He could feel her heart beating insanely fast in her chest, and he wanted to fist bump the air in victory. How cool was it that she was just as affected by him as he was by her?
“I’ve got the dining room ready, and the coffee will be ready in a few minutes. How are things in here?”
“I’ve done the usual prep work. And I’ve also finished the prep for the veggies for the lunch and dinner rushes,” he whispered in her ear.
She shivered with excitement. “You did not!”
“I did. My goal is to clean as I go instead of focusing on prep so that I can get you out of here as soon as I can. I think you deserve a date night. Which, of course, means a super late dinner at your place to make sure Nana doesn’t escape again.”
“Oh, wow. I love you.” Lila gasped, covered her mouth, and stepped away from him. “I didn’t mean it likethat. I was just saying that I appreciate it. It’s totallynotwhat I meant.” She covered her face, shaking her head with shocked embarrassment.
Mason wanted to tell her that she shouldn’t worry, but he was too busy freaking the fuck out.
Umm, Mason?His wolf’s voice resounding in his head was a little shaky.I don’t know how to tell you this, but it seems that Lila is … Well, shit. Lilaisour mate.
Mason could’ve swallowed his tongue he was so shocked.
This was entirely unusual. How could he realize Lila was his mate after almost three months of knowing her? Something wasn’t right.
Although, that wasn’t strictly true.
Something was most definitelyright. He knew he felt a deep and important connection to Lila from the very first night he saw her. Now he knew why.
Lila covered her face with her hands. “Shit. I am so sorry for blurting that out loud like that. Please don’t freak out on me and go all male.”
He threw his head back and laughed. “Go all male? What would that look like?”
“Oh, I don’t know. You’ll leave town because the woman you haven’t even slept with yet has dropped the L-word like it’s nothing.”
“Well, I guess it’s a good thing I’ve been falling in love with you since that first night I saw you in the woods, then.”
“You can’t possibly mean that.”
“But I do. I knew love at first sight existed because it happened to my parents. A part of me was trying to ignore what I felt for you. Probably out of fear. It probably didn’t help that you weren’t exactly very warm to me at first,” he teased. “But here.” He tapped his heart. “Something in here told me that we would be good together.”
“You’re way too calm about this. Way more than you have a right to be. Especially since I didn’t…“
He pressed a finger to her lips. “Shh. Nope. Don’t even dare finish that sentence. I know what you were about to say. I love you, too, Lila Ford. Don’t even worry about a thing when it comes to you and me. I’m here with you for the long haul. You got it?”
“You love me?” There was pure wonder in her voice.
“Yup.” He kissed her forehead. “So deal with it.”
“This is pretty unbelievable, Mason. It’s not like I meant to say it. It just happened. My mouth got the better of me. People don’t fall in love this quickly.”
“Sure they do. My parents knew they were in love the second they met. They were married a long time. Till the day they died, actually.”
She nodded slowly. “If you say so.” She was trembling, no doubt still in shock that her mind had said out loud what she didn’t want to acknowledge.
“I do. One day, I’ll tell you their whole story. It’ll explain a few things to you. Promise.”
“I should get back to work.”
“Probably, but first …” Mason leaned down and brushed his lips on hers. “Lila,” he whispered, his breath fanning across her face, “I love you.”
He didn’t wait for her to respond. He kissed her again. This time, his lips melded with hers in a passionate embrace. His tongue drew the seam of her mouth over and over again. His tongue never delved in, only just teasing.
Lila gripped onto him and kissed him with everything she had. “I guess I should tell you for real. Not just a slip-up. I love you, Mason Pierce. You’re the sweetest man I’ve ever met. You make it a little too easy to fall for you. Thanks for being here. Thanks for everything you do.”