Free Meant for Me (A Second Chance standalone) by L.P. Dover Page A

by that dreamy look in her eyes. She had that same look when she
worked here, and let me tell you, she was a fucking goddess up on that stage.”
    At hearing Tyler’s words, Mason clenched his fingers into my
hip and replied, “I bet.”
    I could feel the anger pouring off of him, and I was
thankful I couldn’t see his face. When I explained to him about my time at the
club, I left out that I danced at the club also, except little did he know what
kind of dancing I did. Judging by his level of intensity he most likely thought
I stripped, but it was far from it. I was going to have some explaining to do
later.
    Tyler led us past everyone to the hidden staircase I knew
would be behind a thick, medieval rug hanging from the ceiling. “All right,
kitten, you know where to go. I’ll let Jake know you’re on your way up,” Tyler
said, winking one of his stormy gray eyes. He smirked at Mason before going
back to his post at the front door.
    We started up the winding staircase and once we were out of
ear shot, that was when Mason exploded, “Please tell me you and Tyler didn’t …”
    “Oh no,” I said quickly, stopping him on the stairs. “Tyler
is just my friend. He likes to flirt a lot, but that’s just his personality. He
flirts with everyone.”
    I did, however, have something with Wade. Under normal
circumstances I wouldn’t have a reason to tell Mason about him because it
wouldn’t matter. However, if we ran into Wade and something was said about our
past, I didn’t want Mason to think I was keeping something from him. Should
I tell him? I wondered.
    “What’s that look for?” he asked. “Is there something you’re
not telling me? Because most of the time when I see that look it means there’s
bad news. Just tell me and get it over with. Did you date the bartender or
something?”
    I shook my head and sighed. “No, he wasn’t the bartender. I
know you heard me mention his name to Tyler. His name’s Wade, and we were
really good friends. We weren’t exclusive or anything, so it wasn’t like that.
I know you’re probably going to meet him at some point and I know how you guys
get when the testosterone starts flowing.”
    “I’m sure I can handle it, Claire,” Mason assured me. “I’m
not really worried about the guys you dated. What I am concerned about is the
fact you failed to mention to me that you were a goddamned stripper.”
    We had reached the top of the steps and Jake’s office was
just a couple of doors down. I didn’t want him to hear us so I hissed quietly,
“Look, Mason, it’s not what you think. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about the
dancing part, but I’ll explain everything later, okay? So calm down.”
    Grabbing my hips, he pushed me against the wall and caged me
in with his hands beside both sides of my head. He leaned in close, pressing
his hard body flush with mine while ravishing my lips in a punishing kiss. It
was all tongue, heat, and passion. I could feel the tension melting off of him
so I breathed a sigh of relief. If he keeps this up we might have to visit
one of those private alcoves and release the rest of the tension.
    “Oh, I’m calm, kitten ,” he purred seductively. “I’m
sure there are plenty of ways you can make up for failing to give me all the
information.” He backed up, leaving me breathless and alone against the wall.
    Once I righted myself, I grinned and smoothed down my dress.
“Mason, I would be glad to do whatever you want me to do for not telling you,
but just so you know, I wasn’t a—”
    I didn’t get to finish because a door down the hall flew
open, and there with a huge smile on his face was none other than Jake
Montgomery. “Well, well, I was beginning to give up hope that you would ever
visit. It’s been too long, kitten. I never thought this would be possible, but
you look more amazing now than you did when you worked here. Come here and give
me a hug,” he exclaimed.
    Jake started down the hall with his arms wide open and