Page 54 of The Spare (The King Dynasty #2)

"He has dozens of these spread all over his office, in his pants, in his jacket, and at home.

He uses it to ground himself, and to remind him to keep control and be calm.

If you'd just let him in, you'd see that he's safe, and you can trust him.

" I step forward and bend to wrap my arms around him, ignoring him stiffening against me.

"I'd give anything to have a second chance," I whisper in his ear.

"Take yours while you still have the chance. "

Pulling away, I leave him, striding out of the den and nodding at Stephen to let him know I'm ready.

A heart wrenching, guttural sob sounds from the other side of the cracked door, and I fist my hand, forcing myself to be strong.

On the way home I contemplate telling Mason about my visit, but then decide against it just in case Richard doesn't extend an olive branch, then there won't be any feelings hurt.

I just have to know I did my best. And I'll always do my best regarding Mason.

Back at home, I go straight in the kitchen, thinking of doing something to sweeten up Mason's day.

So, I take out the ingredients to make homemade peach cobbler cinnamon rolls.

It's a new recipe that I haven't had a chance to perfect yet, and I'm still trying to learn my way around our kitchen, but there's no time like the present.

I keep thinking about my talk with Richard, wondering if there was something else I could do or say that would have gotten through to him.

The peaches and syrup mixture is boiling on the stove, and I'm rolling up the dough on the counter when my phone dings with a message. Thinking it's Mason, I wipe my hands on a tea towel and grab my cell, opening it to see a message from Karissa.

Hey bestie! Whatcha doin' tonight? Can you come hang out? Kari

I frown, reaching forward to turn off the stove and move the pan from the hot burner. After Mason being so upset last night, I don't know if it'd be wise for me to leave like this. I bite my lip, taking a couple minutes to slice the dough into three-inch thick medallions before responding.

Hi Kari, where are you trying to go? -Mel

To the Lazy Tiger, the new club downtown. It's a networking hotspot. I figured you'd come out, spread your wings a little. Maybe find something to interest you to get out of your funk. -Kari

I frown.

I haven't been in a funk, Kari. I've been on my honeymoon. Big difference. -Mel

Yeah well, the honeymoon is over. Now it's time to hit the ground running and figure out what you want to do with your life. Unless, you're content with being a kept woman, and if that's the case hell ya! -Kari

I roll my eyes, swiping out of our thread and pulling up Mason's number.

"Hi, my love," he says, his voice low. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah," I say breathlessly, heat crawls up my neck at his sexy tenor and I melt, a little like the syrup mixture I'm pouring on the cinnamon rolls as a matter of fact. "I'm okay. Are you okay?"

He chuckles. "Yes, I'm okay; it's just a busy day. I miss you." He pauses as I slam the oven door shut and fiddle with the buttons. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing!" I squeak, thinking I should have been a bit more stealthy about his surprise.

"Nothing, huh? Sounds… interesting."

I clear my throat. "So um…when are you getting home? "

His response is quick. "Probably not for a few hours still. Hendrix asked me to come up to his floor to see him when I get off, and I unfortunately have a late client." He heaves a deep breath. “He insisted on staying late. Why? What's up?"

"Oh, uhm, Karissa asked if I could come out to this new networking club tonight."

"Sounds fun. Take Stephen with you."

I roll my eyes.

"I can see you, you know."

I raise a brow, flicking a look around. "What do you mean you can see me?" I ask sharply, glancing around the room.

"We have a smart house, baby," he says. "I've been watching your ass jiggle the whole time you've been making those delicious cinnamon rolls. Tell me, why am I just now learning you know how to bake?"

"Mason!" I whine, stomping my foot, glaring into a random corner. "Your present was ruined!"

"Aww, turn a bit to the left and tilt your head up love."

I do.

"Hi," he says. "You can't see me, but I'm waving at you." I snort, shaking my head. "I'm so sorry, baby, but I just can't help watching you. You're so perfect."

Tsking my tongue, I head towards the bedroom and straight into the closet. "Okay, well, can you at least talk to me for a second? I haven't heard from you almost all day."

He chuckles. "I texted you when I first got to the office, again before lunch, and another time in the afternoon."

I grumble. "I know, but I got used to having you all to myself for the last two weeks." I flick through the garments on my hanger, pausing at a red dress.

"We're going to have each other for the rest of our lives, butterfly. No, you'll be uncomfortable in that one. It's getting cold outside. Pick the blue dress. The one with sleeves."

My eyes widen and I turn around, searching for a camera I already know I'm not going to see.

"Are they in the bathrooms, too?" I'm met with eerie silence. "Mason!" I snap. "You had better not be watching me go to the bathroom!"

"No, damn. You're no fun," he grumbles. "No, Mel, they're not in the bathrooms."

"Say you swear."

"What are we, five years old?"

"Say it!"

He heaves a heavy sigh. "I swear, baby. Sheesh."

I put the phone on speaker and strip down to nothing, taking my sweet time pouring myself into my dress sans bra and panties. Mason's breathing deepens on the phone."Fuuuccckkk, Mel. Look at that body."

I blush, my irritation withering away to nothing. "Tell Henny hello from me," I say, pulling up my and Karissa's texts.

I'm in. I'll meet you there at seven-thirty. -Mel

Yay! I can't wait to see you, Bestie. -Kari

Mason grunts. "Forget him. I'm more concerned with what you're going to say hello to when I get home."

My heart skips a beat, and I inhale sharply. "Mason, you’re sweet treat isn't enough?" I giggle.

"Is your sweet treat your hot mouth wrapped around my cock?"

"No."

"Is it my tongue in your pussy?"

"No."

"Is it you bending over our bed and spreading your ass- "

"Mason!" I shriek, covering my face with my hands. "Stop it." My cheeks are so hot they feel like they're on fire.

"Well then, there's your answer," he chuckles again. "You know, for as much as I fucked you over our honeymoon, I didn't expect you to still blush like that.”

I scoff. "Okay, well, I do, greedy."

He's very greedy. We fucked no less than three times a day for two weeks. Sometimes five.

He hums into the phone, the sound traveling down to my clit and making me wet. I'm seriously considering canceling with Kari, but I don't want to be that young wife who abandons her friends just because she's married.

"The interesting thing that no one tells you about greed is that the more you get, the more you want. I'm a little worried for your pussy, honey. Because I just don't know sometimes. I thought our honeymoon might make my desire for you somewhat tolerable, but instead, it made it worse."

"Mason, no one could ever accuse you of being a man of few words, you know that?" I say with a half laugh. Still finding it hard to believe that not even three weeks ago I'd been doubting his feelings for me.

"Well, we'll put that theory to the test tonight. Because when you get home, I don't plan on doing a lot of talking. So go. Have fun, drink a little, but not too much. And come home in a good mood."

"Yes, sir."

He goes silent.

"Mason?"

"Hang up the phone before I change my mind."

I giggle. "Yes, my love. I'll see you tonight."

"I love you."

"I love you, more. "

"Not possible. Bye, baby."

"Byeee."

I get off the phone and do a little wiggle, imagining him laughing. I sashay my way out of the closet and leave once the cinnamon roll peach cobbler is done. Ready to have some fun and try to figure out what I want out of life.