My insides warmed and I shifted so I could press myself against him more. “I like those parts too.”

He lowered his mouth to mine and kissed me gently before growing bolder.

“Mason?” I asked breathlessly.

“Yes?” He lifted his head to look at me, his eyes filled with lust.

“What if I don’t want you to move? What if I want you to stay?”

His hand slid up my back, pressing me closer to him. “I’d give you just about anything you want, Rose. You only have to ask.”

“But what do you want? I’d only want you to stay if it’s what you wanted too.”

A grin tugged at his mouth. “If you’re asking if I think it’s too soon for us to officially live together, I confess it’s faster than I would consider prudent. But I’ve thrown all the rules out the window with you. What we have defies any rules. I know this farmhouse is yours, and I would never presume ownership, but when I’m here with you, I feel more at home than I’ve ever felt before.”

I smiled back at him. “Yesterday, when I was at the crime scene and I just wanted to go home, I realized part of the reason this place feels like home is because you’re here. Please stay.”

He gave me a long slow kiss and lifted his head to look at me. “I can’t think of any place I’d rather be. I love you, Rose. I promise you that I’ll always do my best to make you happy.” His words were thick with emotion.

“Oh, Mason. You already do.” I started to get up. “Let’s go upstairs.”

He held me in place, his face turning serious. “Before we do, I want to talk to you about one more thing.”

I settled back against him, anxious. “Okay.”

“You know I’ve been working on this special case and I didn’t want to talk about it prematurely. But I’ve hit a wall, and I’m not sure how to broach it with you.” He hesitated. “My special project…it involves you.”

“Me?” My head jerked up. “You mean Dora’s death?”

“No, something else.” He paused, looking nervous, which worried me. “Ever since you told me about J.R. Simmons’ blackmail attempt when we were on the run from Crocker, I’ve been concerned about the threats he’s dangling over Joe’s head to keep him in line. I’ve been gathering evidence to bring Joe’s father down, but I’m facing a mountain of dilemmas. The first being that we live in completely different counties, which means I have no jurisdiction over him unless he does something in Fenton County. And despite all the digging I’ve done, I can’t find any evidence directly linking him to this place.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s never even been in Fenton County.”

“You could very well be right. I could try to involve the state police, but J.R. has influential people in his pocket, people who would immediately squash any investigation I tried to hold. Not to mention my career would be on the line if he gets word of what I’m doing. That part doesn’t bother me as much as the thought of tipping him off does. If he realizes I’m trying to gather ammunition to use against him, he might strike first. And I want to avoid that at all costs, obviously.”

My stomach was in knots. “I don’t want you to put your career on the line for me, Mason.”

“I’m not even going to dignify that statement with a response except to ask you a question: Wouldn’t you do the same for me?”

He had a point. I sighed. “So we’re stuck.”

He tipped my face up to his. “Do you really think I’d sit back and let your safety be jeopardized?”

“But your hands are tied.”

“Not necessarily.” He hesitated. “We can fight fire with fire. It’s dirty, but that seems to be the only language J.R. Simmons understands.”

I wasn’t sure I liked the sound of this. “What would you do?”

“I’d find sensitive information on his family to use as a counter-threat.”

My breath stuck in my chest. “How many family members does he have that are dirty enough for that to work?”

“One.”

The full meaning of what he intended hit me. “You want to bring Joe down?”

He didn’t answer.

I took several deep breaths. “I know he has a past, and that he’s gotten himself into plenty of trouble. Joe told me so himself. That’s how he dug the hole he’s in now. But is there enough out there to bring him down?”

He paused. “Yes.”

“What kind of threat would get J.R. to listen?”

“Joe has done enough misdeeds to face prison time, Rose.”

My heart threw itself against my ribcage and I sat up straighter. “You’re asking for my blessing to throw Joe in prison.”

“No.” His voice was firm. “I’m asking for your blessing to dig up proof to back up all the rumors floating around about him.”

“You’re not gathering information just to sit on it, Mason. You plan on using it.”

“J.R. threatened to have you arrested for your mother’s murder. Don’t delude yourself into thinking you’re safe. You’re safe for now until he deems you no longer necessary. Then he’ll have you arrested just to prove he can.”

“But you’ll protect me if it comes to that.”

“You know I’d move heaven and earth to save you, but I suspect J.R. will make sure I’m stripped of power before he makes his move.”