His thick fingers gripped the bottle in his hand tight, and he sat back. “Good. The city was never for me.”

  There was a little growl to his voice when he said that and I felt it…low. It brought back one particular memory. The one with Mase up on his hands, body straining, abs tight as he thrust into me. The hot look in his eyes. You want me to fuck you harder, kitten?

  Nope. Not going there.

  I fought down a shiver and shoved more pizza in my mouth. When I swallowed, I took another sip of my beer and valiantly tried to ignore the growing tension in the room. Each passing moment it was increasing tenfold. Or maybe it was just me?

  “Gran and I moved around a lot. We had a couple of short stints in different cities, but I much prefer the country.” I looked up, and his gaze was on my lips. I automatically licked them.

  His nostrils flared and that blue gaze intensified.

  No, I definitely wasn’t the only one feeling the tension. It was as thick as goddamn molasses.

  “So, you moved around a lot?” he said into the silence.

  “Yeah, my gran didn’t believe in laying down roots. She didn’t do long term, not with friends or romantic relationships, because let’s be honest, most people don’t deserve that level of trust. She’d been a performer, a singer and dancer, when she was young, and I guess she never stopped touring, even when the performances ended. Basically, she thought commitment of any kind was an anchor, and to her, life was always about living free.”

  “But she raised you? That’s a pretty big fucking commitment.”

  I took another sip of my drink, trying to avoid that penetrating stare. “My brother and I were the exception.”

  “You have a brother. Older?”

  “Yep.”

  “Does he have the same philosophy on life?”

  His voice was a low rumble, and it sent tingles through the pit of my stomach. “My brother’s philosophy on life is me, myself, and I. He left us as soon as he was old enough. I barely see him now.” He’d taken after our mother all right; one broken promise after another, and when I needed him most, he was never there.

  “And what about you? Is that what you want, to live free, to travel? No commitments?”

  “I mean, Gran gave me the trailer when she went into a nursing home, it’s what she wanted for me. To carry on living the way she did. The way we had when I was with her.” Though, in truth, deep in my heart of hearts, I wasn’t sure what I wanted anymore.

  Silence.

  I glanced over at Mase. He was watching me closely, too damn closely.

  “But is that what you want?”

  This whole conversation had gotten too heavy, way too quickly. And I didn’t miss the disapproval in his eyes over the way my grandmother had lived her life. Gran would have called him small-minded, and I couldn’t stop myself from defending her. “Why not? I’m young; why put down roots and limit life’s possibilities, right? Why cave to society’s expectations? Seeing others living a life different from what many people perceive as the ‘norm’ is hard for some to accept. But not everyone wants the white picket fence.” How many times had Gran said those exact words?

  “Right,” Mase muttered.

  I’d gone off on a tangent. No chance of him asking me back for pizza after this. I forced a grin to try and lighten things. Because even as I said those words, I wasn’t sure I believed them anymore. I’d been wanting Gran’s version of happy less and less lately. Moving all the time had sucked. New schools, new friends. I’d been lonely more often than not. Which was why I’d been saving for some land of my own.

  A home base that would always be here for me to come back to, if I needed it. A safety net, I guess.

  Gran hadn’t believed in those either.

  Which was why, saying…doing anything other than what she’d wanted for me felt like I was betraying her, the only person who’d truly cared. Again. I thought of her letter and guilt crept in.

  I glanced up at Mase. “My gran had another life moto; it was something that Katharine Hepburn once said.” I grinned wider. “If you obey all the rules, you’ll miss all the fun.”

  Mase said nothing, just watched me, his jaw like granite, his sensual lips pressed thin. Yep, he most definitely disapproved.

  “You don’t agree?” I asked, pushing. I’d spent months arguing, butting heads with him. I’d rather that than his censure.

  He shrugged. “Doesn’t matter if I agree or not.”

  For some reason that stung. It didn’t matter that I hadn’t actually decided what I wanted. I kind of hated that he didn’t approve of me. And it made me angry that I cared. “I’m not some idiot with her head up her butt, Mason. You have no idea what my life’s been like. Don’t sit there and pass judgement on me.”

