Page 13 of Between the Paragraphs

I laugh again as I shake my head. “You’re a bad influence, Mason Bennett. But I’m in.” I’m not opposed to him writing, either. I actually think he’d be pretty great at it.

We continue our conversation, planning, scheming, and laughing. Our main objective is to win over Ruth, but driving exes crazy is a whole lot of fun too. I think maybe I get too bored in my life sometimes, and this adventure, however short it will be, with Mason, is bringing more excitement to my world than I think I’ve ever had before. Nikki doesn’t help. She’s a bad influence, trying to goad us both into more outrageous things.

“You two should sit all cuddled up in the main lobby with your hands all over each other. Not only will lots of people take pictures and post about it, but the chances of either Sabrina or Bobby walking by are very good,” Nikki suggests. I shake my head.

“I’m more than willing to do that just for the cause.” He pauses as he gives me a wicked smile. “Not just to run my hands all over you,” he adds in a mock serious voice.

“Not going to happen. If they’re nearby we can stand with arms around each other,” I compromise.

“Boring,” Nikki groans. I glare at her.

“Back to business,” I say after about five minutes of more obnoxious ideas flowing. “How do we get to Ruth?”

“We charm the heck out of her,” he says.

“That’s great and all, but we have to make her see the potential of this collaboration,” I tell him. “She’s obviously mastered the craft, so we have to bring something that intrigues her, and maybe appeals to her soft side.”

“We show her how passionate we are about the project,” Mason suggests.

“I agree. I’ve never lied to sell to a client. I truly love what I do. We’ll present a solid proposal, one she can’t turn down. I hear she really loves her kids, so we can charm them as well.”

“Great idea. I do great with kids,” Mason says. “Are any of them football fans?”

“As much as I don’t like researching people, I’ve researched her. She might not be the biggest football fan, but her husband Tony is a football junkie. You can easily win him over.”

“We’ve got this. I’ll charm the hubby and kids, you charm Ruth,” he says.

“He’s Italian, so feed him and give him a signed jersey and we’re in,” I say. We all clink glasses. We have this.

His fingers brush mine as we toast to our nearly guaranteed win, and the sexual tension between us that never fully leaves the room, wakes me up all over again. I can’t think about that right now, though. I have to stay focused and determined. This deal is too important. Mason’s simply a fun distraction that can help me out.

It’s been hours when Nikki stands up, her eyes hooded. “I’m leaving you two lovebirds alone. I’m off to bed,” she says. I want to demand she doesn’t leave me, but she simply blows me a kiss then goes into her room and firmly shuts the door. My gut clenches. I hear music come through the door which is her subtle message of letting me know she isn’t listening. Hopefully Mason doesn’t figure this out.

I turn and look at a grinning Mason. “Maybe we should have our first kiss now so it doesn’t look awkward in public,” he suggests.

“I told you there shouldn’t be kissing,” I say.

“There’s always kissing,” he says as he begins moving toward me. I want this kiss. I want it desperately. I just don’t want to want it.

We reach the wall and Mason places his hands on either side of me. “Tell me now if you don’t want this to happen,” he says, his tone lowering, his eyes darkening. I open my mouth to speak, but no words come out.

“Too late,” he says. He then closes the small distance between us. His lips find mine, and it’s better than I ever could’ve imagined. His tongue traces my lips before slipping inside, and soon I reach my hands around his neck and hold on for the ride.

My knees go weak, and I fully understand why this man’s as confident as he is. By the time he pulls back, I’m putty in his hands. He looks like he wants to carry me to the bed, and I’m not so sure I’d object if that’s what he does. It’s very sad how quickly he rips away my will-power.

“I’m going to leave now before I blow this,” he says, his voice gravely, making my insides melt. “We will share a bed, but I want you to have no regrets.”

With this he turns, then exits my room. I stay right where I am for several long moments. That was the best kiss I’ve ever had before. I can’t help but feel a mixture of excitement and trepidation at what’s to come next. I’m normally a strong woman, but where this man’s concerned, I’m a mess.

This is going to be my most interesting conference ever. While I’m determined to keep things professional, a part of me can’t deny the growing attraction I feel for Mason. But for now, I’m focused on the task at hand, and I have to make sure I secure the deal. Tonight’s going to be another night of dreaming about Mason. There’s no doubt about it. Maybe this is inevitable.

Chapter Five

Maria

I’d like to say I wake up for the third day of conference filled with excitement and with my mind whirling through thoughts of panels and meetings that are scheduled. But I’d be lying. How can my mind focus on work when my thoughts keep replaying Mason’s hands skimming over my body, his hot lips pressed to my own.

I shake my head and try to regain my bearings. I never have trouble getting into work mode, but Mason has an unusual effect on me. I go through the motions as my mind goes back and forth between the all too real kiss that felt almost like a dream, and the dreams that followed that felt all too real.

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