The Loner's Lady

That’s right, Lyssa. I was your first—and I’m your last.

Goddamn, there’s no describing what it felt like to ride her wet pussy. To feel her clinging to me, trusting me, encouraging me. Those broken cries of my name will echo in my mind for the rest of my life. All of my senses were attuned to hers, picking up on her changes in breathing or kicks of her pulse. We were one in the meadow and my heart never had a chance. A bond was forged between us I never could have expected but will spend my life strengthening. She will be protected, safe, happy, cared for and untouched by other men. So help me God.

If I wasn’t determined to speak to Mason, I would join her in the shower. I’d get down on my knees and lick away the soreness I caused until the spray turned cold. This conversation needs to happen now, though. Because I’m not letting Lyssa out of my fucking sight. She’s mine. I’m going to make her my wife at the earliest opportunity and for that to happen—as much as it pains me—I can’t wait much longer for Mason to tell me the truth.

A creak signals me to glance up and I find my son hovering on the top of the staircase, his gaze searching the living room below, where I reside. “Hey!” He trundles down a few more steps. “Where is Lyssa?”

“Showering.”

Tongue tucked into his cheek, Mason appears to be subduing a smile. “Oh,” he says breezily. “Must have been a real messy hike.”

His (literal) tongue-in-cheek comment confirms my earlier suspicion that Mason has been pushing me and Lyssa together on purpose. Unfortunately, that means my son thinks I’m the kind of man who’d fuck his girlfriend—and I’ve proven him correct. I let out a sigh. “Do you mind if we talk?”

He falls onto the couch, throwing his arms out along the backrest. “Sure, Dad. What’s up?”

I sit down across from him, hands clasped loosely between my knees. “Mason, I know we’re not very close. Your mother raised you and I was overseas a lot when you were young, but…I love you. No matter what. I just wanted you to know.”

“Oh shit.” His voice cracks a little and I can see the telltale redness in his eyes. I’m not a man who deals well with displays of emotion but I force myself not to look away. “Was not expecting that,” he adds with a watery laugh. “Are you telling me this because you think I’m going to get angry about you and Lyssa?”

My chin comes up. “You knew.”

“Of course I knew.” He throws up his hands. “I’ve been pretending to write an econ paper for twenty-four hours so you guys could be alone.”

“Why?”

He regards me like I’ve got a screw loose. “Seriously? You two almost spontaneously combusted the second you laid eyes on each other. I’ve never seen Lyssa glance twice at a man. When you walked out of the house, her uterus started singing opera. And you…” His voice softens. “You looked at her like she’d just dropped from the sky with a halo over her head.”

Hadn’t she? Without thinking, I glance toward the top of the stairs, starved for the sight of her. “So you purposely put me and your…girlfriend alone?”

Mason is suddenly absorbed by his fingernails. “Who am I to stand in the way of true love?”

“Mason…”

“What?”

I take a breath. “She was never your girlfriend to begin with.”

His gaze shoots to mine. “You sound pretty sure.”

“I am.”

Some of the color leaves his face. “How?”

I don’t answer. I don’t say anything, because I’ve already said too much. The rest needs to be done on his own terms. For long, tense moments, I think my son is going to shut down and end the conversation. But he surprises me by sitting up straighter and squaring his shoulders.

“Dad, I’m gay.”

Pressure ebbs from my chest. “Thank you for telling me.”

“You don’t sound surprised.” His head falls back on an incredulous laugh. “Jesus, how long have you known?”

“Mason, I’m a military trained fact finder. And I have Instagram.” I clear the crowded feeling from my throat. “I love you and I’m glad you told me.”

“Thanks.” He swipes at his eyes. “So you knew you weren’t hitting on my actual girlfriend. Does Lyssa know you never bought our act?”

“No. She never told me your secret. And I think it would make her feel a lot better if she knew you’ve been pushing us together on purpose.” My attention ticks back to the staircase. “I think she’s feeling pretty damn guilty right now.”

Mason waggles his eyebrows. “Must have been some hike.”

“I love her.” I swallow hard, but I can’t dislodge whatever is trapped in my throat. “Think I fell in love before she ever opened her mouth. I’m not going to lie to you, son, we’ve been physical, but it’s a hell of a lot more than that. She’s my girl and I aim to marry her.”