The Price of Mason (Forbidden Men 10)

It did my heart good when she said, “Good,” as if she were genuinely pleased to have me.

I think we both knew nothing could top this moment, so we didn’t even try. We just lay there in the quiet darkness and held each other. I listened as her breathing slowed and she fell asleep in my arms. Then I finally gave into sleep myself, and the rest of the night passed without incident.

* * *

I woke to the sensation of someone watching me.

Letting out a small moan of denial, I tried to recapture my sleep, but it was too late. I was definitely unable to go back to sleep now, mainly because I already knew who was staring.

I turned my head her way and opened my eyes to smile.

“Hey, Sweet Pea,” I said, my voice full of morning dust.

Her expression bloomed into the most beautiful smile I’d ever seen. “Hey, Hotness.” Then her gaze shifted across my chest and down my torso, until the smile was replaced with something even better. The heat in her gaze made my skin crackle with desire, and when she met my gaze again, it nearly drowned me in lust.

“Can I touch you?” she asked.

Grinning, I closed my eyes and tipped my face toward the ceiling in an effort to contain my joy, because it felt too big, like I didn’t deserve to be this happy. “You don’t have to ask.” Everything on me belonged to her.

When nothing happened, I opened my eyes to find her face full of worry and hesitation.

Dread bloomed. “What’s wrong?”

She shook her head, looking dazed. “I just… I don’t know where to start.”

Oh, damn. How was it possible that I could love this girl any more than I already did?

Taking her hand, I pressed her palm flush against my heartbeat. “Start here. No one’s ever touched me here before.”

Her fingers flexed against my skin and she smiled into my eyes and she began to rub a gentle circle around the area. Then she leaned down and kissed my chest, right over my heart.

Suddenly she looked up and bit her lip before blurting, “Word.”

Totally confused, I furrowed my brow and tried to figure out what the hell that meant. “What?”

She laughed at my expression, her face brightening pink with embarrassment. “I thought you told me to just say the word when I was ready. So…word. Or should I say ‘the word’?”

Oooooh.

Oh, God.

So she wanted to…?

I sucked in a sharp breath, not really expecting this and thinking it was way too good to be true. I almost couldn’t trust such good fortune. “Reese—” I started, trying to sit up and make sure she knew exactly what she was getting herself into.

But she merely nudged me back down, her hand pressing firmly against my heart.

“It’s okay, Mason,” she said with a confidence and seriousness not even I could deny. “I love you, and I want to show you how much. I want you to have that recreational fun you’ve never had. I want to pamper and spoil you as no one ever has before. And I want to wash away all their rules and restrictions until you feel free to do whatever you like with me.”

Dammit. Emotions swamped me as I cupped her cheek in my hand and tried to show her with my eyes how much she meant to me. “God, I don’t deserve you.”

She preened happily. “And yet you have me anyway.”

And with that, she began to touch me. For real.

Her hands moved with sensual intent, and I went hard so fast it left me lightheaded.

“So, you’re about to give your first freebie, Mr. Lowe, the amazing gigolo.” She smiled at me, a teasing glint lightening her eyes just before she leaned in and used the end of her nose to caress the side of my throat. “Would you like to pause and say a little something to mark the occasion?”