Love Interrupted

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Copyright © 2011 by Elle D. Hayes All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or shared in any form, including but not limited to: printing, photocopying, faxing, recording, electronic transmission, or by any information storage or retrieval system without prior written permission from the authors or holders of the copyright. This book is a work of fiction. References may be made to locations and historical events; however, names, characters, places and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination and/or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons (living or dead), businesses, events or locales is either used fictitiously or coincidental. All trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, and registered service marks are the property of their respective owners and are used herein for identification purposes only. Published by Beautiful Trouble Publishing, LLC PO Box 61 Colfax, NC 27235 www.beautifultroublepublishing.com Cover Art: Marteeka Karland Editor: Barb Wilson Proofreader: Novellette Whyte http://authorgurunovellette.blogspot.com/ Formatter: Jim & Zetta, http://www.jimandzetta.com/ E-book Conversion: Jim & Zetta, http://www.jimandzetta.com/ ISBN: (e-book) 978-1-61788-257-9; (print) 978-1-61788-258-6

This book is dedicated to my Beautiful Trouble Publishing family. Thank you for keeping me motivated and encouraging me when I really needed it. It’s also dedicated to the readers who make living with too little sleep worthwhile. You guys rock!

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CAVEAT This work of erotica contains adult language and sexually explicit scenes. This book is intended only for adults, as it is defined by the laws of the country in which the purchase is made. Keep this book out of the hands of under-aged readers.

Chapter One “Who are you?” Maceo Rodriguez pulled up short and stared at the dark-skinned beauty who’d just opened the door to his friend Tonia’s hospital room. She looked at the bouquet of flowers he carried, then back to him and lifted an eyebrow as she waited for him to answer her. “I’m a friend. And you?” She sucked her teeth at that and put a hand on her hip before replying, “As if the uniform didn’t give me away. I’m her nurse. You do know that she has a boyfriend?” Mace smiled at her spunk. Damn, he loved a feisty woman. “Really? Well I guess that means I’m back on the market, so would you like to have dinner with me to ease my wounded spirit?” She rolled her eyes and Mace just smiled wider. He bet she didn’t know how beautiful she was when she was throwing attitude like a major league fastball. After his last hellacious relationship, he’d given up dating for a while to really evaluate what he was looking for. Now here he was, getting hotter by the second as Nurse Fine-As-Hell was getting madder, but damned if he could help himself. 7

Love Interrupted “I think not, Romeo.” “Why not, Juliette?” he pressed. “Look, her boyfriend is a cop. A real bad-ass type, too, so I’d leave the lady alone if I were you.” “I like how you’re worried about my well being already and we haven’t even kissed yet. Never fear, Juliette. I’m a pretty bad-ass cop myself and her boyfriend is my best friend. I’m just here to help get her packed up to go home.” “Oh. Well, why didn’t you say that when I asked who you were? You know what? Never mind. Just go on in,” she said begrudgingly, as she ducked her head and tried to step out of his way. Mace side-stepped her attempt to get around him. “Not until you tell me what night we’re having dinner, Juliette.” “Stop calling me that and how about never?” she asked sassily, putting her hands on her hips and arching a brow. “I’ve got to call you something because you haven’t told me your name yet.” “My name is Nurse Eastwick. That’s all you really need to know.” “In that case, I’m Officer Rodriguez. Now that we’ve been formally introduced, how about tomorrow evening?” 8

Elle D. Hayes She tried to stutter out a response but he beat her to the punch. “Too soon? Okay, Saturday then. What time do you want me to pick you up and where do you live?” Mace tried not to laugh as she stared at him like he’d just grown a second head. He was hoping that throwing her off-balance would work in his favor. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath as if saying a silent prayer. Mace wondered if that was just a woman thing, since he’d seen his mother do it to his father on more than one occasion. She finally opened her eyes and there was a hard resolve there that would have discouraged a lesser man. “Goodbye, Officer Rodriguez,” she said with another exasperated roll of her beautiful dark chocolate eyes. “Mace.” “What?” “Call me Mace.” “I won’t be calling you at all,” she threw over her shoulder after pushing past him and strutting away. Mace watched her walk away, or at least he watched the sexy sway of her hips. As a self-professed ass man, he admired her very generous assets. “Damn,” he muttered in appreciation. She had an ass that could stop traffic. The sexy body, combined with 9

Love Interrupted her take-no-bullshit attitude, was damn near irresistible to him. “Hey, what’re you staring at so hard?” Mace turned to smile at his best friend Jay. “Tonia’s nurse. You didn’t tell me they had that kind of beauty walking around up here. I’d have come by more often.” “I’ll be sure to tell the woman I love that all you care about is how good her nurse looks.” “That would be a dirty lie. I also care about whether Tonia knows that pretty lady’s first name.” Jay shook his head as he turned to push his way into the room Nurse Eastwick had vacated. One last look down the hall and Mace caught the beautiful angel of mercy looking at him. He flashed her a cocky smile and laughed when she scrambled out of sight.

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Chapter Two One week later… “Ooo, Patrice! Looks like your morning flowers are here.” Patrice Eastwick looked up at her co-worker Simone Lester. Following Simone’s gaze, she spotted the delivery man from Bountiful Blooms heading her way with a smile on his face. She wanted to frown but couldn’t. Partly because Larry the delivery guy had an infectious smile that made others want to smile when he did, and partly because after just a few days she had come to anticipate these morning deliveries. “Morning, Larry,” she said warmly. “Morning, Patrice. I see you still haven’t put this poor guy out of his misery.” “I’ve already told him that I’m not interested in going out with him, Larry. Half a dozen times as a matter of fact.” “Well he’s one determined S.O.B. then.” “More like one scary stalker.” “I offered to take her place, Larry, but that sexy cop only has eyes for Patrice.”

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Love Interrupted “Ah, that hurts my feelings, Simone. I thought you were saving yourself for me.” “Puhleeze! You know I’m too much woman for you, Larry.” “That’s what you think, but you shouldn’t let the mild-mannered floral delivery guy image fool you. I’m a tiger waiting for the right woman to uncage me.” “Oh Lord! Go away with that foolishness,” Simone said while rolling her light brown eyes. The blush that tinted her light caramel complexion said she was more affected than she tried to let on. Larry’s thousand watt smile widened at the sight of her endearing blush. “I wish you two would go ahead and go out already,” Patrice grouched as she took the large bouquet of colorful blooms out of Larry’s hands. “You’re a fine one to talk,” Larry said as he gestured meaningfully to the vase full of flowers he’d just handed over. “Ain’t that the truth?” Simone agreed. “Your Romeo has been trying to get you to go out on a date with him all week. All week!” Simone repeated with emphasis. “I don’t date cops,” Patrice mumbled. That argument had once been all she needed to use. Now it sounded hollow even to her own ears. 12

Elle D. Hayes “Look sweetie, maybe if you give this guy a chance your friend here will give me a chance.” Patrice couldn’t help laughing as Larry wiggled his eyebrows at Simone. “I tell you what,” Simone countered as she leaned over the counter and got in Larry’s face. “If she goes out with the cop, I’ll go out with you. One date. No strings and no funny business.” Patrice and Larry both stared mutely at Simone in shock. “What?” she questioned them. “Is it a deal or not?” Larry turned to Patrice and said, “For the love of God, please go out with him. Just once. Please, Patrice, I’m begging here.” “Simone, I can’t believe you’d make a deal like that.” “The way I see it, I’m putting two guys out of their misery. What’s the worst that could happen? One bad date? Been there, done that. No big deal. So you go out with the cop if you want flower boy to have a chance at being seen in public with me.” “Somehow that was insulting and sexy all at once,” Larry said sarcastically. Patrice just shook her head as she looked between them. “Are y’all serious right now?” 13

