The sun wasn’t up when Victoria opened her eyes, and she took the time to assess what had woken her. Mason was spooned behind her, and that meant they hadn’t moved since falling asleep. She’d been disappointed that Mason couldn’t make dinner, but it’d been nice cooking something for her when she got home.
Her life had never revolved around any type of domesticity, and it probably wouldn’t considering what she was getting ready to do, but she’d discovered something about herself. Being with Mason, taking care of her, was something she truly enjoyed. The other thing she loved was having Mason reciprocate.
There was enough moonlight from outside to see the roses Mason had sent, which had sent Selena into a panic when she’d started crying. Josette had understood, though, and let her cry over the surprise of the first flowers she’d ever received. Then there were the simple things like Mason making her coffee the way she liked it, and holding her hand whenever she could. All that was nice.
“It’s too early for you to be awake.” The low deep burr of Mason’s voice made her shiver, and it hardened her nipples. “You okay?”
“I was thinking, not worrying.” She turned and Mason lifted her so she was lying on top of her.
“What’s running around up here?” Mason tapped the side of her head and kissed her.
“Domestic things.” A sudden but brief look of shock, or maybe fear, crossed Mason’s face. “Good things,” she added, not wanting to upset her.
Mason kissed her and ran her hands through Victoria’s hair. “We haven’t talked about our permanent arrangements, but if it’s not rushing you, I’d like you to move in. If it makes you more comfortable, keep your place, but I want to wake up with you every day. I want that even if it’s at a weird early hour that beats even Ivan the rooster.” Mason’s hands slowly slid down her back and stopped at the slope of her butt.
“Are you sure?” She kissed Mason with all the lust that built when they slept skin to skin. “Once that happens, I’m not going to leave.”
“You think that’s going to scare me into changing my mind?” The way Mason’s nose flared when she exhaled deeply made her press her knee harder into Mason’s center.
“Can you tell me one thing?”
Mason’s enthusiastic nodding made her certain she could ask anything.
“Why me? Considering who you are, you could’ve had anyone.”
“My mother has always preached to me that the universe creates one perfect match for everyone. It’s only when you meet them that you’ll know. You’ll know because their heart can’t deny you.”
“I love when you get philosophical.” She ran her fingers along the top of Mason’s cheek, then the other. “And I’ll never deny you any part of me.”
“I love you, darlin’, and my heart knows you.” Mason rolled them over. “You’re my match.”
“Then I should ask you to help me pack the rest of my stuff.”
“You shouldn’t tease the animal if you don’t mean to feed it.” Mason kissed her before starting down her body. Her head dropped to the pillow when Mason sucked in a nipple, making her feel it in her clit.
“Are you teasing me?” Mason let her go with a pop and asked the question before moving to the other nipple “Are you?”
“No.” She barely heard her own answer, but the center of her world was focused between her legs. “Yes,” she said slightly louder when Mason bit down gently.
“Is that a no or yes?” Mason moved lower with the question, and Victoria bit her lip.
The pulsing in her clit was quickly driving her mad, but Mason was in no hurry.
“Do you know what I want?” She had to suck in her bottom lip when Mason flicked her tongue rapidly over her clit with a feather touch.
“What’s that?” Mason asked, and Victoria wanted to cry when Mason had to lift her head to answer.
“I’d like a housewarming gift, and what I want is for you to put your mouth right here.” She reached down and put her hand between her legs. The move was an on switch for Mason, and this time she didn’t stop. There was no doubt she loved Mason, and the added bonus was how she made her feel.
She bent her knees and grabbed the top of Mason’s head. “So good, baby.” Mason lifted up a little and put her fingers in, and Victoria felt her moan against her sex. “Harder. Give it to me.”
Mason gave her what she wanted, and the moan she released against her sex turned her on even more until she felt the tightening in her abdomen. “Oh…yes…shit.” She clamped her legs shut, trapping Mason in place as she reached her peak.
They didn’t move for a long while and floated in the blissful relaxation, only rousing a little bit when Mason moved up and held her. “Close your eyes, and I’ll be right here with you.”
It was selfish not to touch Mason, but a wave of lethargy hit her full force, and she drifted off. The room was filled with light when she woke up again, but Mason was right where she’d promised to be and was still sleeping.
