Victoria smiled against Mason’s shoulder as the house creaked around them in the quiet of the night. So this was what it was like to be happy and in love, and to have a home to enjoy it all in. The location didn’t matter, only the woman in the bed who held her protectively even in her sleep. A couple of months ago she would’ve been content to find a piano job and work in a dive, living in solitude, but now nothing made sense without Mason.
The song Mason had given her was beautiful, but there’d been no time for that after they got home and made love, stopping only to eat when her stomach growled so loud it made Mason laugh. The eating had been fast, though. If Mason had been passionate before, admitting their feelings had brought them to new heights. Their fun should’ve exhausted her, but she was too giddy to sleep, and she’d never used the word giddy in her life.
Mason’s steady breathing didn’t change when Victoria rolled away and got up. It was two in the morning, so she didn’t bother with clothes as she closed the door to their bedroom and sat at the piano. The small light over the music stand was all she needed to play the slow ballad that only she and Mason would truly understand.
She made it through the whole thing and started over, planning to sing this time. Mason’s words were hauntingly beautiful, and they would’ve given away her feelings if she hadn’t already confessed them. The introduction would be only the piano, and she got through it, anticipating what the rest would sound like with accompaniment.
“Talk to me. Tell me all I want to know through your kiss. Those are the words of lovers that only you and I understand. Those are the words that fill my heart with how much you love me.
“You are mine and I am yours. The truth of that is the love song of our lives, and I want nothing more than for you to talk to me.
“Talk to me. Tell me about forever in the way you hold my hand and walk by my side into all my tomorrows. I know you won’t let go even when there are no more days to share, because—
“You are mine and I’m yours. The truth of that is the love song of our lives, and I want nothing more than for you to talk to me.”
She played, having difficulty seeing the music through her tears. Who knew Mason was such a romantic? She finally stopped before it was done, needing to take a few deep breaths so she could try again. Composure was impossible when Mason, completely naked, sat next to her and started playing where she left off.
“Talk to me. Tell me how much you love me in the way you hold me. Your touch is all the poetry I’ll ever need, and your eyes hold every song we’ll dance to until our time is done.”
She pressed closer to Mason as she sang the chorus.
“Talk to me. In your silence I can hear your promise that your love is mine alone. Those are the words written on my soul and they give me courage to face whatever life brings.
“You are mine, and I am yours. It’s the love song of our lives, and I want nothing more than for you to talk to me.”
Mason lifted her hands from the keys and turned to smile at her with those perfect dimples. She straddled Mason’s lap, smiling herself when Mason’s hands immediately landed on her ass. It was amazing to go from a long period of celibacy to being this ravenous for Mason’s hands on her.
“Baby, please.” She locked her feet at the small of Mason’s back and moved when Mason leaned her against the keys, sucked her nipple in, and bit it gently. She felt it all the way to her clit, and she pulled Mason’s hair to get her to suck the other one. “You make me want you so much.”
Mason lifted her head and kissed her hard enough to make her lips feel bruised, and it wasn’t enough. She needed Mason inside her, loving her, reminding her she’d found her home. It was like Mason had read her thoughts. She squeezed her hand between them and then into her, fast and hard, but then didn’t move at all.
“You want me, baby?”
“Oh my God, yes.” She pumped her hips, desperate for the stimulation against her clit. The damn thing was so hard she thought she’d die from need. “I don’t want to wait…I’m so ready.”
“Tell me what you want.” Mason’s deep voice wrapped around her like a spell that left her craving an orgasm. “Tell me or I’m going to stop.” The sensation of Mason pulling out and slamming back in would make her come too soon, so she concentrated on her breathing and on hanging on.
“I need you to make me come,” she said, biting down on Mason’s shoulder. “And when you do, I’m going to suck you until you come in my mouth.”
She almost laughed at how fast Mason went back to her nipple as she moved her hand in time with the thrust of her hips. It was clear Mason could play her as well as the piano, and the way she made love to her made her want to keep her inside, but she couldn’t hold back any longer.
