Chapter 15

" Lily, " He crooned, as he shuffled to face me and met my gaze.

" Don't," I snapped and pushed myself up to stand. I needed to leave. I couldn't go through the same again.

I gasped when I felt the cold heavy drops hit my skin. In less than thirty seconds, I was soaked, however, that wasn't enough to stop me and I carried on walking in the general direction of the farm.

" You're being childish," I heard him shout, and shortly after I felt his hand wrap around my arm, tugging me back.

Enough. I had had enough of everything.

" I'm being childish," I snapped and turned around to face him, " I hate you," I pulled my arm out of his grip, and those were the only words that floated in my mind at that moment.

" I hate you," I shouted and hit his chest with my fist, and there he stood like an unmovable rock, emotionless, looking through me, not at me. I couldn't believe it.

" I hate you," I shouted again and hit him with both of my fists as we stood in the pouring rain.

Repeatedly, I did the same until I was in tears, out of breath, and out of strength. Sobbing and defeated, I buried my head into his chest, clinging to his crisp white shirt, chanting the same words over and over.

I shuddered when I felt his arms wrap around me, and hugged me tighter to his chest than ever before.

I felt him tense against me," Don't, " He squeezed through clattering teeth, making me raise my head to look at him.

" Hate me," He added, pressing his forehead on mine, as his lips hovered a breath away from mine. I was spent, I didn't have in me to fight him, and myself.

" You win," I whispered against his lips and pressed my lips to his, and felt him unfold his arms to cup my face as he returned the kiss, more passionately than ever before. The deep and languid kiss lasted for what felt like a fleeting eternity.

" It's cold. We should get back under the tree," He whispered as he pulled away from the kiss.

I dazedly hummed, as we turned around, and walked back to the tree. I hadn't made it as far as I thought I did.

Tugging on the jacket hooked on the branch he draped it on my shoulders, as he lowered himself on the floor and opened his legs for me to take a seat.

" We need to keep warm. Is either this or we have to get naked," The corner of his mouth quirked, and the glint in his eyes, made me think that he preferred the latter option.

" I think, I'll keep my clothes on," I sat down, and leaned against his chest, as he folded his arms around me.

" So," He drawled, shuddering," I hear that you hate me," He amusedly finished his thoughts and nuzzled my cheek. I didn't hate him, quite the contrary.

" I do,.... sometimes," I reluctantly admitted and turned my head to look at him.

" Why? Am I such a terrible person to you?" He asked as he pinched my chin, stifling a smile.

" You are sometimes," I dazedly whispered, lost in the icy blue of his eyes.

" No," I raised my eyes, " Why am I here Mason?" The nearness between us brought a sense of apprehension.

" You look beautiful," He breathlessly said brushing his lips against, teasing.

" Are you buttering me up to avoid answering the question?" I traced the apple of his cheek with my thumb, I had missed him. That man there that held me in his arms in that moment, was the one I wanted.

Passionately he pressed his lips on mine, tenderly nipping at my bottom lip.

" Is it working?" He asked when he pulled away, with a small smile on his lips.

" No," I whispered against his lips, not quite ready to lock horns with him.

" Hmmm...then, no," He crooned, rubbing his nose against mine," It's hard, " He sighed, resting his head against the tree. Didn't I know it?

" This is not going to end well, if this ever comes out for either of us, Lily. I know you're fully aware of it. It could ruin both of us. Is that what you want? You could be with anyone else and be happy. I can't give you the life you deserve Lily. Try picturing our lives together. We would only exist behind closed doors." At the change in his tone, I pulled myself up and looked in the distance. It was true. I had thought about it many times.

" Is that what you want? That kind of life...I don't want to do that..." I shuffled around to face him at the sound of his cracking voice," I...You are young...you have a whole life ahead of you..." Even though it was all true and difficult to admit, he was right.

" If this ever comes to light...I don't even want to think about what would happen to you. To be honest, that is all I can think about. It is bad enough as it is," The defeated look on his face, made me raise an eyebrow.

" What do you mean?" I managed to squeeze that question, out of the many I wanted to ask him.

"Whispers are circulating that you are my lover. Mind you Ava was the one to spread the said rumor, so it doesn't help our case," I melted at the feel of his warm hand on my cheek, and a downhearted look on his face.

" We have to be careful. Enid has been asking questions...as well," My heart dropped at those words. I cared for Enid as she was my mother, and I couldn't possibly imagine her reaction if she ever found out.

" I have thought about it many times," I placed my hand over his. I wanted to imprint that moment in my mind, a keepsake to have when things were rough," I know that we would be frowned upon..." I stopped when he closed his eyes.

" Not frowned upon, Lily. You came into my care when you were sixteen. When fingers would be pointing they, won't say that...Do you know what they would say? That I have touched you long before that, and that isn't good," That was something I hadn't considered. I hadn't considered many things.