Page 57 of Unburied

“Maybe I would if I had a reason to,” Mason countered.

“Bull,” their father thundered. “After everything I’ve done for you⁠—”

“Everything you’ve done for me?” Mason couldn’t hold back his astonished laugh. “And what have you done for me? Tell me, please, ‘cause I can’t come up with a single thing.”

“I’m your father, damn it.” His father’s face flushed bright red. “Family is supposed to⁠—”

“We're not a family,” Mason snapped. “Never have been.”

“Maybe not you,” their father countered.

Hot fury raced through Mason’s veins. “You got something to say, then say it to my face.”

“He didn't mean it that way,” Miles said, placing himself in the middle.

“Meant exactly what I said,” their father replied stiffly. “You've never cared about anything but yourself.”

The thought made Mason see red. He’d served his country. He'd had the backs of all his brothers and sisters who served overseas. He would lay down his life for them still. For their father to throw out a line about him being careless and selfish was more than he could bear. The old man would never change. He was a prick growing up, and he was a prick now.

“And y'all wonder why I never come home. Yeah, Pop, I know. I'm a drain on society. At least you got one good son. I should probably go before my bad genes rub off on him more than they already have.”

A grimace passed over Miles’s face. “Can’t you two stop sniping at each other and just get along for two minutes?”

Mason’s hands curled into fists by his sides. “Well, this has been enlightening. Glad to see some things never change.”

“Come on, man,” Miles coaxed. “Just stay.”

“Let him go,” their father grumbled. “I’m sure there’s an empty bar stool calling his name.”

For a brief second, the temptation to get blackout drunk out of spite crossed Mason’s mind. Almost as quickly as it came, it disappeared again as he slammed out the door and climbed into the cab of his truck. For the first time in forever, he had something he truly cared about. He was gonna grab onto it with both hands and never let go.

CHAPTER

THIRTY-ONE

Mason’s text had informed her that he was about an hour out, and Vivi waited impatiently for the sweep of headlights to announce his presence. When they finally arrived, her heart raced with anticipation. From the quiet approach, she could tell he’d brought his truck this time, though with the recent rain, it came as no real surprise.

She opened the door, ready to invite Mason inside as he made his way up the sidewalk. Before she could speak, he swept her into his arms and fused his mouth to hers. There was a desperation to his kiss, and she threw herself headlong into it, wrapping her arms and legs around him and holding on for dear life. She was dimly aware of the door slamming closed before her back hit the wall next to it, and the heaviness of Mason’s body pinned her in place.

He broke away from her lips, kissing over her cheek and jaw, then spoke low in her ear. “I need you.”

He carried her to the couch and lay her back against the soft cushions, lifting her as high as the stars before they crashed back to earth together.

Afterward, they sat cuddled close together, their hearts beating hard and fast in tandem. His head rested in the crook of her neck, and his lips left a trail of soft, tender kisses along her throat.

Something between them was different, though she couldn't quite put her finger on it. Their lovemaking had been just as intense as ever, tinged with a sense of urgency. But there was also something more. She felt like this time, for whatever reason, was more like making love.

Whatever had happened tonight had had a significant impact on him. She sensed a vulnerability deep inside him, and she wondered if that had contributed to the change. She had no idea what transpired this evening, but she didn't dare ask him.

Though she could talk about anything and nothing under the sun, Mason kept his feelings under lock and key. He traded trivia readily, but when it came to emotions, he was a typical guy. She didn't want to risk pressing deeper and pushing him away, even though she was dying to know. Was this a temporary change or the evolution of their relationship? She hoped it was the latter.

She could no longer deny that she had fallen for him, totally and completely. With Mason, there was no question in her mind where she stood. She was important to him, and he would always take care of her. She couldn't help but wonder exactly how far that extended.

Did he love her back? Was he even capable of doing so? He’d given her no indication in the past that he loved her. She knew he desired her, knew he wanted her on a physical level. But was it a thrill of the chase for him, or… more?

She tried to look at it objectively. He had practically insisted on telling her brother about them as soon as it happened. Out of obligation to his friend, or because he truly felt that deeply for her? She couldn't quite tell.

She bit down on her tongue to keep the million and one questions from escaping, to keep from telling him how much he meant to her and asking if he felt the same. She wanted him so badly she could taste it. She had known from the first that Mason was different. She'd never had a man treat her the way he did. He was possessive and jealous, but she truly believed he had her best interest at heart.