The Mane Event Read Free Page B

romantic.”
    “There’s a lot about me you don’t know yet. Besides, Missy’s desk is a nice, sturdy mahogany. We could go at it like wolves on that thing, and it wouldn’t budge.”
    Ah, the Mace she remembered. The smart-ass kid who tortured people on a daily basis for his own amusement, and his sister was no exception. Actually, Dez knew he went out of his way to torture his sister and that he enjoyed every minute of it.
    Yup. Her day just kept getting better and better.
     
    Could his day get any better? The woman of his dreams cuddled up in his arms and his sister in an almost violent rage. A few more minutes of this and he would start purring and not stop.
    “Mason,” his sister spit that out between clenched teeth. “I need to speak with you. In private.”
    Mace watched her. He wondered how long before she snapped.
    “ Now! ”
    Well that took all of ten seconds.
    He watched her rigid back stalk into her office.
    “Ooh, Mace. You’re in tru-ble,” Dez whispered in a singsong voice.
    He pulled her closer to him. He couldn’t help himself. Did she have any idea exactly how tasty she was?
    Another cop came to stand beside them. He glared at Mace, but Mace ignored it. He wouldn’t let anything distract him from the woman in his arms.
    “We’re out of here.”
    “What? Why?”
    “Got a call from the lieutenant. They’re pulling us. I’ve been informed we have enough information for this investigation and we are not to harass Ms. Llewellyn any longer. And would you two stop whatever you’re doing?”
    “Hey, B! You’re harshin’ my buzz.”
    With an annoyed groan, the man turned away from them. Dez looked at Mace over her shoulder. “Mr. Llewellyn, I do believe your sister made a call.”
    “I believe you’re right, Detective.” His sister had a lot of political connections and was not shy about using them whenever it served her.
    “Too bad. I had such plans of torture for her. And they all involved her desk.” Smiling, Dez turned, reached up, and kissed Mace on the cheek. He’d had many women do much more intense things to him over the years, but none of it felt as good as that simple kiss. “It was really good seeing you again, Mace.”
    She pulled away from him and he grudgingly let her go.
    “And I’m glad you’re doing okay. Although I never doubted you’d do any less.” She motioned to her partner. “Let’s get out of here, B.”
    The male left. Dez followed behind, but Mace stopped her with one word. “Wait.”
     
    Dez looked at him, curious why he wanted her to wait. Actually, she found herself curious about a lot of things when it came to Mace.
    “Go out with me tonight. Dinner.”
    She laughed at what was clearly an order as opposed to a request. “No.”
    “Why not?”
    “You don’t even remember my name, Mason Llewellyn.” He hadn’t said her name even once in the last ten minutes. It hurt to think he’d so easily forgotten about her, but when you looked like Mace now did, how could you remember all the women? Especially one who you hadn’t actually slept with.
    Dez turned and headed down the hallway.
    “Desiree.” She froze as his low voice slid across her skin. “Patricia. Marie. MacDermot. Dez for short.”
    Dez spun around, her mouth open in awe. “How the hell did you remember all that?” He even included her confirmation name. No one knew her confirmation name except the parish priest, and that’s because he really didn’t like her much.
    “I remember everything about you, Dez. Absolutely everything . ”
    Her breath caught on a sigh. Her heart began to beat faster. And she suddenly wondered if Mace could feel her blood racing through her veins.
    After a few moments, she shook herself. “You’re still doing it, Mace.” The bastard .
    “Doing what?”
    She grinned and glared at him all at the same time. “Torturing me.”
     
    He leaned against the doorjamb, his arms crossing in front of him. He took all of her in. From those cute little feet,