Love Interrupted “As a heart attack,” Simone said as she stared Patrice down. “Put your Romeo out of his misery and I’ll let flower boy feed me.” Turning to Larry, she scolded, “Not fast food, either.” “That’s not a problem. We can go wherever you want.” “You can surprise me.” “Wait! I didn’t agree to this deal.” “Please girl, you want to go out with that man just as much as he wants to take you out. I’ve seen the ice melting a little with every bunch of flowers. Go and have a good time. He’s a cop, not a serial killer.” “She’s got a good point,” Larry chimed in. “You won’t have to worry about feeling safe on your date. You’ll have the best protection in town. He’s SWAT.” “I know.” “Call him. His number’s on the card.” “He’s going to call her. He always does.” As if Simone had willed it to, the phone at the nurse’s station started ringing. “Cardiac Unit,” Simone answered with a knowing smile. “She’s right here, Officer Rodriguez, hold on.” Patrice took the phone from Simone and turned her back to avoid the two sets of eager eyes that were staring at her. “Hello?” 14

Elle D. Hayes “Did you get your flowers, Margarita?” Patrice closed her eyes as his deep sexy baritone floated through the phone. She could still see his face in her mind. The playful smile and the sparkling brown eyes that a girl could stare into for hours. Tanned skin and wavy black hair cut low only emphasized his strong jaw. “Why do you keep calling me that?” she asked softly. “Margarita? Because you were wearing the cutest scrubs covered in daisies the first time I saw you. Margarita means daisy.” Patrice knew he had her. There was no use denying it, to herself or him. She was lost. Please God, don’t let him be crazy, she silently prayed. “I got the flowers” she said to him. “They’re beautiful as usual.” “I’m glad you like them. I hope they’ll brighten your entire day.” “What can I do to brighten your day, Officer Rodriguez?” she asked boldly. Mace’s deep laughter came through the receiver and sent chills down her spine. “You already know the answer to your question, Margarita. Have dinner with me.”

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Love Interrupted Patrice waited a few seconds before answering. “How about we just go to a movie?” He didn’t miss a beat. “No way, Margarita. How can we get to know each other in a movie theatre? Dinner followed by drinks and maybe a little dancing, if you can hang.” “What!? Oh, I can hang, but let me remind you that it’s a weeknight.” “Okay, then just dinner. We can go dancing another night.” “That’s pretty presumptuous of you, officer, but I’ll take the bait. I don’t get off until seven o’clock; will that be a problem?” He chuckled again and said, “I get off at six, so how about I pick you up at the hospital and we go somewhere close by. Then I can return you to pick up your car at a decent hour, unless you decide to let me keep you out all night.” “Hmph! Comments like that will get you shut down quick, officer.” “Okay, okay! I won’t press my luck. I’ll pick you up around seven in the lobby.” Patrice could hear the laughter he tried to contain. She remembered his smiling light brown eyes again and couldn’t help smiling herself. He was a handsome man and charming as hell, whether she 16

Elle D. Hayes wanted to admit it or not. She’d have to be on her guard with him. “That’ll work. See you then.” She hung up and turned around to see a rapt audience of two watching her with goofy smiles glued to their faces. “Wipe those smiles off your faces. It’s just dinner.” “Dinner’s a good place to start,” Larry said with a wink aimed in Simone’s direction. “Yeah, well, I don’t want you backing out. A deal’s a deal, Simone.” “Honey, please,” Simone admonished while rolling her eyes. “We set our date up before you and Romeo were even halfway through with your negotiations. Some of us are not as indecisive as others.” “That’s her way of saying she was just real anxious to get on my calendar,” Larry teased before ducking the paper clip Simone threw at him.

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Chapter Three Mace leaned back in his chair and stared at his cell phone. He’d been hoping that Patrice would eventually agree to go out with him and now that she had, he was not only excited but nervous. This would be the first time he’d taken a woman out since breaking up with Carlita, the ex from hell. Instead of jumping right back into the dating scene after they broke up, he’d taken his father’s advice and stopped “looking” for a woman. Instead, he’d done some soul searching while waiting on the right woman to show up. Since high school he’d been dating the same general types of girls, always with disastrous results. When he’d first laid eyes on Patrice, everything about her screamed different. She wasn’t Hispanic, first of all. Secondly, she wasn’t petite nor did she give off the high maintenance, spoiled-princess vibe that all of his exes had worn like armor. Patrice was beautiful in an effortless way. Wearing very little makeup, scrubs and matching Crocs, she’d been the most beautiful woman he’d seen in a long time. Her thick and curvy body that even the boxy scrubs couldn’t hide had stirred an instant case of lust in him. She looked to be about five foot seven inches and one hundred 18

Elle D. Hayes seventy-five pounds to his trained eye. Not a stick, but not fat either. She reminded him of his cousins in Puerto Rico. They were all curvy and proud of it. No trying to look like a starving supermodel for the Rodriguez women. Mace took a look around the SWAT control room, but the person he wanted to share his good news with wasn’t in sight. Picking his cell phone up again, he dialed and waited while the phone rang. “What’s wrong?” Jay asked tightly, without saying hello. “Easy, bro,” Mace said with a chuckle. “All accounted for on the work front. This is personal.” “Shit, don’t scare me like that. What’s up?” “How’s your girl?” “She’s doing great. She’s right back to her old feisty self and trying to do more with her arm than she should. I swear if I wasn’t so afraid of her Dad castrating me, I’d take her hard-headed ass over my knee.” “Do it, she might like it,” Mace joked. “Jackass,” Jay growled into the phone. “Maybe, but I’m a jackass with a date tonight.” “Oh yeah? You going out with Patrice?” “Yeah. She finally decided to stop fighting the inevitable.” Mace said with fake confidence. The truth 19

Love Interrupted was he was really surprised that Patrice had decided to give him a chance so soon. She’d seemed so dead set against dating. “Tread lightly, my friend. Tonia and Dy have gotten close to Patrice over the last several weeks. Now that she’s a part of that tight inner circle they will not hesitate to kick your ass if you mess her over. I like her, too, so I’ll have to help them and that would be really tragic for you.” “Damn, thanks for the vote of confidence.” “Just a warning, my friend. I think she’s a great lady. She took phenomenal care of Tonia and still checks in with her every couple of days.” “I’ll trust your judgment since it’s obvious mine sucks.” “Don’t let that fiasco with Carlita mess with your mind, man. You’re a good guy, and she was a psycho.” “She’s still psycho,” Mace grumbled. “Yeah, well, hopefully she’s someone else’s problem now. Anyway, I gotta run. Tonia has physical therapy this morning.” “Okay, man. I can’t wait for you to get back to work, bro. Gunn and Cash are driving me batshit crazy.” Jay chuckled at that. “One more week, man. I’ve gotta make sure my lady is all right.” 20

Elle D. Hayes “You know I understand. Family first.” “Family first,” Jay agreed. “Let me know how things go with you and Patrice.”  Mace paced the lobby of the Medical Center and looked at his watch for the sixth time. Seven twenty. Could she have gotten cold feet and stood him up? Even though he was nervous about this first date, he never considered that she might stand him up. He frowned as he stared through the front windows into the parking lot. Only one way to find out, he decided. Turning away from the window he let his long stride carry him towards the elevators. He stopped halfway up the long hallway. What if he missed her in the elevators and then she thought he’d stood her up? Mace frowned again in frustration. It had been a long time since a woman reduced him to acting like a lovesick kid. Pulling out his cell phone, he called the nurse’s station on the sixth floor. The phone was picked up on the second ring. “Cardiac Unit,” an unfamiliar female voice said. “Hi, can I speak to Patrice, please.” “She’s in with a patient right now. Can I take a message?” Mace breathed a sigh of relief. At least she hadn’t stood him up. “Yes, could you just let her know 21

