Call Me Michigan (17 page)

She was so close to everything she had ever longed for, yet she worried that it was too late now. Step by step, she climbed the ladder like they were a mountain. She reached the top and spotted Mason at the window. His back was to her, and her heart jumped into her throat. Her lips almost automatically split into a wide smile. This was her and Mason. It just had to work.

***

Mason lowered his head as he heard steps on the floor behind him, feeling the wooden planks vibrate with each step closer.

“I’ll be right down,” he promised without turning.

The steps didn’t stop until they were so close that he thought he felt the person exhaling.

“Ashley kept talking about your wallet, so now, I’m curious.”

His heart did a double take, and he spun around to face the only person he wanted to see on his birthday. Her eyes were on the photo of her he carried, and she stared at it so long, he thought she had gone into shock. Finally, her eyes lifted to his. The emotions in her gaze were unidentifiable, but still, his heart swelled because the smile that accompanied them said so much more.

“That is … Mason!” She shook her head, collecting her thoughts. “I didn’t bring you a gift, and I look like hell, but you wanna know something? If one person takes me as I am, it’s you.” She pressed her lips together before exhaling. He smelled strawberry chewing gum, and it made him bite his cheek to stop himself from grinning. “Only you can drive me batshit crazy, and it’s a good thing. What I’m trying to say …”

“I love you, too,” he interrupted, and her eyes widened slightly.

“Too many words, huh?” she wondered, a blush creeping up her cheeks. It was the cutest thing ever.

“I’m sorry for everythin’ I said, and I …” Her tiny smirk prompted him to stop, and he rested his forehead against hers. “How about we try that first real sober kiss?” She bit her lip in response, letting her arms come around his neck.

“You had better impress me this time, cowboy,” she teased, and he groaned, deciding to step away.

“That kiss you talked about in the truck was ours. I hadn’t realized it, or I would’ve kissed you then and there. Everythin’ I said between that day and today hurt you or pushed you away.”

She placed her hands on her hips, cocking her head and causing blonde waves to tumble over her shoulder. “You were about to kiss me, and now, you wanna talk?” Her brow furrowed, and he spread his arms in a gesture of innocence. He wanted to reply, but before he could, her lips were on his, her arms wrapped around him, and her fingers in his hair.

He couldn’t believe that he had forgotten the way she tasted or felt against him. He nudged her to jump, and she wrapped her legs around his hips without breaking the kiss. Her lips were soft against his, yet the kiss was anything but.

“Man, you can do that so much better when you’re sober,” she whispered against his mouth, and he claimed her lips another time. Once he had his first fill of her, he put her back on her own two feet and brushed his thumb over her bottom lip, releasing a deep breath.

“Hi.” He grinned, making her laugh.

“I think you have a party going on downstairs. Happy birthday, by the way. We should –”

“Collins,” he interrupted, pulling her back against him as she attempted to walk back down. The way her eyes lifted and her lips slightly parted in awe made his throat go dry.

“You called me Collins,” Taylor whispered, and Mason nodded, making her spin on the tip of her toes. She was exactly like she used to be yet more mature, and even with bruises in the colors of the rainbow covering her, she was the most beautiful woman in his eyes.

“Well, you look like yourself again. All boots, denim jacket, and an attitude,” he stated, making her beam.

She reached out and cupped his cheek, and Mason kissed her palm. “You’ve always been the best part of me … and a big part of what makes me me.” She gently touched her nose to his and then brushed a quick kiss on his lips. “I wanted to be someone better for you, and I can’t remember one day since meeting you that I haven’t loved you. You hear me, Mason Stiles? I love you. And now, let’s go. Everyone’s waiting for the birthday boy who was sulking upstairs in the hay loft,” she told him and then tried tugging him along.

“Hey, one last thing.” She groaned, making him chuckle before he turned serious again. “I cannot have Becca’s heart broken,” he mumbled. She turned back around, cocking an eyebrow.

