36. Reed

Reed

36

Stepping into the new Twisted Roses tattoo shop, it looks nothing like I expect. The inside is demolished, and it's not even a quarter of the way put back together.

"Lovely." My eyebrows pinch when I look up at my brother.

Sage laughs. "You have to just close your eyes and imagine the finished product."

"If I close my eyes, all I'm going to do is think more about that terrible smell." I scrunch my nose. "What is that?"

"They were working on the bathroom and the sewer backed up." He drags his hand through his hair. "If it's not one thing, it's another."

"And if it's not the shop, it's the club, right?"

Sage nods.

Lyla walks over to him, wrapping her arms around his waist when he lifts his to pull her to him. "As long as I come first in all those scenarios, then he can be as busy as he needs to be."

"You know it, butterfly." He kisses the top of her head, and she smiles when his hand lands on her full belly.

The further she gets into her pregnancy, the better she's been feeling, but now that she's nearing the third trimester, she's slowing down a bit and getting tired more frequently. Still, it hasn't erased her constant glow. I've never seen my brother and sister-in-law so happy, and my heart melts for them.

"Thought I heard your beautiful voice." Mason turns a corner and walks over to me, scooping me up in his arms.

I grab the sides of his face as he kisses me before he sets me back down.

"Please tell me you weren't just working on the sewage problems my brother was talking about." I look down at his hands on my hips.

"No." He laughs. "That's Crew's problem. Echo teased him that he was probably too posh to deal with it when he said he'd throw money at the issue. So now he's refusing to back down from the challenge."

"I don't understand those two." I shake my head.

It's almost like they enjoy irritating each other, just so they can take the fight home later. At least it's playful because they both seem to enjoy it.

"No one does." Mason laughs.

"Well, I better get back to the club. Shit to take care of." Sage pulls Lyla closer.

"Dinner tomorrow night, right?" I ask.

Lyla nods. "Yes. We're going to do a whole big thing with Blaze and Candy as well."

"Perfect."

We wave goodbye as they head out, and Mason turns to face me.

"So, how was your appointment?" He tips my chin up, brushing his thumb over my cheek.

"Good. I feel like I'm finally getting comfortable so that's helping."

After everything that happened with Carter on the roof of Twisted Roses, there was a lot to explain. But just like I refused to let Mason take the fall for Gabe's sins, I convinced him not to do it for Carter either.

Carter had been emailing me and threatening me for months. He was sending suicidal messages, and his business was going bankrupt.

When all was said and done, it was easier than it should have been to convince the cops that Carter killed himself when I refused to go back with him.

Carter would probably call it poetic—even if that wasn't how he saw any of it happening.

Dealing with the logistical clean-up was nothing compared to the flood of emotions that came in waves in the weeks after. Trauma from my six years spent with Carter hit me full force. The secrets, the lies, the pain. It all flooded out at once. And it wasn't much better for Mason.

Him learning the truth about what really happened to Sienna hit him deeply, and in new ways. Especially once he realized his father had hidden the real events all along. Not only that, but he also helped Gabe and Carter cover it up so it wouldn't fall back on his business.

Mason cut all remaining ties with his family and told Steel that if his club needs any help taking his father down in the future, not to hesitate to reach out.

Now it's just Mason and me. Sitting in the eye of the storm and watching it settle around us. Carter is no longer a threat, and the world is moving on.

But it's not that simple for us.

I still wake up crying, seeing Carter fall over that ledge. Or imagining the look in Mason's eyes when Carter admitted the horrible things he did to Sienna.

There's more guilt than I can fill an ocean with, and both Mason and I are still sorting through that.

Mason urged me to go to therapy, and I told him I would as long as he went as well. We both have wounds to close and trauma to work past. Our sessions are separate, but we're healing beside each other. Supporting each other while allowing each other the space to resolve what we need to.

I'm not used to having a true partner. Someone who sees my journey as equal to his. Who values me in their life as my own individual person.

My therapist has been helping me accept love again.

Slowly we've been breaking down the walls I started building when I was young. A barrier I put up without realizing it, from growing up in the environment I did without a mother. Only to then lose my father years later to violence.

My therapist has also been helping me see my self-worth. Especially on days when I can't understand why Mason is with me. I loved the man who killed his sister, and it's hard to separate my guilt when it comes to that.

If only I'd known what Carter was up to.

If only I'd seen the truth sooner and done something more to stop him. Maybe then Sienna would still be here.

Mason swears it's not my fault, and some days I believe him.

Some days are harder than others. It's a roller coaster I'm working through.

But as I stand in Mason's arms now, months later and on a better path, I'm thankful that I have him.

"It's helping," I admit. "Thank you for supporting me through it."

"Anything for you, Sticks." Mason leans in and kisses my forehead. "You're picking ‘em all up one at a time."

"Wish it was a little quicker."

"Same." Mason nods, and the fact that he does truly understand makes me love him more.

"You ready to take off?" Mason asks. "I was just about to head out."

My stomach growls in response.

"Apparently." He laughs.

"Between turning in my article and my therapy appointment, I forgot to eat lunch."

"Sounds like we should rectify that." He wraps an arm around my shoulders and leads me to the front door.

