Hustle Into Love - Chapter Seven, Part Two

Hey all,

Well... we know what's going on in Chantal's mind.  I wonder how Mace is seeing things.  Let's find out.  Enjoy!!!

Hustle Into Love

~*~

For Mace the last three weeks were an exercise in frustration.  He wanted Chantal with an urgency that only grew each day they were together.  He’d lusted after women in the past, but this was unlike anything he’d ever experienced before.  He’d taken so many cold showers, he was beginning to think he was keeping The Golden Tiger environmentally correct all by himself.

Yet as much as he wanted to make love to Chantal, he found himself longing to just talk to her.  She had a quirky and imaginative mind that went along with a soft and tender heart.  She cried at schmaltzy movies and tiptoed around her dancer’s feelings much more than he’d expected.  She was stubbornly intent on improving herself, which was where the words-of-the-day came into play.  He found himself caught up in the game himself and often challenged her with words he thought she might not know.

A stray comment from her made him reach for the telephone, and after a quick chat with his brother, it was then he found out she had been telling the truth about not being compensated for her time working for Lì.  Room and board was all she would allow him to give her.  It made Mace want to kick his own ass when he thought of the nasty things he’d accused her of.

She wasn’t the spoiled diva he’s thought she was.  She always seemed to be so appreciative of anything he did for her.  Whether it was a fancy dinner at one of the expensive restaurants in town or a skewer of chicken and veggies at a street stall, her thank you was genuine.  Unlike most of his other lovers, she didn’t expect anything from him, and it made him want to shower her with attention and gifts.

One of the hardest workers he’d ever seen, he’d shaken his head at the work goals and rehearsal schedule she’d sent him.  But it was easy to see she knew what she was doing.  The music had been totally revamped, with several entertainers, including a magician, a soloist and a band also added.  The improvement in the entertainment was already noticeable, and though he might flinch when he wrote a check for something she felt was necessary, he had to admit it was worth it.  More people were coming into the casino.  Some for a chance to get a look at the famous Chantal, but even after she was done, they stayed and gambled and enjoyed the rest of the entertainment.  For the first time he began to see why Lì had pulled her out of that little club in Vegas.

Chantal really was a star.

But it wasn’t the star he wanted.  Not really.  Although her dancing still made him want her desperately, he found he was just as, if not more, attracted to the woman inside the dancing shoes.  He found himself counting the minutes until he could be with her again, and he champed at the bit if one of her rehearsals cut into the time he’d set aside for them to be together.  He began to wonder if once he’d gotten her into his bed, he’d ever let her out again.

Since they seemed to fit together so well on the dance floor, Mace was sure that when he finally did make love to Chantal, it would be a mind-blowing experience.  The few kisses and passionate embraces they’d allowed themselves always ended the same way.  With one of them finally pushing the other away as they took deep breaths to control themselves.  Never before had he felt so passionate about a woman.

Each kiss was incendiary.

He groaned as his cock twitched in memory.  She was making him crazy without even trying.  But he couldn’t press the issue with her.   He was beginning to realize she was too important to treat so cavalierly.  In fact, she’d become the most important person in his life without even trying.

Could it be he was falling in love with her?

He remembered a conversation he’d had with his grandmum the night he’d ended a relationship with a long-time girlfriend.  He’d been twenty-five and his girlfriend a few years younger.  His girlfriend had been devastated, but Mace had known she wasn’t the one for him.  Yet the knowledge hadn’t made him feel less guilty, and when his grandmum had discovered him in the sculptured garden where he sat brooding, she taken his hand and joined him in silence.

After several minutes had passed, he’d broken down and asked her how she’d known his grandfather was the love of her life.  To his surprise, his usually starchy grandmother hadn’t told him his question was frivolous.  Instead, her answer was one Mace had never forgotten.

“Darling, Mace, true love is something special.  It cannot be forced.  You’ll either love the girl or you won’t.  And you’ll know it here—” she’d tapped his chest above his heart, “—where it counts.  You’ll want to love her, protect her and spend every waking moment with her.  You won’t be able to imagine a day without her in it, and you’ll find yourself planning a future so you can be together.  Love is a gift, Mace.  Open it carefully and treasure it always.  And if she’s the right one for you, she’ll do the same.”

And now, as he stood waiting for Chantal to come out onstage with her newly trained dancers, he realized for the first time in his life he was doing all his grandmum had predicted.  Which meant he wasn’t falling in love with Chantal.

He’d already hit.  Face first and hard.

Those life-altering thoughts were interrupted by the now familiar sound of the band as they announced Chantal’s newest dance.  The crowd cheered, and Mace was pushed forward to the front of the stage as people fought to get closer.  He forced his way to the stage-left side just as the curtain swept open and the lights picked up the figures of four men dressed in tight black pants and equally tight long sleeved black T-shirts.  Each superbly muscled man had his hair slicked back, was wearing dark sunglasses and had a guitar in his hands.  A dark maroon and black swirling background seemed to come alive as the lights played over it.  The music to Shania Twain’s, Man, I Feel Like A Woman, came over the speakers and suddenly, a large puff of smoke lit the stage, and out of it stepped Chantal.

