Page 16 of The Hero’s Bride (Unbreakable SEALs #2)

T halia’s heartbeat quickened as she smoothed her hands down the woven fabric of the dress Mason had given her.

She’d never worn something so beautiful before with its coral color and beadwork.

The dress tied around her neck, leaving her shoulders and back bare while sheathing her frame.

She slid on the matching sandals and placed her hand over her stomach, willing it to stop somersaulting.

She doubted Mason knew how deeply he’d touched her heart.

Not because of the dress and the shoes, but the thought behind each.

She’d been uncomfortable with the thought of wearing his shorts and an oversized T-shirt for their engagement photos, even if they weren’t real.

Somehow, Mason had picked up on her unease.

He cared about making her comfortable in an uncomfortable situation.

Since he’d first mentioned the idea of a fiancé visa his only spoken concern was for her, not that he was taking on a huge life change by bringing her back to the United States.

His kind nature soothed her wary heart. She’d grown harder over the years from the cycle of loving and losing.

Her nurturing mother. The stability of having a place to live and food to eat.

Then her father had sent her away from him and her homeland. Now he was gone, too.

A light knock on the connecting door sounded, bringing her attention to the present.

“Thalia?” Her name on Mason’s lips hit her square in the chest. His voice matched his appearance, tough and imposing, and yet with her, he was always gentle. Always thoughtful. “May I come in?”

“Yes.” Nerves tangled through her. She was honest earlier when she said physical looks had never been a priority for her, but now with the dress caressing her body and the mirror reflecting her image, she wondered what he’d think. If she’d measure up to the women he’d dated before.

Mason stepped inside the door and a long rush of breath left his lungs.

“Christ, Thalia.” His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard and stalked across the room.

“You’re beautiful.” He stopped a few feet in front of her, always careful not to crowd her.

Her heart was beating at a rapid clip as his words resonated.

“Whether you’re in my shirt or a dress, you knock me back. ”

She opened her mouth to speak, taking in the way his dark jeans clung to powerful thighs.

The way his sleeves stretched over the muscles beneath his shirt and broad chest. Arms that had tucked her against his heart, making her feel safe as opposed to trapped.

Words that had been on the tip of her tongue evaporated.

“You don’t need to say those things.” She hated the breathless notes in her voice.

The desperation of wanting to believe that the appreciation in his gaze was real.

“No, I don’t.” He took a step closer, eyes centering on her. “But I can’t seem to stop myself.” Mason raised his hand, giving her time to object, before stroking his thumb along her chin. “Not with you.”

“Mason,” she whispered, not able to manage words with her throat so tight.

Something flashed in his eyes when she spoke his name.

The air snapped with electricity so thick it was difficult to draw in a breath.

Anticipation had goose bumps unraveling over her skin as they stared in each other’s eyes.

She was sure he was going to come nearer, maybe try to kiss her.

Instead of fear, warmth rushed through her belly and settled between her hips.

She’d never experienced this kind of physical longing before, but she knew she wanted to explore it with this man.

“What are you thinking?” he asked, eyes dark and penetrating.

“That you’re beautiful, too.” Emboldened by the heat sparking beneath the blue depths of his eyes, she stepped closer. “But it’s your gentle heart that’s making my own beat so fast.”

His gaze dropped to her lips before lifting again.

“I don’t want to misread what’s happening right now.

” He offered her his hand, sparks kindling over her skin when she slid her palm against his.

Instead of lacing his fingers with hers, he guided her hand, placing it over the left side of his chest. Her eyes widened as his heart pounded against her palm, nearly matching the pace of hers.

“But this reaction, my heart all but beating out of my chest, has never happened before with another woman.” He sucked in a ragged breath.

“Before we even left U.S. soil, I saw your picture and was frantic to get to you. Now that I have, it’s like something has clicked into place.

I know myself well enough to understand that what I’m feeling isn’t because of some visa.

I want to kiss you, Thalia, but if that’s not what you want, it doesn’t have to happen.

