Hard to Love You

I nodded, not trusting my voice to speak.

“We can stop now, or whenever you want, you just have to tell me.” Mason said. I could hear the worry in his voice.

“I know, Mase, I trust you.” I trusted him with my life.

I reached up, put my hands behind his neck and brought him down to me. I opened my legs wider so that Mason could settle between them and they started shaking from the anticipation.

“You’re shaking.” Mason said as he kissed right below my ear.

“I’m fine, just a little nervous.”

I felt Mason at my opening, he pushed in just a little and I felt myself stretching. I dug my fingernails into Mason’s back as he pushed in a little further. It hurt but wasn’t unbearable.

Mason lifted up and gazed into my eyes. He stilled inside me, letting me stretch to fit his size and get used to the feeling. Mason continued placing kisses on my lips, down my jaw and just as he got to my ear he pushed all the way in and I felt a sudden pinch. I squeezed my eyes shut.

“I love you, Hailey.” I heard Mason whisper so quietly that I’m not sure if I was meant to hear it.

My eyes flew open but I didn’t say anything, I couldn’t. I was in shock.

Mason stilled, “You okay?”

I nodded, the pinching sensation was dissipating. I lifted my h*ps trying to get Mason to move but he wouldn’t.

“Mase, look at me.” When he opened his eyes my heart fluttered. Mason’s eyes that were normally so stormy now looked so clear, so calm. “I’m ok.”

Mason pulled almost all the way out, and then slowly pushed back in. He was making love to me, he wasn’t just screwing me. In this moment I knew my heart would always belong to Mason Cahill.

After some time I was meeting Mason thrust for thrust; it wasn’t long before Mason and I found our releases together. What was once a ruined night was now one of the best nights of my life.

“Where are you going?” I asked as Mason rolled off me.

“To go clean up. I’ll be right back.” Mason walked into the bathroom that connected his and Cooper’s room.

When he came back he had a towel in his hand and handed it to me. I climbed off the bed and saw the blood that was there. I gasped. I had forgotten all about that.

Mason walked over and wrapped me up in his arms. “You’re wearing too many clothes.”

I laughed nervously, “I only have my bra and shirt on.”

“Exactly.”

Mason pulled his shirt over my head and undid the clasp of my bra, slowly lowering the straps until it was completely off.

Mason took a step back, “Damn you’re beautiful. Are you sore?”

“A little bit.”

Mason grabbed my hand and led me to the bathroom where he drew me a bath with bubbles.

“It was perfect, Hailey.” Mason says. He’s probably thinking of our first time too.

I glance over at him and nod. “I’m gonna wash up, I’ll be right out.”

Mason smiles. “Turn around; I’ll wash your back.”

“Mason …”

“Just turn around.” Mason says.

I turn so that my back is facing him and draw my knees up to my chest. Mason reaches for the body wash and then he starts massaging my shoulders. He takes his time, making sure to cover every part of my back. As he gets lower I sit up further giving him the access that he needs.

Once my back is washed to his high standards, he rinses off his hands in the water and then stands to dry his hands off with the towel. “Have you eaten yet? I’m starving.”

I turn around to face him but keep myself hidden by the side of the tub. “You’re not leaving?”

He shakes his head and walks out of the room before I have a chance to argue with him that he should.

I finish up in the bath, get dressed and pile my hair on top of my head. I throw my dirty clothes in the guest room and go to find Mason.

He is sitting in the living room, flipping through the channels. The baby monitor sits next to his leg. I sit on the other end of the couch and pull a blanket across my legs.

“I ordered an extra cheese pizza, light on the sauce. Hope that’s ok.” Mason tells me as he continues to flip through the channels. He ordered the pizza exactly how I love it.

“That’s fine. Thanks.” What is he up to?

Mason puts the remote down and looks over at me. “What?” I ask.

He shakes his head, “Nothing.”

15

“What?” Hailey asks again.

“Things were good between us, right? Before that shit with Lily?” I say to her. I want her to remember the good times we had. I want to chip away at the walls she’s put up.

Hailey shifts uncomfortably from her seat on the couch. “Yeah, they were great Mason.”

I look up at the ceiling, resting my head on the back of the couch and sigh loudly. I can feel Hailey staring at me.

“Lets play a game.” She says after a few minutes. I look over at her and she is huddled in the corner of the couch, looking all cute. She has her golden blonde hair piled on the top of her head, she isn’t wearing any makeup and she has on those damn stretchy pants and a short, tight tank top.

I chuckle. “You and your games.”

She huffs; a mixture of embarrassment and anger, “Forget it.”

Letting out a long, drawn out yawn, she flips the covers off her legs and starts to stand up. “I’m not very hungry. I’m gonna call it a night, just let yourself out and lock the door when you go.”

I hear her stomach growl as she talks about food and I’m not about to let her run away from me. “Bullshit.”

She whips her head around to me, “Excuse me?”

My lip pulls up into a smirk, “You heard me. You’re hungry. I heard your stomach, Hailey.”

She goes to take a step away from the couch so I jump up from where I’m sitting and stalk over to her. Just as she’s about to get to the end of the couch I reach out and grab her by the elbow. When she turns around to face me she opens and closes her mouth a few times. She looks like a fish out of water.

I order her to sit in the firmest voice I can manage.

Hailey finally finds her words and snaps back. “No. I’m not hungry.”

I take a step closer to her. She has to look up at me because I’m so close. “Sit. I’m not telling you again.”

We’re locked in a staring contest; she’s not going to win this. Finally she looks away and sits back down on the couch. Victory! I smile at her and she rolls her eyes at me.