Chapter Six #2
“But…”
“There are things you shouldn’t question, London, especially around other people. Katia knew what would happen when she agreed to your plan. What happens next is on her.”
“But you can’t—”
Mason presses a hand to my lips, and his expression darkens. “I can, and I will. In my world, mistakes must be punished. Consequences are how we keep people in line.”
I push his finger away. “Katia is loyal to you. She would never disobey you.”
Mason gives me a pointed look.
“Not without good reason,” I stutter. “Are you going to punish me, too?”
Mason’s eyes sweep over me, his face giving nothing away. “Would you like me to?”
“I…” A flush creeps up my neck and cheeks, and anticipation courses through me. “I’m not sure, but I guess it’s only fair since I’m the reason we got run off a bridge.”
I have no idea why I’m asking when I know it’s not important.
Not with everything else going on, but I’m also aware of the fact that control is important to Mason.
He needs to have some semblance of it, and while a part of me doesn’t relish the idea, I also know it’s important to give him some leeway.
Mason shakes his head. “That isn’t your fault. I’m going to make sure whoever is responsible for this pays. We’ve already sent them a message.”
A chill races up my spine, erasing all of my earlier wanton thoughts. “How?”
“Don’t ask questions you don’t want answers to,” Mason warns. “It’s nothing for you to concern yourself with.”
I hate that he’s shutting me out, but I’m also not sure I want to know.
My eyes sweep over his face. “What about my dad?”
“What about him?”
“He needs protection. If they found me there, who knows what they’ll do next? There’s also my mom. She lives in another state, but they could find her if they wanted to.”
Mason doesn’t say anything.
“I know you’re spread thin as it is, but they’re my family,” I continue. “I can’t just leave them.”
“I don’t expect you to. As long as you don’t ask me to protect Noah.”
I frown. “Do you think they’d go after him, too? He is a part of my life—”
“Was,” Mason corrects before pushing himself up and on top of me. He pins my arms over my head and kisses my jaw. “I’d rather not discuss him while we’re in bed.”
I moan when he begins to pepper my neck with kisses. “Mason…”
He stops kissing my neck and looks at me. “I’ll see what can be done about your parents, but I draw the line at your ex.”
My stomach dips, and another surge of guilt courses through me. “Is that part of my punishment for sneaking off, or is that because you don’t like Noah?”
Mason rubs himself against me, and I whimper. “He doesn’t deserve to be protected.”
“But I…” I trail off when he presses his mouth to mine, silencing the rest of my thoughts.
His kiss is slow and sensual at first, as if we have all the time in the world.
I enjoy the feeling of his taut body pressed against mine as a fire starts in the pit of my belly.
Mason still has me pinned against the mattress when he uses one hand to stroke me over the fabric of my cotton pants.
Desire pumps through me.
His hand darts underneath the waistband of my pants, and he splays his fingers over my underwear. Then, the kiss turns hungry. Suddenly, he’s no longer asking for permission. I link my legs around his waist and nudge him closer, and his touch turns urgent and demanding.
My heart pounds in my ears as one finger darts between my wet folds.
I wrench my lips away and throw my head back in a moan.
Mason pushes another finger in, and I tug my hands against him. “I want to touch you.”
Mason presses his mouth to my ear, sending a ripple of goosebumps across my skin. “Right now, we’re doing this my way.”
I squirm again. “But—”
“Stop thinking and just enjoy yourself.”
He uses his free hand to pull the rest of my underwear down.
A draft of cold air kisses my flushed skin, and a minute later, his fingers are moving again.
Abruptly, he releases my arms, and one falls to my side while the other reaches for the nape of his neck.
Mason shifts out of reach and leans over the bed to rummage through the drawer.
I blink and make out the vague outline of a handcuff.
There’s a loud clicking sound as the cool metal closes around my wrists.
Mason secures my arms on either side of the bedpost and leans back. “This is a good look on you.”
My throat is dry as I swallow. “Is it?”
Mason nods, and his eyes move over me, leaving a trail of heat in his wake. “At my mercy. I can do whatever I want to you, London.”
My pulse skitters, and I nod. “Yes.”
Mason stands up and kicks off his pants. Then, he hooks one thumb around his boxers, revealing his proud erection. I tug against my restraints when Mason climbs back onto the bed and crawls toward me.
His smile is a flash of white in the darkness before he nudges my legs apart.
His breath is tantalizing and hot against my skin, and I lower my head to look at him as he settles between my legs.
Mason’s tongue darts out, and I arch my back, desire burning me from the inside out.
His tongue begins to dart back and forth, licking a steady path that sends waves of pleasure through me.
I squeeze my eyes shut and focus on how his mouth and fingers feel, how every inch of him is pressed against me, and how nothing else matters.
The world outside our door ceases to exist.
When a hand darts to drape over my stomach, I feel myself hurtling toward the edge.
Beads of sweat form on my back and forehead, and my breathing turns shallow.
I bite down on my bottom lip hard enough to draw blood.
