Page 1 of Magnetic Temptations

PROLOGUE

MANE

After Ella came and informed me that Julia had been taken care of—permanently, a rush of stark relief swept through me. This means Mason is no longer in danger from the psychotic woman. He can go home and start living his life again.

I’m elated he can reconnect with his friends and family and that I’ll no longer be his only source and link to the outside world. Both excitement and dread race through me as my fingers shake when I pick up my burner phone to let him know he no longer has to stay under the guise of his fabricated identity.

The sensation of moths fluttering around in my belly takes root as I press the button in my address book that’ll sync me to the man I’ve fallen hopelessly in love with.

“Hello?” The masculine voice on the other side of the line answers. His low, gravelly voice always causes my skin to break out in the shivers. I reach down with my free hand and rub my skin, noticing the way it’s pebbled.

“Mason?”

“Mane? Baby, is everything okay? Why does your voice sound so shaky?”

“Everything’s great. Perfect actually,” I say, as nervous flutters dance in my belly.

“Are you coming to see me, baby? I fucking miss you like crazy. I’m going out of my mind wanting you beside me.” I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one feeling lonely and miserable without the other.

“No, Mason, I’m doing something better than that,” I tell him, swallowing the lump that’s lodged in my throat.

“Oh, yeah. What’s that, my luscious Mane?” My breath hitches when he calls me that, it has ever since the first time the pet name escaped his lips.

“Mason. I’m bringing you home.”

“Julia?” he asks, his voice wary and hesitant. “What about her? She’s vowed to kill me if she ever sees me again.”

Keeping the sobs at bay, I tell him, “Gone. She won’t bother you ever again. You can come back home and reclaim your life.”

“And what if I want my life to be wherever you are, baby girl?”

“Then pack your bags and come claim me, Mason. I’ll be waiting.”

“I’ll be there as soon as I can. Keep the bed warm for me, my love.”

“I’ll leave a light on and illuminate the way for you, Mase.”

“See that you do because it’ll help me find my way to you faster. See you soon, Mane.”

“Soon,” I vow, a tear trickling down my cheek as I disconnect the call.

I can’t believe it’s finally over and I can be with Mason without reservations. I just hope everyone else is supportive and understanding of our relationship. We crossed a few lines, but every reprimand I’ll receive is worth the love he gives me.

Murmuring to myself, I put out my hope to the universe. “I’m counting down the days until you get here, Mason. Love you. Safe travels home.”

There must be a full moon out this evening because I’ve taken an influx of calls tonight at Kings Domestic Rescue. I took the witching hour shift so that our counselor, who works overnight, could take the night off and be at home with her sick baby.

This late hour of the night makes me a nervous wreck, because as the saying goes, “nothing good ever comes from anybody out and about after midnight,” and I can attribute that to the phone ringing during that timeline as well.

“Kings,” I answer, booting up my computer in case this is an intake request.

“Why are you working the overnight shift?” my dad asks, his tone gruff and a little on the pissed off side.

“Calliope's kid is sick, what’s your excuse for tracking me down at two in the morning, Dad? Stalker much?” I huff in annoyance. My dad is Gunner, the president of the original chapter of the DreamCatcher Motorcycle Club and he isn’t used to answering anyone.

“Couldn’t sleep,” he harrumphs. “Plus, your mom is putting her Christmas list together and I wanted to see what Jacob wanted so I can pass that along.” Jacob is Calliope's son and all of the men have adopted him as a pseudo grandson.

“Dad,” I moan, clamping the bridge of my nose with my fingers to stall the impending headache I always seem to get when he calls. “It’s freaking May. Christmas is seven months away, why are you really calling? You tracked me, didn’t you?”

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