Page 53 of Hidden Resolution

“Blue. Do you even like the color?” She never wore it, and there were only spotted traces in her home decor.

“Depends on the shade,” she replied, ending on a moan as his hands flirted with second base.

“What’s your favorite color, love?” God, her skin. He spared a fleeting worry for any nearby cameras, but concluded he didn’t give a damn. They were fully clothed, single adults.

“I find I’m partial to ice blue.”

“What a coincidence,” Mason murmured against her lips. “I’ve been told my peepers match that description.”

Pretending to check, she pulled back and widened her eyes in mock surprise. “Why, so they are!”

He dipped his head to steal a kiss. The spark hadn’t fully ignited when the loud, awkward clearing of a throat nearby doused the flame. With a heavy sigh, he eased away, stuffing his hands into his jeans to shield the erection forming with zero regard for timing or location.

“Mason? I thought that was you!”

The woman was too cheerful and overfamiliar.

He shifted to find a perky blonde beaming at him.

“Frank was next on rotation, but when I saw it was you, I traded leads,” she said.

He nodded politely and reached for Shonda’s hand, preventing her from edging away.

His radar sensed the incoming storm, but they’d weather it together.

“Good to see you again, uh…” His mind blanked. Not ideal with two expectant females staring at him.

Christ. He was fairly certain they’d hooked up at least once.

Carly? Mandy? Brandy?

“Uh, Brandy,” he said, not confident at all.

“Candy,” the saleswoman bit out through clenched teeth.

“Right. My bad.”

She gasped. He winced.

Fucking A. Why did these things keep happening? He needed to be faster on his feet. Shonda’s muffled snort tried to drag a laugh out of him. He didn’t dare meet her eyes, or he’d lose what little control he possessed.

Shonda took pity on his awkwardness.

“Candy, I’m interested in the blue Maxima.” She stepped forward, effectively inserting herself between them andmotioning toward the car behind her. “And while seeing Mason is always an experience?—”

“Hey,” he cut in.

“—I’d like to make my purchase as fast and painless as possible. Can you help me, or should we see if Frank is available?”

He had to give her credit. She was poised and direct, one hundred percent in charge when she chose to be. Another check mark on a list of skills he probably shouldn’t find sexy but did.

“Can you give us a second, Candy?” When she didn’t budge, he sighed and tugged Shonda a few feet away. “Are you sold on the blue?”

“What do you have against blue?” Her brow furrowed.

“It’s bland. I think the red or black would suit you better.”

“Oh, howcute. Next, you’ll be picking out china patterns together.” Candy’s syrupy tone didn’t quite mask her bite.