Don’t want you to ever do something you don’t feel with your heart and soul. ”

She didn’t trust her voice, but she lifted her hands to frame his face, stroking her thumbs over the coarse hair of his beard.

“I haven’t had many choices in my life.” His eyes darkened as she spoke.

Black eclipsing the blue of his irises. “This is one I want to make for me.” She rocked onto her tippy toes and pressed her lips to his.

The subtle touch faded everything else from her mind except for the man in front of her.

Beneath one hand, his heart hammered against her skin.

The other, resting along his hard jaw, vibrated with the low growl that rumbled past his throat.

She blinked. How could such a small kiss make her feel so bright? Like she was glowing from the inside out and desperate for more. “Was that…right?” she stammered.

The flat of his palm was on the small of her back.

His other on the back of her head. “Everything, Thalia,” he murmured against her lips, sending tingles spiraling through her.

“Everything about you is right.” He kissed her forehead, then her chin, finally moving back to her lips.

The way he pressed several slow, almost delicate kisses along her mouth before teasing her lips open and slipping his tongue against hers made time seem to come to a crawling stop.

Sensation swamped her. She had no idea a kiss could not only be felt against her lips but in her breasts and core too.

Or maybe, it was only Mason that could make a kiss be felt through every inch of her body.

She tilted her head, and his tongue delved deeper into her mouth.

She could taste peppermint, nearly matching the shower-fresh scent surrounding her, surprisingly sweet for such a masculine man.

She startled at the knock on the door, immediately trying to jump back, but Mason held her tightly.

“Everything okay?” Sully’s voice sounded from behind the closed connecting door.

“Give us a minute,” Mason ground out.

Heat flared over her cheeks, knowing in her gut that Sully would interpret the desire roughening his friend’s voice.

“Fuck.” His hoarse whisper sent a shiver of want down her spine, but then he dropped his forehead to hers. A gesture that was a sweet contrast to his coarse words. She found both appealing. “You okay?” he asked, smoothing his palms over her hair.

Her brain had temporarily short-circuited, leaving her searching for a response that would correctly surmise what she was feeling.

No, because I’m drowning without your lips on mine?

Yes, but please don’t hurt me? Never leave?

Although she’d never been intimate with a man, let alone kissed one, she knew with soul-deep certainty that no one would ever measure up to Mason.

If he could hear her inner thoughts, he’d probably run in the opposite direction.

What had been a life-altering kiss for her might’ve been a way to pass the time for him.

Mason was stunning, and she had no illusions that he hadn’t had many women fall at his feet.

She also refused to set herself up for heartbreak and entertain the idea that just maybe she’d be the last.

“Thalia?” He jerked his chin back to meet her gaze, studying her with intensity.

She framed his face again, giving him the same impassioned stare. “Whatever happens, the memory of that kiss will live in my mind forever.”

“Mine too, but I hope it’s just one of many beautiful memories we give each other.” He pulled her into his chest, closing his arms around her in a tight embrace.

She could feel the result of his attraction hard against her stomach, yet he made no move to push her further.

His breath tickled the top of her head as he placed a kiss against her hair, then inhaled.

Her breath caught in her chest. It would be so easy to give this man her heart, but how could she know it would be safe with him?

That he wouldn’t come to realize she was no hero like he was.

Had nowhere to work. No family to offer her support.

He deserved a woman with more to offer. Not one he’d had to save.

“I don’t know what you’re thinking right now, but I feel you putting up a wall.

Don’t keep me at arm’s length. By your side is exactly where I want to be. ”

“How can you be sure?” she whispered.

“It’s in my nature to plan and assess. I don’t take unnecessary risks.

Never make quick decisions when it comes to a woman—not that there have been a lot of them.

Most of the time, I need to be in control, and yet, I’d gladly hand it all over to you.

That makes me sure I’m right where I should be.

” He kissed her forehead. “That being said, if I took the kiss too far, too fast, please tell me.”

She shook her head side to side. “No,” she croaked.

Warmth settled over his features, and he leaned in, giving her a soft and sweet kiss. “As much as I want to stay here with you, Sully is probably about to knock down the wall.”