Mace’s throat went dry.  He was constantly surprised at how he much he wanted her each time he saw her.  Grandmum was right.  Whether she was dancing or not, Chantal was who he dreamed of, thought of a future with and wanted more than he needed to breathe.  She was the right one.  He was desperately, head over heels in bloody love with her.  And he could only hope that someday she’d feel the same way.

But for now all he could do is watch as she showed everyone just how talented she really was.  Dressed in a man’s crisp white shirt, black leather mini-skirt, ebony thigh high boots and black fedora, she was sexy dynamite wrapped up in an golden package.

Her hair was coiled up under her hat and as she began to dance, tendrils of it licked silkily at her shoulders.  Her makeup was heavier than usual, her exotic eyes highlighted in black and her perfect lips painted a dark burnished peach.

For a moment Mace forgot to breathe as she glided across the stage dancing to the lyrics of the popular song.  The men swayed in place behind her, their dark good looks a perfect background for Chantal’s golden beauty.

She strutted up to the front of the stage, and when the singer announced how it was her prerogative to have a little fun, Chantal did a sexy little shimmy, then bent over and tickled an elderly man under the chin.

The crowd went nuts, screaming her name so you could barely hear the music.  Twirling around, she danced to center stage and did several complicated steps, so quickly and easily Mace could only shake his head in wonder.  Then, as the lyrics went on about men’s shirts and short skirts, she made such a sexy statement with her dance moves, he worried he might have a riot on his hands.

Then Shania shouted, “Come on, girls,” and Chantal beckoned offstage.  Four of the female dancers, all dressed in outfits matching hers, yet black, strutted on, each stopping in front of one of the male dancers, who tossed their guitars to the ground behind them and took the women in their arms.

As the song went on, Chantal proved you could take a bunch of dancers that previously looked like they were swatting bees and instead remake them into a beautifully choreographed act.  They were crisp and sharp, their dance steps exactly alike.  The men, to Mace’s surprise, were just as good, and a perfect complement to the fluid moves of the ladies they partnered.

And, right in the middle of them danced the Amber Princess, her flashing golden eyes and sexy smile a beacon to every male watching.  She was beautiful.  She was sensual.  She was stimulating.  And, as she strutted one more time to the front of the stage and blew the audience a kiss, Mace thought smugly,

She was all his.

~*~

Well, I always knew Mace had a but of caveman in him.  *grin*  But he loves the girl and that's what counts.  Wonder how long it will take for them to tell each other that salient fact!

I start my vacation next week.  My boys are coming to visit for a few weeks, so I'll be spending my time with them.  But the FREE READs will continue.  I've written plenty in advance just for this reason.

While I may not comment as soon as I would normally, I promise I will eventually check in.  I love you all too much to stay away completely.  LOL

Be back on Tuesday and we'll see what happens next!

Hugs to all,

CJ England

 Follow Your Dreams

http://cjengland.com/secondchances/lifesadance.htm
http://cjengland.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CJsaysFollowYourDreams/

Hustle Into Love - Chapter Seven, Part One

Hey all,

Whew.  It sounds like trouble ahead for both Mace and Chantal.   I loved the way Mace stood up for her, yet gave Chantal all the  credit for being in charge.  But I wonder what it will cost them in the  end.  Oh well, maybe things will smooth out for a while.  Enjoy!!!

Hustle Into Love

~*~

Chapter Seven

But Chantal wasn’t nearly as worried as Mace was.  She was used to that kind of brouhaha, even though she’d never had a dancer bring in her mommy or daddy to pressure Chantal into changing her mind.  But that just showed how immature and unprofessional Chóngdé really was.

Even a phone call from Lì hadn’t concerned her.  She’d been pissed that Mace had called and bothered her honorary brother, but after a twenty minute conversation she’d calmed Lì enough to keep him from ending his vacation early and heading back to Macau to deal with the situation himself.

She’d torn into Mace that evening, furious with him for making too much of it.  But he’d ripped into her right back, telling her she wasn’t untouchable, and a man like Hui Sun could be trouble.  He ranted and raved about how he was responsible for keeping Chantal safe and secure.  And his furiously possessive kiss at the end of the tirade made her swallow any more arguments.  In fact, so angry and worried was he, Chantal had actually shut up without another word.  Nor did she complain when he doubled the security detail that kept her company as she wandered in and out of the casino.

While she still didn’t think there was anything to worry about, if it made Mace sleep easier knowing she was protected, she was smart enough not to fight about it.  And she did send a quick note to her personal bodyguard, Eric, to let him know she was in need of his services after all.  If she had to be surrounded by hulking men, she’d rather it be someone she knew and trusted.

After that, she put it from her mind as best as possible and set to work with a vengeance.  She didn’t mind performing, but she wanted the regular crew up and going as soon as possible.  The day after the altercation with Chóngdé, she wound up firing the other reluctant dancers, and by the end of the first week, her choreographer had up and quit as well.  Not that she missed him.  Chin Zhao had been more trouble than help.

