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Thursday, February 24, 2011

Hustle Into Love - Chapter Nine, Part Two

Hey all,

Shall we see if Chantal can soothe Mace's temper?  Enjoy today's installment as we get to know everyone a little more.

 
Hustle Into Love

~*~

Chantal grimaced at Mace’s furious bellow. She guessed he wasn’t quite ready to stop overreacting. At least not yet. She elbowed him in the ribs. “I was in the shower and—”

“This really better have a happy ending,” Mace interrupted, glaring at Eric. If possible, he held her even more possessively.

“Mace, shut up.” She rolled her eyes. “He was told I was still performing so he came up to wait. He surprised me, that’s all.”

“Lì really needs to relook at the security here.” Eric frowned, making him look even more menacing. “I got into the room with a credit card and a prayer.”

“You bypassed the lock?” Mace’s mouth dropped open. “How? Why?” He swore under his breath and glared at the other man. “What kind of security are you? Did you try knocking?”

“I did knock.” Eric looked sheepish. “But she must have been using her hair dryer. She didn’t hear me.”

Chantal nodded. “I had just finished when I heard him come in.” She lifted a shoulder in a careless shrug. “I thought it was you, but when I called out and got no answer—”

“—I had my tunes on and didn’t hear her.” Eric picked up the story. “Next thing I know, princess here is coming at me with a hair dryer.”

Mace snorted out a laugh. “I can just picture that.”

“I held it like a gun,” Chantal said primly. She knew they were both laughing at her, but it had worked, hadn’t it?

“Well, I promise that won’t happen again.” Mace frowned intently at Eric. “You and I will have a bit of a chat and see if we can find something a little more secure. For all the rooms.”

“Can do.” Eric nodded his head. “But Chantal’s my first priority. I’ll have to check her schedule first. Where she goes, I go.”

Mace’s frown grew darker. “That won’t be necessary all the time. When she’s with me, I’ll protect her.”

“Sorry, friend.” Eric was two hundred and twenty-five pounds of stubbornness. “But I stick to her like glue. That’s the way we work.”

“Eric—”

“Well, you’ll have to figure out another way to work,” Mace said angrily. Letting go of Chantal, he turned to face Eric squarely. “There’ll be times we’ll want our privacy, and we won’t get it with you lurking about.”

“Mace—”

“She pays me to lurk. It’s what I do best. Except break heads.” Eric cracked his knuckles. “I can give you a taste if you want me to.”

“Eric,” Chantal tried again, but was interrupted by an even more irritated Mace, who was fast losing his temper.

“Come on,” Mace invited. “I’ll show you a few moves that will turn you into a pretzel.”

“ENOUGH!”

Both men jumped at Chantal’s shout. They stared down at her with identical looks of surprise. 

“Both of you knock it off!” She stomped her foot then blew an errant strand of hair out of her face. “I’m not a meaty bone to be fought over. When and if I need a bodyguard, I will say who watches over me, and you’ll both have to deal with what I decide.” She turned to Eric. “You’ll have the duty whenever Mace is working or if we aren’t together for some reason. But there is no need for you to play chaperon on our dates. Mace is perfectly capable of protecting me.”

“Very capable,” Mace agreed smugly.

“But—” she tossed the caveat right in her lover’s face as she whirled to face him, “—there are times when the crowd is too crazy and too big to chance it. You know how you have those security people shadow us whenever we are in or around the casino? Well, now Eric can do that. He’ll be a second set of eyes for you when we’re together and things aren’t quite under control.”

“I don’t need the help.” Mace’s ebony eyes were furious. “I can take care of you just fine. You know that.”

“Easy, big boy.” Tiptoeing through the minefield of a man’s ego wasn’t the easiest thing on the planet to do. “I know you can. But—” she ran her hands up Mace’s chest flirtatiously, “—if you’re so busy watching my back, how will you have time to pay any attention to me?”

The fire in his gaze died a little. “Pay attention to you?”

“Yes.” She leaned up and nipped his lower lip, enjoying his quick intake of breath. “Won’t it be nice just to be able to enjoy ourselves and not have to worry about anything? You can spend all your time looking at me instead of watching the scene around us.”

Mace looked down at her for a long moment. “You’re handling me right now, aren’t you?” 

She gave him a sunny smile. “Is it working?”

Eric gave another snort of laughter. “I guess she told us both. Princess here always knows how to get her own way.”

“Is it a deal?” Chantal looked anxiously between the two men. They were both so important to her, and she hoped they would eventually become friends. They’d have to be if they were to continue to be a part of her life. But until then it was up to her to smooth the waters. “Mace? Eric? Shake and make up.”

With a shrug, the bodyguard put out his big hand. “I’m all right with it as long as you are, honey.”

Mace’s eyes narrowed at the endearment, but he took Eric’s hand and pumped it. “I just want her safe.”

The other man nodded. “That makes two of us.”

“Good.” Chantal blew out a breath and relaxed. Really, dealing with men could be so tiring. “Now that we’re all friends we can move on to more important things. Mace, we need to find Eric a room.”

“Next door.” Eric’s tone was flat. “I want to be close. Or—” white teeth flashed against his dark face in a wicked smile, “—I can just stay here…on the couch. It looks nice and comfy.”

“I’ll make the room next door available,” Mace said instantly. “It’s very comfortable.”

