Page 17 of Every Breath

“This conversation is over. I’m taking my son, and getting the hell out of here,” she said, quickly throwing her clothes back on before storming out of the bedroom.

Mason reached out to stop her. “Don’t punish your son for something that happened between you and me. Ben and DJ like each other a lot and my kid doesn’t have a lot of friends.”

She knew he was right, but she wasn’t in the mood to be rational. “We can’t see each other again and I would rather our sons not see each other outside of school.”

“Brandi, why are you being so selfish? It’s not like you.”

“Stop talking to me as if you know me. You don’t!”

He pulled her against him and gave her one long hungry kiss. She tried to twist away only to find herself responding to the insistent pressure of his lips. His body was warm and hard against hers. When he lifted his head there was a feral gleam in his eyes. “But I want to get to know you.”

This man must have cast a spell on her because she wanted to get to know him, too. You are thinking crazy, girl. Get out of here now! She wrenched out of his arms. “No!”

Brandi ran down the stairs. “DJ! Get out here now!”

“Brandi, don’t.” Mason raced after her.

“DJ!”

Her son came running up from the basement with Ben behind him. “Mom, what’s wrong? What are you still doing here and why are you mad? Am I in trouble?”

“No, you’re not in trouble, but we’re leaving. Go get your things.”

“Why?” She tried to steel her heart against his stricken expression.

“Dad, I thought DJ was spending the night.” Ben also looked upset. Seeing both children’s faces brought her back to her senses. It wasn’t their fault she lost control of herself, and it certainly wasn’t their fault that since Damon no man’s touch had driven her to such an aching need.

She couldn’t deny she was fiercely attracted to Mason Collins even though she was promised to someone else. Which was exactly why she needed to leave.

“Mom. Do I really have to go?” DJ’s big brown eyes held unshed tears.

“Brandi, let him stay. Please.” Mason put his hand on her shoulder. She flinched away.

“Okay,” she conceded. The boys didn’t need to know what an ass she just made of herself in Mason’s bedroom. “I’m sorry I called you away from your game, honey. Mommy was just being silly. Have fun, and I will see you tomorrow.” She leaned over and kissed him goodbye.

A wide grin spread on his face before he turned to his friend. “Come on. My team is going to win.”

“No way! I was coming back,” Ben protested as he raced after DJ.

Brandi watched the boys leave the room again. When they were alone she turned to Mason.

“Don’t say a word. This never happened.”

When Mason looked as though he wanted to say something, she held up her hand. “Not a word. Have my son ready at noon.” Collecting her purse, she did what she should have done the minute she stepped foot into his house: she got the hell out of there.

CHAPTER FIVE

“Smooth move, Casanova.” Paul laughed at him.

“Dammit, Paul. Where the hell have you been this past week? I’ve been calling out to you.” His friend was floating around the room, grinning cheerfully.

“I had some things to take care of, but you were doing quite well without me.”

Mason snorted. “I screwed up. Brandi hates me, and I don’t know if I’ll ever get another chance with her.”

“Well, you did come on pretty strong, my friend.”

“I couldn’t help myself. Whenever she’s near me, I can’t keep my hands off her. It’s been so long. You’ve forgotten what it’s like to be away from the woman you love, not being able to touch her, or hold her.”

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