His words caught me off guard. “She did?”
“Yes, and I told her that I hoped she would find someone who can make her as happy as you’ve made me. And I meant it.
“I feel like our conversation gave us both some closure to our relationship. I finished paying her way through college, just like I promised her I would do, and we both want each other to be happy in other relationships.
“I’m not the same man I was, Lexi. I finally feel like all the mistakes I’ve made, all the anguish I’ve been through has shaped me for this moment. I know I can love you the way you deserve to be loved…if you’ll just give me the chance.”
He was persuasive, and part of me wanted to run into his arms and let him love me. He’d gone to great lengths to make amends for his wrongdoing. That alone indicated that he wasn’t a total douche. But still….
How long would it last? How long until I wasn’t enough?
Mason
Doubts still plagued her. I could see it in her eyes, the way she cast them down towards my chest instead of looking directly at me. I could tell by her body language, the way she folded her arms, like she was guarding herself from me.
And this was why I hadn’t wanted to tell her. Shit, how could I free myself from my mistake? Was it even possible?
I wanted her to trust me.
Grasping her shoulders, I gave them a gentle squeeze. How could I make her understand how much she meant to me?
“You remember the day you told me that I drank too much?”
She nodded. “You said it was the only way you could stand your life.”
“That’s right.” I took a deep breath. “But now things have changed. My life got a whole hell of a lot better the moment you plopped your pretty little tail on my bar stool. I didn’t know what you were going to do to me…the way you would make me feel…but now that I’ve had a taste of what my life could be like with you in it, I’m not going to let you walk away without a fight.
“Damn it, Lexi, I know it’s scary. I know you’re afraid of being hurt.” I rubbed the stubble along my jawline. “I’m scared, too. I still don’t understand why you didn’t trust me enough to tell me about buying the bar.”
“I’m not sure, either. I’m sorry.”
My hands slid from her shoulders, caressing the length of her arms until I captured her hands in mine. “That’s just it,” I whispered, gently rubbing my thumbs across her knuckles. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking during the last few days, and the truth is that it doesn’t really matter. The most important thing to me is that I don’t lose you. I can’t lose you.”
Feeling the need to lighten the mood, I shot her a grin. “You’re the only woman I want cooking my fish.”
I was relieved when I saw her lips curve into a small smile as she remembered the day that we were in the cave. “And you’ll let me feed you poisonous berries?” she asked.
Lifting her hand to my mouth, I pressed a kiss to the back of it. “I’ll eat as many poisonous berries as these hands are willing to feed me.”
Our gazes locked, held in place by the electricity that sizzled between us. “Don’t hurt me, Mason,” she whispered so softly her words were barely discernible.
“I’m not going to hurt you, Lex. I’m just going to love you.”
A lone tear escaped over her lower lashes, leaving a damp trail in its wake as it glided over the curve of her cheek. “I’d like that,” she whispered as she wrapped her arms around my neck.
Wiping away her tear, the implication of her words exploded in my brain. With the urgent need to kiss her, I leaned down, touching my lips to hers, my tongue teasing her until she opened for me. Her mouth was sweet and warm, and I hardened in response. My palm rested against her lower back, pressing her against me, and her hand slid beneath the waist of my boxers, her fingers encircling me.
Breaking the kiss, I tossed my head back, letting out a heavy breath as I savored the feel of her hands on my body.
Damn, just knowing that she was mine sent relief flowing through my veins, heightening the sensations of her touch. When I’d woken this morning, my only mission was to do whatever it took to make Lexi mine.
But as her hands stroked me, I knew that she was the one with the power, a slow seducer who had claimed me without me even realizing it. I hadn’t made her mine. She had made me hers.
And I’d do anything to prove to her that her heart was safe with me.
Chapter 24
Tequila Sunrise
Mason
“Apparently, sleeping with the boss has its benefits.” Driving down the interstate, I skimmed my palm along Lexi’s thigh, enjoying the smoothness of her skin.
“Too bad we couldn’t get away for more than one night.”
“One night’s all I need to do what I want to do.”
“And what’s that?”
“Oh, you’re going to find out.” Sliding my hand beneath her short white skirt to the apex of her thighs, I rubbed my fingers across the flimsy material that barely covered her. She widened her legs, thrusting herself against my fingers.
“Damn, Lex, what are you trying to do to me? If you keep that up, I’m going to pull over at the first rest area, and we may never get there.”
A soft giggle escaped her as my fingers glided beneath the fabric.
“Just remember when you’re eating dinner out of a vending machine and sharing a restroom with a bunch of weary travelers that I warned you.”
“Fine,” she murmured, unfastening her seatbelt and sliding to the seat beside the passenger window. After buckling herself in, she cocked her head in my direction, an amused look on her face.
“I’s just messing with ya.” I shifted in my seat, trying to accommodate my growing erection. “We’ve already passed the last rest area. We’ll be there shortly.” As if to back me up, the GPS on my phone instructed me to exit the interstate.
A few minutes later, I pulled into the parking lot of a high-rise condo. We’d driven a long way for one night, but after the torment of thinking I’d lost her over the last few days, I wanted to do something special that neither of us would forget, something that I’d never shared with anyone else, something that would be our experience.
