What about you? - 30

Chapter 30

"Are you sure you've got everything?"

Kate heard the voice, but pretended she hadn't. She needed more time, there was so much to do before she could think about leaving this place. It had been a huge part of her life for so long, and even though she'd barely slept there the last three months, it seemed so difficult to finally close the door on the place she'd called home.

As soon as Kate accepted Mason's proposal, he'd tried to get her to move into his luxurious apartment, even more so when the boys disappeared on their travels. It made sense, it was stupid to rent when she had another more sensible option, and part of her wondered if she was rebelling against this defensively, fearing he was trying to control her, her last vestige of independence, but she knew that Mason viewed it as her resisting him and their future together. That was the last thing she wanted to do, drive a wedge between them. 

But this had been her bedroom, her lounge, her kitchen, bathroom for the last six years. All her memories were linked to this building, and now that Mike and Steve were off gallivanting, Tilly was happy, married, this home became her last and only link to the life she'd had.  Kate knew she needed time to close that book before she could concentrate on the future.

She felt Mason in the room behind her before he made a sound, when his arms wrapped around her, she leaned back into the strength of his hard body.

"Why am I crying at a building?" her words were quiet and greeted with a chuckle.

"Because you're a very sensitive person, that's why. But this is a good thing, you're moving on by choice, so you can remember all this with happiness! Ok?"

She nodded, swiping at a stray tear. Laughing again Mason turned her in his arms, "this is why I love you Kate Michaels, because you don't do anything by half measures. You do everything for everyone,  you have a passion for everything. Even a building!" Dropping her head to his chest she sighed, but he lifted her chin, forced her to look at him. "Memories lives here!" He tapped the side of her head, "and you'll never lose them, or your friends."

She nodded, "I know!"

Mason tilted his head and kissed her gently, "come on, our new home awaits."

Since accepting his offer to become Mrs Fitzgerald, nothing had been static. He'd almost finished everything out in Dubai. There were still a few short trips needed, but now he was free to find new work and set up a home, a life with her. The first thing he'd done was to drag her around elligible properties in London until they found a delightful town house just a few miles from Tilly. It was everything that Kate had wanted in a house, and a blank canvas for her and Mason to build a home. And the bonus was the basement, that Mason had promised to convert into a seperate apartment.

Once they'd deposited the boxes Kate had retrieved from the apartment, he drove them both out of the City towards the sprawling countryside of Oxfordshire. Pulling into the carpark of AMber Technology. Kate was excited, she'd been looking forward to this moment for a long time. Gripping Mason's hand she almost ran into the reception. 

"Are you here for the University Programme Launch?" A uniformed woman smiled from behind a desk, and when Kate nodded, she gestured to a large set of imposing doors at the end of the corridor. Kate almost skipped along the room and Mason had to restrain her slightly. 

The doors opened onto a large auditorium style room, a long table flanked the length of the stage, and the first three rows of the seating were occupied by obvious journalists, note pads and microphones at the ready. Kate slid into a seat and dragged Mason with her. 

"Where is he?" she asked scanning the room, watching as the stage filled with a mixture of academics and directors from the company. Then she sighed in relief as Peter moved onto the stage, sitting himself between two fo the older men.

Kate felt like a proud mother, Peter had finally had a break. The robotic arm he'd tirelessly worked on was being deemed a breakthrough in the science and technology world. He'd developed verbal commands to control it and the idea was being patented. The money being talked about by a multitude of companies all wanting to best the others to secure the technology meant that Peter was now financially secure for life, or rather would be. So here he was an integral part of this huge partnership between a London based university and this research and technology company. It was everything they'd hoped for, independence and a real life for him. As he beamed on stage talking to his new mentor John, Kate finally felt the last strings of responsibility fall away.

Peter spotting her, waved excitedly, but he couldn't run over and share his happiness until after the press conference.

"Kate!" he buried her in a bear hug that she reciprocated before smiling at her, "did you see me on the stage? Did you see them all take my picture?"

She nodded, "you were great!"

In truth he was completely unaware of the implications of his invention, or his role in this huge project. With his simplistic look on life, all he knew was that he had a new home, living with students and other workers on the purpose built campus that this project funded. He didn't see the research as work, it was a real thrill for him. 

After being shown around his new home, meeting some of his new friends, Mason drove Kate back to London, pleased that she was smiling beside him, content at last.

Accelerating on the quiet road he smiled, resting a hand on her thigh, "so are we going to get away? Now that you know he's safe?"

Kate had been putting off a holiday with Mason until she knew that everything was settled. Her mother was in California visiting an old school mate, her brother and Paula were planning their new home, and the arrival of their baby, Tilly was babymaking with her new husband, and Steve and Mike were in Thailand at the last email, sampling a free and easy life. No one needed her to fix things anymore, she was free to do what ever she wanted. 

Turning to Mason she smiled, "you know I really want to go to Kenya...tropical but beaches, safari...lots to do..."

Mason growled, "I can guarantee that if we're somewhere warm, just the two of us alone, then I guess you will not be looking for activities to waste time!"

Leaning back into her seat she smiled, a warm fuzz sweeping through her body, "that sounds like a promise I'll hold you to!"

Four days later they stepped down off the plane into the baking hot summer day in Marrakech. They'd had a last minute change of plan, and Kate followed Mason with a smile as they climbed into the limo that took them to their desert paradise.

Kate dug out a bikini and a light sarong as Mason took a quick shower, and she was reclined on the sun deck of their room when he finally emerged. Looking at her, serene, sensual and his heart's desire, he felt a twitch of heat in his groin. Would he ever get fed up with her? Or rather ever stop wanting to strip her naked and drag her into bed. 

He couldn't see it. Regardless of that, he'd blundered his proposal, bursting out the words before he even knew what he was saying at the wedding a few months ago. Not that he regretted it, it was the greatest moment of his life, and probably easier as he hadn't had weeks to build up to it. 

