“If you’d like to invite Nicole, that’s fine, but I need to be with you if you’re going out, Little One,” he says warmly.

I’m actually kind of excited, I hope she can come. “Okay, well, can we go now, and then maybe tonight, I could use your computer?”

He smiles kindly. “Whatever you want.”

Using Masen’s phone, I quickly call Nicole, but unfortunately, she and Michael are out for the day. I let Masen know that they’re busy and grab my purse to head out. He leads us over to a low sleek car in gunmetal gray. Before opening the driver’s side door for me, he asks, “You feel like driving?” I don’t know what kind of car it is, and I don’t bother looking. I know by the way it looks it’s fast, and as soon as I sit, I know it’s expensive. The black leather is soft and buttery. The interior resembles a cockpit. I’m not sure how Masen will fit, but surprisingly enough, he looks comfortable, not at all squished like I expected.

Masen starts the car with a push of a button, and a low purr fills the garage. Using the controls, I move my seat closer to reach the pedals. I look over the instrument panel before shifting into reverse, the garage doors are already open as I slowly back out.

I’m smiling so big my cheeks hurt. I’m flying down the two-lane highway that will take us back to the mall in Marshall. I’m pleasantly surprised when Masen never tells me to slow down and seems confident in my abilities to handle his car. When I enter the town, I slow considerably. I’m lucky I didn’t get a ticket, but damn that was fun.

Entering the mall parking lot, I get a tiny bit nervous, I’m glad Masen is with me. I park on the opposite side of my previous trip, hoping to avoid the encounter entirely. Masen doesn’t remark one way or the other but exits the car so quickly that he’s opening my door for me before I retrieve my purse and his keys. He extends his hand and helps me from the car. Not letting my hand go, he tucks it into his elbow the way I’ve become very familiar with. I can tell he slows his stride so my short legs have a chance to keep up.

“Where to?”

When I look up to answer, I see him scanning the surrounding area. “Are you sure it’s okay we’re here?”

He looks down to me with a small smile. “It’s fine, baby. I don’t know if I’ll ever let you out of my sight again, but I can take you anywhere you need to go. I’ll always have a good excuse to be stuck to your side.” He places his free hand over mine and squeezes.

“You don’t ever need an excuse. I love being near you.”

Masen stops walking and embraces me fiercely. “I don’t know how I got so fucking lucky, but I’m so glad you found me. I’ll spend the rest of our lives making up for all my stupid shit behavior.” He kisses my neck where his mark lays, before dropping a sweet kiss to my lips. I marvel at the fact that this gorgeous protective man is all mine and hope that we can finally begin putting a life together.