The river was coming into view as dawn started to light the sky, and Victoria enjoyed the landscape as she lay in Mason’s arms. The night had been equally intense and tender, leaving her exhausted. It was good exhaustion, not the tense kind she usually felt from dealing with her mother and the crazy life they led.
“You know what I learned just now?” Mason’s whispered question made her smile, especially when she kissed her shoulder blade as she pressed closer behind her.
“What’s that?” She rolled over but stayed close.
“It just hit me what good morning means.” Mason kissed her and trailed her hand down her back. “Good morning.”
“It is.” She traced Mason’s lips with her fingertip and smiled. It’d been a long time since she’d been intimate with anyone, and this was the first time she’d spent the entire night with someone.
Her nomadic upbringing had stunted the part of her heart that most people seemed to take for granted. That part that thrilled over finding someone to share herself with, followed by allowing them into her heart. Up to now she’d only shared her body, but never herself. It made for long nights, but it’d be unfair to lead someone to a place she wasn’t willing to go.
The main responsibility she’d had to herself until this moment was to protect herself above all else. Not allowing anyone too close had kept her safe from more hurt than she had already, but it really was a lonely way to live. Loneliness wasn’t pain, though, and there was Mason at the door, gazing at her like she really wanted to be let in. The problem was, her fingers were numb from holding the knob so tightly, unsure whether to turn it or not.
“You’re really sweet.” It was hard not to feel adored, the way Mason was looking at her. “Thank you for staying with me.”
“Do you think it was a hardship?” Mason flattened her hand on the small of her back and pulled her closer. “If you need to hear me say it, last night was wonderful. You were wonderful.”
“Mason Liner, are you a closet romantic?” She took Mason’s hand. Mason’s eyes seemed to focus on hers when she sucked her index finger to the knuckle.
“Romantic? I’ve never been accused of that, but I’m willing to expand my horizons. Maybe we both can.”
She ran her tongue along the pad of Mason’s finger before releasing it. “Can I admit something?” She buried her fingers in Mason’s hair and sighed when Mason kissed her slowly and with so much tenderness it made her want to weep.
“Tell me. You can tell me anything.” Mason started to move away but she resisted, held her close.
“I’m afraid.” The admission was painful, but she wanted to be honest. “I don’t know how to do this. Dating. Relationships. No clue.” She’d never had a model of what a loving and committed long-term relationship was, with the exception of her grandparents, and even that relationship wasn’t perfect.
“The truth is we’re discovering new territory together. It may be new, and I can understand being afraid, but if you remember that I’m right here, it won’t be so bad.”
She took Mason’s hand and brought it up to her breast. “I want to believe you.”
“Remember the night we met?” Mason spoke softly and moved even closer.
“You know I do.” The expanse of all that skin was making her forget anything but how fast Mason could make her crazy.
“Then remember that even when you didn’t want to hear it, I told you the truth. I’ll do my best now, even when it’s something you don’t want to hear.” Mason moved her until she was lying on top and smoothed her hair back. “You’re safe with me, Vic. We may not always agree, but—”
She put her hand over Mason’s mouth and gave a quick order. “Stop talking.” She was scared, but she was also turned-on and she wanted Mason again.
“Tell me.” Mason’s voice never rose, but it was commanding and sexy as hell. “Tell me what you want.”
“You know—you know, and you’d better do something about it.”
Mason was able to reach without moving away from her and entered her fast and hard. It was so good it made her suck in a breath and hold it.
“Good God.”
It was starting to get embarrassing that she had no control over the orgasms Mason was able to urge her to with lightning speed. Mason filled her up and touched her clit and she was gone.
“You okay?”
“Eventually, I’d like to enjoy that for longer than a rider has to stay on a bull.”
That made Mason laugh hard enough to shake the bed. “What an interesting thing to say. Should I start mooing? Or get a saddle?”
“Shut up.” She moved and winced when pain shot through her foot.
“Let me get an ice pack.” Mason carefully rolled her over and placed a pillow under her foot. “Try not to move until I get back.”
“Wait, don’t you want me to touch you?”
“I’ll take any serious questions you might have when I get back, but right now I’m going to get you an ice pack for your foot. Do you need anything else?”
“It’s not like I’m going jogging, so hurry back.” The sun was starting to rise, and she felt a little guilty about waking Mason up so early.
