Chapter 6: Interrupted Kisses, Unstoppable Love

Neither Mason nor I brought up being boyfriend and girlfriend. But we both understood. We were in that ambiguous stage. When we chatted, we’d share funny stories, share life.

On May 20th, he was on duty, I had the day off. I decided to go find Mason, wait for him to get off work, and have dinner together. Who knew, as soon as I entered the station, I saw Tyler Ford sitting in the lobby.

“Hey.” He greeted me, eyes narrowed.

I was surprised. “Why are you here?”

He smiled through gritted teeth. “I’m just not convinced. I want to see what’s better about him than me.”

Me: ???

I remembered that after Tyler added Mason, I talked to him, made things clear, and he agreed to let go. So what’s this now?

Mason just got off work. I’d met him many times, but this was the first time seeing him in a tank top. He showed just the right amount of muscle, even a hint of chest.

Mason greeted me, said he couldn’t be with me today. Then told Tyler, “Let’s go.”

Even more question marks above my head.

I heard from Reed that Tyler came to the station to challenge Mason’s physique. Mason didn’t kick him out, but seriously said,

“Two choices: 1, obstructing official duties—at your own risk. 2, you’d better be Mariah Reed’s real brother, I can mess around with you after work.”

Halfway through, Tyler chickened out. Naturally picked the latter, telling others we were blood-related.

A rare competitive scene—I followed to watch.

Tyler tried to touch my waist; Mason grabbed his wrist. “Aren’t you siblings? No incest.”

Tyler shook off his hand. “I’m close with my sister, none of your business.”

I dodged Tyler’s hug, moved to Mason’s side. “You’re grown up, keep your distance from your sister. Now you have a brother-in-law.”

I said ‘brother-in-law’ right in front of Mason. He suddenly started walking awkwardly, arms and legs stiff. So cute.

I whispered, “You don’t have to compete. I’ll choose you.”

I remembered Mason said he didn’t like to compete with kids. But this time he changed his tune. “This is different.”

Reed caught up from behind. “Come on, Captain Grant just wants to show off his abs in front of you.”

I was stunned. Show off abs? I really can’t picture Mason doing that. But seeing him frown, trying to hide his panic with a serious face—obviously Reed was right.

Mason: “Don’t talk nonsense!”

Reed: “I’m not! I was there when Dalton gave you advice. You guys don’t understand women at all. Showing off your body like guerrilla warfare.”

Mason was speechless, looked at me embarrassed, didn’t say a word.

Tyler rolled his eyes. “Using me as a prop, huh! I’ll make you lose big time.”

They suggested going to the gym. I interrupted, “Forget it, all sweaty. Why not be direct—tomorrow’s a holiday, right? 10am, water park.”

Great, everyone was excited. Even Reed wanted to join—rare to see this kind of scene.

I skipped dinner, went home to prepare. Started with picking a swimsuit—put in a lot of effort. If nothing goes wrong, tomorrow should be a big step with Mason.

Early, we gathered at the water park entrance. Times have changed; girls’ swimsuits look like dresses, so we just wore them out. I’d never worn a strappy short dress in front of Mason—his eyes were fixed on me. When I noticed, he quickly looked away, not daring to meet my gaze.

I leaned in, whispered, “Does it look good?”

He paused, and I felt heat radiating from him. His voice was small but honest. “Looks good.”

His neck and face were red. Ahhh, why is his reaction so cute?

Tyler rolled his eyes. “Tsk! Jealous!”

Reed snorted. “Don’t be jealous of our Captain Grant.”

Tyler, the little playboy, instinctively poked Reed’s dimple. “Three of us with good figures came to play, why is a flat one like you here?”

Reed pinned Tyler down.

Tyler howled, “Ow ow, it hurts, auntie I was wrong, you’re the prettiest…”

Reed and I rented a ball, went to play in the water while they changed.

In the outdoor pool, there were hot-bodied beauties everywhere and confident guys showing off abs. At first, I thought—even though Mason is handsome, his abs might not be as good as those gym bros.