Love Interrupted that her ride is here? Tell her to take her time. I’ll just grab a seat in the lobby.” “Okay, I’ll tell her.” Mace turned and walked back to the seating area and sat down in a chair that faced the guard’s desk and the hallway beyond. He was still in uniform and no one questioned him about hanging around. When his phone rang, he rushed to answer but one look at the caller ID and he quickly hit ignore, instead sending his ex-girlfriend to voicemail. Carlita couldn’t take a hint. They’d broken up months before, but she still called him almost daily leaving messages that varied from Ijust-want-us-to-be-friends to I-miss-you-and-needyou. Mace wasn’t fooled. He’d dated her for almost a year and he’d seen first-hand just how manipulative she could be. He’d also seen how mean-spirited she was. He had no intentions of being her friend or anything else. Ten minutes later, Patrice came into view. Mace stood and smiled at her. The band of nerves that had tightened his chest relaxed immediately when she returned his smile. “I’m so sorry to keep you waiting. We had a new patient…” Mace brought her explanation to a halt by pressing his index finger to her lips. “I knew you were 22

Elle D. Hayes working. You don’t have to explain how quickly a workday can become a crazy day,” he said, tapping his badge for emphasis. She offered him a bright smile. “Thanks.” “Do you still feel like grabbing a bite to eat or do you need a rain-check?” Mace asked. He held his breath, hoping she wouldn’t put their dinner date off. “I could eat,” she said with a genuine smile. “Then eat you shall, Margarita. Good thing, too. For a second, I thought being chivalrous was gonna come back and bite me in the behind.” Mace guided her outside with a hand on the small of her back. He noticed the admiring looks as they exited the hospital. He opened the passenger door of a sleek silver muscle car with black racing stripes down the middle of the hood and watched Patrice to gauge her reaction. When she smiled in admiration and said, “Nice car,” he felt a burst of pride. “She’s a beast on the open road,” Mace said. “I restored her with my Dad a few years ago.” He closed her door once she was settled into the passenger seat. Striding around the front of the car, he realized they hadn’t discussed where they were going to go. After getting in, he turned to her and said “What do you feel like eating?” “Surprise me,” she said with a smirk. 23

Love Interrupted “Why do I feel like I’m missing a private joke?” “I’ll tell you about it later,” she said mysteriously. Letting it drop, Mace headed to his favorite little family-owned seafood place on the eastside of town. When they pulled up, Patrice said, “What do you know about Buddy’s?” “Me? Are you kidding?” Mace laughed. “This is my spot.” “No, this is my spot,” Patrice countered. “Looks like we already have something in common. Hang on; let me get that door for you.”  One hour later, Patrice was sure no man had ever made her laugh as much as Maceo Rodriguez. Full from her meal of fried grouper, cheese grits and fried okra, she sipped her sweet tea and wiped a tear from the corner of one eye. “Stop it! That didn’t happen.” “You don’t know my family. I couldn’t make this kind of craziness up. My mom is five feet of pure attitude if you mess with her family and my dad is Mister Stir-It-Up. My older brother is the brains of the operation and my younger brother is the antichrist.”

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Elle D. Hayes “So you’re the middle child. Do you have middle child complex?” “Hell yes! Didn’t you just hear me tell you I’m related to the antichrist?” “He can’t be that bad.” “Wanna bet?” “Well, I’ve got a baby sister who is my best friend and I can’t imagine life without that brat. She’s a senior over at Kendrick High. Breaking hearts and making all A’s.” “Smart and beautiful, like her big sister. So how does a schmuck like me get a second date? I’ve stalked you at your job, fed you, embarrassed myself by telling you about my crazy friends and my even crazier family. What’s next?” “Why don’t you just try asking me?” “I’ve got to go to Savannah with my Dad tomorrow and won’t be back until sometime on Saturday. How about we catch a movie and grab something to eat after church on Sunday?” “I don’t get out of church until almost two o’clock, so if you don’t mind waiting while I give the Lord his time, that’ll work.” “My mother would order me to marry you immediately if she was here right now. The only acceptable excuse for missing church in her opinion is 25

Love Interrupted work. We don’t get out until one o’clock. What church do you go to?” “Eastway United Methodist. What about you?” “St. Matthew United Methodist. If we keep coming up with things in common I’m gonna start thinking you’re my fabled soul mate.” “Oh, so you don’t believe in soul mates?” “I believe that love grows over time and that it takes time for a soul to recognize its mate. My parents think differently, though. They are one of those rare couples that just knew from the moment they met each other that they’d each found their one.” Patrice stared at him thoughtfully, but didn’t immediately respond. Then she nodded slowly in agreement and said, “Experience is the best teacher and after the lessons I’ve learned I have to agree with you. There was a time when I would have argued in favor of love at first sight.” “But not anymore?” he asked. “No, not anymore.” Patrice dropped her gaze, hoping he wouldn’t notice the hurt in her expression. She covered a sudden yawn with her hand. “Excuse me.” “Come on, let’s get you back to your car so you can go home. I don’t want you having a bad day tomorrow because I kept you out too late.” 26

Elle D. Hayes Back in his car Mace adjusted his MP3 player before pulling out of the parking lot. The smooth sounds of Latin jazz filled the car and Patrice yawned again. “Close your eyes for a few minutes, Margarita. I’ll have you back at the hospital in fifteen minutes or so.” “Thanks, but I’m okay.” Patrice studied his profile and frowned when she felt a familiar stirring low in her belly. He was too damn sexy and the longing she felt in that moment scared her a bit. She’d done a really good job of guarding her heart after piecing it back together. She blinked when she realized he had just spoken to her and was waiting for a response. “I’m sorry, what did you say?” “I said good, because I really enjoyed spending time with you tonight.” “Oh, ditto. I haven’t laughed that hard in some time.” “So what do you say about us getting together again on Sunday?” She stared at his profile again but didn’t answer. When they stopped at a red light he looked over at her and she turned away without answering him. “Margarita?” 27

Love Interrupted Taking a deep breath, Patrice decided that honesty was the best policy. “I’m not sure if I need to date someone right now,” she said in a low voice. “Are you under-aged?” “No,” she said with a small laugh. “Are you a he pretending to be a she?” “Stop it, crazy!” “I’m just checking. A guy can never be too careful.” He turned his attention back to the road before continuing. “You’re a wonderful, vivacious and charming woman. Why shouldn’t you date?” “I haven’t exactly had good luck in the past.” That admission was still hard for her. She’d never even told her mother or her sister the real reason she’d broken up with Douglas. “You’re not alone there. That’s the point of getting to know people. Have you ever had a friend betray you?” “Yeah.” “Have you stopped making friends?” She laughed at that and Mace smiled. “No, I haven’t stopped making friends.” “Did you enjoy yourself tonight?” “Yeah, I must admit that I did. I get your point.” “Good, because I’m looking forward to seeing you again on Sunday.” 28

Elle D. Hayes “Pretty presumptuous aren’t you, Officer Rodriguez?” “No ma’am, just determined. So what do you say?” “I say you better plan on feeding me again because I’m usually starving after church.”

