Page 78 of Black Roses

piper

Champagne is served to us even before the rest of the plane has been boarded. I protested the first-class tickets on principle, but Mason insisted, as these were the only available seats unless we wanted to wait another day. Plus he said I’ll have to get used to this sort of thing.

I’m not complaining. I mean, I’ve lived in some pretty questionable places and resorted to more than my share of flying-by-the-seat-of-my-pants transportation over the years. Still, I’m not sure I could ever get used to this. To being treated like royalty.

Mason reaches over and plucks my untouched drink from my tray, downing the bubbly liquid before calling the attendant over. “She’ll have a Jack and Coke. Please do not open them, we’ll take care of that.”

“Right away, sir,” the English-speaking beauty says.

He winks at me and I melt. He could have told me I’m being ridiculous. He could have tried to convince me to quit being suspect of every drink not prepared before me. He could have even said he’d protect me if anything like that were to ever happen again. But he doesn’t. He doesn’t say any of that. He gets me. And I love him for it.

“So where do you want to go when we land?” he asks.

I’ve been thinking about that very thing. “Skylar’s,” I tell him. “I’m going to have my sisters meet me at her townhouse. There are a few things I need to tell them.”

He picks up my hand, kissing the back of it; pride seeping from his lips and permeating my skin. “Want me to be there with you?”

I shake my head. “I need to do this alone, Mason. I owe them explanations about my behavior. And I suspect you won’t want to be anywhere around when my protective older sisters find out what happened to me. Tears will be shed. Cuss words will be yelled. Shit will get thrown around the room.”

“Fair enough.” He smiles pensively at my attempt at a joke. “But after that, Piper—where do you want to go after that?” He looks nervously at my hand still enveloped by his. “Will you come back to my place? Will you move in with me?”

My eyes fail to hide my surprise. He might as well have asked if I wanted to meet the Pope. My answer would be the same. I want to, but I’d be nervous as hell and afraid I’d fuck it up.

“I know it may be hard for you at first, when Hailey is around. And I don’t expect anything from you—she’smyresponsibility. But you two are the most important people in my life. I want you both with me. Full-time if I have anything to say about it.” His deep mesmerizing voice is filled with promise.

My drinks get placed before me and I break the seal on the small liquor bottle, not bothering to mix it with my Coke before I throw my head back and let it burn its way down my throat.

“Just think about it, sweetheart.” He puts a hand on my thigh, warming my skin through my jeans as I look out the window, watching as we throttle down the long runway that begins our journey home.

Mason sleeps most of the flight. We didn’t get much shut-eye last night. But we did get clean. Several times over. I smile upon the clouds below just thinking about it.

He was so gentle; always making sure it was about me. He didn’t need to. After the first time, I knew it would be okay with him. Well, in the shower anyway. It’s almost as if I was being cleansed in more ways than one. Every time I stood under the warm water with him, letting it cascade over us, it washed away a little more of the filth I’d kept with me all these years.

My body is still reeling—still aching with the evidence of our love.

Love.

I’m in love with a man. I never thought it would happen. I never thought itcouldhappen. He made me say it. He made me say it over and over until we both believed it.

I’m still scared though. Scared of so many things. Not the least of which is being around Hailey. He said it himself, on more than one occasion, that he wants more time with her. If I’m with him—living with him especially—despite what he says there will be certain expectations. I’m no stranger to raising a child. Maddox and I were joined at the hip for a few years. But a little girl?

Mason loves me. I know that. But I’m not naïve enough to think he would ever choose me over her. Nor should it be that way. He and Hailey are a package deal. I do understand that. And I hope like hell my feelings for him will eventually spill over into feelings for her. But what if they don’t?

I look over at him. His head is turned to the side, resting comfortably on a plush pillow in his reclining seat. He looks peaceful. The five-day shadow surrounding his sexy, normally well-groomed beard has turned from scruff to fuzz, making him appear older than he is. His eyes twitch in a dream and I think I hear him mumble my name over the thrum of the engines. It hits me square in the heart and I know I never want him to dream of anyone else but me.

“You’re beautiful,” he says, startling me. I wasn’t aware he was even awake as I watched him. He runs a finger across my jawline. “You get more beautiful every time I look at you.”

I giggle. “It’s the love goggles. My hair is a mess and I’ve no makeup on. I left it all in New York.”

“You mean you left it home,” he says, optimism gleaming in his smile.

I look up at him, my throat tightening with emotion. I nod. “Yes. Home.”

“Have you decided exactly where that’s going to be yet?” His hopeful eyes beg for the answer I’m not ready to give.

“Mason.” His name becomes a sigh. “I need some time. I’m still trying to process everything. I want it to happen—us living together—I really do. But I need a minute to catch my breath, okay?”

The strong line of his jaw tightens, and his gaze falls to our entwined hands. “Okay. But can I see you tonight, after you talk to your sisters?”

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