Page 24 of Sensual Nights

"Um, I don't know that I actually had a decision to make. I didn't have a day that I knew I wanted to have a relationship with him. It just sort of happened, I guess. If you recall I didn't like him much in the beginning."

Carley laughed. "Oh, I recall."

"I don't know. It just, I guess it was meant to be. It was kind of like peeling an onion.. He kept showing me sides of himself that I didn't or hadn't seen before or didn't expect to see. And each time a layer of the onion was peeled back, I liked more and more what I saw. Does that explain anything to you?"

Carley and nodded. "Yeah, it does."

"So why are you asking?"

"I don't know." Margo stopped her with her hand up.

"I think you do know. Let me see if I can fill in some blanks." Margo twisted to see her clearly. "You like Mason. He likes you. I could tell the way you acted with each other yesterday. Also, the way you look at each other. Little smiles here and there. Am I getting warm?"

"Yes, you're getting warm. And after everybody left yesterday, we slept together."

Margo sucked in a deep breath and her brows shot up. "Get out of here! Did you really?"

Carley's face heated. It had nothing to do with the weather. And as she looked at her sister, she swallowed a big lump in her throat. "I did. We did. I wanted to. And he did too. But he kind of, I don't know." She took a breath. "We started kissing and then he pulled away and said he was damaged and wasn't worthy of me, and I didn't deserve to have to put up with him. He has nightmares. And then I, I don't know. I guess I kind of talked him into it. Or told him I didn't care. And I don't, Margo. I don'tcare. I think he's really a good human. And I think you know I haven't been with a good human like ever. So, he appeals to me in so many ways. But I hope I didn't make a mistake."

"A mistake in what, honey?" Margo asked.

Carley turned and put her left leg on the sofa with her left arm on the back, so she could see Margo full on. "I mean he hesitated, and I sort of insisted. I just thought he was being shy. And maybe I pushed him too fast. And I don't want to scare him off. And I suppose now I kind of feel like, I don't know, a little trampy. I mean, we didn't even have a date yet or anything."

"Oh, well, not everybody dates first before they have sex, sweetheart."

"You and Jace did."

"Well, again, not everybody does it the same way, and I didn't like Jace all that much at first. And I can just tell from seeing Mason every day at work that he is a good human. He's a real good human. And he's smart as a tack. And yeah, he's been through a lot and has PTSD. You already know that, because we saw him have an attack. He doesn't have many at work, but he's had a couple."

Carley considered that. "I was actually considering having Grace bring Chiefy over to see how Chiefy reacted to him. She seems to have a keen sense for someone in need. But I don't want to overstep my bounds either."

"I thought about that too. But Jace told me to mind my own business."

Carley laughed. "Yeah. That's sort of how I feel. It's like I should mind my own business. But I want to help him, Margo. I really want to help him and I want to get to know him better. However, I don't want to be push and I don't want to move too fast."

"Well, I think you'll move at the pace you're supposed to move at. If he keeps pulling away, you will sense if he's just notinto you or if he's just scared. And let's face it, anybody who’s had a rough past may be scared to move forward. The unknown can be scarier when you've had a bad time of it or are reliving your ugly past."

"Yeah, I guess. Well, anyway, we're going to see each other tonight after work. So, we'll have more time to spend with each other."

"There, you have a date. And not too far after having sex the first time." Margo laughed.

"Please don't tell anybody about that. I'm keeping you in confidence."

Margo chuckled. "Honey, I wouldn't tell anybody anything about you. Let's just see how it goes, okay?"

"Yeah, I'll see how it goes."

They finished their coffee and as much of their cinnamon rolls as they could manage. Carley left Margo's house feeling as if a burden had been lifted.

Margo rode with her to the Sandbar, since Jace was already there. Margo would either come home with him or walk home later, they lived so close.

Carley entered the Sandbar expecting to see Mason behind the bar, but she didn't see him. She had to admit she felt a little letdown.

She followed Margo to the office, and there was Jace talking to Mason. Carley's face heated, not expecting to see him there. And now, seeing him again for the first time since yesterday and knowing what she had told Margo. She wasn't quite sure how to greet him.

"Good morning." Mason grinned at her.

"Good morning."

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