Victoria got up slowly and tried not to wake her. She took a few minutes in the bathroom before putting her robe on and heading downstairs. Mason’s housekeeper was already in the kitchen and flipped the coffee on when she saw her. Jeb was also in there having breakfast, and she’d come to really enjoy his company.
“Good morning.” She ate a piece of bacon off the plate by the stove and smiled when the housekeeper shook her finger at her. “Do either of you know a good mover?”
“It’s about damn time the kid got it right,” Jeb said with a big smile.
Victoria could tell he was genuinely happy for them both because he loved Mason. They were family, and Jeb loved Blue Heaven and all the animals in his care as much as Mason did.
“Make sure you don’t settle—make her put a big old ring on it.”
That made her laugh. “Hopefully you’ll be as big a fan of mine as you are of Queen Bee.”
“You know it, but I also want grandbabies to spoil, and then I’ll have an excuse to buy ponies.”
“Let’s ease her into having me around all the time before we start filling up some bedrooms upstairs.” She took two mugs and paused, remembering something. “The photographer should be here today.”
“We’re on it, sweetie,” the housekeeper said. “Enjoy your morning while you can.”
“Thanks.” She made it back to the bedroom before Mason woke up, so she dropped the robe and got back in bed. “Good morning, my love.” Mason grunted when she kissed the back of her shoulder, then grunted again. “Ready for coffee?”
Mason rolled over and sat up, giving her room to straddle her lap. It was a position she enjoyed. She had Mason’s full attention, and she was close enough to touch everywhere.
“You’re spoiling me.”
“I plan to.” They shared a cup. “Do you really want me to move in?” Old insecurities died hard.
“Baby, you already agreed, and there’s no take back policy.” Mason moved to the side of the bed and put her feet down. “You also have people coming over who want to take your picture, and you have to be squeaky clean to do it. Hang on.”
“Now who’s spoiling who?”
“For the rest of my life.”
“I’m holding you to that.” She thought about what Jeb had said that morning, and it didn’t seem like such a far-fetched fantasy now. “And we need to buy a pony.”
* * *
The photographer Mason hired made the two-hour-long session fun for Victoria, and Selena was on hand to make sure she looked good in every shot. It was an afternoon of coming out of the shadows in spectacular form. She also enjoyed the quiet for a few hours with Mason as they finally went for a horseback ride.
“This place is beautiful,” she said as she sat on a rock overlooking the lake.
Mason hadn’t gone far and hadn’t kept her in the saddle long, not wanting her to be sore on her big night. “I fell in love with the whole thing when I first walked it and probably paid too much, but it reminded me of Mom and Dad’s place.”
“It’ll be nice to call home.”
“I can’t wait, and you’re free to change whatever you like. I want you to feel at home here.”
“There’s nothing I want to change about the place or the owner.”
“Are you ready for tonight?”
Mason’s hand felt so good in hers, and it was the best comfort right before the storm.
“After it’s done, your life will never be the same.”
“My life isn’t the same now.” It was a strange change of perspective to be this happy all the time, and not be afraid it would change. “I believe I can handle anything if I don’t lose this.” She lifted their joined hands and kissed Mason’s knuckles.
“I intend to keep all my promises to you, but I also want you to fly, love. You’re something special, and you’re going to be successful.”
The things Mason said to her had a way of building her confidence like nothing else ever had.
“That means you can stand on your own no matter what, which makes me lucky that you want to be with me when you’ll have the world at your feet.”
“You really think that? There are way better performers out there, honey.” It was in no way a fishing expedition for compliments, but she really didn’t believe her career would be much more than what she was doing now. It was an exciting moment in time, and it would pass.
“Everly is who you’ll be for years to come, and the only way that won’t happen is if you decide to retire.” Mason tugged on her hand and kissed her. “I can’t explain it, but I’ve been doing this long enough to know. You have it, and the audience will know that tonight and every night for as long as you want to share your voice with the world.”
“That sounds good, as long as I get to be just Victoria here with you.”
“Tonight, and every night.” Mason stood and helped her to her feet. “Right now, it’s time to get started.”