So she concentrated on the remaining four dancers, while putting out a casting call for others who may be interested.  But to her surprise, she had only two worthy candidates who showed up for the tryouts.  When she asked her other dancers why, little Dié bravely whispered that everyone in the dance community had been warned not to go near The Golden Tiger.  To do so, she said, was to court the attention of people you didn’t want too close to your family.

  It was then she realized the Sun family’s reach was as long as both Mace and Lì had warned.  

It irritated, and she wished Chóngdé was in front of her so she could wring the obnoxious woman’s neck, but Chantal wasn’t one to give up easily.  Instead, she went out and searched for dancers herself.  It took more time than she’d liked, but she finally found a second pair of women who were more than ready to join the troupe.  Not only that, as she was chatting up one of the valets at the MGM casino, she found that he was a part of a small dance act that did gigs in Hong Kong several times a month.  She invited him and his friends to dance for her, and one look at the four-man team showed her she’d discovered hidden gold.  They were talented, extremely limber and very good-looking.

She hired them all on the spot.

With her troupe complete, she now set to teaching.  And having people who wanted to learn made all the difference.  By the end of the second full week, she was ready to put her first four dancers on the stage and as she’d gigglingly told Mace, there wasn’t a plucked chicken in sight.

Mace.

Chantal had to sigh whenever she thought of him.  Since that explosive kiss and the dance that had followed afterwards, things had changed between them.  They still argued—both of them were too stubborn to give in easily during a disagreement, but the making up part was getting to be a lot of fun.  They hadn’t done the ultimate deed yet, but every time Mace kissed her it was as if he were making love to her with his lips.  And that was something she’d never experienced before.

And he was attentive.  Wonderfully so.  She still didn’t know quite what to make of him when he’d show up after rehearsal with a silly grin and a bouquet of flowers just for her.  He’d kiss her hello, uncaring of the whispering dancers or her sweaty face and body.  He’d pull her into his arms and whisper how much he’d missed her during the day.

He showed her around Macau.  They went to Fisherman’s Wharf where they wandered around the differently themed buildings.  She’d exclaimed in horror over the cooked baby pigeons displayed for her culinary delight.  Their beady little black eyes stared reproachfully at her, making Chantal lose her appetite all together.

They made sightseeing trips to the ruins of Saint Paul’s Church, A-Ma Temple and Guia Light House.  He took her to the revolving 360 Café at the top of the Macau Tower where they had dinners and drinks and barely noticed the gorgeous view, so busy were they staring into each other’s eyes.  

He made her giggle as they buzzed around the town in one of the famous Macau trishaws—a cycle-type rickshaw powered by the oldest Asian she’d ever seen.  By the time they were done, Chantal made Mace give the gently smiling grandfather twice the normal fee because she felt so guilty for making the poor man work so hard.

They played baccarat in the Lisboa Casino, and Mace shook his head in amusement as she clumsily lost a hundred dollars playing roulette at the Sands.  He took her to see Zaia, the Cirque du Soleil show at the Venetian and then wowed her when he got them VIP seats to see the most unique show in the area.  The House of Dancing Water show at the City of Dreams resort was done almost entirely in water, and the scenery, props, and performances were some of the best she’d ever seen.

They explored the town and took long walks along the nature trails on the island of Coloane.  They nibbled on fresh made egg tarts and haggled with the stall owners for the freshest seafood, bread and vegetables.

Chantal touched the pale green jade bracelet she wore.  Mace had purchased it for her in a little back alley from a Chinese woman with a face so wrinkled you couldn’t even see her eyes.  He hadn’t even bartered, the old woman’s naked feet and worn clothing were enough to make him give her exactly what she was asking.  And, when the woman shuffled away to put the bracelet in a bag, he’d tucked two five hundred pataca bills underneath one of the other jewelry boxes.

It was then she knew she was falling in love with him.  

She gazed out the window of her office and sighed.  She really didn’t care if the bracelet was worth the fifty American dollars they’d paid or if it was only worth a dollar.  It had showed her something of Mace’s heart, and that was what was important.  He’d turned red when he she’d caught him hiding the extra money, which meant he hadn’t done it to impress her but because it was a natural thing for him to do.

How could a woman not fall for a loving, giving man like that?

But above and beyond all the trinkets, dinners and shows, Chantal found she just enjoyed being with him.  The simple walks exploring the town or when he’d danced with her on the beach.  He didn’t work at entertaining her, and that was a welcome relief from all her previous suitors who felt the only way to her heart was by inundating her with expensive and elaborate diversions.  Fun, but like anything else, too much of a good thing made it unpalatable. 

And, Chantal, for all her fame, fortune and popularity, was at heart, a simple small-town girl, and she longed for someone to treat her like a woman…not a commodity…not some arm-candy to show off.

She was beginning to think Mace might be that man.

Several times she’d almost given in to the hungry yearnings of her body and let him make love with her.  But, each time it seemed as if something made her draw back at the last minute.  The kisses were so hot and mind-draining, it was as if he stole away part of her soul whenever he got that close.  And she wasn’t sure she was ready for that yet.

