Aftermath Book Two Crash Series

Chapter Forty-Seven

Aria

            “Mase?” Where is he? The closer I get to our room the more my excitement mixes with nerves until it’s hard to tell the two apart. Is he hiding somewhere planning to scare me? Or will he be at the foot of the bed waiting for me? The anticipation is killing me.

            Plus I’m all alone, as in no one even came before I did to clear the building which has to mean it was clear already, Mason is here. But I can’t shake that nervous feeling that I’m walking into a trap. Or playing a pretty intense game of hide and seek. The best kind too, at night along the edge of the woods, with no flashlights in hand just instinct and fear.

            I played it a few times with Alec and Mia when we were kids. I was the best at hiding well Alec and Mia were better at seeking. No matter what it was all the same, each of us sneaking through the woods without stomachs in our throats and our heartbeat louder than all the crickets. Our only light came from the stars and fireflies.

            Around each tree, you looked behind or at every footstep that came closer you had to wonder would it be them? Or would it be a monster waiting like in a horror movie for the stupid kids to wander too close to somewhere they knew they shouldn’t have been?

            Only now I’m right where I belong, my path lit by candlelight, my feet caressed in a soft bed of rose petals while their sweet fragrance fills the air around me. I know this is Mason’s doing, over the top, sickly sweet, textbook romance with the t’s crossed and i’s dotted. There’s nothing but wonderful just around this bend but damn if I don’t know how to willingly walk myself into the lion's den and submit.

            I think the romance with everything that comes with it is much scarier than any monster could ever be. I grew up surrounded by them, I know how to protect myself. I’ve never before been in a situation so perfect. I don’t know how to not mess it up or how to be as vulnerable as he’s being.

We’ve been through a lot, said a lot to each other, but this? This feels like more.

I bet he’s been watching me on his stupid cameras he insists on having. I can only imagine what I’ve looked like this whole time. Some kind of mix between a newborn calf on wobbly legs and an excited puppy that’s owner just walked through the door. I’m sure the show is enjoyable enough for one, maybe he’s not in there and he’ll drag the suspense out until he drives me crazy.   

That’s the most likely case scenario, the man hasn’t answered me plus the door is most definitely locked. His only saving grace is the welcoming rug of petals at the entrance. It’s beautiful, more colorful than the rest of the path, with every shade of red, white, and pink there is. each petal is interwoven with the next in a random but beautiful pattern.

            Thankful there isn’t any writing or a portrait of our faces, if there was I might have just cringed to death right here and now. Really that would have been a pity because I would never have made it to what awaits me behind the heavy mahogany door.

            The whole room is as dark as the rest of the place but like the path here this room is filled much the same. The path continues straight across the floors where it ends with another carpet of petals at the very foot of the king-sized bed. The black velvet box resting on the edge would almost be invisible had he not surrounded it with vibrant red petals.

            Caressing my bracelet I wonder what charm is pillowed in that small box, what meaning will it have. What beautiful memory will I forever hold on my wrist, so far it’s one of the best?

            Shifting my jacket off my shoulders I hang it over my arm until I reach the end of the bed. Swapping my jacket with the jewelry box and the envelope snuck beneath it.

            Both sides of the envelope are blank leaving me more curious about it than the charm inside the box. Pulling open the flap I find a folded piece of computer paper with writing on the inside. Wasting no time at all I pull the paper out, unfolding with no care but the need to see what it says. I’m surprised when it doesn’t rip.

            Shaking my head I let out a small gasp followed by a soft chuckle of disbelief. He’s over the top, way too extravagant, and all mine.

            Placing the paper on top of my discarded jacket I smile big as I peel open the lid. It’s hard to make out in the dim light, I can only see the outline and a little glint of rose gold from the surface of the charm but no further details.

            Moving closer to the candle by my side I tilt the box in the direction of the flames. Sucking my lip between my teeth I fight back the laugh I want to escape as I take in the charm.