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Chapter Four Four weeks later… When her doorbell rang, Patrice checked her hair once more in the hall mirror before opening the front door of her small bungalow. She took a few seconds to take in the sight of Mace standing on her front porch. The man was sexy as hell. Her fingers immediately started itching to stroke his five o’clock shadow. His expressive light brown eyes were covered by a pair of aviator sunglasses, but his stare still heated her skin. She watched, entranced, as the tip of his tongue came out to swipe across his lower lip. All right girl, she thought to herself, don’t even think about throwing your panties at the man. She’d read a popular book recently that said you should wait at least ninety days before sleeping with a man for the first time. As if she thought of anything else. They’d been dating for just over four weeks and although he was always a perfect gentleman, their goodnight kisses were getting hotter and hotter. Last night he’d damn near made her come with his devilish mouth. How the

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Elle D. Hayes hell was she supposed to make it another sixty days without jumping his bones? “You look beautiful, Margarita,” he said in that deep panty-wetting voice of his. He still had just a hint of an accent left over from his childhood in Puerto Rico. Patrice was constantly asking him how to say things in Spanish just so she could hear him speak in his native tongue. She fantasized about him murmuring to her in Spanish while making love. He stood there eying her like she was the main course for the evening, and Patrice couldn’t help but preen a bit under his hungry gaze. It had been a long time since she’d actually cared whether a man found her attractive. She’d avoided any intimacy with the opposite sex like a contagious disease, but now she had an itch that she was positive only Mace could scratch. “Do I need to come in and wait or are you ready?” he asked, breaking into her wandering thoughts. “Huh? Oh, no, I’m ready. I just need to grab my purse and a jacket.” “A jacket! Woman, it’s almost eighty degrees out here.” “Yes but it might be cold in the movie theatre,” she patiently explained. Unlike him, she was always 31

Love Interrupted chilly. Mace seemed to have a built-in furnace and always radiated heat. She left him standing at the open door while she ran back into her living room to grab her jacket and purse, which she’d thrown onto the sofa. Walking back to the door, Patrice smiled at him standing there like a sentry. He was always in cop mode. The thought didn’t turn her off as she once thought it would. On the contrary, it gave her a sense of safety that she’d never truly felt with any man. “Sorry, I should have invited you in.” “I’m glad you didn’t, Margarita. I might not have been able to control myself if I had you alone in your home. Not with that outfit you’re wearing.” “I’m just wearing jeans,” she answered innocently, though it gave her great pleasure that he’d noticed the outfit she’d chosen; her best fitting jeans and a tight wrap-style blouse that hugged her breasts. “Do you have any idea how bad I want to kiss you right now?” “So what’s stopping you?” He took his sunglasses off and his gaze sharpened at the challenge. Patrice felt the heat of his gaze right down to her toes. She sighed in satisfaction when Mace wrapped his arms around her waist and zeroed in on her mouth. The rough texture of his 32

Elle D. Hayes tongue gliding over hers made her knees weaken. His strong grip on her waist kept her upright so she could continue to enjoy his sensual assault. When he finally pulled back from her mouth and pressed his forehead to hers, he was breathing as raggedly as she was. “Are you really hungry?” “Yeah, I could eat but you know what I really want?” “Tell me, Margarita.” Holding on to his shoulders to steady herself, Patrice rose up on her toes and whispered seductively in his ear, “I want you to come inside and make love to me.” She felt Mace shiver and smiled in satisfaction. Turning back to the door, she opened it and walked in without looking back. Patrice hoped her seductive words and the extra shimmy she put in her walk was enough to lure him into following. When the front door closed and the lock engaged with a muted click, it was her turn to shiver. Strolling into her bedroom, she’d barely made it over the threshold before a strong arm snaked around her waist and pulled her back against a rock-hard wall of muscle. When Mace leaned in to kiss her sensitive neck, she tilted her head to the side to give him better access. She rubbed her ass wantonly against the solid 33

Love Interrupted evidence of his arousal. They expelled matching moans. “You shouldn’t tease a man when he’s this close to the edge,” Mace rasped against her ear. “You shouldn’t keep a woman waiting when she’s this close to the edge,” Patrice fired back in a sultry whisper. One well-placed tug on her hips and she spun in his arms so that they were face to face. “I’ve spent the last four weeks taking cold showers because I knew the moment I saw you that you were worth the wait. I’m not rushing this, Margarita.” “I don’t think I can hold on for a long seduction, Maceo.” He chuckled close to her ear and she clenched her thighs at the sound. “You’ll hold on and when you’re too weak to hold on any more, I’ll be right there holding on for both of us.” Patrice was lost. She couldn’t have turned away from this man and this moment even if she’d wanted to. Her skin tingled everywhere his hands and lips touched and her back arched as she tried to get even closer to him. It wasn’t until his solid frame pushed her body into the mattress that she realized he’d lowered them onto the bed. He distracted her with another heart-stopping kiss, and when they came up 34

Elle D. Hayes for air her wrap top was open and her pants were around her knees. “You’re way too good at that,” she teased while pushing her pants down to her ankles and kicking them off with a flourish. “You haven’t seen good yet,” he boasted. Patrice had a feeling Mace could back up everything he promised, and her inner siren was going to enjoy every second of it. He kissed a trail from her chin to the valley between her breasts. She pushed her fingers through his short thick waves and arched her back in an open invitation. Mace pushed her bra aside and pulled one breast free so he could feast on her chocolate nipple. He teased her other nipple into a hard pebble by grazing his short fingernails across the smooth satin cup of her bra. Patrice lifted her legs and brazenly ground her core against his rock-hard abs. His shirt and her satin panties were the only things that separated their skin. Her clit throbbed at the sensation and her body shook with the effort to hold off her orgasm. Good God, he’d think she was some inexperienced prude if she came so soon, but he was making it hard not to. As if he read her mind, he released her nipple with a pop and growled, “Are you going to come for me, baby?” 35

Love Interrupted “I’m so close, Mace. It’s been awhile and I can’t hold it for much longer,” she said apologetically. “Don’t hold it. Come for me,” he commanded before bending his head to suck her other nipple deeply into his mouth. He shifted his position and slid a hand into her panties. His thick fingers slid over her clit before he pushed his middle and ring fingers into her. Patrice gave a hoarse shout as the dual sensations went straight to her clit and sent her over the edge. She ground herself against his palm, and clutched his head with one hand and a fist full of her bedspread with the other. Before she had time to come down from the climactic high she’d just achieved, thanks to his reverent ministrations, Mace licked a trail down the center of her chest and stomach, stopping to play in her navel. He didn’t dally for long. Instead, he moved on to his ultimate prize; taking time to kiss both of her inner thighs before moving her panties aside and taking long, slow licks of her glistening pussy. Patrice’s back arched and she moaned his name because really, what else was there? When he touched her, the world disappeared. He continued slowly torturing her by concentrating on everything but her

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Elle D. Hayes clit. She grabbed the back of his head to try and guide him, but he wasn't having it. He gently pushed her hands away and laced his fingers through hers, holding her prisoner while he ravaged her throbbing pussy. Patrice threw her head back and moaned. Intense pleasure spiraled from the center of her being up her spine and into her cerebral cortex, short-circuiting all coherent thought. “Mace” she moaned. “Please, baby, just a little harder.” He must have had pity on the way she pleaded or pleading was the key to getting what she really wanted, because he applied the extra pressure she needed. Patrice felt herself skyrocket into the stratosphere for a second time. Every muscle in both of her legs tightened to the point of pain as she bucked and came against his tongue. When she began to calm down, Mace took her panties off and tossed them over his shoulder before he climbed her glistening body. He made brief pit stops along the way to worship her navel and breasts again. While suckling her hardened nipple deep into his hot mouth, he undid his shirt and snatched it off roughly only to toss it aside, too. He stood suddenly, leaving her wet nipple unprotected against the cool air in the bedroom. 37

