Page 174 of Stolen Moments

What could Mason possibly surprise me with next?

The butterflies in my stomach flutter at the possibilities. He really has gone all out. Good thing I have something up my sleeve too.

Mason makes his way down the streets of Pine Hills. Instead of turning towards my neighborhood, he turns in the opposite direction and pulls the car into a bumpy driveway, cutting the engine.

The house that sits to the right is an older ranch. It’s cute and looks spacious, though it obviously needs work. The front yard is small, but the large two-car garage more than makes up for it. The home reminds me of the ones Rylann and Scarlett live in. I look around, trying to figure out where we’re at.

Twisting in my seat, I face Mason. “Whose house is this?”

“About that. I need to talk to you about something.” He rubs his jaw.

The scratching sounds that usually makes my panties wet, sounds ominous. My stomach flips, and not in the good way like when he holds my hand or kisses me. This is a lead ball of fear and anxiety. It’s never good when someone says,I need to talk to you about something,right?

“Should I be worried?” I swallow the lump in my throat. Dropping my eyes to my coat, I pick at the non-existent lent in the dark car, too afraid to look at him.

“Emery, please look at me.”

Dragging my eyes up his torso, I watch his rapid pulse beat in the vein of his neck and his Adam’s apple bob as he swallows, before bringing my eyes to his.

“Yesterday, when I got that call and had to leave, it wasn’t because of work. I want you to know my career will never come before you. I know it was a mistake to leave, but I wanted this to be a surprise in case it didn’t work out.”

“In case what didn’t work out?” I whisper.

He brushes his thumb over my bottom lip and up my cheek bone. “The house, baby doll. I bought it. It’s mine.”

“Wait…” My brain short-circuits, and I don’t know what to say.

His house? But he lives in…

“Your house?” I mull over the words, tasting them on my tongue. “Your. House.”

“You can say it again if it helps. This is my house. I’m moving here. I put the house in Venice on the market and bought this one. That’s why I left last week. I saw this place and knew I had to buy it. I went back to Los Angeles to pack my belongings. This house is why I had to rush out yesterday. The real estate agent called, asking me to meet her and finalize the paperwork. Then, I met with thecontractors and—”

“Wait! You—” I point at him. “You’re moving here? T-to Pine Hills?” I stutter, tripping over my words as my heart races and my brain tries to play catch-up.

“Where the hell else am I going to live? You live here, right?”

I nod, stupidly, as my nose tickles with unshed tears as I squeak out, “Are you serious?”

“Dead fucking serious. Do I need to remind you that you’re it for me? When I was on my knees, I swore to you. I’m here, and I’m never letting you go again.”

“But what about your work?”

“Fuck my work,” he snaps.

“Mason—”

“No, baby doll.” He curls his palm around my neck, digs his fingers into my nape, and squeezes, boring his determined eyes into mine. “I have been miserable without you. My best friends hate me. My entire team is over my grumpy attitude. I love my career, my company, but what’s the point? None of it matters if I don’t have you.”

I grab his jacket, shaking him. “You can’t quit. What you do is too important. I won’t let you.”

Mason throws his head back and laughs, covering my hand with his big warm palms. “Relax, Emery. I’m moving, not quitting. I’m not an idiot.”

“What does all this mean?”

“First, thank you for understanding how important my work and career are to me. Second, it means I work from home. I still have to travel, but when I’m not, I’ll be here. With you.”

“And Kenzo is okay with this?” I bite my lip. Is this really happening?

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