Page 34 of Between the Paragraphs

We’re led down to where the team’s together, and the second we walk into the room, the atmosphere shifts again. I thought it was electric in the suite. It doesn’t even compare to the feeling in this room with the winning team. The players are milling around, some doing interviews, some hugging, and some drinking champagne. It’s an exciting place, and one I never thought I’d want to be in before. I was wrong. I might have to find some sports authors because I’m loving everything about this. The energy alone is addictive.

When the crowd parts and I finally see Mason, my heart thuds. He immediately stops his conversation and crosses the room straight to me. He doesn’t stop as he lifts me into his arms, swings me around, and then kisses me to within an inch of my life. Apparently, he likes winning.

Multiple people in the room cheer, making my cheeks flush as he finally releases me. With greetings like these, I want to be away from him more often. It’s worth it for this much passion when we come back together again.

“Get a room,” someone calls out, making Mason laugh and me blush brighter than before. For a woman who doesn’t like PDA, I’m hopeless when it comes to Mason. He can touch me anytime he wants.

I look over to see Nikki being shamelessly flirted with by one of the players. She seems quite pleased about this. I better check on her though. I always worry when we get divided in a place with a lot of men, especially in a room like this so full of testosterone. It could be dangerous . . . or incredibly sexy.

I take Mason’s hand as I move over to Nikki who beams at me. “Maria, this is Bentz,” Nikki says with a giggle. “He’s trying to convince me that there’s no other sport other than football.”

“I’m making progress, right?” Bentz says.

Nikki winks at him. “Maybe just a little,” she says, and the already besotted man beams at her. It doesn’t take long for men to fall for Nikki. It’s too bad for them that she loses interest before they have a chance to set their hooks.

Mason pulls me away and introduces me to some of his old teammates who all tell him he did great coaching. When I recognize one of the players who had an incredible play on the field I beam at him.

“That was a beautiful touchdown,” I tell him.

“Thanks, he replies, a permanent smile on his lips. “It’s always a team effort, but I did snag that ball right out of the air.” These men aren’t humble, that’s for sure. I like it. They have a reason to be proud of themselves. It takes a lot of training and dedication to become such great athletes.

Another player approaches, and I smile when I realize this is Kevin from our hotel meeting that feels like it happened so long ago. “Mason, are you and the girls coming with us tonight? We need to celebrate.”

Mason looks at me, his eyes twinkling with excitement. “Are you up for a night out with this rowdy crowd?”

“I’m too amped up to call it a night. Sounds fun,” I say.

It takes another hour to get out of there, but we eventually are led to multiple vehicles that drive us to an exclusive club I’d never have any hope of getting into without Mason by my side. Nikki’s bouncing in delight as we make our way in through a side entrance and head straight up to the VIP area.

It doesn’t take long before I look over and see Nikki sitting on Bentz’s lap, her face lit up with delight. I’ll have to make sure she’s okay again. She looks great now, but we’re surrounded by huge men, and I don’t think I’ll be able to stop my concerns. They all seem great, but I’ve also seen situations change on a dime.

“You’re good, right?” I call to her.

She beams at me as she waves her hand in the air. “Quit being a mother-hen. I’m fine and I stopped drinking an hour ago.” We both don’t get drunk at clubs. Too many things can happen, and we love life enough that we don’t need the liquid courage. I laugh and decide to leave her alone. If I keep checking on her, she’s going to push me out the door.

Mason then pulls me onto the dance floor, and I feel at home as soon as I’m in his arms, swaying with him to the sultry sound of the music. The heat between us is undeniable, and every touch sends shivers down my spine.

We dance for what feels like minutes, but goes on for several songs. Our bodies are in perfect sync, the rest of the world fading away. The music’s loud and the bass is pounding through my soul. None of that matters though, all that matters is being in this man’s arms.

Mason finally leans down, his hot breath whispering against my ear. “Let’s get out of here. I want you all to myself.” His voice is husky with desire and fills me with tingles.

I can’t speak. I simply nod at him with my heart pounding and my body on fire. I find Nikki dancing and tell her what I’m doing. She nods and says she’ll get home just fine, that Mason already set it up. Once I know she’s safe, I allow Mason to lead me away.

As soon as we’re in the back of the vehicle, he pulls me onto his lap and kisses me the way I’ve needed to be kissed for an entire week. The chemistry between us is explosive, and there’s no chance I’ll ever get enough of him.

He moves to my neck and sucks, causing goosebumps all over my skin. “I’ve thought of nothing but you this week. It’s making my work suffer,” he admits before he licks my skin.

“Me too,” I admit, utterly breathless. “I’ve been the same. You might not realize it, but there’s normally nothing that can pull me away from work. You should be impressed.”

He smiles, his eyes dark with promise. “I’m always impressed when it comes to you. Each moment we have together will only get better,” he assures me. The city lights are sparkling all around us, but none of it compares to Mason. I silently plead for the driver to speed up. We need a bed, and we need it now.

We somehow manage to make it back to his place, and I don’t even see it as we rush inside, our arms locked around each other and our clothes beginning to fall away as soon as the door’s shut. This desire is addictive.

We somehow make it to his monstrous sized room, but I’m not looking at anything around me. How can I focus on anything else with Mason in front of me? All I see is this man. He steps back and begins taking off his clothes. I’m shaking before him as I reach for the bottom of the jersey and shakily lift it over my head. His eyes burn as he removes his clothes, and I somehow slip out of mine.

“You’re so beautiful,” he gasps as the rest of my clothes drop away.

“You’re mouthwatering,” I whisper.

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