“You’re not the only crazy one. I love you, too,” he admitted and she embraced him.
Steven cleared his throat. One look toward his brother, and damn, Mason knew he was hungry and determined. Mason stepped back and Sally reached out her hand for Steven to step closer. He walked between her legs and hugged her to him. He kissed her neck then spoke against her neck, but loud enough for Mason to hear, too.
“I love you, baby. I never thought I would ever take that kind of chance again, but you made me and you complete me.”
“What happened to make you feel that way Steven?” she asked him and he took a deep breath as he turned from her a moment.
She reached up and placed the palm of her hand against his cheek.
“It was a bad time in my life, honey. I had just returned from a tour and had lost two of my closest buddies, Brooks and Dupree, during a mission.”
He moved between her legs and caressed her thighs as she placed her hands on his chest.
“It must have been terrible to lose such close friends and go through the experiences of war. I bet you felt all alone, too.”
“I did.”
“Yeah, but apparently having me in his life again, who shared similar experiences, wasn’t enough,” Mason added and Sally looked toward Mason and then back at Steven. Now Steven looked angry.
“Hey, what does he mean?”
“He means I was a moron. I met this woman, Jess. She knew I was going through this hard time and it was a mistake,” he whispered. Sally felt her throat tighten. What did he mean by a mistake?
“She was a fucking lying, cheating whore,” Mason chimed in.
“Give me a break Mason. It’s done and over.”
Sally felt angry that some woman had hurt Steven and especially after experiencing such loss in his life.
“You loved her?” she found herself asking.
“No. I cared for her a lot. She lied and like I said, Sally, I was in a bad place.”
“She took advantage of that. She used him, but he eventually smartened up,” Mason teased.
Steven gave him a dumb expression and they both laughed, but Sally felt her belly clench. She suddenly wondered if she had what he needed and what Mason needed.
“Yeah, my brother helped me. I would be lost without him,” Steven stated. She felt the tears reach her eyes.
Then Mason placed his fingers underneath her chin and tilted it up toward his face.
“Hey, why do you look so sad?” Immediately Mason was next to her, too. Mason moved her hair off of her shoulder and caressed her cheek with his thumb.
“You two are very close. I have that kind of relationship with my sister. But, there were times I felt even scared to rely on her existence, never mind her love. I know that probably sounds so bad to say, but I really am afraid of opening my heart, never mind my soul to someone. I’ve been so afraid to feel, that I was desperate for someone to care. It’s how I got into trouble.” She lowered her eyes and felt the tears roll down her cheeks.
“Do you mean in trouble with Garret and Keiffer?” Steven asked and Mason sighed heavily next to her. She knew it upset him. He admitted to his jealousy over Virgo, he surely was upset that she went out on a date with Garret.
“Yes. I honestly was feeling lonely and I guess worthless.”
“No, baby. Why would you think that?” Steven asked.
“I just was. Everyone around me was exploring new relationships, having their men care for them and show such compassion and I guess I just really wanted that, too. Or at least for someone to care.”
“We should have shown you earlier how we felt,” Steven stated.
“No. It had nothing to do with you and everything to do with me and my desperation.”
“Desperation for what?” Mason asked.