Page 130 of Letting Go at 40

“One doesn’t watch her children without noticing their friends and noting when one of them has his eye on a girl.” Ruth stares back at me. “You’ll always be Ben’s. But more importantly, you need to be Anna. And that means, now, you belong to another.”

Giving me a warm smile, she adds, “Be careful with this one.”

“You don’t think he’s a good man?” My brows lift, concerned.

Ruth shakes her head, suggesting I’ve misunderstood. “I think he’s a man who needs you more than anyone else. And you need him, too.” She winks.

“So I have your permission?” I set the water glass on the countertop.

Ruth’s brows raise. Her voice fills with surprise. “Do you need my permission? You’re a grown adult. It’s your life.”

“I’d still like your blessing. Your understanding.”

Ruth sighs. Her shoulders relaxing. “No one understands more than me, honey.” Compassion fills her smile. “But if you need to hear the words . . . you have all my blessings. For health. For happiness. For love.”

“Thank you,” I whisper before rounding the counter and pulling her into a hug.

She pats my back and I release her. “Now, you get upstairs to your new man.”

“Ruthie,” I groan, as if she’s read my thoughts. I glance down at my bare feet.

“He’s a looker, that one. But he’s only been looking at you.”

My head snaps up. I can’t seem to fight the smile despite my embarrassment.

“Good night, Anna.”

“Night.”

+ + +

After a final inspection of locks and lights, I climb the stairs. Mason steps into the hallway as I reach the top step.

“Everything okay down there?” His blue eyes soften, cautious. Maybe afraid I’ve changed my mind but I’m not going backward. My talk with Ruth solidified that Ben is my past.

Mason is my future.

“Everything is perfect.” I step up to him and take his hand, leading him toward my bedroom as I walk backward.

“We don’t have to do this.” His tone gives me an out, but his eyes say he wants in. He wants me.

“We should have done this sooner. You were right.” Chewing on my lower lip, wondering if he really has changed his mind, I pause outside my bedroom door. The new room has been a refreshing change while a little bit of a reminder when I was a teenager and only came to Lakeside Cottage for visits.

“Can you say that again?” he teases, stepping closer to me.

I bump into the door at my back. “You were right?” I tip up a brow.

“So glad you agree.” He reaches around me and turns the knob, rushing us both inside my bedroom.

I’m spun and my body thuds against the door. Mason locks it while taking my lips in a searing kiss. This man has marked me in so many ways. He’s also taught me some things about myself. Like how to demand what I want and take what I need from him. And what I need now is him.

I tug his shirt while he loosens his belt. He smells of campfire and beach air. Once his belt is undone, his fingers are on my dress, tugging the material up over my head and tossing it off to the side.

“You’re a fucking vision,” he mutters, taking his time to swipe a hand down my chest before cupping one breast. He pulls down the cup of my bra and plumps up the swell before bending down to take me in this mouth. His tongue swirls and I dig my fingers into his hair.

“You have too many clothes on,” I tell him.

He only hums before moving to my other breast, sucking and twirling that tongue of his. Then he reaches behind me and pops the clasp on my bra. After it falls to the floor, he takes my hand and walks backward before his knees hit the bed. He sits, keeping me standing before him.