In his haste he'd bought a cheap ring, the best he could find, but nothing that encompassed how much Kate meant to him. No. This holiday was a chance for him to demonstrate exactly how he felt,  and that had to start now.

Picking up the phone he rang room service and set his plan into action.

Kate spotted Mason take the seat opposite her from under her dark shades. She loved the chance to watch him when he didn't know. Every inch of him excited her, as she lounged there taking in his broad chest, the swirls of dark hair around each nipple, she felt her own tighten, and suddenly the bikini seemed restrictive.

"I know you're checking me out!"

His voice cut through her serenity like a knife, flipping her glasses up to eyeball him she hated that she blushed so readily. In the coolest voice she could muster she muttered, "I don't know what you mean!"

Laughing, Mason lifted his own mirrored aviator shades and looked her up and down slowly,  "so is it cold? Because from where I'm sitting you look pleased to see me!"

This time she couldn't restrain the blush, and instead buried her nose in her book, ignoring the annoying sound of his knowing laugh. A knock at the door disturbed their banter and Mason got up and sauntered across to the door.  He returned to the veranda with a trolley topped with a dome covered platter and a bottle of champagne.

Kate lifted her glasses again and looked up at him, "are we celebrating?"

Shrugging he lifted the lid and revealed a huge bowl of tropical fruit, a platter of delicate sandwiches and mini cream cakes. Kate's stomach rumbled appreciatively and she reached out for a sandwich and then a hunk of fresh pineapple. 

Watching her devour the fruit hungrily, Mason felt a tug of an altogether different hunger. Ignoring the desire to lick the juice dribbling down her chin, he wrestled with the bottle of champagne, before finally removing the cork with a satisfying pop.

Filling her glass he delved in his pocket and retrieved something that he slipped into her glass before she noticed anything. 

Kate took the drink, but as she lifted it to her lips, she spotted the certain something sat at the bottom of the sparkling fluid. Raising an eyebrow she looked at Mason, her heart racing, then she gulped the sparkling fluid urgently, before tipping the vintage and beautiful sapphire ring into her hand.

"What's this?" she asked fingering the beautiful item caringly.

When she looked up Mason was on one knee beside her, "in Cyprus I didn't prepare, didn't plan anything. A last minute ring, a rushed proposal...I wanted something special," He smiled, "that was my grandmother's ring and I hoped that you'd do the honour of properly becoming my wife?"

Smiling she thought her heart would burst with pleasure and excitement, "I've already said yes...Yes, yes,yes..."

She was still murmuring yes against his lips as he carried her into the bedroom, every dream had come true.

What about you? - 29

Chapter 29 

It had been two weeks since Kate had parted with Mason, that tearful, emotional moment at Heathrow. She wasn't proud of the way she'd clung to him as though her life depended on it. It had upset him, and he'd held her tight murmuring into her ear how he hated leaving, she'd cried all the way back to her dark and dank home. Everything seemed harder without him there.

She'd also had to watch Steve and Mike pack up or sell all their possessions before their trip. They were flying onto Asia from the wedding in Cyprus, and had no real agenda for coming home. In terms of that, Kate had her head well and truly buried in the sand. Their lease ran out three days after she was due back from Cyprus and she had nowhere else to move to.  She really needed to think about her future, but at the moment she couldn't, everything was changing and she was struggling to manage with that.

She'd flown to Cyprus with the boys, Tilly and Ashton had come on ahead of them to organise the final arrangements, but the three were flying out three doors before the service, the intention was to have a few days relaxing first. The location for the wedding, an adult only resort on a headland overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, was idyllic, lots of lagoon pools and white sandy beaches, though it was really too early in the year, and too cool to appreciate that. They intended on using the spa, the gym and any other pampering they could fit in, the boys in particular were intending to live in luxury for the few days before they headed off into traveller poverty.

Kate had booked a room in the hotel, but when she arrived at reception, she was told that Mr Fitzgerald had upgraded the room to a suite. She was currently stood open mouthed gaping at the opulence of the three rooms. She'd walked into a huge lounge with fantastic views of the azure sea, an archway led through to the stunning bedroom that was dominated by the huge bed with high thread count Egyptian linen, then there was a bathroom big enough to hold meetings. When she glanced at the double shower cubicle with an array of shower heads at various levels, she couldn't help but blush, enjoying the vision of her and Mason in there together.

So she'd been pampered. After a workout in the gym, and then a nice long swim, she'd treated herself to a hot stone massage followed by a manicure and pedicure. Feeling well pampered, Kate headed back to her room...or rather her suite and stretched out on the bed. The next thing she knew, she must've nodded off, because she was woken by two oh so familiar lips touching hers, and she responded with fervour before her eyes were even open.

When she did manage to separate her tender sleepy eyelids, it was to see Mason's eyes, less than an inch from hers, breath warm on her cheek, a smile spread across his face. 

                "Hey you!" He breathed softly devouring her greedily with his eyes, "I've missed you!"

Breaking into a reciprocal smile, she reached up to cup his cheek, "I've missed you too! I wasn't sure when you'd get here!"

Mason nodded; he'd struggled to get a reasonably timed flight to Cyprus from Dubai that didn't sweep miles out of the way into a major European City first. He was struggling on taking time off and needed to get as quick a connection as possible. "I wasn't able to get a decent flight, so I just thought stuff it and got a flight when I wanted. Brandon's not happy, but hey, needs must. I wanted to see you SO badly! These last three weeks have felt like an eternity!"

She nodded as his mouth found her throat, teeth nipping and tongue lashing as she murmured her appreciation and explained just exactly how much she'd missed him as his hands reached for the buttons on the front of her shirt.

Kate sighed, she'd described the bed as huge in her own mind, but in reality it was perfect. Stretched out, yet wrapped around Mason, there was still plenty of room in the bed for them.

