Page 24 of Mason

I tried to think of a reply that didn’t make me sound like even more of an idiot, but nothing came to me. “Argh, I was in shock at her reaction to the party. I mean. . .” I shook my head trying to shake something to say into it. “I love her. I do, but well, this all seems so surreal. I’ve been falling for her from the moment I laid eyes on her. No, then I’d just felt sorry for her, but at the hospital she’d started talking, and as I got to know her she became easier and easier to fall for, but this . . . well, I just froze. I’d told her I was falling for her and she had told me she loves me before, but never in front of so many people. I didn’t expect her to say it when she had so many guests. It’s her birthday. Oh shit.” I realized what had happened. My woman had just confessed she loved me in front of everyone on her special day and I hadn’t said it back or even said a word. “Oh Fuck.” I turned to go out to her and tell her but my dad grabbed my arm and stopped me.

“Not now son. If you say it now it will look forced, like we made you say it. You need to say after tonight, now. In its own time. You have groveling to do. Hopefully she was so overwhelmed with everything that she will forget that you didn’t reply.

I nodded and felt my stomach sink and my shoulders drop.

EVEN THOUGH I’D BOTCHED THE start of the party, it was going off without a hitch now. Alexa was buzzing around all the people she knew like a busy bee. The beaming smile on her face hadn’t left since I’d come back to the party and found her talking to her singing coach.

Now though, a very drunk Alexa was dancing on the dancefloor and receiving a lot of attention from the opposite sex. I hadn’t invited many, as I didn’t want any close to my woman.

One of the guys, Randell Stuart, if I remember correctly was getting closer and closer to Alexa as she danced, shaking her arse. When she turned on him and gave him her sunshine smile, I growled and stalked over to her only to be held back by my brothers Richard and Zeck.

“About fucking time the curse hit you like it did me,” Richard yelled over the music.

“I hope I have it as easy as you’ve had it,” Zeck added. “So, don’t fuck it up now by going all he-man. She told you she loves you tonight.” Zeck jerked his head to the guy too close to Alexa for my comfort. “I highly doubt she’s going to jump his bones.”

My whole body was tight as I held back from going over and punching the kid. He moved so he was a hairsbreadth away from Alexa. I watched transfixed as she danced with clear glee on her face, her eyes shining.

“This.” My dad came up beside me and nodded his head towards Alexa. “Is why you did today. I know you’re fighting yourself right now, but what your brothers said is true. You’ve had it easy. I think the gypsies’ gift hasn’t walloped you because Alexa needed you, so much so that she has barely left your side.”

I nodded, but didn’t even turn to look at my dad. My gaze didn’t leave Alexa. I smiled when she inched away from Randell and closer to her friend Emma.

My mother came up beside me and rubbed my back. “It’s time for cake. Why don’t you go get Alexa while I get a mic to tell people to head over to the desert corner? I have the cake up on a little stage for you two on a table. The knife and candle will be in front of you hidden from everyone by the cake. Okay?”

“Thanks, mum.” I leaned down and kissed her cheek before I made my way to my woman.

Without a thought about the guests around me, I went to Alexa, circled her waist and lifted her up. “Hey, Mason put me down.” Smacking her arse, I couldn’t help the grin that spread over my face as I walked over to the dessert tables. “Argh, it’s my birthday. You can’t smack my butt, you . . . you . . . you dick.”

Chuckling at her version of a swear word, I carefully placed her down in front of me and before her birthday cake. I knew as soon as she noticed the cake because her whole body shook. She turned and wrapped her arms around me and jumped up and down.

“This is the best birthday ever. That’s the cake I helped make?” Alexa screamed in my ear.

Kissing her forehead, I turned her back to the cake and leaned down to her ear. “Yes. You like?”

“Do you even need to ask? This piano cake is amazing and I helped make it. You’re too good for me.”

I barely caught the last of what she said, but I never wanted her to think that. “No. Don’t ever think that. You are my sunshine. The light of my day. Before I met you, I didn’t know what I was missing. The joy you show from simple things that I take for granted, like new clothes, an animal, safety of family. You’re my wonder.”

She leaned back against me and sniffled. “I’m so lucky. My family must be looking out for me. They had to have sent you to me. Thanks.”

I didn’t get to respond as my mother had found a mic. “Hello? Hello. Could I have everyone’s attention please? If you could all move over to the far left near the dessert tables, we are going to cut the cake and sing Happy Birthday.”

Mum handed me the mic and I stared at it for a moment before mother gave me the death glare to end all death glares. “Hi. I’m Mason, Alexa’s . . . ” I want to say something more than just boyfriend. That word felt so dull for what we had, but it sucked because as much as I could say she was mine, she didn’t have anything to show for it. Sure I’d given her the necklace, but no one else knew she was mine. Alexa was the love of my life. She was my soulmate, not just a girlfriend. On a growl of frustration, I searched for someone in the crowd and then snarled at Randell. “Boyfriend. You were invited tonight to celebrate this amazing woman’s eighteenth birthday.” I stepped to the side, got the lighter and lit all the candles. “If you could all help me sing Happy Birthday, I’d appreciate that. Trust me, I don’t have a singing voice at all.” I took a deep breath in and turned to Alexa and started singing the Happy Birthday song. Once we were all done I leaned over, and gently and quickly dashed away her tears. “Happy birthday, my bear,” I whispered in her ear. “Blow out your candles and make a wish.”

Flashes from cameras went off as she blew out her candles and laughed when there was the one stubborn candle that wouldn’t go out. When all the candles were out I gave her the knife. She beamed bright with her happiness.

Wanting a taste, I leaned down, twisted her to me and captured her lips in a kiss of pure possession. Her arms came straight around me and she opened her mouth, eager for more. Cheering, jeering and laughter followed our show, but Alexa didn’t care and I certainly didn’t. I held her tighter to me, my hands coming down to cup her arse.

“Mason,” my mother snapped. “It’s a party not a porn show.”

I eased away and Alexa giggled. She was drunk and tasted like the fruity cocktails she’d been downing like water. Leaning down, I kissed her forehead. “Go have fun. Mum and I will hand out cake.”

Her eyes were not just glazed with drunkenness, they still held a hint of passion and need. “Mmm, but I want some cake, too.” Mum handed me a cake and I held it out to her. She grinned up at me. “Wanna share?”

I knew what the little minx was trying to do. “You heard what my mother said. You trying to get me in trouble?”

Her pout, which I’m sure was supposed to entice me, was just too cute. I brushed my lips over her pouted ones. “Go have fun. I had you all to myself all day. I get to have you whenever I want.”

I watched her shiver and I knew it was from what I just said. Alexa studied me for a moment, looked down at the cake, glanced behind me and then sighed. “Fine.” She stomped over to her friends and I chuckled at her dramatics. My woman always made me laugh. I was lucky.

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