Mikala's Passion (Pulse Series Book 2) (19 page)

Mikala covered the hand he held at the back of her thigh with hers and for a moment he wanted to believe it meant something on an intimate level, but shook the thought from his head, slightly increasing his pace. Their breathing was becoming more labored, Mikala’s moaning remained quiet and sedate, the connection felt more personal than any other sexual encounter they has shared.

Their hands locked together holding like they each feared to disconnect and fall away from one another, there was a quiet bond as Mason’s cock slid through Mikala’s wet sex lips working them together into a state of controlled ecstasy. Mason kept a painstaking stride as a strangled whimper broke from Mikala’s mouth, her hot breath caressing the sensitive skin on his neck as he whispered her name softly and she clamped tightly around his cock, her orgasm bathing over him. He pulled from her, his seed exploded over the crack of her ass drizzling onto the sheets.

With the strong need to kiss her and the knowledge that she set a no kissing deal into the rules of play; he touched his lips to the top of her head holding them there until she started to move. Mikala slid from his body onto her back and pulling the sheet around her. Sad for the separation, he swung his feet over the beds edge sitting with his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands.

Neither one saying a word, she rose from the bed holding her bruised ribs and dashed into the bathroom, closing the door behind her. He heard the lock click into place. Mason got to his feet, pulled a pair of briefs from his drawer sliding them on. He stripped the sheets from the bed and gathered what laundry he had from the floor, throwing it all into the washer before starting the coffeemaker.

His own worst enemy, he beat himself near death over giving into desire and having sex with Mikala. Knowing it was wrong after giving her his ultimatum. He poured a cup of coffee and watched the steam swirl elegant waves into the air.

“Washrooms free,” Mikala announced, casually taking a mug from the cupboard.

Mason wanted to pull her into his arms and insist she snap out of it, stop fucking with him and be happy for fucks sake. He wanted to throw her over his knee and spank her like a naughty child until she admitted she needed him. And he wanted to tell her he loved her more than anything and would go to the ends of the earth to prove it. But because he was just as stubborn as she was, he dropped his eyes to the floor, leaving the room like a wounded puppy.

The next few days were going to be hell as he waited on the verdict.

After spending the night tossing and turning, Mason lay staring up at the ceiling wondering how the day would transpire.  He almost didn’t want to leave his bed in case of what he found. This was the day that things would be clarified. He would no longer have to worry where he stood or what it all meant. And although he played out each scenario in his head, preparing himself, he couldn’t truly be sure of the outcome.

As he stood at the side of his bed staring up at the hideaway, he noted Mikala sleeping soundly, no indication of her decision. Not looking over at the door as he walked to the kitchen, he flipped on the coffeemaker he had readied the night before, forcing himself to take a few cleansing breaths to calm himself. He filled a mug with coffee, deciding to shower and shave before starting breakfast.

His feet stilled as his gaze crossed the room to the loft entrance. He bit into his lower lip drawing in a deep breath when he noted his bags sitting alone at the door. His chest constricted, his mouth went dry and he tried to swallow back the lump that sat like a lead boulder in his throat. His eyes stung with tears as he straightened his back holding his head high disappearing into the washroom and climbing into the shower. He held his face into the spray of the shower head openly crying, not a manly decision, but it was all he had and he didn’t much give a shit.

Arrangements had been formulated in the event Mikala ended up not going to Mel’s, a body guard would immediately take Mason’s place. He had chosen to become estranged, although it was far from what he truly wanted, he could never turn his back completely, therefore he pulled in favors to make certain her safety came first.

Once Mason was dressed and stood in the kitchen waiting for the toaster to pop, he sent a text to Chase making sure the new arrangement was understood. He looked at his watch seeing it was nine forty five knowing the next fifteen minutes would be cruel. Deciding to pass on toast, he thought it better to just leave instead of dragging out the inevitable.

Mason couldn’t force himself to say goodbye, standing frozen in the open doorway with his bags in his hands and his keys held between his teeth. Aware from the noise in the kitchen that Mikala was awake, he anxiously rushed out the door.

The door clicked as the lock engaged and Mason reached for the elevator button. The loft door flew open and Mikala came bursting into the hall. She grabbed his arm dragging him back inside.

Turning his wrist so they could both see his watch she said, “Ten minutes, I have ten fucking minutes.”

“What? I thought…”

“You thought wrong you stupid ass,” she said, securing the door yanking him into the kitchen. “Have coffee or eat something while I get ready, my alarm didn’t go off, fucking piece of shit!”

“Wait!” Mason roared, causing Mikala to stop, spinning round to face him.

“When your bags weren’t at the door I thought…was I wrong?” Mason gingerly asked.

Mikala walked forward placing her hands on Mason’s chest. “I packed my bags up in the hideaway last night. They were too heavy for me, my ribs still hurt, and you were asleep. I was going to leave a note on your pillow asking you to help me get them down, but I fell asleep and my stupid alarm fucked up. Were you really going to leave without saying goodbye?”

Mason fought back the urge to wrap his arms around her. “Does this mean I’m forgiven?”

“I’m going to try really, really hard to leave the past where it belongs. You’re right, we can’t change it and there
are
parts I need to hold on to, but I can’t blame you for leaving because that’s all I wanted to do, run away. I guess in a way I was jealous,” she said, holding her hand to his cheek.

Wasting another minute seemed senseless. Mason lifted her into his arms spinning her in a circle before depositing her at the bathroom door. “Now you have five minutes, sugar.”

“Yes sir,” she said, turning away with a salute of her hand to her brow, as his hand made stinging contact with her ass cheek.

With a new spring in his step, he loaded their bags into the truck reminding himself to talk to her regarding what to pack for a weekend getaway.

