33. Kamryn
After a day full of catching up on sleep, eating, and sex; we’ve now started our tourist vacation. We’re walking towards Big Ben when something Mason said pops in my head. “What was it that you had to tell me?”
“Huh?”
“You said that you had something to tell me something about football.”
“Oh. That. After this season I’m retiring.” He says it so nonchalantly, like he’s talking about the weather changing and not just changing his whole life.
I think I heard him incorrectly. “Come again.”
“Wouldn’t you want that.”
“I’m serious Mason.”
“I know you are. You remember that hit I took in that last game?”
“Yeah. You just said it was nothing. That it was just a bruise. You lied to me?”
Mason pulls us off to the side. “I didn’t at the time. That’s what I was told. And that’s what it was. Until I tried light practicing. Between throwing through that pain and the hits, I’ve been told that if I take any other sort of hit, I may lose total mobility. And I don’t want that, baby.”
“So what does that mean for football?” I’m trying my hardest not to let this news of him stepping away from football affect me.
“I finish out this season as an official player. But I won’t be playing. And they can’t buy me out with all that money they put up to get me. So I would stay and help out with the quarterbacks. It’s unorthodox, but it’s what makes sense.”
“Are you okay with it?” Because that is the only thing that worries me.
“Honestly, before I even got traded I told myself that ten years in the league is plenty enough. And after the hits over the years and the one at the last game, I’m realizing that my body isn’t recovering as easily as it once did. After this season ends, I’m done.”
I’m trying my hardest to hold back my tears. But failing miserably.
“Baby don’t cry,” Mason says as he gently wipes the tears from under my eyes.
“But this is everything that you worked for,” I tell him through a sob.
“It’s also what took me away from you. I’m tired of living my life always on the road. I want to settle down in one place.”
He makes a lot of sense.
“I don’t want you to wake up one morning and regret not playing your last years out.”
Mason squats a little so we’re eye level. “Hey. I’d rather stop now when I have full use of my body. I don’t want to live a life half-functioning. I want a full mobile life with you and one day our kids.”
I nod my head through the tears that are still falling.
“Okay. Deep breath.” Mason instructs.
I do as he says. Taking multiple deep breaths to bring me back to normal.
“Good girl. I love you. And I don’t want that kind of life for me. For us.”
“I love you too,” I murmur as he gently wipes the tears from under my eyes.
“Now come on, pretty girl. Let’s go be tourists.” Mason declares as he wraps an arm around my shoulder and directs us towards Big Ben. I melt into him and press a kiss to the side of his chest.
I love this man more than anything. But I’m terrified that he’s gonna wake up missing it more than he loves me. Football tore us apart once. Yes, we found our way back to one another but who’s to say that something better won’t come around for him? Am I being too negative? Things between Mason and I are better now that we’re older. We’re both established in our careers. The love we have is stronger and more solid now.
“Have you ever thought about moving?”
“Where did that come from?”
“I dunno. I guess I like the anonymity that both of us have over here. You know?”
Mason nods his head thoughtfully. “I do. But you and I both know that we could never be too far from our family.”
“You’re right. Oh my god!” I wish I knew other words but those are failing me at the moment.
We’ve finally come into view of Big Ben. I knew the clock tower was iconic, but wow!
“It’s huge.” I say in astonishment and hear Mason snicker beside me. “The clock. Not you.”
“Uh huh. Well, we can’t go in for a tour, but we can take pictures.”
“Are you going to retire to become my Instagram boyfriend?” I joke.
“Absolutely. Although that title will have to change to Instagram husband.”
Giggling and blushing like a schoolgirl, I pull Mason towards an area that’s a little less crowded, but still has Big Ben in its view.
Mason instructs me where to stand, how to pose, how to have my facial expressions; I come to find out that he’s really good at this and I need to thank his sister.
“Excuse me?” I ask someone that’s walking past. “Would you mind taking some pictures of us?”
“Of course not. Are you Kamryn Rawlins?”
I’m surprised she recognizes me. “I am.”
“I love your clothes. I’m anxiously awaiting your new line to drop.”
“Thank you. That means a lot. What’s your name?”
“Kate.”
“How about as thanks for taking some pictures, I’ll send you some stuff from my new line?”
She looks taken aback and shakes her head. “I couldn’t. It’s just a few pictures. And I really don’t mind.”
“Nonsense. I really insist. DM your sizes and address to me and I will send those over to you personally when I get back to the states.” I tell her honestly.
“Thank you so much. Okay. Not getting emotional. Let me get your pictures.”
I like this girl. Mason hands the camera to her and comes strolling over to me.
“That was sweet of you.”
I shrug like it’s no big deal. “It’s not a big deal.”
“Okay, lovebirds. Pose however you want and then we’ll do some candid shots.”
“Thanks Kate.”
“No problem.”
“Come here.”
I eye Mason with trepidation. He turns me around so my front is to his back. I look up at him with so much love, it actually kind of hurts.
“Okay. Now Mason, I want you to pick Kamryn up. And Kamryn, I want you to wrap your legs around his waist.”
“We got this,” Mason champions.
