by Iris Abbott
Mason flashed Abigail a wicked grin and winked. “Unlike me of course,” Mason couldn’t resist pointing out. “Speaking of leaving, my lovely wife, I think it’s time we said our goodbyes and got on with the honeymoon.” He noted the frown Abigail flashed at him. “We only have the weekend,” he reminded her. “It would look odd if we weren’t in a hurry to be alone and make the most of your mother’s offer to baby sit Jay and Emily for us.”
Even though Abigail was nervous and in no hurry to be alone with her husband, she had to agree with what he was saying. After all hadn’t this whole engagement and marriage been about keeping up appearances? “All right, let’s start with your Aunt Linda. I want to say goodbye to my mom and children last.”
“That’s not a problem,” Mason agreed. He possessively wrapped his arm around her slender waist and led her to his aunt so they could say their goodbyes.
Finally Jay and Emily were the only ones left to say goodbye to. Abigail hugged both children to her and promised to see them as soon as they got out of school Monday afternoon. Then she let her husband lead her to his car and the beginning of their new life together.
Abigail couldn’t help but feel nervous. It had been just her and the children for so long. She’d given up dating a couple of years back, because it wasn’t worth the hassle or the subsequent letdown when the man of the moment learned she was a single mother and immediately forgot her phone number. One thing she could say about Mason, he seemed to genuinely like children especially Jay and Emily. And really that was all that mattered wasn’t it? She could do without love in a marriage. After all she thought she’d loved Roger and look how well that turned out. So why suddenly did the thought of being trapped in a loveless marriage terrify her.
Abigail nervously ran her sweaty palms up and down the skirt of her silver gown. It was much too nice for a second wedding, and a small one at that, but Aubrey and Annabel had picked it out. And Abigail hadn’t wanted to offend them by not wearing it. Now the wedding was over and she was officially Mrs. Mason Blake. Her nervousness kicked up a notch when Mason turned into the long drive leading to his house.
The sky opened up and rain began pelting everything in its path. Mason pressed the button that opened the garage and nothing happened. He looked over at Abigail. “I thought I left the porch light on. It is pitch black out here and the garage isn’t working. I’m guessing we have a power outage. It looks like we are going to have to make a run for it.”
“My skirt and blouse are going to be ruined. I hope this isn’t an omen of things to come.” Abigail muttered more to herself than Mason.
They both threw open their doors, slammed them shut, and ran toward the porch. Mason unlocked the door and then scooped Abigail up into his arms.
Abigail was caught of guard and had to link her arms behind his neck and hold on for dear life. “What do you think your doing?” she shrieked in disbelief. Being so close to him was having a devastating affect on her body. She wasn’t ready for this. It would suite her if she could put off this night for at least another month. Though she had to admit a part of her couldn’t wait to find out what making love with Mason felt like.
“I’m carrying my wife over the threshold. If you’re so worried about the storm and omens then we need all the good luck we can get.”
“Oh sorry,” Abigail had the good grace to blush in her embarrassment. “I didn’t really mean for you to hear that.”
Mason began walking up the stairs still cradling Abigail in his arms. The soaked silk top clung to her body. Her nipples which were pebbled from the close proximity to Mason, the cold rain, or a combination of both pressed into Mason’s chest. Abigail tried to suppress a shiver, but it raced down her spine.
Mason entered the master bedroom and walked straight through to the master bath. He released Abigail from his hold. But he made sure her body slid all the way down his before her feet finally touched the floor. His hard erection pressed into her soft flesh. He smiled to himself when he heard Abigail suck in her breath.
“I don’t want you to catch a cold or worse yet pneumonia. Go ahead and have a hot shower. The hot water heater is gas operated so there should be plenty of hot water. I’ll go back down and bring in your luggage.”
