A Passionate Kiss
By: Sharon C. Cooper
Copyright © August 2016 by Sharon C. Cooper
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For permission, contact the author at www.sharoncooper.net
ISBN: 978-0-9976141-2-1
Editor: Melissa Ringsted, There for You Editing
Published by: Amaris Publishing LLC in the United States
Smashwords Edition
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Disclaimer
This story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and incidents are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
About the Book:
Retired Marine, Mason Bennett, has two goals: adjust to civilian life and keep drama out of it. His focus is on his role as part-owner, along with his siblings, of Atlanta’s hottest nightclub. However, his attention shifts when the woman he has loved like a sister reenters his life and thoughts of a passionate kiss they shared hijacks his mind. Their connection is explosive. Feelings he’s tried to deny come to the forefront, and he’s tempted to do something he thought he would never do—cross that line from friends to lovers.
TV news anchor, London Alexander, is back home in Atlanta and ready to start a new chapter in her life. This time she hopes her future includes Mason, the man she has loved forever. She’s ready to step over the forbidden line that he’s drawn in their relationship.
Will taking a chance on love lead to a happily-ever-after? Or will risking their friendship leave them both with broken hearts?
Chapter One
“I want children, but not a wife. Why is that so hard for you to understand?” Mason Bennett dropped his head back against the high-back leather chair, irritation nipping at his nerves. He stared up at the control room’s dark ceiling. “And why am I even discussing this with you?” How he and his sister ended up in this conversation was a mystery to him.
“It’s a good thing we’re talking about this now because clearly you have lost your mind.”
Dressed to the nines in a cream-colored silk blouse and matching pants with heels too tall to be practical for walking, Harper Bennett looked as if she was on her way to a photo shoot. Instead, it was ten o’clock in the morning and she was preparing to meet with potential clients.
Mason returned his attention to the ceiling. They were hanging out in the security room of Club Masquerade, the club they owned with their brother, Cameron. Operating the hottest night club in Atlanta was no easy feat. They had inherited the business a few years ago, after their parents decided to retire and travel the country in their RV. Mason was responsible for security, while Harper organized and oversaw all events, and Cameron managed the operations of the business.
Harper released an exaggerated sigh. “Maybe you should take some more time off. Why don’t—”
“I’m fine. Just because you don’t agree with what I want or don’t want, doesn’t mean that something is wrong with me.” Until a few months ago, Mason had been recuperating from injuries obtained during his last military tour in Afghanistan.
He stared at his right hand, opening and closing it, trying to work out the stiffness. He still suffered from a little achiness from time to time. Almost a year ago he’d had reconstructive surgery on the hand as well as his chin and jaw. Not a day went by that he didn’t remember that time in his life—remember how he had returned home from Afghanistan broken inside and out. What he remembered most was that he’d made it back, but his best friend hadn’t.
“Are you even listening to me?” His sister’s voice penetrated his thoughts. She hastily pushed her long hair out of her face. “Mama would have a fit if she heard you talking like this. She might be eager for grandkids, but no way would she condone you screwing around with women only to produce a child.”
Mason smiled inside. Yeah, their mother might be prissy and petite, but she wouldn’t hesitate to knock him upside his head if she thought he was intentionally spreading his seed around town to produce a child.
“It’s not like that.” Mason still wondered why he needed to explain himself to her. “I just don’t want, or intend, to do the whole relationship, commitment thing. Been there. Done that. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t want to be a dad. And don’t worry, I’m not going to hook up with just anyone. I will definitely be selective when picking the mother of my future children.”
Again, Harper frowned, looking at him as if she didn’t recognize him. She crossed her arms. “Mase, what’s really going on?”
Mason rubbed his hands down his jean-clad legs and glanced at one of the monitors when he saw a couple of his security specialists walk past a camera. Only a few of the monitors were currently on, displaying two of the emergency exits, and the back hall which led to the offices. Since the recent shooting in a local night club, he and his siblings realized they needed to up the club’s security and had installed additional cameras. Mason had every intention of making the building as secure as possible. In a couple of months, they had plans to upgrade all of the equipment.
“Mase?” Harper ground out. “Say something. You can’t really be serious about all of this.”
“Dang, sis, you can quit worrying. I’m still getting acclimated to civilian life. I’m not trying to get with anyone right now.”
Besides, after connecting with Faith Hanson, a woman he had dated off and on, Mason definitely wasn’t looking for anything serious. They had started off in a friends-with-benefits relationship before he joined the military and hooked up whenever he was in town. A few months ago, when he decided that he was ready to have a family, he had entertained the thought of him and Faith taking their relationship to the next level. After a couple of months, he realized he couldn’t handle a serious relationship, especially with her. She was still the same high maintenance, self-centered, materialistic woman she’d always been. He hated the way she treated people and she loved drama. He didn’t do drama.