They had coffee and toast in bed before Mason carried her to the bathroom for a shower. It was nice to stand under the rain head as she leaned against Mason for balance while she washed her hair. No one had taken care of her since she was a child, and she was enjoying it, but really, no one had taken this kind of time with her, ever. That simple truth usually made her sad, but not today.
“Do you have to go into the office today?” She’d gotten dressed with Mason’s help and hadn’t mentioned her crutches when Mason carried her to the office.
“I’m going to work from here for the rest of the week, unless you’re trying to get rid of me.” Mason sat her on the couch in her office and placed her crutches next to her. “Do you need some space?”
“No, but I don’t want you to neglect your work, either.” She combed her fingers through Mason’s hair and liked that she could touch her without feeling awkward about it. “You’re probably way behind because of me already.”
“The world and all the problems in it aren’t your fault, Vic. Learn to enjoy the good parts without any kind of guilt because you’re having a good time.”
“What do you mean?” It’d be interesting to see the world from Mason’s perspective. She seemed so sure of herself, and that hadn’t been a place Victoria had ever reached. It was tiring going from day to day waiting for the inevitable disaster that she would either have to clean up or take the blame for.
“This is new”—Mason lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles—“but it’s nice. At least I think so, and I’m planning to enjoy whatever comes next. I’m not willing to stop because your mom is having a hard time—a hard time she chose, not you.”
Could it be that easy to let go of the guilt? To accept that she played no part in her mother’s downfall? Not likely. “I think it’s nice too. It’s a surprise, but a good one.”
“It is, and it doesn’t mean that we have to stop trying to help your mom. You can be happy, and we can help your mom. They’re not mutually exclusive. And you’re going to have to accept that I’m here for you. You and Sophie.”
“You really are something, and I believe you.”
“Good, go back to your book, and I’ll run out and get some supplies so we don’t starve.” Mason kissed her and moved the phone closer. “I won’t be long, but if you need anything, call. Will you be okay on the crutches?”
“I’ll be fine, so take your time.”
She decided to move to the back deck with her book but spent most of her time staring out at the water. There wasn’t any experience in her life that she could gauge Mason against, and their night had been so much more than sex. If it had been simply that, there wouldn’t be all these emotions to work through.
The sad truth was, her relationship with her mother was the longest and most constant connection she had, and the scars of all her war wounds would prevent her from trusting a future that revolved around sharing herself completely, even if that was what someone expected from her. Mason hadn’t spelled it out, but it was easy to see that she wasn’t going to accept anything less than a true partnership. It’s what Mason had grown up witnessing in her parents, and it made sense she’d want the same. But what Victoria had witnessed in her own life was altogether different. And it wasn’t like she and Mason were already declaring undying love for one another. Thoughts of a future together were misplaced, but she couldn’t help herself. Spending time with Mason’s family showed her just how out of kilter her own life was.
She jumped when she heard someone clear their throat behind her. With her hand on her chest she turned to find Colt Kenny standing there like a denim-clad god.
“I hope I’m not interrupting.” Colt wasn’t someone she’d expected to see again, but she returned his smile when he sat next to her. “Sorry for scaring you.”
“That’s okay. I have a bad habit of getting lost in my thoughts.” She placed the book on her lap and tried to think of some small talk to keep him entertained until Mason got back. “Mason shouldn’t be long if you want to wait for her. She’s running an errand and coming right back.”
“I’m actually here to see you.” Colt removed his black Stetson and held it between his legs. “I’m glad I caught you alone. I wanted to talk to you about something.”
“Sure, if I can help.” All the relaxed feelings from the morning bled right out of her, and she hoped this wasn’t going to be something that’d come between her and Mason if her big star tried something stupid.
“The studio sent a list of names over for the duet we did together, but I don’t think I could do better than you. You have a beautiful voice, Victoria, and I’d like it if you recorded the song with me.”
She opened and closed her mouth a few times but had to stop and think of what to say. “Are the people the studio wants on the charts now?” Opening your heart to someone enough to trust them with whatever load you had in life was one thing, but having them try to give you outright charity was another animal. If this was Mason’s idea, and she’d run it by Colt before talking to her about it, they’d have to have a long, uncomfortable conversation later to review boundaries.
