I finished.
Mason Rivera
You good now?
Other than being mortified?
Three dots appear immediately, like he doesn’t even hesitate.
Mason Rivera
You’ve got nothing to be embarrassed about, pretty girl.
Easy for you to say.
You didn’t just completely lose your mind over text messages.
Mason Rivera
No, Lily. I lost my mind the second you trusted me enough to let go.
Heat rushes through me all over again, sharp and impossible to contain. It’s not until I’m lying in bed, staring up at my ceiling, dreaming about the next time I see him, that I realize Mason did the impossible: he gave me back a part of myself I thought I’d lost forever.
42
MASON
Dawn breaks cold and gray over Blackthorn Ranch.
I let myself into the main house, pushing through the kitchen door with Shadow at my heels, the dog's nails clicking against the hardwood. The smell of coffee hits first, strong and bitter, exactly what I need after my sleepless night. I was too wound up with thoughts of Lily to settle down.
Jake's at the stove, spatula in hand. Luke's at the table with his laptop open and a mug halfway to his mouth. They both look up when I enter.
“You look like hell,” Jake says.
Luke snorts.
Ignoring both of them, I head straight for the coffeepot and pour myself a cup that's more sludge than liquid. Shadow settles near the door, watching me with those dark, knowing eyes.
Jake flips something in the pan—eggs, maybe bacon. “You were out late last night.”
It's not a question.
Luke shoots me a wicked grin. “Better tell us where you were before you get grounded.”
“Turner's ranch. Kelly was there.” I take a long pull of coffee and feel it burn down my throat. “So was Lily.”
The spatula goes still. Luke sets his mug down carefully.
“She went on a scouting expedition and got too close,” I continue, my voice flat and tactical. “Kelly came within fifty yards of her position. She was pinned.”
“Jesus,” Jake mutters.
Exactly. I sit at my usual spot at the table, across from Luke. “I triggered the motion alarm on the west side and drew him off. She got out clean.”
Luke leans back in his chair, arms crossed. “So you compromised your position to save her.”
“Yes.”