by Lena Hart
“When I checked your schedule, it was clear,” Doug added. “I thought you and Jules would be cool with going, since it’s, like, your thing.”
“The fundraiser is not a problem. It’s just that we were planning a trip of our own this weekend.”
“Do you want me to call and cancel your reservation?”
Mason hesitated, running his hand through his hair. Donnelly was one of his best players, and a genuinely decent guy. For a cause this important, Mason didn’t feel right not following through.
“No, Doug, I’ll make it work.”
Mason hung up and sat back in his seat, wondering what he was going to tell Jules about their new plans when she had her heart set on a cruise. Things had been going great between them these past few days. He didn’t want to ruin it by disappointing her.
By the time he made it home, he still hadn’t found the right words.
He found her sitting in the living room, scrolling through her laptop.
“What are you doing?” he asked, falling into the seat beside her.
She turned to him, amusement in her eyes. “I should be going over this program list Whitney sent me, but instead I’m looking up possible cruises we can take this weekend.” She turned back to the computer and muttered, “I’ll need to find a bathing suit, too.”
“Look, Jules. About that…”
She whipped her eyes up to his, her gaze probing. “I don’t like the sound of that.”
“Don’t worry—there’s good news, too.”
“Okay, give me the good news first.”
“Carrie can watch the kids for us this weekend, so our trip is a go.”
She visibly relaxed. “Good. Then what’s the bad news?”
“It won’t be a cruise.”
“Why not? I thought we agreed on a cruise.”
“I know, but I have to be in North Carolina this weekend for a fundraiser. One of the players invited us to it. It’s for his friend who was killed on the job. He was a firefighter.”
Her hand flew to her throat. “Oh, wow.” Then she wrinkled her nose and shoved his arm. “Why didn’t you just lead with that?”
“So you’re cool with the change?”
“Yes, of course. This is for one of your players, and it’s for a good cause. I’m sure we can find a really nice hotel to stay in that weekend.”
Mason smiled with relief. She wasn’t disappointed. He had greatly underestimated her graciousness and the fact that she felt exactly as he did about this trip—cruise or no cruise, he just wanted to spend a weekend alone with his wife.
Edging closer to her on the sofa, he leaned in as if being pulled by magnetic forces. “Have I told you how much I love you?”
She shook her head, but the smile on her face was teasing. “Not lately. No.”
“Well, I do. You are the most generous, most understanding, woman I know.”
Her eyes danced with mischief, and a simmering desire began to build in him. He let his gaze drop to the delicious curve of her mouth before he fitted his lips against hers.
They managed only a fleeting touch before a loud crash came from the kitchen.
Jules pulled away with a groan. “Sounds like your children are climbing the counters again.”
“Again?”
She nodded, then rose to her feet. “Looking for treats, no doubt. I swear they’re going to be the death of me.”
“Just a few more days, and it’s just you and me.”
“And room service,” she said over her shoulder.
10
The moment they stepped into their hotel room, Jules kicked off her shoes. She began stripping out of her travel clothes, but paused long enough to admire the large suite. It wasn’t anything like the one in Paris, where they had spent their actual honeymoon. But for a small-town hotel like the Plaza, it was certainly charming and comfortable.
And came with a very wide bed.
The air conditioning hummed, gushing out a blast of cold air that left the spacious room almost frigid. She loved it. The trip from the airport coupled with the summer heat had left her itching to strip down to her underwear. In the privacy of their semi-dark hotel room, she did exactly that.
Wiggling out of her jeans, Jules climbed onto the King size bed and fell back on the cool sheets. Mason rolled their luggage into the room and parked it beside the window. He drew back the heavy curtains, letting in the late afternoon sun then came to where she lay sprawled on the bed. She smiled up at him as his heated gazed raked over her body.
“Should we call Carrie and check in?” he asked, absently smoothing his palm down her bare thigh.
“I already did. When you were checking us in.”
He smiled wryly. “Of course you did. Everything good?”
“Yup.” Jules rose to her knees on the bed, then looped her arms around his neck. “Everything’s all good. Now we get to relax and make the most of this bed.”
He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. The coolness of his clothes pressed against her bare skin made her intensely aware of just how cold the room was. She burrowed deeper into his arms, seeking out his warmth.
“Keep moving like that and we might never leave this room.”
He pressed light kisses down her neck. Her eyes drifted shut and she trembled from the delicate sensation of his lips against her sensitive skin.
“You know, Gennie’s in town for an interview with a new team,” Jules murmured. “Do you think we can meet up with her after the fundraiser?”
“Yeah, sure.” He passed his tongue over the sensitive area at the base of her neck, and she bit her lip to keep a moan from escaping her. “It’s been almost a year since I’ve seen Gennie.”
“It has…” Another tremor coursed through her and she dug her fingernails into his biceps. “It’s starting to look like our schedule tomorrow is going to be crowded.”
Mason let his hand drift lower until he reached the waistband of her panties. “Then I guess we should make the most of tonight.”