“Oh yes…yes, holy fuck, yes.” She squeezed Mason’s shoulders, and she tried her best to take Mason deep by tipping her hips forward. “Oh…” She felt the orgasm rush through her, and she jolted forward to kiss Mason. There wasn’t a tense bone in her body, and she was ready to go back to bed, but she had a promise to keep.
“You okay?” Mason asked when they came apart.
“I’m perfect, but you need to turn around.” She slowly stood and exhaled when Mason pulled out. “Go on, move.”
Mason swung her legs around and put one hand in Victoria’s hair and the other behind her head when Victoria knelt and sucked Mason’s hard clit in until it was pressed against her tongue. She wanted to make it last and show Mason how she felt about her, but Mason was wound too tight to hold on.
“Fuck,” Mason said and tightened her grip on her hair. “So good, baby.” It was all Mason could manage before the muscles in her thighs tightened and she let out a string of curses.
She kissed Mason’s sex one more time before coming up to kiss her on the lips. “You’re a sexy beast, Liner, and we need to clean this bench before we play out here again.”
“It’s playing that makes it necessary to clean it.” Mason picked her up and carried her back into the bedroom.
“Play music, honey, not house.”
“Live a little, sweetheart, and all those memories will hopefully inspire your playing if I’m not around.” Mason spooned behind her and flattened her hand on her stomach. “Right now, go to sleep.”
“Thank you for yesterday.” The last twenty-four hours had been like finding a lucky penny that actually worked, and all her wishes had come true. “You’re like my own personal Santa.”
“I love doing things for you because I love you.” Mason yawned so she rolled over and pushed Mason onto her back. She draped her arm and leg over Mason’s body and rubbed small circles on her abdomen.
“It’s that simple?”
“When it comes to you, yes, it is.” Mason kissed her forehead and put her arm around her so she could pat her on the butt. “Loving you is the easiest thing I’ve ever done, and I always want you to know how special you are.”
They fell asleep and the phone woke them up at eight the next morning. It was Colt, and it sounded involved, so Victoria went to the bathroom. This morning her reflection didn’t appear haunted by the ghosts of the past. She looked…happy. It was time to let go and rebuild something she and her mom could live with.
“Hey, Belle.” She answered her own phone, and smiled at the sound of Mason’s voice still coming from the bedroom.
“Hey, I’m surprised you answered. I thought you were avoiding me.”
“I was,” she admitted, and Belle laughed.
“I don’t really blame you. It’s not like I’m asking you out for a fun night. Are you ready? It’s okay if you’re not.”
She dropped her head back and stared at the ceiling. How easy it would be to say no, she wasn’t ready, would never be ready. But she had her own life to live, and it was time to do what had to be done. “It’s time, and I’d like to do it this morning if Mama’s okay with that.”
“If you can be here in an hour, we’ll be ready.”
That was that. It was like pulling the trigger and waiting to bleed, only the wound wouldn’t be fatal. All she had to do was keep reminding herself that her fear always stemmed from the fear of being alone, and wishing she mattered to someone. That had started when her grandparents died and all she’d been left with was a relationship with her mother. She’d twisted herself into knots trying to please her, but she’d never come close. Now she knew why.
The great Sophie Roddy had seen her as lacking, and that had sealed the fate of their relationship. It wasn’t her mother’s fault, though, that she’d been weak and had tried so hard, even into adulthood, for her mother’s approval. That was on her and her need to have someone in her life no matter how they treated her. Now she was ready to reclaim her pride, and Mason’s love was like a talisman that reminded her that she was worthy.
“This must be my lucky day.”
Victoria put the phone down and turned to face Mason.
“Did Colt make you a gazillion dollars?” The sensation she always got from Mason’s embrace was wonderful, but it doubled when they were naked.
“A gazillion might be a reach, but that’s not it.” Mason’s arms came around her, and her feet came off the floor. “I’m lucky because I wandered in here and found a beautiful naked woman in my bathroom.”
