Zoe allowed him to touch her. Compared to the past, she appeared more compliant, but Mason still felt she was different now. He could not figure out what had changed.

Perhaps it was because Zoe now treated her role as Mrs. Lockwood as a job, fulfilling his needs and taking care of household matters, but without love. Men could actually sense love and the absence of it.

Mason thought he did not mind. It was just slightly discomfiting.

Zoe did not speak up, so he spoke instead. "I saw Cecil earlier. Is he the reason you seem so unsettled?"

Zoe looked up. Their eyes met, conveying a sense of mutual scrutiny. After a while, Zoe spoke softly, "Mason, you don't need to doubt me all the time. That wasn't a secret rendezvous. It was just a coincidence."

Mason's gaze turned analytical. After a while, he lightly touched her face and said, "I believe you, Mrs. Lockwood. Now, can you come home with me and have dinner?"

Before Zoe could nod, he had already lifted her into his arms.

She did