Mason glances up at me, and the feral look on his face is almost enough to make me explode.
His eyes stay on me as he licks me again, and I come undone.
My entire body shakes and writhes as I ride out my high, his name a chant on my lips. Mason’s tongue continues to sweep. Abruptly, he stops, and I stare at him through hooded lashes. He props himself up on his elbows and crushes his lips against mine.
Then, he stands, and I have a moment to admire his sculpted body before he turns his back to me. He rummages through the drawer again and pulls out a silk blindfold. My heart jumps into my throat as he leans over.
“Always so eager.”
“Only for you.” My voice is hoarse with desire. “You’re the only one who can make me feel this way.”
His touch is feather light as he leans forward, the overpowering smell of him washing over me. His fingers work quickly as the blindfold falls over my eyes, and the rest of the world melts away. I tense as I tilt my head and listen for his voice.
My lips part as I feel his hands on my arms and then behind my back.
A heartbeat later, he unhooks my bra, and my breasts spill forward.
He rubs his stubble against my chest, and I try to cross my legs.
Mason growls and keeps a hand on my thighs.
Slowly, he takes one nipple in his mouth and rolls it between his teeth.
When he moves onto the other nipple, I tug on my restraints and gasp.
I need Mason to quench the fire inside of me.
My nipples are as hard as diamonds as he moves away, and I whimper. I hear his breathing deepen, and my stomach flip-flops. Mason kisses me and kicks my legs apart. He nips my lower lip and then thrusts into me in one quick move as I cry out.
“That’s it.” Mason’s voice floats around me. “I want to hear you beg for me.”
“Mason,” I plead, in between gasps of air. “I… oh, oh.”
He eases out and slams back into me. “You, what? Say it, London.”
I buck against him, my heart galloping steadily at this point. “I… yes, just like that.”
Mason’s chuckle sends another wave through me. “You like it rough, don’t you?”
He circles his hips and slides out of me.
I lift my back off the mattress and lick my lips.
Mason slams into me again, and waves of pleasure build within me.
His fingers dig into my waist as he steadily eases in and out of me.
My chest is tight as I listen to the sound of his heavy breathing and wonder how much longer I can hold out.
His fingers move to the back of my neck, and when he whips the blindfold off, my vision is blurry.
I blink, and Mason is poised over me, his skin slick with sweat.
He throws one of my legs over his shoulder and thrusts in.
My mouth forms a surprised O as he throws my other leg over his shoulders, and it feels like I’m floating.
How does he know exactly how to drive me to the edge of ecstasy and back?
Mason’s rhythm changes, turning frenzied. His breathing comes in short, quick puffs as he pounds into me. Then he lowers my legs, and I link them around his waist. I try to remember to breathe as Mason reaches over me and unlocks the handcuffs. I rake my nails down his back, and he hisses.
He laces his fingers through mine and pins my hands on either side of me.
Pressure continues to build as we buck against each other, the bed dipping and creaking with each movement.
All at once, I’m falling, gasping, and writhing with pleasure as I come undone beneath him.
A few moments later, Mason’s release comes in short, quick spurts.
He throws his head back and shouts when he’s done.
My vision swims in and out of focus. Slowly, Mason eases out of me and collapses onto the mattress next to me.
I turn to face him, and he drapes an arm around me.
I exhale as I snuggle into his side and wait for my heart to stop racing.
Mason presses a kiss to the side of my head.
I awake the next morning to a thin steam in the room and the smell of soap. I pull the sheets up as I sit up and rub the sleep from my eyes. I notice an envelope on the pillow next to me. My eyes widen as I see the amount of cash inside.
I leave the envelope on the nightstand and stand up, but Mason is nowhere to be found.
Katia is waiting outside the door when I emerge with damp hair and fresh clothes a while later.
“I want to hire protection for my dad,” I tell her. “Maybe my mom, too.”
Katia doesn’t say anything.
“Also, maybe we should look into more protection for me, so you’re not overwhelmed,” I continue. “I’m sure you have better things to do than watch me all the time.”
Katia scoffs. “I do, but you’d better get used to having me around.”
I sigh. “Okay, how about having someone else around for my peace of mind?”
Katia raises an eyebrow. “You’re smart not to trust me, Barbie.”
“You could also train me,” I add, after a brief pause. “I think it’s important that I learn how to hold my own.”
Katia bursts into laughter. “You have no idea what you’re asking for, do you?”
It’s a free pass for Katia to kick me around, and I hate that she’s enjoying this so much.
Mason handing me an envelope full of cash is his way of helping, and while it stings to realize he doesn’t want to be more involved, I know he’s got a lot on his mind.
He’s giving you the space to make decisions and trusting you to make the right ones.
First, I need to make sure my parents are safe.
And then I need to find a way to help stop the war, but I have no idea what I’m meant to bring to the table.
I spend the rest of the morning reviewing security options vetted by Mason, with Katia hovering over me and a sense of impending doom in the back of my mind.