Until I heard some girls nearby exclaim.

“Wow! Two super handsome guys!”

I turned instinctively and saw Tyler and Mason coming out in swimwear. Didn’t expect it—eight-pack, both of them, not one less. Mason was a bit more muscular than Tyler, but not too bulky—just one word: perfect.

Tyler snorted at Mason. “We’re about the same—didn’t expect you to be decent.”

He got in the pool like he owned the place, relaxed and free. Mason was still a bit shy, tested the water with his foot but hadn’t gotten in. A girl went over. “Hey handsome, got a partner? Want to play ball?”

I felt a bit jealous. But I didn’t rush to claim him—instead, I learned from the girls and went over, pretending not to know him, and flirted—

“Hey handsome, come play ball. My girlfriend and I are waiting.”

I winked deliberately.

Mason’s expression was priceless. He frowned, at a loss, seemed to want to blame me for teasing, but couldn’t say anything. In the end, it all turned into obvious shyness. The girl glared at me. “We were here first.”

I pretended not to hear, reached out to Mason in the water. “Don’t just stand there, come in.”

Mason awkwardly stepped into the water. Right in front of the girl, he held my hand. The others left, disappointed.

Mason whispered, “Aren’t you afraid people will think you’re too forward?”

Not afraid. I’ve been worse, just changed now. Besides…

“Don’t you think it’s exciting?”

I’m basically his real girlfriend now, but still pretending to be a stranger to tease him. Just like in books: ‘the wife can’t compare to the girlfriend, the girlfriend can’t compare to the forbidden.’

Ahem, kids, don’t learn from me!

I deliberately misbehaved, leaned close, and brushed my wet arm against his abs. He shivered at the touch.

I asked what was wrong. He coughed nervously. “Cough, the water’s a bit cold, not used to it.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Cold? I thought it was hot—your breathing’s so fast.”

Mason tensed up, thinking he was hiding it well, forgetting his bare upper body—when he tensed, his muscles flexed. He really can’t take teasing—so fun to tease.

Mason is tall—water up to my chest, only his waist. Reed called him over to play ball. He seemed to find an excuse to escape and hurried over.

We had a great time. The four of us booked a restaurant—Mason paid. They all changed back, my long hair took a while to dry. When I came out, I saw Reed squatting in the corner, looking undercover.

“What?”

“Shh!”

Reed looked mysterious, pulled me behind him. Mason and Tyler seemed to be arguing outside. Tyler looked unconvinced, arms crossed, gritting his teeth.

“You cheated.”

Mason looked at him like a kid. “How did I cheat? You wanted to compare abs.”

Tyler: “Several women praised you as handsome in front of my sister—you must’ve paid them! Didn’t expect you to be so sneaky! You green tea boy!”

Reed burst out laughing. “So funny! I’m about to lose it. Hearing someone call Captain Grant a green tea boy—my life is complete.”

I nodded hard.

Mason looked like a big brother tolerating a kid—awkward and helpless. “Really didn’t… I don’t know them. They came on their own.”

This made Tyler even sadder. He glared, spotted us. “Stop hiding! Your laughter’s so loud! Dinner! Mason’s treating, right…” He glared at Mason. “I’ll eat you broke.”

Mason sighed. “Kids’ revenge… do as you like.”

Afterward, Tyler won at eating. Mason admitted defeat and paid. When it was time to go home, Tyler burped and came over. “Sis… actually, Mason is pretty good. It’s 2023, not many fools left…”

I glared at him. “He’s not a fool! He’s smart—just honest.”

Tyler mimicked me sarcastically. “Oh, so smart~ so honest~”

I snorted.

Tyler secretly gave me a coupon.

“I’m not eating Mason’s food for nothing. This coupon gets you twenty pairs of height-increasing insoles at the supermarket—give them to him for me.”

Me: ???

“No need. You’re 5’10, he’s four inches taller—he doesn’t need it.”

Tyler: “?? I’m six foot!!!”

Me: “5’10.”

