“I’ll get you one that can’t be traced,” he offered.
“I would appreciate that. Thank you.”
As they entered the house, a decadent smell filled the air. She turned surprised eyes to Mason, who just raised his brows enigmatically. A woman stepped out of the kitchen. She was short with salt and pepper hair and a rounded stomach. She wore a red and white checked apron and a wide smile. “Ola! Welcome home.”
“Mason Rossi.” Mason stepped forward to shake the woman’s hand, but she pulled him in for a hug instead. He patted her back before releasing her.
“Any friend of Ms. Jade is a friend of mine.”
They all took turns introducing themselves and enduring her motherly hugs. She smelled of cinnamon and sage. It should’ve been a strange mixture, but it was oddly soothing. As was her voice and sweet smile. But Cassidy was still in the dark. Who was this woman and who was Jade?
Sensing her questions, Mason explained, “Rosa is a friend of Jade Bradley.”
“Also known as Juliet LaRue,” Harlow supplied.
“Juliet LaRue. The movie star?”
“That’s her.”
“I still don’t get it.”
“Jade’s married to one of our bosses,” Sawyer informed her.
Wow. America’s sweetheart. She wondered if Jade lived in Bloomington, too. “Now it makes sense.”
“Rosa has offered to cook dinners for us while we’re here,” Mason said.
“I will cook you healthy meals, with the occasional treat. That is how Ms. Jade eats and she thought you might want the same menu. But please, let me know if you have any requests. I am more than happy to cook them.”
“Whatever you’ve made tonight smells heavenly.” Cassidy’s mouth watered.
“Thank you, dear. I have prepared for you pan seared chicken with a red wine sauce, steamed vegetables, long grain rice and whole wheat rolls. For desert is a fresh fruit salad topped with homemade vanilla sorbet.”
“It sounds delicious, Rosa,” Mason said. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure. If you will proceed to the dining room, I will serve you.”
“Absolutely not,” Harlow insisted. Rosa’s eyes widened. Harlow smiled gently. “We can serve ourselves and you will join us at the table.”
“And we’ll do the dishes,” Sawyer added.
Cassidy was a little surprised Harlow and Sawyer offered. Not that she wouldn’t have done so, because she was just about to say the same thing. But she knew Harlow came from money and probably had servants growing up. She didn’t know much about Sawyer, but he had an air of wealth, too. It showed their true character in the way they treated an employee and it made her admire them even more.
“You are all so sweet. If you will not allow me to serve you, then I will go home to Mr. Martinez. I cooked extra for him.”
They thanked her for dinner and escorted her to the door. Mason and Kellan carried the dishes for her husband to the car. Rosa had already set the table. Sawyer opened two bottles of wine and then they all served themselves a delightful meal.
Beautiful home. Tasty food. Amazing company. She could get used to this.
Chapter 21
Mason wiped condensation from the mirror after his shower and studied the cut on his face. It might’ve needed a stitch or two, but the butterfly bandage Cassidy applied worked just as well. He’d probably end up with a scar, but what was one more on a body covered with them.
He shaved and brushed his teeth before dressing in an old Ron Jon Surf Shop t-shirt and a pair of gym shorts. He was about to leave the bathroom when something made him reach inside his toiletry bag and grab a strip of condoms. He stood for a good five minutes with the packages in his hand, debating on whether to take them or not.
The devil on his shoulder encouraged him to take the packages. His desire for Cassidy was approaching the all-consuming point. He wanted her like he’d never wanted another woman in his life. She was strong and sweet and generous, not to mention gorgeous with an athletic body that could make a man weep. “She wants you, too,” the devil insisted. “The looks she gives you, the constant touching. The way she responded to your kisses.”
“She’s too good for you,” the angel on his other shoulder countered. “She deserves a man who’ll love and cherish her.” Cherish he could do, love, not so much. Thanks, Abby.
“It’s not a commitment for life,” the devil argued. “Mutual fun between single, consenting adults.”
