I took the time we sat around watching football to let everything I heard Mason seep into my mind. I didn’t believe people like him could exist. But he honestly wants to be my friend. To help me improve my life. Everyone else I’ve met has overlooked me. And if they did notice me, it was with disgust and telling me to die in the gutter or similar.
I was thrilled when my clothes were finished in the wash. It had been a good time since I had my clothes adequately washed. Hearing the final buzzer of the dryer, I excused myself from the guys. They were going to get the last of the party supplies in place. I took a moment to sniff my dry clothes. They smelled so nice.
Taking my things back upstairs to Gabrielle’s room, I hurried to change back into my regular clothes. I felt a sense of relief as I slipped into my acid-washed jeans and only slightly torn
As host, I had to try and evenly spend my time greeting people and catching up. But even while I was talking to various guests, or in the case of my ex Vanessa cornered, I still kept track of Adder. I didn’t want her to feel out of place or unwelcome, especially after Jason and his rude remarks. When I noticed a group of girls approaching, I was skeptically optimistic. I wanted to think they would be polite and be nice to Adder. But I’ve also known these women for some time and know that while they try not to show me their more cruel and vindictive sides. So I was looking to find a good moment to excuse myself to rescue Adder from them as she seemed annoyed. But then Tiffany interceded instead. Even if Ashton doesn’t realize that Tiffany is in love with him this week, I’ll be glad she came so that Adder can make a true friend. I knew those two would get along
Setting aside the looks I kept getting from all the birds, except Tiffany, I had a good time. Mason was really good at making sure I felt comfortable and welcome. It was fun playing pool against him. He’s rather good, but I’m better. I can’t think of a time I’ve ever had this much fun. I was even smiling when Jason went to offer me a pint. Then all hell broke loose.I was in shock as Mason snagged my drink and then dumped it on Jason. I’m not sure if everyone else noticed the pill that plopped into Jason’s hair. The twat really thought he was going to drug me? My powers create natural toxins I can’t be drugged. So all he’d get out of this was me kicking his arse. But apparently, I wasn’t going to be the one doing the arse-kicking.I watched between shock and awe as Mason broke the bloke’s nose and had
“Yes, well…" I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. It was embarrassing that those girls all thought I invited them because I was interested in them. “I don’t know how they got that impression. Yes, I’ve dated Vanessa and Barbara in the past, but I’ve never really shown interest in the others. I invited them because we all went to school together. And well, I know some of my mates have crushes on a couple of them." I explained. Adder just laughed, shaking her head at me.“Ya don’t get it, mate. And maybe I don’t fully either." she sighed. Cocking my head, I looked at her questioningly. “And what, praytell, is it that I don’t get?" I asked. “Ya really gonna make me say it. Good thing ya don’t got an inflated ego." Adder grumbled. “Ya a good man, Mason. Ya kind even when ya got no reason to be. And based on how those birds l
Spending a week with Mason and his mates was surreal. I know for a fact I have never slept in such a comfortable bed in my life. But well, everything is a step up from sleeping on the hard ground in an alley. Not that I would ever trade my freedom to return to that godforsaken orphanage and the hard as a board bed where I was treated like scum. It’s probably why I find it so strange that Mason is nice to me. If nuns, people of God who are supposed to be these kind people with love and compassion for all God’s creation, treat you terribly, it’s hard to accept that anyone ever would. Yet this week, Mason had been nothing but nice to me. Of course, his friends were nice too, mostly, I think, because they feared what Mason would do. Tiffany was great. I’ve never gotten along with other girls before. Tiffany is truly the exception. Probably because our
Being back at the campus after autumn break meant going back to being busy. I wished I had more free time to look for Adder and make sure she was okay. To help prove to our fathers, we could be responsible, we took on part-time jobs. Ashton had picked up a job working at a warehouse while I took a job at a local pub. Neither of us was using our given last names. Pretty sure my boss would have shit himself if he knew he hired a Templeton. So I was using my mother’s maiden name, Steed.Though I’m busy, that doesn't mean I wasn’t keeping tabs on her. I managed to get someone from the fights to keep an eye on her. Never interfere unless her life was in danger. I think she’d be pissed if I paid someone to be her bodyguard. But I know she can handle herself. I worry about her. And now that winter’s come, I’m even more worried about her. I’ve been told she’s h