            “Do you like it?” Jumping about ten feet in the air I screech as the box snaps down on my finger not helping at all to bring my attention to the candle my head is quickly approaching. Large warm hands grab my arms, yanking me into a hard chest with a grunt followed by a laugh.

            Twisting my head back I look up to him with humor. “Sorry Crash. I know better than to sneak up on you.”

            “Especially with flames all around!” Twisting in his arms I’m surprised to find his chest bare with just low-hanging sweat pants on. Weird look for this fancy setup, no less sexy.  

            “A lot more dangerous than I anticipated. I’ll get electric candles in the future.” His smile grows bigger as his voice drops lower, more seductive and charming.

            “I would appreciate that.” Looking between us at the box still eating the tip of my finger I release it glad it’s not the fifties when these types of boxes really could damage your finger. Now they’re all slow closing and plastic.

            “Well do you like it?” He whispers next to my ear as we both look at it in the dim light.

            “Of course I do, it’s wonderful.” Wrapping my arms around his neck I push up on my toes and place a kiss on his warm lips. “If you keep it up I’m not going to have enough room to put them all,” I joke as I offer him the box. He accepts picking the small turkey out before tossing the box on the bed. It doesn’t take him but a second to secure it on my wrist.

            “I’ll just have to buy you another chain.” He runs his fingers around this one, stopping at each charm like he’s watching a video of the moment they each represent. I know I do it plenty, that’s why I love it so much. Each charm is near and dear to my heart, this band has every important moment I’ve spent with this wonderful man strung around my wrist in all their beauty.

            “One charm bracelet will be plenty Mason. I’m serious so make them count.”

            “Fine, but only if we can re-negotiate a second chain in two years.” His eyes twinkle in the candlelight, his face shadowed so perfectly every great artist would love to sculpt a replica of him just like this. I wish one was here to do so. Instead, I just have to memorize him all myself.

            “Five and you have a deal, Mister Maverick.” Squaring my shoulders I squeeze my hand between us so we can shake on it.

            “Deal.” His hand wraps around mine before he tugs me into him. Licking my lips I lean forward pressing my mouth to his shoulder as I look up through my lashes.

            “How did you do all of this?” I ask curiously. He lets go of my hand giving me the opportunity to climb up his body until I reach his neck where I can place all the kisses I want, knowing it drives him crazy. Like I said we’re taking full advantage.

            “Do what?” His huge hands grab at my ass, tugging and squeezing along to every kiss I place on his neck as the tension and heat grow between us.

            “Really?” I laugh against his salty skin. He isn’t sweaty so he wasn’t just at the gym, why is he shirtless? Usually, he walks around in a suit and ties or at the very least some nice jeans and a t-shirt. Only at bed or work out does he wear sweat pants or gym shorts and nothing else.

            “The bath is ready for you if you want to jump in. I thought you’d be mad if I ordered us food so everything is ready for us to make the turkey. Well, we wait I figured we could hang out in the game room or go for a swim?” His eyes find mine as I unlatch from his neck, choosing to instead pull myself up his body using my arms and his tight grip on my ass to my advantage.

            Squeezing my legs around his middle I come nose to nose with a better man than I knew existed just a year ago. Seriously, last year on Thanksgiving I worked the day away, wishing the whole time it could be any other day. Not a day I would typically spend with Grandma or at least a good portion. Brian controlled a lot but I made sure to make time for Grandma on every holiday, I was all she had left.

            Last Thanksgiving was the first holiday after she passed. It was excruciating to get through alone, hungry, tired. But not this year.  

            “First all of this is truly amazing so thank you. Second, I’d definitely be mad, so good call. And third I say we start in the game room well the turkey cooks and after dinner, we can watch a movie and then go for a swim, work some of the bombass dinner were going to make off.”

            “Fine, but we’re ending the night in front of the fire watching the stars.” He wiggles his eyebrows making me laugh.

            “I can agree to that, but you’re definitely coming with me to this bath.” Tugging on the string of his shorts I pull us in that direction. Little does he know we’re going to need dinner just to gain back the necessary calories for life if we use our time wisely. As in the way I have planned, naked and sweaty, all day long.