Propping herself on an elbow and running her spare hand along the contour of his chest, waist then bottom. "This is heaven!" she whispered before stooping to place a kiss on his shoulder.

Mason's arm, the one not holding her close to him, was tossed over his eyes, and initially his only response was a groan.  "Do we HAVE to go to dinner tonight?"

Kate looked up to see Mason peeking from behind his fingers, like a naughty schoolboy and chuckled, "it's the pre-wedding dinner. Come on!"

An hour later they walked hand-in-hand to the dining room, to where a group of more than thirty people had gathered. As soon as they saw them, Tilly and Ashton rushed over to smile and fuss over Mason. They were both pleased for Kate that he had finally joined the wedding party, and of course her life.

All through the meal, Mason was attentive, his eyes never leaving hers and a permanent satisfied smile adorning his face. Kate could honestly not remember being more content in her life, she loved Mason in a way she'd never loved Peter, this was so new, so all consuming. But the days apart were murderous, in her own mind she'd tried to find a solution, but there was no way she could leave her job, not with Peter's bills, and she'd used up most of her holiday time doing things with him. There was nothing more she could at the moment.

                "Penny for your thoughts!" a very sexy voice whispered in her ear.

Turning to smile at Mason, she pulled herself out of her reverie, "great food, great company...that's all I can ask for."

He raised an eyebrow, doubting every word of it; she'd looked so forlorn when she'd be gazing into the distance so distractedly. But he wasn't going to rock the boat, not now when they were both so content to be together.

Sliding a hand under the table and over her thigh, he flexed his fingers slightly and was rewarded by a moan escaping her lips. There was time to talk, plenty of it, but at the moment Mason could barely concentrate on anything more than plotting his activity when he got her alone again later.

After the meal, the gathered group milled around in the hotel bar, talking, smiling and planning.

                "Have you really got to stay with Tilly tonight?" Mason's voice was a growl in her ear.

Turning she smiled at him, "of course I do. I'm bridesmaid, she's the bride. You can manage one night without me!"

HHHe shook his head, "I've had the last sixteen nights without you. Phone calls and phone sex only have a limited benefit. I don't think I can sleep here knowing you're only a few doors away!"

Laughing she swung her arms around her neck, "the wedding's at one, after the service I'll be at your side, I promise. Can you last fifteen hours?"

Shaking his head, he ensnared her wrist with his fingers, "definitely not!"

There were floor to ceiling panoramic windows along the length of the bar and some of the panels had been slid open to let the cool evening breeze circulate around the room. With a tug, he led her towards the veranda that overlooked the beach.

Her feet barely touched the floor as Mason led her rather forcibly down the winding terrace steps to a darkened and very secluded area of the gardens. Hidden behind trees and a rocky outcrop, he pulled her into his arms.

Kate giggled as his hands slid under her dress, his tongue and lips devouring her neck. Reciprocating, she tugged his shirt free of his belt, then slid her hands under the cotton to his warm muscular body. Groaning Mason lifted his head and looked down into Kate's eyes, the moon casting a silvery light across her face.

                "God you drive me insane Kate. I'm behaving like a bloody hormone charged teenager!"

She chuckled, raising her arms to drape around his neck, "I like that I bring out the uncharacteristic side of you! And..." she glanced at their present environment, "I've always thought that outdoor sex was underrated!"

With that she slid one hand down to his groin and started to buckle his belt. With a quick look at the heavens, he groaned before pulling her skirt up over her hips, warm fingers running over her thighs.

Mason wasn't sure of anything anymore. After the rather delicious romp that he and Kate had shared in the darkened gardens he'd hardly been able to concentrate. Her smell occupied his nostrils, her laugh his ears, and he couldn't look at any part of the suite they'd shared for the brief afternoon without seeing, remembering. He'd never felt like this about anyone, and instead of scaring him, it actually excited him.

It had spurred his little trip into town earlier this morning. Stopping, he checked out his reflection in the mirror with a smile of approval, he knew he looked good in a tux, few men didn't. Black brought out the darkness of his complexion and was in contrast to the crisp, sharp whiteness of the shirt he wore. Running fingers through has decidedly shaggy dark hair, he pulled it into some semblance of a style, then checked his pocket for money, his vital link to life his phone, and of course his recent purchase.

Standing in the small room that had been turned into a chapel of sorts, he waited patiently with the other thirty or so guests. Ashton looked nervous which amused Mason, normally he was so calm, assured...it was obvious how much this marriage, and of course Tilly meant to him.

Then all eyes turned to the bride, a vision in white accompanied by her anxious looking father. Tilly looked confident and beautiful, but Mason's eyes only glanced over her. Instead he was drawn to the vision in purple that followed her down the aisle. Kate's dark locks were piled up on her head and African Violets were dotted through it. Her strapless dress clung to every curve, and she walked elegantly, her feet crossing in a style that most catwalk models would claim as their own.

She was the epitome of sophistication, classiness and beauty and he knew that he'd made the right decisions with regard to him, her and their future. AS she drew level with him she smiled, a dazzling, sexy, I-want-to-eat-you smile, and he felt a surge of longing shoot through his body.

                "You look SO hot!" she mouthed, knowing that every other pair of eyes were following the bride in front of her. He merely widened his eyes in amazement, anticipation and excitement at the forthcoming evening electrifying his body.

The service was emotional, and as the bride and groom kissed Kate was reminded of the last wedding she'd attended, and been bridesmaid at. Was it only five months ago? She'd stood there, then with such sadness, such awkwardness at both the situation and the hideous dress she’d worn. It was hard to believe that before that day she hadn’t known Mason, he’d so quickly become as essential to her as oxygen. He’d looked so beautiful, elegant, strong and what her gran would have described as dashing, that she suddenly wanted this magical day to be over so that they could be together alone. Her face flushed at the memory of their walk the previous evening, barely able to believe she’d gone along with it, let alone looked forward to it happening again.

