Page 61 of Poet & Protector

Eleven

The Bunker

December

NEV

My fingers brushed through the ends of Mason’s silky hair. He leaned into my touch absentmindedly as he turned the page of his book. We’d been sitting like this for the last hour. I was tucked into the corner of one of the Bunker’s couches with Mason curled up against me. We were both reading.

Earlier in the evening we’d been more social, visiting with different friends, hanging out by the bar to keep Caleb company if things got slow. As the night wore on and the room emptied out, we secluded ourselves in a quiet spot. We followed a similar pattern most Wednesday nights at the Bunker and we were usually among the last people to leave. We had school in the morning, but this was our rare chance each week to spend time together in a safe place. We always stayed as long as we could.

It was never long enough.

The last four months had been the best of my life. Every moment I spent with Mason left me wanting more, needing more. Stealing time together away from our packs, our obligations, while always being careful to keep our relationship hidden was a challenge. There was one thing in particular that continually eluded us and I couldn’t tolerate it any longer. I needed to find a way around the obstacles that were keeping me from what I wanted, but I didn’t know how.

“I should get home.” Mason sat up with a sigh. “Do you want to make the first part of the run together?”

“Not tonight,” I told him. “I have to talk with Tom and Caleb about some equipment logistics.”

“I can wait,” he offered.

I shook my head. “I don’t know how long it will take. It’s already late. You should go.”

“Are you sure?” He asked, but couldn’t stop his sudden yawn.

“I’m sure,” I said. “I’ll see you at school tomorrow.”

Mason scrunched up his face. “School, where I have to pretend I don’t like you.”

I leaned back against the couch, lacing my fingers behind my head. “Just like the good old days.”

“Good old days?” He frowned.

“Simpler times.” I shrugged and offered him a lazy, taunting smile. “You’re hard work.”

He glared at me, though I could see humor dancing in his eyes. We both knew I was teasing.

“And you’re about to experience a major drought when it comes to certain benefits you’ve enjoyed since I became so much ‘hard work,’” he said with a soft growl.

“No, I’m not,” I replied calmly.

“No?”

“No.” I let my gaze travel over him. Very slowly. “You can’t resist me.”

Mason stared me down, but the amusement in his expression gave way to a smolder in his irises as I continued to enjoy my perusal of his body.

“Kiss me goodnight,” I said.

“No,” he replied, but he shifted his weight and swallowed before he tore his gaze off me. “You’re a dick.”

“Oh, we’re back to that, are we?” I replied, laughing. “Considering how things worked out for me last time, I’m all right with it.”

He made an exasperated sound and stood up. “I’ll see you at school.”

“I bet you can’t leave without kissing me.”

“That’s a terrible bet!” Mason exclaimed.