His smile fades. “You’re more than worthy. You’re amazing.” He crawls onto the bed to lie beside me, curling his arm around my waist and pulling me close. “You’re everything I’ve ever wanted, more than I deserve, and that was the best damned sex in the history of sex.”
I curl into him with a happy giggle. “I think maybe it was.”
“So we should stick with each other from here on out,” he says, kissing my forehead. “It just makes sense, you know? When you’re this kick-ass together?”
I look up at him, meeting his hopeful gaze. Suddenly, the jolt of fear I felt when he talked about buying me a rock for my ring finger seems ridiculous. Newly rediscovered, unexpected, or not, what we have is the real thing, the realest thing I’ve ever felt—in bed or out of it—and I’m not about to pretend I don’t want this to be for keeps.
“It is the only thing that makes sense.” I shift in his arms until we’re face to face. “You’re mine. I call dibs.”
Mason’s expression softens, and I know he understands what I mean. “Same. Dibs on every part. I want it all with you, woman. Forever, babies, matching rocking chairs on the front porch when we’re old.”
“Speaking of getting old,” I say with a smile. “I’m not getting any younger. If we’re going to have a small herd of children, we should probably get started pretty soon.”
Mason lets out a long breath. “I’m so happy to hear you say that.” He hugs me closer, arms shaking the slightest bit, making it clear this moment means as much to him as it does to me. “I can’t wait to start a family with you.”
“Me either,” I say, fighting the urge to tear up, and losing. I sniff and Mason glances down.
“Hey, don’t cry.” He cups my cheek in his warm hand. “You’re going to make me cry, and I’ll lose all the manly points I gained by making you come twice.”
I arch a brow. “Manly points?”
“Yes, manly points. One for each orgasm,” he says, squeezing my hip in a way that is both comforting and arousing at the same time. “I’m collecting them. I’m aiming for five by the end of the night.”
“Five?” My skin begins to tingle all over again at the thought. “That’s a lofty goal.”
“What can I say? I’m a lofty guy.” His hand wanders lower, coming to cup my breast. “Who is really, really into your body.”
I sigh, but twist away before Mason can take things any further. I roll over and slip off the bed, heading for my purse.
“Where are you going?” Mason asks, sounding so bereft I can’t help but laugh.
“I’m going to call Aria and let her know I won’t be home tonight,” I say, rummaging through my purse. “I don’t want her or Melody to worry.”
“I thought you told them you might be staying at your apartment tonight.”
I peek over my shoulder, blushing when I see Mason sprawled at the end of the bed, staring at my bare bottom with a rapt expression. “Were you eavesdropping?”
Mason grins, but doesn’t shift his gaze. “I couldn’t help overhearing while I was lingering close enough to the door to overhear.”
I laugh. “Quit looking at my butt, you’re distracting me.”
“No,” Mason says, eyes remaining exactly where they are. “I’ve never seen this view before. I’m memorizing it.”
I sigh and turn back to my purse, finally emptying it out onto the desk.
There’s still no sign of my phone.
“I must have left it in the cup holder in the car,” I say.
“Do you want me to run down and get it?” Mason asks. “I could throw my clothes on and be down and back in a few.”
I turn to him, arms crossed beneath my bare breasts, feeling much less self-conscious in front of him than I assumed I’d be. “Clothes back on,” I echo, with a pout. “That doesn’t sound like very much fun.”
Mason grins. “No, I don’t think so either, but I’m trying to be nice.”
“You are nice. But you’re nicest when you’re naked and willing.”
Mason’s grin turns into a delighted smile. “When it comes to you, I’m always willing.” He lies back on the pillows with his arms crossed behind his head, the stirring between his legs supporting his claim.
“Good.” I pad toward him on tiptoe, appreciating his beautiful naked self. “Because this time I think I’d like to be on top.”
Mason’s eyes grow hooded. “I think that sounds like a wonderful idea.”
And it is. And later, as we lay exhausted in bed, still twined together, breathing in perfect sync, I let myself imagine waking up this way every morning. I hold the dream close as I drift off to sleep in Mason’s arms, promising myself that if he doesn’t pop the question in the next few weeks, then I’ll do it myself.
I’ve waited long enough for this kind of happiness.
I’m ready to get started on ever after with the man I love.
Chapter 22
Lark
Date Six
The moment I check my text messages, I know something is wrong.
I know something is really wrong when I call Aria on the way out of the city, and my sister refuses to tell me what’s happening over the phone.
“Just come home,” Aria says. “We can talk about it when you get here.”
“But I won’t be home for at least an hour. We spent the night in Atlanta,” I say, my heart racing with worry. “I’m going to drive myself crazy by then. Are Mom and Dad okay?”
“Mom and Dad are fine.”
“What about the baby? And Melody? Are they—”
“Everyone’s okay. Or at least no one is hurt. It’s…something else.” She lowers her voice. “Something I think we’re better off discussing in person. Without Mason around.”
I pause, a burning sensation flooding through my chest. “Why without Mason?” I ask, not caring if he hears. “Mason and I are together now, Aria. Anything you can say to me, you can say to him.”
Aria sighs, a long, sad sigh that does nothing to calm my nerves. “Just come home, okay? I’ll be waiting when you get here. Melody took Felicity out to Brian’s place to feed the ducks and pet the horses, so we should have the house to ourselves.”
“All right.” I hang up without saying goodbye, too frustrated for good phone manners.
“What was that about?” Mason asks as he pulls onto the highway, aiming us back toward Bliss River.
I shake my head. “I don’t know. Aria said she has bad news, but she won’t tell me what it is over the phone.”
“Or with me around,” Mason adds, clearly having overheard.
I reach out and take his free hand in mine. “You heard what I had to say about that. It’s you and me, and she’s going to have to get used to it.”
Mason gives my fingers a light squeeze. “Don’t worry. Whatever it is, I’ll help. We’ll get through it.”
Together, doesn’t need to be said aloud. I can feel it in the air between us, a fact of life as undeniable as the truth that everything tastes better with bacon.