Every time she looked up his eyes were on her, whether it be during the service, as they bridal party was being photographed, or as they entered the reception. They were set apart for the formalities of the meal, but as soon as that, and the speeches were over, they came together like magnets. It was expected that Kate would dance with Paul, the best man, but this seemed to be ignored on this occasion, and after a brief ‘hello’, Mason dragged her into his arms on the dance floor.

                “Talk about torture...” he murmured, his lips brushing over her hair.

                “What?” she leaned back and looked up at him with an expression that showed more innocence than he knew was right.

                “You, looking divine in that very sexy dress, across the room from me ALL day! It has more than tried my patience Kate, I swear to you!”

She chuckled and was rewarded with a distinct change in tension in both his arms, and his pelvis, pressed against her. “Well all you had to do was ask and I’d have brushed past you!”

Mason groaned, “Once things calm down can we speak? I really need to talk to you...alone!”

She waggled an eyebrow, “you devious man! I’ll see what I can do.”

It was late afternoon and the sun was beginning to set over the horizon casting hues of red across the sky. The wedding had dispersed somewhat in that some people were eating, others drinking or dancing around the room, some had gone away, presumably back to their rooms. So Kate sought out Mason, a bottle of champagne in one hand, two crystal flutes in the other. Catching his eye across the room, she raised her hands and showed him her wares before disappearing out on to the adjacent veranda.

A heater above the door took the chill off the cool evening, but by the time he joined her, she was shivering a little.

                “You cold?” he asked, slipping out of his jacket and draping it around her bare shoulders.

Smiling she looked up at him, “thanks!” She watched him wrestle with the bottle and fill the two glasses before she spoke. “So you wanted to talk to me?”

Kate sipped from the glass as she waited for him to speak, and it was a few seconds before he opened his mouth.

                “We need to speak about the future Kate; we can’t go on living like we do...apart.”

She nodded and cut him off, “I’ve been through every option in my mind Mason, and I can’t find a way to make this work, I hate to say it. I don’t want to think of you not being here, us not being together, but I just can’t see how this can be sorted. I mean I can’t expect you to move over to Britain, you own your company, you’ve got your commitment to Brad, employees, responsibility...but I can’t jack in my job, it’s not possible, I mean there are so many things, people...”

Mason had been amazed at several things, firstly her eagerness to discuss this, and then there was the amount of thought she’d obviously given to their situation. He didn’t need her to think about leaving her job, but the fact that she couldn’t as oppose to didn’t want to sent a chill up his spine.

Placing a finger over her lips, he sighed, “I’m glad that you’ve tried to work this out, but I can’t accept there’s no solution, and anyway I’ve got my own thoughts about what should happen.” His fingers moved to cup her cheek, “what I’m more interested in is why you can’t possibly meet me in the middle here. Come on Kate, what are you hiding now?”

She blushed and he sighed at the thought that he was right; she was hiding something, “tell me Kate, you have to trust me!”

Tears welled in her eyes as she looked up at his caring face, “I’ve got commitments...”

                “The truth darling, please.”

Kate sighed, “I need the money, I’ve got responsibilities...”

                “And a VERY good job,” he coaxed.

Taking a deep breath, she looked at him, “Peter’s fees...when he moved into the residential home he’s in now, the only place that can offer him a future, well Clarissa couldn’t get any assistance, funding, so I offered half the money.”

Mason felt as though a knife had penetrated his chest, the pain was acute and debilitating, how much more had this girl been put on, how much more did his aunt expect from her. He could barely find his voice, “how much?” The words were a raps and he dreaded the answer. When she gave a four figure value, he asked, “a year?”

Kate shook her head, “a month.”

Mason couldn’t cope, turning away he punched the nearest wall, ignoring the pain, the blood, just wanting the pain to take away her revelations had caused. Suddenly his anger was more than he could deal with. Kate, poor vulnerable Kate who’d wanted to leave Peter had been saddled with emotional, physical and now financial obligation to him. It was disgusting and he hated it.

A tentative hand rested on his shoulder, “don’t hate me please.”

Kate, the person this was really about was trying to comfort him, blaming herself yet again. Spinning around he pulled her into his arms, “Jesus Kate, don’t you dare blame yourself! I just hate that this has all fallen at your door. You will not pay that again, I will if Aunt Clarissa really can’t manage it. But I never wanted you to give up your job. That was never the plan. I’ve sold my business, admittedly Brad wasn’t happy, but he found the new buyer...my mother needs me more, even if you hadn’t captivated me. I haven’t had a sensible day since I left you, and there’s no way I can bear to spend any more time unnecessarily apart from you.”

Her eyes had widened as she’d digested the words, “Mason?”

He smiled at the confusion in her eyes, loving that he’d finally managed to surprise her. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the small, royal blue, velvet box and flipped the lid.

Kate swooned as she looked inside at the exquisite diamond solitaire that blinked back at her.

                “Marry me? Please? Stop me going insane...I know it’s quick...but...I really think...”

It was her turn to silence him with a kiss, when their lips finally parted she smiled, “yes!”

With a whoop he pulled her into his arms. 

What about you? - 28

Chapter 28

When Mason finally reached the kitchen, Kate was helping herself to bacon and eggs, Stuart was eating heartily at the table, and Paula was sat next to him picking at a piece of toast. She looked up when he entered the kitchen and smiled, then getting to her feet came around the table to him.

                “I couldn’t believe it when Stu said you were here!”

Mason hugged her and kissed the top of her head, he’d watched her grow from an annoying child to a pretty girl. She was spoiled rotten by her family, but he liked her, he’d shown her around Dubai several times in the past when she’d been visiting Brandon with her family.

