CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Mason
Jenna blinks a few times, and my pulse races. I’m joking around, showing her I’m cool, calm, and collected. Only the truth is, I’ve been on edge since I got back from my walk yesterday. All because of the beautiful siren in front of me.
I’m enamoured by her. Taken. Under her spell. But more than that, I can’t stand the idea of letting her go.
Because I never thought I would have her.
For years, I’ve been obsessing over a stranger on a page, all while existing for other people, playing my part, living the life I was asked to live. That shifted the second Jenna appeared on my doorstep, and when I realised she’d gone again, my life as I knew it blew up in smoke.
Staying behind was never an option.
I had to chase after her. We barely knew each other, but it felt like my world had gone dark and I’d do anything I could to bring back the light. The light currently staring up at me with doe eyes, her lips parted as she sucks in a breath, a very un-Jenna-like expression gracing her face.
I affect her.
Like nobody before me has managed to do.
And fuck, that’s a good feeling.
“Dare I ask…are you speechless?” I bite back a smirk. “Because if you are, I’m kind of feeling good about myself and—”
“Shut up and kiss me again.”
She doesn’t give me a chance before a smile brightens her eyes, and she pulls me on top of her, pressing her lips to mine, her fingers curled into the material of my tee.
We’re a mess of rushed undressing and wandering hands, as a desperate energy pulses through the air. But the second she’s naked beneath me, her glorious body flushed with desire, I pause, savouring the moment, needing to take my time.
“Thank you for coming to Australia, Jenna. But more than that, thank you for being unapologetically you.”
I’ve never been a missionary kind of guy.
However, in this moment, I can see the appeal.
There’s something to be said about rocking into the woman you’re falling for, her legs curled around your hips as she gasps your name, staring up at you with more emotion than you’ve ever allowed yourself to feel.
Doing exactly that, I sheath myself and wrap Jenna’s legs around me, watching her in awe as I brush my cock lightly against her entrance, eliciting a soft mewl.
“I hope you’re happy with slowing things down, because I have never wanted to fuck anyone the way I want to right now. But it’s going to be different and it’s going to involve feelings.”
Her eyes widen before she schools her features, preparing to sass me, most likely trying to avoid the emotions threatening to overwhelm us both. “I’m not sure I—”
“It’s happening. And you’re going to love it.” I hope.
Without waiting for a reply, I sink into her, lowering my body until she’s moaning my name, filling her pussy as her walls suck me in.
“Fuuuck.” I grit my teeth, suffering from the emotion overload Jenna was worried about. “I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to how incredible you feel. How perfectly mine.”
“God, Mase.” Jenna bucks into me and it’s only then that I start to move, my rhythm slow, purposeful, savouring as planned.
For a few heart-clenching moments, Jenna avoids my gaze, but when our eyes lock, everything she feels is staring back at me. It’s raw and maybe a little uncertain, but the emotion is so deep and unrestrained that I know she’s here with me. In the moment.
This is the real deal.
Pressing my lips to hers, I capture her warmth, kissing a path down her neck, my hand roaming from her hip to her chest, squeezing her breasts as I groan against her skin.
Her nipples firm under my touch and I rock into her, increasing my speed, thankful when she meets my fervour. She cries out, her chest heaving, her body lifting to meet mine, and as my heart pounds against her—for her—a thought hits me.
This is it. It has to be. Because I can’t imagine ever feeling this way again.
Jenna whimpers, and I smile into her neck.
While she’s not there yet—and her feelings may not be as deep—it’s obvious she’s close, and I’d wait a lifetime if I had to.
But I’m hopeful it’s not that long.
I’m once again painted with a giddy smile on my face.
I can’t seem to shake it. I could be delirious from the lack of sleep since I have no idea what time it is in Australia right now, or what day for that matter.
But I know it’s not that. I’m lying in bed, Jenna’s tucked under my arm, and I’m gliding my fingers over her naked skin.
What’s not to be happy about?
“You’re freaking me out,” Jenna grumbles against my chest.
“Why?” I chuckle, refusing to let anything ruin my buzz.
“You’re supposed to be my gruff, cranky Australian hunk of man, but you’re giving me golden retriever vibes.”
“Get used to it.” I shrug, owning the change in personality. “I don’t have anything to be cranky about.”
“What about gruff? Can you stay gruff?”
Without a response, I flip Jenna onto her back and hover above her, lowering my voice to rasp in her ear. “I can be whoever you want me to be, Jenna. Only I refuse to pretend I’m not happy.”
She swallows as I pull back, and I’m proud to note I’ve affected her again.
“This is real. And it’s happening. You and me.
Some days I’ll be grumpy, because that’s who I am, but other days, I’ll want to sing your praises from the rooftops.
My happiness has taken a back seat for too long. I’m going to enjoy it.”
Her face lights with a breathtaking smile, but she schools her features and fakes a frown. “Lucky I didn’t say no. What would you have done? Turned around and gone home?”
“Hell, no. I had a plan B.”
“Oh, yeah?” She sits up in all her naked glory, her curiosity piqued, and I marvel at the serenity gracing her features.
“Don’t get too excited. I’m saving it for our first fight.” I bop her on the nose, and she gasps, her brows pinched in mock annoyance.
“Are you already planning on fucking up? Does that mean something is coming?”
