One of them for sure.
My father.
SERENITY
I jolted awake, a deep apprehension and sadness assaulting me. I turned on my side as Mason slowly put his feet over the edge of the bed and hung his head in his hands, his angel-like hair falling down his muscular back.
I wanted to make it better.
Had to.
“Mason.” I touched his shoulder.
His hand connected with mine; he squeezed so tight my fingers went white before I scooted closer to him and pressed my breasts up against his back. “Fifteen more minutes.”
“Fifteen more minutes will nae change it.”
“No,” I said softly, “but it might take some of your stress away.”
He was wound up so tense I wasn’t even sure a practiced masseuse could get the knots out. I slowly kneaded his back and then wrapped my body around his, straddling his naked lap with extreme purpose as he lifted his parted lips to mine. “You mean to seduce me?”
I moved against him then whispered, “I think I already did.”
He cupped my ass and positioned himself at my entrance. “You sure about that?”
I looked down. “Yeah, Mason, I’m pretty sure.”
He growled in response as he thrust into me. Had he not been hanging onto my body I would have fallen backward off the bed and cracked my head. With each drive, I felt his
stress lighten, so much that, when his body strained taut, I said with a firm voice, “Give it to me.”
He hesitated, his eyes unfocused.
“Or at least share it with your mate, Mason. Let me help.”
“It’s my cross to bear.”
“Now…” I took control, slowing his rhythm down as I pressed a kiss to his mouth. “…it’s ours.”
“Aye.”
I didn’t comment on the sudden Scottish brogue or the fact that he didn’t seem to recognize the fact that he was under so much stress that he’d reverted back to what was natural.
“Ours,” I repeated.
“Forever.” His gravelly promise against my tongue.
MASON
She fell asleep across my chest, this strange, beautiful creature that I knew I didn’t deserve, that I hadn’t even wanted, but would die to keep, to protect.
My gut clenched as my heart sank.
What if?
That’s all I had.
What if?