Page 63 of The Mountain Man's Mail-Order Mafia Princess
“Or did you choose the one man your father would never choose for you?”
“That isn’t fair.”
“I don’t know what’s fair because I didn’t have the facts.”
“You know me.”
“I know the part of you that’s been here.”
“That’s me.”
“I believe it is.”
“I also know you wanted to prove you could last one night because your father expected you to fail. You stayed another day because leaving felt like letting him win. How much of this is us, and how much is the most dramatic way you can rebel against him?”
Heat rushed into my face.
“I didn’t sleep with you to rebel against Daddy.”
“I know.” Jonah’s answer came immediately. “You made your choice clear that night. I’m not questioning that.”
“Then what are you questioning?”
“Everything after tomorrow.”
I opened my mouth.
Nothing came out.
Jonah waited without offering me an answer.
“I want to stay,” I said.
“Because you want this life?”
“I want you.”
“Wanting me isn’t the same as wanting a life here.”
“You’re part of the life I want.”
“What happens when the cabin stops feeling like an escape?”
“It doesn’t feel like an escape.”
“You’ve been here six days.”
“Not quite.”
“You haven’t paid a bill, started school, found work, or dealt with your family from here. You’ve cooked dinner, helped with receipts, and spent nights in my bed.”
“You’re reducing what happened.”
“No. I’m trying not to build a future out of one week because I want you.”
My pulse beat harder.
“You’ve imagined me staying,” I said.