I’d thought plenty about Mason since returning to Oxford. I’ve checked up on him a few times. He looked to be doing well. I just hadn’t expected that he was checking up on me or that I’d run into him on that rooftop. Granted, it was less running into him, and more him finding me half frozen. And now he’s got me in his dorm. I don’t even know what he’s got planned. I should be afraid and on guard. But this is Mason. He’d never hurt me, that I’m certain of.“It's not like that. Neither ya done anything to upset me. Ya, both been nothing but nice to me. And that's it. It just ya both got something good going for ya. Ya got your studies to focus on not worrying about some street rat like me. I ain’t your responsibility. I’ve been on my own this long without help.” I said sternly, looking up at him, trying to be intimidating. Mason on
I’d worried that I left Ashton and Adder a little too long. I know they don’t always get along. I just hoped I would return and not find bloodshed. It was late when I finally got back. I tried being as quiet as I could when I walked in, setting the five bags down. Looking over the room, it seemed things were peaceful. Ashton was still in his bed with the tv on, and I would assume the lump on my bed was Adder.“Where have you been, mate? Your pet fell asleep waiting for you.” Ashton whispered, nodding in the direction of Adder as he looked up from his phone, noticing me. I looked back to her sleeping form and shrugged. “So? I told her to get some sleep. And I went to the store. One to get food since we barely had any. And two to get her some clothes. You saw the layers she was wearing, and each layer had holes, and none of them were meant for winter wear.” I explain
“Yes, a toothbrush, shaving stuff, deodorant, and body wash. I figured smelling like my Irish spring or his Axe wouldn’t really suit you. Oh, and the clothes on top of my dresser.” he said, pointing to the two neat piles of clothes divided between tops and bottoms. This guy was a saint. Mother Teresa had nothing on this man next to me. In all my life, I’ve never been treated as kindly as I have by Mason. “And the winter outerwear by the door.” he added, pointing to the jacket and boots next to his own.“And I didn’t get anything girlie and nothing preppy promise.” he said, stretching. “The hell, mate!?” I frowned a bit. He’s going overboard. How can I ever repay him for all this? I still don’t feel like I’ve repaid him for the night he saved me in that alley. So now he’s adding to my debt.
I never thought I’d be the type of person who couldn’t stand to be away from her baby for more than a few hours. Then again, I didn’t think I would be the type of person who’d be a mother. Before Mason, I didn’t dare think or dream of motherhood. And now I’m a mother of two. I think I would be okay being away from Jade for the night, not to say I don’t love her as much, but she’s older. Asher, however, he’s only four months old. I don’t like leaving him to go to the office. And now I won’t see him till tomorrow. And I can’t even use breastfeeding as a reason to be near him. Because of my powers, I can’t breastfeed, but that doesn’t mean I don’t miss my baby when I’m away from him. Mason had to basically force me to leave his parent’s house. I know exactly why he’s eager for a night without the k
“Come on, pet.” I gently tugged at my wife’s elbow. Copper snake eyes turned sharply at me as she once again hugged and kissed our children. “We are only going out for Valentine’s dinner and dancing. We aren’t going off to war.” I assured her. Jade stuck out her tongue at me as she hugged Adder. “Have fun, mummy.” Jade kissed Adder’s cheek and reluctantly let her go. We are never going to get out of here at this rate. Especially as Asher starts crying, reaching out for us from my mother’s arms. He’s too little to use words. This is the first time we’ll be away from him for a night. He cries every time we leave for work, even if he adores his nanny, Janelle. I know he loves spending time with his grandparents. Both our children ador
If someone told me as a child, I’d grow up to having a loving husband and a family, and I’d call them a fucking nutter. I was an unwanted and unloved meta-human. The idea that anyone could love me sounded like fairy tale nonsense. But then I met Mason, and I got my fairy tale. These past four years with Mason have been even better than the four prior. And I can’t say which moment was the highlight. However, I can think of four amazing things that have happened. Becoming Mason’s wife, of course, is in the top four ranking. It had been a small and lovely ceremony at his family’s home, which is exactly what I wanted. I was not too fond of the idea of some big to-do as Tiffany and Ashton did. Not that I’m knocking Tiffany and Ashton’s big church wedding that made the papers. That’s what they wanted to do, so I was happy for them. Even if Tiffany made me her maid
