Read Online Make Me Believe: Unbelievable, Book 3 by Crystal Jordan - Free Book Online

softened the sharp angles of his face. He only used that look on her, and she refused to let herself consider what that might mean. He was not going to win this campaign of his. She knew better than to go down that road again. If she had to remind herself—and him—of that on a regular basis, then that was how it was going to be. She should just cut her losses and run, but she hadn’t been able to do it. Yet. She was enjoying this thing with him too much to walk away. She would, she had to, but not now. It was a stupid, dangerous game she was playing with her own heart, but she couldn’t make herself stop yet.
    He stepped up behind her, closing his hands over her shoulders and kneading out any tension from being on her feet all day. She moaned, her head dropping forward. He kissed the nape of her neck. “Hey, you’re closed Sundays and Mondays, and that’s where my days off fall this week, so let’s do something. Go to the coast and spend the day on the beach.”
    “Nope.” She pulled away from him, though she didn’t want to. It sounded like a great time, but with a man like Mason, if she gave an inch, he’d take a mile. Or ten.
    Picking her purse up from the counter in front of her chair, she caught him watching her in the mirror. He narrowed his gaze at her, assessing, looking for chinks in her armor. “Fine, no beach. I’m taking you next door for dinner right now.”
    “But…”
    He folded his arms, arching one dark brow. “Tell me you have plans. Don’t stop and think about it, be honest.”
    “I have plans,” she retorted defiantly.
    Suspicion filled his expression. “What are they?”
    “I’m going to eat at Aubrey’s.” She’d invited herself over in order to avoid just this situation with Mason. He’d done this to her before…if she didn’t have a ready excuse to avoid him, he managed to get his way.
    Irritation, frustration and calculation flipped rapidly across his face. Then he grinned. “Okay, I’ll go with you. I’m sure Price wouldn’t mind some family time.”
    “Shit.” The urge to stomp her foot and launch a hairdryer at his head was almost irresistible. There was no getting around him. If her hormones didn’t do her in, he did. There were only so many fronts she could fight on.
    Another growl erupted from her, and she spun for the door. “Jerry, can you lock up for the night?”
    “Sure thing, sugar lips,” he sang out from the back of the salon, a note of glee in his voice. Of course he was happy. Mason had won round seventy-five of this game between them. At this point, all of her stylists were rooting against her.
    They had a great time at dinner, of course. Aubrey showed off her skills as a chef, and the food was amazing. Seeing Mason with his brother was endearing. They told hilarious stories of their upbringing in Los Angeles, and it was another facet of his personality falling into place. Celia shouldn’t like it, but she did. She couldn’t have asked for a better evening, until Mason insisted on walking her home since it was after dark. Her protests were shut down by Price—there was no arguing safety with the chief of police.
    Once Mason had her to himself, there was no doubt for either of them how the night would end.
    Hours later, they sat propped against her headboard, naked after yet another round of mattress gymnastics. She’d broken out her favorite wine, and he’d run next door to get some dessert. Crumbs were the only reminder of his chocolate silk pie. A moan of utter delight poured from her as she finished the last bite of her blackberry cheesecake.
    “The waitress said that was your favorite, but I had no idea how much you liked it.” He stared at her mouth while she swallowed the creamy sweetness.
    “I’ve told you before, they know me there.”
    He took their plates and forks to set them on the side table. “I thought I’d just gotten lucky with the first server, but they all seem to know you.”
    She patted his shoulder. “Welcome to