I’m giggling like a love-struck teenager as Mason lifts me up effortlessly. I seem to do that even more.
“That’s good. Now Kamryn, place your hand that’s furthest away from the camera on his shoulder, and rest the other one on his chest.”
I do as she says.
“Perfect! Hold that pose!”
Looking into Mason’s eyes, I see it all.
Love.
Warmth.
Home.
Future.
Family.
Without thinking and caring that we’re in public, I lean down to kiss Mason. It’s not anything too hot or heavy. It’s the pressure of my lips resting on his.
I pull away before either of us decide to take it any further.
“I think I got some really good ones,” Kate announces.
Mason gently puts me back on the ground, and I walk over to her to get back the camera.
“Thank you. You’re a lifesaver.”
“No problem. I’m just glad I could capture some moments of you two.”
I give her a kind smile. “Don’t forget to DM me your address and sizes.”
“I won’t. You two enjoy the rest of your trip.”
We watch Kate walk off to wherever it is she’s going.
I’m eager to go to the room so I can upload these to my laptop and edit them. But I’m not sure what else Mason has planned for us for the day.
“Come on, let’s go back to the room,” he says.
“Are you sure? You don’t have anything else planned for us?”
He shakes his head and grabs my hand taking us in the direction of our hotel.
“So since we’re going to be those cheesy tourists…” Mason begins as we’re walking and I look at him to continue. “Let’s continue on with the cheesiness.”
“What do you have in mind?” I’m insanely curious.
“Another photoshoot at the hotel. But completely undone. No makeup on. No hair done. All natural.” He says with twinkling eyes.
“How natural?”
“You’ll see. This is my Instagram boyfriend audition.”
I laugh at his new title as we walk the rest of the way in comfort.
“Thank you.” I tell Mason honestly when we’re back in our hotel room.
“For what beautiful girl?”
“For...making me happier than I ever thought possible. For helping me accept that it’s okay to relax. For spoiling me with you and not just your money. Although I know none of this is cheap. Thank you for loving me, and for seeing a future beyond next week.”
Some days I wonder what would have happened had Liam not passed. Would I already be married? Would I still be a teacher? Would we have ended up splitting not long after marrying?
“You know that I would do anything for you Kam. You don’t have to thank me for loving you. That’s easy.”
“I had a revelation. An epiphany, if that’s what you’d call it.” I say. Deciding that I should just tell Mason.
“What was that?”
“That I would marry you in a heartbeat if possible.”
The words aren’t even out for a minute when Mason’s lips come crashing down on mine. Stealing my breath as he picks me up by my thighs forcing me to wrap my legs around his waist. Walking to our room, he climbs onto the middle of the bed and carefully lowers us without breaking the kiss. I still can’t wrap my head around the strength that he possesses.
My hands travel down his torso and I pull at the hem, raising it until he has to break our kiss to remove his sweater and undershirt. Once his shirt is off, he moves to take my sweater off. Teasing me with soft touches until I’m a writhing mess on the bed. My sweater flies off my body and joins his on the floor.
Mason brings his mouth to mine in a slow kiss while trailing his hands down my torso. When his hands get to my jeans, I’m just about crawling out of my skin.
“Mason, please,” I pant and not even care that I sound desperate.
He continues his slow and torturous trail of making me squirm by slowly unbuttoning and unzipping my jeans. He pulls my jeans down just enough as his hand snakes between the fabric. Rubbing my clit through my underwear has me losing my mind. The pressure increases as my orgasm rocks through me.
“Oh my god!” I gasp out.
Mason’s mouth covers mine, absorbing my gasps as my orgasm continues to swim through me. His warmth leaves me as he slides his body down the bed and takes my pants with him.
I’ve barely recovered from the first orgasm before his mouth covers my pussy.
My hands grip the sheets and a strangled curse flies out of my mouth.
“Eyes on me baby,” Mason tells me. When I pick my head up, he holds eye contact with me as the tip of his tongue flicks my clit before sliding into my opening. The salaciousness of it all has my orgasm sneaking up on me. “That’s it. Come for me Kamryn.”
My body is weak to his command. Mason places a pillow under my hips and enters me in one slow stroke.
“Christ, baby. I feel your pussy fluttering around my cock,” Mason breathes out.
“You’re so deep,” all I feel is him and the way his cock hits every nerve. “I’m close, Mase.”
“Rub your clit for me baby,” My legs are placed on his shoulders as he continues his slow, languorous thrusts.
My breath catches in my throat, “Right there. I need to come Mason.”
“Me too, baby. Let go.”
And I do. My body shakes uncontrollably with my orgasm pulling Mason over the edge as well. His strokes become slower as the high comes down.
Mason falls to the side and takes me with him.
“How’d I do?” Mason asks with all the humor.
“World series win. Super Bowl champ. World cup winner.”
“That is quite a prize.”
I lean up and rest my chin on his chest. “You are my ultimate prize. I don’t mean it to sound cheesy or anything.”
I’m rewarded with a cute little smile from him.
I wish for days like this. Where we’re tangled in sheets and away from lifes responsibilities. Where it’s just us two existing in each other’s orbit.