36. Bridget

THIRTY-SIX

Bridget

We get Mia settled into bed that evening, and knowing that Easton is over at my mother's house to keep an eye on things helps me to feel slightly better.

There's still everything else, but Mason is doing everything he can to help me feel better. The alarm is also set, and more than anything, knowing that a break-in will be treated with a loud ass siren makes it possible for me to not be in a constant state of panic.

I really just wish my mother had one.

"Hey, do you want to go upstairs and take a bath? I can give you a foot rub, maybe?"

I smile over at Mason, tilting my head as I regard him. God, this man is so damn incredible .

We've had dinner, distracting ourselves with a silly movie from our childhood, and it helped to focus on something else, especially when that something was pure nostalgia.

"Yeah, thank you. That'd be great."

Mason grins back, taking my hand, and we clean up the living room together, putting our plates in the dishwasher and making sure everything is locked up and the alarm is set.

The house feels about as safe as it's going to, so I let Mason drag me up the stairs and into the master bedroom.

I'm torn between telling him to lock the door and wanting it open. If we need to leave the room in a hurry, it shouldn't be locked.

"Hey," Mason steps into my line of view, stealing my attention, "stop that. I can see your brain churning from here. We're okay."

I shake myself. "Sorry, I just…yeah, I don't really need to explain this to you, do I?"

Mason shakes his head. "No, and I'm here to help. Let's get you in that bath, hmm?"

Smiling, I rest my forehead on his chest. "Yes, please."

With a step back, I let Mason go start the water in the expansive master bathroom and turn on the monitor app for Mia.

I walk over to the closet, where I have a drawer with a few of my things.

I've basically moved in here, and I really should just pull the trigger on that now that Mason and I have "gone public."

Maybe when all this is over…

What I don't have is a robe, so I strip down and just snag Mason's, which I've done a few times. When I walk out and go to the bathroom, where I can hear the water running, I'm totally shocked by what I find.

Candles flicker across the counter and on a slim wooden tray that suddenly appeared across the large tub.

There are bottles of what I have to assume are lotion and oils placed across the bath tray as well, and there are a set of huge fluffy towels folded up and set on the sink counter.

The bath is even filled with charming bubbles that enhance the amazing smell.

"Mason, did you…how did you?"

He grins, sidling up next to me and wrapping his arms around my waist. "I've been holding onto this stuff for a long while. I wanted to plan something special, but I think we need it right now."

Grateful tears prickle in my eyes, but I shake my head and just smile up at him.

"You're incredible. You know that?"

Mason just shrugs. "I try."

Reaching up on my tiptoes, I lay a gentle kiss on his lips. "You succeeded."

The room is wafting with steam from the bath, and the air smells incredible—this lovely blend of eucalyptus and something akin to tea.

As much as I know it's waiting for me, I let the stress fall away right now and enjoy what Mason's worked so hard to create.

"M'lady."

I look away from the enticing bath to see Mason holding up a bottle of wine and a bath-safe glass.

"You had wine up here? Damn, you really were ready for something."

I smile, and Mason pops the cork on the red, pouring it into my glass. As he hands it to me, I kiss him again and lean over to check the temperature of the bath.

"Hmm, perfect."

"Go ahead, babe. I'll hold your robe for you."

"Suuure," I drag out. "You just want to get me naked."

"I mean…"

We both laugh, but I take him up on the offer, turning my back to Mason so that I can shuck the robe and get into the heavenly-looking water.

He takes the robe, folding it over the shower door that's just to the right of the bath. As I step inside, the hot water eases my tension all the more, and the incredible smell surrounds me.

I can tell he must have used a matching set that came with the lotion and candle, too, and being coated in that wonderful aroma from every angle is just what my frazzled nerves need.

Leaning back in the tub, I feel Mason's hand take my foot and begin rubbing.

"Oh, fuck. That's too good. I'm never going to get out of here."

He laughs, and when I look over at him, I can see the joy there for being able to do something nice for me.

"I'm fine with it. But you might get a little pruney."

"That sounds more like a you-problem. I'll be pruney all day, every day."

With a giggle, I lean back again, closing my eyes and letting Mason's strong hands work their magic.

And damn, do they.

Mason rubs away the aches and pains I forgot I had all the time, and the attention paid to my muscles is so soothing that I completely bliss out in the water.

