Perv(72)

“Okay.”

She paused and narrowed her gaze at him. “Okay?”

“Yes.” He grinned at her and tipped his head to one side. “You sure you want to give up this Charles guy, though? He sounds like a winner.”

She punched his side. “God almighty. What did they say to you after I left?” Oh God. She could only imagine.

“They told me to convince you to leave the no-good, lowlife scum you’re dating now and return to marry this Charles guy, whose family name and status in society will make all your dreams come true.” He kissed the top of her head.

She smiled and lifted her gaze, tipping her head back until she met his eyes. “What did you say?”

“I assured them I would indeed talk to you, that you did in fact deserve better, and I would see that you got it.” He grinned.

Her heart beat rapidly. “And you came to me then,” she whispered.

“I did.” He grasped her head with both hands. “I love you, Jenna.”

“I’m a disaster with enough baggage to fill a subway tunnel.” A tear trickled down her face. Had she heard him correctly? Could he overlook her family issues and still want her?

“I love you,” he repeated. “I know we have a lot of ground to cover, and I’m just learning how to be a regular boyfriend, but I don’t want to waste another minute of my life without you in it.”

She swallowed as tears continued to multiply on her face. “I love you too.”

“Good.” He exhaled as though he’d been uncertain what she might say in response.

“You’ll stop trying to get me to make peace with my parents?” She narrowed her gaze at him.

He nodded. “Some things are more important than family. You taught me that. Family is the people who love you, not blood relatives.”

She smiled. He was getting it.

“Are you sure you don’t want to go home and marry Charles instead?” He stiffened, and she realized he was wondering what sort of relationship she’d had with Charles.

“I’ve only met him a few times. He’s a pompous ass with a chip on his shoulder a mile wide. I wouldn’t want to be in the same room with him, let alone marry the guy.” She shivered and then settled into Mason’s arms.

He held her tight as she propped her chin on his chest. “Would you consider moving in with me? Your place makes me nervous.”

She smiled, warmth spreading to every limb. He wanted her. She kept repeating that to herself. “That seems kind of fast.” She lifted her face. “What’s wrong with my apartment?”

Mason shrugged. “I don’t want to make it seem like you’re turning from one domineering home to another. I would never treat you like they do or take your accomplishments for granted. But I would love to wake up to you pressed into my side every day of the week. Plus, your apartment isn’t very safe, baby. Just think about it. Okay?”

She nodded.

“And one more thing.”

“What’s that?”

“Your parents are cutting you off from the family on December twenty-fourth at the stroke of midnight, apparently.” He raised an eyebrow. “Think you can lower yourself to living with an accountant who dabbles in MMA and likes a bit of kink on the side?”

“Can’t think of anything I’d like more.”

“The whole thing sucks, and I feel horrible for you, but you know way more about the history of your life than I do. I’ll shut up now. You’re a grown woman. If you need to cut off contact with your family, you should do it.”

She nodded. “It’s never going to be that simple. I’ll warn you now. They will hound me. At least until Christmas day, and then we’ll see if they’re capable of letting me go for real.”

“I’ll be right next to you.”

She nodded, relief flooding her. She hadn’t realized how much she valued his support until she had it. Maybe that was half the reason she hadn’t told him about her family before today. In the back of her mind, she always feared people only saw dollar signs when they met her, not Jenna.

But Mason was different. First of all, he hadn’t known there was money behind her name. And second of all, he’d chosen to support her instead of nagging her to maintain her position as the family heir. Even when he’d fought her on the issue, his motivation had been strictly based on his concern for her to maintain blood relationships.

He pulled her closer. “Hey, relax. It’s all going to be fine.”

Jenna was exhausted. She needed time to process everything that had happened. “Will you please take me home?”

He stiffened. “Now?”