“What’s going straight to your ass, and why wasn’t I invited?” Gabe calls after Linzie. “I seem to recall you enjoying everything I do to this ass.” He wraps his arms around Linzie, giving her ass a squeeze. She slaps his chest, her cheeks a bright shade of red.
“Behave or you might find something special in your ass this evening,” she threatens. “You seemed to like it when I …” His mouth seals over hers in a quick, hard kiss. Mason erupts in laughter.
“Not you too, Pres,” Mason teases. “First Hawk, now you. How the mighty have fallen.”
Gabe flips Mason off but hasn’t stopped kissing Linzie. He lifts her by her ass, making her laugh, then turns for the hallway.
Mason laughs. My cheeks heat.
Good for her.
“I think he’s got the right idea,” Mason says against my ear. “Let’s get Kaylie and head home, baby.”
We pack up Kaylie and head back to the house with two prospects following us the entire way. When we finally made it to the house, the two prospects parked their bikes and sat on the curb talking to each other. I offered to bring them inside and feed them dinner, but Mason quickly shot that idea down.
“They’re here to watch over us for the night. It’s just a precaution,” Mason says reassuringly.
Once inside, I send Kaylie to get her stuff together for her bath while I look through the refrigerator and find us something for dinner. I find a couple of chicken breasts and place them on the counter. Then, rummaging through my cabinet, I pull out a box of fettuccine pasta and the ingredients to make Alfredo sauce.
“Sissy, I’m ready,” Kaylie calls from down the hall.
“I’ll be right there, baby. Hold on a sec.”
“Here.” Mason comes up behind me, his mouth rubbing softly against my ear. “I’ll start dinner.” His lips brush my neck in a soft kiss, making goosebumps break out all over my skin. “You go help Squirt.”
My brain short-circuits for a second, not wanting to move away, yet knowing I should. I shouldn’t be encouraging this. I should be pushing Mason away and fighting for the annulment.
This isn’t real.
It feels real.
No.
“I-I’m just going to go help Kaylie.” I pull out of his hold, scowling when I hear him laugh.
“You do that, babe.”
I turn the water on and fill the tub with bubbles and toys from the cabinet below the sink. Kaylie gets in the tub, playing with her toys and making sound effects. I get lost in my thoughts as I turn off the water and begin bathing my sister. She has bubbles up to her ears and giggles when I reach to clean under her arms.
Once I’m done, I sit on the floor beside the tub and watch her play. My thoughts drift off to the questions Linzie was asking at the clubhouse about my dream wedding. I knew what she was asking me and was shocked when Mason remembered everything I used to talk about in detail. I daydreamed about getting married and leaving Oakridge for such a long time. I always pictured Mason as my groom, but when he told me he was leaving, I put that dream and so many others away.
“Sissy, are you and Mason going to have babies?” My head snaps to the side so fast my neck pops.
“Uh, I don’t know about that, babe. We, um, Mason and I, we might not stay married forever.” The words tasted like sand in my mouth.
“Why not? He’s your Prince Charming. He always comes to rescue you and buys you pretty things. Why wouldn’t he stay with you? It’s where the prince belongs. With his princess.”
“Oh, sweet girl. If only life were as simple as your fairytales.” I close my eyes and take a deep breath. “Sometimes people do things to be helpful, but it doesn’t mean it’s permanent.” Kaylie looks at me like I have two heads, clearly confused by my explanation.
“You know what. Let’s not talk about this right now. Let’s get you out of that tub and dried off so we can eat dinner. I’m sure Mason could use a hand in the kitchen. What do you say?”
“I can help! I’m a big girl.”
“You most certainly are.”
12
MASON
