Chapter Three

Mason

Levi hadn't called. As Mason lay in his cold and lonely bed, he cursed himself and his big mouth. He'd known that Levi was a flight risk, but Mason had stupidly pushed him. To make matters worse, Mason hadn't caught sight of Levi for another week.

Where did the man spend his time? Mason had spotted almost every other resident of the big house where Levi lived at some point during the week. Levi was nowhere to be found.

He pounded the mattress in frustration.

Damn it! Mason was not going to give up. Not after the connection he'd shared with Levi when Mason had been talking to him as Stone. Something deep had been happening and Mason regretted ever sending that stupid message when he'd been drunk sad. Drunk sad was bad. Very very bad.

He just needed to see Levi again and Mason would figure out what to say to make everything better.

Mason jerked upright in bed at the sudden loud explosion of what had to be a hunting rifle.

"Fuck!" Mason leapt out of bed and grabbed the closest pair of pants. He yanked on whatever clothing he could before quickly getting his boots on. He barely remembered to grab his weapon from the nightstand drawer as he ran from the room.

He raced through the small cabin and out the door.

Stopping on the front deck, he peered around, trying to figure out where the sound had come from. There was no fucking hunting in protected lands! Why couldn't these assholes get that?

The silence in the forest was eerie.

The hunters would probably be long gone before Mason could catch up with them. It wasn't safe for him to wander around the forest at night. Still…Mason couldn't go back to sleep now. He needed to check on Levi. There was no way he'd be able to sleep until he saw for himself that Levi wasn't hurt or worse. He stomped down the steps in the direction that was becoming quite familiar.

He'd just take a little peek and make sure everything was okay.

As he walked under the thick canopy of the trees with the darkness pressing in from every side, Mason regretted not grabbing a flashlight. If it wasn't for his father's torture, oh training—Mason meant training sessions—Mason wasn't sure he would be able to push forward. His father had loved to drop Mason and his brother off in the middle of nowhere, telling them to make their way home on their own. For his father, it was a test to see if Mason and his twin could live up to the impossible expectations that his father held.

Using the tall oak trees as a guide, Mason was glad that he practically knew the path by memory. It wasn't like he could see shit.

Making sure to keep his footsteps quiet, Mason made his way toward the man he had to make sure was safe. His heart thumped fast as his entire body remained tight and on edge.

Mason heard the voices first.

"There is a bullet in the tree," someone said. His voice a barely there grumble.

"Adam's going to be pissed," someone else said.

"They went that way," a third voice added.

"I can follow their trail."

That! That was Levi. No way in hell was Mason letting Levi chase after anyone with a hunting rifle.

"No, not tonight. I'll take my pack," a fifth person said.

How many men were out here in the woods?

"It'll be safer and we don't know why someone would be this close to the house," the fifth person added.

Stepping around a large trunk, Mason could finally see with the help of the moonlight coming from a small opening above them. Five men stood staring at one of the trees. Mason's tree. The one he camped out at when he watched for Levi.

He hadn't made a sound. Mason knew he didn't. Years of walking on silent feet had taught him how to move without anyone being able to know he was there. That didn't stop all five men from turning toward him when Mason stepped forward.

Not one of them looked friendly.

"I heard a gunshot," he said as he raised the hand that didn't hold his weapon.

"Are you hurt?" Levi demanded as he stalked forward. When he was close enough, Levi grabbed Mason by his upper arms tight.

Mason liked this turn of events. Levi might be wary of him but there was something deeper between the two of them. "I'm fine. I came running when I heard the shot," Mason told him. Look at his man all growly and protective. Yummy!

"You ran toward the gunfire?" Levi asked. Oh, his man could scowl.

"It is sort of my job," Mason said with a smile. Not that he found this situation amusing but he did like Levi's reaction to him being there.

Levi grunted although he didn't let Mason go.

"Find anything?" Mason asked. He at least needed to investigate this incident. He was the park ranger, and they were inside the state park property.

The man he recognized as Axel nodded. "Hunter."

Mason shrugged, not sure what to believe. He didn't let on that he'd heard the men talking. Mason hadn't figured out how to tell Levi who he was. "I heard one shot?" He needed to verify.

"Same," Axel agreed. "We were out here within minutes, but they were already gone."

"You should go home," Levi told him.

Mason frowned. "There is someone walking around with a hunting rifle."

"And you could get shot!" Levi nearly shouted.