The minutes drag on, and after a while, the bubbles are all but gone and Mason has rubbed my feet and legs so thoroughly that I'm afraid I won't be able to walk.

Then Mason grabs the old-fashioned sponge from the bath tray and dips it into the water.

He meets my eyes when I sit up and look at him. "Relax, Songbird. I got you."

The nickname is enough to get my brain thinking about other things as Mason runs the tan sponge over my arms and legs, rewetting it regularly in the hot water.

"That feels incredible, Mason. Thank you…for taking care of me."

"Always, Songbird. Always."

Mason gets me to turn in the tub, pushing the bath tray off to the far end. I lay my head on the small towel hanging on the ledge of the tub, sitting cross-legged.

The past few days have been so damn much, and I really wasn't sure if I could keep going like this.

Being with Mason in his room, though, feeling him wash my back in the private, perfect bubble we've created, makes me truly believe that I can handle anything as long as he's with me.

I sit up, looking Mason in the eye and putting my hands on either side of his face.

"Don't leave me, okay?"

His expression softens as he sets the sponge aside and covers my hands with his own.

"Never. I promise."

Smiling, my lips find Mason's as I lean over the ledge. Kissing Mason feels like coming home, and I want nothing more than to enjoy a lifetime of it.

He slips his tongue past the seam of my lips, and I pull him closer, wrapping my wet arms around his neck.

In a flash, the air in the room changes, and suddenly, we're both desperate for each other.

It's like we have to be sure that the other person is there and that we're together.

I know it's the fear and uncertainty waiting for us outside this room, and I latch onto the feeling of Mason's caresses with everything I have.

Our kiss becomes a frenzy—an effort to lose ourselves in each other.

Sitting back slightly, I look up at Mason.

"Come in?"

Mason smiles, not hesitating to pull off his clothes.

Stripped down to nothing, Mason steps into the large tub, our lips meeting again and again as the desperation rises.

I'm starving to feel him, to feel him inside me.

Pulling me onto his lap, my legs drape behind Mason's as we sit in the middle of the bath. Mason takes my face in his hand like I did his.

"I'm never leaving you, Bridget. Not as long as you'll have me. You gave this family exactly what it needed, and I promise to never take that for granted. And I promise to keep you safe."

As I stare into his eyes, I track my fingertips up and down Mason's arms. They are strong and solid, and my pussy clenches as I imagine Mason sheathing himself deep inside me.

"I'm so sorry it took me so long to get to you." My heart pounds, and I feel like my chest is going to crack open. "This is where I belong."

I smile, fear and arousal warring for my attention.

"Please, Mason. I need to feel something besides afraid."

He crashes his lips to mine, and our connection feels like a conviction—a vow to each other.

I give myself over to the sensations. This is exactly where I need to be right now.

And forever.

Our tongues twirl around each other deliciously, and Mason's hands go to my hips.

His thick erection is pressed between us, and my pussy aches for him, slick and wet, as I focus on how good he feels.

Lifting me slightly, Mason slides himself inside me. Feeling him slide in up to the hilt is intoxicating, and my head falls back.

Gripping my back, he hovers his mouth over my nipple before flicking it with his tongue. The lightning sensations are enough to have me squeezing down around his shaft.

I rock my hips in lazy circles, enjoying the slow progression.

Setting up a steady rhythm, I get the head of Mason's cock to rub deep inside my pussy, stimulating my nerves and making a low moan slip free.

Mason groans and slides his hand under my breast, bringing my breast right up against his mouth.

The water sloshes as we embrace the pleasure, and the flickering candles are low and romantic.

His fingertips pressing into my hips, Mason juts his cock upward, and I release a deep, guttural moan. As the delicious feelings build, his other hand goes beneath my ass, helping me to ride him.

"Mason…oh, God, yes."

I clamp down around his shaft as the pointed thrusts draw out every sensation that racks my body—intense and nearly too much to handle.

His thick cock stretches me as he playfully bites the hardened peaks straining on my breasts. It feels like we're carving out pleasure from a world of chaos and uncertainty.

"Mason! Ugh!"

My cries are breathy, and the need for Mason just grows. He thrusts up in time with the circles of my hips, filling me up completely.

I'm seconds from a climax, and I know it's going to shatter me apart.

And I welcome that.

"That's it, Songbird." Mason seats me down on his cock, which bottoms out until he's nudging my cervix. "You feel so damn good, precious."