“You are lucky, not to mention flattering, but that’s as lucky as you’re getting. I’m meeting Belle and my mother in an hour.” She rested her head against Mason’s and sighed. “Are you going into the office?”
“I think the office can come to us this morning.” Mason led her back to the bed and sat. “You are the woman I love, and you need to remember a few things before you go up there. The most important is if you need me for anything, I’m a call away. I’ll be here when you’re done. If you need to talk, or if you just need space and silence, whatever, I’m here. The other things to keep in mind are that I love you, and you have a place. You have a place and it’s one where you’re wanted, so don’t let Sophie make you think otherwise.”
“I know.” They kissed like they had all morning, before they went and shared a shower. She dressed casually, not bothering with her hair except to pull it into a ponytail.
“You want a ride?” Mason offered.
“I have time to walk, but I might need one back.” There were horses at the fence in the distance, and they added to the beauty of the area, but the best part was Mason stepping behind her and holding her.
“I love you, darlin’, and I’ll be waiting right here.”
“Knowing that gives me the strength to do anything.” It was time to claim her future and all it had to offer. “I love you too, and I’ll be back.”
* * *
Victoria took her time walking to the main house and waved at the ranch hands she saw along the way. She spotted Belle sitting with her mom outside, and she stopped in shock at how pale and exhausted her mother appeared. She hadn’t seen her since they’d arrived here nearly six weeks ago, and she looked nothing like the country superstar of Victoria’s chaotic life. She looked worn down and old. It drove home the reality of how close she’d come to losing her, and it would’ve hurt despite their differences. Perhaps Sophie wasn’t a great mother, but she was the only one she had.
“Thank you for coming, Victoria,” Belle said when she was near the patio. It had taken a few minutes to get her feet moving again.
She nodded and went to kiss her mom’s cheek, but Sophie put her hand up to stop her. This wasn’t going to be a joyous reunion, and her stomach dropped with the well-known dread of being a disappointment.
“Just sit and stop pretending you give a shit about me,” Sophie said.
“Sophie, we talked about this.” Belle tapped her pen on the notebook and shook her head.
“Don’t you mean you talked about this? I’ve listened and done all this crap until I’m sick, and where the hell has she been?” Sophie sliced the air with a rigid finger in her direction. “You fucking abandoned me here, but not before you took everything that was important to me. Weston is gone, my tour is over, and the band has probably moved on as well.”
“You’re seriously going to lead with that?” She spoke so softly that her mother had to stop her rant to hear her. “I agreed to get you help, and no one, especially me, told Weston to go anywhere. He left of his own accord, along with a lot of your money, I might add. The only thing I’ve done was to try to protect your assets while you got better.”
“Didn’t she tell you the truth?” Sophie’s tone was back at full throttle as she pointed at Belle. “You and me have been stuck together, and we need to face that. I might’ve given birth to you, but nothing can make me happy about that.”
“Wow. You’re right.” She stood up and ignored Belle’s motions for her to sit. “Neither one of us got what we wanted or deserved in each other, and I’m sorry for my part in that. You didn’t have a choice in the beginning, and I totally understand that, but you have a choice now. Just be honest and tell me what you want.”
“I want my freedom.”
“From me, you mean?” She refused to cry, not anymore. “Of course, from me,” she said, and her mother stayed quiet. “You got it. I’m never going to tell you that I don’t care what happens to you, because I do, but you’re not obligated to me any longer for anything. All I wanted was to get you help before you killed yourself, but that’s it. You don’t owe me anything. And I most certainly no longer owe you anything, either.”
“Don’t be so dramatic. That’s always been your problem.”
Sophie’s voice was harsh, and she almost wanted to laugh. When her mom didn’t get her way, her instinct to fight was overly emotional, as if trying her best to get you to back down.
“What exactly was supposed to be the correct response, Mama? I’m not being dramatic—I’m giving you what you want.” She stood with her head slightly cocked, breathing in the jasmine-scented air, and found some comfort in the peaceful surroundings. The warmth of the wrought iron armchair she was standing behind made her realize she was squeezing too hard, but she repeated the question despite not wanting to be there or hear the answer. “What would you like me to say?”
