Page 95 of Beautiful Disaster

“Sorry, I didn’t make love to you. Didn’t realize how hungry I was for you.”

I huff a tired laugh and run my fingers through his hair. “S’okay… it was the best. Loved it.”

As usual, Mason takes care of me, cleaning me up and making sure I’m all tucked into bed. He holds me, and I’m in my happy place, right here in bed in his arms, tired but fully sated. Yeah, this is my favorite time and spot.

And just maybe, if I’m lucky, I’ll get to have it forever.

Chapter 27

Mason

I re-read the message from Max on my phone while I sip coffee in our room. Mr. Bush has been doubling down and is gaining more traction. My silence hasn’t helped, but Jinx asked to take care of it when we got back from Italy. He was steadfast on the issue, so I gave in. Max isn’t happy about it, and I don’t blame him.

A heavy sigh escapes me as I set my phone down and watch Jinx sleep. The sun is trickling in through the small window, kissing his skin, its warmth spreading through me.

What he doesn’t know is that I have plans, too, but this is one thing I’m keeping to myself for now. He’ll be so angry with me, so he can find out after the fact. It’s still not decided yet. A lot depends on the circumstances later when we get back, but I’ve made my damn decision at the crossroads. It doesn’t feel as heavy as I expected. Still, fuck Mr. Bush.

As if sensing me staring, Jinx yawns and stretches, exposing strong abs. His eyes flutter open, and he smiles sleepily. Watching him like that, smiling, happy, bright, takes my breath away. He should always be happy, and I’ll do my damnedest to make sure he is—all the more reason to stick with my idea.

“Hi,” he says, yawning again.

“Morning, my pet.”

I pour him a cup of coffee from the silver pot when he comes to sit at the small table. He pours sugar and cream into it and takes a tentative sip. “God, coffee is so good here, and we have amazing coffee back home. Julien’s a coffee snob.”

I raise my cup in cheer. “As am I.”

“I never drank much coffee until I met Julien. As a hooker, and having to be on the street all day, we could get really dehydrated and hungry. We didn’t touch coffee because then we’d have to piss and shit. Fuck, I do not miss those days.”

I raise my arm and beckon him over. He stands and sits on my lap. He smells of sleep, my favorite smell on him. “I’m sorry, Precious. I wish I could take the pain away from you, and that you never suffered.”

“You do, every single day.”

Jinx finishes off his coffee before he pours another cup. “You know, I talked to Aleks about it all… about our past and my guilt.”

“You did?” He still hasn’t told me all of it, and I won’t push.

He nods, frowning. “I thought I’d feel better, you know? My therapist talks about this. She’s told me I need to tell him how I felt about what happened. I finally did, and the guilt is still there.”

“Did he not forgive you?”

“Yeah, he said he never blamed me for any of it. All I could think about was yelling at him to notice what I did to him. But he’s too sweet for that.” He sighs heavily. “Anyway, it’s out now, and I’m not sure how I feel about it.”

“For what it’s worth, I’m proud of you.”

Jinx smiles sadly and kisses my forehead. “How? I haven’t told you everything about that day.”

“Doesn’t matter. You feel you did the right thing. You felt you had hurt him and apologized for it. It was important to you, so it’s important to me.”

“Thanks.”

“Tell you what… Let’s go for a little drive. There’s this little villa and former horse ranch not too far from here. It’s for sale. The day is beautiful and not too cold. Let’s check it out, just for fun. Then we can drive into Siena and explore the medieval town.”

“That sounds fun, actually.”

“Then it’s a date. Now, let’s have a small bite of breakfast, then get cleaned up.”

He kisses my cheek. “Yessir.”