                “Tell me all about my nephew! I can’t believe I’m the only one not to have seen little Jimmy!”

Mason chuckled, “don’t let Sarah hear you call James that! And he’s I guess beautiful and lovely and all the things a baby should be!”

Kate and her mother laughed, before Kate commented, “you gotta love men, don’t see anything in a baby til they have their own!”

Mason turned to her, “what am I supposed to say?”

                “Nothing!” She smiled, “Nothing at all!”

They sat together Julia the clucking hen proudly feeding her brood, and the conversation was light and fun.

Afterwards, as Mason helped Kate load the dishwasher, he smiled at her, “we need to talk. Do you want to go for a walk?”

She nodded, “once we’ve finished this I’ll get my boots on.”

It was a crisp January morning, a heavy frost still touched everything in sight, and the grass crunched beneath their feet, and their breath billowed in large clouds as they tramped along the unpaved driveway to the open fields. A line of craggy bare trees protected the farm from the road, and it wasn’t until they’d passed those that they felt the slightest hint of winter sun trying to warm their cheeks.

                “I’d have loved to be brought up in the country. We visited Clarissa a bit when I was younger, Peter was only a baby then, but I used to love the freedom...my parents were both City dwellers, and my freedom then was a six foot square concrete backyard. Or an urban park. Hardly the same.”

Their hands were linked and despite thick gloves Kate could still feel the warmth from his touch, and her whole being was tuned in to that little contact. “I think you take everything for granted, I mean, I hated being stuck out here, a teenage girl wanting to go to parties, concerts, shopping...my dad was very protective of me...” she felt a lump in her throat even now talking about him, she knew she’d let him down at the end, she’d not been there for her father when she should’ve been.

Mason spotted her discomfort and dropped her hand, instead sliding his arm around her pulling her closer to him, “that’s a father’s role, to be protective. Especially of a daughter, and you turned out good, so he must’ve done everything right.”

She glanced up at him and gave a watery smile, “he was great. I just let him down, him and everyone else...”

Turning her to face him he tilted her chin, met her eyes, “when are you going to stop punishing yourself? We get passed all that we have, yet you still seemed to wear this millstone around your neck! NO ONE can criticise you for doing the right thing love, you can’t be everything to everyone all the time, but for a period of time when he was the most needy, you were everything to Peter.”

She nodded, “I know, I just miss my Dad whenever I come out here.”

He smiled, “but that’s a good thing, it means he was important to you.”

Suddenly Kate winced, “sorry, there’s me bleating on about great fathers!”

Mason swept a quick kiss over her lips then smiled, “not all men deserve to be parents!”

They tramped further, the cold air making them both breathless and ceasing all conversations. They’d both had so much to say, but now that they were together neither wanted to upset the happy equilibrium.

Pausing on a small humpback bridge to watch the stream power over the rocky bed, swelled by recent rain, Kate finally spoke.

                “I was booked on a standby flight this morning, I was coming to see you!”

He glanced at her, “really?”

She nodded, “I know you think I’m self-centred, but I really wanted to come and see you.”

                “To say what?”

Kate realised she’d walked straight into that trap, his eyes searched hers with a hint of humour as he watched her squirm.

                “To apologise, I blocked you out, pushed you away, and that was wrong. And I wanted to see you, just to talk...you know!”

He shook his head “Nope. I don’t know. Last time I spoke to you, you wanted to wait until after Tilly’s wedding to even talk to me again. So what changed?”

She groaned, this was her first real test, but she still found it so difficult to speak about her emotions, her feelings.

                “I was wrong, and I wanted to tell you that.” She could feel the heat of a blush sweeping up her neck and face.

Mason was enjoying watching her struggle, he knew exactly why she had wanted to travel to him, it was the same reason he’d come here, but he needed to hear her say those words. “You were planning to spend hundreds of pounds and time you clearly don’t have to travel to Dubai to tell me you were wrong?

Kate saw red, the anger he always brought out in her rising like a volcano, “what do you want me to say Mason? That suddenly I realised that you were right about everything? Will that make you happy?”

                “It’s a start!” He gave a smug smile and it only seemed to fuel Kate’s anger.

The temptation to slap his smiling face was huge, but she resisted, “God you can be such a supercilious bastard when you want to!”

He grinned, “all I want is to hear the truth. I know why you wanted to come over, I know what you wanted to say...I just want to hear those words come from your lips Ms Michaels. That’s all!”

Shaking her head she started to walk, knowing that she was being stupid, but also realising that this was self preservation on her behalf. She was petrified.

A hand reached around her wrist and restrained her, “three little words, that's all it is, and it won't kill you!" Kate tried to gulp some fresh air as she avoided his gaze for a few seconds. "Well?"

Snapping, she jerked her eyes to his, "what? You want me to say I love you? Is that it? Ok you win! I do! But that does not give you carte blanche to walk all over my feelings, you hear?"

As she turned to run, Mason slid his arms around her waist from behind, his mouth at her ear, "I love you too Kate, but you know that. Now will you quit running away from me? You hide behind anger, behind Peter...anything other than face up to the fact that we love each other. I get that it's scary, but I am not going anywhere. You hear me? I know that relationships are hard, no one can predict what the future holds, but if you don't let go you'll never know."

He could see her trembling, and knew that the next few seconds were more important than any other time in his life. His hands were firm on her upper arms, pinning her bolt still her spine to his chest, leaning against him.  "Kate, please. I'm not Peter, I'm not like anyone else. I won't pay for other people's mistakes. Now please, turn around..." his mouth was still against her ear as he spoke, "and kiss me before I explode."

Several seconds past, but eventually Kate turned and gave him a half smile, "I hate that I push you away, I don't deserve your patience, but I'm scared."

Mason shrugged, "Life is a risk Kate, and you're one risk I KNOW I want to take."