After checking in, we carted our luggage to our fifteenth floor unit.
Her gasp of surprise upon seeing the glass walls that gave a clear view of the beach in all directions gave me a surge of satisfaction.
She strode to the balcony and opened the sliding glass door. “Look at this view,” she murmured.
I walked up behind her, threading my arms through hers as I slid my hands around her waist and peered at the rolling waves below as they crashed onto the beach and burst into white foam.
“We’ve got a little bit of time before the sun sets. You want to change into your swimming suit and go down to the beach?”
“I do.” When I started to release her, she grasped my arms, stopping me. “Before we do, I wanted to talk to you.” She gazed over her shoulder at me, waiting for my response.
“So let’s talk.” I moved beside her as we both leaned against the railing and breathed in the ocean air.
“Actually, I want to show you something.”
I tugged on her belt loop. “I want you to show me a lot of things.”
Smiling broadly, she smacked my hand. “I’m being serious.”
“So am I.”
She held her finger in the air. “I’ll be right back.”
Leaning against the railing as I waited on her to return, I closed my eyes, enjoying the warmth of the sun on my face. I’d been lost for so long, and it felt good to be here with Lexi. It felt good that something was finally working out in my favor.
“Here it is.”
I turned to see her thrusting a white piece of paper at me, a slight smile on her face. Something about her features made her look a little unsure of herself. “What is it?”
“Just look.”
Taking the paper from her hand, I steadied it in my g
rasp, allowing my eyes to focus on the artwork in the center. It was a logo, and as I looked at it, surprise and excitement surged through my chest.
“You like it?” I could hear the uncertainty in her voice. “If you don’t, then….”
“I love it.”
Her smile widened. “You do?”
“It’s perfect.” And it was. I’d only told her once, and I’d never told anyone else. So I knew she was listening when I told her my story. It was a logo for Whiskey Nights, the name that I would have given the bar if I’d been able to buy it from Spanky.
“I had a graphic designer create it because…I want to use it.”
“You want to change the name of the bar to Whiskey Nights?”
She nodded. “I’ve been thinking about it a long time. I wasn’t sure what you’d think about it.”
What did I think about it? I dreamed of owning my own bar, but it was pretty clear that it wouldn’t happen anytime soon.
“I also want you to buy half the bar. I want us to be partners.”
My eyes flew to her face. “You do?”
“My attorney’s drawing up the papers.”
“Lex, you know I have no money.”
“I know, but I figured we could take the payments out of your half of the profits.”
“Why are you doing this?”
“I thought you’d be happy.”
“Shit, Lex. I am happy, but I’m waiting for the catch. I mean I finally got the girl of my dreams. I guess part of me is thinking that there’s no way this many good things could possibly be happening to me at once.”
Approaching me, she wrapped her arms around my neck. Brushing a soft kiss against my cheek, she said softly, “A lot of good things are going to be happening to you.”
“Is that so?”
She tugged at the waistband of my jeans. “That’s so.”
I stilled her hand. “I want you to answer my question. Why are you doing this?”
“Because I need your help. I can handle the business side of it, the accounting, the paperwork, but I need someone who can handle the day-to-day operations. You know the ins and outs of running a bar, Mason. I don’t. Besides, the customers love you.”
“You’re sure you want to do this?”
“I’m positive.”
“Then I’m in.” It was an offer that was too good to pass up, and I wasn’t sure that I could have no matter what her reasons. But she was right. We each had something valuable to offer, and our partnership made sense.
This was my chance to do something for me. I’d been thinking about my mother often lately, and as much as I loved her, this was the push I needed to let her know that I could no longer pay her bills. As soon as I collected enough tips to pay her rent, I’d wire her landlord the money and call her to let her know that this would be the last time I’d be able to do it.
“This is so exciting!” Lexi squealed, drawing my attention back to her. “Once we ensure that the Whiskey Nights in Creekview is a success, maybe we could start expanding, open one in a neighboring town.”
I studied her face to judge her level of seriousness, and it was evident that she was considering that option. “I think we could do it,” I agreed. “Maybe expand the menu options and up the ante on the dining room, too.”
Enthusiasm lit her face. “Good idea.”
“And as pumped as I am about all this,” I said, pulling her into my embrace, “we’re going to put this conversation on hold. Tonight, it’s going to be you and me and the beach.” I smacked her on the ass. “Go get changed.”
She scurried off, and I turned toward the ocean, admiring the view. Smiling to myself, I couldn’t remember being this happy in a very long time, probably not since I’d held Madison in my arms.
Taking a deep breath of the fresh ocean air, I went to change into my swimming trunks.
When we walked out into the pool area, I spotted a tiki bar. As the sun was just about to hit the horizon, I ordered us each a Tequila Sunrise and we moseyed by the swimming pool and along a planked walkway as we made our way to the beach. To our right, a long pier stretched out over the ocean. The shrill call of seagulls filled the air, as well as the soft lapping of the waves as they tumbled onto shore.
I had intentionally picked a condo with a private area on the quieter end of the beach, and although a few people milled around, there weren’t many.