If Mason had indeed done that, Victoria was back to thinking it stemmed from wanting something. That was the way of the industry, and she was an idiot for thinking otherwise. One night with someone wasn’t going to change their true nature.
“That’s usually how management works, but maybe that’s not how it should be.” Colt was extremely handsome, especially when he hit you with that full-wattage smile.
She wasn’t naive to the business end of things. People schmoozed you to get what they wanted, and then they discarded you like an empty Starbucks coffee cup. It was a trait her mother and most of the people like her had in common, and it was so ingrained, there was no changing it.
“I appreciate the offer, but you can tell Mason I’m not up for charity.” She was proud of herself for not answering through gritted teeth. If this was what Mason had in mind, she should’ve had the decency to say it. If getting blindsided by Colt was supposed to impress her, it’d had the opposite effect.
He looked surprised and held up his hands. “This isn’t coming from Mason. It’s coming from me, and that’s because I’m in love with your voice. I’m not sure where you’ve been hiding, but you should be onstage somewhere.” Colt reached out but stopped before he touched her. “Will you at least think about it? I don’t have a lot of time left in the studio, and I want this one cut before we leave.”
Her thoughts spun, and she tried to find his angle. “You expect me to believe you’re only recording one track and leaving the rest for when you come back?”
“We’re touring and recording along the way. The album’s called Highway, and I pitched the idea to Mason to record as we travel, and she went along with it. We’ll be debuting each new song in the cities where we record them. You probably think it’s gimmicky, but we’re giving it a try. I liked the spontaneous feel of it.” Colt lifted his hands as in defeat. “I’m not sure where all this is coming from, but what I want is to pull together the best people I can find to finish this project. For the song you debuted with me, that’s you, but I won’t bully you about it. How about you think about it, and I’ll call you tomorrow and the day after that and so on until you say yes?”
She shook her head, but it was in self-admonishment. She was so desperately jaded, and once again, she’d judged Mason for something that had nothing to do with her. “Colt, wait. I’m sorry, and I’ll think about it. It’s been a rough few months, and I didn’t mean to jump down your throat.”
“Happens to the best of us, and you really do have it all. You have the chops, and that’s all that should matter, but you have a beautiful face, so it’s definitely a winning combination.”
The comment smacked of misogyny, but unfortunately that was also part of the business, and another reason she didn’t want to swim in the pool that was the music industry. Still, the compliment about her voice made her smile. “Thank you, and I’ll be in touch. You might want to review that list again and review your options. A better-known artist will help you out more than me, and you’re at the top of your game now. No sense taking any chances.”
“Think about it, but be prepared for persistence. The only chance I’ll be taking is going with someone else if you say no.”
Colt left and she closed her eyes, enjoying the sun on her face and the quiet surrounding her. The offer was a surprise, and she didn’t fully believe the great opportunity didn’t have something to do with Mason. No matter what the truth was, she had to start taking a breath before she lashed out in response to people’s kindness. All the anger she’d pent up through the years wasn’t anything Mason or anyone else deserved from her.
Mason came back with bags of groceries two hours later, as well as a stack of work. The nicest part of the morning was that Mason searched her out and took her time kissing her hello before anything else. Having someone in her life who seemed to put her first made her want to hold on and take risks. She didn’t mention Colt’s visit right away. She was still pondering his offer and wasn’t sure how she felt about it.
“How about a piggyback ride down the hill for a picnic since our first one got ruined?” Mason spoke loudly from the small kitchen, and it made her wonder what Mason was doing. Up to now Mason hadn’t cooked anything.
She balanced on her crutches and headed inside. “I’d love to. Do you need any help?” She smiled at the not so complicated ham sandwiches Mason was putting together.
“How about you carry this, and I carry you?”
“I have a feeling I’ll be completely healed, and you’re still going to be carrying me down that hill.”
“Don’t tell me that you’re complaining about that. I think you secretly like it, and I make no secret that I like having you in my arms. It’s an all-around winner, so don’t ruin my fun.”
Mason packed everything and moved to put her arms around her. The solidness of Mason was more comforting than anything in her life, and the feel of her made her want to stay there.
“You okay, sweetheart? You’ve been kind of quiet.”
“Colt was here.” She stopped talking, wanting—no, needing—to hear what Mason had to say. Anger was the one thing she had to let go of, but wariness had kept her safe all these years.