She nodded. “Let’s go take the pictures, then.

” She offered him a smile and hoped that after they took some pictures, more kissing would be part of their plans.

She wasn’t worthy of a man like Mason, but she was safe with him.

If she could keep her emotions at bay, she’d love to have an opportunity to explore this physical intimacy with him.

She’d almost died several times. She’d been kept and controlled.

Kissing Mason felt like freedom. Whether it was right or wrong, she wanted more.

He took her hand and led her to the connecting door. As soon as he opened it, Sully glanced between them and cleared his throat. “Let’s do this before we lose the sunset.” He clapped his hands on his knees and stood from the bed.

Mason jerked his head in a nod, and they navigated down to the lobby and out the back door to a courtyard. The space was lush with plants and flowers in full bloom, framing a bubbling fountain in the center.

“This looks like the Secret Garden . It was a book my mother used to read, and this was exactly how I pictured it.” In the distance, the sun was beginning to drop below the horizon, casting the sky in shades of tangerine.

“How about a few shots sitting on the ledge of the fountain?” Sully suggested.

Mason nodded and lifted a brow to her. “Does that sound okay?”

“Sure. Wherever you think would be best.” They settled on the stone ring surrounding the fountain and Sully lifted his phone, taking a few pictures.

Mason suddenly slid off the wall and kneeled in the grass by her feet.

Before she recognized that the move was purely for pictures, emotion slammed into her.

“Maybe this isn’t a typical marriage proposal, Thalia, but it is a promise.

” He gave her a gentle smile, eyes filled with softness.

“A promise that I’m going to help you discover what brings you joy.

What it means to live free of restrictions or fear.

I’m honored to bring you to my home. Honored to have your friendship. ”

Mason reached into his pocket, and she could feel her eyes widen as her lips parted in shock.

He pulled out a box, held it out to her, and opened the lid.

Cushioned in the soft velvet was a stone of her homeland surrounded by what appeared to be brilliant diamonds.

Once again, words seemed far from reach.

She looked from Mason to Sully, who was grinning.

Had he gone to all this trouble just for the pictures?

Surely, he wouldn’t be giving her something so special.

“Sweetheart, look at me.”

At the sound of Mason’s voice, she turned her attention back to the man offering her a chance at a new life and maybe more. It was the more she hoped for the most. She just had to be brave enough to reach out and take it.

“This is a gift. Something I want you to have no matter where we go, together or apart. May I put it on your finger?”

Still overcome by Mason’s words and his generosity, she lifted a trembling hand. He steadied it with his own and slipped the ring on. The gold band warmed her skin as it slid to the base of her finger.

She swallowed hard. “It fits. I’m not sure how that’s possible, but it does.” She glanced down at her finger, watching the way the diamonds caught the light, then back at Mason who was infinitely more beautiful than the exquisite piece of jewelry. “Why are you doing this?”

“Because I see the woman you’ve become. I see you, Thalia, and I want to be right here as you come to see yourself, too. I will protect you with everything I am.” The statement erased all the softness in his face, leaving only determination and honor in its wake. The expression of a warrior.

“I know you will,” she murmured, touched by the depth of his words. Sully had wandered to the edge of the courtyard, giving them some privacy. “But this shouldn’t be one-sided. You can’t do all the giving. Make all the promises without expecting some back.”

“Thalia, you don’t have to—”

She placed her fingers over his soft lips.

Ones that had branded her minutes ago. “Maybe I’m wrong, but somehow, I think I understand that you don’t expect much from others.

I hope you know you’re worth promises, too.

I vow to show you that your needs and feelings are important.

I don’t want one-sided promises between us. ”

Mason’s eyes slowly shut, his chest rising with an expansive breath.

His thick auburn lashes lay against his cheeks for one heartbeat, then two, before opening.

Emotion was steeped in the cobalt depths.

She could’ve happily drifted in this moment, saturated in the warmth of Mason’s presence.

His hands moved to frame her face. “You see me so clearly.” His gruff tone made a dull ache begin in her chest as she realized how much she wanted this.

Wanted Mason for as long as she could have him.