“But she’s his client,” the angel pointed out.
“Enough,” he shouted out loud to the annoying voices in his head. Sheesh, now he was talking to himself talking to himself.
The devil would be doing a two-step knowing he’d won the argument. Mason tucked the condoms in his gym shorts and flipped off the light.
As expected, the hallway was deserted as he tiptoed to Cassidy’s room. The lights were off and from the moonlight streaming through the windows, he could make out her form in bed.
Careful not to wake her, he lifted the sheet and slid in beside her. She instantly rolled to him, not asleep, but wide awake. She smelled like soap and flowers and something that was uniquely her. He’d be able to pick her out of a room by scent alone.
“Mason?”
“Hum?” She was close, so close. Another fraction and she would see—or rather, feel—what her nearness was doing to him. The damn devil was urging him to pull her tight to his body and damn if he didn’t almost do just that.
“Someone shot at us today.”
He reached over and brushed a tendril of hair from her face, because he just couldn’t keep from touching her. “I know, babe.”
“You ran out in front of him. Twice. You could’ve been killed.”
“But I wasn’t.” He was still stroking the soft skin of her cheek.
“But you could’ve been, and I would never know what it felt like to make love with you.”
Mason’s hand stilled, every muscle in his body clenching, except for one that throbbed mercilessly. “Cassidy.” His voice was low, guttural, rough. He was hanging onto control by a baby-fine thread. “I’m your bodyguard.”
“Yes, you are. But you’re also all I can think about. You’re honorable and strong and gallant.” Fingertips danced over his biceps and he gritted his teeth. It would be so easy to roll her over, rip off the scrap of underwear and slide deep into her until they both came apart. “Not to mention gorgeous.”
“You’re the gorgeous one,” he rasped. “Do it, do it,” the devil chanted.
“She deserves better,” the angel whispered. This time, the angel won.
“As much as I want to do that—dreamed of doing it—I don’t have anything to offer you except sex. After my failed marriage, I vowed never to get seriously involved with a woman again. I can’t. I won’t.”
“I’m not asking for a lifetime commitment. Just a couple of hours of pleasure to take away the sadness and pain.”
God, she was gutting him. Eviscerating him. “Babe, you’ve been through emotional upheaval the last few days, suffered through several unsettling events. I’d be a bastard to take advantage of you.”
Suddenly he was on his back and Cassidy was straddling him, her hands pinning his arms to the bed until their faces were inches apart. No way for her to mistake his desire and by the wicked gleam in her eyes, she knew just how much he wanted her. Hell, he’d never been this hard in his life.
“Let’s get something straight, Rossi. I’m the one taking advantage of you. I’ve wanted you from the moment you flattened me against the building back in Bloomington. The feelings have only intensified. When you ran in front of that sniper…” Her voice hitched and tears filled her eyes.
“Ah, babe,” He gently broke her grip and wrapped her in his arms. She’d been brave to tell him how she felt, but the events of the last few days took their toll. He couldn’t give her forever, but he could give her this: one night to forget everything.
He rolled her to her back and pushed to his for
earms. Even in the darkness, her blue eyes were glossy and wide. Leaning down, he kissed her, absorbing the hitch in her breath. He wanted to be slow, gentle, but one taste and his control snapped. Threading his hands in her hair, he ravished her mouth. Her moans of encouragement fueled his desire. Her fingers pushed his t-shirt up and her nails scored his back. Then she wrapped her legs around him, slamming their lower bodies together. He ripped his lips away as they both moaned at the exquisite contact. She rubbed herself against him and he pinned her to the bed. “This will be over way too fast if you keep that up.”
That made her lips curve in a feminine, knowing smile, so he kissed it right off. With one hand, he placed his palm on her stomach. Her belly contracted at the touch. He slid up until he reached the fullness of her breast, cupping her and running his thumb over her nipple. She moaned deeply. He pushed to his knees and lifted the top off, revealing two perfect breasts tipped in moonlight pink. He fell on her like a starving man, sucking and nibbling until her head thrashed. Then he moved to the next one, giving it the same thorough attention.
