Page 23
RAIN
Rain stirred as the mattress shifted. As usual, Mason had cracked under the pressure of Mouse’s early morning begging and had gotten up to feed her. Grinning, Rain drifted off, waking again when Mason came back in and closed the door behind him.
Turning onto his back, Rain held out his arms and the bed dipped before Mason’s comforting weight rested against him. Putting his ear to Mason’s chest, Rain dozed to the calming sound of his heartbeat, addicted to morning snuggling. Who would’ve thought that contentment could be part of his daily routine?
It turned out that Tristan leaving was the best thing to happen to Rain because it had led him to Mason. While the journey had been painful, he’d come out on the other side much happier and more secure; sometimes he even went to bed without double-checking the locks. He still kept his pepper spray close but now it stayed in his bag, not in his pocket or on the bedside table while he slept.
Strangely, he also didn’t sleep as much anymore. A few weeks after the holidays, he’d started waking after seven hours feeling rejuvenated, and after some research in Joyce’s library he’d discovered that since he’d been on edge for as long as he could remember, he’d been running on empty. Finding someplace safe had allowed him to show his exhaustion and it had finally been replenished, his trust in Mason helping him live calmly and sleep fully.
While much of his achievements were due to him working on his abuse, Mason’s love had definitely helped things along, fueled by his own changes. Taking his time with each book, Mason had opened up more. His words and expressions had increased as if his walls were eroding, and he’d even been having lunch with Stefan, one of the other photographers from the exhibition.
Rain loved that for him, and he also loved the throb against his side that told him that Mason was awake in more ways than one. Shifting, Rain waited for a response and a low growl told him that he was being tracked.
“Morning,” Rain rasped into Mason’s chest, crushing his nose to it and inhaling. He would never get tired of Mason’s scent; he wanted to bathe in it, and his cock agreed, rising to the occasion.
Instead of a reply, Mason placed a finger under Rain’s chin. Tilting his head up, Mason swooped in for a kiss that started soft but quickly became dirty, and Rain immediately lost all sense of self, his river of passion roaring for Mason.
Pulling back, Rain licked his lips, loving how Mason’s eyes were dark and dilated, his chest heaving. Moving slowly, Rain reached for the hem of his shirt, stripping it off and watching with interest as Mason did the same. But before Rain could touch the hair on that broad chest, Mason grasped his hand, his gaze serious, telling Rain everything he needed to hear without speaking a single word.
Cupping Mason’s cheek, Rain smoothed the stubble under his thumb. “I’ll tell you if I flash, okay?”
Mason simply nodded, trusting Rain to know his limits and assuring him they’d be respected, which empowered Rain more than he could say. It allowed him to explore, to feel secure as he buried his nose in Mason’s chest, inhaling again and then licking his way up to lips that eagerly waited for him.
It seemed like they kissed for an eternity, their hands gently exploring, their tongues moving from mouth to mouth, sharing every moan, growl, and gasp, and when they finally broke apart, they stared into each other’s eyes, something between them clicking further into place.
While they’d had sex a few times already, it had been careful, exploratory, and a bit awkward; however, Rain could tell that this session would be different. It was like their bond had suddenly balanced out, becoming strong enough to stand on, and Rain was going to take full advantage of that.
Grinning seductively, Rain grabbed the waistband of his shorts, slowly pulling them off, and Mason’s intensity shifted onto Rain’s flushed and leaking cock as it sprang free. Ogling it, he licked his lips and then slid down the bed.
“M-Mason what are you doi nnnn …” Rain tossed his head back as Mason took him in hand. Expecting a few pumps, he choked on a gasp when he was suddenly engulfed in wet warmth that wiped every thought from his brain.
Forcing himself to pay attention, Rain glanced down and almost came from the sight of his dick in Mason’s mouth. They’d done a lot of things but not this, and Rain focused, staving off his impending orgasm as Mason sucked gently and then rose, circling the head with his tongue and making Rain tremble. Meeting Rain’s gaze, he quirked an eyebrow before descending again, beginning a series of mind-blowing, high-suction bobs.