“Listen up, cowboy.” She tapped his chest with her fingertip, making his heart do crazy things. “For over ten years, I have wanted you, and I’d only ever leave your ass again for one reason: cheating. So you can avoid breaking her heart by not breaking mine. It isn’t about the sunshine. It’s about dancing in the rain and weathering the storm. Through fights, screams, and tears, Mason, that’s what you wanted, and you had better not have changed your mind by now,” she pointed out, and he gaped at her.

“You remember that?”

She nodded. “Back then, I thought you were talking about us. I thought you’d be marrying me, so of course, I remembered.” She walked over to the stairs, clearly deciding that someone had to start going down, or it wouldn’t ever happen.

“I will marry you,” he called after her, and she threw him a look over her shoulder.

“Not without a pretty ring, you won’t,” she replied, her tone sassy as she made her way back to their friends. Mason grabbed the wallet and the photo from the ground where she had dropped it before kissing him. He followed her, smiling as if he owned the world. And, in his mind, he finally did.

“Tim, wake up!” Her brother turned, but then just grunted something incoherent. Taylor contemplated picking him up, but he’d be heavy, and she’d have to climb down the stairs. “Timmy, let’s go home,” she pleaded, but again, he just grunted in response. She lowered her head. While her body was energized, she just wanted to go to sleep. Somehow, somewhere, during this almost perfect night, she had started to worry that she’d wake up and everything would be a dream and nothing more.

“Just stay,” came a warm voice from the door, and she turned in the darkness, seeing Mason framed by light. “I want to wake up and finally know you’re mine.” His voice was hushed, almost pleading. It made her realize that he was just as disbelieving as she was. Hesitating before kissing Tim’s cheek, she got up from the bed and walked over to Mason, stepping out into the hall with him. She closed the door behind her back before leaning against it. She watched his face in the dimly lit hallway, and her heart ached. God, he was beautiful. His unruly dark curls beckoned her to touch them and his lips, shining from when he licked them out of nervousness, begged her to kiss them.

There, in the small space of the hallway, they were suddenly teenagers again. Taylor had hated all the insecurities back then, and even more the fact that Mason hadn’t been hers.

“So much wasted time,” he mumbled, his tone rough as he voiced the thought that had just sprung to her mind. He nodded her over, and she went willingly, letting him close her in his arms. It was strange how something so utterly familiar could suddenly be new and exciting.

She never wanted to be anywhere else again.

“Yeah, I was just your friend, remember?” She only half joked as jealousy burned its way through her body. She hadn’t forgotten the Halloween she’d been close to telling him what she felt. He instantly reacted by gently pinching her side, making her yelp.

“You little minx,” he accused, and then grabbed her as she tried to escape his arms. She stifled her laughter as her back hit his chest. The next second, he kissed her neck, making her want to purr.

“It’s our first real date, Mr. Stiles. This lady here should be going home to follow the proper Southern way,” she teased. She could hear him gasp, looking for words that clearly evaded him. It made her grin.

***

Mason should be doing exactly what she had said, but years had been wasted, and he wouldn’t ever get them back.

“Hey, Mase,” she called softly, getting him back from his wayward thoughts. “I was joking. Let’s go.” She took the initiative and walked to his room. Inside, he watched how she moved around his space, clearly feeling at home. He liked that more than he cared to admit. She opened drawers and got out sweatpants and a shirt for herself.

“You can always sleep in a bra and panties,” he offered graciously, biting his cheeks as she glowered at him before arching a brow.

“I could, you know, if I was wearing any.” With that, she vanished in his bathroom. He stared at the door for a few seconds, wondering if she’d been serious. He lit a few candles around the room before pulling his own sweatpants on. His hand hovered over a shirt, but then he decided against it. It wouldn’t hurt anyone if he teased Tay a …

His thought trailed off as she came out of the bathroom, holding the black sweats in her hand while his shirt barely reached over her butt. Clearly, she, too, had decided to tease him. He surely didn’t mind, especially not as her gaze settled on him, prompting her to lick her lips.