Selena was waiting for them when they got back, and Victoria set her up in the room Mason had put her in the first night she spent in the house. She wanted to share a shower with Mason before they started the process of putting her together. It was the Opry, so she wanted to look nice but not too fancy.
“Josette was right about one thing,” she said as Mason turned and rinsed the shampoo out of her hair.
“What’s that?” Mason wiped her face and turned back toward her.
“You’re a sexy beast, Liner, and you’re all mine.” She patted Mason on the ass before stepping out and grabbing a towel. “See you in a bit.” She put her robe on and headed next door.
“Have fun.”
“Pray I remember all the lyrics.”
She smiled as she left Mason chuckling and noticed a small gift-wrapped box on the bed with a card on top. It explained why Mason had come back to supposedly check to see if the bedroom door was locked before their shower. The pale pink wrapping and the satin bow made her smile, and the smile widened when she saw her name spelled out in Mason’s messy handwriting.
Soon the world will know how beautiful you are, and how beautifully you sing. This is just a little something to remind you that I’m not only in love with you, but I think you’re sexy as hell.
She’d never gotten underwear as a gift, but that Mason had gone out of her way to shop for her put a dent in her nervousness. Mason was right—life would never be the same, but that had nothing to do with her career. It was the woman she shared a life with and how she made her feel.
Victoria slipped on the navy-blue matching set, glad it was a perfect fit. “I’m not sure how she managed that, but they’re nice.”
“They’re more than nice, and Selena has all your sizes—all of them,” Mason said with an appreciative expression on her face. “You’re beautiful, and I hope you don’t mind the gift. I promise I’m not a creeper or a chauvinist, but I believe beauty should be appreciated in layers.”
“Honey, you can buy me panties whenever you like as long as you keep looking at me like this.”
“That will never be a hardship.” Mason helped her on with her robe and held her. “Let me kiss you before someone slaps me if I mess up your lipstick.”
The hairdresser left her hair down, and her makeup was light per her request. Selena had found a vintage peasant top that contrasted well with the tight-fitting jeans she was wearing. The brown boots didn’t have that shiny new feel about them even though they were, and the whole outfit had that relaxed but put together look she was comfortable with.
Mason and Wilbur whistled when she came down, and she blinked as her ears got warm. Wilbur was riding in with them, and she smiled at his nervous chatter. They were escorted to the backstage doors forty minutes later and spent some time talking to Colt.
“Colt’s going to start with the single he released in New York, and then he’s going to introduce you.” Mason went through the schedule one more time as the starting acts performed. “You’re going to do ‘Talk to Me,’ followed by the duet.”
“And at the end we’ll do the number we rehearsed with everyone performing tonight,” Colt said. “It’ll go by in a second, and you’ll be fine.”
“Thanks.” She nodded to him before he finally stepped out to a cheering crowd. She had to take some deep breaths to keep herself steady. Sonny and Amelia were in the front row, and the lights prevented her from seeing exactly where they were, but she was thankful they were there to cheer her on.
“You got this, love. Just remember to enjoy it.” Mason put her hands on her shoulders and squeezed. “I’ll be waiting right here when you’re done.”
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Colt said, and all she saw was Wilbur smiling onstage at her. “It’s not often you get the chance to see the beginning of something beautiful, but you will tonight. I fell in love with her voice the first time I heard it, and we’ll be sharing a song with you in a moment, but first, with her debut song…Everly.”
She walked out to applause, but nothing like what Colt had gotten, and she remembered her mother right then. Her mom always said it was her responsibility to give the people what they paid to see, and that was her best. She was sad Sophie—both the performer and her mom—wouldn’t be there to see this, but she’d give these people her best.
The piano had a spotlight on it, and Wilbur was close by, ready to play. “Hello, everyone, thank you for having us.” She put her hands on the keys and waited for Wilbur to count them off. When she started playing, she forgot the audience and everything else except Mason, close by and listening. That’s who she sang to, poured her heart out to, and she tried to do justice to the words Mason had written.
She held the last note, and her voice faded away right before the music ended, and she wanted to laugh from the relief of not screwing this up. That’s when it hit her. She’d just made her debut at the Opry. The audience was on its feet and there were plenty of yells, so she stood and took a bow.