“Damn!”

Tyler’s face twisted in anger, but he held back from hitting me.

I went to the bathroom. Came out to see Tyler crying by the road. I asked Mason, “What’s wrong with him?”

Mason shook his head. “No idea. He said he doesn’t want to see me.”

Reed comforted him. “Stop crying, embarrassing?”

Tyler choked, “I’ve never been so wronged in my life.”

Reed rolled her eyes. “Alright, stop crying. As if we’re bullying you. I’ll buy you ice cream.”

Tyler: “Okay…”

Uh. Easily appeased…

Mason took me home. Downstairs, I didn’t move, nor did he leave. After some hesitation, I took the initiative. “Want to come up for a glass of water…?”

Mason looked at the ground and nodded. “Mm, I’m a bit thirsty.”

In the elevator, it was so quiet. I could almost hear our heartbeats—so intense, felt like they were about to jump out.

I was ready. As soon as I opened the door, I’d wrap my arms around his neck. Just like in TV dramas—grab his collar, kiss him, then tumble onto the sofa.

Help! My face was burning, I took deep breaths to muster courage.

The moment the key turned in the door, I faced him, stood on tiptoe, one arm around him, one grabbing his collar, and kissed him.

He was startled, instinctively tried to push me away. He didn’t dare use force, and… our height difference made him instinctively push my chest. The moment he touched me, he pulled his hand back. Hands clenched, rubbing between his fingers, nowhere to put them…

“Mariah, our relationship isn’t yet…”

I bit my lip, a bit aggrieved. “You mean, we’re just playing? You don’t see me as your girlfriend?”

He panicked, hurriedly denied. “How could I! I’m serious.”

His eyes were lost, but his body was burning hot… Clearly, he was moved too, so why hold back?

I know he’s conservative! Fine! Then leave this to a bad girl like me.

I stood on tiptoe and kissed him again. He tried to dodge. I deliberately sounded like I was about to cry. “Mason… if you reject me again, I’ll really cry…”

This time, he gave in. I saw heartache in his eyes; he was really afraid I’d cry. As I kissed him, I pulled him inside. Target—the sofa!

He carefully supported me, afraid I’d fall. But as I got closer, I saw two heads with white but thick hair on the sofa.

“Ah!” I immediately pushed Mason away in fright. He instinctively shielded me behind him.

The two people slowly turned around. It was my mom… and his mom…

Mason: “Mom? Why are you here?”

My lips trembled: “Mom, why’d you suddenly come?”

Both mothers looked flushed, smiling awkwardly. Mason’s mom rubbed her hands and stood up. “I came at the wrong time… I’ll come back tomorrow.”

My mom also stood up. “I’ll walk you out, just need to buy something…”

They left. As the door closed, I heard Mason’s mom say, “Thank heavens, my son finally figured it out!”

Leaving me and Mason staring at each other. Our faces were too hot to continue, so I let him have a glass of water and leave.

Mason’s mom came to my house to talk marriage. My mom texted me, but my phone was on silent—I didn’t notice. So Mason and I naturally settled the marriage. I hadn’t even officially been his girlfriend—went straight to fiancée. I openly visited him at the police station as family. Once, Tyler was there too.

I asked why he was there. He said to coax his girlfriend.

Reed looked at me shyly, holding back a smile. “Who said I’m his girlfriend? I haven’t agreed yet.”

I got it, raised an eyebrow. “No one said anything—I didn’t know. Now you admitted it yourself.”

Reed and Tyler moved fast—even got married before me. Mason and I were their best man and bridesmaid. Reed tossed her bouquet high. Mason, using his height, caught it. In front of everyone, he walked toward me with the bouquet.

“Our parents arranged the marriage, but I never formally proposed to you. I don’t want any regrets in life. I also want to give you a proper sense of ceremony.”

Under everyone’s envious gaze, he knelt on one knee and took out a ring.

“Mariah Reed, will you marry me?”

My nose tingled. I took the flowers and nodded, “I will…”

The End.