“Mason, please…”
She was close, but he needed her to be ready for him. Brushing kisses along the taut skin of her tummy, he reached a very girly pair of lacy pink bikini underwear. Hooking his thumbs into the sides, he slowly tugged them down. Pushing her legs wider, he feasted. She cried out, her hands clutching at his head. He kept up the pressure when he felt her body clench, his name falling from her lips. Her arms and legs dropped like weights to the bed, her eyes closed and her mouth a sweet curve of satisfaction. He reached back with one hand and pulled off his t-shirt. Her eyes opened and then widened, her hands reaching out to stroke his chest.
“You’re so beautiful.”
“That’s my line.” He bent down and kissed her again, getting lost in the sweet glory of her taste. Her hands skimmed his hips and slid under the waistband of his shorts, moving to dig her nails into his buttocks.
He couldn’t take it any longer. He vaulted off the bed and ripped off his shorts. Cassidy’s gasp had him hardening even more than he thought possible. He just hoped her gasp had been from excitement, not fright. He looked down at himself, Yeah, it might be fright. He fumbled in the pocket for the strip of condoms, ripping one off and tearing it open with his teeth. He’d just started to roll it on when her hand grabbed his, stopping him.
“My job.”
He jerked at the thought of her stroking him with her soft hands. “Ah, babe, next time. I promise. I’m too close and if you touch me now, it’ll be over before it starts.”
She laid back down and spread her legs in the sexiest invitation he’d ever received. He covered her body with his, framing her face to kiss her deeply as he pushed inside her and lost his mind.
#
Cassidy had no idea where the woman who boldly propositioned Mason came from. She’d never done anything so brazen before. She’d thought of him often after their first chance encounter. Running into him a second time had been nothing short of miraculous. It had to be a sign from the universe, right?
If he’d turned her down, she’d have been devastated. Maybe it wasn’t the smart thing to do, and she certainly didn’t want to get him in trouble with his coworkers, she just couldn’t wait another minute to feel him inside her. She was learning first-hand how short life could be and she didn’t want to waste a minute.
She’d had a pang of uncertainty when he tugged off his shorts. His body was a tall, strong, muscular work of art. It shouldn’t have surprised her that he’d be built like a porn star. But then he’d kissed her and slowly pushed into her until she thought she might split apart. The fullness was the most wondrous feeling and when he started moving, she lost all conscious thought.
She didn’t think she’d be able to come again after that first spectacular time with just his talented tongue, but the pressure built quickly until she shattered into a million tiny pieces. Someone was screaming, and she realized it was her, shouting his name over and over. His big body stiffened and then he was following her into post-coital bliss.
He collapsed on top of her and she hugged him close, hooking her feet around his back, their bodies still joined intimately. She’d never felt anything more glorious. It was life-changing. Tiny aftershocks still rippled through her body, gripping him tightly.
He hummed against her neck. “I’ll move in just a minute or twenty.”
She smiled, her hands stroking up and down his muscular back. He was so big—everywhere. She loved the feeling of him pressing her to the mattress.
With a reluctant groan, he pushed to his hands and slowly eased from her body. Her inner muscles protested the loss, trying to keep him inside and he groaned, his body hardening again already.
She raised a cheeky brow. “Seriously?”
He grinned unrepentantly. “You inspire me, gorgeous.”
He retreated to the bathroom to dispose of the used condom and when he returned, he ripped another from the strip before joining her in bed.
This time, it was slow and sweet, and they learned all the dips and valleys of each other’s bodies. When they couldn’t take it any longer, he drove them both to nirvana.