“You could say that you give a shit about what happens to me. You should’ve been here helping me through this.”
“Make up your mind.” She wanted to shake her mother until she stopped this stupidity. “Either you want me, or you don’t, but you were never alone. I was frantic at the hospital after Weston called. You were this close to death”—she held up pinched fingers—“and I was praying you’d survive. That’s all I cared about, and I did whatever I could to keep you alive. You say I don’t care, that I wasn’t there for you and I should have been. But I’ve been there, and it wasn’t enough. What do you want?”
“Let’s take a minute,” Belle said when it appeared like her mother was about to start again. “This isn’t about playing the blame game. It never helps and does nothing to solve any problem.”
“Fine,” Victoria said and tried her best not to telegraph how pissed she was. “What can I do to help get her to a safe place where she’s not going to overdose?”
“You—”
“All you need to do,” Sophie said, talking right over Belle, “is put things back the way they were. I didn’t ask to be saved, and I didn’t need it.”
“Victoria,” Belle said, cutting off any response she had. “Can I talk to you?” They stepped into the kitchen, and Belle kept her eyes on Sophie. “This might’ve been too soon, and for that I apologize.”
“If you think I’m surprised, I’m not.”
“Actually, the one who’s surprised is me,” Belle said, shaking her head. “You might not believe me, but in our private sessions Sophie never displayed any of this hostility. I’m a little baffled, to be honest. It’s my mistake in bringing you two together too soon, since it’s clear she can’t let her guard down around you yet. It’s often hardest to be vulnerable around the people who know us best.”
“Maybe what you just saw was her being totally honest. Did that ever occur to you? You and I see an addict out of control, but Sophie didn’t have a problem with her life. That’s the truth of it, so maybe it’s us who have to accept it.”
“I refuse to believe that, but I do understand where you’re coming from. We need to give it more time, and hopefully I’ll find out where this hostility is coming from before we try again.”
Victoria tried to stop the shaking in her hands. Even after several weeks, she was still her mother’s scapegoat, and she still wasn’t good enough in any way. “No need to apologize—believe me, I’m familiar with her temper. Can you legally keep her here? I’m all for trying some more, but that’s not what she wants, obviously.”
“I’ve logged her as a danger to herself with the local mental health agency and made this a treatment center, which means I can keep her for a while yet. A few more weeks, then it’s going to take a lot of convincing. Are you sure you and Mason don’t mind being displaced?”
“The river house isn’t exactly slumming it. We’ll be fine, and I’m sorry if I lost my temper.”
Belle laughed and rubbed her back. “Sophie is what I see as a carrier of misery, and she loves to share. None of us are immune, and if that was you losing your temper, I think we’re all safe. I think I’d have said far more.”
“I’ll go out the front so I don’t upset her any more than I have. Thank you for all that you’re doing.”
She stopped when Belle took her hand. “Go out the back and tell her good-bye. She might not be nice or remotely agreeable, but it’ll give her peace of mind that you haven’t forgotten her.”
The five deep breaths she took before stepping outside didn’t help clear her head, so she decided simply to deal with whatever her mom threw at her without yelling or hitting something. There was no way her mom would change her mind about her, but she was strong enough to handle it. She could feel that now, deep in her bones. She could see her mom’s hands shaking as she combed her hair back repeatedly as if in a trance, and it was sad how far she’d fallen from that superstar she’d grown up with.
“Mama, I’ll be back, but if you need anything, Belle will let me know.” Sophie stiffened when she kissed her cheek and hugged her. “I love you, and I want you to be okay, no matter how you feel about me.”
She left before her mom could inject any further cruelty. The hill was steeper than she remembered, and she made her way slowly down, careful not to put too much pressure on her still healing foot. As hard as she tried to ignore them, her mom’s words kept hitting her like spiked hammers to her heart. She knew her mom was being illogical and had a long way to go in her journey. But that didn’t mean the words didn’t hurt, that knowing she was such a deep disappointment to her didn’t make her heart ache. She was halfway down when she spotted Mason coming from the opposite direction. Her horrible mood vanished as Mason sped up to reach her.