“You know what? You probably just need the right woman in your life and I know the perfect—”
“Stop right there. We’re not in high school anymore and I’m not letting you sucker me into going out with one of your haughty girlfriends.”
Harper jabbed her hands onto her hips. “My friends are not haughty!” She studied him for a long time before speaking again. “What’s really going on? Does this have anything to do with the surgeries?”
“All right, I’m done talking.” Mason stood abruptly, his chair rolling back, almost hitting the wall before he grabbed it. “And don’t you have something you should be doing instead of getting in my business?”
Mason crawled underneath the console and went back to working on the cables for one of the monitors. He would admit that after reconstructive surgery on his face, he’d kept a low profile. But those days were in the past. These days he was just happy to be alive.
“Mase—” his sister started, but stopped when a few of his guys walked into the room laughing.
“Oh, hey, Harper,” Hamilton Crosby, Mason’s second in command, greeted.
“Hey guys,” she mumbled, clearly not happy about the interruption. “Mason, this con
versation is not over.” Her heels clicked against the hardwood floor as she made a hasty exit, not bothering to wait around for a response.
“She’s gone,” Hamilton announced and two of the club’s newest security specialists chuckled. “And you can thank us later by covering the first round of beers.”
“Now that’s what I’m talking about,” Bones piped in. At twenty-three, he was the youngest of the security team. So far he was working out well, even though Mason could tell that he was still at the partying age.
“Consider it done. First round is on me.” Rising from the floor, Mason dusted off the back of his jeans. He turned on the rest of the monitors glad to see they were all working.
“It still trips me out that you and your siblings are triplets,” Bones said as everyone studied the monitors.
“Yeah, we get that a lot.” Mason adjusted the clarity on the monitor in front of him. He and his siblings were fraternal. Outside of their eyes and smiles, they were as different as apples and oranges.
Hamilton pointed to one of the screens tilted above their heads. “Looks like we’re going to have to adjust that second camera near the front entrance.” The room held a total of twenty monitors that displayed the entire 23,000 square foot facility, as well as the rooftop lounge. Whenever the club was open, they usually had four or five people monitoring the consoles at any given time.
“And the camera to the right of the circular bar needs to be adjusted,” Jack added, pointing at one of the newer monitors that displayed the circular bar and the belly bar tables nearby.
“I’ll take care of the one at the front entrance and Jack, you, and Bones can take care of the other one.” Hamilton headed to the door, the other two guys on his heels. “Mase, let us know when they’re straight.”
For the next fifteen minutes they fiddled with the cameras, and adjusted a couple of others in the process.
“Ham, that’s cool right there.” Mason spoke into his mouthpiece. “While you’re in that area, the camera closest to the …” His voice trailed off when the front door opened and a woman rushed in. What the … “Who the hell left the front door unlocked?”
Mason took in the beauty thinking there was something familiar about her. She fidgeted, rubbing her hands up and down her bare arms as she stood next to one of the two escalators. Gazing back at the entrance, it was as if she expected someone to come in after her.
Hamilton explained something to the woman, but she didn’t seem to be listening. When he reached out, trying to direct her toward the door, she backed away, pointing to the escalator leading to the second and third floors.
Who is she?
Mason rubbed his chin, hoping she’d glance into the camera so he could see her face clearly. There was something so familiar about her. As if reading his mind, she turned her head slightly and he sucked in a breath. Large expressive eyes, high cheekbones, and a mouth he would never forget was on full display. He’d recognize those gorgeous lips anywhere.
But something wasn’t right. Something had her spooked.
“Ham, hold up. I know her. I’m on my way,” Mason said into his mouthpiece and hurried to the stairs.
He was a little surprised Hamilton hadn’t recognized London Alexander, Harper’s best friend. From what Mason understood, she had been to the club plenty of times when Mason’s parents managed the facility and Hamilton worked security.
Seconds later, Mason slowed and London met his gaze. Guilt stabbed him in the chest. She was the last person he should be looking at with interest, but damn if she didn’t look sexy in the fitted red tank top and black leggings molded around her narrow hips and shapely legs. Considering it was early afternoon on a weekday, he was surprised to see her, and in running gear at that.
“Mase,” she breathed, her husky voice feeling like a feather brushing against his skin.
Mason heard a little wheezing coming from her, but she didn’t look as if she was having an asthma attack, something she suffered with when they were kids. Still staring, what he couldn’t get over was how different she looked. She never wore her hair super long, but the last time he’d seen her, it brushed her shoulders. Now the pixie cut transformed her whole appearance, the style seeming as if it were made for her.
When her hand went to her chest, as if trying to catch her breath, and she glanced back at the door, all of Mason’s protective instincts kicked in.