“No.” My stomach sinks, my expression turning serious. Kneeling on the bed, I offer her my hand, waiting for her to take it before pulling her up next to me. “I’m not going to lie to you again, Jenna.” My fingertips brush across her cheek as I tuck her hair behind her ear. “That I can promise you.”
“Then why are you holding back?” She smirks, holding her stare until I relent, kissing her nose as I step off the bed.
“Fine. But I’ll have to get my bag.” I raise a brow in challenge, hoping she’ll tell me it can wait. Only she doesn’t budge, her stubborn nature willing to ride this out. “I guess I’ll be back then.”
Jenna watches quietly as I throw on my shorts and tee, calling out when I’ve reached her door. “Thank you." She giggles. "I like both versions of you. Any and all versions in fact.”
“Good to hear.” I chuckle without turning around, trying to ignore the way my heart reacts to her every word. “See you in a sec.”
I’m only gone about five minutes and when I return, Jenna’s half dressed in an oversized shirt and a lacy black G-string, making me almost forget what I’m doing.
Not that she’ll let me.
With her arms folded over her chest, she raises a brow and smirks. “I’m waiting.”
“And you’re doing it beautifully.”
Blood rushes in my ears as I riffle through my bag until my fingers brush over the hard case of my harmonica. Then, with as straight a face as I can muster, I spin to face Jenna again, holding out my hand like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
Her eyes widen as they dart from my face to the instrument in my palm. “I thought you played guitar?”
“I do. And piano. And drums and…”
“Harmonica?”
“We’ll see.” I cringe subtly because I have no idea how this is going to go. I haven’t played anything since my parents died. But I want to. For Jenna.
“We’ll see?” she questions, rightfully so, because who the fuck tries to woo a girl with an instrument they’ve never played before?
“This was my grandfather's.” I wave the harmonica around, huffing out a half laugh. “I never learned to play. But I taught myself two songs in the lounge while waiting for my flight.”
“You taught yourself?” She gapes, studying my face for a beat, likely waiting for me to laugh. Only I’m not joking.
“I did. So…apologies if it sounds awful. I haven’t actually played it out loud.”
My chest tightens with uncertainty, and I chuckle to hide it, shaking my head. After a deep breath, I raise the harmonica to my mouth.
Glancing away, I blow a few times, testing the sound, wincing when it’s too high or off-key, taking a few beats until I relax into it.
Music used to be my life. I wanted to make waves.
Travel the world. And I lost that for a while.
Until now. I can do this. It’s not going to be anything life-changing, but if it makes her smile, it’s worth the pain.
Closing my eyes, the notes flow naturally for “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” the bittersweet melody filling the room, the wistful sounds seeping into my bones.
My heart races as I pour my soul into the music, my brows drawn, my body so tense that I’m aching.
I don’t move. I can’t. It’s been too long since I allowed music to fuel me, and it’s impossible to stop.
Jenna’s quiet as I play, but I feel her energy radiating around me, feel her eyes locked on my face, and it lights me up inside.
The final note permeates the air and I pause, catching Jenna’s eyes on my lips, her awed smile making my chest tight.
“Wow. That was…” She trails off, her wavering voice matching the emotion in her eyes.
“A Christmas song?” I finish for her, though I’m certain that’s not what she was going to say. “The plan was that I’d play it and you’d understand the deeper meaning.”
“That I need to remember the magic of Christmas?” A smile softens her lips.
“No. That I’m here to bring the magic back. That you won’t have to spend Christmas alone anymore. That you’ll always have me. If that’s what you want.”
Jenna’s smile drops and she sucks in a breath, a glint of wonder in her misty eyes. “I want that. It sounds perfect. What was the other song?” she asks, subtly wiping her eyes.
“Ah.” A light chuckle escapes me as I scratch the back of my neck. “‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’ by Guns N’—”
“Bullshit. There’s no way you taught yourself that song.”
“I never said I was good.”
“You never said you weren’t either. Are you some kind of musical genius?” Jenna appears awestruck but I shake it all off.
“Nah.” I run a hand through my hair. “I was a songwriter, both music and lyrics, but I gave it up after my parents…” I trail off, glancing away, until Jenna forces me to look at her, much like I’ve done to her several times this week.
Her eyes bore into mine, sharing her strength, and a shallow breath escapes me. “My career would have taken me away from home, and my parents needed me there. Jack needed me there.”
“And now?” She visibly swallows as if holding back something she wants to say.
“Now, I’m focused on you.” I stare back at her, my expression determined, making her see my unwavering contentment. “Maybe I’ll get back into it one day, but I didn’t do this for me. I did it for you. To show you how much you mean to me. To show you a part of me I’ve kept hidden for years.”
Her breath shakes before her lips pull into a slow, secret smile. “Okay.” She nods, but I have a feeling she’s not going to let me off the hook, especially after her eyes flash to the harmonica again. “I’ll allow it. You can focus on me. For now.”
And there it is. I chuckle to myself, ignoring the nerves that wash over me. I have no doubt that Jenna’s going to challenge me. Daily. But for the first time in years, I’m ready for it. And I’m ready to challenge her right back.
“I think you’re going to be good for me.”
Jenna’s smile widens, and she glances away thoughtfully before closing her eyes and laughing under her breath. “You know, I never really believed in soulmates or ‘the one.’ But I have to wonder if maybe there is someone for everyone.”
“Oh, yeah?” My heart races as she turns back to face me.
“Yeah. And if that is true, it’s possible you could be mine.”