Wow, that was sexy. No, focus! "Levi—"

Levi sighed and let go of Mason. Mason instantly felt the chill in the air. He liked having Levi's warm hands on him. "Is there any sign where they went?"

"No. We got here too late," Axel lied.

Mason glanced at the tree that had become his companion. Stepping closer, he narrowed his eyes until he saw the hole about five feet up the trunk. It pissed him off. Someone was either very stupid or they were up to something. It did not escape Mason's notice that his tree had been targeted.

"Nothing I can do about it right now," Mason admitted. "I'll come back in the daytime to take pictures and do a report." He had a very bad feeling that this was about him. If he put Levi in danger… No, Mason couldn't think like that. There was no way that he would have been found. Mason had been careful. He and Jason had been working on the escape plan for years. Still, he couldn't help but worry.

"Thanks for coming, Bo," Axel said to the massive guy in black leather pants. "I want to get back to the boys. They'll be worried."

The massive man, Bo, nodded. "I'll call you." He walked away from the house. It wasn't but a moment before the darkness of the woods swallowed him up.

"Levi," Axel said as he looked toward Mason.

"I'll walk the ranger home," Levi said.

"Alright. Be careful. Gavin. Shawn."

One of the men, dark hair, stained jeans with no shirt, looked at Mason with a smirk on his face before he patted Levi's shoulder while passing them. There was a story there.

He had so many questions! Mason wasn't stupid enough to ask them but hopefully one day Mason would know these men well enough to finally get some answers.

Levi stood silently as his friends left. Which gave Mason the opportunity to eye his man up and down. Oh! How had Mason not noticed that Levi wore nothing but a pair of soft gray sweatpants? He didn't even have any shoes on.

So. Fucking. Sexy.

Even though goosebumps covered Levi's arms, he was the hottest man that Mason had ever been around. And sweet. Even when he was growly and protective, the sweetness came through. Mason wanted so bad to get Levi to trust him.

"You don't have to walk me back," Mason said. "I know the way." He wanted to spend more time with Levi but that wasn't fair. Mason knew the way back and he didn't want Levi out in the cold night for any longer than necessary.

Levi was still scowling. "It's not safe. I'll walk you back."

"But it's safe for you?" Mason challenged. He wasn't supposed to know that Levi was paranormal after all. Plus, there was someone or more than one person out with a gun. Mason didn't know of any paranormal who could withstand a bullet wound.

"I…" Levi faltered for a moment. "Have lived here for years. I know my way around."

"I've been hiking this area every day for weeks," Mason confessed. "I'm not exactly a novice."

"Come on." Levi brushed past him. His voice held no room for further argument.

Damm it! He liked it when Levi had been all concerned Daddy and worried about Mason, but it made him hot when Levi was demanding. Turning, he followed behind Levi, smiling as Levi slowed down, giving Mason a chance to catch up. It was still dark as shit out there.

"I haven't seen you around lately," he said to start a conversation.

Levi side-eyed him. "Were you looking?"

If only Levi knew. Mason shrugged. "I did plainly tell you that I was interested in you. I even asked you on a date!"

"No," Levi corrected. "You said we should go on a date. You didn't ask."

Same thing. Mason sighed. "You're just being difficult."

He didn't miss when the corners of Levi's lips went up for a quick second. It appeared Levi wasn't as closed off as he projected. That gave Mason's little heart some hope.

"So where do you want to go?" Mason asked. "Dinner of course. We could go to the diner again but that's not very romantic. There's that fancy restaurant, Crimson, that I can try to get reservations to." Mason hadn't eaten there yet but he'd heard all good things about the place.

Levi shook his head. "One of my housemates owns that restaurant. I don't need reservations."

"Perfect!" Mason beamed at him.

"I didn't say I would take you," Levi pointed out.

Mason waved that away. They were totally going on a date. This was like foreplay or something. "I have faith in you. Besides, I know you want to." Mason danced beside Levi, which he hoped Levi would find cute. Mason could absolutely do cute!

That was until he tripped over a root and nearly fell face forward.

Levi moved so fast that Mason missed it. He did not miss the feeling of being held in strong naked arms and against a wide muscular chest. Mason might have nuzzled said chest.

"My hero!" Mason exclaimed.

Levi snorted before helping Mason stand on his own two feet.

"I think you should hold on to me," Mason held out a hand. "I don't want to fall and hurt myself after all."

"Really?" Levi's narrowed eyes showed he knew that Mason was messing with him.