Mason had hired movers to pack and transport all of Abigail, Emily, and Jay’s things Monday while the kids were at school. They were staying with their grandma Joyce until then to give Mason and Abigail some alone time, since they weren’t going on a honeymoon. Obviously the middle of the school semester was not a good time for Mason to use vacation days. Joyce would drop Emily and Jay at school Monday morning and then after supervising the movers in the morning Abigail would pick them up from school and take them to their new home.
Abigail didn’t move. She refused to strip in front of him. “Thank you, that’s a great idea, Mason. I’m going to need dry clothes when I get out the shower.” She still made no move toward the shower.
Mason leaned around her effectively surrounding her body with his warmth. “I’ll turn it on for you. Go ahead and get out of those wet clothes,” he advised.
“Only in your dreams big boy. There is absolutely no way I’m giving you a peep show. I’ll undress when you’re gone.”
Mason ignored her comment. He lit a couple of candles so she could see. “Here’s the linen closet,” he grabbed a couple of towels and placed them on the rack by the shower. “I’ll leave you to it then. Enjoy,” he threw her a wicked look over his shoulder as he left the bathroom.
Abigail stepped under the steaming water and was surprised to find her favorite shampoo and bath gel. Her heart fluttered. She was pleased that Mason had gone to so much trouble to make her feel at home. It didn’t stop her from feeling nervous about the upcoming night. What if Mason grew bored with her after tonight or even worse she disappointed him. Would he stick to the arrangement they made or would he throw her and the children aside just as Roger had done. The court date was still a month away. Abigail would really be screwed if she and Mason split up before the custody issue was decided.
Abigail turned off the water and was surprised to hear music. Maybe the power was back on. She shrugged and reached for the towel Mason had left for her. It was warm and soft like it had just come out of the dryer. The power must definitely be back on she decided. That’s when she noticed the robe that hadn’t been there before. It was a gorgeous emerald green silk thigh length robe with matching thong panties. She glanced doubtfully at the barely there underwear and robe, but they were the only dry things in the room for her to wear. They wouldn’t cover much, but scantly clad was better than naked.
Abigail almost ran into Mason when she entered the bedroom. “Ah, I see you found your new robe. Consider it a wedding night gift.”
“It’s lovely, I’m not sure about the panties though. I’m a bikini cut girl myself. I don’t usually go for thongs,” she blushingly explained.
Her blushing endeared her even more to Mason. “That’s why I bought them. Technically this is our honeymoon. You should try something shocking and new!”
“Well, thanks anyway.” Abigail’s nervousness was ratcheting up again and she began to bite her lower lip. Something all the Montgomery sisters did when nervous or upset. The pressure not to disappoint Mason was causing her to tense up. She needed idle chitchat to force her mind away from the night to come.
“I noticed how warm and welcoming the towel and robe were. How did you manage that?”
Mason had known Abigail for years. He could sense her moods almost as well as his own. He was going to have to do something to relax her or their wedding night was going to be a disaster for both of them. He had been so hot to get her into his bed and his life on a permanent basis he hadn’t bothered to take her feelings into account. That was going to change starting now.
“The power’s back on,” he offered her in way of explanation. “I figured you would enjoy the extra warmth, so I threw the robe and towel into the dryer for a few minutes.”
Mason closed the distance between them and touched his lips to hers. He felt rather than saw her tense. “You need to relax. How about a glass of champagne and a massage, your muscles are awfully tight,” he commented as he began to knead her neck and shoulders.
She knew she couldn’t avoid intimate contact forever, after all the powerful chemistry between them was one of the reasons Mason had married her. She noticed for the first time the chilled bottle of champagne and the two crystal flutes on a tray by the bed. She felt her body relax just a little. The champagne would help calm her nerves and also serve as a stalling tactic. She still felt herself hesitate however. “I’m sorry Mason. I need time to adjust. It’s actually been awhile since I’ve been intimate with anyone. I think a glass of bubbly is a fine idea.” She offered him a weak smile. He really was trying hard to make this night special for both of them. Roger had never done anything remotely this thoughtful for her in several years of marriage. Maybe there was hope for them yet.