But she knew she couldn’t keep dancing away from him for much longer.  The way he watched her, the very touch of his hand on hers made her whole body quiver with longing.  She hadn’t waited this long with any of her other lovers—not when that spark was ignited—but Mace was different.  After almost three weeks in his presence she was beginning to think he might just be the one.

She’d found her perfect partner.

~*~

I had to put in the baby pigeons.  LOL  Someone needs to champion their cause.  But it looks as if Chantal has taken the plunge.  Love is in the air...

I'll be back on Wednesday and we'll see what Mace is feeling about everything.  *grin*

Hugs,
CJ England

 Follow Your Dreams

http://cjengland.com/secondchances/lifesadance.htm
http://cjengland.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CJsaysFollowYourDreams/

Hustle Into Love - Chapter Six, Part Four

Hey all,

Shall we find out what happens with Chóngdé and her daddy?  I'm kinda hoping Mace and Chantal kick their butts, but that's just me.  But either way, I think we're in for a bit of a confrontation.  Enjoy!!!

Hustle Into Love

~*~

“You did not waste anytime, did you?” Chóngdé hissed, speaking in Cantonese.  “I suppose the best way to get him on your side was to sleep with him.”

Chantal turned around slowly.  Mace held her arm, just in case she was ready to return the punch she’d received earlier.  The three large men—bodyguards would be the polite term, enforcers being the more accurate one—standing behind Chóngdé and her father, probably wouldn’t appreciate it.

“Ms. Sun,” Chantal acknowledged icily, ignoring the scathing words.  “How good of you to come watch me perform tonight.”

The Asian woman tossed her head.  “I did not come to watch you.  I find your kind of dancing…unimaginative.”

Temper flashed in Chantal’s eyes, but her words were curiously polite.  “Of course.  How silly of me.  You much prefer the dead chicken dance.”

Mace swallowed a laugh and stepped in quickly.  No matter what his mother and grandmum had taught him, there were times when it was appropriate to stop bloodshed, and this was definitely one of those times.  “Sun.  Nice to see you again.”

The older Asian man bowed.  “D'Avranches.”

Mace tried for diplomatic.  “Are you enjoying your evening?”

Hui Sun cocked his head.  “When my only daughter comes to me, distraught and weeping because she has been unfairly forced out of a job she loves, it is difficult to enjoy anything.”

So much for diplomatic.  “I see.”

“You will, of course, re-instate her.”

Chantal gave a low snarl, and Mace squeezed her arm.  This was going to be awkward enough without having the two women go at each other again.  “That isn’t my call, Hui.  I’m not the one in charge of entertainment.  Ms. Montgomery is.”

“I do not understand.”  The other man frowned.  “Are you not in charge of this establishment?  Are you not this woman’s employer?”

“He’s not in charge of me, Mr. Sun.”  Chantal gave a derisive snort.  “I’m in charge of myself.”

Hui Sun didn’t even look at her.  “My daughter wishes to dance at The Golden Tiger.  You will see to this.”

Mace could tell Chantal was about to explode, but she either didn’t understand or she didn’t care about the cultural imperative that still existed about the male being in charge overall.  He slid his arm around her waist and gave her a warning squeeze.  “I’m sorry, but that won’t be possible.  While I can’t say anything about the entertainment portion of this casino—Ms. Montgomery is in charge of it—I am responsible for making sure the employees here have a safe work environment.  And because of that, I can’t, in good conscience allow Chóngdé to return, even if Ms. Montgomery allowed it.”

“Which I never will.”  Chantal nodded decisively.  “Your daughter is rude, argumentative, and refuses to be taught.  She has no business being on a stage.”

For the first time, Hui Sun showed emotion.  When he spoke, his voice was angry.  “You allow this…woman to speak so?”

Mace shrugged.  “Can’t really stop her.  Even if I wanted to.  Which I don’t.  Chóngdé doesn’t have a place here.  Not after what she did.”

“And what—”  Hui Sun glanced at his daughter, then back to Mace again, “—did she do?”

“I protected myself,” Chóngdé shrilled.  “She attacked me first.”

“I wish I had,” Chantal snarled, stepping closer.  “It would have felt great!”

Chóngdé gasped and hid behind her father.  “You see.  Protect me, Father.”

“Mr. Sun,” Mace gritted out, “I was there, and Chantal didn’t strike your daughter, Chóngdé went after her.”

Tears glistened in Chóngdé’s eyes.  “She hit me first, Lo Gong.  You did not see it, but she attacked me.  And then you sided with her.”  She clasped her hands between her breasts and stared up at Mace beseechingly.  “After all we were to each other.  You broke my heart.”

“I’d like to break your heart,” he heard Chantal mutter.  “And your arms and neck, too.”

“You’re saying Chantal started the fight?”  Mace shook his head.  “Sorry, Chóngdé, that’s not going to fly.”

“She touched me first!”

“Oh, for God sake.”  Chantal stepped forward.  “Are you talking about when I poked you in the shoulder?  What are you?  Three?”

“She assaulted me.”  Chóngdé tossed her head.  “I protected myself.” 

