Mason smiles lazily. “I know.”
“I know you know, but let’s just pretend for a minute that we’re a normal couple, and I’m telling you about my day.”
Mason pauses and nods. “Do me a favor and kick their asses.”
I laugh and rise to my feet. “I’ll try, but I’m still learning.”
Mason twists his head to look at me, and the half-smile on his lips makes my stomach do odd little somersaults. “Don’t underestimate yourself. You’re a lot stronger and more resourceful than you give yourself credit for.”
“Am I?”
Mason’s expression turns serious. “Absolutely.”
I sigh. “Tell that to my parents. They definitely don’t seem to share your feelings. In fact, I’m pretty sure they think I’m the biggest screw up in the world.”
Mason frowns. “Screw them.”
An involuntary laugh falls from my lips. “I know I should think that. I know I did what I could with the hand I was dealt, but I just…”
Mason laces his fingers through mine and squeezes.
I exhale. “There’s a part of me that’s always going to want their approval, you know. Even now when they’re being unfair.”
“I understand. I’ve been chasing my father’s approval my whole life.”
I hold my breath as I cock my head to the side and study him. “How’s that going for you?”
Mason offers me another rueful smile. “Could be better.”
I release another shaky breath and press my forehead to Mason’s. “He doesn’t deserve you.”
Mason uses his other hand to cup the back of my neck, sending a shiver up my spine. “They don’t deserve you either.”
For a long moment, neither of us says anything.
I close my eyes and listen to the sound of his quiet breathing, and a strange sense of calm settles over me. Then, slowly, Mason draws back and brushes his lips against mine. I melt against him as I frame his face in my hands. When he pulls away again, I reach for his hand and bring my head to rest against the crook of his neck.
“I don’t want to go.”
“I don’t want you to go.”
Mason clears his throat and stands, and I get a brief view of him in all his naked glory before he turns his back on me. “Katia’s friend isn’t going to take it easy on you.”
“I’m counting on it.”
Mason bends down to reach for his boxers and snaps them on. “Am I going to regret this?”
I hug him from behind and kiss his shoulders. “Probably. So maybe you should come watch.”
“As tempting as that is, I have work to finish,” Mason replies, a laugh in his voice. “Maybe when I’m done.”
He kisses me before moving to retrieve my clothes from the floor.
Before I finish getting dressed, Carlisle knocks on the door.
Mason adjusts the last of his buttons and unlocks the door, flashing me a heated look before throwing the door open. I wait a while longer and then head to the basement, where bright sunlight filters in through the open windows, and Katia is standing on a mat with her hands on her hips.
“You’re late.”