Mason lifts me up, getting us both to standing. He circles around me, coming to the other end of the tub so that he can get on his knees before me.

Standing straighter, Mason slides his fingers into my pussy and sucks the needy bud of my clit into his mouth.

"Oh my God…" My words tumble out of me.

I come—hard.

The pleasure doesn't back down as I watch Mason stroke his cock while his tongue and fingers take me to new heights.

A massive wave of sensation washes over me like a tsunami, and Mason laps up every bit of my release, moaning against me like he's enjoying the most sinful dessert.

Legs trembling, Mason spins me around, and I feel his grip on my hips as he stands up behind me. How I'm supposed to take more is beyond me, but I need it.

There is still terror outside this room, and I need this—I need him—if I'm going to be able to take it.

Mason poises his erection at my entrance, and I grip the edges of the tub. I don't want slow and steady anymore. I want Mason to fuck me.

And then he's slipping inside me.

The strokes begin gradually and purposeful, forcing me to focus on the sensations that claim my body. The intensity is so much, and I moan as a needy sob tears from me.

Mason glides the ridges of his erection, particularly the head, back and forth inside me, and I can feel every damn inch.

His grip on my hips is iron, and to feel him claiming me, possessing me so thoroughly like this, cracks me open all the more.

I know he won't abandon me. I know he will never treat me like Jai did.

Reaching around to my breast, Mason squeezes my nipple between his fingers, and my pussy flutters around his shaft. The slow pumps of his hips are powerful but not hurried, like he's taking his time to enjoy this.

"Mason." My eyes pinch shut, tears clinging to my lashes. "Yes, please. Don't stop."

"Never, Songbird." In brutal thrusts, Mason sheathes himself deep just to retreat and do it all over again. "You are all mine, precious. No one will take you away from me."

My fingers go to my clit, smoothing over Mason's cock as it disappears inside me. Feeling our connection like this fills the lingering hole in my heart.

Knowing he's mine patches over the unhealed wounds of my past.

Water splashes to the floor, and lust-drunk words fall from my lips like the steaming liquid.

"Please!" I stroke myself harder, giving everything I have to Mason. "Harder. God, please , harder."

The extraordinary sensations roar loudly, and the world drops away. All there is are the thrusts and the warmth and the water.

And then I fall apart around his cock.

Mason's erection twitches inside me as he fills me up with his own release. The orgasm is everything, and I moan, the sounds echoing slightly in the intimate space that's just for the two of us.

After a moment, stillness crawls back into the bathroom, and I'm so damn exhausted that I can barely stand.

Mason takes care of it, sliding back and cleaning us both up before scooping me up in his arms and carrying me to the bed. He bundles the covers around me, neither of us caring that I'm getting them a little wet, and I fall asleep.

It doesn't last as long as I'd like however.

Something clicks or creaks downstairs, and I shoot up in bed, my heartbeat panicked. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up, and I feel that same eerie, unsettling feeling of being watched.

That's impossible right now, though. The alarm is set, and Mason is there next to me, waking up thanks to me jostling the bed.

"Bridget?"

Mason's voice is scratchy with sleep, and he sits up groggily, rubbing his eyes.

"I just…I thought I heard something. I'm sorry. Umm…"

I hold his sleepy stare, part of me wanting to just forget what I'm about to ask and let it go.

But I can't.

"The alarm is set, right? I just want to be sure that?—"

"It's set, babe. I promise. Here." Mason leans over to the nightstand and snags his phone, switching from the baby monitor app to the security one. "See."

I look down and notice the green symbol of the successfully armed security system, relaxing slightly.

"Thank you. I'm…I'm sorry."

Mason pulls me into his arms, returning his phone, and I snuggle into him, needing that connection.

"It's okay. And look, I need to go into the office for one thing tomorrow, but then I'm working from home. Just keep the alarm on and the doors locked. Don't open up for anything, okay?"

I nod, trying to remind myself that Mason has work. He is trying his hardest to drop everything and be here for me. I can stand a single hour in the house alone.

"Yeah. I'll keep Mia inside, and we'll just camp out in the living room. Just…hurry back from work, yeah?"

"Of course, Bridget. I will."

He squeezes me, kissing the top of my head, and we try to get back to sleep. I'm not sure how much I'll actually get tonight, however.

Something feels off—deep in my bones—and it's like waiting for the other shoe to drop.