Mason (Iron Reapers MC #1)

Chapter 11

ELEVEN

MASON

After eating breakfast, Carlie and I curled up on the couch, quickly falling asleep in each other’s arms. I woke up wanting nothing more to be inside her again, but I knew she needed more from me than just my dick. She needs to know that I care about her for more than her lush curves and great tits.

“Hey, sleepy head,” I murmur against her ear. “Wake up,” I say, dropping kisses against her cheek and chin.

“No, it’s too soon,” she sighs with her eyes still closed.

“I want to take you for a ride.”

Carlie’s eyes blink open and she stares at me for several long moments.

“What are you thinking?” I ask.

“The last time you took me for a ride we wound up in your bed then shit hit the fan and I was ordered to stay at the clubhouse. It’s kind of how we ended up in this position.”

I laugh at my stubborn girl. “Can’t deny that. This time, I don’t have plans on taking you back to my place, at least not so soon.”

“Oh yeah? And what did you have planned?”

“I want to show you around Jackson on my bike.”

“You know I’m from here, right?” She smiles teasingly.

I pull her against me and kiss the top of her head. “It’s different on the back of my bike, babe. I want you to see the world from my eyes.”

She looks up at me and kisses my lips tenderly. “That sounds awesome. Just as long as I’m back in time to get ready for school tomorrow.”

Carlie’s curls whip behind her as the whole town zips by, storefronts and faded billboards blending into the wild rush of it all. I feel her pressed against my back, her warmth, her trust. Each turn makes my muscles tighten as I keep control of the bike.

“Lean with it, Darlin',” I shout over the wind. She listens, melting into the curves of the road like we’re one, not two.

We pull up to Rosie’s Diner, the neon sign reflecting off the chrome of my bike. As we slide into the booth, my phone buzzes. I catch Carlie’s eye before checking it. Just one of the brothers, nothing major. I show her the screen—keeping it open between us.

“Nothing urgent,” I say, putting it away. “You hungry?”

“Starving,” she says, but then her face turns pink, her eyes dropping to the table. She smiles, but there’s something different in it this time.

I notice the shift immediately. “Hey,” I say, leaning forward. “What’s up?”

“Nothing,” she says quickly, brushing it off with a wave. “It’s silly.”

I narrow my eyes, not buying it. “Carlie, come on. I can tell something’s bothering you.”

She sighs, fidgeting with the edge of her napkin. “It’s just… it’s my ex. Todd.”

I frown, already not liking where this is going. “What about him?”

She hesitates, her voice soft as she finally explains. “He always made me feel bad about being hungry. Or, like, eating stuff like this.” She gestures to the diner. “He’d get on me about eating unhealthy. Said I needed to ‘take better care of myself.’ But it always felt like he was trying to change me, like he didn’t like me the way I was.”

My chest tightens, anger bubbling up. “He really said that to you? Made you feel bad for just… being yourself?”

She shrugs, trying to play it off, but I can see how much it hurt her. “Yeah, but it’s whatever. I didn’t realize how much it bothered me until after we broke up.”

I shake my head, my jaw clenching. “That’s messed up, Carlie. He didn’t deserve you.”

Her blush deepens, and she gives me a shy smile. “I know that now. It’s just… sometimes I still feel weird about it. Like, I shouldn’t be so hungry, or I shouldn’t eat what I want.”

I reach across the table, taking her hand in mine. “Hey, listen to me. You don’t ever have to feel bad about that. Not with me. You’re perfect just the way you are.”

Her eyes meet mine, and I can see the relief wash over her, the tension easing from her shoulders. She squeezes my hand, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Thanks, Mason. I don’t know why I was so nervous to tell you.”

I shrug, grinning. “Well, for the record, I love that you’re always starving. Means more food to share.”

She laughs, the sound light and easy again, and just like that, the weight of her past starts to fade.

The clubhouse smells like leather and gasoline, like home. Carlie steps in beside me, her face lighting up like she belongs here. And she does. She fits right in, like she was always meant to be part of this life.

“Hey, Carlie!” Mae calls out, pulling her into a hug, already chatting about something. I can’t help but smile. Carlie’s got this way about her, making everyone feel like they’ve known her forever. She’s got a light in her that makes this rough world seem a little softer.

“Pres!” a brother calls out. We talk business, but my eyes keep drifting back to her, making sure she’s good, that she’s still smiling.

My phone vibrates again, but this time, I text her. “Everything cool?”

Her phone dings, and she looks up, catching my eye. A quick thumbs-up emoji and a heart pop up on my screen. I grin, slipping my phone back in my pocket. No need for more words. We’re good.

Carlie

The rumble of conversations and clinking glasses is comforting. Here, within these walls, everyone's got your back. Mason's presence lingers even when he's across the room, his occasional glances like a warm blanket on a chilly night.

"Girl, you've got him wrapped around your finger," Mae teases, nudging me as we sit on the worn couch, sipping a beer.

"Seems more like he's got me wrapped around his waist," I quip, picturing our ride together, the way the world narrows down to just us and the endless road.

"Either way, it's good to see him happy," she says, her voice sincere. "And it's good to have you here, Carlie."

"Thanks, Mae. That means a lot." I mean it. This club, these people—they're becoming family, and it feels right, like I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.

Mason catches my eye from across the room, a silent question in his gaze. I nod, letting him know I'm more than okay—I'm home.

Mason

I'm leaning against the bar, watching Carlie laugh with some of the old ladies. She's a damn ray of sunshine in this place, brightening up the darkest corners of our clubhouse—and my life. I check my phone, see no messages, and slide it back into my pocket. Don't need to check in, she's right here, making friends, fitting in better than I'd ever hoped.

"Hey, Mason," Tank calls out, slapping my back as he passes by, "watching over your girl?"

"Just keeping an eye out," I grunt, but there's pride swelling in my chest. Yeah, she's mine, and she's holding her own.

CARLIE

"Have you heard about the charity ride we're doing next weekend?" Sarah's voice cuts through the hum of conversations, her hand gently resting on my arm.

Turning to her, I shake my head. "No, what's it for?"

"Abused kids," she says softly, her eyes holding mine. "We raise funds and give 'em a day to forget their troubles. It's one of the biggest things we do all year."

"Sounds amazing," I respond, my heart squeezing for those children. "Can I help?"

"Absolutely!" Sarah beams. "We could use someone like you. You should ride with us, show your support."

"Me? On a bike, on the ride?" I can barely contain the excitement bubbling up inside me. This is a chance to make a difference, to be part of something bigger. "I'd love to!"

"Great! Ask Mason, it'll mean the world to him and the kids." She squeezes my arm before walking away.

MASON

She's coming over, that eager light in her eyes that gets me every time. "Mason, can I talk to you for a sec?"

"Anything for you, Darlin'." I push off from the bar and tilt my head, signaling for her to lead the way.

"Sarah told me about the charity ride for the kids. I want to go, be part of it. Can I?" Her words rush out, tripping over each other in their haste.

"Shit, Carlie..." I can't hide the grin splitting my face. "I was gonna ask if you'd ride with me. You beat me to it."

"Really?" Her smile mirrors mine, all wide-eyed wonder and joy.

"Really." I tuck a stray curl behind her ear. "Having you there, on the back of my bike, it's more than I could ask for."

"Then it's a date." She stands on tiptoes, planting a soft kiss on my cheek.

"More than a date, it's a beginning," I whisper, knowing this ride's gonna tie us together in ways neither of us can even guess yet.