Love Interrupted Hastily kicking his shoes off, he opened his pants and pushed them down his strong legs along with his black boxer-briefs. When he stood up, there was raw lust in his gaze and an impressive erection jutting out like a sensual beacon. Patrice sat up and removed her bra and top while he watched. When she pulled her legs up to take her pumps off, he stopped her. “No. Leave them on.” Oh hell, yes, Patrice thought as she lay back and beckoned him to join her. He rejoined her on the bed and latched on to her lips for a deeply passionate and overwhelming kiss that left Patrice tasting herself mixed with his own unique taste. When he suddenly stopped and pulled back, she groaned in frustration. “What?” “Condom,” was all he said as he moved away from her and bent to fish around in his pants. He pulled a condom out of his wallet, ripping the packet open with his teeth. Taking his time to slip it on, he watched her watching him. Patrice’s mouth watered. Oh yeah, she was definitely going to have to taste him, but later. Right now all she could think about was getting him inside of her. She raised her eyes to his and said “Maceo Rodriguez, either you get inside me right now, or so 38

Elle D. Hayes help me I’ll open that drawer and use B.O.B. to handle what you won't.” “B.O.B.?” “Battery operated boyfriend, a.k.a. a vibrator.” “Like hell,” he growled. He swooped down and covered her body with his, kissing the smirk off her face as he positioned himself at her entrance. “I told you no rushing, Margarita,” he whispered roughly as he pressed just the head of his thick cock into her. That got her attention and reminded her what she was up against. One look had told her that he was bigger than any man she'd had before, but she was okay with that. What she wasn't okay with was the slow pace he set. It was driving her crazy. “Mace, I swear to God I’m gonna make you pay for this,” Patrice ground out between clenched teeth as Mace fed another inch of throbbing hardness into her. “I look forward to it, baby. I look forward to every minute of your payback but right now, I got this.” Mace hooked an arm under one of her knees and lifted it high as he sank into her warmth until their pelvises touched. “God, that feels so good.”

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Love Interrupted Mace braced his weight on his arms and looked into her eyes as he continued making love to her. “I’ve been dreaming of this, Margarita. Ever since I laid eyes on you, I’ve been dreaming of being so deep inside of you that we both forget where you end and I begin. Dreaming about feeling this tight pussy wrapped around my cock. Dreaming about touching you and tasting you. Dreaming about hearing you call my name when I make you come. I want everything, Patrice. Nothing held back.” Patrice nearly came on the spot. He stared straight into her soul and touched that part of her heart she tried so hard to shield. As Mace continued to pick up the pace, Patrice grabbed his ass. He buried his face in the side of her neck kissing and licking her sweat-slickened skin. Grabbing her other leg, he hoisted it high and slammed his full length into her. The feel of him stretching her slick folds to accommodate his size was such a turn-on. Patrice felt her inner muscles quake as another orgasm built up inside of her. She could hear Mace’s breath being ripped from his chest as he put every ounce of his strength into making love like it was the last night before the rapture. When his tongue snaked

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Elle D. Hayes out to dip into her ear before he sucked her earlobe into his hot mouth, Patrice lost it. “Awww!!!” she cried out as her entire world shattered into a million brilliant stars. “Fuck, yes, baby. I’m right here with you,” was all Mace grunted out before slamming into her and freezing. Patrice could feel his cock pulsing inside her clenching pussy. She felt every twitch and stroked his broad back as they both gasped for air. The realization that no man had ever made her come three times in one night briefly crossed her mind, but she was too drained to give it much attention. She’d think about it later. “You falling asleep on me, Margarita?” “You put me to sleep.” “So I just threw my back out while boring you to death?” Mace chuckled close to her ear. “More like you knocked me out with that hostile takeover.” Mace rolled away and pulled her into his embrace. “You can take a nap before round two if you like.” Patrice shook her head and mumbled, “I need a multivitamin,” before closing her eyes and relaxing fully against him. Her last thought before falling 41

Love Interrupted asleep was that Mace meant safety. He’d always keep her safe.

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Chapter Five Patrice woke up slowly, drifting up from the lazy cocoon of bliss she’d been left in. She didn’t think anything could beat her first time with Mace but he’d proven her wrong every time since. They’d been inseparable for almost three months and she still got flutters when he looked at her a certain way. She still looked forward to each and every date. Whether it was dinner and a movie or a fish fry with friends or a long walk in the local park, they easily enjoyed each other’s company. She’d never felt this completely enraptured with a man. Not even Dr. NoGood had made her heart race the way Mace did. Damn, she was falling hard. Last night they’d come back to his apartment after attending a barbecue at his parent’s home. She’d been a nervous wreck all week because meeting his family was a huge step. Sure she’d told her mom about him during one of their weekly phone calls a few weeks ago, but that was different. She wasn’t ready to put him through the Edith Eastwick inquisition just yet. His mom, on the other hand, had been subtle with hers. As a matter of fact, Marisol Rodriguez 43

Love Interrupted could probably get bomb codes from the President she was so smooth. She’d invited Patrice to help her in the kitchen while the Rodriguez men fought over the best way to light the grill. Once they were alone, she’d casually made light conversation, but somehow pulled most of Patrice’s life story out of her by the time they were ready to carry the meat out. Patrice had been taken with both of Mace’s parents. Miguel Rodriguez was a big teddy bear of a man—with a thick Puerto Rican accent—who was prone to lapse into Spanish right in the middle of a sentence. He’d openly flirted with his wife and teased his sons while also making sure Patrice knew she was welcomed. Patrice had also fallen for Mace’s brothers on sight. Both were handsome and well-mannered and made it a point to threaten to steal her from Mace if he turned his back. Older brother Manuel was the quietest member of the family, but no less personable once he got to know her. Younger brother Michael was an unashamed hell-raiser. He gave his father and brothers a hard time at every opportunity but turned to putty in his mother’s presence. Not in a weak, still breastfeeding, mama’s-boy type of way; he just showed his mother a great deal of respect. Patrice was

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Elle D. Hayes willing to bet that when he found that special lady she was going to be treated in the same reverent way. The Rodriguez clan bickered good-naturedly but she’d seen the love and respect they all had for each other. It was a far cry from the way Patrice remembered her mother’s family behaving. They didn’t just bicker, they brawled. That was one of the reasons her mother and father had moved to the US when Patrice was just a toddler. Four years after they settled in Georgia, her sister was born. One year later, her father moved out and never came back. Edith had worked two jobs for as long as Patrice could remember to support her daughters. A secretary by day, she also worked evenings and weekends at a local department store. Miguel and Marisol were still very much in love and not afraid to show it. They still held hands and lovingly watched each other, not caring who saw. At one point Patrice realized that Mace often held her hand and watched her the same way. The seed of hope had finally taken root with that realization. Maybe a man who’d been raised around that kind of lasting love would be the type of man to build a future with. There was no denying their chemistry. She shivered as she remembered how he’d kept her up until the wee hours of the morning making love and 45

Love Interrupted talking. With her eyes still closed, she smiled as memories of the previous night flooded her mind. Each time they made love, it was more explosive than the last. The man was sexual sin personified and Patrice enjoyed letting her wicked side go free when they were together. Outside of the bedroom they meshed well too. They both loved football, boxing and ultimate fighting. They also shared a love for action movies, good pizza and spicy Caribbean foods. They were both passionate about helping others and she’d been pleasantly surprised when he’d showed up at a walk-a-thon she was participating in with his own sheet of sponsors. Yep, she was falling fast and hard. “Who the fuck is this, Maceo?!!” Patrice’s eyes snapped open in shock. She was still half-asleep and disoriented, but apparently Mace didn’t have the same problem. His arm went from being casually thrown across her waist to a tight band that swiftly pulled her up and over his body. Before she had time to completely process what was happening, Patrice found herself behind him and tangled in the sheet as Mace bolted from bed. He stood gloriously naked and frighteningly furious in front of the woman who had walked into his bedroom

