Page 17 of Mason

“His name is Benza.” Ruby told me. “I see now what you meant, mum.” She gave me a smile, but I could see it was kind of forced. “Mum didn’t think he was cut out for our military training.”

The dog in question rubbed his face against me and then licked me. I didn’t know much about dogs, but it was clear to see that Benza was the biggest softy ever.

“Alexa.” Mason got my attention back to him. He guided me over to Ruby and pointed to the huge adult German Shepard. “This is Sam. He will be your new constant companion.”

What on earth did he mean by constant companion? He was letting me have three puppies. Wouldn’t they be my companions too? I studied the dog and noticed he didn’t look like just any dog. His ears were up and his eyes looked like they were scanning his surroundings and he stood very still. He wore a black vest and as I took in everything I just knew this wasn’t a companion like the puppies would be. This was a bodyguard on four legs.

I knew because of what I’d seen and what had happened to Dustan, The Devil’s Queens were a huge threat and that I needed protection, but I wondered if having an advanced trained guard dog that followed me around was too much.

I WAS BORED OUT OF my brain. I had my lessons with Sam. I saw my therapist. I did my school studies and worked with my tutors. We only left the house to go to work at his gym. Even three adorable puppies couldn’t fully occupy my mind.

Mason stayed busy with work, catching up from the time he had off looking after me. Most nights he fell asleep as we watched something on TV.

Our make-out sessions were hot and heavy, and left me begging him for more, but Mason had a will of steal, or I was doing something wrong. No matter how hard I tried, he wouldn’t go further. I was horny and wished I was more knowledgeable in seduction.

The show droned on in the background, but I wasn’t watching it. I was staring at Mason. If I didn’t know him, I would think he was watching the show, but I could see the spaced out look in his eyes, the slacked mouth, forehead crinkled deep thought and his body tense.

“What’re you thinking so hard about?” I nudged him with my elbow.

Mason shook his head and his Adams apple bobbed as he sucked in his lips and closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them he turned his attention on me. “Work and, um, can I ask you something?”

“Sure?” I shrugged. By now I was sure Mason knew he could just ask, and not have to get permission. Making sure I faced him, I raised my brow. “You can ask me anything you want anytime you want.”

He blinked several times in quick succession, like he couldn’t even remember why he’d asked or he couldn’t think of an answer. “Don’t know. Lost in my own thoughts I think.” I nodded for him to continue. “This is my aunt’s house. I, we, have taken over this place. Uncle Lucas and Aunt Evelin stay more in Brisbane than the coast, so it doesn’t matter, but you’re eighteen soon and I wondered if you’ll still want to live here? I mean, what are your work goals? Have you thought of what you want to do?”

“What do you mean by what I want to do?” Did he want me out of here? Maybe that was why he wouldn’t go further than kissing and some groping.

“School? This house? You want to be with me and I want you, God, do I want you . . . ” He groaned and I relaxed a little. The sound said just how he felt for me. “But what do you want? I know you want children and to be with me, but what about a career? Do you want to live in Queensland? We can move anywhere in the world.”

“What about your gym and your dream of being a boxer?”

He shrugged and I straddled his lap wanting to snuggle him. His arms came around my back and I beamed down at him as he caressed me. “I can live my dream anywhere, too. Money talks, bear, and I have a lot of it.”

“Don’t you want to be here when your grandparents move to Brisbane? They’ve lived in America all your life, haven’t they?” If I had family that I hadn’t seen in so long move close, I would jump at the chance to spend any time I could with them.

He shrugged his shoulder. “Meh, I talk to them on the phone and I’ve always had money to go visit them whenever I wanted to. I’m not that close to my grandparents anyway. My parents, Uncle Carl, Ryder’s parents, and even Stephan’s parents have been a bit out of sorts that they didn’t move here sooner and chose to stay with Uncle Lewis in America.”

“I thought you said Dustan lived with them?” I was sure he’d mentioned that.

“Yeah, he moved over as soon as he finished high school and studied and was trained to take over one of the big businesses that our family controls, along with some of our properties. Bennett, Uncle Lewis’s oldest, has taken Dustan’s place now that he’s moved back to Australia.”

My stomach felt like a lead weight the more we spoke of Dustan. Guilt assaulted me as it did anytime he was mentioned. He was in a coma and it was my fault. My therapist and Mason had told me over and over that it wasn’t and that the Silvermans had problems with The Devil’s Queens long before I came along, but the ransom was for me, so I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was to blame, no matter what they told me. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry about the trouble I’ve caused with Dustan.”

“Bear, you have nothing to be sorry about. I’ve told you, over and over, that it isn’t your fault. I can see it in your eyes anytime I mention my cousin Dustan, the guilt you feel. I promise you have nothing to feel guilty about.” He tucked a thick strand of hair that had gotten free of my ponytail behind my ear. “Don’t you worry about The Devil’s Queens. I’ll keep you safe. You need to start to think of your future. What do you want to do once you’ve finished your schooling and are eighteen? I’m so proud of you. You’ve come so far with all your school work. Although from what your teachers and tutors have told me, you’re so smart that it hasn’t taken you much to catch up, even though you’ve been out of school for a couple of years.” He brought my hands to his lips and kissed them both. It was a sweet gesture and had my stomach fluttering. “I’ll tell you something I haven’t told anyone but my parents. I hated school and struggled with almost all subjects. If I was even an iota as smart as you, I would have gone to University or even TAFE.”

Before my family had died, I’d loved school and even though I’d always wanted to be a mum, I wanted to go to university too. But now, all I wanted was a family and to be surrounded by people I loved. Gazing into Mason’s big dark brown eyes I saw the love he had for me shine out of them. I could do both. If Mason ever touched me enough to start a family, that is. “I’ll apply to university, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want a family as soon as you’re willing to give me one. If you ever let us get far enough to make any babies.” I added the last bit in a soft mutter.

His chuckle was deep and sent a shiver of need through my body. No boy, or man, had ever given me the feeling that Mason gave me with just a look or even the sound of his voice. I’d been just a teenager when my family died and hadn’t been into boys yet. As I got older, with my background, I never seemed to get interested in the opposite sex. I wasn’t even attracted sexually to females, either. When I started to get feelings for Mason it was a relief. Now, I was just a horny mess around him.

His chuckle turned into a belly laugh. “You don’t have to worry about that. I want you so damn much, but I want you to be ready.” He touched my head. “Mentally. Not just our body chemistry taking over. I want all of you Alexa. Don’t ever doubt I want you. I’m barely holding it together enough to not ravish you.”

My heart beat so fast my chest hurt and my stomach flip-flopped. I was one lucky girl. My man was amazing. As much as I wanted Mason, I knew he was holding out a little longer until I was legal age and had a few more therapy sessions under my belt. Resting my head on his chest I snuggled into him, content and safe.

SAM HADN’T LEFT MY SIDE in the last couple of days. Even when I went to the toilet he tried to get in, but I managed instead to keep him waiting by the door. When he had his vest on he was in work mode, always alert and wouldn’t play, even when the puppies were annoying him. When the vest was off, Sam still wasn’t a playful dog. He seemed to always be aware and ready to defend me.

Mason didn’t seem bothered by Sam following us everywhere. I thought he would at least say something about having Sam in our room when we slept. When Mason’s fingers started to roam, I’d been putting a stop to it as I wasn’t a fan of having Sam watch us. And did he watch. My nightmares were back, all because of Sam’s eyes watching me.

“I thought being at work would cheer you up.” Mason kissed my forehead before we entered the gym.

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