Enough was enough.  This was beginning to look like an act right out of a one of the American soap operas his mother loved watching.  “As I said, the situation is regrettable, but I find I must error to caution.  Chóngdé hit someone, and that will never be allowed at The Golden Tiger.  My decision stands.”

“As does mine.” 

It was obvious Chantal wasn’t about to let him stand alone.  While it warmed him, the look on Hui Sun’s face urged caution.  This was not a man to trifle with.  There were rumors about him that made even the bravest man look over his shoulder.

“I suggest you reconsider,” Hui Sun said coldly.  “I would hate to see The Golden Tiger fail due to supply problems or lack of qualified workers.”

Now Mace’s temper ignited.  “Threatening me, Sun?  Because of your daughter?  I thought you wiser than that.”

The other man bowed again.  “Family, though often a problem, is family.  She is my flesh and blood.”

Chóngdé pulled on her father’s sleeve.  “Don’t forget the other part,” she whispered.

“Daughter.”

It was said so coldly, Mace felt the temperature in the casino drop ten degrees.  Chóngdé flinched and stepped backwards, but her face stayed smug and knowing.

“D’Avranches, I will expect you for brunch tomorrow as usual,” Hui Sun went on after a moment’s pause.  “We have much to discuss.”

It was a royal command and Mace knew it.  Chóngdé was using her father to get him back in her bed.  But that wasn’t going to happen.  Hell, he’d already been pulling away before she’d forced his hand and upheld Chantal firing her.   Chóngdé might have thought they were something more, but dinners and brunches with Daddy were a little more intimate than he liked.  As he’d told Chantal, he’d never been serious about Chóngdé.  They’d only slept together twice, but now he knew he’d been foolish to do even that. 

And having tasted the sweetness of Chantal’s kisses, there was no way he was going to settle for anything else.  So he bowed low and shook his head.

“I’m sorry, Hui.  I thank you for the offer, but I won’t be able to join you.”

The flat statement made the older Asian’s eyes narrow.  “You refuse me?”

Mace inclined his head.  “I have…other plans.”

“With her, I suppose,” Chóngdé hissed.  “This gai…whore!”

Chantal lifted a golden eyebrow.  “Excuse me.  But since I’m not having sex with Mace and you were…  Who’s the whore?”

“Chantal.”  Mace pushed her slightly behind him and looked at the darker woman.  “I am sorry, Chóngdé, but you’re making too much of a few dates.  We were never anything serious.  Leave your father out of this.”

“But her father is already in this.”  Hui Sun tucked his daughter’s hand in the crook of his arm.  “And while Chóngdé’s actions may have been unwise, I do not think she deserves to be dismissed.  From her job or your company.  I have come to you tonight to resolve this problem.”

It was intimidation at it’s finest.  And the three big guys standing behind the Suns only helped.  But Mace had stood up to stronger pressure in the past.  You didn’t get to run a multi-million dollar company without ruffling some wealthy feathers.  “We’ll have to agree to disagree,” Mace answered carefully.  “Chantal believes your daughter doesn’t have the skill to dance here, and as I said, I don’t want someone who’ll resort to violence to resolve an issue.  I have to do what is best for this casino.  As for Chóngdé and I personally—” he shrugged, “—she and I have already spoken privately.  I see no need to bring it up again.”

“But Lo Gong—”

“Enough, daughter,” her father interrupted.  His voice dripped icicles.  “It is obvious D'Avranches has made his decision and—” he turned and for the first time stared menacingly at Chantal, “—we shall all have to live with it.”

Adrenaline pounded through Mace’s veins.  As Hui Sun, Chóngdé and their bodyguards spun around and walked away, he pulled a frowning Chantal closer.  If the look on the older Asian’s face was any indication, they’d made an enemy that night.  A simple firing had turned into something much, much more.

And Chantal was right in the middle of it. 

~*~

Wow.  That I totally didn't expect until I wrote it.  I knew there was going to be a fight but...  Anyway, I think we've got trouble in Macau, and it will be interesting to see how it plays out.  Stay tuned for the next exciting installment!!!

Hugs and see you again on Tuesday!

CJ England

Follow Your Dreams

http://cjengland.com/secondchances/lifesadance.htm
http://cjengland.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CJsaysFollowYourDreams/

Hustle Into Love - Chapter Six, Part Three

Hey all,

Will Chantal forgive Mace's latest gaffe?  I certainly hope so.  But I sometimes wonder if they'll ever get it right.  Let's see what happens in today's installment!

Hustle Into Love

~*~

Chantal stared up into Mace’s frustrated face.  Damn.  He was apologizing.  And she wasn’t ready for him to do that yet.  She was enjoying being mad too much. 

Though it wasn’t just anger she was feeling.  That had come later…after she’d chewed on the other emotion she’d experienced.  Hurt.  Mace had really hurt her by thinking she wasn’t bright enough to consider all the details of her being the headliner tonight.

She was right in holding him off about going to bed together.  It was obvious her belief he didn’t really know her was right on target.  He thought she was stupid and flighty.  He had no idea she was the one who not only danced her shows, but designed and produced most of them herself.  She’d wanted to belt him again, but instead she’d settled for snarling at him, letting him know the color of her hair did not equate to a low IQ.