Rain had gotten head before, too many times to count, but the way Mason’s hands rested on his hips, thumbs caressing as he worked Rain’s cock, the way his eyes held lust and concern, checking that Rain’s expression held nothing but pleasure, and the way he pulled up slow and growled on the way down had Rain ascending, making this the best blowjob he’d ever gotten in his life.
Arching, Rain pulled his fingers free from where he’d been clutching the sheet and wrapped them in Mason’s short waves, not pulling, only holding on, and this time as Mason sank, he pushed the head of Rain’s cock into his throat, his body letting out a rumble that vibrated up Rain and into his core.
“M-M-Mason.” Widening his legs, he begged for more and Mason obliged, swallowing around him and scraping his teeth lightly against Rain’s shaft as he pulled up, his stare burning into Rain, making his hole flutter.
Springing into action, Rain flailed out an arm, blindly reaching for the night table drawer and grabbing the lube inside. Flipping the cap with shaking hands, he shoved it in Mason’s direction. Upping the suction, Mason quirked his brow once more, as if to double-check that Rain was sure.
“Prep me.” His voice was wrecked. “I want you.”
The answering grunt felt like it came from all around Rain as Mason slicked up his fingers, tracing Rain’s entrance while teasing the tip of his cock again with that dexterous tongue. The simultaneous sensations had Rain immediately gasping and he arched with a cry as Mason swallowed him to the root, sliding a finger inside.
It took a few tries but Mason managed to time up his thrusts and bobs, and Rain was beside himself, his hands traveling everywhere in an attempt to hold onto something as the pleasure overwhelmed him. Eventually, he settled on his nipples, pinching and pulling them, and when Mason added another finger, his control began to slip away.
Rain soared up and up and as Mason pressed in just the right place, sending a shockwave of bliss through his system, Rain could barely stammer out a warning.
“I-I’m gon-na-” But it was too late. With a clipped shriek, Rain came like his life depended on it, fisting the sheets and spilling into Mason’s mouth, his orgasm hitting him so hard that he felt reborn.
He didn’t know how long he floated but when he eventually came to, Mason was sitting next to him, sweatpants gone, watching, and every once in a while Mouse cried outside the door, not liking her banishment, but Mason’s calves needed to stay intact.
“H-Have-” Rain coughed, still scattered. “Have you ever done that before?”
“No.” Mason’s throat moved as he swallowed again. “It tasted different than I expected. Warmer. Saltier.”
“I’ll eat more pineapple. By the way? You were scarily good at that.” It took him two tries to sit up and reach for the lube.
“I did research,” Mason stated and Rain almost emptied the bottle all over the bed.
“What kind of research?” He could feel his eye twitching.
“Articles. And pornography.”
Rain let out a breathy laugh.
“Well, whatever research you did? It worked.” Wrapping his hand around Mason’s cock, Rain slicked it up, loving Mason’s low growls and the way his hips rocked. Once it was perfectly shiny and twitching, Rain flipped onto his back, holding his arms out again, and Mason fell into them, pressing his weight down and holding Rain tightly. Most people would feel smothered but to Rain, this was a physical representation of the safety that Mason provided, and Rain clung to him, letting out a long hum.
A rumbling purr vibrated against his skin in return, and with a kiss to his temple, Mason slowly pulled away, looking down at Rain with burning eyes that checked in once again.
With a nod that told Mason he was still very much all right, Rain lifted his legs, holding them under the knees, and Mason got the memo, adding more lube to Rain’s entrance before resting the head of his cock against it, pushing lightly.
For a moment, Rain didn’t think it would go in; he was sorely out of practice but Mason had competently stretched him, and he made an effort to relax, crying out as the tip popped in.
No matter how much he tried to remember it, the sensation of being penetrated always felt new and magical, especially with Mason at the helm, and he savored the pleasure that surged through him, holding his legs even wider apart as Mason sank all the way in.
Leaning over him, Mason placed one hand by Rain’s head while the other caressed his cheek with a tenderness that almost brought Rain to tears. It felt like he was staring into Mason’s heart, and he tried to put his own feelings into his gaze but as Mason began a series of slow thrusts, their eye contact faltered.