Wariness had made her vigilant around some of Sophie’s boyfriends, and some of the slimy venue managers who were quick to take advantage if you gave them the opportunity. It was a tough thing to overcome, but Mason wasn’t the enemy in any scenario she could fathom.
Mason frowned and leaned against the counter. “Did he bother you about anything?”
“Do you know why he was here?”
“The last place he should’ve been was here. He should be in the studio finishing the tracks he has slated. He and the band will be gone for a long while.” The way Mason leaned against the counter with her arms folded didn’t give a hint as to how she was feeling except maybe a little peeved.
“So you don’t know why he was here?”
“Do I want to know why he was here?”
She couldn’t be sure, considering how long they’d known each other, but Mason actually sounded jealous. “Are you okay?” The question only got her silence, and she didn’t know what the problem was. “Do you happen to remember what we talked about last night?”
“Every detail of it.”
“I’m not looking to share my conversational skills with anyone else, so lose the frown, baby, and take me on a picnic.” She balanced on one foot to pry Mason’s arms down and put them around her waist. “If you kiss me, I’ll tell you what Colt wanted.”
“He didn’t hit on you, did he?” Mason certainly sounded both peeved and jealous, and she wasn’t doing a very good job of hiding it.
She felt Mason’s hands tighten on her hips, and she tried not to smile. “You aren’t going to go all ape-man on me, are you?”
“No, but I also don’t want someone bothering you if that’s not what you want.”
“Why do I get the impression some small part of you thinks I might’ve wanted that?” It was almost humorous to see Mason’s eyes drop like a chastised little boy’s. “You’re such an idiot. He wants me to record the duet with him, which is totally odd since you didn’t put my name on the list of possibles. You didn’t put my name on that list he talked about, did you?”
“I would’ve if I’d thought you were seriously interested. Are you seriously interested?” Mason’s hands moved down and cupped her ass briefly before she lifted her onto the counter. The granite’s chill seeped through her jeans, but the way Mason was staring at her made her decisively warm. “You have a beautiful voice, and it might pave a new way for you that has nothing to do with your mom.”
“Would that be completely true, though?”
“What do you mean?” Mason leaned in and kissed the spot where her neck met her shoulder. “You need to start seeing yourself for the amazing woman you are. Give yourself the chance to live your dreams. You deserve only good things.”
“You think I should do it, then?”
“I think you should do whatever will make you comfortable in your own skin. You should chase the dreams that make you happy.” Mason kissed the same spot but on the other side. “In the end that’s all that’s paramount, and it’s not something that comes right away sometimes.”
“Are you? Happy with yourself, I mean.” Victoria knew it was a question with layers, but she felt safe asking it. After a life spent uncomfortably adrift, being with Mason was like finding a buoy in a raging storm.
“It took leaving here to prove myself and duck out of my father’s shadow to start seeing what I could be, not what was expected of me.”
Mason didn’t say anything else and she kissed her for being so honest. “But you came back.”
“I did, because I had to face that there was no getting around my dad and his accomplishments. And what I could be was enough.”
“So you settled?”
“I’d like to see it as adapting. There’s no denying Sonny Liner, but there is a way to survive in his shadow. And surviving doesn’t mean you can’t thrive. It doesn’t mean you can’t do great things too, things people appreciate and acknowledge, not because of your relatives, but because you’ve done them.” Mason cupped her face, and her hands felt warm and wonderful, and she wanted to stay in and enjoy the feeling all over her body.
“You make me crazy.”
“In a good way?” Mason moved her hands down until they landed on her ass so she could pull her closer.
She had to laugh at that. “In the best way. Want to have a picnic inside?”
“I’d love to if you’re okay with the fact that I’m starved.”
The thought of keeping Mason hungry for a long time was appealing. Thoughts about the future, as usual, could wait. “Let’s do something about satisfying every appetite.”
* * *
The trip from the kitchen to the bedroom was short, but having Victoria wrapped around her made it seem like they were headed to another state, it was taking so long. Whatever their feelings were in the beginning didn’t matter as a hunger Mason had never experienced before consumed her. Victoria was a beautiful sexy woman who inspired that part of her core that lived to prove herself and fight off anyone or anything that wanted what she craved.