“I’m offering a massage, Abigail. Don’t worry. We won’t do anything you don’t want to do,” he promised. He had to bite his tongue to keep from laughing out loud. She was in for the sexiest, most sensual massage she had ever experienced. Before he was done tonight, she would be begging him to make love to her.
Mason uncorked the champagne and poured the sparkling liquid into the two flutes. He handed a glass to Abigail and then touched it lightly with his. “Here’s to our future. May it be all that we’ve both hoped for and more.”
“Our future,” Abigail agreed before taking a small sip of the golden liquid. The cool liquid trailed a path down her heated throat and instantly began to soothe her. A couple of more sips she decided and she might just be able to deal with Mason’s hands all over her body. A massage would feel so good. It had been a long time since she had allowed herself to be pampered. She was past due, with that in mind she laid on the bed facedown. She tensed slightly when she felt Mason straddle her back and hips and begin to kneed and rub her neck. It was definitely tight from all the tension Abigail had been under thanks to the quick wedding and looming custody battle.
Her muscles seemed to melt under Mason’s expert touch. She couldn’t stop the soft moan of pure joy that slipped out from her lips. Mason took that as encouragement and moved his hands down to her shoulders. After a few minutes Abigail felt his hands work their way to her upper back. She felt him lean closer and press hot kisses to her neck. Abigail was caught up in the pleasure of his closeness and the backrub. She couldn’t have uttered a protest even if her life depended on it.
Mason continued to move down her body to her lower back and hips. She didn’t utter a single word of protest when Mason removed her thong. And she didn’t resist when Mason slipped the tip of his rock hard penis into her wet sheath. She anticipated his plunge, but instead of a pleasurable fullness she was left with an aching emptiness when he slid out and continued his massage. He moved down to focus on her lower buttocks.
Abigail clinched her fists into the bedspread and bit her tongue trying to hold back her groan of frustration. It slipped out anyway. Her eyes were closed so she missed Mason’s catlike smile.
Once again he slipped just the tip of his erection into her molten sheath before drawing it back out. It was the ultimate test of his iron will and self-discipline, but he wanted Abigail to want him as much as he wanted her! And if he had to tease and torment her along the way then so be it!
Abigail half rolled over to glare at him. “If you think this torture is going to make me like this marriage of convenience, it’s not.”
Mason lifted off of her and helped her turn the rest of the way over. “Let’s move the torture to the front of your delectable body.” He untied the sash of her robe and set it aside. Abigail let him open the robe to reveal her lush breasts and hardened nipples.
Mason once again straddled her this time front to front. He was primed and ready to continue his seduction. Ignoring the tempting berry colored nipples begging for his attention, he lightly massaged her neck and shoulders. Once or twice he moved his hips so that his erection rubbed across her most sensitive bundle of nerves. Abigail couldn’t control her reaction and her body arched toward Mason, seeking further contact with the hard body astride her.
Mason wanted to work the massage for all it was worth. He resisted the temptation of Abigail’s arched body and lifted slightly out of her reach. Abigail slapped the bed in frustration, which only caused Mason to laugh. “All in good time Abigail. I promise before tonight is over both of us will be well sated. ”
Abigail settled back down on the bed and Mason rewarded her by turning the massage into caresses. His hands cupped and squeezed her breasts, which fit nicely in the palm of his hands. They were remarkably firm for a woman in her thirties who had given birth twice. It was obvious she worked out and stayed in shape.
His touch was driving Abigail beyond her point of endurance. She had never wanted a man as much as she wanted Mason Blake. “Mason! Please! Enough,” she begged. “I need to feel you inside me now.”
All the touching had been driving Mason insane too, and like Abigail he could no longer wait. He positioned himself between her thighs and with one powerful thrust they were finally joined as one.