With that he swooped to cover her lips with his own.

For Kate it was the greatest kiss in the world, somehow he managed to convey his passion, desire, but also his commitment in that clash of lips. Suddenly Kate felt relieved, relaxed, and most of all loved. She knew there would be problems ahead. He was right, most relationships weren't hitch free, but she knew that Mason loved her. And that was greater than any promise.

The stroll back to the farmhouse was filled with tension and promise, both wanting more than anything to teleport to somewhere alone where they could just be themselves. Instead they both had to reface her mother.

Two hours later after lunch with her mother, they entered the door to Mason's London apartment, the door had barely closed when Mason turned and pressed her up against it, his mouth devouring hers.

                "I've wanted to do this since the kitchen this morning," he growled against her neck as he pulled at her clothing.  By the time he dragged her into the bedroom, they were both naked, and tossing down onto the bed, he devoured the rest of her. Thoroughly.

Tilly had begged them to join her and Ashton for dinner that evening, but she was less than keen, selfishly she wanted to keep Mason to herself, preferably without leaving the bed.

                "Come on!" he smacked her bottom teasingly, "we owe her dinner at least."

Kate groaned, knowing he was right, and followed his lead, dressing for dinner.

It was a short journey to Tilly's and they sat on the taxi entwined like the young lovers they were, then were welcomed by Kate's best friend. It was such a relaxed, pleasurable evening that Kate felt almost normal for the first time in so long. She'd almost got used to being the token single person in every situation, and now here she was at dinner as part of a couple, equal and on level terms.

                "So," Tilly sat back and looked at her love struck friend and her hunky new lover. "What are the plans for you two? You can't go on living in different continents can you?"

If tumbleweeds had blown through the dining room it wouldn't have surprised Kate. Silence took over the whole room and an immediate awkwardness descended on the group. Ashton tried to salvage the situation by swatting at Tilly's arm.

                "Don't interfere!" Turning to the guests Ashton smiled, "my wife-to-be is very nosey, I'd ignore her if I were you!"

Kate's mind was racing as she smiled nervously, she hadn't even thought beyond them becoming a couple, now the fact that they were set to be living several thousand miles apart didn't sit too well with her. Mason's hand squeezing her thigh under the table did little to lighten her mood or pessimism.

The rest of the meal passed uneventfully, and after brandy and coffee, Kate and Mason left amidst a collection of hugs and 'see you soons', the taxi had barely pulled away from the kerb when Kate's phone bleeping, glancing down she saw a message from Tilly.

                "Sorry if I embarrassed you. Ash has read me the riot act! You look so great together though I'm SO pleased! Invite him to the wedding!"

Smiling, she sent a return text, "You're ok, love you too much to be worried, will def invite...speak soon, xxx"

                "Who's that?" Mason asked slinging his arm around her shoulder.

                "Tilly, telling me how great you are and apologising for rocking the boat!"

The hand around her shoulder reached out to stroke her arm, "she's right about me being great, but we do need to talk...about the future."

                "Not now..." Kate offered, "can we just enjoy tonight? There's plenty of time to talk."

Mason nodded, thought he knew that this was just another delaying tactics from her, but he was a step ahead, he'd envisaged this moment, and knew what he wanted to do, but also being back in touch with his mother was further reason for him to move back to the UK. He just needed Kate to understand that him doing that wasn't a threat to her independence, but also that it couldn't happen overnight. It'd take weeks to leave his business, finding a replacement wasn't so much of an issue, he had a large reserve to dip into. In his dreams they both packed a bag and holidayed for a long time, weeks...months, in reality he knew it wouldn't be that easy.

Much later Mason held Kate curled into his chest, "can we talk now?"

His fingers were driving her wild, running up and down her shoulder, almost but never quite reaching the soft, oversensitive flesh of her breast. She wanted this cocoon to last forever,  reality was painful.

                "Ok." Her voice was quiet.

                "Good! I'm leaving Dubai. I don't know when, the last few months I've wanted to come back to the UK. Not just you, but my mother too..." She bit her lip nervously, and it was all Mason could do to resist swooping down to kiss her. "I don't want you to feel threatened by that!"

She beamed at him, "you thought I'd be angry at you coming here?" When he shrugged she sighed, "I must seem like some real unstable bitch...I'm not I swear!"

Rolling onto his side to hover over her, he stroked the stray locks of hair from her forehead, "not unstable, just female!" Laughing he ducked from her hand that lashed out to try and slap his shoulder in jest.

                "We can make this work Kate, you know that, don't you?"

Smiling she wrapped her legs around him, wanting more than anything to believe that this was it...her happily ever after.

What about you? - 27

Chapter 27

The drive to her family home took less than an hour. And when Kate arrived there, she was stunned.  Her mother was in the kitchen, head in hands and a tear stained face. When she looked up and saw her daughter there, she sighed before bursting into tears.

                “What’s going on Mum?”

She pulled her mother into her arms and held her until she stopped crying. Eventually her mother was able to form some words, “she’s just horrible to me. I can’t do anything right and I’m spending all my time hiding in the kitchen to get away from her. I don’t know what I’ve done wrong.”

Kate smiled, “Mum, they’re newlyweds, she probably feels really threatened. You’re a great cook, so organised...you’re everything she’d aspire to be. AND you’re already the farmer’s wife she’s trying to learn to be. Give her some space Mum,” Kate took a contemplative moment, “look. I spoke to Stu at Christmas, is there any way we can build them their own place on site? And maybe we and you can go away, have a holiday, and give them some space? What so you think?”

Her mother was stunned, “you’d really come away with me?”

Kate smiled, “a lot has changed Mum.” She then proceeded to tell her mother about her rather eventful Christmas, she mentioned Mason, but didn’t go into any great detail.

                “So this Mason, tell me more!”

Kate sighed, “I met him at Stu’s wedding, the guy I danced with?”

