A few days went by as we recuperated and finally the swelling and pain subsided in my face. I was finally starting to look like myself again. I still made Mason sleep in the room with me so I could feel safe at night. After only the second night of making Mason sleep on top of the sheets next to me, he decided it would be more comfortable if he slept on a cot in the bedroom. I hated feeling so helpless and weak, to the point I forced my bodyguard to sleep in my room like I was a child afraid of the boogeyman. I needed to change that.  

     We sat down to eat breakfast, there was something important I needed to ask Mason. “How would you feel about training me?” I tapped my fork on my plate of eggs, feeling awkward about the question.

       “Training?” His mouth was stuffed with food.

      “Yeah, like teaching me to kick ass?” I laughed at how I worded the question.

      “Teaching you to fight?” He seemed amused at the possibility.

      “Exactly!” My head perked up. “Just in case something happens, and I need to defend myself.”

      “Well, first of all, I’ll be damned if anyone ever touches you again. I will kill them without hesitation next time.” There hid a touch of anger behind his words. “I don’t want you to feel like anyone will ever harm you ever again.”

     “I know, its just, I feel like if I could defend myself, maybe it would put my mind at ease."

     “Okay, if you’re sure about this. I will not go easy on you just because you’re a girl.” He laughed.

     “I don’t want you to go easy on me!” I wanted the full experience. I needed to learn to fight.

     “Alright, if you are sure about this. We can start right away.”

     “Perfect!” I was ready, no doubt.

     After breakfast, Mason grabbed a few mats and other things from the garage and led me to a flat spot in the backyard.

     “Give me your hand.” He demanded. I held it out as he taped my knuckles.

     “What is this for?” I was inquisitive of the black fabric he taped around my hand.

    “So you don’t break your knuckles.” Wait what? “First, I need to know what you can do, so I want you to try to hit me.”

    Oh, I get to hit him, I was excited at the thought of showing him that I could throw a punch. Although I had never actually punched a person, I had learned a thing or two at the gym. Mason stood there nonchalantly, with a smirk, I couldn’t wait to knock the smirk off his face. I lined myself up and with all my power lunged my fist forward. Before I knew it, Mason had me in a headlock, my back pressed against his hard body. “Seriously!” I yelled at him as he let go.

     “That’s okay, try again.” For the second time I got into position and threw my fist directly at his face. This time, I was on the cold mat, my arm was pinned to my back. “Alright, we have some work to do.” His previous smirk was a full-on grin at this point. Fairly sure he just wanted to show off. “Okay, let’s start with some simpler moves. I’m going to grab your arm and try to take you.” Mason reached forward and grabbed my wrist. “I want you to take your other hand and grab my hand.” I did just as he said. “Okay, now I want you to swing your arm around and grab my wrist, then push down.” I did just that and had him on his knees. “Perfect, see that wasn’t so hard.” His encouragement brought a smile to my face, maybe I really can learn to do this.

     The next several weeks all we did was eat, train, sleep, eat, train, sleep. It had been at least a month since we arrived. The days began to bleed together, I may have even started going a bit crazy with cabin-fever, but I was becoming better at protecting myself; plus, Mason and I were growing closer with each day. I even shocked him quite a few times, pinning him to the mat. I hate to say it, but my favorite part of the day was being close to him, feeling his skin touch mine. There was this electricity that surged through my body every time we touched, my mind would go fuzzy for a second and I would have to shake the feelings. I have never felt this way around a man, I’ve been close to boys before, even before Luca I had little crushes on different boys in school, but this was different. There was a magnetic draw, pulling me closer and closer to him. I was worried and pretty sure he didn’t feel the same. Each day I would rush to train with him, just so I could feel his body close to mine. I know, he’s supposed to be my bodyguard, this is a job to him, nothing more. I really need to get these feelings out of me, but it’s impossible.

     “Alright, no more holding back, you got this?” Mason asked, standing in front of me holding his hands out in a fighting position.

