Aftermath Book Two Crash Series

Chapter Twenty-Six

Mason

            Everything is a blur as I fly up the stairs, skipping every other until I'm on the landing and taking the corners of the hall with precision I’m grateful for. I can’t move quick enough, I haven’t been able to move quick enough since the call came in just as my head was hitting the pillow of another late night in London. The flight home was horrendous and with Dibb’s reassurance Aria was okay but wanted to rest, I chose not to disturb her even if all I wanted to do was hear her voice.

            The last time I flew to London it ended similarly to this, now I’ve learned my lesson and whether Aria likes it or not she’ll be joining me on all my future travel plans. She’ll talk about how she wants to see the world, well she will now.

            I’m still in my black t-shirt and gray sweatpants I put on just before I crawled into bed. I didn’t take any time to get changed I just started calling my pilot and when he said he was too far I got the airport on the phone and paid them well to hold the plane that was about to take off. I sat in coach next to a family with a baby girl. In the brief moments, I managed to find my focus, they explained how they were hoping their baby would sleep if they flew at night, thank god they were right. I don’t think my nerves could have handled an upset kid two inches from my ear.

            I had two thoughts taking up all my attention, how was Aria? And I’m going to murder my own f*****g father. Hmm, maybe not two thoughts but instead two themes of thought.  

            I must of preplanned my father's death a thousand times on the plane ride over. It was the only way to settle enough to sit in that confining seat. I don’t know what the f**k he was thinking but he crossed a line there will be no coming back from. And I know, I just f*****g know the second I get her in my arms she’ll break down, every tear she sheds he’ll pay extra.

            I slide to a stop at our bedroom door, grinding my teeth as I yank at my hair and take a deep breath. She doesn’t need me like this but she does need me so I work on calming myself. f*****g problem with this s**t is she’s the person I need to calm me to.  

            I’ve yet to get the details, I don’t know what was said or done to her, but I do know she didn’t want me to find out right away. That irritates the f**k out of me, she should have called me the second she was safe. Why would she keep it from me? What happened to her?

            The bare minimum is she was unsafe. My father put her directly in harm's way. That f*****g phone call could have been a much different one. How could he? I knew he was dangerous but this?

            I take one more breath but I don’t know if I can get myself any calmer without holding her tight. With unsteady hands I twist the door nob slowly, if she’s sleeping I don’t want to wake her. If she’s not I don’t want to scare her. The lights on which has become typical, when she wakes from her nightmares it takes her longer to orient herself in the dark, so the light stays on.

            She’s sitting up in the center of the bed with the TV on, the sound is low as re-runs of The Nany plays. Our eyes meet across the room, hers are swollen and red, but there’s a strength in her gaze I didn’t expect. My heart stops as relief courses through, it’s one thing to hear she’s okay and another to see it for myself. She’s in one of my black t-shirts with her legs bare and crossed in front of her.

            “Hey,” Her smile wavers slightly as she extends her legs so she can scoot to the edge. Kicking myself in the ass for standing around I move out of the doorway.

            “Hey,” I struggle to keep my voice low and to keep it simple. I have so much to say, but I remind myself once more that it’s about what she needs right now so I need to reign myself in.

            She only makes it a few steps away from the bed before I scoop her into my arms so I can hug her to my body, tightening my hold as she latches her arms around my neck and her legs around my waist. I cup the back of her head and pull in a deep breath as I bury my nose in her hair. This could be different, she could be missing or a cold f*****g body.

            My gut churns and my eyes water. I don’t know how to do this. How to be so emotionally attached to anyone let alone someone who is so very drawn to life-threatening situations. I don’t know how to handle the possibilities of losing her, or how we can normalize being here, grateful that she’s still living.

            Aria’s soft skin brushes along my neck as she snuggles in. My breath shutters and her body shakes as we both let out the remaining tension. She’s okay. She’s okay. She’s okay. I repeat it over and over.

            “You’re home.” She snuggles in.

            “I’m never going anywhere without you again. This won’t happen a third time.” My words are jumbled in her hair and shoulder but she understands as she sighs.

            “Do you have another trip planned?” Her hands start to rub circles around my back, her fingers stopping to dig in when she feels a knot.

            Shaking my head I mumble out, “No, but I’ll have Michelle work on a schedule so you have enough time to figure out Shirley’s.” I’ll hire her temporary employees if I need to, but she’s going. She should be happy, she can make sure I spend plenty of non-work-related moments first hand.

            “I’m not saying yes Mase, but I also know you’re not in the state of mind to discuss it now. So let’s talk about it later.” She means let’s argue later, this is an argument she won’t win. Not like she really wants to, she just won’t want to walk away from work, which I understand.

            “That’s fine, I want to talk about what happened anyways.” Keeping her face pressed against my neck I slide my hand down to her ass so I can lift her higher and hug her tighter. She squeezes me back with a small moan and sniffle.

            “You’re the only reason I’m here right now.” She shoves her head against my palm so I let her go and use my free hand to grab her other ass cheek. I can squeeze them like the best stress ball ever.

