Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop

Mason’s voice was sweet and caring. It was this side of him that made Skylar forget about his rude self. She always knew there was a wonderful side to him. She could just feel it when she first looked into his soulful eyes. “What will you say to them? Won’t they be looking for him?” “I’ll figure something out. But that is not the reason I came here. I came to make sure you were okay, and since you weren’t answering your text, I thought…actually, I didn’t know what to think. I knew Remus went out and when he does, he’s out pretty late. I’m actually appalled. I never thought he could…well…he did have anger issues, but that’s not an excuse for what he did. I didn’t want you to think I left you there so Remus could do what he did, even though I had no idea what he did at first. You didn’t think that, did you?” Skylar couldn’t remember if that ever crossed her mind, and since she didn’t want to make him feel bad, she shook her head. “No…I didn’t.” “Good, because you may think I’m what you would call a ‘bad boy.’ I would never hurt you physically. I’m not that bad.” Skylar gave a short smile and almost giggled, but stopped when his finger traced the cut on her lower right lip. “Remus did this to you, didn’t he?” For a brief moment he closed his eyes and inhaled a deep breath, as if he was trying to suppress the anger that seemed to have crept up on him. Delicately, he brushed it again. “I’m sorry.” The small gesture of his simple touch drove Skylar into a whirlwind of heated emotions. He was already sitting way too close, and every time she turned her head to speak, all she could do was think impure thoughts. In order to avoid something she might regret doing, she nodded to answer and pulled back, making Mason drop his hand. “You should smile more often. It makes me smile,” he said unexpectedly. Blushing like she’d never blushed before, she looked away shyly. “How did you get back home? You didn’t fly, did you?” “Nooo,” Skylar took in his teasing. “I…well…kind of…borrowed Remus’s car.” “Borrowed, huh? I think it’s more like stealing.” Unsure if Mason was joking again by his tone, she tensed up. “I—” “I think I need to call the cops. Maybe I should call Doug. What do you think, Ms. Rome?” Mason chuckled. He had called her Ms. Rome the night they met. Skylar couldn’t believe his sense of humor tonight. Laughing like a schoolgirl, she held on to the moment. After what had happened just a couple of hours ago, his presence gave her comfort and put her mind and heart at ease. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to drive his car home.” “Yes, of course. The key is on top of the dresser. Then, what about your car?” “I didn’t drive here.” “Then…how did you get here?” Mason leaned over and whispered, “It’s my little secret.” The small breeze from his warm breath in her ear sent tingly awareness all over her. Brushing away the thought of his lips on hers, she tried to focus on other things. Knowing he had super abilities, it didn’t surprise her that he ran there. Most likely, he figured out she’d taken Remus’s car to get home, so he came to retrieve it. “It’s way past your bedtime, and you have to work tomorrow. I should go.” He got up and gave her his hand. The force of his pull made her leap into his arms. Inhaling a small gasp, she immediately drowned in their tangled bodies. In his arms she felt small, but safe for the very first time. From that moment, she knew without a doubt that she could trust him. Mason finally released Skylar after gazing into her eyes longer than usual. “Umm…I should go now.” His eyes scanned her from head to toe as he guided her to her bed. “So…is this what you wear to bed?” Warmth flushed to her cheeks. She suddenly realized she wasn’t wearing a bra, and immediately got into bed and pulled the sheet above her chest. He gave a mischievous grin, twitching his brows. “Why?” She examined what she wore…short shorts and a tank top. “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing? Should I be wearing something else?” “Kind of skimpy, don’t you think?” Great! He was back to being himself again. “Kind of skimpy? It’s hot,” she stated. Suddenly, she felt like she was exposing herself. “It’s hot alright. Wear something longer next time, or else I may not be able to control myself.” Skylar flushed with warmth again. He was actually flirting with her. “Close your eyes,” he said, guiding her lower until her head was on the pillow. Then he sat on the edge of the bed. Flexing his muscles, he pressed his hands on either side of the pillow, and the intensity of the want and need in his eyes as he looked at her left her breathless. His eyes traveled to her lips, then back up to her eyes, and stayed there as he slowly moved to close the distance. Withering beneath him, Skylar’s breath was still caught in her chest. His close proximity aroused every inch of her, and undeniable desire brewed in the energy between them. The pitter-patter of her heart made her chest rise and fall quickly as, anticipating his lips on hers, she could already taste his sweetness. Her lips parted, ready for him as he lowered toward her…closer…closer. Instead, with what seemed to take a great amount of effort from him, he found a spot and nuzzled the side of her neck. “Close your eyes.” He huffed out a heavy, rough breath, as if he was trying to restrain himself from something he wanted to do. His hot breath brushed against the side of her neck, making her quiver in all the right places. Frozen in place, Skylar had to gather herself before she could speak from the let down. “Close my eyes? But, you’re still here.” Her words could barely escape her lips. Snuggling into her pillow, she tried to shake off the heated daze. Raking his hair back, he sat up, looking overcome. “Stop talking, Echo, or you’re going to the naughty corner.” His lips stretched into a smug half grin. Oh…that grin he does so well, frisky and sexy at the same time. “And if I don’t? What are you going to do, spank me? No…are you going to shock me?” He twitched his brows playfully. “You really want to know? We can do both and see how that feels.” With no comeback, she sank deeper into the mattress, hiding beneath the sheet, secretly thinking how hot but twisted that sounded. His hand reached over, covering her eyes. “Go to sleep, Echo.” His authoritative tone was final, but she was up for the challenge. “My name isn’t Echo, and you’re still here,” she yawned, feeling extremely lethargic, waiting for his response. When she didn’t feel the lightweight over her eyes, she opened them. There was no sign of him, or any evidence he had gone out the door.He took my shoulders and spun me around. Then he reached down into the pocket of his jeans. Said he was planning to do this more creatively. But no matter, he was doing it anyway. Dropped down on one knee in the dry, grimy roadway. He said if I say yes I would make him happier than a pig in a mud puddle. Said he would die trying to make me happier than that for eternity. Were pigs happy in mud? Or was that some bullshit myth? How can a person ever know? I watched two fat, sloppy tears steamroll down his cheeks. I whispered his name. Shane. Mom said it’s a real man, with a real love for a woman, that’ll cry for her. And she’s smart enough for me to believe her. With the palm of his hand, he swiped at his face. The nub shot me a wave. Say it, Ann Leigh. Say you will. He was begging, pleading. Both knees on the ground now. Yes, I’ll marry you, Shane. I will. He rose, pushed his mouth on mine. I tasted radishes. I wanted to puke. This must be what true love feels like.