Page 105 of Word to the Wise

My hands fly into his hair, and my nails dig into his scalp when he drives his tongue in deeper.

I figured I was broken, that I just wasn’t the kind of girl who could come during sex. Mason proves that wrong again and again. And as his tongue drags up to my clit and runs in perfect circles, he proves it once more.

My body’s been on edge all day, waiting for him to take me the way I need him to. So it doesn’t take much for him to set me off. I detonate, grabbing onto his hair. Nearblacking out as my climax rips through me. I come so hard I don’t realize I’m holding his face between my legs.

Not that he seems to mind, since he’s smiling when I finally release him.

“You’re so fucking sweet, Sticks.” He drags his hands up the inside of my thighs, running his thumbs over my clit. My body jumps from being overly sensitive. “But you’re not done coming for me yet. We’re celebrating, after all. Aren’t we?”

I nod, unable to hold back my smile.

Mason grabs the back of his T-shirt, stripping it off before slowly unbuttoning his pants.

The second he hops off the bed and shoves his jeans down, I’m aching for him to be inside me.

“Keep looking at me like that and I’ll put you on your knees for me.”

“Don’t tempt me, big guy.”

He grins, shaking his head.

I love that he meets me wherever I am. Whether we’re being playful or serious. He accepts me without judgment. I’ve never enjoyed being with a person like I do with him. Where I’m at peace to be completely myself.

Sitting up, I climb to my knees and crawl to him at the edge of the bed, kneeling in front of him.

“Where are you going?”

“Nowhere.” I plant my hands on his chest, looking up into those blue eyes that are the pit of the warmest fire.

The heat that nursed my cold heart back to life.

The man who believed in me enough to just let me be myself.

No expectations.

“Nowhere, huh?” He rests his hands over mine, and I’m sure we’re both thinking the same thing.

He’s in front of me, waiting for me to break his heart or meet him where he’s at. A cliff I wasn’t ready to jump off until he reminded me, I have wings.

“Right, nowhere,” I whisper, tracing his chest with my fingers. “Did you mean it when you said you love me?”

Mason presses his lips together, but he doesn’t look shocked. “So that wasn’t a dream then?”

I shake my head.

“Shit.” He wipes his palm down his face, and I realize I might have just fucked this up royally.

If he thought it was a dream, maybe he didn’t mean it.

I shift like I’m going to sit back, but he cups my jaw, holding me in place.

“I’m not sayingshitbecause I regret saying it, Reed.” He runs his thumb over my cheek. “Yes, I fucking meant it. I love you so badly, I can hardly stand it. But I didn’t mean to put that on you when you’re going through so much.”

Reaching up, I drag my fingers through his hair.

“You’re right, I’ve been going through a lot. And I’m not done processing it all yet. But if you think I’ve been holding back because I’m still in love with him, that’s not the case. Honestly, I don’t think I ever really loved Carter because if what we had was love, it wouldn’t have felt like that. Manipulation isn’t love.” I trace my fingers down Mason’s jaw to his chest, until I’ve planted my palm on his heart. “You don’t try and influence me or control me. You want me to be who I am. And Mason, I want that for youtoo. The good, the bad, the ugly; I hope you know I accept all of it. I accept all of you.”

His jaw clenches as he plants his hand over mine. “I’m not good enough for you, Reed.”