Chapter 31
I should probably be terrified right now.
That feels like the normal reaction.
Two highly trained military men are currently trying to throw each other through the floor in front of me.
But instead, I'm fascinated.
Mason moves differently when he fights.
I noticed it immediately.
Everything about him sharpens.
His posture.
His focus.
The calm expression on his face.
Controlled.
Every movement is precise and deliberate, like he already knows exactly what's coming next.
Liam is fast.
Really fast.
But Mason somehow feels inevitable.
Like a wall moving toward you.
Ava squirms happily in my lap, completely unaware of the violence currently happening three feet away.
"You're distracted," Liam taunts as he circles Mason again.
"You talk too much," Mason replies calmly.
Then Liam lunges.
It happens so quickly, I barely process it.
One second, they're circling.
The next Mason catches Liam's arm, twists, and slams him flat onto the mat hard enough that I physically flinch.
"Oh my God," I blurt.
Liam groans dramatically from the floor.
"That looked worse than it was."
Mason steps back, waiting calmly while Liam gets up again.
There's no real anger between them.
No loss of control.
Just skill.
Trust.
And strangely enough, that's why I'm not scared.
Because Mason could hurt him.
I can see that now.
The strength.
The training.
The frightening ease with which he moves.
But he's choosing not to.
Every movement stays measured.
Controlled.
Safe.
The realization settles deeply into my chest.
Safe.
Mason glances toward me briefly.
"You alright, baby?"
The nickname still destroys my ability to think properly.
Liam points at him immediately.
"Again with the baby."
Mason ignores him completely.
Because he's checking on me.
Even in the middle of sparring.
Something warm spreads through my chest so quickly it almost aches.
"I'm okay," I say softly.
His gaze lingers on mine one second longer before he turns back toward Liam.
And for one dangerously embarrassing moment—
I can't stop thinking about kissing him.
Hard.
Liam comes at him again.
This time, Mason doesn't immediately throw him.
They actually fight properly now.
Fast enough, I can barely follow half of it.
Hits blocked.
Bodies twisting.
Boots squeaking against the mats.
Liam manages to catch Mason across the jaw lightly.
I gasp instinctively.
Mason barely reacts.
He grabs Liam by the shirt a second later and sends him crashing backward again.
Liam lands flat on his back, laughing breathlessly.
"Jesus Christ."
Mason offers him a hand up.
Smug.
Controlled.
Infuriatingly attractive.
God.
Liam takes the hand and shakes his head dramatically.
"You are impossible to fight now."
"You're dramatic."
"No," Liam says, pointing at me. "You're trying to impress your girlfriend."
Heat rushes into my face immediately.
Mason looks toward me automatically.
And something shifts in his expression when he sees my reaction.
Softer.
Warmer.
Like he's suddenly very aware of me watching him.
The room feels oddly quiet for a second.
Liam looks between us.
Then groans loudly.
"Oh my God, kiss already. You're making me sick."
I laugh helplessly before I can stop myself.
Mason's eyes stay on mine.
Steady.
Intent.
And suddenly I can't sit still anymore.
Before I fully think it through, I carefully shift Ava higher against my chest and stand.
Liam notices immediately.
"Oh, this is happening."
"Mason," I say softly.
His attention sharpens instantly.
Then I walk straight toward him.
And the second I reach him, I grab the front of his shirt and kiss him hard.
Mason makes a startled sound against my mouth before immediately pulling me closer.
One hand lands firmly on my waist.
The other cups the back of my neck carefully, like he's forgotten anyone else exists.
The kiss turns deeper almost instantly.
Warm.
Possessive.
Breath-stealing.
Somewhere behind us, Liam makes the loudest offended noise imaginable.
"I hate both of you."
Neither of us stops kissing.
Ava lets out a happy squeal between us like she approves.
That finally makes me break away laughing softly against Mason's mouth.
His forehead rests against mine immediately.
Breathing heavier now.
Eyes dark.
"Hi," he murmurs.
My heart completely melts.
"Hi."
Behind us, Liam gags dramatically.
"Disgusting. Absolutely disgusting."