need to help me with that, though." Mason grins, and I could smack him if I didn't adore him so much.

With more effort than I like, I get the damn thing off, and then I'm suddenly topless in front of Mason.

But yet again, Mason makes all the nerves go away when he runs his hands up my sides, taking my breasts in his hands and squeezing.

A low, throaty moan escapes, and I reel as he teases my nipples.

I can feel how hard the little buds are, and as if this couldn't get better, Mason lowers his mouth over me.

He sucks my nipple in his mouth, nibbling playfully, and my hands shoot up into his hair, gripping the thick locks as he ramps up the fire in my core.

It's been ages since I've done this, and I have to imagine that it's been a minute for Mason, too. You could've fooled me, though, and I melt into his arms as he continues.

"It's nice to know I haven't lost my skills."

A shy chuckle escapes me, and I look down at Mason as he licks over my nipple, clenching my thighs.

"You have not."

This is just too damn incredible, but I don't want to be in my head, so I focus on the way he feels, the way he can pull pleasure from me so effortlessly.

Taking one more nip on my nipple, Mason straightens and then sinks lower, reaching for the waistband of my shorts.

Together, we get them off, and again, I'm greeting Mason with just the most ridiculous sight.

He smirks down at me. "Cute."

"Shut up. I didn't know I'd be…"

Mason just continues with that devilish smile and runs his fingertips across my heart-striped panties. I whimper, arching my back and pushing up into his touch.

I know I'm already so wet, and then Mason dips a finger inside past the cutesy cotton fabric.

"Oh, fuck, Mason."

He slides his other hand around the back of my neck, pulling me toward his lips. I'm forced to arch even more, thrusting Mason deeper.

And he slides in another.

"Ugh," I groan against his lips, and then he pulls back, smirking.

"Do you like that, Songbird?"

I nod vigorously. "Oh, God, yes."

This is everything that I've been thinking about for ages, and I ache for Mason to be inside me.

I ride his fingers, working myself right to the edge of an orgasm.

"Damn, precious. You're so tight and warm." Mason's kisses across my neck. "Tell me. Do you regret leaving? Did you want this?"

Mason plays with me quicker and quicker, and I am so close to falling apart on his hand.

More, I know the answer immediately. I've wanted this forever. I've always wanted to be all his.

"Yes, Mason. Yes. Oh, please."

The confirmation spurns Mason on, and vocalizing the truth lights up my nerves like a bolt of electricity.

Mason twirls his fingers inside me and finds my clit with his thumb. It's enough to send me soaring over the edge, and I gasp as I come.

"Fucking hell, precious."

Mason glides his fingers free, and in my haze, I watch him strip, losing the stuffy suit shirt and pants. He slides my panties down my legs.

"I need to hear you make that sound again. I need you to sing for me."

Practically leaping onto the bed, Mason yanks me to his lips as he drives his cock all the way home.

I squeak, and Mason groans, licking across my tongue as he squeezes my hips and begins thrusting.

He pumps hard and fast, sliding in and out of me in a delicious rhythm. I somehow manage to stay just quiet enough as he barrels into me, and my pussy clamps down around him as I'm rushed up to the brink again.

It's not long before I come again, quivering around Mason as my body explodes into a different universe.

The moment stretches on, and then I feel Mason thicken even more inside me, his orgasm roaring to the surface.

It's pure bliss, and warmth floods me as Mason gives himself over to this experience.

I feel like I'm floating. No, flying, and I never want to come down from this. Everything about the way he makes love to me, even just looks at me, is different from Jai.

There's no regret or fear or insecurity.

My heart is soaring, and I grip onto Mason with everything I have, riding this out with him until we're both gasping and exhausted.

After a moment, he leans back, and a burst of nervousness hits me.

"Don't." I blurt out.

Mason meets my eyes, sweeping his hand across my cheek.

"Don't what?"

I feel like an idiot, but there's no point in lying now.

"Don't go. Could you just…stay here, like this…with me?" My eyes sting. "Just for a little longer?"

With a smile, Mason kisses me and buries his nose into the crook of my neck.

"I will stay here as long as you want, Songbird. I'm all yours."