Her mother paused for a moment then nodded enthusiastically, “I remember, tall, dark and rather rugged looking as I recall.”

Kate chuckled, “that sounds about right. He’s a friend of Paula’s brother, a business partner out in Dubai.”

                “Oh!” Her mother’s sudden change in mood caught Kate off guard, but then she followed her mother’s chain of thought. “I’m not about to rush off to Dubai Mum, that’s not the future...well I was meant to fly tomorrow for a couple of days, but that’s another story!”

Her mother glanced up, “you’ve jeopardised your holiday to come here? Oh my, us and our petty arguments! I’m so ashamed.”

Kate held her mother’s hand and smiled, “I promised Stu I’d help sort this out at Christmas, and I was neglectful of you both...again. I’m happy to be here, if Mason wants me he’ll just have to wait!”

By the time her brother appeared from his living space upstairs, her mother was happy, smiling and laughing.

                “Kate! I thought you were going away?”

She smiled hugging her brother, “no plan is ever set in stone! And it’s about time I started to pay more attention to my family.”

Over a coffee she share the modified story with him too, but then also moved on to the discussions she’d already had with her mother. There was a large disused barn across the farm, and they’d already thought through the logistics of that being converted into a home, and her mother had even suggested that she actually wouldn’t mind moving herself, a downsized home slightly nearer to the village, much to Kate’s amazement.

Stuart was also stunned, “Wow! Mum...I don’t know what to say, it’s so generous.”

Her mother shrugged, “I don’t want this animosity, and when I wasn’t talking to Kate earlier she did say something that made me think differently. I didn’t have a great relationship with your father’s mother, but they gave up this home for us when we married, moved up to the house they had in the village. I think it would have been a lot worse than this situation...” She turned to her son, “I am so sorry for yesterday Stuart, I’m quite ashamed of my behaviour.”

Stuart gave a smile, he was such a cheerful person and Kate could see how difficult this had been for him, “that’s ok Mum, I can see how hard this must be for you too. I mean, we’re taking over your domain, aren’t we?”

Taking a hand of each of her children, she smiled, “I am a very lucky lady to have you both, and of course Paula, I’m just hoping that our relationship isn’t damaged beyond repair.”

                “It’s as much my fault!” the three turned to the voice that joined them from the hallway. Paula stood there looking a little embarrassed. “And Julia, at no point do you have to move out of your home to accommodate us. But our own place is a real must, and that’s not because of you...” she glanced at Stuart, her husband and smiled, “we’re having a baby!”

The two women jumped up to congratulate first Paula, and then the bewildered Daddy to be. As Paula revealed she’d been bleeding and was absolutely petrified that she was losing the baby at every moment of the last six weeks, the tensions and anxieties within the family suddenly made a little more sense.

It was a lot later and after much planning and significantly brighter conversations that Kate made her way upstairs to her childhood bed. The lilac floral wallpaper and posters of horses all still as she’d left them years earlier. Glancing at the clock, she groaned, one thirty am, a few hours before she planned to wake and leave for the airport...and Mason.

As she changed for bed, she checked her phone, but the only text registered was from Tilly, asking where she was and did she fancy shopping the following morning. Kate gasped; she’d been so self absorbed that she’d not even told her best friend of the changes in her life and her plans to travel to Dubai.

With fast, well practiced thumbs she tapped a quick reply, aware that it was very late.

                “Family crisis, at the farm. Call you tom, doubt I’m back in time for shops, xxx!”

With a sigh of regret that things weren’t as she planned, she climbed into bed and covered herself with the patterned duvet.

Farm life started early, and Kate could hear her mother clunking around in the kitchen long before she really wanted to open her eyes. Reaching for her phone, she saw it was just after six, she’d had only a few hours in bed. Things were immediately better in this house, but despite her need to get to Dubai, she really didn’t want to rush away from her family. She thought of Mason, she so desperately wanted to see him, tell him that she was sorry, that she wanted to be with him more than anything. But time was running out. She had to be in work in Tuesday, she’d managed to secure Monday off work, but as she was having a week off to go to Cyprus for Tilly’s wedding in two weeks, she had no more leave until April, if she travelled today, she wouldn’t get there until late Saturday id not Sunday morning, and would then have to almost immediately travel back.

Groaning, Kate hit redial and tried his number, she’d not had a response from him for two days. Getting his answer phone, she decided to leave a message, “Mason, it’s me...I’m sorry for pushing you away, I just wish you’d answer this damn phone and talk to me...I miss you!”  The last three words came out as a sob and she was relieved to hang up the phone and shed yet more tears into her pillow.

The house was cold, but she had no robe to drag over her short pyjamas, instead she found an old pair of hand knitted bed socks in a drawer, covered her cold toes, then headed for the kitchen, and coffee. In the hallway she glanced at her reflection, she looked ghastly, pale with shadowed eyes at the lack of sleep, wild and unruly hair. Dragging her fingers through the tangled locks, she’d just retied a ponytail when she opened the kitchen door and smiled at her mother.

                “I forget how early you farmers rise!”

                “Not just farmers it seems!” Her mother who was beaming in a rather suspicious nature replied, before nodding to her left. Kate followed the nod with her eyes and froze. Sat at the table tucking into a steaming bowl of porridge, was Mason.

She staggered slightly, needing the doorframe to steady herself, “Mason? What are you doing here?”

His eyes were taking her in every inch of her, his smile appreciative and it was several seconds before he answered, “I’m bringing the mountain to Kate!”

Her whole body was a quiver, her heart seemed to skip beats and she’d been calmer riding rollercoasters in the past. “Are you suggesting I’m stubborn?”

He shrugged his shoulders and gave a chuckle, a warm happy sound, “I don’t know, Julia...” he turned to her mother, “do you have a stubborn daughter?”