“Everly, ladies and gentlemen,” Colt said, clapping with them.
She bowed again with her hands pressed together and stared out at the audience. When her eyes adjusted, she saw Sonny and Amelia still on their feet, but she came close to stumbling when she saw her mom right next to them. She could be wrong, but her mom actually appeared proud as she clapped, her hands over her head and a huge smile on her face.
Colt put his hands back on his guitar and was introducing their duet, but she glanced to the wings, trying to find Mason. When she spotted her, Mason pointed out to the crowd to get her head back in the game.
She started them off with the piano intro and Colt started playing when she began singing. Halfway through, Colt handed off his guitar and stood next to the piano with a handheld microphone. Like before, the crowd was on its feet, so she stood as well. Colt’s next move surprised her so much she froze with her hands on his chest. He moved in close, his head bent toward hers.
To the audience it must’ve looked like two lovers kissing after a love song, and the shouts were louder now, followed by the flashing of cameras. “What are you doing?” she whispered to Colt, trying to keep a smile on her face.
“Giving the people what they want.” He waved to the crowd as he took her hand and walked her off the stage.
Mason looked furious as Victoria pulled her hand out of Colt’s grip, and if there wasn’t the finale to get through, she would have hauled back and hit the idiot herself. What he’d done was way beyond inappropriate, and she didn’t appreciate it.
“What’d you think, boss?” Colt asked. He acted like he was on top of the world, and he expected the world to join in on his high.
“Excuse me, I have a call.” Mason turned and walked away, and Victoria physically hurt.
“Don’t ever do that again.” She was having a hard time keeping the anger out of her voice, and Colt seemed to realize that something was very wrong.
“We’re single people, Victoria, and the audience loved it. What’s the big deal?” He looked genuinely confused.
“I’m with someone is the big deal, and even if I wasn’t, you don’t get to do that without asking first. What the hell is the matter with you? Do you not know what year it is? Mason isn’t going to appreciate what you did, either.”
“Look, I’m sorry. Maybe I got carried away, but I didn’t mean anything by it. There’s no reason to drag Mason into this—it’s you I owe the apology to.” He was talking fast, but he sounded sincere.
She walked away in search of Mason, not caring about anything else. Thankfully she wasn’t that far away, and she was actually on the phone. She stood and waited, relief hitting her when Mason held her hand out. The call was short and sounded like business.
“You were fantastic,” Mason said once she was done.
“I’m so sorry—” she started, but Mason put a finger to her lips.
“You don’t need to apologize, and I doubt you agreed to that.”
“Don’t ever think that.” She moved closer and put her arms around Mason. “You’re the only one in my life I want kissing me.”
“Then pretty boy Colt owes you an apology.”
“He already said sorry, and later I’ll give him an update on my love life, but I don’t want to talk about him.”
“From the crowd’s approval, you have a hit on your hands.” Mason kissed her forehead and whispered in her ear, “I love you, and I’m so proud of you.”
“That’s everything, then, isn’t it?” She kissed the side of Mason’s neck, smiling at the little bit of lipstick she left behind. “Was I hallucinating, or was my mother sitting next to your parents?”
“She was totally real, and I need you to forgive me for not saying anything earlier. I knew how nervous you were, and I didn’t want to add one more thing to stress you out, but yeah, I knew she was going to be there.”
“I probably sound childish, but I’m thrilled with how tonight went. It’s like a dream, and having her there listening and then clapping when I was done was probably the most wonderfully surreal part. She actually looked kind of proud.”
Mason rubbed her thumbs along her sides as she held her. “She’s your mom, darlin’, so you’re not being selfish at all. I’m glad she was here to see what an awesome person you are.”
“There’s a first time for everything, huh?”
“I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but we need to give Sophie another shot. Her pride might’ve been buried deep, but it was there all along. It can’t be anything other than that when she has a child as wonderful as you.”
She laughed and kissed Mason’s lips. “My God, you’re good at seeing the bright side of things. Thank you for that and for everything you’ve done to get both me and my mother to this wonderful place. I’m so lucky.” She kissed Mason again and took a deep breath, ready to face whatever came next. She was loved by this wonderful woman, and that put a spear into the fear that had been such a big part of her life until now. “You are everything to me.”