Chapter 22

Mason woke early after a particularly vigorous night where they’d used the entire strip of condoms. He should be exhausted. He hadn’t enjoyed a marathon night of sex since his honeymoon years ago. Instead, he felt invigorated. Refreshed. Like the world was a new place with unlimited possibilities.

Sheesh. One night of mind-blowing sex and he turned into a sentimental sap.

He hated to leave the warm bed and Cassidy’s even warmer body, but he slid out without waking her and returned to his room. After donning workout gear, he headed to the gym. Kellan was already running on one of the treadmills. Mason hooked a towel on the one next to him and turned it on. “You’re up early.”

“It’s not every day you’re shot at and face a possible chemical attack.”

Mason nodded. “Truth. Hopefully the police will catch this guy before anything else happens.” He started the treadmill and kicked it up to a fast walk.

The door opened and Cassidy entered. Mason missed a step and almost took a header before he regained his balance, thanks to the sturdy handrails. She did that to him every time.

Though he knew she’d gotten as little sleep as him, she looked refreshed and energetic, a dazzling smile on her gorgeous face.

“Morning, Kellan.” She waved at the other man. “Morning, Mason,” she plopped down to the padded mat to stretch.

“It is a good morning.”

The smile she gifted him with knocked the air from his lungs and he stumbled again. He’d held this woman, kissed her, buried himself so deep inside her, it was hard to tell where he ended and she began.

How the hell did he get so lucky?

#

Cassidy had a hard time concentrating. Her mind kept drifting back to the hours spent in Mason’s muscular arms. She’d never felt such passion, didn’t know it was possible outside of romance novels and urban legend. He’d been insatiable, but then, so had she. His body was a work of art, so big and strong. Even the various scars that peppered his skin didn’t mar perfection. In fact, they enhanced it because he’d put his life on the line for his country and he’d lived through it. They were badges of honor of a true warrior.

“Oh, sorry, Trey.” She’d messed up the steps. Again. She was acting like the amateur today, missing steps and forgetting counts. “From the top.” She needed to get her head in the game. Trey was depending on her.

As she did on many of her breaks, Harlow came inside to watch their practice. When Cassidy spotted her, she told Trey to take five and went over to talk to her friend.

“What?” She didn’t like the knowing smile on Harlow’s lips.

“Someone looks particularly radiant today.”

Cassidy pulled at a non-existent thread on her tank top. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Really? Because Sawyer went to Mason’s room last night to ask a question and guess what? He wasn’t there.”

Refusing to look her friend in the face, she supplied casually, “Maybe he was getting a snack in the kitchen.”

“Nope.”

“A workout?”

“Un-uh.”

“A late swim?”

When there was no response this time, Cassidy finally faced Harlow and grimaced. The woman knew. Might as well admit the truth…or a part of it. “It was a rough day. I asked him to stay with me so I could sleep.”

“Hmm.”

“That was a very calculating “hmm”.

“I’ve seen the way you two look at each other. Plus, Cassidy, the universe keeps throwing you two together. There’s something cosmic, maybe even destinic going on.”

“Destinic? Is that even a word?”

Harlow lifted her shoulders with a happy smile. “I made it up to describe your relationship. You make a beautiful couple.”

A thrill shot through her veins. She wanted to be a couple. She wanted it more than anything. “I’m just an assignment to him.”

“Do you really believe that?”

She sighed. She didn’t, especially after last night. “He made it perfectly clear that he doesn’t want anything long-term.”

“I’m not one to gossip, and what I’m telling you I’ve only heard through said gossip, but you know he’s a widower.”

“He told me. His wife was murdered.”

“Yes, but the marriage was over long before. He’d already contacted a divorce lawyer. Scuttlebutt says that she cheated on him, repeatedly.”

His wife had been unfaithful? He was the most honorable, noble man she’d ever met.

As if sensing her thoughts, Harlow added, “From what I heard, she cheated on him to get his attention. She wanted him to fight for her but instead, he called it quits.”

I can’t imagine any woman cheating on him.

“I know, right?”

Cassidy jerked. She’d said that out loud? “It’s just that…I mean…oh, heck.” She huffed out an exhale. “Fine. I’ll admit that I’m intrigued…more than intrigued. I may have a crush on my bodyguard.”

Harlow tossed back her head and laughed. “Oh, sister, I’ve been there. And I hate to tell you, but it’s kinda fatal. There is no cure.”