Page 102 of Bang

"Because," I said, "I saw how much you enjoyed her company the first time around."

"Yeah, well maybe it's notherI'm worried about." And with that, he took my hand in his. With a tender squeeze, he said, "I'm ready when you are."

I glanced down at our hands, now joined. As my fingers closed reflexively around his, I tried not to notice how right it felt to be standing here holding hands by the light of the moon.

In spite of the cold, his hand was warm and steady as it held my own. And there was something about that squeeze – as light as it was – that made me want to turnnottoward the river, but back toward the house, where we could do a lot more than hold hands.

Now that was crazy-crazy.

I mean, hadn't Ijusttold him that we were done with the physical stuff?

Yes. I had.And I was determined to stick with that plan, even if it killed me – which it just might.

So I gave a quick nod and let Mason guide me toward the river's edge, where Livia was waiting.

By the time we arrived, she wasn't smiling anymore.

As I watched, her gaze zoomed in on Mason, and then on me. With a little frown, she called out, "So, are you guys a thing, now?"

Mason replied, "Hell yeah."

I whirled to look. "What?" And then it hit me.What a total snork-weasel.He was only saying that so Livia would set her sights elsewhere. Under my breath, I hissed, "I amsogonna get you for this."

Without bothering to lower his voice, he replied, "You promise?"

Oh, I'd give him a promise, alright.

From the other side of the river, Livia called out, "That's a little unprofessional, don't you think?"

I turned and called back, "Excuse me?"

"I mean, heisyour boss, right?"

On this, she had a point. Still, her comment grated. Livia had practically begged for this job, and not because she'd been dying to look after Willow. If Mason washerboss, a little "unprofessionalism" wouldn’t have bothered her in the least.

Thank goodness Mason hadn't hired her.

For Willow's sake.

Not mine.

Much.

Still, I had to face facts. Ihadbeen unprofessional, especially in the pantry. In fact, if I looked up "unprofessional" in the dictionary, I just might find a picture of myself, being pleasured by Mason where the family's food was stored.

Sure, the thought was ridiculous, but the point was still valid.

And what about now?

I mean, here I was, at the river's edge, safe and sound. And yet, I'd made no move to retrieve my hand from Mason's.

But in my own defense, his hand felt very nice – not just big and warm, but strong and tender. The unlikely combination went a long way in explaining why he'd been such an amazing lover.

I felt myself swallow. He'd been good with his hands…and other parts, too.

Great. And now I was all distracted again.

Livia had asked me something.But what?