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Elle D. Hayes and now stood right next to the spot where Patrice had lain just a few short seconds before. “What the hell?! How did you get in here, Carlita?” “Answer the question. Did you think it would be that easy to replace me? Who the fuck is this puta you’ve got laying up in our bed?” Carlita said, moving to step around him. “Our bed?!” Patrice choked out, too shocked to check the heifer for calling her a foul name. She may not be fluent in Spanish but she knew that word was derogatory. She’d heard it enough times while working in the emergency room when she first got into nursing. “You need to leave,” Mace growled in a dangerously calm voice. “You don’t have to tell me twice,” Patrice fumed without batting an eye as she stood, pulling the sheet off the bed as she went. “Not you, baby, her!” he said, jabbing a finger angrily at Carlita. “I’m not going anywhere. What was the plan, Mace? Fuck some random bitch and make me jealous?” Patrice’s eyes snapped up and she glared at the screaming woman. “I don’t know what the hell is 47

Love Interrupted going on here but I’m not gonna stand for too many more putas or bitches.” The other woman returned the angry glare but wisely kept her mouth shut. “Wait, Patrice, let me explain,” Mace said while pulling on his boxers. “Save it, Mace! It seems like I’m not the one you should be offering explanations to.” Patrice ran out of the bedroom, ignoring the way Mace yelled her name. She quickly changed in the living room, not bothering with her underwear. The sound of a very loud and very one-sided argument being carried out in rapid-fire Spanish just fueled her embarrassment and fury. She heard the woman he’d called Carlita sob as she said something to him in a pleading voice. So Mace was a bully and a cheater. Too bad she hadn’t found out before she slept with his sorry ass. Grabbing her purse, she rushed out the front door with her shoes still in hand. It wasn’t until Mace’s apartment door slammed behind her that she remembered she didn’t drive over last night. She didn’t have a ride home. Pulling out her cell phone, she scanned the directory trying to decide who to call. It only took a second for her to realize there was no one she wanted to see her right now. 48

Elle D. Hayes She ran down the stairs to the parking lot and began walking out of the complex while pulling the internet up on her phone. Never in a million years would she have imagined finding herself in this predicament. The urge to cry was almost overwhelming, but at the same time she wanted to go back and kick Mace’s cheating ass. Her warring emotions had her hands trembling so bad she could barely pull up the information she was searching for. Bastard! How the hell didn’t she see this coming? How had he fooled her so well?

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Chapter Six Four Weeks Later… “You know what, Mace? Until you can manage your own love life, you can keep your opinions to yourself,” Gunnar Stephenson said. “I can manage my love life just fine,” Mace growled angrily. “Yeah right, by not admitting, even to yourself, that you still got it bad for Nurse Hot-as-Hell? That’s just plain dumb, man. Hate to burst your bubble but no one’s falling for that.” “Easy, Gunn,” fellow SWAT officer Christopher “Cash” Ashe warned. Mace glared at Gunnar. He had no clue how this discussion had turned into an attack on him, but it was quickly pissing him off. He was already on edge about being in the same room with Patrice when she wouldn’t even give him the time of day. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. That woman can’t stand me and I’m not gonna keep begging her to talk to me. Been there, done that. Epic fail.” “So you’re blind and stupid,” Gunn said sarcastically. 50

Elle D. Hayes “Watch it, man,” Mace said quietly. He was entering that place past being pissed and putting Gunn on his ass was looking like an appealing option right now. “I am watching, and you know what?” Gunnar questioned while glancing over his shoulder at Patrice who was standing across the room talking to Tonia and her parents. He turned back to Mace with a leering grin. “If you’re not gonna enjoy the bountiful blessing that woman’s body has to offer, then maybe I will.” Mace’s punch knocked Gunnar out of his chair. He struggled against Cash’s hold as Gunnar quickly got to his feet. Jay and Rich put themselves between the two combatants. With one hand to his chest and a chilly stare, Jay stopped Gunnar from taking a step towards Mace. Meanwhile Rich leaned in until he was almost nose to nose with Mace, who was still struggling against Cash’s hold. “You better chill the hell out, man. Have you forgotten where we are and what we’re here for? This is some straight bullshit to pull at our boy’s engagement party, Mace.” “Are y’all insane?” Jay asked harshly. “I should let Tonia come over here and rip you both a new one, but since I’m in such a good mood I’ll have pity on 51

Love Interrupted your sorry asses. Gunn, hit the men’s room and wipe your face. Mace, meet me at the bar.” Finally shaking out of Cash’s loosening hold, Mace shook his head. “Naw, bro, I’m leaving. I’m sorry to have messed up you and Tonia’s party.” With that, he headed for the front door without acknowledging anyone he passed. Outside, Mace stalked to his car but didn’t get in. He stood there, thinking about Patrice and what Gunnar said. Damn, that woman had him tied in knots. He still wanted her and it killed him that she’d been able to just cut him off so easily. No chance to explain. No chance to set things right. With a string of Spanish curses lacing the air around him, Maceo walked back into the restaurant. He spotted Patrice sitting in a corner booth talking to Dynah and Tonia. Before he could head that way, a heavy hand landed on his shoulder. Turning, he found his commanding officer Mac standing behind him. “Tell me you’re not about to cause another scene at my god-daughter’s engagement party?” “No, sir.” “Good. Come on, I want to talk to you for a second.” Maceo followed the older man to the bar where they both asked for sodas.

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Elle D. Hayes After their drinks arrived, Mac turned to him and said, “You know, sometimes one small misunderstanding can ruin a perfectly good relationship. I don’t know the whole story of what went down with you and Patrice but I know enough, and I can’t help wondering if you ever put yourself in her shoes?” “I don’t understand.” “Did you ever stop to think how you would have felt or how you would have reacted if the shoe was on the other foot? Did you at least try to see things from her point of view?” Maceo thought about the question for a second before shaking his head slowly. Damn, what would he have done if he’d been the one to wake up with a crazy ex-boyfriend of Patrice’s standing over the bed where they’d just made love? Probably beat the hell out of the guy before leaving, which made Patrice a hell of a lot classier than him since she hadn’t touched Carlita that morning, even though she looked like she wanted to. She’d also looked hurt. The memory still caused him to bow his head in shame. She’d looked hurt and disappointed. The disappointment was what really ate at him when he allowed himself to remember that day. Maceo knew on a deep level that only someone who truly cared about him could be disappointed when 53

Love Interrupted they thought he’d done them wrong. “Damn,” he said, out loud this time. “Put’s a new perspective on things when you look at it from the other person’s point of view, doesn’t it?” “Yeah, Mac, it does.” “All may not be lost. You need to talk to your lady friend. If nothing else, at least clear the air so there’s no animosity between you. Take it from someone who knows, when you don’t try to fix your own screw-up, you could end up spending a lifetime wondering ‘what if’?” Maceo looked at his commanding officer thoughtfully. “Did you ever go back to see ‘what if’?” “No. That ship sailed.” “Are you sure about that?” “Married with two kids is a pretty good indication she moved on.” “I’m sorry, Mac.” “Don’t be, just learn from my mistake. Patrice is a good girl and you obviously still have feelings for her. Talk to her. Just do me a favor.” “Name it.” “Don’t punch anybody else tonight. Judge Lassiter is real protective of his baby girl and so am I. Don’t make us kick your ass.” 54

