Reborn As Mr. Coldwell's Wife
Chapter 211: A Safe Space

Chapter 211: A Safe Space

Ellen shifted in her sleep, her hand sliding over to where Mason usually lay. Instead of feeling his warmth, all she found was the cold bed. A slight frown crossed her face as she woke up. She opened her eyes and looked around for him in the shadows, but he was just not there. Rubbing her eyes, she sat up and let out a soft sigh.

It had been a few days since the whole thing with Hans, but Ellen could tell it was still bothering Mason. He had changed, growing quieter and more distant, though not with her. And she understood it was only natural. Mason needed time to process it all, about his family and Hans. And if he needed space, if he needed days, weeks—even years—to deal with it, Ellen knew she would be there for him.

She kicked her legs out of bed, stood up, and slipped into a warm sweater to chase away the morning cold as she left the room. As she walked down the hallway, she headed toward the light shining from the living room. She spotted him immediately.

There he was, sitting on the couch, looking down with his hands on his knees, totally lost in thought. She felt like she could read his mind from a distance. "Gotcha."

She took a step forward, and as soon as he noticed her, Mason looked up, his eyes meeting hers. And before she knew it, he’d reached out, gently pulling her to sit on his lap. She curled up against him, arms around his neck, enjoying his warmth as his hand rested on her side.

"Why aren’t you asleep?"

Ellen smiled, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead. "I could ask you the same thing. What are you doing here all alone?"

Mason sighed, his eyes drifting away from her, as if he were still partially locked in his own world. "I just needed... some time. With my thoughts."

Ellen’s smile softened, her fingers tracing light circles on the back of his neck. "You could do that in our room, you know," she teased gently. "It’s cold and empty without you." Her lips curved into a playful pout. "Leaving me to sleep in that big, cold bed all by myself..."

Mason looked back at her, a little smirk popping up despite his serious expression. "Are you saying you need me to keep you warm?"

"Maybe," she replied, raising an eyebrow in challenge, the corner of her mouth lifting.

He chuckled, the sound echoing softly in the room. "Alright, maybe I’ll come back with you. But first," he said, glancing toward the small bar at the edge of the room, "I need a drink."

Ellen tilted her head, giving him a small frown. "I’ll get you some water, then."

"Not water." He shook his head. "I need something stronger. A beer, at least, but I’d like something even better."

Ellen let out a long, gentle sigh. She lifted her hand to his cheek, her thumb brushing gently against his skin. "Mason," she called, "that’s not the escape you really need."

He looked at her, his eyes searching hers. "Then what is?"

In answer, Ellen leaned in, kissing him gently, her kiss soft yet rich with emotion, filling him with warmth. She felt his body tense slightly before he relaxed, his arms wrapping around her more securely as he leaned into the kiss, letting himself be pulled into her touch.

After a long moment, she pulled back, her lips hovering close to his, a gentle smile on her face. "How was that?"

Mason blinked, a hint of surprise mixed with something softer in his eyes. "Wow," he murmured, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "That... felt alright, I guess."

"Only alright?"

Mason grinned, leaning in close, his forehead resting against hers. "Well," he continued, "I think I might need a little more convincing."

Without waiting for a reply, he tilted her chin up and kissed her again, this time with more intensity, his hands sliding up her back, pulling her closer. Ellen melted into him, her arms tightening around his neck as the world faded away, leaving only the warmth of his touch.

Their kiss got more intense, and before Ellen realized it, they were lying back on the couch with Mason under her, his hands resting at her waist as he looked up at her, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Is that more like it?" she asked softly, her eyes shining with mischief.

He looked at her, a faint smirk on his lips. "I don’t know why, but I think you’re onto something," he admitted, his hands moving gently along her sides as if trying to keep her close, keep her there in his arms.

Ellen laughed softly at that. She could feel his gaze on her, the way his eyes softened as he watched her, his hands resting comfortably against her sides as if he needed her there to feel ok.

"You know," he whispered, "you’re probably the best thing that’s ever happened to me."

Ellen’s heart fluttered at his words, and she leaned down, pressing a light kiss to his forehead, her fingers brushing over his cheek. "You’re not alone, Mason," she whispered. "No matter how hard things get, you’ve got me."

For a moment, Mason was silent, his gaze locked with hers, and she saw the flicker of something vulnerable, something raw and real in his eyes. He nodded slightly, the corner of his mouth lifting in a faint smile as he reached up, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear.

"Thank you," he said softly. "For being here. For... everything."

Ellen leaned in, pressing her forehead against his, her fingers tracing gentle circles against his neck. "Always," she whispered back.

Though she smiled at Mason, Ellen couldn’t stop worrying: What if she wasn’t there? What if Mason was left all alone?

She didn’t know why, but those thoughts just wouldn’t leave her alone.