Page 47 of Seductive Nights

Mason shook his head. "I could have broken something. I could have dropped something. Something bad could have happened."

Jace nodded. "Shoulda, coulda, woulda. Something could happen to all of us today, Mason. I could walk out of here and get hit by a car. We can't live in fear of that." Jace stood and patted Mason on the shoulders. "Now, do you need to go home? Do you need to lay down or want to take a break? Tell me what you need right now, and I will help you."

Mason swallowed. He took a couple of deep breaths. He looked up at Jose who nodded. "It's all good bud. It's all good. We're all here for you."

Mason nodded. "I think if I can just take about a five-minute break, I'll be fine. I just want to go back and maybe eat a little something and shake this off."

Jace nodded. "Okay, go do that. We're fine. Jose and I will watch the bar and take over. Do what you need to do."

Mason took a deep breath and slowly stood. He waited for his legs to steady under him, then he strolled to the kitchen. Jace checked orders at the bar.

Jose said, "Everything is calming down outside. I can handle the bar if you have things to do, Jace."

Jace grinned. "We'll take turns back here. Check our tables. Make sure everybody has drinks and then we'll switch. How about that?"

"Sounds good. We've got this."

Jace chuckled. "I'll run by my tables quickly."

He swung through the restaurant, checking tables. He stopped at Margo and Carley's table last. "You ladies need anything? Is everything okay?"

Margo reached over and put her hand over his. "That was beautiful."

He swallowed the knot that grew in his throat. "I only hire veterans Margo, and we all have issues with PTSD or other things. Sometimes it happens and I'm here to help. Always."

He saw tears glisten in her eyes. She pinched her lips together and sniffed slightly. "Well, again, that was beautiful."

Tears welled up in his eyes and emotion clogged his throat. He tried swallowing a couple of times. He turned his hand over and squeezed hers. He managed to get out. "I gotta go help at the bar. See you at six."

26

Margo drove up the driveway to Jace's home. She practically laughed when she saw the Governor's Mansion. And didn’t it look beautiful? She hadn't been back here in ages. There was no need, and no one had even inquired about buying it.

Color her surprised when Jace told her he lived here. He owned it. So much for her top realtor status in Florida.

Before she could knock on the door, it opened.

He smiled at her. "Welcome to Casa Marriott."

He bowed and ushered her in with his hand. She laughed. Stepped through the threshold and into the foyer.

He closed the door and the second he did she turned and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately. Their lips blended together beautifully. His were soft and wet. And they molded perfectly to hers. She couldn't get the kiss from last night out of her head.

She couldn't remember the last time anybody had ever kissed her like that. Certainly not in years. And she didn't remember it feeling quite like this.

His hands wrapped around her body. They were strong and firm, pulling her snugly to his body. A little moan escaped her throat, just feeling him pressed firmly against her.

It was so fucking exciting.

They kissed until they were breathless. And then he kissed down her cheek, her jaw, and her neck. She wore a spaghetti-strap white blouse. It was gauzy and fun. And his lips were able to kiss her shoulders. And then he kissed across her collarbone.

She dug her fingers into his hair and guided his head toward her breasts. He eagerly enjoyed the invitation. His firm fingers lifted her shirt, revealing a strapless bra.

He kissed over first one mound and then the other. Teasing her skin right where the bra started and her skin ended. His fingers slid around her ribs to her back.

He tucked a finger under her bra strap and pinched it with his thumb, and the bra released. He tugged it from the front and let it fall to the floor and his mouth quickly sought her breasts.

He sucked one nipple in, and the lightning bolt that shot through her body and right to her core was hot, fast, and surprising.

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