"I could fall down and get a boo-boo," Mason pointed out. Of course, then he could insist that Levi kissed said boo-boo. And more! Oh, the possibilities.

He was shocked when Levi laced their fingers together. That had actually worked. Oh yes, Daddy! Levi was totally a Daddy.

"You're a menace," Levi muttered.

Mason cackled. "I have no idea what you"re talking about." It was freeing to be able to joke and tease around with Levi. Usually, his hookups happened so fast that Mason got a few pickup lines in before they were hitting the sheets. It had been like this when he'd chatted with Levi as Stone as well. They'd been able to play around, and Mason had been so happy. He'd looked forward to their conversations.

There was no excuse for what Mason had done to Levi. He had wanted to meet the man, but he'd known Levi wasn't ready. Mason felt like absolute shit for pushing and then getting mad. Alcohol or not, Mason was an asshole.

He wanted to say something about the message, but he also didn't want to send Levi running off again. They were getting along so well. Maybe Mason should just ignore the elephant in the room for now. He'd been practicing what to say for over a week now and he still didn't know the words that would make everything right.

"Should I pick you up?" Mason said to get them back on track. The date. He wanted that date. "I would suggest that you pick me up but then I also think that might never happen. Same problem with meeting you at the restaurant. You could just not show up and there I would be all dressed up by my lonesome."

Levi growled. "I would never do that to anyone."

"Of course you wouldn't, Boo Bear," Mason assured. "You are a true gentleman. I just know it."

"You don't know anything about me," Levi corrected. He urged Mason over a dip in the ground.

Mason barely bit back the words that he knew more about Levi than Levi thought. "I think I do."

Levi didn't respond. Did he think about all those late-night conversations they'd had on the dating app? There hadn't been many heavy topics broached but they had shared about their lives. Or at least Mason was pretty sure that everything Levi had told him was true.

His cabin came into view and Mason wanted to pout. It was too soon! Wait! "How'd you know where I lived?"

Levi walked him all the way to the steps leading up to the porch. Such a gentleman.

Levi turned to him. "You told me. This is the only ranger station on this side of the state park. Plus, we knew someone had moved in."

That made sense. It also saddened Mason that Levi hadn't been as obsessed as he was and hadn't sought Mason out. "Oh."

"You should get inside," Levi told him. "It's too cold out here for you."

Mason lifted a brow. Levi seemed cold. Goosebumps covered his wonderfully delicious body. Damn, Mason wanted to trace all those tattoos with his tongue. "You could come inside and warm up," he offered. Mason had a nice warm bed for Levi.

Levi's eyes widened before releasing Mason's hand.

Aww! Sad!

"That is not a good idea," Levi said.

It was a wonderful idea. Mason walked up two steps before he turned to Levi, putting them on even eye level. "Levi."

Levi's gaze was darting around as if looking for an escape.

"Levi," Mason repeated.

Finally, those intense gray eyes met his.

Mason swallowed hard. "I'm sorry." He realized that he hadn't said those words. Not to Levi who deserved him.

"Sorry for what?" Levi questioned. He wiped his palms against the legs of his sweatpants. Was he nervous? Mason was.

Here it went. "I'm sorry for the last message I sent you."

Levi shook his head as he took another step back.

"Please," Mason begged. "Please let me say this."

Levi appeared torn. Halfway between running from Mason and the other half coming toward him. "Okay." Levi stopped backing away.

"I am so fucking sorry for that message." Mason forced himself to meet Levi's eyes. "It's no excuse but I had a very bad day. I was drunk and lonely. I was an asshole and I hope that you forgive me someday. Give me another chance."

Levi took several steps closer.

Progress.

"You didn't mean it?" Levi asked quietly.

"No!" Mason gripped Levi's shoulders. "I didn't mean it. When I woke up the next morning the first thing I did was open that stupid app. I was hoping for a message from you. Instead, I saw what I wrote. I was devastated!" Please, he needed Levi to understand. "I tried to find your profile again. I even set up a different account in case you just blocked me. I couldn't find your profile and I'd lost the only connection I had to you."

Levi nodded. "I deleted the app."

"I figured." Mason tightened his grip. "I knew I fucked up and I am so sorry."

Levi's gaze ran over his face.

Did Levi believe him? Mason had never been so honest before.

"You didn't want me to stop messaging you?" Levi asked.

"I didn't," Mason confirmed. "I really didn't."

Incredibly Levi smiled at him. Not the shy smile that Mason had seen a few times but a real, bright, happy smile. It changed Levi. It made him appear so open and inviting.

