Mason falls silent, leaving the only sound coming from my heart slamming in my chest. Tension courses through me, andI’m about to question him, when a shadow dances across my eyes, blocking the sunlight and making me quiver.
A warmth touches me and I jump, goose bumps coating my skin as Mason’s velvety voice soothes me. “Hold still.”
I freeze, my pulse spiking. I shouldn’t be letting him near me, let alone standing here blindly, at his mercy. My heart continues to pound as the seconds tick over, and I’m ready to curse him when he gently tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers brushing my cheek. My breath hitches and I swear I hear him sucking in air.
“What are you doing?” I question, trying for an accusatory tone, but the words leave my lips in a whisper.
“I told you; I’m getting ready and I’ve got something for you.” The air around me changes as he steps closer, and I can’t handle the tension anymore. My eyes flash open, finding him dressed in a bright red jacket complete with a white faux-fur trim, and I stifle a snort.
“What in the world?”
Without so much as a smile, he steps back slightly and shows me a Santa hat, lifting it to my head. “You’ll need this.”
“Again, what? I’m not wearing that.” I duck out of his way, shaking my head. “Not until you tell me what the hell is going on.” I’m not usually a grinch. I’ve just reached my limit of shitty Christmases and I can’t feel the magic anymore.
“Just put it on.”
“No.” I stand firm. “Not until—”
“Please.” The emotion in his voice makes me pause, and my lips part. “I know you’re on strike from Christmas this year—it’s been obvious since you arrived—but you love Christmas and I promise you’re going to love this.”
Something about the sincerity in his eyes has me nodding while my mind whirs.When did I tell him I loved Christmas?
Mason thanks me and steps forward again, a soft smile tugging at his lips while he positions the hat on my head. “Perfect,” he whispers, lifting my chin as he stares down at me and my breath catches. Mason’s face contorts and he backs away, only stopping when I frantically reach for him.
God knows why.
His eyes dart to mine and I’m rendered speechless by the tenderness staring back at me. I hesitate, blinking a few times, snapping myself out of it.
“Sorry.” I look away, my stomach churning uncomfortably. “Do I need anything else?” Mason’s searching my face when I glance back, his bright blue eyes reaching into my thoughts, and I feel naked in front of him. Stripped bare and more vulnerable than I was when I was physically naked.
Why does it feel like he knows me?He can’t know me. We just met. And yet…I’ve never felt more seen. Not necessarily because he can regurgitate specific details of my life, but because he genuinely listens. He takes notice. He acts like he cares.
Until he doesn’t.
A vision of his harsh, passionless eyes works its way into my mind, and I involuntarily flinch. Last night didn’t affect me. It was a meaningless kiss. Why the hell is my throat tightening right now?
Mason lifts his hand to my face again and I bow my head, dodging his intimate strike. “You’ve got three seconds to tell me what we’re doing or I’m calling an Uber.”
“It’s a toy run,” he rushes out, his genuine smile returning while my heart jolts.
“A what?”
“Every year the motorcycle clubs put on a toy run. Hundreds of bikers collect donated toys and drop them off at various trucks around the city. The toys are then given to disadvantaged children.”
My skin tingles as everything I thought I knew about Mason completely washes away. “Who the fuck are you?”
“What?” A raspy chuckle escapes him.
“How did… Never mind.” I shake my head in disbelief, a feeling of awe taking over me. This is one of those moments that’s freaking me the hell out. I donate to a children's charity every goddamn year. If anything was going to sway me to get into the Christmas spirit, this is it.
But how the hell does he know that?
I’m still working through my shock when a moving truck pulls up beside us and Mason’s friend Kai waves through the open window. “Are you ready, Jenna?”
What?My eyes bounce between Mason and Kai, my brows pinched. “Ahh—”
“Kai’s going to take you in the truck,” Mason fills me in. “I thought you might have more fun collecting the toys from the MCs as they ride past. Figured you’d get a kick out of watching tough bikers get emotional as they hand you a bag full of stuffed toys.”