Kate’s mother was laughing at the banter between them, “I’d normally give such debates a wide berth, but I have to admit Mason, you seem to have the measure of my daughter. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to change. I’d have worn more than my work clothes if I realised we’d be having company!”

Kate stammered, “I didn’t know either!”

Her mother chuckled then tactfully left the room. As Kate stepped into the kitchen, the door closed behind her, and when she looked up, Mason was in front of her.

                “You look edible!” the humour had left his smile, and he had an almost predatory look to match his words,  and her body almost shuddered in response, she’d never been more aware of being so scantily dressed as her body craved him. Hard nipples pressed into the light cotton of her strappy top, the tiny shorts barely covered her bottom, every inch of her skin was covered in Goosebumps, and not due to the cold.

Kate sighed, “I’ve been trying to call you...how did you know where...” She shook her head, “Tilly?” She answered her own question.

                “Phones don’t work on planes, and I was en route to here, and yes when you weren’t at home, I spoke to Tilly. But you didn’t answer her until late...anyway, I wanted to be here before you left for London, so I left hers at four am, and got here.”

Kate knew she was staring, but it was as though all her Christmases had come at once. She loved every bit of him. Those full lips that were so hypnotic as he spoke, the deep blue eyes that seemed to see right into her, and those long fingers that had somehow started to massage small circles against her sensitive wrists in the most seductive manner. All words failed her; instead she knew she was staring, hungrily, desperately.

With another of those toe tingling chuckles, he raised a hand to cup her cheek, keeping her eyes focussed on his, running the pad of his thumb across her bottom lip that was plump and red in response to the amount of times she’d dug her teeth into it nervously in the last few minutes. When she physically quivered, he lowered his head until his lips found hers and she melted into his embrace meeting every nip, every bite and every flick of his tongue with relish. Kate’s body was pressed against the length of his, her tingling breasts hard against his muscular chest, those heavenly arms wrapped around her waist. Moaning against her lips as she nipped his tongue with her teeth, he ran his hands down over her bottom, and she could feel the warmth of his skin through the light cotton of her bed shorts.  But they continued down past the hem of the shorts, and then he moaned as he felt the soft peach like skin at the top of her thighs. Sliding both hands up, he settled one her bare bottom, cupping a buttock in each palm.

As his lips left hers and drew a rather erotic path across her cheek, neck towards her shoulder, her moan of pleasure was disturbed by an untimely cough, then chuckle from the back door. Pushing free of Mason as though she’d been burned, she spun around to see Stuart, her brother leaning against the back door frame, a smile spreading from ear to ear.

                “So what’s going on here then?” he grinned, brushing the mud off his hands as he continued to smile. “I was expecting breakfast, instead I find...” He smiled at his big sister, “just what exactly have I found big sis?”

Kate groaned, trying to separate from Mason physically, but he seemed to follow her across the room, his hand protectively and possessively around her.

                “Stuart? You may not recognise me, though I was at your wedding, Mason Fitzgerald.” He extended a hand, and Stuart met it with a vigorous shake.

                “Ah! You’re a friend of Brandon’s? Paula did introduce us briefly.”

Mason nodded, “and now I’m a friend of your sister.”

Stuart chuckled, “so I see! I thought she seemed more chilled than normal...” he turned back to Kate, “am I to presume that Peter is a thing of the past?”

Kate scowled at her brother, and then turned to Mason, “coffee?”

The two men laughed, and a few seconds later Julia, their mother appeared in the room, “what’s the hilarity about?”

Stuart laughed again, “Kate’s struggling Mum, she never was very good at being on the back foot!”

Kate swiped in his direction and was rewarded with her hand clipping his shoulder, then she turned back to the coffee pot. Mason observing this family banter comfortably from his position propped against the work surface, arms folded a wry smile on his lips.

Julia placed a hand on Kate’s shoulder, “ignore him love. Why don’t you go get showered whilst I feed the rest of the rabble?”

Kate nodded, disappearing before making eye contact with anyone else.

In the hot shower, she let the red hot needles of water batter her skin, turning her face to the water, she groaned, letting the jet pound her face. Kate couldn’t deny she was pleased that Mason was there; his reaction to her had been as strong as her own. That was good, but they needed to talk, she wanted to tell him how she felt, and instead she’d resorted to fighting with her brother like a childish schoolgirl. How the hell did she get into these messes?

Back in her bedroom, she’d pulled on her underwear, and was ransacking her bag for something to wear when there was a tap on the door. Conscious that she was barely dressed, she pulled the door open a crack and saw Mason stood there with a mug of coffee.

                “Your mother thought you might like this?”

She smiled, reaching for the mug, as she did the door opened a little and he caught a glimpse of the lace bra and knickers covering her otherwise naked body.

                “Holy Hell! What are you trying to do to me? I thought those ridiculous pyjamas were bad enough!” Mason stepped across the threshold, kicking the door closed behind him. “Have you got any idea what you do to me?”

She smiled, a coy smile amazed that she didn’t feel more self conscious, instead she reached for his shoulders and offered her upturned face for a kiss. Mason couldn’t resist and thrust his lips almost aggressively onto hers. Within mere moments she was once again secure in his arms, his hands possessive on her spine, the evidence of how aroused he was, hard against her stomach.

It was Kate that stopped the kiss; she wanted to have that control back that she had lost in the kitchen. Dragging her body from him, she smiled at his obvious discomfort, disappointment almost, then proceeded to pull on her jeans and soft wool sweater in what she knew was a teasing manner. Mason was leaning against the bedstead watching her with a mixture of amusement and desire.

                “You are one wicked woman!” he breathed as she pulled thick socks over her cold toes.

                “You think?” she gave him a devilish smile, then brushed past him out into the hallway, “I think you ain’t seen nothing yet!”

With that she left him flummoxed and more than a little excited in her bedroom.