  He put his bottle on the floor and leaned forward. “Those claws are out again, kitten.” I opened my mouth to tell him not to call me that, but he talked right over me. “But you can put them away because I’m not judging you. I’m sure as fuck in no position to judge anyone.”

  Shit. I’d done it again, got defensive and snapped, assumed the worst of him. But who could blame me? It was confusing—this was Mase, the guy who had been demanding and rude and pigheaded for months while I decorated his house. But he was also my Adonis, the sexy, sweet guy who had been a safe harbor when I’d needed one. Who’d held me down when I thought I’d fall to pieces and drift away.

  I twisted my fingers in my lap, unable to look at him, not when there was suddenly a riot of emotion swirling inside me. “I’m sorry I snapped. It’s just…I guess I learned from a young age to keep my guard up, to not trust easily, that most people will fuck you over if you give them half the chance.”

  He made a rough sound, and I looked up.

  “Fucking hell, Trixie.”

  I blinked up at him.

  “That shit’s dark, babe.”

  The strained look on his face was too much, so I stood. Jimmy woke and jumped up with me. “It’s late. I ah…better go. Thanks for the pizza.”

  “Hang on a minute.”

  He stood and moved in before I could take a step toward the door, his hand coming down on my shoulder. He was close, so close I could smell him, soap and beer and…Mase. He gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze, and it sent a jolt of heat through me so hard and fast, I had to stop myself from jamming my legs together. “I need to go.”

  He dipped his head, his eyes searching mine.

  Was he going to kiss me?

  My lips parted all on their own.

  “Losing your gran, it cut you up, I can see that. If you ever want to talk?”

  I winced, of course he wasn’t going to kiss me, he pitied me. He didn’t see the sexy mystery woman he’d met in the bar anymore. He saw his sister’s sad, pitiful, grieving friend.

  I kept the smile on my face. “Thanks, but I’m all good here.”

  He did that probing gaze thing, like he was trying to see past my bullshit to the truth. Then confirmed it. “You sure?”

  “Yup.” I patted him on the shoulder in return, and he kind of jerked, then frowned. Ignoring his reaction, which also stung, I soldiered on. “Thanks for the sustenance, Sheriff. You’re a life saver.” Then I winked at him—yes winked—and pulled away.

  “Trixie…”

  Ignoring him, I threw him a wave over my shoulder and skedaddled back to my trailer before he could say anything more.

  Chapter Six

  Trixie

  Jimmy loped after me, chasing me into the lake, and I ran into the water laughing. Lila and her ten-year-old niece, Maddie, followed, while Eves, Addy, and Quinn sat on the beach watching.

  Quinn was bouncing Cassy’s one-year-old baby girl, Alice, on her knee, while Cassy walked along the sand with her three-year-old son, Jack. And all of them cracked up when my goofy dog all but jumped on me, dunking me under the water.

  I surfaced spluttering, and Maddie splashed me in the face while I dragged in a desperate breath.

  Wiping the water from my eyes, I pointed at her. “I hope you can swim fast, shorty.” I splashed her back. “I’m coming for you.”

  The kid laughed, and then both Maddie and Lila joined forces, splashing the hell out of me, while Jimmy bounded around barking like a lunatic.

  “I surrender, I’m no match for you and your evil mini-me,” I said to Ly and ran out of the water, then plopped down between Quinn and Eves. I grinned. “You look like you swallowed a beach ball, Quinnie.”

  Addy chuckled and Quinn flipped me off.

  “I feel like I’ve swallowed a freaking beach ball,” Quinn said. “Going by the size of me, this kid takes after his father, and I still have another two months to go. One day very soon I’m going to sit down and won’t be able to get back up.”

  “You look gorgeous.” I nudged her with my elbow. “And you’re too stubborn not to get back up.”

  Quinn bounced Alice again on her knee and kissed her chubby cheek, making Cassy and Cal’s sweet baby girl laugh. “Last night, I couldn’t get out of the tub. Bull had to lift me out while I flailed like a beached whale.”

  Eves chuckled and took Alice when she reached out. “I’m sure he doesn’t mind.”

