“Maybe I did at one time…” His voice drifted off. “I don’t really know, but I didn’t love her when we broke up, and I wasn’t crushed when she went missing.” He drew in a ragged breath. “I’ve never forgiven myself… for not caring more. I was sad for her and her family, worried it had something to do with me, and that guilt ate at me, but I never missed her presence in my life.” The muscles in his neck tightened as he clenched his jaw. “What kind of sick bastard feels that way?”
I kissed his back and squeezed him more tightly. “You had already broken up, Mason. It’s not as if you didn’t care. She just wasn’t a part of your life anymore. If my ex died, I would feel sad too, but I wouldn’t miss him anymore because he was truly out of my reach.”
He let out a long sigh, “I’ve never told anyone about that…”
“You can tell me anything, Mason. I don’t ever talk about my mom, but with you…”
“It’s different,” he filled in for me.
“Exactly… Mason, would you ever do those things again? The things you did when you worked for your father…” The silence between us was impossibly heavy as I waited for him to respond.
“No, not unless I had no other choice.” The vow in his voice sewed up any doubt I had left.
“That’s good enough for me.” There was no way I could turn him away now. I was in far too deep. I had been trying to fight off my feelings for him since the first time I laid eyes on him. It may already have been too late when he searched for that bird book.
“I’m still dangerous, Claire.”
“And why is that?” I pressed kisses along his shoulder blade.
“Because the sins of our past catch up to us, regardless of how hard we work to right them. And...”
“And what?”
He turned toward me, wrapping his arms around my waist and swinging me until I straddled him, “When darkness burrows deep enough inside of you, all the light in the world isn’t enough to drive it out.”
“I think I understand exactly what you mean...” There was no amount of goodness that would make my past meaningless. He took my mouth in his, kissing me deeply before placing his already hard cock at my entrance. With one swift move, he slipped inside me. His hands gripped my hips as he worked me up and down. Despite all the parts of me I revealed, I didn’t feel exposed. I felt protected.
We fell asleep in each other’s arms and didn’t wake again until after ten. He drove home to get some clothes that weren’t drenched in my cum and then came back to take me out to brunch. Having him in my apartment had me practically bouncing. My place was nothing compared to what he was accustomed to, but he fit comfortably. He sat on my couch with his legs spread, looking supremely at ease. “Is there anywhere you would like to eat?” he asked, as I climbed into his lap, unable to help myself.
“Yeah, there’s this cute café a few blocks over. I think you’ll like it. Wait, did you ask me where I want to go?” I popped an eyebrow at him in disbelief. I loved him in suits, but he looked scrumptious in a pair of jeans and a long sleeve t. The soft fabric revealed the planes of his chest.
“I can be flexible.” He shrugged like it was no big deal.What a load of crap.“Though I’ve discovered you’re much more so than I am.” I smacked him lightly on the arm, unable to hide the pleasure on my face. “Dirty girl,” he whispered in my ear as he fondled my ass.
A few minutes later, we walked to the chic little café where I met Leyla. The day she thought someone watched me from the street flashed in my mind, the same day we found the note inside Lolita, and I saw the shadow beneath the skylight. I shivered like eyes were on me now, but that had to be wrong. There had been many occasions where I felt like someone was watching me, but it was paranoia fed by an overactive imagination and an inflated sense of self-importance.
“This place looks great.” He beamed at me as he opened the door. We walked up to the counter, and Leyla smiled at me. “Heyyou, glad to see you again. Back for another sausage roll?” She was just as dazzling as the last time I saw her, but I was prepared.
“Definitely,” I agreed with a smile, flattered she remembered me with all the people she served coffee to daily, “You have a great memory.” I glanced over at Mason, wondering what he would think of the supremely beautiful barista, though he wasn’t paying her any particular attention.
“I always remember the nice ones, and well...” her eyes drifted off, and at first I thought she was checking out Mason, but her gaze moved past him and to the street.
“Well, what?” I pressed gently.
“That guy on the street, the one I thought was watching you? Well...” she fidgeted nervously with her fingers, not wanting to continue, “He came back a few times, and he waited around for a while. Only ever ordered a coffee, but it seemed like he was looking for someone. It creeped me out.” She placed her hands on her hips and ran her eyes over Mason. “I was worried about you, but you have a tough guy to protect you.” I laughed at that, but Mason’s face was hard and cold as ice.
“What did he look like?” he asked her in an unnaturally calm voice.
“Mm, normal I guess, I think dark hair and dark eyes, thirty tops?”
“You’re not sure what he looked like. How is that possible?” I nudged him in the ribs with my elbow, disliking the way he questioned her.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay, Leyla. I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about.” I exchanged a few more friendly words with her, hoping to convince her everything was fine. Mason wouldn’t look at me.
“And for you?” Leyla kept her voice smooth and friendly despite his attitude.
“Same as her, but we’ll take it to go.” I shot him an annoyed look but didn’t argue. He clearly wasn’t in a reasonable state.