Page 67 of Making It Burn
Beau
Iwoke up to sunlight streaming through the hotel curtains and Mason’s arm draped across my chest.
For a moment, I just lay there, afraid to move, afraid to breathe, afraid that if I did anything at all, this would turn out to be a dream.But then Mason shifted beside me, his breath warm against my shoulder, and I knew it was real.
We’d really done that.Multiple times.In multiple positions.
My body ached in the best possible way.
“You’re thinking too loud,” Mason mumbled against my skin, his voice rough with sleep.
“How can you tell?”
“I can feel it.Your entire body tenses up when you overthink.”He pressed a kiss on my shoulder.“Stop it.”
“I’m not overthinking.I’m just...processing.”
“Processing what?”Mason propped himself up on one elbow, looking down at me with those intense blue eyes.His hair was a disaster—my fault—and there was a hickey on his collarbone that I vaguely remembered putting there around 2 AM.
“That this is real,” I admitted.“And you’re here, in bed with me.That last night actually happened.”
Mason’s expression softened.“It happened.And I meant what I said—I don’t regret it.”
“Even in the cold light of day?”
“Especially in the cold light of day.”He leaned down and kissed me thoroughly.“Although we should probably get up.The meeting’s at nine.”
I glanced at the clock on the nightstand.7:43 AM.“We have time.”
“Beau—”
“We have time,” I repeated, pulling him back down.
We didn’t make it to the shower until 8:15.
* * *
The final meeting was a formality.Richard Huang and his team had already agreed to everything; today was just about signatures and handshakes and celebrating a successful merger.
Beverly was waiting in the lobby when we arrived, looking impeccable in a black pantsuit despite the fact that we’d left her at the club twelve hours ago.
“Boys!”She grinned, and I swear there was a knowing glint in her eye.“You both look...refreshed.”
“We got a good night’s sleep,” Mason said, his tone perfectly professional.
“I bet you did.”Beverly’s smile widened as her eyes traveled between us.“Very restful, I’m sure.In your separate rooms.”
I felt heat creep up my neck.“Beverly—”
“Relax, I’m just teasing.”She linked her arm through mine as we walked toward the elevators.“But for the record?The bruise on Mason’s neck that he’s trying very hard to hide with his collar?Dead giveaway.”
Mason’s hand flew to his neck, and I bit back a laugh.
“Don’t worry, I’m not saying anything,” Beverly continued.“Your secret’s safe with me.Although you should invest in a good concealer if you’re planning to keep this under wraps.”
The elevator doors opened, and we stepped inside.As soon as they closed, Beverly turned to face us with a serious expression.
“Look, I meant what I said last night.You two have something real.Something worth fighting for.”She squeezed my arm.“Don’t let fear or corporate politics or whatever other bullshit excuses you can come up with get in the way.Life’s too short.”
