The Whole Package

Shawn walks over and shuts the door behind Mason then turns the lock.

“For privacy,” he tells me when I stare at the door knob.

“I…”

My words are cut off when he closes the distance between us. His mouth falls onto mine and it takes me by surprise. I gasp, and his tongue greedily slips into my mouth. He pulls me close against him as one hand slides into my hair and the other wraps around my hip in a possessive hold. I melt into him as I kiss him back just as greedily. The feeling of his warm, soft lips on mine and his strong body against me is overwhelming. I’m lost in the moment as our mouths make love to each other. I moan, my hands digging into his chest, wanting him as close as possible. I thought he was a big man before, but being flush against him, he feels massive. Something about that excites me. He makes me feel protected and safe, which is something I’ve never had before.

The passion that ignited white hot begins to slow as I try to catch my breath. When he pulls back we’re both breathing heavily, and he presses his cheek against mine. I can feel his lashes against my cheek and it’s so intimate it makes my heart clench.

“I didn’t plan on doing that so quickly,” he says, and his chest rumbles against me. “But I couldn’t help myself, I had to kiss you.”

I push my body closer to his, wanting to move against him. That kiss knocked me completely off kilter and I want more. He moans low and deep but takes a step back. He runs a hand down his face and blinks a few times. It’s like he’s trying to sober up after too many drinks. I know the feeling. I may not have ever been drunk, but right now I’m dizzy and I feel like the world is spinning the opposite way.

“If you keep doing that I won’t be able to control myself. And this isn’t the place for that to happen.” His voice is husky, but his words remind me where we are.

“Sorry,” I say, but I’m not really sorry at all.

“Don’t be. I’m just going to try and save it for later.” My face must be a thousand degrees by now with how hot it feels in here. “Now that that’s out of the way. I want to know what you needed to talk to me about. I’ve been worrying about it all night, babe.”

He guides me over to the desk and sits me on the edge as he takes the seat in front of me. He’s so tall that he’s about the same height in this position.

“You’ve been worried about what I wanted to talk to you about?” I ask.

“Yes, I was worried. Tell me so I can fix it. I know if it’s important to you and I can take one of your worries away, I will do whatever it takes.”

I feel a weight lift off my shoulders and something warm settles in my stomach. When was the last time someone was worried about me? When was the last time someone told me they’d make everything okay?

“It’s my sister. I need her on my insurance but…” I trail off for a moment, unsure how to say it.

“We can get her on the insurance.” He lifts my chin with his fingers so I’m looking at him. “Was that really all you were worried about?”

His eyes are so kind and the look on his face is melting every part of me. How is someone like him even real?

“I don’t have custody of her. I know it’s against the rules and—” He holds up his hand and cuts me off.

“Consider it handled. When you take her into the doctors, you have them call my number and I’ll make sure it’s all taken care of. I’ll get it worked out so you don’t have to do anything. Just send me anything you’ve got and I’ll make sure it’s done.”

I throw my arms around him and hug him close. “You don’t know what this means to me. She has to have her pills and I can’t afford them without insurance. If the state finds out my mom is gone they might take Hazel from me.” All my worries begin to spill free and I can’t stop the tears that build up and then fall. I was going to have to go to the state if I couldn’t get the insurance for Hazel. There would have been no other way. She needs her medication.

Shawn rubs my back softly. “Don’t cry, Bailey. You’re breaking my heart. I’ll fix everything.” I lean back and give him a watery smile. God, where did this sweet man come from?

“They are good tears.” He pulls me towards him and kisses my wet cheeks. “I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to thank you.”