"Three hours?" I raise an eyebrow. "That's ambitious."
"You haven't seen ambitious yet." He grabs my wrist, stilling my movements. "But seriously, we need to stop. Need to get you to Sarah’s."
I pout but let go of his cock. He's right. As much as I want to stay in this shower with him forever, the real world is waiting. Responsibilities. Jobs. A daughter who needs stability more than I need another orgasm.
Though honestly, the way my body feels right now—thoroughly fucked, marked by his cum, muscles loose and satisfied, I don't think I could handle another round anyway. I'm deliciously sore in all the best ways.
Mason turns off the water and grabs towels from the cabinet. He wraps one around me first, drying me off with the same care he showed while washing me. Then he dries himself quickly, efficiently, like a man used to military routines and ranch schedules.
"I don't have any clean clothes here," I realize suddenly. "Everything's back at Wade's cottage."
"I've got a spare shirt you can wear." He's already heading into his bedroom, returning with a flannel that's going to be huge on me. "And we'll grab your stuff before going to Sarah's."
The flannel swallows me when I put it on. It hangs to mid-thigh, the sleeves going past my hands. I probably look ridiculous, but Mason's eyes heat when he sees me.
"Fuck, you look good in my clothes," he growls.
"I look like a child playing dress-up."
"You look like mine." He pulls me close, his hands sliding under the flannel to grip my bare ass. "Like you're wearing my claim. And I fucking love it."
His possessiveness should probably concern me. We've known each other less than twenty-four hours. This is moving way too fast. But instead of fear, I feel... safe. Wanted. Like maybe for the first time in my life, I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.
"We really need to go," I say reluctantly, even as I press closer to him.
"Yeah." But he doesn't move. Just holds me, his chin resting on top of my head. "But for the record? This isn't a one-time thing, Lily. What just happened in that shower? That's the beginning. Not the end."
"Good," I whisper. "Because I don't think I could handle it being just once."
He kisses the top of my head. "Then it's settled. You're mine. I'm yours. We figure the rest out as we go."
"Just like that?"
"Just like that." He pulls back to look at me. "Life's too short for slow. I learned that in the military. You find something worth fighting for, you hold on tight and don't let go."
"And I'm worth fighting for?"
"You and Rosie both." His eyes are serious. "I know it's fast. Know we barely know each other. But I also know what I feel when I look at you. And I'm not walking away from that. Not unless you tell me to."
I should be scared. Should be putting up walls and protecting myself. But instead, I find myself nodding.
"Okay," I say. "Okay. Let's see where this goes."
His smile is brilliant. "Best decision you've made all day. Well, second best. First was getting on your knees for me in the bathroom."
I swat his chest, laughing. "You're impossible."
"And you love it." He grabs his own clothes. Jeans and a clean henley, and gets dressed quickly. "Come on. Let's get you that job so you can stop worrying about money and start focusing on what really matters."
"What really matters?"
He pulls me close one more time, his lips brushing mine. "Us. This. Building something real instead of just surviving."
And god help me, I believe him.
Chapter 12 - Mason
I believe it. Us. This. Building something real instead of just surviving. I've never said anything like that to a woman before. Never wanted to. But with Lily, it feels right. Feels necessary. Like if I don't claim her now, tell her exactly what I want, she might slip away thinking this was just a one-time thing.