When he began to tug down the thin material, Jules grabbed his wrists. “I need a shower first.”
He groaned. “Why? You’re just going to need another one later.”
“We just had a five hour layover flight. I think we could both use a shower.”
He blew out a heavy breath, and she laughed. When he pulled away from her, she grabbed the ends of his shirt and pulled him back.
“Mason, what time does the fundraiser start?”
“Tomorrow night.”
“Okay, so tonight is all ours, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Then stop pouting.”
“I’m not pouting.”
Jules chuckled and shook her head. “You’re worse than your daughter.” Suddenly, she reached down and began unbuckling his belt.
He lifted his brows, his gaze moving down to her busy hands. “I thought you wanted to take a shower?”
She smirked and gave his belt a hard tug. “Why do you think I’m trying to get your pants off?”
“It’s really annoying how gorgeous you two are together.”
“Shut up, Gennie, and come give me a hug.”
Mason watched as Jules pulled her younger sister into a tight hug. The two women laughed and held each other close. He didn’t have any sisters, but if he had his choice of one, he would choose Genevieve Bennett every time.
She pulled out of Jules’ arms and set her copper-brown eyes on him. “Okay. Your turn.”
Mason returned her tight hug.
“I thought you guys were at a charity event tonight. Why do you guys smell like you just came from a bar?”
“Because we did,” Jules said. “The fundraiser was for a fallen firefighter, and they held it at this bar called the Crooked Angel.”
“Ahh, okay. That explains it. I half expected you guys to be in something other than jeans.”
“Nope. It was a very casual affair. Beer, popcorn, selfies.”
“Hmm, sounds l
ike my kind of party.”
“Why don’t we find ourselves a booth?” Mason suggested. If he let them, the two sisters would stand in front of the diner all night and continue their conversation.
The all-night diner near their hotel was quiet and practically empty—the complete opposite of how they had left the Crooked Angel. They quickly found a booth in the back to settle themselves. Across the table, Gennie continued to stare at them, a silly grin on her pretty face.
“What?”
“You guys are really too damn good-looking.”
Mason glanced over at his wife. Even with her hair pulled back and her face free of makeup, she looked exceptional tonight. He wanted to kiss her, but the kind he wanted to give her probably wouldn’t be appropriate in front of her little sister. He settled with placing his arm behind her on the booth.
“You’re looking great too,” Jules said. “How’d your interview go?”
Gennie shrugged. “Fine, I guess. I won’t hear back until next week, but I think I’ll still keep my options open.”
“Why the sudden move?” Jules asked. “I thought you loved the team you were working with.”
“I do, but my contract was up. And believe it or not, sports trainers aren’t really in high demand,” Gennie said with a quick grin. “But I’ve already decided that North Carolina is not really for me.”
Despite Gennie’s nonchalance, it was clear from her strained smile that she wanted to change the subject. The athlete in him could understand why. His sister-in-law had once had a promising future playing women’s basketball—until a knee injury during college cut that short. Now a career in sports training was the closest she came to staying in the game.
“So are you seeing anyone?” Mason asked, hoping to take her mind out of talks of work and job interviews.
Gennie wrinkled her nose. “Nope. Not only do I not have the time, but I’m constantly surrounded by jocks, and you know I don’t date athletes.” She glanced at him. “No offense.”
He inclined his head. “None taken. Though Jules said the same thing ten years ago, and now look at us.”
“Yeah, and look at everything she’s had to put up with.”
“Gennie,” Jules burst out.
Her sister winced, then reached for his hand. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that.”
“It’s fine,” Mason said stiffly.
“No, it’s not. I’m always putting my foot in my mouth. I’m so glad you and Jules have worked things out.” She patted his hand. “You know you will always be my favorite brother-in-law.”
“I’m your only brother-in-law.”
“Exactly. Let’s keep it that way.” Suddenly Gennie winced and reached under the table. She glared at Jules. “What now?”
Mason pretended not to notice the exchange between the two sisters.
“How’s Gunnar doing?” he asked.
“He’s great. He just transferred over to a team in Tampa. He’s really excited about it.” Gennie’s excitement for her twin brother’s accomplishments was evident in her wide smile. “Jules, I know you’re not into sports, but you should see him play.”
“Of course I watch his games,” Jules said, exasperated. “What kind of sister would I be if I didn’t? I may not be able to make it to his games, but I DVR each one.”
Mason glanced at his wife. He wasn’t surprised by her unwavering support of her little brother. Jules always put family first. He only wished she had shown that kind of interest when he’d been a player. He knew he had her support in his career ambitions, but he’d wished that she’d been a fan of the sport—and a fan of his.
“He’ll be glad to know that,” Gennie said. “I think he second-guesses himself a lot sometimes.”
“Really?” Jules looked incredulous. “But he’s so good.”
“I know! Especially for someone who got into it late. I’m constantly reminding him that he’s one of the few black men playing professional hockey, and he’s killing it.”
