Page 153 of Grand Love

Once I have my trousers buttoned, I rush her, grinning wide when she lets out a shrill squeal. Lifting her over my shoulder, I descend the stairs, letting her down when we reach the bottom. Voices carry from the kitchen; I frown as I try to make them out.

I hear Scarlet, and—

“Mase, come on.” She drags me to the front door.

* * *

Nina

My feet padalong the cool paving slabs as I lead the way to the marquee. Mason is right on my heels, his hands reaching for me and roaming my torso. “It’s cold, you can have my jacket.”

“And leave you with a pair of trousers?” She giggles. “No.”

We reach the opening to the marquee, and Mason pulls out a key. I frown as he quickly unlocks the padlock and opens the door.

When did he get the key?

“I’ll find the generator. Wait here.”

He disappears, leaving me standing in the entrance of the moonlit tent. Pulling on his shirt sleeves, I cross to the room and duck down behind the bar, looking for the matches we used earlier in the evening to light the candles.

Ten minutes later, Mason comes back into the marquee, a hard expression on his face as he looks down at his phone then puts it to his ear.

“What’s wrong, who are you calling?”

“Vinny, I can’t get the generator working.”

Lifting his head to look at me, he takes in the room that’s now lit up in a white glow. His face morphs into a smile, and he pockets his phone.

“You were going to call Vinny to come fix the generator at three o’clock in the morning?”

“So?” he says defensively.

“He’s with our son.” Something about that statement makes my stomach dip. Our sweet Ellis.

“He’s a heavy sleeper, like his mother.” His handsome face starts to relax.

I shake my head as I approach him. “What?” He grins, running his hands over my waist and down to my behind, giving it a firm squeeze. “I pay Vinny well.”

“Oh yeah, of course,” I say sarcastically. “Makes it totally acceptable and okay to—”

“Nina,” he whispers.

I smile. “What?”

“Shut the fuck up.” He slides his lips over mine, taking his time to find a rhythm before he deepens the kiss. His arms band around my body; keeping me locked tightly to him. I struggle to think of any other place I’d rather be at this moment.

After what feels like hours he pulls away, lips swollen and glossy. “I don’t have any music. But if you’ll have me as I am?”

I take his outstretched hand, a grin stretching my face. “Ever the gentleman, Mr Lowell.”

He lifts a brow. “Hmm, I don’t know. Would a gentleman want to fuck every inch of you until you can no longer take any more of him?”

I do a little two-step, trying to keep my face straight. “I mean, I never wanted to be a lady anyway.” I jump up into his arms, locking my feet behind his back. He spins me, and I drop my head back, letting my body go lax for him as we both laugh freely.

“When was the last time you danced?” he asks, pulling me upright with a hand to my back.

My legs slide to the ground and we start to sway. “It was in the penthouse. You were in the shower, and I was supposed to be warming up our dinner.”

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