Free So Many Men... by Dorie Graham Page A

small girl who viciously hammered mechanical rodents as they popped out of an assortment of holes.
    “I love this one.” Tess’s face glowed with excitement.
    “Hammering rodents?” He leaned back as the girl made a particularly wild swing.
    “They’re gophers.” Tess rolled her eyes at him as though he should have been able to recognize the creatures before they disappeared.
    “Of course, gophers. What else?”
    The game played out and the young girl squealed when the machine spit out a string of tickets. Tess took her place as the youngster ran off toward the prize counter.
    “So, the more rodents you hit, the more prize tickets you get?”
    Tess fed her card into the machine, then raised the hammer. “You catch on quick.”
    The music wound out and she swung her hammer with a vengeance, hardly missing the little guys as they popped up. Mason folded his arms and let his gaze drift over her as she focused on the game, her expression stern with concentration. What was it about this woman that attracted him?
    Her nose sloped a little long. Her lips were almosttoo full, but somehow put all together, her features worked. She flashed him a triumphant glance and he nodded to himself. It was her eyes. Tess had the most amazing blue eyes he’d ever seen.
    And the woman could swing a hammer. He winced as she struck a mechanical gopher and laughed. The sound curled around him rich and full, drawing his own laugh from him.
    “Okay, your turn.” She held the large rubber hammer out to him.
    He backed away, his hands raised to ward her off. “No, thanks.”
    “It’s a great way to get out all your aggressions.”
    “I don’t have any aggressions.”
    “Sure you do. Everyone does.”
    “Nope.” He folded his arms across his chest and planted his feet wide. “I keep a rational head.”
    “That’s what concerns me. I say you’re suppressing your emotions.”
    “What? No. I express my emotions just fine, thank you very much. I laughed with you, didn’t I? I was having a good time.”
    “You were living vicariously. Until you’re doing the actual hammering you haven’t really experienced the art of gopher bashing.”
    “I’ll pass.”
    The familiar sound of her cell phone mingled with the clatter of the game room. She pulled her phone from her purse to check the number, then put it back without answering.
    Something about her ease in shrugging off the caller irritated him. Was it another one of her former lovers?How long would it be before she stopped taking Mason’s calls?
    She stared at him a long moment, before shaking her head. “I’m afraid that our work here is done.”
    “What work? What do you mean?””
    “Our work in transforming you.”
    “Transforming me?”
    “Yep, I misjudged. You’re not quite ready for this. It’s time for plan B.”
    “Plan B?” He pursed his lips. “You mean more spontaneity.”
    “That’s right.” Her eyes sparkled with mischief. “Follow me. I’m hot. Let’s cool off.”
    Once more she grabbed his hand. This time she led him out of the cool arcade into the blinding sunlight. He blinked to allow his eyes to adjust.
    “Hear that?” She cocked her head.
    He frowned as a gull screeched overhead and the dull roar of the surf floated over a row of colorful shops. She motioned for him to follow, then struck off toward the sound. He trailed in her wake.
    What had he gotten into?
     
    “T HE BEACH ?” M ASON GLANCED from his leather shoes to where Tess stood knee deep and laughing in the foamy spray. She’d taken off her shoes and had her skirt tied up faster than he could catch his breath. “We’re not exactly dressed for the beach.”
    “It feels wonderful.” She squealed as a wave splashed over her. “Come in.”
    “I think I might have preferred the gopher bashing. Maybe I’ll just watch you for a bit.”
    “That’s no fun.” She splashed water in his direction, inadvertently soaking her top so the thin fabric clung to her breasts.
    “Don’t be