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“How long?” Melody asks “Because there isn’t a lot of excess liquid and I don’t want to run out of—”

“Just put it on to simmer and I’ll be in in a second” I widen my eyes at my sister in a silent plea for a moment of privacy

“Oh Okay I’ll go get the grill started then” Melody backs aith a little wave “Glad you’re here, Mason!”

“Thanks, me too,” he calls after her

I turn to glance at hi my lip “I think our escape has been thwarted”

“Probably for the best Nash will be here soon” He takesin a softer voice, “And I don’t want a quickie with you, Sunshine Not the first tiht, hours and hours to worship every inch of your beautiful body”

“Sahtly to his

It’s just the ghost of a kiss—only a few seconds long and the barest nudge of h to make me feel like someone set a swar all over, froers to the soles of my feet and everywhere in between

God, thisand hu that I wasn’t sure I was capable of feeling again until he swept back into my life

“Knock, knock,” a deep, male voice ru”

Mason pulls away and turns to greet the other man with a smile “Nash, hey man Good to see you This is Lark, hostess and the best cook in Georgia”

“Hey,” I say, laughing as I take Nash’s outstretched hand “Not sure about ‘best,’ but top hundred at least So glad you could make it”

“Thanks for inviting ently, as he sht teeth set in an undeniably handsome face

As I take the bottle of wine Nash brought as dinner tribute and lead the way into the kitchen to open it, I give Mason’s friend a subtle once over

Nash is about Mason’s height, but thicker all over, with ht, red t-shirt and jeans that were obviously purchased at soiant quadriceps and tiny waists Mason is an athletic, uy, but Nash has the body of a professional athlete Between the killer physique, tan skin, white teeth, bright green eyes, boyishly short brown hair, and sweet, lazy drawl, Nash is any red-blooded woman’s dream come true