“Take your jeans off,” Victoria said when Mason put her down. Victoria was unbuttoning hers but they weren’t coming off over the boot, so Mason removed it for her.
“You’re so beautiful, you make me insane.”
“Beat your chest later, baby, and put your hands on me.”
There was nothing sexier in life than a woman who wasn’t shy about what she wanted, especially when all that need was directed at her. Victoria certainly wasn’t shy, and she kissed Mason like she really wanted her. Mason leaned back to slow them down, wanting to enjoy their time together.
“Are you thinking about what to do?” Victoria leaned back as well, resting her weight on her palms. “Or do you need a hint?” She spread her legs and put her hand on her sex. “If you need a hint, I need your mouth right here.”
“Jesus Christ, seeing you like this is like a blessing.” She sat on her heels and didn’t want to move.
“Don’t make me beg, baby.” Victoria’s hand slipped lower, and she appeared almost embarrassed, but Mason could understand considering she was so turned-on it was getting painful.
Mason lowered her head, flattened her tongue on Victoria’s hard clit, and froze again when she felt how wet Victoria was. She almost laughed when Victoria slapped the side of her head softly with her uninjured foot. “Stop Sunday driving, Liner, before I force you off the road and take the wheel.”
“No one appreciates a back-seat driver.”
Victoria inhaled deeply, appearing ready to comment, so Mason sucked her in and Victoria threw her head back. “Fuck…oh, fuck.”
She increased the pressure and slowly put two fingers into her, never lifting her mouth.
“Yes, like that. It’s so good.” Victoria got demanding as her hips came off the bed. “Harder, baby, harder.” The order came breathlessly as Victoria’s movements became almost frantic. “Come up here.”
The way Victoria clung to her as her body went rigid made it impossible for her to move her hand, so she simply held her as best she could as the orgasm swept through her. “I’m here—let go.”
“Jesus,” Victoria said before finally relaxing. “You’re amazing.”
She kissed Victoria’s temple and smiled. “I am, aren’t I?” The way Victoria laughed made her widen her smile. “But it’s easy to achieve amazing when you can only take half the credit.”
“Does being with me freak you out at all?”
Victoria held on to her tighter, and in that moment she realized Victoria was scared and asking if she was too. “I haven’t been in a relationship in a long time, but I think we should figure out how to let go of the fear and make this work. You’re the first person I’ve wanted to try with since Natalie.” She held Victoria and waited to see if she’d say anything else, but she stayed quiet. “All we need to do is be honest with each other about what we want and, more importantly, what we don’t want.”
“Does that mean you want me to take Colt up on his offer?”
“That means you and I are good together, but you’re the only person who can best answer what it is you want to do.” She rolled them over so that she could see Victoria’s face. “What’ll make you happy?”
“The answer’s what freaks me out.” Victoria took a deep breath before speaking. “You have to know that I haven’t had anyone I could trust to help me do anything for a long time. Letting you in scares me. What happens if it doesn’t work out?”
“What happens if it does?” She wasn’t going to let Victoria quit so easily, and she wasn’t going to stop caring even if this part of their relationship didn’t work out. “Letting me in isn’t something you’re ever going to regret, sweetheart. Start wrapping your brain around the fact that you aren’t alone any longer, and you won’t be, no matter what. Even if we decide the relationship thing doesn’t work, I’ll always be here as your friend.” Making those kinds of promises actually did freak her out more than a little, but it wasn’t the time to admit that.
Some wise person once said courage was being afraid but doing whatever scared the piss out of you anyway. Now was the time for courage, time to let someone into the parts of her that would bleed to death if they cut her, but eventually would wither and die if she didn’t let them in.
“You don’t understand. My fear isn’t you, Mason. I’m scared because of me and all the baggage I come with. Eventually you’re going to get tired of dealing with my shit.” Victoria squeezed her shoulders hard, and she appeared upset. “And when you do, you’ll leave.”
“Give me a chance, and you won’t be sorry.” She lay back down and was content to hold her.
“Are you sure?” The fear mixed with hope in Victoria’s tone made her hurt.
“I’m positive, and all you need to remember is you’re safe with me.”
Victoria flattened her hand on Mason’s abdomen and sat up slightly. “Are you turned-on by me? I think you are,” Victoria said as she moved her hand lower.
“I think you’re…fuck.”