Beneath the Scars (Masters of the Shadowlands #13)(130)

Zuri busted out laughing.

“You really are.” Jessica grinned. “We have been here a while, after all.”

“But I almost never get toasted.” Josie touched her lips. Definitely some numbness going on.

“Is Carson taken care of?” Linda asked.

“You’re such a mom, but yes, he is. He’s with my great-aunt tonight.” She eyed the table of women. No one was sober. “I asked Holt if I was being over-cautious, and he laughed. He knew y’all would be here, didn’t he?”

“Of course he did. And that we’d be drinking.” Kari raised her glass in a toast. “Zane is with my mama.”

“Sophia is with her grandmother.” Jessica clinked her glass against Kari’s.

“However, it is getting late, and I have to open the store tomorrow.” Linda owned a small beachfront store. “It’s probably time to call it quits.”

“I suppose. We all have to work tomorrow.” Rainie pointed a finger at Josie. “At least, you don’t have to go in until evening.”

“I’m spoiled that way.” However, she planned to start her new book tomorrow. Stopping now would be wise. “I’m going to call for a taxi. Do any of y’all need a ride?”

Jessica looked around the room, and her gaze landed on something behind Josie. She lifted hand in a hail. “Nope, we’re good. And if you call for a taxi, you might get in trouble.”

Josie frowned. “You mean one of the Masters will give me a ride? That’d be—”

“This Master will give you a ride,” Holt murmured, his resonant voice a heady caress along her nerve endings. His arms came around her from behind, and his warm cheek rubbed against hers.

“You’re here!” She tipped her head back and got herself an upside-down kiss. When her head stopped spinning, she saw the rest of the Shadowlands Masters claiming their women. “I thought you were working late.”

“I did. I think you lost track of time.” Holt ran a finger down her cheek. “You’re tipsy, pet.” His wicked smile flashed. “Perhaps I’ll take advantage of you while you are.”

“Why…you…you…” Uh-uh, don’t call the Dom a pervert. When his steely blue gaze met hers, she clamped her lips shut, remembering the last time she’d called him a name. How his callused hand had felt dealing out each stinging spank on her bare bottom…and afterward, how hard she’d come.

When she didn’t finish her sentence, laughter lightened his eyes.

After helping her stand, he held her at arms-length. His gaze took her in, head to toes, and lingered on the bralette. “Jesus, if I’d seen you wearing this, you’d never have made it out of the house.”

As his knuckles brushed the inside curves of her breasts, the heat in his gaze sent tingles through her everywhere.

“Get a room, you two.” Arm around Sally, Vance grinned at them.

Holt chuckled and straightened.

As a group, everyone rose and started collecting jackets and purses.

And then she heard a phone ringing.

“It’s your cell, pet.” Holt picked up her purse.

She swiped the ANSWER button. “Hello?”

“Josie. I know it’s late, but I just finished reading your new story. Let me tell you—” Sara continued to talk, her New York accent thick, her speech rapid-fire.

With Holt’s hand on her shoulder, Josie listened, unable to get in more than a word or two. “Really? You did? Really?”

Tears filled her eyes, and despite her blurred vision, she could see that everyone in her group was frowning.

She shut off the call. “That—”

“Are you all right? What’s wrong? Who made you cry?” Jessica looked ready to bitch-slap someone…if she could manage to aim. It looked as if Master Z was all that was keeping her upright.

Linda took Josie’s hand. “Can we help?”

Beside her, Holt had his arm around her waist. “What’s the matter?”

“I’m happy. These’re happy tears.” Josie swiped at her face. “That was my editor. She’d just finished reading my new manuscript and was so thrilled with the story that she didn’t want to wait to tell me.”

There was a second of surprise, and then everyone broke into cheers and congratulations.

Josie couldn’t keep from beaming. She’d never had friends like these. Never felt so much a part of a group.

Smiling, Holt gave her a squeeze. “Of course she’d love it. You’re an awesome author.”

God, she loved this man.

“Did she say anything about those battle scenes we choreographed with the dolls?” Holt asked, shooting a grin at Zuri who’d made the costumes.

Josie laughed. “Actually, what she really liked was…the romance. Laurent and Tigre falling in love.”

Holt tilted his head, brows together. “You added a romance?”

“I did.” She put her arms around him. “It’s your fault, Master Holt,” she said, not even trying to lower her voice. “You made me believe in romance. In love.”

And the story had changed and deepened when she’d learned to listen to her heart. When she—and her heroine—had opened up and trusted.