Mason (Carter Brothers #2) - Lisa Helen Gray Page 0,32

she left them as kids and never came back, not even when their dad died.

He laughs, but it sounds off. “My mom was another dad. Maverick painted her out to be a saint, but I know better. He thinks I don’t know about the shit she did, but I do. I’d tell you, but it’s really Maverick’s story to tell.’’

“That’s okay. Has she ever tried to see you?’’

“She never wanted us Angel. She wanted us for the benefits so she could feed her drug problem. Granddad said she was really good as a mother when we were first born, and I take his word for it, but the mother I knew was always shitfaced, high off whatever drug she could afford or passed out somewhere. I don’t even want to mention the amount of time we walked in on her sleeping with one of dad’s friends while he was passed out in the chair next to them.

“I don’t even know why they even had kids to begin with. They never raised us, Maverick did. From the age of five years old he was cooking us meals from whatever scraps we had in the cupboard.”

“I could never picture doing that to our child. It makes me sick that there are people out there treating their kids that way. There are so many lovable couples out there who deserve to have a child to fill their home, a couple to love and raise them the way a child should.’’ My voice rises and I look sheepishly at Mason, and to my surprise he’s grinning at me, his eyes bright. “What?’’

“You’re going to be a fantastic mother Denny.’’ I can tell he means what he said and it warms my heart.

“And you’re going to be a great father.’’

“I promise you I will be, that I’ll never hurt our baby girl.’’

“I know you won’t, Mason, the thought has never even entered my mind. You’re nothing like your parents. You never could be. You’re kind, funny, loveable, caring, energetic, courageous, playful, and affectionate and... protective.’’

“Really?’’ he asks lifting his brow.

“Yeah,’’ I smile. “You take care of those closest to you. When you laugh people laugh with you. If you hurt, people hurt with you, your moods spread like wildfire and for that you give off this aura of safety.’’

My face flushes when I realise how honest I had just been with him. I’m thankful when the waitress walks over and sets our food down at the table.

The smell is intoxicating, the essence floating around us and sending my senses into overdrive. The smell wafting up through my nostrils and tingling my taste buds, it has my mouth starting to water.

Mason ordered spaghetti bolognaise for dinner and he picked well, it looks delicious, but the smell is something else.

I lift my fork, twirling the stringy, slithery spaghetti around my fork before dipping it into the rich smelling sauce. My mouth closes over the fork with a moan, my taste buds going into overdrive from the heavenly taste of the rich, succulent, sun ripened tomato sauce. It’s practically melting inside my mouth. I don’t even finish chewing before I’m scooping up my second mouthful.

“Enjoying that?’’ Mason teases.

I nod my head, my mouth too full with food to speak. I must look like a right picture, sitting here with hamster cheeks stuffed with food.

“You do realise no one is going to pinch your food don’t ya?’’ he chuckles and I look at him confused.

“Huh?’’ is all I manage to get out before I’m ramming another forkful into my mouth.

God this is so good.

“You! You’re eating like you’re worried someone’s going to come and take it away,’’ he laughs.

My cheeks flame when I realise I’ve nearly eaten half the plate already while Mason has barely put a dent into his larger portion.

“Sorry,’’ I mumble, feeling self-conscious about eating the rest now, but still, not even that is going to stop me from finishing off my plate of food.

“No, don’t be sorry. I like it Angel. It’s nice to have a woman who likes to actually eat. So don’t mind me, have at it,’’ he grins, his hand waving to my plate.

Not needing to be told twice I scoop another fork full and load into my willing, hungry mouth.

This has to be one of the best dates ever.

Despite the conversation we had about Mason’s parents, it still feels like things are looking up for us.

I just don’t want to get my hopes up only to be let down in the