First Choice, Second Chance, page 9
He groaned again, and already she could feel desire gathering in her once more. She ran her fingers down the length of him before cupping him in her hand. Her tongue went out again, but not to wet her lips this time. It ran along his tip, circling the wide head for a moment before she took him into her mouth. This wasn't something she was that experienced with. She'd tried to do it with Kyle, but he had seemed disgusted with the act. She was sure his other women did it for him, though. She started to feel disgusted with herself. Why did she keep letting thoughts of him interfere? She closed her eyes so she could focus on Mason.
Then, his hands cupped her face, and he pulled her back up his body. "Come on," he said. "Let's go in the bedroom."
Her face flushed, and she looked away. He didn't like it, either. Maybe this was something she couldn't do right. "Sorry," she mumbled, not looking back up at him.
"God, Lila, do you think I'm upset?" She finally looked over at him. In his eyes, she didn't see disgust in his eyes, or any contempt for her. She only saw concern. He reached out and ran a thumb over the blush in her cheeks. "What did my bastard brother do to you?"
"I don't want to talk about it or him."
He studied her for another moment then nodded. "Neither do I. I don't want to fuck your mouth either. Not out here in the hallway. Not tonight. I do want to take you to bed, though. Come on."
She nodded, still feeling embarrassed, but followed him into the bedroom.
Chapter 12
Before
Lila could spend all night in Mason's arms. They'd finally finished their beers while walking around the field. She wasn't sure how she'd been able to finish it when he'd kept her mouth so busy. Once both bottles were empty, she'd moved back into his arms by his truck, where they used the cover of music to have their hands on each other. It all seemed so natural. Not just the dancing, but the walking together, the talking. Laughing at the little things each did. She didn't want this time to end. It would, but she wanted to stretch it out as long as she could. She wanted to be able to store all these memories when she did go.
Lila laid her head on his shoulder as they moved together. She didn't even know how to tell him the thoughts running through her head. There was too much and not a good place to start. She couldn't stay. How could she tell him what she felt when nothing could come of it? When his hand ran up her back, holding her even closer, she wanted to give in and say the words.
When his mouth found hers, she tried to pour it all into the kiss. She couldn't say the words, but maybe she could show him. He groaned against her lips, but he didn't break the kiss. Instead he seemed to pull her in closer as her tongue slid against his lips. He angled his head and they took the kiss even deeper. Lila broke away and buried her face against his neck, trying to drag in a deep enough breath to clear her head.
It didn't work.
She brought her hands up from his shoulders, sliding them through his hair then bringing his head back down to hers so she could find his lips again. His hands went to her hips, and she could feel his fingers dig in, holding on as they were both swept away. She barely noticed when the music changed. They weren't dancing to it anymore. Their bodies had even stopped the pretense of swaying. They moved to their own beat now.
His hands slid under her shirt, and at the first touch of his fingers against her skin, her hands fisted in his hair. She arched up against him, pressing heat to heat. This wasn't going to go on another day. They'd been tormenting each other since she came back to town. It couldn't go on anymore. She might explode.
Then his head dipped from her mouth to her chest. He nuzzled along the skin above the neckline of her shirt. A shudder went through her as his breath whispered over her skin. "Mason," she moaned his name.
His head came up, so his lips could move over her neck to her ear. His tongue slid behind her ear a moment before he nipped the tip of her ear lobe. Her body responded instantly, her hips rocking against him as a strangled cry passed her lips. He soothed it with his lips before whispering, "I thought we should head back to the truck. I could lay the blanket in the back."
Her breath caught in her throat. His hands weren't under her shirt anymore. They slid over her hips, over her ass, then she felt fingertips against her bare legs, sliding up under her skirt. She didn't think she'd be able to stand for much longer. "That sounds like an excellent idea."
#
Mason lay on the blanket spread in the bed of his truck. The music had been turned down, but it still filled the air around them. He could hear other couples still dancing, some of the singles there laughing. Beer bottles clanked together. There was a splash when someone jumped into the pond. He didn't care about any of that. He had Lila wrapped in his arms.
Her mouth nuzzled his neck and brought his attention solely back to her. They had been lying there looking up at the stars for a while. He wanted to do more, wanted to have his hands on her. He didn't want her to think they were rushing this thing. She didn't seem to care. Her hand rested on his chest, her fingers brushing the fine hairs curling through the buttons of his shirt.
He groaned when they brushed the exposed skin above the top button of his shirt. His hand tightened on her hip, pulling her closer to his side. Her legs wrapped over him, and he could feel her pressed against his hip. Her moan came out as more of a whimper. He wasn't so sure she would mind if they rushed things.
They had danced most of the night, when they hadn't been walking the edge of the field, right outside the circle of light from the fire Brian and a couple of the other guys had built. They had teased each other, with their fingers, with their mouths. A touch had brought him nearly to the edge. He had held himself back, until they were right here.