But fueling the fury had been the hurt that he couldn’t see past her face and figure.  She’d thought she’d had him pegged wrong.  That he did know more about her than she’d imagined.  Realizing she had been right all along was a bitter pill to swallow.

But when Cái told her about the extra security people Mace had quietly added, she couldn’t help but melt a little.  Mace was worried about her, and she wasn’t sure exactly how to take that.  Lì and those close friends in her entourage were the only ones who’d ever cared in the past, so having someone else added to the mix—especially someone like Mace—was a little overwhelming.

And now here he was, looking down at her with those big dark eyes, and wanting her forgiveness for his stupidity.  She knew she’d give it.  She’d already forgiven him.  But she wasn’t about to let him off the hook so easily.  So she jerked her hands away and balled them on her hips.

“You think you overreacted,” she said, cocking her head.  “How?”

“I shouldn’t have gone off like that.”  Mace’s jaw tightened.  “I know you’re very capable of taking care of business.”

She narrowed her eyes.  He wasn’t nearly apologetic enough.  “If I’m so capable, why did you treat me like a blank-eyed bimbo?”

He went red and stuck his hands in his pockets.  He even shuffled his feet.  Chantal bit back a laugh.  He looked like a very naughty six year old who’d been caught sneaking a cookie before dinner.

“I’ve never thought of you as a bimbo, blank-eyed or otherwise,” he muttered.  “And I don’t think you’re stupid.  That’s not why I did what I did.”

“Then—” she tapped her foot pointedly, “—why were you such an ass about it?”

Immediately the six year old was gone, and in his place was a frustrated angry man.  “For the same reason I just about threw Sheldon Aims out of the casino.  I was trying to protect you.”

It really wasn’t fair that both Mace’s anger and his charm made her want to toss aside her doubts and let him kiss her into oblivion.  Men like him should have warning labels.  Caution:  Involvement with this man will lead to brain freeze and wet panties. 

“Damn it, Chantal,” he growled.  “I’m sorry.  I was worried about security, but I should have known you’d be aware, too.  And you’d take care of it.  But all I could think of was you being grabbed by some jerk in the audience.  And since I don’t want anyone but me touching you, I handled it poorly.”

“Poorly?”  She stifled the sigh she wanted to utter at his obvious worry about her and concentrated instead on his claim of ownership.  “I’d say you handled it very poorly, especially since I’m the one who says who gets to touch me.”

Mace’s eyes flashed, even in the low light of the casino.  “Are you saying you wanted Sheldon Aims’ hands on you?”

“Oh, for God’s sake.”  She rolled her eyes. “Sheldon and I are friends.  I’ve known him almost as long as I’ve known Lì.  There’s nothing romantic between us.  But—” she poked Mace’s broad chest, “—if I wanted his hands on me, you’d have no say in it.”

He grabbed her hand and pulled her closer.  “But I want to have a say in it.  Or doesn’t what we shared earlier matter to you at all?”

“Of course it mattered to me.” Suddenly things had gotten heavier than she’d expected.  She searched his angry face.  “Are you asking me for some kind of commitment?  Right here in the middle of the casino?”

“A commitment isn’t quite the right word.”  His cheeks reddened again.  “But I’d be lying if I said it didn’t bother me to see you in Sheldon’s arms.  It bothered the hell out of me.”

She couldn’t stop the melty feeling this time.  “Sheldon’s a friend, Mace.  Nothing more.”

“But he tried to poach you.”

Laughing, Chantal shook her head.  “That was business.  And an excuse for lunch.  He knew I wouldn’t leave The Golden Tiger.  He knows how much I love Lì.”

“So, he was just—”

“—messing with you when he said all that.”  She nodded.  “He’s got a weird sense of humor, my Big Bear does.”

Mace grumbled something under his breath about how bears should stay in the woods where they belong.  Then he sighed and squeezed her hand.  “I am really sorry I overreacted.  I only wanted to know you were safe.”

“And that—” she moved into his arms to give him a hug, “—is why I’m forgiving you.  Because even though you were a wrong, you were wrong for the right reasons.”

He snorted out a laugh.  “I think I understand your logic.”

She pulled away again, but he held onto her hands, so she just wrinkled her nose at him.  “I was really looking forward to being mad at you longer.”

“Does that mean it’s my turn to say sorry?”

She couldn’t help the smile.  “So, now we’re all made up.  I wonder how long it will take for us to get into our next fight.”

His eyes narrowed.  “And what makes you think we’ll fight again?”

“Hello?”  She rolled her eyes again.  “Man.  Woman.  Stubborn.  Need I say more?”

Mace lifted a dark eyebrow.  “You may have a point.”

“If we’d met back in the beginning, we’d have hashed all this tiresome, unimportant stuff out already,” she teased.  “And we’d be friends already.”

“Honey,” he dropped a kiss on her smiling lips, “we are friends.”

“Just not with benefits.”

He grinned lasciviously.  “Not yet.”

“Mace,” her gaze met his, “did it ever occur to you that Lì might have put this all together—you running the casino and me working the entertainment—just so we could finally meet?”