After that, there were only gasps, soft noises, and Mason’s rumbling growl as the two of them drowned in pleasure. Rain let go of his legs, wrapping all his limbs around Mason and holding on tight, knowing that after this he would never be the same.
“Mason…” he managed to squeak out, finding Mason’s gaze and clinging to it, using it to stay afloat as Mason increased the tempo, changing up the pattern to keep Rain blissfully guessing and leaking all over his stomach. But when the thrusts slowed, Rain’s brows arched with questions.
Mason kissed him, quickly swiping Rain’s lips with his tongue.
“Can I try something?”
Rain eagerly nodded.
“More research?” He tried not to groan as Mason slid out, but all of a sudden he was turned on his side and spooned from behind, Mason’s large body curling around him.
“I saw it in one of the videos.” Mason fluffed the pillow, making sure Rain’s head was comfortable, and grasped his top thigh, pulling it up. With a grunt, Mason swiped over Rain’s hole, tracing the rim with a fingertip. “You’re so open.”
“Nnnn,” Rain threw his head back onto Mason’s shoulder. “And wh-whose fault is that?”
Mason nipped at his ear.
“ Mine, ” he growled in such a low gritty tone that Rain’s cock twitched.
Twisting his neck. Rain tilted his head up for a kiss that Mason enthusiastically returned. Lost in the deft talent of Mason’s tongue, Rain didn’t realize that Mason had moved until he slid back inside, easily filling him again, and he moaned into Mason’s mouth.
Using the hold on Rain’s thigh, Mason held him still as he speared him from both ends, the position crushing Mason’s cock into that perfect place every single time. Riding the sensation, Rain skyrocketed through the stratosphere, his own dick drooling and begging to be touched.
A hand snaked under Rain and suddenly his nipples stung as Mason alternated between them, twisting and pulling. All of the zings and electricity balled together, and Rain soared even higher, his peak in sight, so when Mason’s fingers drifted south and wrapped around Rain’s shaft, orgasm took over.
Arching back, Rain let out an echoing cry, riding the bliss as he spent himself across the sheets. He could feel his channel fluttering in response, causing Mason to grunt and press in all the way, and he buried his face in Rain’s neck, coming with a low growl, his cock stretching Rain and filling him to the brim.
With a matching groan, Rain tried to clench around him as much as possible, grinning when Mason jerked. He played around a few more times and the two of them stayed locked together until they caught their breath.
Eventually, Mason slipped out and Rain turned, cupping his face again.
“That was amazing.” It was a relief to know that he could have this kind of intimacy again without flashes. That didn’t mean he was healed but it was a big step in the right direction.
“Good,” the concern on Mason’s face shifted to relief. “Good.”
A long and loud meow on the other side of the door brought them both back into the present and Rain huffed out a laugh.
“Your calves have been spared once again.” Sitting up, he cringed, feeling sore and sticky in the best way. “I think I earned today’s shower.”
“You go first. Or I can join you.” Mason wasn’t as innocent as he seemed and Rain gave him a smirk, picking up on the flirting.
“If you join me, we’ll be late for Marci and Isaiah’s wedding.” Besides, Rain couldn’t go another round, his legs were still shaking. Grabbing his cell from the bedside table, he checked the time. “Uh oh.”
“What’s wrong?” Searching for his sweatpants, Mason stopped, looking at the clock on his phone. “We have a few hours.”
“And I have fifteen texts on my lock screen.” He swiped open the messenger app. “Ollie sent me a link to ‘I Just Had Sex’ since I haven’t replied to anyone yet.”
“Today is going to be fun.” Mason’s deadpan should be studied.
“Was that sarcasm, Mason? Humor? You should save your strength.” Hoping his legs worked, Rain stood, and when they didn’t buckle, he gathered his disheveled hair and put it in a clip. Opening the door, he let Mouse in and she fluidly jumped on the bed and then to one of the wall perches that Mason had gotten her for Christmas.
“I’ll double-” Mason lurched forward, rudely interrupted as she launched herself onto his shoulder. No longer a dainty kitten, her landings now had weight but Mason always took it in stride. Eyes still on Rain, Mason reached up, absently stroking Mouse under the chin as she draped across him like a neck warmer. “I’ll double-check the equipment. You shower first.” Which was his way of saying they’d leave as soon as possible.