     “Oh, I’m ready!” I was heated and ready to go. Mason went to grab me around the waist and throw me over his shoulder. I instinctively was able to get my elbow between us and push him away. He came back at me again, this time knocking me onto the mat. He pounced on top of me and wrapped his strong hands around my neck. I grabbed his arm and thrusted my hips hard into his groin, rolling myself on to him. I fell on top of his muscled frame, grabbed his arms, and held them down above his head. Our eyes met, my face so close to his, his intoxicating scent took over my body. His blue eyes were full of lust as I had him pinned to the ground, I couldn’t hold it back any longer, I crashed my lips into his. He matched my energy, wrapping his legs around me and pulling me closer, each soft kiss making me lightheaded. He sat us up, I caressed his face pulling him in for more. He picked me up off the ground with one swift move and carried me inside to the couch where we fell together, him hovering on top of me. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach, his taste becoming more and more of a drug. We stopped to breathe, I stared into his addicting eyes, and he looked into mine, I had to bite my lip to contain myself while I painted my finger across his jawline.

     Unexpectedly, he stood up and turned away from me, pushing his hand through his dark curls. A wave of confusion crashed over me; I sat up on the edge of the couch. “I’m sorry, Mason. I just…”

     “Scarlett, we can’t….” He cut me off and stayed facing away from me.

     “Mason, I…” I tried to speak.

    “Stop. Please.” Mason headed for the double glass doors he carried me in through. “I’ll be back. Please stay inside and lock the doors.” He walked out, slamming the doors behind him, never once turning to face me.

      I was in a state of pure confusion and embarrassment. I thought he felt the same way I did when our lips finally met. I mean, I have never felt so close to anyone. Why couldn't this just be easy? Why couldn't we have met under better conditions? I could feel myself falling for him, wanting more of him. I fear he only sees me as another job.

     The sun disappeared behind the mountains; Mason still was not back yet. I began to worry. What if he doesn’t come back? I feel so stupid for letting my emotions make the better of me. However, I heeded his warning and stayed inside instead of going to look for him. He probably needs his space. I took out a piece of paper and a pen and left a note on the kitchen counter for when he returns.

‘Mason, I’m so sorry for letting my emotions take over earlier. I really hope I didn’t ruin our relationship. To be honest, I’ve wanted to do that for some time now. I don’t know why I just went for it, and I really hope you can forgive me. xxx Scarlett’

I made my way to bed and tucked myself in, praying he would return soon.

Mason’s POV

      I hovered over her on the couch, her seductive bright green eyes making me want more, she tasted sweeter than I ever imagined. Her full pink lips invited me in for more, as she bit her lower lip, I was about to lose myself in her.

     I can’t! I really can’t.

    I had to look away from her, if I go through with this, her life could be put in even more danger. I can’t get distracted, but if I keep fighting these feelings, I could be even more distracted and how am I supposed to fight them when they are a constant, every single time I lay my eyes on her!

      “I’m sorry, Mason, I…” I didn’t want to hear it. She shouldn’t be sorry. This is my fault.

      “Scarlett, we can’t…” Or could we? I don’t know.

      “Mason, I…” I couldn’t listen to her right now, I know I would be sucked right in, I need to think about this. My feelings won’t matter if she is dead.

     “Stop. Please.” I begged her. I needed time to consider the possibilities. Could I be with her? She could do better than some trailer park boy. I had to get away from her for a little bit to think clearly. My top priority is her safety, I can’t put my wants before her life. “I’ll be back. Please stay inside and lock all the doors.” I walked out the glass doors and down the embankment.

     We had grown extremely close over this past month, teaching her to defend herself, watching her grow stronger and more confident with each day. I’m so proud of how far she has come just in this brief time. She is such an incredible woman, what would she want with someone like me?

       I made my way through the tall aspen trees, where I found a river to sit next to, to just think. The soft wind whispered through the leaves of the trees; the river was calm as if it lay untouched by man or creature. Animals in the distance scurried around, finding their homes as the sun began to set. I sat and watched the stars begin to appear.

    Scarlett…she’s such an amazing woman, everything I have ever wanted, smart, kind, and her beauty…it’s undeniable, her long chestnut brown hair, bright eyes, poreclain skin, full lips, those curves, legs for days! Let’s not forget her strength, the strongest men I have met in the military would break under what she has been through. It’s unquestionable, she is everything I have ever dreamed of. I just can’t help but fear her life could be put in more danger if I was to pursue her. Would it distract me from keeping her safe? Maybe not. If what I felt was real when she kissed me, then it could only mean one thing. Right? I can’t make things weird between us. We can’t keep fighting these feelings. It would only distract me more trying to beat something I can’t fight. I need to get back to her. I need to make this right.

     The night air chilled my skin as it brushed past me, the trees blurred as I ran, running back to her.