“Mason’s watched him play and thought so too. Right, babe?”
Mason nodded, though he didn’t tell the sisters that their brother could use more work on his skating technique.
“You should give him a call, Mason,” Gennie suggested. “You know he only got into hockey because of you. I think he looks up to you, though he probably would never admit it. I do know he would love to hear from you.”
“You should call him,” Jules said. “Doesn’t every player get into these funks? It sounds like he could really use the support right now.”
Mason stared at her. So could I.
But he simply smiled and nodded. “Sure, I’ll do that.”
Gennie beamed. “Awesome. Now tell me, how are my little troublemakers doing?”
“So how are you and Mason doing?” Gennie asked. “Really?”
Jules turned to her sister, the worry in her warm brown eyes plain for her to see. They stood at the entrance of the diner, waiting for Mason to pull their rental car around.
“We’re good,” Jules said, looping her arm around her sister’s. “Better than expected, actually.”
“I’m glad. The last time we talked, you were dead set on filing those papers and I swear I almost lost my faith in true love that night.”
Jules chuckled softly. “Love is alive and well, Gennie. Don’t worry about that. Or us. We’re working things out.”
“Therapy?”
“Yeah. We just started going and so far so good. I almost wish we had started months ago.”
“You know Mason isn’t the type to talk about his feelings. He’s sort of the private type, and so are you for that matter.”
“Yeah, well, unfortunately the media seem to love digging for things that’s aren’t there and making them very public.”
Gennie made a sympathetic sound and squeezed her arm. “That news report about that affair must have been brutal for you two.”
“You heard about that?”
“It’s on the internet, Jules. Everyone thirty-five and under knows about it.”
Jules groaned, remembering the things that had been said about her. “Things really got blown out of proportion.”
Gennie studied her curiously. “Did it?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“That guy you were photographed with. Who was he and why didn’t you tell me about him?”
“There was nothing to tell, believe me.” Jules narrowed her eyes at her sister. “I wasn’t having an affair with him if that’s what you think.”
“I know that. But when you told me you were going to file, you never mentioned another guy in the picture.”
Jules chewed on her lower lip, debating how much to tell her sister. Nothing had come from that one encounter so there was no need to worry her sister of someone coming between her and Mason. It had only just occurred to her how affected their extended family would be by a possible divorce. Both Gennie and Gunnar were as much her siblings as they were Mason’s. And the same went for Ryder. There were all a vital part of each other’s lives and an end to their marriage could disrupt that.
And the worry from that possibility was written all on Gennie’s pretty face.
“That guy was no one,” Jules reassured her sister. “Just someone who sat with me while I had my anniversary dinner alone. Nothing happened between us. I love Mason too much to ever cheat on him.”
Gennie squeezed her arm again. “I know. Just remember that when you get the idea of divorce in your head again. The dating scene is brutal right now. Trust me.”
“I believe you.”
“Good, because we both know, my darling big sis, that I have more experience than you. So don’t go trading your dented sports car for some souped up luxury sedan. The ride isn’t always smoother.”
Jules laughed and shook her head at her arrogant little sister. It was true, she hadn’t dated much before she met Mason, but her sister’s self-imposed singlehood didn’t trump nine years of marriage. Jules liked to think she kne
w Mason better than anyone and with their ten years together, she was familiar with all his qualities and his faults. With him, she knew what she had.
He may not be perfect, but he’s all mine.
Just then, Mason pulled up in front of the diner with their rental car. He stuck his arm out of the window and waved them over. A small smile stretched across her lips and Jules tugged her sister forward.
“Come on. My sports car’s here.”
It took Mason a moment to register the ringing phone in the distant part of his mind. The sharp jab to his side was more immediate.
“Mason… Get the phone.”
Jules continued to shove him until he rolled over and grabbed the hotel phone from the receiver.
“What?”
His sleep-laden voice and short temper made his voice especially gruff.
An automated message began to play in his ear, and he remembered the wakeup call he had requested the morning before.
Mason hung up and turned back to Jules, who had buried herself under the covers.
“It’s time to get up, babe.”
A muffled groan came from under the covers. “Do we have to?”
He shook his head in amusement, realizing where his son had gotten his early morning tantrums. As much as he wanted to be under those covers with her, today was checkout day, and they needed to get up now or risk missing their flight.
“We have a flight to catch today, Jules. There’s not another one until later this evening, so we can’t miss this one.”
She groaned again, and this time Mason laughed. He tugged the cover away and pulled her to him. Her slender back pressed against his chest, and he placed a kiss on the back of her warm neck.
“We might be able to spare a few minutes to…connect.”
“Hmm, that would be nice.”
He curved his arm around her waist and pulled her back firmly against him. “Only a few minutes.”
“Okay,” she murmured, rolling her hips back against him.
Mason groaned from the soft pressure her ass put on his straining cock, and all thoughts of time ceased. He lifted her leg and guided his hard shaft into her warm, slick body. They both released a shuddering breath.
