Page 12 of Sensual Nights

Quinn stepped out of his truck and looked into the box of Mason's truck. "Should we finish this one first, then start on mine?"

Mason nodded. "Sounds good."

He jumped into the back of his truck and scooted his end tables to the tailgate. Quinn and Jace grabbed those, so he moved his coffee table to the end. After jumping down, hegrabbed one side and Marco grabbed the other. They handily carried the table down the hall.

"You've got some nice furniture, Mason."

He shrugged. "My mom helped me pick it out." He grinned. "She has good taste."

Marco laughed. "Does she like Carley?"

He felt his cheeks burn. "They haven't met."

Marco grinned as they entered his condo. Carley was instructing Quinn and Jace on furniture placement, so he and Marco waited patiently for their turn.

After Quinn and Jace left for the next load, Carley grinned at him. "How about in front of the sofa?"

"You got it."

They set the coffee table down and turned to leave again. But a fantastic aroma caught his attention, and he stopped. "What's that smell?"

Carley laughed. "It's lasagna."

"You made lasagna?"

"I did. I know it seems silly to eat something so warm and heavy in this weather, but when you're working so hard you need to keep your strength up."

"Thank you so much for doing that."

She looked up into his eyes, and he stared into hers. The blue of her eyes was the prettiest blue he'd ever seen. She smiled then, and his heart swelled. She was not only beautiful, but she was also thoughtful, kind, and she smiled more than any woman he'd ever known. Not like the flirty women at the Sandbar. Carley was naturally happy. Her sister, Margo, was also that way. It had taken some time to get used to being around happy people again. His life had been so dark for so long, he didn't know how to behave around people who were just simply happy.

"I wanted to do it. It felt good cooking for someone again. It's been some time. Normally, at home, I don't make big meals for just me."

He sucked in a deep breath as he heard Jace and Quinn coming down the hallway again. He hated to step away, but he did need to get the trucks emptied. "Thank you. I do appreciate all you're doing for me."

She smiled again. "It was my pleasure, really."

He nodded and stepped back. He wanted to kiss her. Badly. He wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her. But there were people around, and he was likely a smelly mess. Plus, he didn't know if she wanted him to kiss her.

He turned just as Jace entered the condo carrying a box marked "Fragile". Jace grinned at the two of them standing face-to-face. He looked at Carley first, then his eyes slid to Mason's. Mason felt the tips of his ears burn, but he recovered by directing Jace to the coffee table. "If you want to set that box on the table, I'll unpack it later."

Jace chuckled and did as he was asked. After standing he asked, "What are you having to eat?"

"Lasagna."

"Nice." He left the condo without another word and Mason took the opportunity to follow him. As soon as he stepped outside, he saw the rest of his friends lugging his mattress off the truck. He hustled over and helped Quinn carry it inside. Marco and Jace started on the bed frame.

Within an hour, the trucks had been unloaded and the final load from his apartment had been brought back and unloaded. They carried the dining room table and chairs into the condo and Carley laughed. "Just in time. If you're all done, go wash your hands and get ready to eat."

They all did as they were told to do.

Mason was the first to return to the kitchen. Carley was carrying plates to the table, but he gently took them from her hands. A thrill ran up his back as their fingers brushed. "Let me do that."

He set the plates out, noticing an extra plate. He turned and Carley laughed. "Margo's on her way too."

"Okay. That's nice."

Margo entered with a flourish and without knocking. Carley chuckled and shook her head. "This is Mason's home now, Margo."

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