Page 3 of Family: Posy 4

"I wouldabsolutelylove to cuddle her. Like Ash said, she's as small as a stuffed animal and cuter than one. I'm sorry we didn't realize she was feeling left out. She didn't say anything to our wolves, or they would have told us. Gran especially can't keep anything secret."

"She's hidden it from them." I swallowed hard as I thought of everything my wolfie had endured. "Lark has always tried to protect me, almost to an overwhelming degree. I think it's because my stepfather hurt me so badly the first time I shifted. What a welcome for her, huh? She spent her first four months healing me, so I guess it's no wonder she became overprotective."

Mason turned into a statue. I couldfeelthe fury radiating off of him and hear Garnet's wild roars. With a soft sigh, I grabbed his hand and rubbed his knuckles against my cheek, knowing the touch and mate sparks would help him, and eventually he calmed down.

"Goddess, if there was ever anyone I regretted not torturing before I killed him, it's Kendall Briggs," he growled hoarsely, then vowed, "I will cuddle Lark every day if she wants me to."

I giggled a little, imagining the two of them having a time set aside for snuggles, like a child with a bedtime story at exactly eight o'clock.

"You don't have to go that far. She will be so excited if you give her even a few minutes of attention once in a while."

"My darling girl, that little wolf is about to be lavished with attention, now that we know she wants it." He drew our joined hands across the table and kissed the back of my hand. "She'sneverbeen cuddled?"

"No. You can be the first!" I smiled brightly, displaying my dimples.

"I'm honored." As he smiled, his eyes crinkled at the corners.

"I love your smile. It makes you even more handsome," I told him in case he didn't know.

Pink bloomed along his high cheekbones as he dipped his head and tucked his chin against his shoulder, and my heart fluttered at his unexpected bashfulness.

He's so adorable, I can't stand it!I squealed inside.

#

The movie was a fun experience. Mason bought popcorn, candy, and sodas, even though I was still stuffed from dinner, then we watched dinosaurs try to take over the world. There were several times I ended up hiding my face in his chest or neck, but he didn't mind. Far from it. He used each one of my scares to kiss me senseless.

Needless to say, by the time the movie was over, we were both ready to find somewhere more private. Our innocent snuggling had turned into something a lot more heated. Bundling me out of the theater and into his truck, he took me to a fancy-looking building, which he said was a hotel.

"I've never stayed in a hotel before!" I wiggled with excitement.

"That's why I rented a room, little flower," he said with a chuckle.

Carrying our overnight bags, he went to the front desk and checked us in, and then led me over to the bank of elevators. I've never ridden on one of those before, either, and I wasn't sure how I felt about it. Mason seemed to know that, and he put both of our bags over one shoulder so he could hold my hand.

He went to an elevator separated from the others and swiped the plastic card the clerk had given him. The door slid open and I cautiously stepped inside, clinging to Mason's hand. He pushed the only button on the wall next to the door, and it lit up soft yellow. The doors closed and the elevator began to move, but it was so smooth, it felt like riding in his new truck. Before I knew it, the door was opening with a dull ping, and Mason was leading me into a small room that had only one other door.

"Why aren't there more doors?" I asked. "I thought there would be lots of rooms in a hotel. Not that I've ever been in one. That's just from what I've read in books."

"It's a penthouse suite. We're on the top floor, and this huge space is ours for the night."

He used that plastic card to unlock the door, then pushed it open and motioned me ahead of him. I walked in and saw what he meant. There was a big open area like our living room with high ceilings, two fireplaces, and giant windows. It was still light out enough for me to see a balcony full of furniture beyond the windows.

"Wow!" I gasped. "This place is amazing!"

"You haven't even gotten inside yet," Mason chuckled. "Go look around, little flower. The master bedroom is at the end of the hall. At least, that's what the desk clerk said when I asked." He scratched the back of his neck. "I've never been in a penthouse suite, either."

"Great! A first we're experiencing together, so it's not just me all the time." I grinned, then asked, "Do you think anyone can see us through these big windows? There aren't any curtains."

"Oh, baby, you don't need to worry. You can run around naked and no one will see but me," he teased me with half-lidded eyes that sparked the heat we'd been building between us since the lights turned off at the movie.

Squeaking, I ran down the hall, hoping he'd play and chase me. Hearing his heavy footsteps coming fast behind me, I sprinted for the master bedroom in a fit of giggles. I flung open the door and found a huge, beautiful bedroom done up in light gray. There was a big bed, but not nearly as big as ours, and a comfy-looking couch that was shaped weird, a desk with a plush chair, and side tables with fancy lamps.

I kept running and went through the door on the side of the room and discovered the bathroom. One glance and I skidded to a halt in amazement. Mason said a no-no word as he wrapped his arms around me and carried me with him a few steps until he could come to a stop.

"Sorry," I said as I gripped his shirt, "but look at that tub! It has little feet! And there's a separate room for the toilet and another one for the shower! That's crazy!"

He laughed as he swung me around in a circle, then carried me back into the bedroom, where he threw me on the bed.

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