“Have you been pacing down here?”
“It was more like I was anticipating you. I didn’t want to get too close, but Sophie’s voice really carries.”
“Well, who can blame her? I ruined her life by surviving birth, by getting rid of Weston, and by ruining her career.” She pressed against Mason and snuggled in once Mason put her arms around her.
“She can blame me for part of that. I remembered you talking about him, so I had someone go over to convince him it was time to move on.” Mason shifted so they could walk back to the river house. “Sophie isn’t the first one to indulge his love of illegal substances, and hopefully he can find someone else to share that particular hobby if she’s out of the picture.”
“That might be true, but he’s going to come running back the first chance she can get him on the phone.” They sat on the front porch, and even after hours of sleep, she was tired. “Belle’s going to keep trying, and in a couple of weeks we might have a problem if she wants to leave before she’s ready.”
“I’m sure that’s not what you wanted to hear, but we’ll try our best to get her what she needs.” Mason kissed her palm. “How about a few days away from here to get a taste of things to come?”
“We still have some spots in the house we haven’t tried, so you don’t need to bring me anywhere if you want to get more adventurous.” She loved the way Mason sounded when she truly laughed. It seemed to come from her soul, and hearing it lightened her mood no matter how down she was.
“I love you, and I love the way your mind works, but I was thinking more career related.”
It was hard at times to accept how happy Mason’s loving her made her, and that it was real, but Mason proved it to her with every kiss. Mason always held her and poured out a little of the magic she’d created with the song she’d written for her every time she pressed her lips to hers. The wonder of it assured her that Mason’s feelings were true. Her mother might not think she was worthy, but Mason did. And that meant everything.
“This may sound sappy, but I’ll follow you wherever you take me.” She stroked Mason’s hand with her thumb. That’s when she heard the laughing close by.
“You look like some old couple ready for rocking chairs,” Josette said. She was getting out of the utility vehicle Jeb was driving. He got out as well and placed a bag on the porch. “What’s happened to you?”
“This one happened to me.” She kissed Mason again before going to hug Josette. “Not that I’m not thrilled to see you, but what are you doing here?”
“When someone invites you to a concert in New York, you don’t turn that down.”
“We’re going to a concert in New York?” Victoria looked back at Mason.
“Overnight trip,” Mason said. “This is the first concert release of one of Colt’s new songs, and I want to see how it goes. If we’re going to go with this model for the rest, it might need some tweaking if Colt’s idea doesn’t go over like he hopes it will.”
“It’s not the duet, is it? I don’t think I’m ready for that.” Victoria’s heart pounded at the thought of standing in front of a crowd like that.
“Not yet.” Mason opened the door and pointed to the bedroom. “You get to enjoy it as a spectator this time, but soon you’re going to have a legion of fans. Just don’t forget who the president of your fan club is.” She shook her head when Josette followed them and sat on the bed. “Like I said, a taste of things to come.”
“So pack for one night?”
“This time around. When we get back, we’ll start working on your concert tour.”
“I’m sure I’m not anywhere near doing that.”
“Faith, my love, faith.”
Faith was a word she’d only heard in songs, and it held no meaning. Being with Mason brought her comfort, but there was that nagging fear in her that nothing seemed to kill, and it belonged exclusively to Sophie. Her fear was that the day her mom found out what Victoria had planned for her own future, she’d see it as the biggest betrayal of all.
She was happy, but the anchor that tethered her to her past would take time to cut loose, and for once she wondered if even having Mason and a new career would be enough to cast off those bowlines. A month ago fear would’ve kept her from even thinking it was possible to have a new life, but here was Mason looking at her like she was the only person in the room, and faith made perfect sense.
Mason’s faith in her, and her faith in what they had together, would be the foundation she’d build her new life on.
“I believe you.” And more importantly, she believed in herself. She was enough, and she’d never allow Sophie or anyone else to convince her otherwise. Never again.