The old shop is still around until this place is up and running, but the new location is going to be spectacular. It's in a nicer part of town, and the large windows in the front let all the light in. Plus, the stations will be wide open so they can talk to each other instead of closing themselves off.

So many walls are coming down, and it's freeing.

I smile as Mason opens the door to our apartment. "All we need is Sage to buy the last apartment on this floor, and we'll be one big happy family."

"He seems pretty happy with Lyla at the club," Mason points out.

"He does." I frown, even if I'm glad that's the case.

After Mason sold the house in Vegas, he bought an apartment in the same building Jude, Fel, Crew, and Echo live in. They had good things to say about the security, and since it's near the new shop, it worked out.

On top of that, I think Mason likes the idea of me having friends close so I have someone around if he's working late. Especially since I'm working remotely for the blog after my official move to LA.

While Carter wanted to isolate me, Mason wants me to grow in my friendships, and it's the most beautiful thing.

I'm finally home.

"Water?" Mason walks into the kitchen and fills a glass before I have a chance to answer him.

"Thanks." I take it, drinking a sip while he watches me. "What's on your mind, big guy? Still hungry."

"Nope. Not unless it's dessert."

"Dessert, huh?" I set my glass down and step closer. "What did you have in mind? Some strawberries and whipped cream?"

He laughs. "Not exactly."

Mason sweeps me up in his arms and carries me into the living room. His grip on my ass has me tightening my legs around his waist, and my heart races as he rubs my core against his hardening length.

"My kind of dessert." I grab the sides of his face and seal my lips to his.

A mess of teeth and tongues.

Desperate and needy.

The battle to get here was hard. But it was worth it so long as I can have him.

This isn't a fairytale. This is real love. The raw, ugly kind. And now that I've had it—had him—I can't spend my life without it.

Mason pauses once we're at the large windows that overlook the city, pressing my back against the glass.

Up here, it feels like I'm floating.

I've never feared heights because there's something about hovering above it all and looking down that makes me feel like I can see clearly. It's a different kind of freedom. The endless possibility of what's below.

And in Mason's arms, I'm safe.

He sets me down on my feet, and tugs at the bottom of my dress, stripping it all the way off.

"You're a fucking goddess, you know that?" He runs his hands over my curves, pausing to grab my bare ass.

"Is that so?" I reach behind me and undo my bra, tossing it to the side. "Worship me then."

"Fuck." Mason groans, dropping to his knees.

He presses my back against the cool glass, and his mouth finds my nipple. His tongue runs slow, sensual circles over one while he pinches the other.

I'm climbing so slowly, it's a tease.

As he continues to toy with my nipple, he reaches down to peel my panties to the side, dragging his fingers through me.

He drives them in and out, slowly building me up. My head rests back against the window, and he works from one nipple to the other as he ignites my core with his movements.

I'm riding his hand, desperate for the friction and barely holding back. His touch steals my control. And when he lifts one of my legs to hook it over his shoulders, I shudder. His tongue moves to my heat, and he licks my pussy like he really is worshipping me.

Circling my clit and then teasing the path down until he's slipping his tongue in with his finger. Tasting me, taking me.

There's barely enough time to grip his hair before my knees start to cave. I'm on the cliff, breeze on my face, and he's driving me straight off it.

My man, kneeling before me. Adoring me. Reveling in every little sound I make.

He curls his fingers and sets me off. I'm a rocket floating into outer space. He doesn't let up on the pressure as he rides me through every wave. He makes me feel it all, and I dig my hands in his hair to hold on.

I'm still pulsing when Mason stands up and pulls down his jeans in the front, releasing his hard cock. In one swift move, he picks me up and shoves me down on him. The full force of him impales me, stealing my breath away.

He fucks me against the window, and people could see us if they really cared to. But I don't mind. I want the world to know this is the man for me. The man who loves me with a pure heart and fucks me so good that I'm already on the verge of coming again.

"Ride my cock. Come for me." He holds my back to the window while I circle my hips.

I grind myself over him, chasing his pleasure.

"That's it." He grabs my breast, working my nipple between his fingers. "You're so pretty when you're being greedy with my cock. Fuck what's yours, Reed. Claim me."

Grabbing his shoulders, I slide up and down his thick shaft. So full, I'll never get enough of him as I seek out my pleasure.

"You're going to make me come." He groans.

Tipping my forehead to his, I plant a kiss on his lips. "Come with me."

Mason takes control, holding my hips and pounding into me. Brutal thrusts strike every nerve. He fills me. Consumes me. He kisses me and becomes my air. He becomes my heartbeat.

I shatter, squeezing him so tight, a growl vibrates his chest. And then he's spilling into me.

I'm crushed between his body and the glass, the city beneath us, and I'm still catching my breath as he slows. The urgency fades, and he drops his forehead to mine. His burning blue gaze sears into me as he watches my climax flush my face. He hands me every good feeling I've been desperate for.

And he makes himself mine, so I allow myself to be his.

"I love you." Tipping my chin up, I kiss him.

And there's nothing veiled in my words. It's my whole heart, confessing what he means to me. I love him for who he is and who we are. I accept his darkness, and he accepts mine.

From the roots up.