Lexi spread a blanket out, and after she removed her cover-up, she took a seat on its edge and dug her feet into the cool sand. I handed her the drink.
Sitting beside her, I admired her profile as she watched a sailboat in the distance. Her bikini was somewhere between orange and red, and while I knew there was probably some exact name for that shade, I had no idea what it was and didn’t really give a damn. She was sexy as hell in it, and my eyes dropped to her full breasts as they swelled above her strapless top. The gulf breeze blew her hair over her shoulder, exposing her defined jawline and her elongated neck.
She was an exquisite creature, and I was surprised at just how much emotion surged through my veins.
“I haven’t been to the beach in forever.” She took a sip of her drink. “I’d forgotten how relaxing it is.”
“Are we at the beach?”
She turned and peered at me over her slender shoulder, a perplexed look on her face.
“I hadn’t noticed.” I shot her a grin. “I can’t take my eyes off you.” And it was true. Nothing could compare to her beauty. Not the sunset. Not the sand. Not the ocean.
Her lips curved into a smile. “I think you’re pretty, too.”
“Damn it, Lex. I told you not to call me pretty.”
“Oh, that’s right,” she smirked. “You’re not pretty. You’re jaw-dropping gorgeous.” Then to drive her point home, she opened her mouth in an exaggerated gape.
She didn’t know what she was doing to me, sitting there with her mouth in a wide “O”. Ten different thoughts crowded my mind, all of them sexual.
“If you keep looking at me like that, I’m going to put that pretty little mouth to work.” I took a long swig of my drink, as I watched her clamp her mouth shut.
Amused, I finished off my drink and took hers from her, digging the bottom of the cup into the sand until it stood on its own.
Lying on the blanket parallel with the shoreline, I pulled Lexi into my arms. “Let’s watch the sunset.”
I propped myself up on my elbow as she lay with her back pressed against my chest. My hand rested on her waist as the sun began to sink below the horizon, exploding into a myriad of reds and yellow and oranges.
We were quiet as we watched it, concentrating on the tranquility of the moment, on the soft beauty that surrounded us. And as the sun disappeared, the moon took its place, creating a whole new kind of splendor as it shone, its beams reflected in the movement of the ocean.
“Have you ever had sex on the beach?” I whispered in her ear.
She turned to glance in my direction. “Mason Cambridge, are you drunk?”
“I am intoxicated, but this time it has nothing to do with alcohol.” I trailed my fingertips along her side. “I’m intoxicated by…you.”
Smoothing my palm over her skin, I placed a gentle kiss on her shoulder. She rolled onto her back and reached out to touch my face.
“Come on, Lex,” I urged her. “Make love to me on the beach.”
“Somebody might see us.”
“Yeah, all those tourists who are running around with night vision goggles.”
“Don’t be so derisive,” she chided.
“I’m sorry, love, but as the man in this relationship, it’s my duty to talk you into it.”
Her soft laughter filled the air.
“Nobody’s anywhere near us. We have this whole beach to ourselves.”
She glanced around, verifying my statement for herself.
I smoothed my palm across her belly, moving upward until I pushed her top out of the way and exposed her breast. Cupping it, I rubbed my thumb acro
ss her nipple until it hardened, and then I bent down, drawing it into my mouth.
Her fingers wove into my hair, and her back arched, encouraging me as my fingertips skimmed down her torso. I dipped my fingers into her bikini until I parted her flesh and teased her.
A soft mewl escaped her throat, and I gently sucked her breast while my fingers worked their magic below her waist. Damn, I was hard, and I leaned my head back in an effort to ease my labored breathing as I savored her heat.
Gently working my way into her as I continued to tease, her breath came out in heavy pants. I did a cursory glance up and down the beach to make sure we were still alone, and then with a thrust of my finger, she cried out as she trembled around me. I bent down and kissed her, muffling her cries as her hips writhed, alerting me that she was ready for more.
Reluctantly, I eased out of her and rolled onto my back. Unfastening the front of my trunks, I pulled a condom from the interior pocket. With one more glance up and down the beach, I lowered my swimsuit and prepared myself.
I pulled her top back down, covering her breast. Then, I rolled her over until she was straddling me. “Put your cover-up on,” I instructed.
Obediently, she stood. Grabbing her cover-up, she pulled it over her head and started to straddle me once again.
“Wait.”
She froze.
Reaching up, I grabbed the edge of her bikini bottoms and yanked them down. She stepped out of them and lowered herself over me.
As I worked my hips, I couldn’t stop looking at her face. In the soft glow of the moon, I could tell her eyes were closed, her lips slightly parted.
She’d always been attractive to me, but as I watched her responses as we made love in the moonlight, I knew that it was her inner beauty that made me find her so damn irresistible. She’d shown me compassion at a time when I’d forgotten what it was like to have someone care about me.
Maybe it was just dumb luck that she’d needed a place to stay when I needed a roommate or maybe it was fate. Either way, I gripped her hips tighter as we pounded out a rhythm on the beach. I wanted to hold on tight. I didn’t want to go back to a life filled with meaningless relationships, a life where I didn’t matter.
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