            With her hands on my shoulders, she looks at me with watery eyes, I’m sure she can see I’m in much of the same state. “What do you mean?”

            “All you’re self-defense training paid off. It was like I could hear you telling me exactly what to do, I trusted you instead of my instincts.” She bites at her lip in wait but it just makes her look innocent like that doesn’t open up a whole other dam of questions.

            “I need you to start from the beginning.” I walk to the bed and turn us around so I can sit with her on my lap. I sink into the mattress and groan as the adrenaline starts to leave making me exhausted.

            “I went to Dr. Tussing. I talked to him about how I’ve been feeling and he gave me some steps I can take to remind myself that I’m here now, and I don’t have anything to be afraid of. I was feeling so good about it all, I still feel good about it, to be honest, I think he can help me.” She rambles on for a moment, purposely avoiding the real topic at hand, but fine I’ll play along.

            “That’s good, Sweetheart.” I’m not lying it does make me happy to hear, or it would at another time but right now I need to know and that suppresses any other emotion. Running my hands up her back I  cup her head again and lean her forward so I can meet her in the middle. Placing my lips on hers I take in her sugary taste as I move my hand to cup her neck instead.

            My thumb finds her pulse as I sigh against her lips. She’s really okay. She’s alive, she has no noticeable marks or broken bones, she’s breathing and so far she seems to be handling it well. She moves her lips across mine greedily as she slides her hands down my chest. Gripping my shirt in both of her small fists she bunches it up and pulls me forward. Oh, she’s greedy, indeed.

            Gripping her hips tighter I pull her closer as she wants and I slide my tongue along her lips. She opens for me, her tongue meeting my own as we envelop in a passionate dance. Her moans fill my ears as my heart stutters again. I weave my fingers in her hair, twisting it gentle enough at first until I tug back just enough.

            Her sparkling blue eyes are heated with energy and passion. I can see her craving, I can feel her need, she wants me to take it away, give her a moment to erase some of the stings of the bad. It’s hard to remember a time when she would shrug away from my touch when she craves it so badly now. I created an addict who I’m more than happy to oblige.  

            With her head back her face is free, her neck is arched. I grind my hips up as I shove hers down and take her jaw with my mouth, holding her head in place. Her soft fingers slide underneath my t-shirt as she crawls them up the ridges of my abs. She feels so good, I can't help but groan and suck on the edge of her jaw before moving down her neck.

            “Tara kissed me!” The words are so random and unexpected I pause not sure that I heard her right.

            “What?” I pull my head back but other than that I hold still. She has a smirk on her face like she’s joking around, or maybe trying to be cocky but I’m confused as f**k.

            Biting her lip again she slides her hands all the way up my sides leaving goosebumps in her wake. She’s a freaking minx is what she is. c*****g my eyebrow I wait for her to explain.

            “Tara kissed me.” Her smirk grows and her eyes turn wicked. She’s playing some kind of game, I just haven’t figured out the rules yet.

            “That’s what I thought. Definitely needs further explanation.” I lean my head to the side looking at her in question.

            “When we went out the other night?” I remember her mentioning it so I nod. “There were these guys hitting on us and she was sick of it so she just…attacked me.” She giggles which has my gut boiling over.

            “She just kissed you out of nowhere?” I ask with a mild voice that surprises me. I can’t tell if she liked it or not, what if she did?

            “Totally unexpected! They left us alone after that so it worked!” She licks her lips and grinds into me with a challenge in her heated gaze.

            “Did you like it?” sliding my hand down her back I cup her ass and keep her in place as she grinds down. Her eyes flare with amusement and understanding.

            “I wanted to laugh the whole time!” Her smile is radiant even with swollen eyes.

            “You wanted to laugh?” She’s so strange.

            “Yes! So bad! It was so weird.” She giggles and bites at her lip. Yeah, weird but bad weird?

            “Meaning you didn’t like it?” I try to keep my voice steady but my uncertainty jumps through a few times.

            “Nope. Why were you worried?” She smirks and circles her hips. I let out a groan and push into her, tugging her head back I lean over her. Fanning my breath across her face and reminding her why she’s in my arms. I’m relieved she doesn’t want anyone else.

            “I’m happy you didn’t. I can’t believe you wanted to laugh.” I chuckle as I peck at her lips. She smiles between our kisses.

            “Why? Sometimes yours make me laugh!” I don’t like the sound of that so I bite down her neck, nipping at her skin in punishment and pleasure, getting us back on track.

            “What’s that mean?” I ask between nips.

            “Don’t worry Babe, I only want your kisses. Only yours.” She moans out as she moves her hands out from my t-shirt and yanks at my hair. I reciprocate as I suck on her pulse point.

            “I love you, Aria.” I kiss down her neck as her breathing becomes heavy.

            “I love you so much, Mason. Now f**k me so I can answer all your questions you can’t stop thinking about.”

            “Yes, Ma’am.” Like I said I'm happy to oblige.