”Cowboy,” she whispered, and he laughed, realizing that being with Taylor was easy, albeit a little like a first ever relationship.

“Come here,” he instructed, and she dropped his pants on the floor before walking over. Her eyes never left his chest, her gaze following her fingertips as she let them wander over it without really touching him. It appeared as if she was afraid of coming too close.

“You know, you won’t feel anything unless you get skin to skin,” he pointed out, realizing that she was trembling. He grabbed her hand and then kissed her fingertips.

“I … this is unreal. I’ve longed to get my hands on your chest for years, and now, I’m suddenly worried it won’t be as good as I always imagined.” Mason stared at her in outrage. For a second, he expected her to start laughing, but she kept a straight face.

“You … I … what?” he stuttered, and finally, she broke into a round of giggles. She wanted to walk away from him, but he just pulled her toward him again, kissing the back of her neck while she laughed softly. His heart did flip-flops, and it probably was the best thing he’d ever felt.

“Jesus, Collins, I love you,” he whispered, and she stilled, leaning her head to the side to give him better access to her neck. He rubbed his nose along her skin, before letting his lips follow. Her sweet scent clouded his senses, and he’d never tire of that feeling.

Slowly, she shifted in his arms, and he loved the way she looked in the soft light of the candles. “Oh my, Mister Stiles, you look at me as if it’s something serious.” She grinned. He brushed a stray blonde strand out of her face, wondering how in the world it couldn’t be serious when for more than a decade he had longed for this.

Framing her face, he drew her in. He met her lips in a gentle, unhurried kiss, slipping his tongue inside her mouth the moment she went onto her tiptoes to silently demand more. He picked her up and then put her down on the mattress without breaking the kiss. She placed her hand directly above his heart, and it made him smile. Eventually, he broke the kiss, pressing his lips to her forehead before pulling the blanket up to cover her.

“Where the hell do you think you’re going?” she wanted to know, wearing the cutest pout on her face.

“Just gonna blow out the candles,” he promised, smiling as she touched her fingertips to his lips.

“Okay,” she slowly agreed, and Mason moved around the room, extinguishing the few candles before padding back to the bed and crawling in by her side. Feeling her so close was maddening, yet he was set on just enjoying her by his side. After all, it was more than he had imagined that morning. Additionally, they had all the time in the world to get intimate since he wouldn’t ever let her go again.

***

Taylor woke from the sounds of little feet hurrying across the cold wooden floor. Mason’s left arm was draped over her middle while his right one pillowed her head.

“Daddy?” Becca asked; the words barely loud enough to cross the distance between her and the bed.

“Bec?” Tay replied just as quietly.

“Tay!” Becca squealed as hushed as possible, and finally, Taylor’s eyes had gotten used to the darkness, making it possible to see the girl’s outline where she stood. Wordlessly, Taylor lifted the blanket, prompting Becca to join her. Mason’s daughter sure didn’t hesitate, snuggling close while pressing her ice-cold feet against Taylor’s warms thighs. She shivered, pulling Becca even closer.

“Missed you,” the child whispered, and Taylor felt her breath tickle her lips. She, too, had missed the little girl something fierce.

“Missed you, too, babe,” she answered and then kissed Becca’s forehead, breathing in the mix of chocolate and baby powder that always seemed to surround Becca.

“Can I stay?”

Taylor had no doubt that Mason forbid it usually, but nothing was usual about this night.

“Of course.” Taylor laughed quietly. “I absolutely want to cuddle with you.”

The child sighed in contentment and then yawned. Taylor listened until Becca’s breathing evened out, then she reached out to kiss Mason’s palm after taking his hand.

“This is an exception,” Mason mumbled sleepily, and Taylor melted at the huskiness of his voice.