“I’m sure it is.” Eric’s shoulders shook with restrained laughter as he watched Mace head for the phone. 

“Stop baiting him,” Chantal said under her breath as they both listened to Mace make arrangements for the key to be delivered. Luckily the room was unoccupied, but Chantal knew Mace would have had the guests packed and moved within minutes if he’d had to. “He’s possessive enough without you making it worse.”

“I like him.” Eric threw his arm around her shoulders and squeezed. “Not a wimp like some of them were. This Mace acts like he could hold his own, and he really seems to care. How’d ya meet?”

Surprised, she glanced up at her friend. “Didn’t I tell you? He’s Lì’s brother.”

Eric’s mouth opened and closed several times “You’re shitting me. Really? You mean that’s baby brother?”

Chantal giggled. “Shhh. I’m not supposed to call him that anymore. Obviously, he’s not my baby brother.”

“Thank God for that!”

“Yes,” came Mace’s amused voice. He finished his call and stepped to the connecting door between the two rooms. “I often do.”

“I should hope so, man.” Eric watched as Mace unlocked the door with a master key and pushed it open. “But don’t belt me if I slip. Hell, she’s got us all calling you that. We’ve been doing it for years.”

“If I’ve told her once—” walking over, Mace pulled Chantal gently away from Eric and into his arms, “—I’ve told her a dozen times. How I feel about her isn’t a bit brotherly.”

“Ummm.” Chantal looked up into Mace’s dark eyes, seeing the glint of lust burning in them. In a heartbeat the place between her legs went damp. “Eric. You must be tired. Go to bed.”

Eric blinked at the order then a grin split his wide face. “Yes ma’am. I’ll knock on your door in the morning. About eight?”

“Eight’s fine,” Mace answered for her. “Now go away, Philips. I’ve got tonight handled.”

The bodyguard snickered again.  “I’ll bet you do.” Grabbing up his duffle bag, Eric sauntered into his room, closing the door firmly behind him. But the lovers didn’t even notice. They were too busy staring at each other.

Mace brushed his hand over Chantal’s damp hair. “We still have all those people downstairs, waiting for us in the theatre. You’re supposed to make an appearance.”

She rose up on her tiptoes so her lips were only a hair’s breath from his. Her breasts brushed teasingly against his chest. “I appeared on stage. Isn’t that enough.”

“Works for me.” And without another word, Mace crushed his mouth down on hers.

~*~

Whew!  I've got a feeling next week is going to be a hot one!  Bring your fan with you and let's get toasty!


Hugs and I'll see you on Tuesday! 
CJ England











Follow Your Dreams
http://cjengland.com/secondchances/lifesadance.htm
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14 comments:

Phylis said...

Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays are my favorite days of the week right now!!!! Tuesdays and Thursdays because of this story and Sundays cause I can sleep in!!! LOL! I love this line: Tiptoeing through the minefield of a man’s ego wasn’t the easiest thing on the planet to do. I take it next Tuesday should be pretty steamy?! *eyebrows raised*

Harlie Williams said...

I absolutely love this story. But hey, I like all your stories. Keep them coming.

Carrie said...

Love it. What more needs to be said. Can't wait until tuesday.

Ashley L said...

Love it! Chantal handled both Eric and Mace expertly. I wouldn't be surprised though if Tuesday has a little something that gets in the way of their snuggle session from today's installment.

Phylis, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and the weekend are my favorite days. Tuesday and Thursday because of this story, Saturday because of the Truly Madly Deeply free read, and the weekend because I can sleep in!

CJ England said...

LOL Phylis,

I'm glad you look forward to the stories. That makes my day!

And unless Chantal's daily word comes into play (coitus interruptus), yes! It should be very steamy!

LOL

CJ England said...

Thanks Harlie,

I appreciate that. May I ask what your favorite one is?

Have a great day!

CJ England said...

Carrie,

I'm so pleased. Reading these comments is always an ego boost for me! Keep them coming, gang!!!

CJ England said...

Thanks, Ashley,

I'm so happy you've crossed over and are reading both blogs. I love what I do and knowing you enjoy my work makes me walk around with a smile.

Hugs,

Harlie Williams said...

I have read Touch Me, Tease Me---loved Clint and Gabriella. I have bought Life's a Dance and I still have Frosty...The Real Man to read. I loved Sharra/Matt in What Happens in Mexico.... and Ross and Stacy in Skyrockets in Flight. In fact that's how I found you and started buying your books. Free reads are the bomb and it makes me what to read what the author has written elsewhere.

Mannouchka said...

Woo Cj,
Again all beautiful you have done a nice work.
Like Phylis said Tuesday,Thursday and Sundays are my favorite Good work
Thanks again CJ,
Have a nice and wonderful Friday and week-end
Cheers

CJ England said...

Harlie,

That's an electic collection. Since I write in every genre, you'll never run out of my stories to try!

Thanks for letting me know.

CJ England said...

Mannouchka,

Thanks! I'm glad I give you all something to look forward to. LOL

You too have a great weekend. Jonathon has four days off in a row and we're trying to decide what to do!

LOL

SharonJM said...

'dealing with men could be so tiring" lol speak it sista.

CJ England said...

Hey SharonJM,

Thanks! LOL I laughed when I wrote that line.