31. Mason

Mason

31

"Mason." Reed's voice calling my name echoes down the Twisted Roses hallway, and I almost drop my pencil.

I can't tell if her tone is laced with fear or excitement.

"Oh my gosh, oh my gosh." She's bouncing when I step out into the hallway, and I see I'm not the only one she's startled when Sage comes barreling out of the office.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing." She smiles, running up to me and jumping into my arms.

Her legs wrap around me, and it's the most public affection she's ever initiated. A thought Sage must share as he hitches an eyebrow at me before disappearing back into the office.

"What happened?" I grip her thighs to hold her up so she doesn't fall.

Reed pulls back, giving me a quick kiss before smiling wide at me. "They filed for historical distinction this morning. It's actually happening."

Her mouth lands on mine before I can say a word about it. A kiss that might as well knock me to my knees. She wraps her entire body around me. Happiness radiates from her at a temperature warmer than the sun.

Carrying her into my room at the shop, I close the door and pin her against it.

Sage might accept that I've got something going on with his sister, but I'm not going to test his patience on the matter. He's got a whole motorcycle club at his disposal if he decides he doesn't like it.

Sinking my teeth into her lower lip, she squeals with excitement as she wiggles against me.

"You're going to get me in trouble if you keep that up." I tip my forehead to hers.

She leans her mouth to my ear. "Come upstairs, and I'll get you in all the trouble you want."

"Fuck." I claim her mouth again with the full intensity of my soul this time.

She bleeds me out and soaks me in. She takes up all the space around me with her being. My tongue twists with hers, and I'm in a black hole I'll never escape.

"You're killing me, Sticks." I pull back, and she groans as I lower her feet to the ground. "If I didn't have an appointment in fifteen minutes, I'd just fuck you right here."

"Well, that's unfortunate." She pouts, tracing her finger down the center of my chest. "Guess I'll have to celebrate all by myself then."

I catch her wrist right before she reaches my belt, and I pull her body to mine. "Celebrate all you want, under one condition."

"What's that?" She bites her lip.

"When I get home, you better be in my bed with your legs spread so I can taste just how happy your perfect little pussy is from all the festivities."

Lifting her hand up, I drag my tongue between her fingers, and her whole body shivers.

"That's not fair." Her cheeks are bright red. "I was the one who was supposed to be teasing you. And now I'm all riled up."

Planting my hand on the door behind her, I tip her face to mine. "Thought that was the point?"

She rolls her eyes and is practically wiggling. I'm tempted to cancel my appointment or push it back, but I know the second I try, her rational side will kick in, and she'll insist I don't.

"Fine." Reed slinks around me, sitting on the chair in the center of my tattoo station. "I guess I can wait then."

Her red sweater hangs off one shoulder, and it draws out her rosy cheeks.

Every part of me wants to spin her around and bend her over, but I bury the urge, lost in staring at her instead.

"So… the building." I brush my hair back, shifting my thoughts before I grab her soft thighs and bury myself between them. "They took your advice?"

"They did."

"Smart owners."

"Right?" She smiles.

There's the slightest hint of hesitation the longer we stare at each other.

Ever since my allergic reaction last week, I sense us both holding back. It's slight, barely noticeable, but since the moment I woke up the next morning and she blinked her eyes open to meet my gaze, I felt it.

Something changed. I just don't know what.

The whole night is foggy from the medicine. Between the constant burn in my throat and mouth and the haze from the meds and alcohol, I couldn't remember exactly what we talked about.

All I know is that I was in and out of sleep, and every time I opened my eyes, I saw her face clearly.

I dreamed I told her I love her, and I'm starting to wonder if it wasn't a dream at all since every bit of silence makes her cagey.

I could ask, and if she's uncomfortable, I could try to take it back. But it would be a lie.

I'm in love with Reed Jackson.

It's the first thing I've been sure of in a long time.

She's the only one who makes my heart feel anything. I'll protect her with every ounce of my being. And if she leaves me, then losing her will be like losing a part of myself.

The only part of myself that matters.

Picking up my pencil again, I try to get back to work, but I can't keep my eyes off her. She's the brightest part of my day, and when she's not here, I'm just dim.

"So, tell me about the story." I try to change the subject. "Is your boss on board with the new direction?"