“Yay!” Rain grinned, but it immediately dropped from his face as something slid down his leg. Sprinting to the bathroom, he cleaned up, getting ready while Mason took a turn in the shower.
As the assistant photographer and a guest, he chose an alternative suit with wide-legged pants and a jacket that buttoned up to his neck. Slicking back his hair, Rain used his special-occasion black shimmery eyeliner, which made him look sleek and catlike, and of course the ensemble wasn’t complete without Joyce’s bracelet, which shone on his wrist, fitting perfectly.
Checking himself over in the mirror, he took a few selfies, and when Mason strolled out of the shower he stopped short, his eyes wide and his lips parted.
“Do I look that terrible?” Rain gave him a teasing grin.
Mason closed his mouth, swallowing, and Rain tracked a drop of water that ran down Mason’s chest, wanting to chase it with his tongue.
“You shouldn’t outshine the bride.”
“And you shouldn’t flirt with me right before we leave.” Rain gently grazed his hand against the towel, right over Mason’s crotch, smiling when he felt the hardness there.
Mason grabbed his wrist. “I can’t photograph a wedding with an erection.”
“No, you can’t, you need a camera for that,” Rain giggled, pecking Mason’s frowning lips. “Oops, I just channeled Owen!”
Turning, Rain walked into the bedroom, looking around for his new backpack, which he’d come to adore. While smaller than the old one, he could put twice as many things in it, yet it stayed empty unless he was assisting.
Finally finding it under his coat, he let out a small happy sound.
“You like the backpack.” The words were soft, as if Mason had said them to himself.
“I love it.” Returning to Mason, who had donned his usual dark slacks and dress shirt, Rain wrapped his arms around him, looking up into those enigmatic eyes. There was worship there, along with that intense obsession that was Mason’s unique love, but wasn’t all love unique? The way Owen and Liam loved each other wasn’t the way Finn and Ollie loved each other, or the way Tommy and Amanda loved each other, or even Tommy’s parents. The singular bond Rain had formed with Mason was something they could call their own. “And I love you , Mason.”
Tilting his head, Mason softly ran his fingers down Rain’s cheek as if he were the most precious thing in the world. “I love you too.”
MASON
“So, the flash balances the light from behind them,” Rain mused, looking at the viewscreen over Mason’s shoulder.
“Yes.” Checking the photo, Mason tweaked the TTL settings and took another picture, happy with the outcome. Shooting into windows always required more thought but Mason had figured out how to do that ages ago, so the glass ceremony room posed no problems; in fact, it was as beautiful as he’d hoped, and he knew without a doubt that Marci’s wedding photos were going to be spectacular.
Tilting the camera toward Rain, Mason flicked back and forth between the last two shots of the bridal party, showing him the difference while struggling to keep his mind on task since it kept straying back to that morning. Rain had been so open in his arms, so brave, so vulnerable, that it had shaken Mason to his core, making him want to be an even better man, even more worthy.
“I don’t know what you did but the second one is definitely better,” Rain stated, stealing another glance at Mason that told him he was feeling the same way. Without thinking, Mason raised the camera and took a quick shot of Rain’s liquid eyes, full of their sensual secrets.
Someone cleared their throat and they both jumped.
“This photography lesson is super cute but I need to get married in an hour,” Marci announced with a smile from the center of the group, smoothing her wedding gown. It was a paradigm shift to see her as a bride and Tristan as ma?tre d’, but it worked.
While The Pointe had reopened two weeks ago with only one rule - no more bananas Foster - they’d only hosted small events and receptions, saving the glass room for Marci, and Mason could see why. It had given them quality control in order to smooth out the bumps as well as a training period for Tristan, who’d been hired immediately, much to Rain’s delight.
Off to the side and on hand, Tristan seemed as cool as a cucumber despite running this huge event. He practically radiated peace, and now that Mason had gotten to know him better, he understood how Tristan had managed to stay with Rain’s mother for almost a decade.