Elle D. Hayes “Understood,” Maceo said with a laugh.   Patrice sat between Tonia and Dynah wishing she was anywhere else. She felt as if all eyes were on her. Although she hadn’t heard what led to the onesided fight between Mace and Gunnar, it was an easy bet that she was the catalyst. She’d been dreading seeing Mace tonight for just this reason. “I know you’re still pissed about that crazy bitch showing up at his apartment, but you’ve admitted that you never gave him an opportunity to explain,” Tonia said patiently. Newly engaged to the man she loved, she wanted her friends to find the same kind of happiness but they were both determined to be hardasses. Tonia knew a little bit about hardasses who were running from love. She’d nearly been killed before Jay would admit he loved her. “What was there to explain? I wake up to some woman screaming at me for being in bed with her man. A woman, I might add, that had a key to his apartment, so obviously she had a claim to him. Who breaks up with someone but forgets to ask for their key back?” “Did he act like a claimed man?” Dynah asked. 55

Love Interrupted Patrice thought about that. She replayed that morning in her mind. “No, he kept asking her what the hell she was doing in his place and telling me to stay put.” “If he was with her, why would he have asked you to stay?” “I don’t know,” Patrice whined and she really hated whining in front of these two beautiful and confident women. “I just knew I had to get out of there. I’d been down that road before when I first became a nurse.” Tonia and Dynah remained quiet and she appreciated that. Although the three of them had become the best of friends, she still felt uncomfortable sharing something so personal. They were both attorneys who had come from good families and gone to the best schools. She, on the other hand, had been raised by a single mother who emigrated from Barbados. She’d gone to a state university on partial scholarship and worked full-time all through school to make ends meet. She didn’t want them feeling sorry for her or looking down their noses at her naiveté. Patrice saw Mace come back into the restaurant and go over to the bar with Lt. McGuire. Even after a month apart, she still felt her body stir at the sight of him. She missed his touch but damned if she didn’t 56

Elle D. Hayes miss just being able to talk to him, and she absolutely missed him making her laugh until her sides hurt. Mace was the first man to really get her attention since the fiasco with Dr. Hayden four years earlier. He didn’t just walk into a room, he swaggered in like he owned it. Cocky but not obnoxious, he was just a regular guy that had his shit together and knew it. Or so she’d thought, until the screaming banshee had invaded his bedroom and made Patrice doubt not only Mace but her own judgment. Could she really have been that far off-base about him? “Ladies?” All three women looked up at Gunnar. He was a gorgeous man. Blond hair, blue eyes and strong features pointed to his Norwegian genes. Standing six feet three and built like a football player, he looked like a modern-day Viking. An uncomfortable Viking, if the way he was shifting from one foot to the other was any indication. “I just wanted to apologize for what happened earlier. Mace and I lost our heads for a second. It won’t happen again.” Dynah sucked her teeth before taking a sip of her drink. “It’s okay, Gunn,” Tonia said while casting a disapproving glance Dynah’s way. 57

Love Interrupted “Are you okay?” Patrice asked, staring at the slight puffiness of Gunnar’s bottom lip. “Yeah, I’m good. I think I’m going to get out of here, though. I’ll see everyone again soon.” “You don’t have to leave, Gunn,” Tonia said with a frown. “It’s still so early.” “Let the man go, Tonia. I’m sure there are others that welcome his brand of chaos.” “Can’t blame a man for going where he’s welcomed,” Gunn replied, leveling a chilly glare at Dynah, who returned the look, and managed to make hers even frostier. “Okay, you two, don’t start,” Tonia admonished. “Why are you fussing at me?” Dynah said with a pout. “Because today is ‘I-Will-Not-Cosign-on-YourBullshit’ Day.” Dynah rolled her eyes, but kept any comments to herself. Patrice got the feeling there was something going on that she hadn’t been let in on yet. She looked between Gunn and Dynah, and something about the way they avoided looking at each other told a story all its own. “Patrice, do you need a ride home?” Gunn asked suddenly. 58

Elle D. Hayes “She has a ride,” Mace said as he stepped up beside Gunn. The men sized each other up for a moment before Gunnar asked, “We good?” “Yeah, man. We’re good.” Gunn gave a curt nod, then turned and said “Goodnight” again. “Night,” Patrice and Tonia chimed in unison. “I’m going to get another drink,” Dynah said. “I’ll go with you,” Tonia offered. “I need to find my fiancé.” Patrice rolled her eyes at the obvious attempt to get her and Mace alone. She sat stiffly as he slid into the booth next to her. “Hey,” he said tentatively, like he wasn’t really sure she would answer. Hell, she wasn’t sure she should. She’d ignored his phone calls after that awful morning when she’d fled his apartment in shame. What could he possibly say to make things better? Patrice swallowed the lump that formed in her throat and blinked as her eyes suddenly misted. Hell, no, she would not shed another tear for his sorry ass. “I don’t need a ride,” she said quickly, as she slid out of the booth. Patrice hated the fact that her voice cracked, but she had to get away from him before her 59

Love Interrupted entire suit of armor fell apart. She made a beeline for the exit and welcomed the cool rush of air that greeted her. She pulled her cell phone out and pulled up the number for the same cab company she’d called the morning she’d fled Mace’s apartment. A large and familiar hand closed over hers and removed the phone from her grip. “I’ll take you home. I know you don’t need anything or anyone, but I want to. I’ve already messed up Jay and Tonia’s party; let me at least do something right tonight,” Mace said in a rush. Patrice searched his face before shrugging and saying, “Whatever.” Mace handed the phone back to her and gestured for her to walk with him. He led her over to his car and opened her door. After she was settled into her seat, Patrice watched him as he walked around the front of the car. Damn, she missed him. They’d only dated for three months, but she’d felt a strong connection to him the moment she met him outside of Tonia’s hospital room. He’d smiled that sexy confident smile of his and she’d been lost. It had seemed as if she’d picked a winner. That’s why it hurt so badly when she found out he was dating another woman.

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Elle D. Hayes “Why didn’t you just tell me you were dating someone else?” she suddenly asked as they cruised through the downtown area heading for her home. “Because I wasn’t, Patrice. If you had bothered to stick around that day or answer any of my phone calls in the two weeks afterwards, you’d have known that.” “She had a key to your apartment, Mace.” “A key she shouldn’t have had, Patrice!” She arched her brow at his raised voice, but let him continue. “We were broken up for like four months before I even met you. She still called occasionally trying to play the ‘let’s-just-be-friends’ game, but I knew she wanted to get back together so I kept my distance. I gave her a key when we were dating because I went out of town for a week and she offered to check on things while I was gone. What I didn’t know was she’d made an extra copy and didn’t return it when we broke up. I was just as shocked as you to have her in my place that morning. After you left, she admitted she’d come by because a friend of hers saw us out the night before and she freaked at the thought of me moving on with someone else. I took the key, told her if she called or came around again I’d file a report for stalking, then I kicked her ass out.” 61

Love Interrupted Patrice sat quietly and digested what he’d just said. She wanted to believe him. Hell, she needed to believe him because the truth was she hadn’t gotten over him in the four weeks since they’d last been together. “Why didn’t you tell me this before?” Mace looked at her incredulously before turning back to the road. “I called you every day for two weeks. You wouldn’t take any of my phone calls. How could I tell you if you wouldn’t talk to me?” Patrice couldn’t argue with that logic so she stared out the window silently as they drove the last few miles to her place. Mace cut the engine when he finally turned into the driveway of the small bungalow she rented. “Why was it so easy for you to believe the worst about me?” he asked as he stared straight ahead. Patrice looked down at her hands which were clasped tightly in her lap. “I had someone cheat on me when I thought we were in a serious relationship a few years back and I thought it was happening all over again. I was so hurt and embarrassed because I thought I’d made the same mistake twice and who wants to do that?” “Nobody,” Mace acknowledged. “But would it have killed you to give me the benefit of the doubt? I chased you just to get that first date. Once we got 62

Elle D. Hayes together, I spent all of my free time trying to get to know you better. When the hell did I have time to be seeing somebody else?” Patrice didn’t answer. She couldn’t. He was right. “I fell for you the minute I laid eyes on you. That’s never happened to me before. Who can resist a woman wearing multi-colored daisies on her scrubs?” “Oh, Lord,” Patrice said shaking her head. “You’re never going to let me forget that, are you?” Mace chuckled and shook his head. “Not likely, Margarita. I didn’t know whether to kiss the hell out of you or arrest you for a fashion violation.” Patrice laughed in spite of herself. She felt some of the thick tension in the car subside. “I’ve missed making you laugh. I’ve missed you, period.” His admission surprised her even more. She stared at his profile for a moment before saying softly “I’ve missed you, too.” He closed his eyes for a moment and when he opened them and turned to look at her, the depth of emotion she saw in his gaze took her breath away. “Come here”, Mace said reaching for her. She was in his arms before she could blink.