Mace stilled and his eyes narrowed.  “Yes,” he said slowly, “once I knew you weren’t a couple, I considered it.  After all, it never made sense to me he’d up and leave when there was still so much to do here.”

“Yeah,” she agreed.  “I couldn’t understand why he’d have me come to do this major overhaul and then go on vacation.”

“I’ll bet forcing us to meet was his plan all along.”

“You think he knew once we’d met—” she blushed, “—we’d get involved?”

“My brother is an intelligent man.”  He grinned down at Chantal.  “Maybe he knew more than we thought.”

She giggled.  “Maybe we weren’t as good at hiding what we felt about each other as we hoped we were.”

“I’d put a wager on it.”  Mace nodded.  “And damn it, he probably knew all along I was attracted to you, so he thought up this little scheme to see if something would happen.”

“I should be angry with him,” Chantal sighed, “—but—”

“—but it’s hard to be angry with someone who might have done you the biggest favor of your life.”

She stared up at him, unaware her heart was in her eyes.  “Is that what you think, Mace?”

He lifted her hand to his lips.  “Sweetheart, I think I owe Lì a hell of a lot more than a simple thank you.”

“Well…isn’t this cozy.”

They both stiffened, and when Mace looked over Chantal’s shoulder he almost groaned aloud.  He’d been so intent on making Chantal understand his feelings he hadn’t even noticed they had company.

Chóngdé and her father, Hui Sun stood right behind them.

~*~ 

Oh boy...this isn't good.  I wondered if Chóngdé would dare show her face again and she did.  And she brought reinforcements.  This should be very interesting.

Hey... (shameless bit of promotion)  don't forget to pick up my latest book.  Second Chances III: Life's A Dance is out from Aspen Mountain and is a wonderful story about a second chance at love.   And Check it out HERE.

And I'll be back on Thursday with the next installment.  Make sure you let me know what you think!!!!

CJ England

 Follow Your Dreams

http://cjengland.com/secondchances/lifesadance.htm
http://cjengland.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CJsaysFollowYourDreams/

 

 

Hustle Into Love - Chapter Six, Part Two

Hey all,

I just realized I forgot to tell you all who won December's hat pull.  I'm so sorry. I was so excited about what was happening with Chantal and Mace I totally spaced that part.  My bad.  Anyway, check the end of the post to find the winner of December's contest.  And enjoy today's installment.  Let's see how Mace get's out of his latest gaffe. 

Hustle Into Love

~*~

* * * * *

And she was. He had to admit that now. Everything was in place, just as she’d said it would be. As Mace stood on the casino floor surrounded by happy, chattering guests, he realized just how capable Chantal was.

There were extra staff, more seating, an abundance of food and—to Mace’s relief—all the security necessary to keep things calm and safe for the performers. The stage was set, the lighting and music ready to go and the only thing more important was the star herself.

She wasn’t a blonde bimbo whose only ability was dancing. Not that he’d ever thought that, but after he’d screwed up and ordered her not to perform, she’d let him have it between both eyes. Apparently he wasn’t the first person not to recognize the brain behind the beauty. But he really didn’t care about anyone else. The hint of pain in her eyes at his actions had floored him, but before he could apologize—again—she’d swept out of the room, her hurt feelings trailing behind her.

So all he could do was make sure everything she’d set up went according to plan. Though he did beef up the security detail a little. He knew Chantal didn’t think of herself as someone important enough to worry about, especially here in Macau, but Mace knew differently. She was a treasure. And treasures needed to be protected.

He knew part of the reason he’d overreacted to the news of her dancing was wrapped up in his concern she be safe. Just in the short time he’d actually known her—had it only been a single week since they’d met face to face?—he’d become so possessive of Chantal, even the thought of her going to the store without proper security scared the hell out of him.

She might not want him to worry about it, but he had no choice. Not anymore. Whether she liked it or not, the moment she’d surrendered herself in his arms, she’d given him the right to do so.

But he had to break through that reserve of hers first. Not only was she leery of becoming intimately involved with him, for some reason he kept making mistakes with her. He was damn tired of the taste of his foot in his mouth.

Luckily, he’d have no reason to have to talk to her about this evening. Other than a small problem at the door when they had to turn people away due to full capacity, all was going according to plan. Just as she’d said it would go.

And the two earlier shows she’d done had shown him how meticulously organized she was in her planning. Granted, it was just her doing the performing, but Mace knew very well how easily problems could pop up.

Now, as he watched her finish her latest performance, a mixture of ballet and the classical Chinese ribbon dance where long silk sleeves accentuated her hand and arm movements, he could only hope she’d let him apologize again. She hadn’t spoken a single word to him all night. Any messages, concerns or problems were sent via Cái.

He was getting to hate the sight of that young man.

“Well, now,” he heard a hearty voice say, “you pulled quite a coup d'état on the rest of us, D'Avranches. Makes me wonder what you’re going to do next.”

Mace turned to see the burly form of Shelton Aims, the owner of the Shore's Casino, one of the first built on Macau. The big American was grinning ear to ear and chomping on a fat cigar.

