GRUDGE MATCH (Love Challenge) Read Free

chuckle. 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Two
     
                  “Breathe,” Holly mumbled to herself as she closed out the kitchen with practiced efficiency.  He’d agreed to her terms.  She still couldn’t believe it.  He may not like taking orders, but he’d agreed all the same.  A surge of feminine power and arousal tingled through her body.  She swore she could feel the brick wall she’d placed against her feelings for him crack.  Mercy, they crumbled to bits with nothing more than his simple yes.  Did that make her easy?  She didn’t know, bud didn’t care at that moment either.  She wanted him to know how to love her.  She must be strong enough to demand what she needed in bed and not be afraid to ask for the loving she desired.  If he could handle that, then there was hope for a relationship, if not, she’d let him go for good and frankly, no worse off than before.  This was an opportunity for her to finally let go too.  Her passions ran deep and she desperately wanted to explore them with Mason.  She needed him to be more than a missionary guy.  She didn’t mean to hang all her hopes on his prowess in bed, but a willing adventurer sounded excellent.   
                  The ride home seemed to take forever.  Holly made sure Mason took his own truck to her house.  Old images of Mason naked kept intruding into Holly thoughts.  He was beautiful then.  His muscles bunched beneath her fingers.  His hard working body over hers heated her, seared her.  Every point his skin had touched created fire.  Back then, she’d have done anything for him.  She loved him beyond common sense all this time, ten years.  Why did he suddenly want to be with her now?  What changed?  She’d ask him when he was tied up and at her mercy.  A thrill shot down her spine.  Excitement and anticipation vied for dominance.
                  Finally her house came into view.  Usually the rural country highway she lived off was quiet, tonight was no exception.  She had a longish dirt road that put her house a ways above the highway and offered a grand view of the Shasta River below.  None of that knowledge penetrated the images of Mason on her bed, her couch, her floor.  By tomorrow, she would have him expunged from her memories.  Holly wanted a real relationship with Mason, but realistically her chances were nil.  Maybe he’d learn to treat women better.  Maybe his next woman would appreciate him.  Somehow the thought of the next woman benefitting from her training, didn’t make her feel warm and fuzzy.  Instead, she only saw herself with him.  Love sucked.  Stupid hormones.
                  Holly parked in the front carport, leaving room for Mason next to her.  Unlocking the house door, she turned to watch Mason get out of his truck and saunter toward her.  She stood one step above him, their height equalized.  Reaching out, she placed her right hand to the nape of his neck, his short hair soft beneath her fingers.  The silky texture sending sparks of desire through her.  Gently, she pulled him to her and brushed her lips softly, a teasing test.  Her eyes stayed open, watching him.  His eyes fired with appreciation and arousal.  When Mason would have deepened the kiss, she backed away, releasing him.  “My lead.   My way.”
                  Nodding, mason’s eyes intent upon hers, passion flushed his masculine features.  “Come inside,” she invited leading him in.  Her purse and keys fell to the kitchen table and she shrugged out of her jacket, tossing it toward the back of a chair. 
                  Turning to Mason, she licked her lips, her mouth dry as the reality of what she planned began to register on a deeper level.  Throbbing in time to her heart, her core ached.  She gave herself a little pep talk for courage, and then grinned at Mason’s sudden unease.  He shifted