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Chapter Seven They stumbled into Patrice’s house, arms locked around each other and lips sealed together in a kiss. Mace kicked the door shut and turned to press Patrice back against it. She welcomed the warm solid weight of his frame against her body. She’d missed this. The passion. Instantaneous, combustible and allconsuming. Mace broke the kiss to trail kisses along her jaw until he reached her ear. He said something in Spanish and Patrice almost came on the spot. Damn, it was sexy as hell when he got all hot and spoke Spanish. His voice deepened and the R’s rolled in the cutest way. She could listen to him all night, but then she wouldn’t be able to feel him nestled deep inside her if all she did was stand there and listen to him talk. That was an unacceptable option. Pushing against his solid chest, she found enough breath to gasp out “bedroom”. Mace shook his head no and grabbed her ass to hoist her up against the door. “Open my pants, Margarita.” Oh, shit that is so hot, Patrice thought as she rushed to do as he asked. When she grasped the steel length of him, his eyes rolled to the back of his head 64

Elle D. Hayes and he moaned. She stroked him firmly from root to tip and he grew even larger and harder in her hand. After just three stokes of her hand, he growled “stop”. Patrice felt him pull her panties to the side so she guided him to her entrance. Lifting her an inch, then slowly sliding her down his shaft, Mace stared into her eyes and she was mesmerized by what she saw in his expression. Raw, unbridled, masculine passion. He was so turned on and that turned her on. When she’d taken every inch of him, he brought his head forward and touched his forehead to hers. “This won’t be slow or easy, baby, but I’ll make it up to you. I need you too much right now.” “Stop talking and start stroking, Maceo.” “Yes, ma’am,” he answered playfully before taking her mouth in a soul-shattering kiss. He began making love to her, slowly at first, pulling out almost completely and sliding back in to the hilt. The curly hairs surrounding his cock tickled her clit with each upward stroke. The sounds of their heavy breathing and frequent moans echoed around the small foyer. It wasn’t long before he increased the pace until he was tunneling in and out of her drenched pussy at a frantic pace. “You feel so amazing, baby,” Mace rasped into her ear. “God, I’ve missed having you in my arms.” 65

Love Interrupted “Hmm, I’ve missed you, too, baby,” Patrice gasped as he continued pushing her into the door. He released her ass and hooked his arms under her knees, changing the angle that his hard cock entered her. “Oh yes, baby, right there,” Patrice moaned as Mace pushed deeper and the head of his cock brushed against her g-spot. “You like that, Margarita?” he whispered naughtily in her ear. “Yes baby, please don’t stop. Mace…I need…oh…oh shit!” “Hmmm, feels like I hit your g-spot. Do you want me to do that again, Margarita?” “God, YES!” Patrice enthusiastically replied. “Please, baby, hit it again,” she pleaded. “Hit it harder!” The next thrust shut her eyes. Another thrust and her mouth opened on a silent scream. A final hard thrust and she saw stars. She was vaguely aware of the fact that Mace was coming as thick hot jets of his essence filled her. “Te quiero tanto, Margarita. I’ve been going crazy without you in my life.” Patrice blinked trying to focus on what she was hearing even though the blood was still pounding so 66

Elle D. Hayes loud in her ears all she could hear was her own heartbeat. Mace was going from Spanish to English and her Spanish was still rusty, but she’d heard Mace’s father say the same thing to his mother and she knew what it meant. “What did you say?” He pulled back enough to look in her eyes. “You heard me, Margarita. I love you so much.” “I love you, too, baby.” “No more assumptions. I need to know you trust me as much as I trust you.” “I do. I shouldn’t have let old issues screw up my judgment. What I should have done was kick that crazy bitch’s ass.” Mace laughed at that before kissing the frown from Patrice’s lips.

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Epilogue “May I have this dance, Margarita?” Patrice looked up and smiled. She stood and let Mace lead her onto the dance floor where couples were slowly moving to the sensual strains of a slow jam. The ballroom had been turned into an upscale lounge that left Patrice thinking of the fifties and sixties. Since the theme for Jay and Tonia’s wedding and reception was “old Hollywood" she’d say the wedding designer had been well worth the money Tonia’s parents spent on him. “Have I told you how handsome you look in that tux?” she asked once she was enclosed in Mace’s arms. “As a matter of fact, you did. Have I told you how much I’m looking forward to getting you out of that dress later?” Patrice playfully swatted his shoulder and whispered, “Behave, Officer Rodriguez.” “Why? What fun is there in that?” Patrice saw a frown mar his face suddenly, and turned her head to try and see what had caught his attention. Across the room, Gunn was standing in the middle of the dance floor, watching Dynah as she fled the ballroom. 68

Elle D. Hayes “Those two still in denial?” “Yep,” Mace answered simply. “I’ll call her tomorrow and make sure she’s okay.” “I’ll talk to him later if I can catch him,” Mace promised. “Right now I just want to enjoy the feel of my lady in my arms.” “Hmmm, your lady is certainly enjoying the feel of being held.” “Good, because I don’t plan on ever letting you go again, Patrice Eastwick. I already know for a fact life without you is like living in hell. Besides, your number one ally, also known as my mother, has been dropping all kinds of hints about wanting grandchildren before she’s too old to enjoy them.” Patrice groaned. “So she’s been doing it to you too, huh? I thought she was just working on me. My mom has been getting in on the act, too. Last weekend she was moaning and groaning about how much she misses having a little girl to shop for.” “Would it be a bad thing?” “What?” Patrice asked confused. “A little boy or girl with your beautiful skin and smiling eyes?” Patrice smiled up at him softly. They’d been having more and more of these conversations lately. 69

Love Interrupted She knew Mace saw a future for them, but she didn’t want to push him. Truthfully, she was enjoying just being with him. Marriage and family would come soon enough. For now she was content with selfishly keeping him to herself. “It wouldn’t be so bad but we have time. So let’s not allow everyone else to dictate our timeline. Okay?” “Agreed, but you need to know something.” “What?” “My timeline is getting shorter and shorter.” Patrice looked up at him and smiled. She pulled his head down for a sweet kiss, then whispered for his ears only, “I’m ready when you are, Officer.”

Elle To read more about the characters connected to this book, check out the following stories:  Negotiating Love (Tonia and Jayson)

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Elle D. Hayes Elle D. Hayes was born to write. An unapologetic dreamer, she has created characters and their unique worlds for as long as she can remember. By day she is a not-somild-mannered executive assistant, but by night she is a fierce keyboard warrior hoping to one day be crowned Queen of Erotic Romance. It makes for rough mornings filled with lots of caffeine, but she swears it’s worth it. For more from Elle visit her online at http://elledhayes.blogspot.com/ http://www.facebook.com/elledhayes http://twitter.com/#!/elledhayes