Nina seems to have pulled herself together once I slide into the Audi. I look to Vinny in the rearview mirror, and he gives me a warm smile that tells me she’s okay.
“Come here,” I whisper, pulling her onto my lap and breathing her in.
* * *
Nina
Words aren’t neededon the elevator ride up to the penthouse. Mason’s hold on me seems to soothe the adrenaline that invades me as much as my embrace diminishes his stress.
‘I only ask to know that you are safe.’
Guilt eats at me for not calling him sooner.
“I need a shower,” I tell him, not releasing him.
I don’t want to let him go.
As if he understands, he takes my hand and leads me up the stairs. He pulls me into his en suite, leaning in to turn on the spray as I sit on the edge of the bath.
“It’s late, baby. Let’s get you showered and in bed. Do you feel okay, still?”
I nod and stand, my body aching as I go to lift my top, but he’s already there. He pulls my T-shirt up over my arms, then removes my bra.
Leaning forward, he kisses my forehead, pausing with his lips there. “I was so fucking scared. Petrified that something had happened. I thought the worst and then Scarlet called and for the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel in control.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Shh,” he murmurs against my head. “It’s not your fault.”
He reaches between us, unbuttoning my jeans and shimmying them down my legs as his lips find my neck. He moves down my body, nipping at my breasts and stomach as he lowers to his knees.
His fingers hook into my lace underwear, and I frown as his eyes widen.
“Nina, you’re fucking bleeding!”
He kneels, staring at my centre, and I step back, looking down at myself. I have a small patch of blood on my underwear.
“Oh my god! Get out!” I panic, using my hands to cover myself.
“I will call an ambulance.” He stands and runs out of the bathroom.
“What? No, wait, Mase! It’s just my period.”
“What?” He comes back into the room with his face screwed up.
“I’m fine. It’s just my—”
“I heard you the first time.” He grasps the back of his neck, squeezing his eyes closed. I stand watching him, not wanting to laugh but unable to control it.
“It’s not fucking funny, woman.”
“Imagine if you called an ambulance.” I snort. “‘Excuse me can I get an ambulance my girlfriend got her period’.”
His hands find his hips, his lip tipping up on one side, and it only makes me laugh harder.
Reaching up, he grasps his T-shirt behind the neck and pulls it over his head, rendering me stupid as his solid muscles ripple with the move.
Mother nature, you are a bitch.