“Shelton. Good to see you.” He shook the man’s hand. “What do you mean, a coup?”

Shelton nodded at the stage where Chantal was whirling her long sleeves around in a whip-like motion, drawing ooohs and ahhhs from the crowd. You could hear the snapping of the fabric even where Mace stood near the bar. “Hell, boy. I’m talking about you bringing her here. First time I’ve ever seen this place full up.”

“She does have a way of drawing them in,” Mace agreed. “But she’s only here temporarily. Lì wants her to put together the entertainment portion of the casino.”

“Lì Yeung’s a smart man. She’s dynamite wrapped in a damned sexy package.”

“Look, but don’t touch, Aims.” Jealousy whirled up in Mace and showed its fangs. “She’s spoken for.”

The older man lifted a brow. “Do tell? First I’ve heard of it. Last gossip was she was footloose and fancy free after she broke it off with that Italian count.”

Mace shook his head. Was he the only one who’d misunderstood about Lì and Chantal? “Let’s just say someone has his eye on her.”

Amused eyes met his. “Oh. Got it. Someone. Now I know why she said no.”

Confused, Mace glanced at the stage where Chantal had finished taking her bows. Should he go escort her backstage or would she be okay by herself? Before he could decide, Chantal disappeared into the crowd, surrounded by a group of security men. Dragging his attention back to the man in front of him, he lifted a brow. “Say no to what?”

“Shelton! You big old bear, you!”

He jumped when Chantal appeared, and was even more surprised when she threw herself into Shelton Aims’ arms. Jealousy reared it’s ugly head, and he gave a menacing snarl, but before he could do what he wanted and rip her away from the other man, she stepped back and planted a sloppy kiss on Aim’s whiskery cheek.

“What are you doing here?” she asked. Mace noted she didn’t even look his way. “I thought you were busy tonight.”

“You know each other?” It was an unnecessary question, but it was all Mace could come up with. “You invited him here?”

Still, Chantal would look at him, and it was Shelton that answered. “Oh yeah. Little Bits and I go way back. The Shores Vegas was one of her first venues. She wowed them there and has been sexing up the stage ever since.”

“Only the best for you, darlin’,” Chantal teased.

“If that was so, you’d have waved goodbye to The Golden Tiger and come work for me at my casino.”

Mace stiffened. “You offered her a job with you?”

“Sure.” Shelton nodded agreeably. “But she’s got some silly idea about loyalty and keeping a promise.” His brown eyes twinkled. “Damn me, but she’s got more heart than she does brains.”

“Watch yourself, Aims,” Mace growled. Without thinking, he stepped protectively in front of Chantal. “Her heart and her brains are just fine! And that’s my brother she’s being loyal to, so back off.”

Stepping forward, Chantal turned and for the first time that evening, their eyes met. She stared at him curiously. “I already told Shelton no, Mace. I’m not going anywhere. You should know that.”

“I do.” Unable to help himself, he put his arm around her. “I trust you. It’s him—” he sent a damning glare Shelton’s way, “—I don’t trust.”

To Mace’s surprise, the big American burst into laughter. “So I was right. You’re the one with the eye on her.”

“Stop it.” Chantal went pink and she shrugged away from Mace’s grasp. “I choose whose eyes, hands and lips I want on me and right now, I’m thinking of going into a nunnery. You men are all idiots.”

The thought of Chantal Montgomery in a convent made both men snort with laughter. “Sorry, honey,” Mace chortled, “but I can just see you doing your prayer dance at evening vespers.”

Her eyes narrowed and flashed, and Mace suddenly remembered that the sleeves of the dress she was wearing could slice like knives if she so chose. “I’m kidding, Chantal,” he said weakly. “Just kidding.”

“I think this is where I exit, stage left,” Shelton said with a big grin. “You’re on your own, boy. Try not to screw up.”

“Thanks,” Mace muttered as the man waddled off, his big cigar puffing like a smoke stack. “Thanks, a lot.”

“So now I’m a boy’s locker room topic?”

He turned to see her hands ball into fists, and he grabbed them in a preemptive strike. “No, damn it. Not at all.”

“Then what was that about? Who do you think you are to warn him off like that?”

Now Mace could feel his temper going. “Who am I? How about the man who earlier today kissed you until your knees gave out? How about the man who wants to make love to you more than he wants to breathe?” He sucked in air to calm himself. He refused to go down that same road with her again. “How about the man who knows he overreacted this afternoon and will do just about anything to redeem himself?”

~*~

Will Mace be able to nip their disagreement in the bud?  Will Chantal realize he was acting the fool because he cared?  Find out on Tuesday in the next intriguing installment.

And now for the winner of December's hat pull.  Again, I'm sorry for the delay in the announcement.  But I let my new pet turtles, Wooster and Jeeves crawl over all the entries and pick the winner for me.

So December's winner is...

CARRIE

WooHoo!!!  Congrats, Carrie!  Email me with your snail mail addy so I can send you your special gift!

CJ England

 Follow Your Dreams

http://cjengland.com/secondchances/lifesadance.htm
http://cjengland.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CJsaysFollowYourDreams/