He was sure his sister had a kitchen sink.

Once they had stopped for fresh coffee and half a dozen muffins to keep them going for the four hour drive to Connecticut, they hit the open highway. Mikala unbuckled her seatbelt sliding over to the center of the bench seat and fastening in beside him. She slid her hand into Mason’s and he rested it in his lap with a smile.

The drive to Mystic was always a relaxing one as they drove through quaint little towns along the way. It was a welcome escape from city life. Fresh air and sunshine topped the experience and though it was on the chilly side, Mason rolled his window down a crack sucking in a deep breath.

Conversation was kept to Mason pointing out places of interest, and telling of crazy times spent doing crazy things with his buddies back in high school. He left Mystic when he moved to Boston to attend Police College and had called it home ever since.

“We’ll stop soon for lunch, Captain Jack’s okay with you?” he asked.

Mikala smiled fondly when she remembered the first time Mason brought her home to meet his mom and they stopped at Captain Jack’s. They had the endless shrimp dinner and she laughed at the way it was served up in small metal sand pails lined with heavy paper, she must have had three all to herself.  And as it turned out Captain Jack was a lady, Jacklyn was her name and a good friend of Mason’s family.

“Great!” she said, eagerly.

Captain Jack’s looked just the same as she remembered. Tables covered with red and white checker tablecloths and chairs that looked like a lumberjack had carved them out of a tree. The floors and walls looked like barn board with thick carved beams running the length of the building along the ceiling. Modern music played in the background and the kitchen area was open enough that patrons could watch their meals being prepared. The staff were all dressed in white shirts and black pants with hats that reminded her of
Pirates of The Caribbean
. They scurried around laughing and joking with customers, she couldn’t help but think what a fun place it would be to work.

A large blackboard at the door supplied the menu for the day, since it was fish and chip Friday that’s what they ordered, Mason chose Cod, Mikala Halibut. Their beer arrived in heavy glass steins and they tapped them together before taking large swigs.

“I think we should talk before we get to Mel’s,” Mikala said, setting her glass down and wiping bubbling foam from her upper lip.

“Is this a rule thing?” he asked warily, hoping she wasn’t going to hold him to the crazy rules much longer.

“I’m throwing away the rule book,” Mikala smiled, reaching for Mason’s hand. “I’d like there to be an
us
and a
we
.”

“I’d
really
like that too, you have no idea how fucking much I’d like that, sugar.” Mason tucked her hand between both his, raising it to his lips for a kiss.

“I’m pretty sure I have an idea.” she grinned, her mood shifting as she looked deep into Mason’s eyes. “I’m so sorry I’ve been such a bitch. I was so angry with you for so long. Staying angry meant I didn’t have to face my own demons, demons I’m just starting to uncover. Leaving me wasn’t fair Mason, but I get why you did and I think I finally understand. Chase helped me understand.”

“I wish I could explain it better, but when we lost Charlie my whole world died…I wanted to die…that’s why I took the assignment in Afghanistan.” A single tear rolled over his cheek, he quickly swiped it away. “I was selfish and closed my eyes to the fact that you lost him too. My mind was so fogged over with grief that I failed you. I promise I’ll spend the rest of my days making it up to you, for neglecting you so badly.”

Mikala’s brows furrowed as she stared into Mason’s face, the air zapped from her lungs as reality and pain grasped hold of her heart. “Oh my god, you went to Afghanistan on a suicide mission,”

Embarrassed, he nodded his head, dropping his eyes to his empty glass, his hold on her hand loosened but she wouldn’t allow him to pull away holding his hand tight in hers. “I’m so happy you didn’t succeed, I couldn’t have handled losing you too.”

“But you did lose me,” he said, looking up to meet her eyes. “When I left…”

“I think we both know I never truly lost you, sunshine,” she said. A smile curled across his mouth from ear to ear.

“Where do we go from here?” Mason asked, with tightness in his heart, nervously rubbing his thumb across her knuckles. “I want you back, Mikala Santino. I need you back in my life. I’ll never be complete or the man I was, not without you. Will you take me back, sugar?”

The waitress interrupted the conversation when she brought their meals and Mikala’s hand pulled from his. The few moments that it took to set out their plates and a small amount of condiments to accompany their meals felt like agonizing hours ticking on a handless clock. As the waitress turned finally walking away, they each let out a sigh of relief and Mason offered his hand watching as Mikala placed her palm into his with a smile.

She had the most beautiful smile he thought, and silently prayed it meant only the best of answers sat hidden behind it.

“Mason Reed I’m taking you back, full ownership, as long as you realize you get all of me, the good, the bad and the ugly, every part of me,” she said, squeezing his hand. “We should take it slow and I think we should maybe get some counseling.”

“Counseling?” He looked confused.

“Greif counseling, I think it would be good for both of us.” Mikala suggested, and Mason quickly agreed. He was willing to do anything for Mikala and the chance to make things right.

“We better get a move on,” Mason said, looking at his watch. “I want to get there before my mom gets home from work and surprise her.”

“Mason,” Mikala said. “Let’s keep
us
private for now, okay?”

“Is there a problem?” Mason asked.

“No, I just think it would be better for everyone if we give it some time, we have a lot to get through. I just want
us
to be sure. After all we just decided a few moments ago that there is going to be an
us
.”

“Agreed,” he said, kissing her knuckles.

They finished their meals and got back on the road. It only took another hour until they pulled into Mel’s driveway and she came bursting from the front door screaming like George Clooney had just stepped onto her lawn from a stretch Limousine.

“Masyyyyy!” Mel squealed, jumping into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist and holding on tight as she smothered his face in kisses.