  Quinn rolled her eyes, but they were sparkling with pleasure. “The man loves it. He’s in full-blown caretaker mode. He’d carry me everywhere if I let him.”

  Bull was huge and more than capable of carrying his little wife around. “He’s going to be an awesome dad.”

  There was no hiding Quinn’s smile. “Yeah, he is.” She tuned to me. “Anyway, enough about me. Has my brother apologized for being an asshat yet?”

  Suddenly, I had trouble looking her in the eye. Mase was the last person I wanted to talk about. “Yep, we talked…we’re all good. Nothing for you to worry about.”

  “I’m glad. If he hadn’t, I would’ve been forced to kick his ass, and I’m not as quick as I used to be.” She glanced at me. “I hate that you met him at his worst. It’s no excuse. He knows he hasn’t been handling this whole divorce thing with Janie in a healthy way, and I know he feels crappy about it.”

  I shouldn’t ask, but I couldn’t stop myself. “He’s been separated from his wife for a year?”

  Quinn took a sip of her lemonade and nodded. “And he was seriously cut up when she left him, tried to drown his sorrows for a while. He had me and Bull seriously worried. But then he seemed to be handling things…until he got the divorce papers. He stumbled. He and Janie weren’t perfect, but he’d never even considered divorce.”

  Don’t ask! “So uh…why did they break up?”

  “Janie thought Mase was always working, she said she felt neglected. She told him she’d fallen out of love with him, and it…blindsided him. Mase knew things weren’t perfect, but he loved her. She was the one for him. He’d given up everything to be with her, moved to the city, worked his ass off to give her the life she wanted. He hoped they’d have their own kids one day, you know?”

  I nodded, my heart squeezing tight thinking about how hard that must have been for him. He’d been brave enough to reach for it, for everything, and he’d lost it. He didn’t just lose the woman he loved but all his hopes and dreams for their future along with it.

  I knew how that felt, and it was something I would never be repeating.

  And how the hell did you fall out of love with a man like Mase Parker?

  Quinn’s jaw went tight. “She has a new man now.”

  “That must have hurt him.” And ah…this new guy must be something. Obviously, I didn’t know Mase, not really. But I knew he was hot and growly and protective…and amazing in bed. Finding someone to top that? Well, I didn’t think it would be so easy.

  Quinn’s throat worked. “Yeah, and now I’m worried my brother’s closed himself off completely, that he won’t even try to put himself back out there again.”

  Oh, he’d put himself back out there all right. He sure as hell wasn’t celibate, not anymore, anyway. I wasn’t sure what to say. Quinn had been worried about her big brother, and I had no idea what she’d think if she found out I’d slept with him, even if I hadn’t known who he was at the time.

  Which was why she could never find out.

  Eves squeezed Quinn’s hand. “He’s home now, and we’ll drag him out of his shell, whether he likes it or not.”

  Cassy sat down by Quinn and pulled a squirming Jack onto her lap. “Maybe the guys can organize some male-bonding time, a fishing trip or something?”

  “Yeah, that’s a great idea, but I think we need to welcome him home properly,” Addy said. “I say we have a ‘welcome home’ party at Quinn’s place.”

  Quinn grinned. “Both excellent ideas. And a party in his honor means no excuses, he has to come. Maybe we can get Mase to cut loose a little. Plus, I’m always up for a night of fun with my girls.” Her eyes got a devious glint. “What do you all think of Deb?”

  Deb Miller worked for Bull and Quinn at the bar.

  “She’s great,” Cassy said.

  Quinn grinned wider. “I think I’ll invite her as well.”

  “Uh-oh…someone’s playing matchmaker,” Addy said.

  Everything inside me seized. Nope. No, I didn’t like that idea at all.

  Eves shaded her eyes, looking down the small beach. “Speaking of the man himself.”

  We all followed her gaze—

  My mouth went completely and utterly dry. Mase was striding toward us. He was in uniform, and somehow he made those tan pants and shirt look sexy as hell. The pants clung to his muscled thighs, and the short sleeves of his shirt strained around his tattooed biceps.

