“While I love standing here kissing you, I think we need to get you off your feet.”

He grinned at me, but he was more reserved than usual. “I hope that you and I have the same thing in mind.”

“Come upstairs and find out,” I said as I started up the steps.

“That’s not fair,” he called after me. “You’re a lot faster than me.”

Rather than answering, I headed to our room and lit several candles. When he walked in, I was standing at the foot of the four-poster canopy bed, waiting for him. Though I’d kicked off my shoes, I was still wearing my red dress.

I could tell he’d walked too much today because he moved more slowly than he had earlier in the day, not to mention his antics with Joe couldn’t have helped matters. When he reached the edge of the bed, I pushed him down onto it and took off his leg brace, tossing it under the bed so neither of us tripped on it. Then my fingers started on his tie, slowly unknotting it and sliding it from around his neck. Staring into his face, I unbuttoned his shirt, taking my time until I reached the bottom, then unfastened his belt and pants.

When I was done, he stood up, balancing on one foot while resting a lot of his weight against the edge of the bed. He was still studying my face, his expression a mixture of lust and something softer…adoration? Love?

The silence was unlike us. I liked that we talked during sex—sometimes fun teasing, other times hot sexy talk that I had been surprised to discover how much I liked—but tonight was different, deeper, and neither of us seemed ready to break the moment.

I tugged off his shirt, then his pants and underwear, and pushed him back down on the bed, worried he’d accidently put weight on his leg if he kept standing.

I stood between his legs and he reached for my face, pulling my mouth to his before his tongue began to explore, making me impatient with need. Mason slid an arm around my back and tugged down the zipper of my dress, his mouth still teasing mine, then tugged the fabric off my shoulders. The garment fell to the floor, leaving me in just my black bra and panties. He leaned back to look at me, sucking in a breath. His gaze rose to my face, his expression pure lust as he lay back on the bed, pulling me with him.

I straddled his hips and his hands found my waist, gliding up and around to unhook my bra. He tugged it off in seconds. I climbed off the bed to strip off my panties while he scooted around until his head was on his pillow. He watched me crawl toward him and grabbed me and pulled me to him when I wasn’t fast enough. He kissed me again, his hands roaming my body until I was panting with need.

Sitting up, he rolled over to grab a condom from the nightstand, but I pushed myself up and grabbed his hand as he was about to put it on.

No more secrets. Not about this.

“I’m not sure if we need one,” I whispered.

Confusion flickered in his eyes. “I thought you had to wait to take the pill again.”

“I did.”

He shook his head. “Then what changed?” An instant later, his eyes widened and he glanced down to my stomach. “Are you?”

Tears filled my eyes. “I don’t know. Maybe.”

His palm cupped my cheek. “Why do you look so scared? Were you worried about my reaction?”

I nodded, a tear falling down my cheek.

“Rose, I love you. No matter what. Baby or not. I’m yours forever.”

I kissed him as more tears fell down my cheeks. He pulled me back, worry in his eyes. “Why are you crying?”

“Because I love you too.” And in that moment I knew it was true.

My words released a possessiveness in him I hadn’t expected, and he kissed me with a passion that made me desperate for more. He finished putting on the condom before I straddled him and began to move, my mouth returning to his as his hands found my hips. I climbed to dizzying heights, then exploded with an intensity that amazed me, Mason close behind.

We stared into each other’s eyes, both of us still catching our breath.

“Say it again,” I whispered.

“I love you, Rose.”

I smiled, new tears burning my eyes. “I love you too, Mason.”

He grinned. “Are you going to cry every time I tell you I love you? Because I plan on telling you a lot and that might put a damper on things.”

“I’m sorry you have to deal with Joe and his obsession with getting me back.”

He raised a gentle hand to the side of my face. “Hey. You are not responsible for Joe Simmons’s behavior.”

“But you hit him tonight, not that I blame you, and then you were so upset—”

“Not at you, Rose. I was upset at myself. I swore I’d never hit anyone again, but he was standing there, insulting you…and I couldn’t take it. I’m sorry.”

I shook my head. “No more sorries. We’re full up of them.” I glanced down without thinking, but Mason tipped my chin up until our eyes met.

“Do you really think you’re pregnant?”

“I’m not sure. Maybe. I’m late and I’m never late.”

“And if we are pregnant,” he said, his eyes imploring. “How do you feel about it?”

I hesitated. “How do you feel about it?”

“Honestly?”

“Yes.”

“Obviously it’s not ideal. I hoped we’d have more time alone together. But—” he added when I tensed “—I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I want children with you one day. So if it happens sooner rather than later, I’d still consider it a blessing.”