Page 60 of Sensual Nights

She laughed, "It doesn't matter. I love the way you serve it."

He chuckled. "So back to your very first question this morning. Am I getting anxious to go home?"

She sat up straighter and waited for him to respond. He grinned. "I'd like to move again."

"Move?"

"Here. I'd like to move here and live with you."

A huge smile appeared on her face. She could feel her skin stretch. "Well, I was going to get a dog."

"I can sit on your lap."

She laughed. "I'd love for you to move here, but I get to sell your condo…again."

He nodded. "Actually, you can do that, but I already have a buyer."

"You do?" She took his hands in hers, "who?"

"Mitch. He's decided he'd like to move here and set up a security business in Blossom Springs."

"Oh wow. That's fantastic."

He laughed. He half stood and picked her up as if she weighed nothing, then set her on his lap. "It is fantastic. He's a great guy and we could use more like him here."

She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his temple. "My life feels complete right now."

He twisted and scooted them back so he could recline with her on his lap. She nestled between his legs and rested her back against his chest. His arms wrapped around her into the best cocoon ever. She closed her eyes and sighed deeply. "I'd still like a puppy though."

36

Mason closed his eyes and enjoyed this quiet moment with Carley. He'd told her he loved her. What he hadn't told her was that she was the only woman he'd ever said that to. What did it say about him that he was forty-three and had never fallen in love? He'd always wondered if he was capable. Then when his PTSD had gotten bad, he figured it was best he hadn’t.

Then Carley came along, and there wasn't any way to not be attracted to her.

His phone rang and he grunted. She slowly sat up and he reached into the pocket of his shorts and retrieved his phone.

Glancing at the readout on his screen his stomach twisted slightly. He tapped the answer call icon. "Hey, Jace."

"Hi, Mason. I thought I'd let you know that Blossom Springs PD just called. They picked up the man who wanted the medallion."

Mason lay back against the chaise once more. Carley slowly turned and watched his face.

"Hang on. I'll put you on speaker so Carley can hear you."

He tapped the speaker icon and stared into Carley's eyes. "Go ahead, Jace. Carley's here."

"Morning, Carley. I just told Mason the police caught the man who wanted the medallion."

"Oh, my God," Carley whispered. "I'd completely forgotten about him."

Mason's leg itched where Isak Voss' bullet had finally stopped its journey. He scratched lightly as Jace spoke.

Jace chuckled. "There's been a lot going on."

Carley’s eyes dropped to his hand rubbing his thigh and she grinned. She asked, "So what's the story with the medallion?"

Jace chuckled. "It appears the medallion is his. He's sort of homeless and wandering. He was watching workers at the Barracks and would sneak in before they finished at night. He'd slept in Mason's closet the night before you found the medallion. He woke and left the building when he heard workers coming in to work on the other units. The medallion was something his father held dear to him, and he carried it. It's about the only possession he has to his name."

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