“What’s wrong?” He touched her arm. She was shivering. “What happened?”
She shook her head. “Nothing. I’m just surprised … and glad to see you.” She stepped closer and wrapped her arms around his waist.
Mason held her tight, but he wasn’t buying her story, especially since she was trembling against him. He brushed a kiss on the side of her sweat-slicked head. Though he shouldn’t be enjoying the feel of her body molded against him, he marveled at how perfectly she fit in his arms.
Still a little concerned, Mason gave a nod to Hamilton and eyed the door. The two of them had worked together long enough to read each other. Something had scared London and maybe who or what might still be out there.
*
London soaked up Mason’s warmth and his familiar woodsy scent. The combination wrapped around her like a cozy blanket, making her want to snuggle even closer as a calm settled over her. God she had missed him. He felt so good, and feeling safe in his arms, she didn’t want to let him go. But holding on to the man she’d had a crush on for most of her life wasn’t a good idea. He thought of her as a little sister, despite the fact that they were both thirty-three and had shared a bond which wasn’t brotherly or sisterly.
London drew in a deep breath and released it slowly before taking a reluctant step back. She studied Mason’s handsome face. The perfectly trimmed goatee he sported was new, adding to his sexiness. Anyone who didn’t know him prior to his last tour of duty, wouldn’t suspect there was anything slightly different about his features. A former Marine sniper, Mason had spent several months in Germany recovering from his battle injuries before returning to the States where he needed still another surgery and even more time to recover. She would have been there for him, but he told her he didn’t want her there.
Still staring at Mason, she saw there were some things about him that hadn’t changed. Not only did he still favor dark colors—if his black polo shirt and dark jeans were any indication—but he was still the big, strong, sexy man she remembered. The man she loved.
London wanted to convince herself that Mason’s return had nothing to do with her decision to accept the news anchor position there in Atlanta. She couldn’t. His return played a major role in her relocation decision.
“It’s been a long time,” she finally said. Two years. Two years since she’d seen him. And two years since they’d shared a passionate kiss that had ruined her for any other man.
“Yeah, it has, but you didn’t answer my question.” He moved toward her and she stiffened, a reaction she couldn’t explain. All she knew was that she was such an emotional wreck these days, if he touched her again, she might break down crying. “What’s wrong?”
Sighing, London shook her head. “Nothing. I’m just … it’s just …”
The security guy walked back into the room. “All clear.”
“Thanks for checking, Hamilton,” Mason responded without taking his gaze from her. “By the way, do you know London Alexander, Harp’s best friend?”
Hamilton narrowed his eyes at her. London remembered seeing him on a couple of occasions, but never knew his name.
She gave him a slight wave. “Hi.”
“Hey. Sorry about earlier. I didn’t recognize you.”
“Yeah, haircut.” She pointed at her new hairstyle.
“And she’s lost weight. Too much weight,” Mason grumbled and she narrowed her eyes at him.
“Don’t start,” London huffed. Turning from him, she rubbed her temples, a headache lingering in the background.
“I wouldn’t start if you didn’t look as if you haven’
t eaten in weeks. Don’t they have food in North Carolina? Or is that chump of a boyfriend of yours eating his food and yours, too?”
She whirled on him and punched him in the arm. “Just back off, Mason!”
“Whoa! What the hell is going on, London?” He grabbed hold of her wrist, keeping her from hitting him again. “Now I know something’s wrong. Start talking.”
Before she could respond, the front door opened and Mason stiffened, pulling her closer. London wondered if his reaction had something to do with his military training. For him to have sent Hamilton out to look around, he must have sensed something had freaked her out. He didn’t relax until they heard keys jingling and heels clicking against the tiled floor.
“Hey, girl. I thought you were going to call …” Harper’s words trailed off as she stopped in her tracks, her gaze bouncing from London to the guys. “What’s going on?”
“That’s what I want to know.” Mason’s voice dropped an octave as he maintained a loose hold on London’s wrist. His grip was tender, which was more than she could say for the fire in his intense, chestnut brown eyes that were identical to Harper and Cameron’s. Though they shared a birthday, the triplets were different in personality as well as looks, except for those eyes and their smiles. “London came in here shaking, looking as if she’d seen a ghost, and now she just took a swing at me.”
Harper met London’s gaze but remained silent as they exchanged a look. Closer than most sisters, they shared a silent language. London prayed her best friend was reading her loud and clear right now. Mason could be a hothead when he thought his family was in trouble, and ever since London was ten, the Bennetts had treated her like one of their own.
“If she hit you, you probably deserved it.” Harper stuffed her keys into the side pocket of her large handbag. “Come on, girl. Let’s head to my office. Mase has issues these days.”
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