Page 46 of I Heart Mason Cartwright
“You don’t have to worry about me,” I say with a small smile. “The island is civilized. Well populated, even. With running water and a police force and all sorts of modern conveniences.”
“Wait, so Mason is going to stay with Willow? Like at her house?” AshLynn asks.
“Well . . .” I start, then realize I don’t have anything to stay. It’s a valid question. Because as much as I hate to say it, my dad has a point. Maybe Mason working with me isn’t such a bad idea. I do a gut check to make sure that’s my brain talking and not my dried-up lady parts that haven’t had the attention of a man in months.
Hmmm. Hard to tell. Both appreciate the man.
Would he stay with me? If he did, how long would I last before he knew I was attracted to him? Will he work with his shirt off? If so, could I take pictures? What if I walk in on him in the shower? ’Cause that would for sure be picture worthy.
Stop! He’s your sister’s fiancé.
Half sister.
“I don’t want to live in Washington,” AshLynn says. “So, if Mason is living here, where am I supposed to live?”
“And I wasn’t really looking for roommates,” I say.
“It’s not a roommate,” my dad says. “It’s your sister and her fiancé.”
Well, damn, how do I argue with that?
I can’t have Prince Hunky McDapperness from the Land of the Suave and Insanely Handsome parading around herewithoutAshLynn to keep him in check. I rub the spot behind my left ear and try to think of a way out of this.
“There’s no second bed at Willow’s,” AshLynn says. “And I don’t want my fiancé sleeping with my sister.”
“We’ll go get a bedroom set today for the guest room,” Cassandra says.
Mason closes his eyes, his nostrils flaring.
“Will you pay him as much money to help Willow as if Mason worked for Daddy instead?” AshLynn asks the question to Cassandra.
“I’m not—” Mason starts.
“Is anyone going to ask me what I want?” I interrupt.
All eyes focus in. Only the members of my family can make me feel uncomfortable like this. With anyone else I’m a fucking warrior princess doing what I want, when I want, and how I want.
“Stop!” Mason yells.
And we do.
