Savor Me(19)

“Lace, sleeping around isn’t necessarily a flaw, as long as you own it.”

“Yeah right, because every guy wants a girl who’s had more sexual partners than they have,” I joke, but it’s flat.

“Wait, do you sleep around to keep guys at a distance?”

“That makes zero sense.”

“Doesn’t it? You meet guys and hook up with them, have fun for the night, while thinking you are making yourself less desirable to the next guy. Stop acting like you have nothing to offer but a warm * and sexy body.

I try to make a joke to take the focus off his compliment. “You forgot about my talented mouth.”

“You do have a talented mouth. I won’t deny that. But it’s even good when you aren’t using it get me off. Lace, you are more than sex. You know that. You’re just too scared to believe it.”

“You’re the first person to ever believe me,” I confide, looking up into his eyes.

“Then you are surrounded by idiots. That is more on them than it is on you.”

“Those idiots are my family.” I chew on my bottom lip to fight back the emotions.

“Every family has idiots. Just keep your head up and try not to be one of them. That’s all you can do.”

“Are there idiots in your family?” I ask, even though I know the answer.

“No, my family is full of *s.”

“Tell me about your family.”

“No.”

“You know all my dirty secrets. Tell me yours.” I place a kiss on his cheek and squeeze him tight. I want him to tell me. I know the story, but I want to know if Mason trusts me enough to tell me.

“I know Hunter already told you,” he says, leaning down to kiss me on the forehead.

“I…I…” I stutter like I’ve been caught in a lie.

“It’s okay, Lace. Hunter has a big mouth, and he’s always trying to protect me. When did he tell you though? Judging by the way you looked at me that first night, I’m assuming it was before you even met me.”

“What?! No! He told me at the show. And what do you mean about the way I looked at you that first night?”

“You looked at me like you felt sorry for me. I figured you already knew.”

Oh shit! How do I even answer that? I have a feeling ‘No, Mason, I have this unexplainable draw to you’ won’t go over very well. And at the very least, it will make me look like a clinger. So I answer like a bitch instead.

“No, Mason. I wasn’t looking at you because I feel sorry for you. What Hunter told me sucks, but really? It isn’t even the saddest story I’ve heard this week.”

A look of relief passes through his eyes. I don’t even have time to recognize that look before his hand dives between my legs and wide smile creeps across his face.

“Remember when I told you I believed you about your sister’s douchebag fiancé?” Using his thumb, he finds exactly the right spot. “Well your words just returned the favor.” I still as I process his statement. Mason doesn’t want pity, and in one bitchy statement, I gave him that.

“Mason…”

“Shhhh… Be quiet.” He peeks over my shoulder at a sleeping Hunter then back to my eyes. “Don’t wake him up.” It’s not a plea. It’s a demand. I offer him a quick nod. I want this with him, just him.

With one hand, Mason silently works me toward the edge. His eyes never leave mine except for the moments when he glances down to my lips. He never kisses me, but I have no doubt he wants to. And that is enough for me.

I come on a whisper. Kisses rain over my face as I sleepily snuggle in close to his side.

“Promise you won’t leave,” I say on a sigh.

“This won’t work out, but I promise I won’t leave you, Lace. Ever.” His words lull me into a comfortable and secure sleep. Those are rare at best.





AS THE WEEKS PASS, Hunter, Mason, and I fall into a routine. We see each other about five nights a week, but always together. With the exception of spending time with Hunter while Mason rides and my nightly talks with Mason after Hunter falls asleep, it's always the three of us. When we are in public, Mason keeps his distance while Hunter claims me for the whole town to see. He's always touching and kissing me. As far as everyone else is concerned, Hunter and I are dating, but I know better, so it doesn't bother me. It's not a relationship, and the fact that Mason is involved every step of the way guarantees that. It's the perfect arrangement.

"So here’s the deal. I don't want y'all f*cking other women," I randomly announce one Friday night. I say randomly, but it’s really only random to them. I’ve given this a lot of thought. Thanks to a fantastic nightmare where I stood alone watching Hunter and Mason move on without me, I decided to broach the topic with them. Neither one of them has shown any interest in other women since we first hooked up, but I’d rather be safe than…alone.

"Okay," Hunter immediately agrees while Mason curls his lip in disgust and firmly answers, "No."

Hunter looks over at him. "What the hell do you mean, no?"

"I mean, hell-f*cking-no. She isn't going to dictate who I can and can't sleep with."

"Are you planning to sleep with someone else? Before Lacey, you were in a hell of a dry spell. I'm sure she’ll still let you jerk off if that’s what you’re worried about." Hunter lets his true * fly for the first time since that first morning in the barn.