CHAPTER 14
Harper’s hands tightenedon Mason’s shirt as she raised herself on tiptoe to get closer. What in the world was happening? She hadn’t meant to get quite so close to him when he came out of the bedroom, but he’d looked so defeated. All she’d wanted to do was offer a little comfort, but somehow she must have pushed a little too far and the tension between the two of them finally snapped. Only instead of shoving them apart, it pulled them together.
By the lips.
Harper wasn’t even close to being sorry about it. Excitement and pleasure rushed through her veins as Mason’s arms held her close. She felt cherished...adored...beautiful...everything those romance novels she read said she would feel. No other man had ever managed to reach quite so deep before and she and Mason weren’t even dating!
We aren’t dating!
The words ricocheted through Harper’s mind until she finally pulled back with a gasp. They weren’t dating. She was supposed to be pursuing her career. She’d been helping him with Layla. Harper’s knees were shaking as she stepped back, trying to breathe some sense into her brain, but it kept screaming for her to go back, to kiss him again.
If she’d harbored any hopes of leaving this mess with her heart somewhat intact, they’d just been shattered in a matter of moments.
“I’m sorry,” Mason said gruffly. He pushed his hands through his hair. “It’s just...” He waved toward her, but didn’t speak. “I...” Groaning, he closed his eyes and shook his head. “I’m sorry. I’ve been wanting to do that for so long...”
Harper held up her hand to stop his ramblings, her brain latching onto his words. He wanted to do... She didn’t bother asking him to clarify. Stepping forward, she grabbed the front of his flannel shirt and jerked, bringing his mouth back to hers.
Mason groaned and his arms banded around her, picking right up where they’d left off, as if that moment of panic had never happened.
Harper had no idea how long they stood in the hallway, so tightly wrapped in each other’s arms that she was positive someone watching wouldn’t be able to tell one person from another, but when they finally came up for air...it still wasn’t enough.
Mason brought his forehead to hers, closing his eyes and breathing heavily. “I don’t know why you did that, but a mere thanks definitely isn’t enough.”
Harper laughed, shaking her head and breaking their touch. “I can’t say I’ve ever been thanked for kissing someone before.”
Mason’s arms wrapped around her waist again. “Just because every other guy you’ve dated has been an idiot, doesn’t mean I’ll follow in their footsteps.” He lowered his head and left yet another lingering kiss.
Harper practically whimpered when he pulled away. All the heartache, all the self control, all the longing from afar for a life she could never have...none of it prepared her for what she was really missing. How had she ever thought she could continue to resist him?
Yes, she still needed to finish that painting, but she could do it. Even if it meant losing hours of sleep, this moment right here would make it all worth it. She’d never felt so alive. As if she could simply float away from happiness. This was a feeling worth fighting for.
“I should probably let you get home,” Mason whispered as he nuzzled her neck. “But now that I know what it’s like to hold you, I’m not sure how to let go.”
“Oh my gosh,” Harper breathed. “If you keep talking like that, I won’t be able to leave.”
“Then don’t.”
The words hung in the air between them. Could she? She had come this morning planning to assuage her crush by spending a few hours with them on the pretense of helping. But she had planned to do work this afternoon. Her painting was waiting and she had a couple of emails she wanted to send. Could she throw away yet another afternoon just to have more time in his company?
There’s only so much naptime.
Once again, the rational part of her brain came to the rescue. “Okay.”
Mason’s smile was enough to make every worry pop like a fragile bubble. The woman that followed him to the family room, snuggled into his side and sighed in contentment was not the same woman who had bargained with her mother for more time, for a chance to win a competition in California.
Mason’s arm lay around her shoulders, holding her close, and when he turned on the television, Harper didn’t even care what they were watching. She just wanted to be close to him. Wanted to enjoy the woodsy smell in her nose and the strength of his chest against her cheek. Her fingers drew patterns on his shirt as her mind reveled in the all the new sensations swirling throughout her body.
“Mason?”
“Hm?” By the lazy sound of his answer, he was just as content as she was.
“What did you mean when you said you’d wanted to do that for a long time?”
Mason stilled, then shifted a little. He chuckled and Harper raised herself up so she could see him. Mason gave her a sheepish grin. “I, uh...might have had a crush on you for a while now.”
Harper’s jaw dropped. “Are you kidding? I thought it was all in my head!”
Mason tickled his fingers along her cheekbone. “Nope. That pull between us...it was as real as the baby sleeping in the other room.”
Harper pushed a little more until she sat completely upright. “Then why didn’t you say anything? I mean, there were a couple of times I thought...maybe...but then you’d throw out the ‘friend’ word and I’d smack myself for being too eager.”
Mason let his head fall back, groaning. “I haven’t been in a good place.” He came back down, his golden eyes begging her to understand. “Long before I became interested in you, I told myself I wouldn’t get involved with anyone until I had found my sister. I’ve been looking for three years. My money, my extra time and all my energy have all been spent on her behalf.” He took one of her hands, threading their fingers.
Harper couldn’t deny the way his touch made her feel. Her heart sped up and she felt a surge of sympathy for what he must have been going through. It made her own life decisions look so selfish.
“I didn’t want to date someone and have her play second place to Aimee.” Mason jerked his chin toward the bedroom. “And when I came home from her funeral, I had the same excuse, but a different reason.”
“And now?”
He gave her a soft smile. “And now I’m seeing that I was an idiot.” He leaned forward, stealing another kiss that Harper was too happy to give. “I can’t promise you date nights or long texting threads into the night,” he whispered against her mouth. “In fact, my time is probably even more taken than it was when I was searching for my sister.” He kissed her again. “But I can promise that what time I do have...is yours...if you want it.”
Harper wrapped her arms around his neck, letting him pull her forward until she was half laying on his chest. “I want it,” she said, letting her fingers play with his hair. “I’ve wanted it for so long.”
“Then take it, baby,” he said with a grin, coming closer until their lips were all but touching. “It’s yours.”
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