Page 61 of Mason's Run

“Wait,” I said, battling the fatigue that was trying suck me down into the abyss. I refused to be that selfish. That was entirely too much like the men I’d experienced in my life. “I want to do something for you…” I said, a touch of whine to my voice.

“Shh… Don’t worry, sweetheart, you already did,” he said, his lips nuzzling the back of my neck as we spooned. “My orgasm had me seeing stars! It’s just that, seeing you like this… Damn, you’re making me hard all over again. Now get some sleep.”

Somewhat mollified that I hadn't been a completely thoughtless jerk, I lost my battle, and fatigue overtook me.

When I woke, I could tell I was alone in the room. Much like the day before, but this time I realized I was still naked under the blankets. I groaned and looked at the clock. It was a little after nine a.m.

I lay there for a minute, my mind reviewing the events of the previous night.Shit. That had easily been the hottest night of my life. Lee hadn’t seemed phased by my history in the slightest, which had surprised me, because the few times I'd shared my history with anyone, I'd been met with shock and disbelief. With Lee, he had just… accepted. I’d learned over the years how to deal with the doubters, but I’d never had anyone just… believe me. Maybe because he was military? I was sure he’d seen a lot of evil things in his day.

My phone pinged and I groaned. Only one person would be texting me at this time of day.

I picked my phone up from the bedside table, realizing I didn’t remember plugging it in to charge the night before. Did Lee do it? That thoughtful gesture sent a warm feeling soaking through my chest, and I grinned like a fool as I opened my phone and read the messages.

LIZZIE: Hey Bug! How was your night?

ME: I do not know who this “Bug” is you speak of. I am WINDSHIELD MAN! Hear me roar!

LIZZIE: !!! Who are you, and what are you doing with Mason’s phone???

ME: Ha fuckin’ ha! Good morning to you, too. :)

LIZZIE: Wait… was that an emoji? A GOD DAMN SMILEY FACE?!?!?

I snickered at her message. I usually didn’t use emojis. I’d never really figured them out, so I hadn’t gotten in the habit of using them, but at least academically I knew how to make a smiley face.

LIZZIE: OMG. You got laid!!! /squee!

I could almost hear her squeal as she put two and two together. Before I knew it, my phone was ringing.

“Hey, Queen Bee!” I said by way of greeting, sitting up in bed, a grin playing on my lips.

“Youfuckedhim,didn’t you?” she squealed, and all I could do was laugh.

“Shush, Missy. You have a dirty mind,” I said lying back on the pillows. “I can be in a good mood and use the occasional stupid combination of colons and parentheses to create a low-quality video image without having had sex.”

“Um,no,you can’t,” she said knowingly. “I know you too well. C’mon, Bug!Spill!”

I eyed the door, but it sounded quiet in the house. It felt awkward talking about Lee behind his back.

“I can neither confirm nor deny…” I began.

“Oh, shut it. I already know you fucked him. That’s the only thing that would have brought out this side of you,” she laughed. “That, or alcohol. Remember that one time with the tequila?” she began. The Tequila Incident, as it was forever enshrined in my brain, was not one I wanted to review in detail, so I interrupted her.

“So how are things with Ev?” I asked.Smooth, Mason, real smooth.

“He’s, ah, good…” she answered, but I could hear the wheels of her brain moving even at this distance. “But more importantly, how are things with Lee? How did your evening go…?” she asked nosily.

I could almost see her scooting her glasses down her nose and looking at me over them.

My head flopped back on the pillows and groaned. “I think I passed out at some point…”

“Woot! Finally!” she said, laughing. “About time you got to feel the Mighty O!”

“Shut up…” I said peevishly, wondering if I could throw a pillow from here to Seattle with any accuracy.

“So, tell me everything!” she continued.

“No,” I refused, but before she could quiz me further, I continued, “But I will tell you it was the mostamazingnight of my life.”