Nine
Abigail felt every muscle she owned shriek in protest when she rolled over. Mason had been relentless through the night. Finally around four a.m. she couldn’t take anymore and had fallen into an exhausted sleep.
She got out of bed and trudged over to the windows to pull back the heavy drapes. The sun was high in the sky. She glanced around the room until her eyes rested on the bedside clock and noted it was after eleven. Abigail hadn’t slept this late in years. There was no time to sleep in when you’re the single parent of two small children.
Abigail was glad she woke up alone. She was a little embarrassed to face Mason after her wanton ways last night. He might have been relentless, but she was with him every step of the way. She had to remind herself that great sex didn’t make a great marriage. They were missing the main ingredient for a long and lasting marriage, love.
Abigail took a quick shower and decided it was time to go in search of her new husband. She literally ran into him on her way out the door. She felt the strong arms close around just before she saw his stubble laced jaw move toward her.
Mason wasn’t giving Abigail a chance to be shy. She had been incredible last night, but he knew her well enough to know that in the light of day she would probably be embarrassed by half the things they’d said and done to each other. He covered her mouth with his for a quick good morning kiss.
“Good morning,” he greeted after dragging his lips from hers. “I heard the shower running and thought I’d give you time to freshen up before you joined me for lunch.”
Abigail stared awkwardly at the man that was now her husband. “Thank you. I can’t believe I slept so late. Did you have any plans for the day?”
“Now that it’s half gone, you mean,” he teased.
Abigail threw up her arms and used the opportunity to put a little space between their nearly touching bodies. “You’re the one that kept me up all night and half the early morning too,” she grumbled.
Mason waggled his brows at her. “And it was worth every lost second of sleep!” The expression on his face sobered. “I’m sorry I couldn’t get away from work right now to take you on a real honeymoon.”
“Under the circumstances I think it’s for the best anyway,” Abigail tried to reassure Mason. She didn’t want him to think she was too demanding. She would never have thought that about herself, but it had been one of Roger’s main complaints.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” The fun-loving Mason was gone and in his place was the calculating and ruthless man that could demand a marriage of convenience.
“Nothing bad, Mason. But this marriage was a spur of the moment decision and it happened almost overnight. The court case is right around the corner…”
“And you have no
thing to worry about Abigail,” Mason was quick to interrupt. The custody battle was the main reason Abigail had agreed to be his wife. He didn’t want her having second thoughts now. “You are the most dedicated mother I know and you have done an excellent job raising Jay and Emily. No judge in his right mind would take those children away from you, especially now that you’re married to a prominent and outstanding member of the community.” He added the last to remind her why they had gotten married.
“You’re probably right Mason, but it’s important that Jay and Emily are comfortable living here. That isn’t going to happen if I’m out of sorts. All I’m trying to say is that it’s a good thing we are spending the weekend here. That way I can become more familiar with your home.”
“It’s your home now too,” he reminded her.
“I realize that,” Abigail said in frustration. This talk was getting her nowhere. She had wanted to smooth things over between them, but she was only making things worse. “We skipped the dating stage of this relationship. I haven’t had time to become familiar with the more personal aspects of your life. Familiarity leads to comfort that’s all I’m trying to say.”
“Good, because it’s a lovely day and the weather is perfect for spending the day outdoors. I packed a picnic lunch while you were sleeping. I thought I would give you a horseback tour of the property. That way you’ll be familiar with it when the children want to go exploring in the afternoons after school when I’m still at work.”
Abigail had to admit that what he was saying made sense. She was just wary of being on the back of a horse so soon after moving in. “Mason, it was a lovely thought, but I’m not sure about the horseback riding.”
Mason picked up on the sound of fear that was threaded through her voice. “It will be all right Abigail. I promise I won’t let anything happen to you. I’ve had both of these horses for years and they are well trained. Plus I’ll be right there behind you. All you have to do is sit pretty in the saddle.”