A lot has happened in the last year. Adder and I got engaged and swiftly took down most of the members of the board of directors. Adder hadn’t been kidding when she said she had jail-worthy dirt on some of these men. I still look back on that meeting and smile.We’d called them all in for a meeting bright and early the morning after we returned from New Delhi. Adder was in high spirits when we walked into the office holding hands with her engagement ring on full display. I know it caught the girls' eye working reception, and they’d be whispering about it the rest of the day till the whole office knew.We went to my office first and made the board wait thirty minutes cause, as Adder said, ‘fuck them.’ They eventually got impatient and pestered Deborah demanding to know when I would be arriving for the meeting I called. We fina
As we walked into the grand hall where Khumar was hosting the party, I felt the odd looks. I don’t know if we are Brits wearing traditional Indian clothes or just that my scales are on full display in this outfit. Either way, it made me uncomfortable. We at least didn’t have to wait long before Khumar spotted us and moved through the crowd with a large smile. “Mason, my friend. And my, I must say our fashion is most flattering on you, Adder.” he greeted. From my peripheral, I could see Mason was wearing his forced polite smile. “Hello, Khumar. Rather over the top event.” Mason greeted, looking around the rather decadent space. I smiled a bit and nodded politely. Over the top was certainly one way of phrasing it. I’d call it a gaudy unnecessary mess personally. “Thank ya, Khumar.” I greeted. “Well, I say go big or go home, Mason. So might I convinc
I know I threw her for a loop with that statement. But it’s true. I plan to marry this woman. Fuck I even have the ring hidden back at the flat. I’m just waiting for the right moment. I’d considered bringing the ring here on the trip, but I didn’t want to risk losing it or her finding it in my luggage.And we’ve only been dating for a couple of months. For me, that’s a long relationship, but mostly because I don’t get into committed relationships. Plus, while we’ve only been a couple for a few months now, we’ve known each other for years and lived together. So we already know we cohabitate well.Since becoming a couple, the only adjustments we’ve had to make are now we share a bed, and we share rather than waiting for the other to finish their shower. And while you’d think sharing a s
The last few weeks have been a blur of activity. We’ve finally moved into our own flat. Thank fuck for that. The tension any time I crossed paths with his father at their London home was getting to me. And as much as I’d like to say we’ve christened every surface in the flat since moving in, we haven’t. Just the bed and that fantastic shower.We both have been too busy with work for much more. Mason is all in on proving to those old bastards on the board that this is his company, and he’s the only one who can run it. If he’s not been in a meeting or a call, he’s been on his computer getting presentations ready and preparing for our trip to New Delhi.Sealing the deal with this Khumar fella is what will shut those old men up and hopefully put them on their asses. And because I trust those wankers as far as I
There are only a few members of the board that I can stomach. And that number went down as some I’d liked before got behind Clark Scrivens. And what’s worse is he’s not even the head of the board. No, Ronald Marsden just remained silent for all that. And that’s put him on my shit list too. Anyone with a problem with Adder has a problem with me.Adder was, of course, fantastic, even if a little crass as she put them all in their place. They underestimated her, and that’s something you never do. I know Adder took coming to work here seriously. She takes her job as my bodyguard seriously too. Fuck she’s taken that job seriously since we met, and she wasn’t even getting paid for it.So now I have sixty days to close this big deal and prove that being CEO of my family’s company isn’t just my right as the heir but
Why did I agree to escort these stupid fucks out again? Oh, right, because I don’t trust that fat fuck guard. At least the lift ride to the lobby was entertaining. They were fighting like cats and dogs. James demanded to know who Laura was cheating on him with, and Laura denied it. It was very entertaining. I don’t know for sure if James was my sperm donor. Yes, that's what I’m going to refer to him as going forward. And Laura is the egg donor. I don’t want to give them titles that indicate any real kinship between them and I. “Lobby. Everyone out.” I hissed and shoved them out of the lift. “Get your hands off me!” Laura shouted. I rolled my eyes and kept prodding the pair forward. “I don’t give a fuck. Now move. I nodded at the three receptionists at the front desk who were looking at the scene before them wide-eyed. Two of the guards were also watching from