Page 58 of Mason

“Don’t thank me, baby. We’ll do something really special this weekend for your birthday. I promise.”

“I don’t need anything but this right here. This is special.”

He arched a brow, and she laughed.

“Don’t look at me like that. You made sure I had a cake with candles. What else can a girl ask for?”

He dug around in his pocket and pulled out a half-assed wrapped present.

“Presents?”

She squealed. Yeah, his girl liked presents.

She tore into the paper and opened the black box. Inside, a silver locket lay snuggled. He’d had it inscribed with FILB—forever in love boyfriend.

“It’s beautiful, Mason.” Her fingers traced its lines until she found the lock and opened it. One side had a picture of them and the other was empty.

“I thought you could use the other side for something special. Not as special as me, mind you, but close.”

Leave it to Mr. Big Head over there to play down the moment. This was the sweetest thing she’d ever gotten from anyone. He was amazing. She threw her arms around him and kissed him, putting everything she couldn’t put into words into that single kiss.

“Well, had I known you’d do that, I would have given it to you sooner.”

“I love you, Mason.”

“I love you too, baby.” He took the locket out of the box and helped her put it on. “I was afraid the chain would be too long.”

“No, it’s perfect.” The heart fell right in the valley between her breasts. “I won’t ever take it off.”

“Well, you know, you do have to shower, or do you plan on stinking for the next forty years?”

She shoved him and slipped. The blanket tangled around her, and she fell, landing on her butt in the floor.

“Whatcha doin’ down there?” He peered at her, amusement stamped in his expression.

“Admiring the view.”

He stood and picked her up. “Come on, let’s get you to bed before you break the other arm.” He carried her upstairs and into a bedroom. It was just as nice as the rest of the house, but while it oozed wealth, the entire place was just plain comfortable. Like a family lived here, which it did.

He placed her on the bed and went back out into the hall. “Had to cut the thermostat down or we’d be roasting before too long.”

Jo watched him as he pulled off his coat. Mason rubbed his hands together before pulling his phone and wallet out of his back pocket to toss on the bedside table. “You up for a shower?”

“Yes, but this cast can’t get wet for a couple more days.”

He frowned but then left the room again. When he came back, he had the plastic bag from the convenience store. “All taken care of.”

Before she could protest, he had her up and over his shoulder. “Hey!”

He swatted her ass. “Can’t let you fall and break your neck.”

He sat her on the counter in the bathroom and started the shower. Then he took off her shoes and peeled her socks down her legs. “Yellow toenails tonight?”

“I like yellow.”

Next, he removed her coat and let it drop to the floor. “Arms up, baby.”

She obliged, and he lifted her shirt over her head. “Pink lace. I like this on you.” He slid one strap down her shoulder, and then the other, before reaching behind and unhooking the clasp. “But I like you naked better,” he whispered.

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