He had one arm under her, her head pillowed on his shoulder. He brushed the fingers of that hand down her back and felt her shiver. His own fingers trembled as he reached the hem of her shirt. He hesitated a moment before slipping his hand under it and laying his palm on the small of her back. She pressed closer to him, and he felt the hum through his own lips. It helped push away his own nervousness. He covered her mouth with his and shifted slightly so she was on her back, and he now lay on his side.
One arm still rested under her, but he moved the other across her stomach, down to the fluted bottom of her shirt, where he could see the slightest bit of skin. He wanted his mouth there, wanted it lower. He wanted it all over her skin. He didn't want to come on too strong, though.
For now, he danced his fingers across it, and she shivered under his touch. His mouth moved down to her neck as he trailed his fingers up her body, over her shirt. When his thumb brushed over her breast, he could feel the hardened point of her nipple through her bra and shirt.
He placed a quick kiss at the base of her throat then pulled his arm out from under her and shifted so he was over her. He licked his lips then looked back up at her. His fingers still moved over her skin, but he could feel them quake. "I want this off," he murmured, his voice cracking as he ran a hand under the shirt.
"Please." There was that little whimper in her voice again.
How was he supposed to be patient when she did that? He pulled the shirt over her head and tossed it into the corner of the truck bed. Then he brought his hands back to her breasts, which were barely covered by a lacy bra. He could see the swell of them over the fabric, could see the nipples straining through them. He couldn't stop himself. He needed to have his mouth on her. Her back arched up when he ran his tongue under the top of the bra cup, and her hands clutched at him. She moaned when he sucked her nipple into his mouth.
He ran his tongue around her nipple. She writhed beneath him, then her hands streaked down his body. When they reached his hips, he released her breast and moved to unfasten his pants. Before he could pull them down, her hand snuck inside of them. Her fingers wrapped around him, and he groaned. "Oh God." The words came out with a growl.
Lila pressed up against him even as her hand moved the length of his shaft. "I need you." The words were whispered, but they still crashed into him.
He brought his mouth back to hers and pulled her hand out of his pants. They were a distance from the rest of the party, so he wasn't worried about anyone discovering them. Especially with the truck backed up to the edge of the woods. Still, he asked, "Are you sure?"
"Yes, Mason. Please."
He wasn't going to make her ask him again. He yanked his jeans down the rest of the way, kicking his boots off as he went. He snagged a square packet from the pocket of his jeans before dropping them with her shirt. He ripped it open and slipped the condom over himself, but didn't instantly lie on top of her. Instead, he pulled her boots off, taking her socks with them. He kissed the bottom of each foot. He continued trailing kisses up her legs until he reached her thighs. She gasped when he ran his tongue along the juncture of her leg.
He lifted her skirt and let it float back down over the back of his head. He ran his tongue along her slit, circling once around her sensitive nub then trailing it back down. Her gasps came fast now, she was close to the edge. He continued working her with his tongue, even though there was something else he'd like to have in there. And it was hard and ready. Still, he tortured both of them.
He ran his tongue back up to that nub then slid a finger inside her and moaned when she tightened around him. Hot and wet. He needed to be inside her, all the way. He slipped his finger back out and moved up her body. He kissed the peaks of her breasts as he slid into her then reared up to swallow her gasp. She rose to meet him with each thrust. He could feel her tighten around the length of him. He approached the edge right with her. When her body went taut, he let go. She melted back into the blanket. He thrust into her again and felt the explosion inside of him.
Mason slipped out of her and pulled her against him once he had taken care of the condom. He grabbed the blanket and pulled it around them. He could feel her slipping off to sleep, her head pillowed on his arm. It would fall asleep before he did. He didn't care. "I love you," he whispered.
Chapter 13
Now
Mason couldn't believe he'd almost let Lila give him a blow job right in the middle of his hallway. It's not that he didn't like the feel of her mouth around him. But, he wanted more than that from her, and not in his hallway. It wasn't smart, but he wanted everything she would give him. He hoped he was still whole when he got it.
He looked down at her as she lay on his bed and remembered the look on her face when he'd drawn her back up. Shame and humiliation. What the hell had Kyle done to her? He didn't even want to think about that. He hadn't wanted to embarrass her. He'd felt the tension in her even as she'd gone down on him. He didn't think she'd really wanted to do it and didn't want her to feel like she had to. Now, he had her where he wanted her.
He leaned over her and brushed his thumb over her lips. He remembered when that was all he could think about having on him. All these years later, it was the same. For right now, he would cover them with his lips. Her mouth opened to the kiss, and he slid his tongue inside for a quick exploration. Then, his mouth moved on, giving a quick nip at her jaw before brushing over her neck and across her collarbone. She shuddered under him, and he had to close his eyes before he lost his hold on patience and drove right into her.
"You haven't changed that much," he said as he slid down her body. "You still look perfect in my bed."
Her laugh came out as more of a whimper as his hands caressed her breasts. "We never spent a lot of time in your bed. The barn, your truck, a blanket out in the woods. Not your bed."
He laughed as he dipped his head to nuzzle between her breasts. Her hands came up to stroke down his back. He couldn't stop the groan deep in his chest. "This isn't going to last long if you keep touching me, Lila."