Mason leaned forward.

Levi's gaze dropped to his mouth.

"I missed you," he whispered before pressing his lips against Levi's.

Levi's entire body jerked but he didn't pull away. Mason pressed in harder swiping his tongue over Levi's lower lip.

Levi sighed but he kissed Mason back.

The kiss was tentative. A bare press of their lips. When Mason licked at the seam of Levi's lips again, Levi opened his mouth, allowing Mason access. With his fingers digging into Levi's shoulders for balance, Mason let himself sway closer.

Levi brushed his tongue and Mason moaned while chasing it. Levi wrapped his arms around Mason before pulling him closer. Right against that hard body. The gentle kiss changed in an instant. No longer holding back, Levi took control.

Holy fuck!

Levi kissed Mason like a man desperate and on the edge. He fucked into Mason's mouth and there was nothing Mason could do except hold on tight. It wasn't just his lips that moved. No, Levi kissed with his whole body. Hands moving, fingers drifting, and body swaying.

Mason was going to come! He was forced to pull back eventually but he wasn't too steady. His knees shook as he panted. Breathing was a thing he had to do!

"Come inside," he begged. He really, really, wanted Levi in his bed. And after that kiss…Levi would never leave it again.

Instantly he knew that he had said the wrong thing. Levi slowly blinked back into awareness before letting go of Mason and stepping away. Yeah, that had totally been the wrong thing to say.

Levi dropped his eyes, his shoulders rolling forward, while tucking in his chin.

Fuck! Mason walked down the steps before cupping Levi's face. "It's okay. You don't have to."

"I will if it's what you want," Levi said softly.

But it wasn't what Levi wanted. Or needed.

Popping up to his tiptoes, Mason pecked a kiss to Levi's mouth. "It's okay. Maybe next time."

Levi hugged him tight. "I don't want you to think I don't want—"

"I know," Mason soothed. He could feel how much Levi did want. "I'm not mad."

"If there is someone else—"

"No," Mason assured him quickly. He gripped Levi's chin, forcing those gray eyes to look at him. "I won't lie and say I've been a saint. I might have a reputation or something." Mason didn't know what Levi might have heard about him in town. "I like to fuck. I'm not ashamed about that. I'm not going to hide my past from you."

Levi nodded.

"But there's been no one else since you opened that door nearly naked and I couldn't get you off my mind."

"Before when we were chatting—"

Yeah. Fuck. "I was fucking other men."

Levi flinched.

"I'm sorry. You might decide you don't want me because of this but at least I'll know I was honest." Honest about this one thing. Mason didn't want any more secrets between them. "I was seeing other people from the app. After you disappeared, I had a week or two where I just about took anyone home that asked."

"Okay."

"I don't cheat," Mason said firmly. "I was single and might have tried to hide my loneliness with strangers. I always use condoms. I've always played safely."

"I'm not judging you," Levi told him. "I need clarification. I can't…I don't want to share you."

"I won't share you," Mason retorted right back. He needed that known. For there not to be any mistake. They hadn't even gone on one date, but Mason was obsessed with making Levi his and having the bigger man claim him.

"There is no one else," Levi promised.

"I'll hold you to that," Mason said. He kissed Levi again. Levi shivered and Mason was pretty sure it wasn't from his kiss but the cold instead. "Now head home so you don't freeze."

Levi smiled and this time it was him that leaned to kiss Mason. It wasn't a brief kiss either. Levi kissed Mason like the man was starving for him. Mason would not complain about that. Wow, Levi and kissing… Just wow. After Levi pulled away, Mason's lips still tingled.

"You'd better call me," Mason said. "And text me. A lot. I miss our chats."

"Okay." Levi backed up slowly.

Mason watched until he couldn't see Levi any longer and then another five minutes before he was shivering and headed inside the cabin. Mason went directly to his bedroom where he'd left his phone.

He removed the cell phone from the charger before pulling up the message thread with his brother.

‘I need to talk to you.'

‘It's important.'

‘I have a bad feeling.'

Jason would call as soon as he got Mason's message and until then Mason needed to figure things out on his own. While he'd been looking for somewhere to settle down and wanted to live a quiet life, Jason had hit the road on a motorcycle with only what he could stow away. They might be twins but the two of them were so different.

Mason missed his brother but more than that, he wished Jason was there to help him figure things out.

Not only had Mason stumbled upon a man, a paranormal, that lit his entire body on fire but now something hinky was happening around him.

Mason needed help.