Page 118 of Taint My Soul

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

MASON

Asoft sigh escapes my lips as I stretch on the bed and turn around, looking at the door ahead of me. I keep my eyes on the wooden frame as I sit up and lean against the headboard, a slow breath leaving my nose.

I feel different today.

Different in the sense that something’s changed. That I don’t have to worry about who’s watching from the shadows. That my days of being pushed around and controlled are fucking over. And I feel closer to Saint. I never thought I’d ever want someone. I have been too focused on surviving my entire life. But now the storm slowly settles, damn, I can’t stop thinking about him.

I can’t stop thinking about the fact that he’s putting everything on the line for me.

That his first instinct was to protect me. Damn near no one has ever done that for me.

But I love that he does. I love that he sees me as someone worth saving. Someone worth defying everything for. And I just can’t wait to prove to him how much he means to me.

As I try to get off the bed, the door creaks open, and Saint walks in in black shorts, bare, solid chest exposed, firm hands holding the serving platter. “I made you some toast. I hope you like it.” He grins at me and sets the tray on the nightstand. Then he leans in and presses a kiss on my forehead.

My body radiates with warmth so bright that a shiver runs down my spine.

I’d better start believing this because we are both here to stay, and no matter what happens, we’ll come out together at the end.

“I got to brush my teeth first.”

“No problem at all. I’ll get my plate.” He says and straightens up. He leaves the room while I enter the restroom to get myself ready. When I’m done, I place my hands on the vanity and stare at my reflection. All the scars and injuries. Some I’ve gotten from my uncle, the others from Cyrus and Vincent.

I inhale sharply, arms tightening as something raw moves through me.

I’m safe here. I’ll always be.

I step out of the bathroom and meet Saint already eating from his plate. He’s sitting on the bed with a tray carefully placed on his lap. Before I get into bed with him, I take my time to take in the ruggedly handsome man in front of me. And damn, I love what I see.

His dark brown eyes find mine, and the corners of his mouth quirk up into a smirk.

“You look really handsome today.”

“Just today?” He quizzes as I get into bed.

“I mean, you do every day.”

He chuckles and looks at me. He comes closer and presses a kiss on my forehead, eyes taking in my features with a burning intensity. His lips move a bit as if he has something to say, but doesn’t know how to put it together. Finally, he sighs. “Thank you, and you look really good as well.”

“Really good?” I pout.

“I’m joking. You’re the most beautiful man I have ever seen.”

“So, you look at other men?” I cross my arms and pout even more.

“Oh, no, baby. It’s always been you. Since the moment I laid my eyes on you.”

I try not to remember what happened the first night we met. I don’t blame Saint entirely. He didn’t know the circumstances of our first meeting. He didn’t know that Vincent and my uncle found it so easy to exploit my sexuality.

His expression hardens, and he lifts his food and sets it aside. He reaches out to my cheeks slowly, and he caresses them with the back of his hand. A soft smile settles on his lips when I lean into his touch.

“I think we need to talk.” He mutters.

“Maybe after breakfast?” I try to push the conversation away. Somehow, I had a gut feeling where this was going. Discomfort settles in my stomach, but I ignore it.

“Fine. After breakfast.” He agrees. “Now come on, let’s eat. Or do you want me to feed you?” He asks with subtle excitement.