Free Always Darkest by Kimberly Warner

a forest, all woodsy and manly.   She felt so safe and secure in his strong arms.   He carried her across the room and deposited her gently onto the bed.   The covers had already been turned down for the night.   He pulled the covers over her.
    “Sleep well Victoria .”   Mason said as he kissed her lightly on the forehead.   “If you need me I will be in the study.”
    “Good night Mason.   Thank you.”   It was all she could think to say.   He was being so nice to her and she was so attracted to him.   She swore she could feel her forehead tingling where his lips hat touched it.   He left before she could say anything more, gently closing the door behind him.
    She snuggled into his bed.   It was so soft and comfortable.   She was still wrapped in his jacket and so she wiggled out of it and placed it beside her on the bed.   The jacket smelled like him and so did the bed.   She inhaled deeply and snuggled further into the comfort of his luxurious bed.   She thought of him once more and fell into a peaceful sleep.

Chapter Thirteen

    Tori awakened to the smell of coffee. The covers were soft and warm around her and she had slept so wonderfully.   She opened her eyes and realized where she was. Sitting on the night stand next to her was a cup of coffee and sitting in a chair to the right of the bed was Mason.   He was freshly showered and shaved, dressed in a pair of brown pants, and a crisp white shirt. Tori was painfully aware that she always woke up with a horrible case of bed head and even if she would never see this man again after today she didn’t exactly want him to see her in her current disheveled manner.
    “Good morning Tori.”
    “Good morning Mason.”   She sat up and pulled the covers as high as she could around her chin.
    “I brought some coffee for you.”   He said and indicated the cup on the nightstand. The smell was irresistible and she reached a tentative hand from beneath the covers to retrieve it, the need for caffeine temporarily overpowering any embarrassment.   “How did you sleep?”
    “Very well, thank you, and for the coffee.” She took a sip and oh god it was the most amazing coffee ever.   “How long have you been sitting there?”
    “Just a little while, you looked so peaceful I couldn’t stand to wake you.”   He smiled.   “The others are downstairs having breakfast.   I brought yours up for you.   It is on the table over there.” He indicated a small café style table sitting by the large window. I have to make some arrangements before we leave, so I’ll leave you to eat and get ready.”   He got up and walked to the door.   Before he walked out he turned back.   “Oh and you look even more beautiful in the morning.”   Then he was gone before she could give any kind of reply.
    Once she was alone in his room she pulled back the crimson covers and walked over to the table.   She sat down her coffee cup on the table and looked at the tray that had been prepared for her.   There was an apple and two slices of thick toasted wheat bread, almond butter and honey.   There was also a single red rose.   She had never gotten breakfast in bed or treatment like this before.   It made her want to cry.   Why was everyone being so nice to her?   She was just Tori.
    After she ate the delicious meal and drank the coffee she felt more awake.   She went to the washroom and then went to the room she was supposed to be sharing with Willa.   She was there already sitting on the bed beside a dress she had laid out for Tori.
    “So you spent the night in my grandson’s bed?”   She knew the old woman was teasing by the way she smiled.
    “I did, but he spent the night on the couch, thank you very much.   I just had a hard time getting to sleep last night.”  
    “I know dear.   I wouldn’t expect anything less from my Mason and I know I snore a little.”
    Tori laughed, “a little?”
    Willa laughed with her.   “I got an outfit laid out for