#
Kellan lay awake, his hands clasped beneath his head as he stared at the ceiling. His first assignment as an official COBRA Securities agent and already he’d been fired at and faced with the possibility of a biological threat. Despite the seriousness of both attacks, he didn’t regret leaving the police force for a moment.
The more he got to know his coworkers, Sawyer and Mason, the more he liked them. And he was learning so much. They were both exceedingly competent and extremely professional and he trusted them implicitly to have his back. He hoped they felt the same way about him.
Sawyer’s wife was one of the nicest ladies he’d met, which was astounding since her famous family ran the country. Cassidy was just as sweet. Why someone wanted to harm her was a true mystery. Granted, he didn’t know her well, but she seemed kind and genuine. He could see why Mason was ass over teakettle for her. Oh, the big, former Force Recon solider would never admit it, but it was obvious to anyone with eyes. The same for Cassidy’s feelings for him. The only ones who didn’t realize it were the two of them.
When he’d been assigned to the case, he didn’t know the amount of time he’d need to spend in California. Judging by the scores both Harlow and Cassidy received, he’d be here for a few weeks. He knew zip about dancing, but he had a feeling he’d be an expert once he headed home.
Chapter 22
Mason woke early after a particularly vigorous night where they’d used the entire strip of condoms. He should be exhausted. He hadn’t enjoyed a marathon night of sex since his honeymoon years ago. Instead, he felt invigorated. Refreshed. Like the world was a new place with unlimited possibilities.
Sheesh. One night of mind-blowing sex and he turned into a sentimental sap.
He hated to leave the warm bed and Cassidy’s even warmer body, but he slid out without waking her and returned to his room. After donning workout gear, he headed to the gym. Kellan was already running on one of the treadmills. Mason hooked a towel on the one next to him and turned it on. “You’re up early.”
“It’s not every day you’re shot at and face a possible chemical attack.”
Mason nodded. “Truth. Hopefully the police will catch this guy before anything else happens.” He started the treadmill and kicked it up to a fast walk.
The door opened and Cassidy entered. Mason missed a step and almost took a header before he regained his balance, thanks to the sturdy handrails. She did that to him every time.
Though he knew she’d gotten as little sleep as him, she looked refreshed and energetic, a dazzling smile on her gorgeous face.
“Morning, Kellan.” She waved at the other man. “Morning, Mason,” she plopped down to the padded mat to stretch.
“It is a good morning.”
The smile she gifted him with knocked the air from his lungs and he st
umbled again. He’d held this woman, kissed her, buried himself so deep inside her, it was hard to tell where he ended and she began.
How the hell did he get so lucky?
#
Cassidy had a hard time concentrating. Her mind kept drifting back to the hours spent in Mason’s muscular arms. She’d never felt such passion, didn’t know it was possible outside of romance novels and urban legend. He’d been insatiable, but then, so had she. His body was a work of art, so big and strong. Even the various scars that peppered his skin didn’t mar perfection. In fact, they enhanced it because he’d put his life on the line for his country and he’d lived through it. They were badges of honor of a true warrior.
“Oh, sorry, Trey.” She’d messed up the steps. Again. She was acting like the amateur today, missing steps and forgetting counts. “From the top.” She needed to get her head in the game. Trey was depending on her.
As she did on many of her breaks, Harlow came inside to watch their practice. When Cassidy spotted her, she told Trey to take five and went over to talk to her friend.
“What?” She didn’t like the knowing smile on Harlow’s lips.
“Someone looks particularly radiant today.”
Cassidy pulled at a non-existent thread on her tank top. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Really? Because Sawyer went to Mason’s room last night to ask a question and guess what? He wasn’t there.”
Refusing to look her friend in the face, she supplied casually, “Maybe he was getting a snack in the kitchen.”
“Nope.”
“A workout?”
“Un-uh.”
“A late swim?”
When there was no response this time, Cassidy finally faced Harlow and grimaced. The woman knew. Might as well admit the truth…or a part of it. “It was a rough day. I asked him to stay with me so I could sleep.”
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