  He reached us and a barely there grin curved his lips when a chorus of hellos hit him from all directions.

  His chin dipped, and he looked down at his sister, well I assumed that’s where he was looking. He was wearing shades, so I couldn’t see his eyes.

  “Brat,” he said to Quinn. Another lip twitch. “Everyone.” His head moved my way, just a fraction, but there was no missing his jaw clench or the way his Adam’s apple slid up and down his throat. “Trixie.”

  “Landlord,” I said, imitating him, trying to pretend my heart hadn’t immediately sped up to the point I thought it was trying to burst out of my chest.

  His lips did another upward tilt. “That what you’re calling me now?”

  I narrowed my eyes at him.

  “Oh, this sounds good,” Eves said. “What does she usually call you?”

  Adonis.

  God…I’d called him that one a few times. As in “Oh god, harder.” And, “Oh god, yes, hold me down and fuck me.” And during one particularly excellent orgasm, “You are a god.”

  And going by the way his lips had thinned and he sucked in a rough breath, my thoughts were being broadcast loud and clear on my face. One of the things I hated about myself, my poker face sucked.

  I snorted and lied through my teeth. “Let’s just say landlord is an improvement.”

  No, I couldn’t see his eyes through his shades, but they were on me, burning a hole right into me.

  “I don’t know about that,” he said, un-fucking-helpfully.

  What in the hell was he doing?

  Addy turned to me, Eves and Cassy as well, curiosity all over their faces. Thankfully Quinn was occupied opening the brown paper bag Mase had handed her.

  “I love my husband,” she said, bringing everyone’s attention back to her and saving my bacon. She pulled out a sandwich and bit into it like a starving tigress.

  “What the hell is that?” Addy asked, as the owner of the Lake’s End Cafe and a goddess in the kitchen, food was her jam, and whatever Quinn was eating right then looked downright evil.

  “Peanut butter, jelly, and tuna,” Quinn said and took another bite.

  Addy recoiled, and Eves made a gagging sound.

  Cassy chuckled. “Mine was pickles…on everything, with everything.”

  Quinn swallowed her mouthful. “I can’t get enough tuna. It’s so weird, but I’m going with it.” She glanced at Mase. “I take it the bar was busy?”

  Silence.

  “Mase?” Quinn said again.

  He jolted and his head tilted back toward his sister, and away from me. My face flushed hot.

  “Bull? Was he busy at the bar?” Quinn said again. “He asked you to bring this, yes?”

  “Yeah, the place was packed. Ramblers were passing through town and stopped in.”

  Quinn made like she was about to move. “I should go help—”

  “Bull said to tell you that if you show up at the bar, he’s locking you in his office. You’re on maternity leave, brat. You need to take it easy.”

  Quinn scowled. “Does he have enough staff? Maybe I could just…”

  “He has it covered.”

  Quinn did not look happy, but then took another bite of her disgusting sandwich and moaned in ecstasy.

  “We were just planning your ‘welcome home’ party,” Cassy said.

  Mase frowned. “I don’t need—”

  “You’re having one,” Quinn said. “This weekend, my place, no arguments. You wouldn’t argue with a heavily pregnant woman, would you? A woman who is feeling emotional, and planning a party for her big brother, who is finally home, is all she has to occupy her time. You wouldn’t do that to me, would you, Mase?”

  He muttered a curse.

  “Mase?” she said again, and there was no missing the warning in her voice.

  Mase grinned suddenly, all white teeth, and it was blindingly gorgeous. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

  “I didn’t think so,” Quinn said and shoved the last bit of her sandwich into her mouth.

  “You need anything else before I head back to work?”

  Jimmy exploded from the lake suddenly, barking excitedly. He’d just spotted Mase and was running full speed toward him.

  “Jimmy!” I called, scrambling up. “Stop. No.”

  My dog ignored me and picked up speed.

  Mase turned to my dog. “Jimmy, sit,” he said, voice low and commanding…dominant.

  My dog stopped in his tracks, his butt hitting the sand a moment later, his tail wagging hard enough to start a sandstorm.

  “Good boy,” Mase said, and rewarded him with a firm pat.

 

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