"She loves it." Reed beams.

Whenever Reed talks about work, she's in her element, and it's refreshing to see that side of her coming out. Her love for her research and writing. It's the one thing that always puts a smile on her face.

"The article is going to have a David vs. Goliath vibe. A big hotel coming in and trying to run out a small business that means something to the community. Hopefully it's enough to make the Board of Supervisors pause on the permit approval so the historical designation can be granted. It won't make them money, but people get protective over history, so it might be enough."

Her excitement trails off, and her gaze drops to the ground at her final sentence.

"What are you worried about?"

"Carter's going to be pissed." She looks up at me. "He was already blowing up my email. And the moment he found out I suggested a historical designation, it got worse."

Her words put me on pause.

I know Carter hasn't given up. Between his threatening phone calls to Sage and the flowers he's been sending to the apartment, he's made it clear this isn't over. But now that I know for sure he's contacting Reed directly, my nerves are on edge.

"Does he email you a lot?"

I try to bury my irritation.

I try to quiet the demons in my head.

She nods, chewing the inside of her cheek.

"Do you respond to him?"

I'm not sure why her answer might be a knife to my chest. But even if she doesn't want to be with me at the end of this, the thought that she could go back to Carter has me wanting to take a bullet to my heart just to put me out of my misery.

"Once." She glances around me, staring at the stick figures she drew on my wall. "When Sage first got me the laptop, I checked my email to touch base with my boss, and I saw he had been sending me messages. I responded and asked him to leave me alone."

"He hasn't."

She shakes her head. "I've tried changing email addresses. Even creating new ones. I had to tell my boss what was going on eventually, and she's been understanding. But he finds me every time."

"Through your new emails?"

My grip on the counter behind me tightens as something knocks around inside my chest. Hate or rage. Whatever it is has me wishing she'd told me this sooner. His stalking is escalating, and I don't like that he's tracking her emails and devices.

"I haven't responded to him since that first time."

"That's good." I walk over to her and brush her hair off her cheek. "Let me know if you get any more, please."

"I will."

How am I going to keep her safe, while also setting her free?

The contradiction is killing me.

"Your brother and I will deal with Carter. You just try to focus on the good things, okay?"

She nods.

"Save the hotel, and don't let him ruin that for you."

The hint of a smile that crawls her cheek is beautiful. "It is pretty good, right?"

"It is." Leaning in, I kiss the top of her head. "So, celebrate, have a drink, whatever you need. This is your win, Reed. Own it."

Her smile grows now. It warms the entire room. It might heat the Earth. It's so bright.

How any man could cast a shadow over her brightness blows my mind. Her smile is a reward, and her happiness should be cherished.

Reed handed her heart to the wrong person. And maybe I'm not the right person, but I'd find a way to be right for her.

I love you.

It's on the tip of my tongue, which means I probably did admit that to her when I was hopped up on alcohol and Benadryl. The words are aching to get out, and the moment she's ready to hear them, I'll say them so often she'll roll her eyes at me every single time because it'll be too much.

I'll remind her every day what a fool Carter was and that she shouldn't have had to suffer with him for so long. I'll make the rest of her life worth it.

Did the room lose all its oxygen or is she stealing the beats from my heart one at a time?

A knock comes at the door before it swings open.

"Your appointment's here," Maxine, the new receptionist says.

She's fully tatted with bright red hair, and a perma-smile that the customers don't seem to mind.

"I'll be right there."

Maxine nods, disappearing back down the hall.

"Guess I should let you actually get some work done then." Reed slides off the chair and tries to slip away.

I catch her before she gets the chance, spinning her to face me.

"Remember what I said, Sticks." I tip her chin up. "Get that pussy nice and wet for me because I'm not sure I'm going to be able to hold back after spending the afternoon down here thinking about what you're doing. And as much as I'd hate to break you with my cock, it's a tempting proposition right now."

Reed's cheeks are bright red. It rushes down her neck, and her smile is so devious, I'd love to force her to her knees to get the party started.

"Will do, big guy." She drags her hand down my abs, all the way to my cock, squeezing it through my pants before turning to walk away.

"You're going to pay for that later."

She glances over her shoulder, winking at me. "I hope so."