"We have all night," she reminded him. "We can take our time later. I want you, Mason. It's been so long since I've felt like this."
He couldn't even tell her what those words did to him. How they had those feelings he'd locked away years ago breaking through those chains again. Instead he ran his hands down her sides until he could hook his fingers in the waistband of her skirt. Then, he pulled it down, and he noticed she only wore a small swatch of fabric under it. The sight had his throat drying up. His gaze raked back up her body. He was throbbing again. He needed to be inside her, or he would explode.
"Please, Mason."
Her body trembled as she apparently felt the same things he did. He pulled her panties away then moved over her. He kept his weight on his arms as he lined them up then slid slowly into her.
So soft, so hot, so wet.
It was the only thing he could think before she moved, taking him in deeper. His eyes nearly crossed at the way she clutched around him. Then, he thrust into her, and her cries wrapped around him. He barely felt her fly over the edge as his own body grew taut. The release left him sated, but he feared he would crush her if he let his arms collapse like they wanted to. Instead he lowered slowly, so her body still snuggled against his, then he shifted so she was beside him instead of under. Her breathing was shallow, and he could tell she was on the edge of sleep. He took care of the condom then came back to her. Mason brushed his lips over her cheek, and then sleep tried to steal him away as well. For the first time in seven years, peace washed over him. He let the sleep take him.
#
Lila groaned as she rolled over in the bed. Streaks of light flashed in through the window blinds. That thought stopped her. There weren't any blinds on her window, just curtains. Her mom liked the looks of the curtains better. Then, the night came back to her. Going to the bar with Ashley, her best friend stranding her there with Mason, coming back to his place. The best sex she could remember having.
Now the bed was empty. She didn't hear anyone else in the rest of the house either. Of course, that didn't mean anything. Maybe he was being quiet. Then, she glanced out the window again. With the sun that high, it had to be fairly late in the morning. He would be out doing chores. She knew how much this farm meant to him. He wouldn't abandon the necessary chores to lie in bed with her, even if he had wanted to. No guarantee he did.
They'd slept together. It didn't matter if it felt like more to her. It didn't mean he'd felt it too. Lila sat up in bed then dropped her head into her hands. She should have had him take her home from the bar. Who cared if her father would have questioned her about where she had been for so long? Mason was right. She was an adult, even if she lived back with them. One more reason she couldn't wait until she could afford to move into her own place.
She sighed. Sitting here thinking about everything she shouldn't have done with Mason wasn't getting her anywhere. She couldn't change any of it. Not that she would really want to. It had felt right to be with Mason. Why had she ever thought he was the wrong one for her? Even now, if she closed her eyes, she could remember her father pulling her aside to talk. About how he knew she cared about Mason. She couldn't stay here with him. She had a bright future, and she would hate him if she let him hold her back from it. When she told him Mason would follow her, he had shaken his head and said he was too tied to the land here. He might follow, but he would grow to hate her just as much. If she had to have an Akeley boy, or one of those Akeley boys, his exact words, Kyle would be the better choice.
Too late to go back and make another choice. All she had now were the ones ahead of her. She climbed out of the bed and glanced around the room. Her skirt, and probably her panties, were in the corner. Her shirt must be still out in the living room. One of his hung on the corner of his dresser. She crossed the room and grabbed it. She wasn't planning on going far. She could really use some coffee, though. She didn't really want to leave his bedroom with no clothes on. She buttoned the shirt then pulled her skirt on as she headed out to the kitchen and saw the sheet of paper sitting next to the coffeepot.
She scanned the words, smiling to herself, even though it was only a few words scrawled out. "Doing chores. Some coffee left. Help yourself."
The note shouldn't have done anything for her, except maybe make her scowl. Instead, her smile stretched. It was like Mason, the Mason she remembered. Considerate enough to let her know where he was and there was coffee for her, but not sappy in the slightest. Why then did she want to hold it against her with a silly grin on her face? She sighed and searched through the cupboards until she found a mug. With coffee in hand, she headed out onto the porch.
She couldn't see Mason but imagined he was in the barn. She did see another figure across the field on the other porch. It wasn't Scott. When the other person turned their head, she recognized Mason's mother. Even across the distance, she knew the moment the other woman's eyes locked on her. Then she started down the steps and across the yard. Lila swore in her head. This wasn't what she wanted to deal with this morning. What would Mary Akeley think of her? That she jumped from one brother to the other. She'd been friendly enough the previous week when she'd stopped by to see Mason. That was before. Mary had always been protective of her sons. Both of them, even though Mason had thought she only stood up for his brother.
Too late to run now. Mason's mother was already making her way through the field separating the two houses. Lila stayed where she was, taking another sip of her coffee. When Mary stepped out of the field, she stood perfectly still, her eyes going round with shock. "Lila. I-I didn't know you were here. I mean I saw you standing on the porch. I didn't know you were you." She trailed off on that last word, as if she heard how inane she sounded, but didn't want to go back to rephrase her statement. "What are you doing here?" Then, she must have taken in Mason's shirt and the coffee cup in her hand. "How long have you been here?"
