Page 97 of Surviving Love

Giving an uneasy laugh, he said, “If I don’t tell you how I feel, I’ll always wonder if maybe things could have worked out. If you reject me, I can’t do anything about that. But to not even try for you? I can’t let that happen. I won’t.”

Was he saying what I thought he was saying? Hoped he was saying?

He hesitated. “I… I have really strong feelings for you, Mason. I mean,reallystrong.”

I clenched my jaw, trying not to get too excited. I couldn’t really even believe my ears. I didn’t speak because I literally couldn’t form words.

He wrinkled his brow. “Now, knowing you, you’re probably going to say that I’m crazy or that I can’t love you. But I do. I swear I do. When we were out there on that damned island, I didn’t care that I was starving or being eaten by insects. I just looked forward to seeing you every day.” He sighed. “And when you left? I was so depressed. I felt like I’d lost the game just because you were gone.”

“I… I can’t believe what I’m hearing.”

“Yeah, you can. It’s real. I’ve missed you like hell.”

“Yeah?” he asked hopefully.

I blew out a shaky breath and clutched his shirt. “Not a day has passed that I haven’t thought about you or wished I was back out on that island with you.”

“You have no clue how much I needed to hear that.”

“I’ll be honest; I was afraid it was all one sided.”

Relief flooded his gaze, and he pulled me close. His heart thumped beneath my ear, and he sounded breathless as he asked, “Do you have feelings for me too, Mason? Because, as crazy as it sounds, I do have feelings for you. I mean, I… I can’t help it. I… I love you.”

I’d never told another human, besides my mother, that I loved them. But as terrifying as the idea was, I couldn’t stop the words from tumbling from my lips. “I do. I love you, Jack. I’m scared, but… you’re right, regret would be the worst feeling in the world if I let you walk away.”

His warm mouth found mine, and I kissed him with a desperation I’d never felt before. Whether I deserved a man like Jack or not, I wanted him. It was obvious from his eager kisses he wanted me too.

“Come in my bedroom,” I whispered, taking his hand.

He hesitated. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“I can wait. If you’d feel better about this, I… I can wait.”

I frowned. “Ican’t wait.”

He smiled and moved closer. “Then let’s go to your bed, Mason.”

“This way,” I said, heading down the narrow hallway.

When we reached the bedroom, he started undressing. “And you thought I wouldn’t come to LA for a booty call?”

I smiled. “I never could predict your behavior.”

“I told you, I’m a complicated man.” He smirked and dropped his hands to his jeans. He unzipped them, pushed them down to his ankles, and stepped out of them. His erection bobbed against his flat stomach, the tip already glistening with precum.

My body trembled with anticipation, and even the flickering lights couldn’t dampen my need. I peeled my wet shirt off and tossed it on the floor. I kicked my pants off and slipped out of my shoes. “I’m naked. Now what?” I asked softly.

“Get on the bed, Mason.”

Excitement shot through me, and I obeyed, heart racing. He had a predatory look as he followed me onto the bed. I lay on my back, and he lay down beside me. He ran his hand over my chest, skating over my trembling abdomen. He slipped his hand between my thighs and cupped my balls. I let out a soft moan and pressed into his hand.

“By the way, this isn’t just a booty call,” he said. “I was just kidding.”

“Okay.”

“I love you, Mason. With all my heart.”