Gasping For Air 2 (Last Chance Romance Series) by Abigail Keam Page A

had gotten her. The truth was Lillian didn’t want to be around men . . . any man ever again.
    Officer Masterson emerged from his bedroom in swim trunks and a tee shirt. The thin cotton shirt stretched tightly across a muscular torso. His legs were well-proportioned and showed that he regularly exercised.
    Lillian’s chest tightened a little. She compared Officer Masterson’s physique to that of her pudgy beer-bellied husband’s and couldn’t stop herself from admiring Masterson’s athletic body. Lillian looked away, embarrassed at the carnal thoughts that entered her mind.
    Masterson took the flashlight from Lillian. “Let’s go,” he said while holding the office door open for her.
    Lillian locked the front gate to the property. A key card would be needed to come in and out after midnight until dawn the next morning. She counted the cars.
    “Everyone is in,” she related to Masterson. “No key cards should be off the property.”
    Masterson grunted and walked quickly around the property’s perimeter, checking the fence. “Anyone could jump this fence,” he muttered, looking concerned.
    Lillian didn’t answer.
    After they checked the fence line, Masterson checked the outer buildings and lagoon. Several boats were moored in the bay near the lagoon.
    Lillian thought the boats looked lovely bobbing in the bay with their night-lights twinkling, but Masterson didn’t like the boats moored so close to the motel.
    “I’m going to talk to Mike when he gets back. I think the security of the motel should be stepped up.”
    Lillian’s heart sank. “Because of me?”
    Masterson gave a whisper of a smile before replying, “No. People are different nowadays. Sooner or later, Eva will get a crazy guest or some druggie will jump the fence and go rampaging through the bungalows looking for drugs. She needs a better security system.”
    “I love the Pink Flamingo. If you put up alarms and security systems everywhere, it will destroy the atmosphere of this charming little motel.”
    “It can be done in such a way that guests don’t even know there are systems in place,” assured Masterson. “I think we’re done for the night. I’ll get up around three and do another perimeter check. Right now I’m going to take a quick swim in the lagoon. Do you feel confident to go back to the office alone?”
    “Of course,” said Lillian.
    “Unless you’d like to take a swim with me?” asked Masterson.
    “No, thank you. I don’t swim where I can’t see what’s underneath me. I’ll go back. You have a key to the office?”
    “Yes. I should be back in about ten minutes.”
    “Make sure that you are or else I’ll come looking for you.”
    “Yes, ma’am,” grinned Masterson. He liked it when Lillian got a little feisty.
    Lillian nodded and quickly went back to her quarters. Heating up some milk, she took the glass of warm milk to her room and shut the door. There she read a book until she heard Masterson come in and go to his room.
    Masterson was safe.
    Lillian heard him take a shower and go to bed. She felt relieved, but didn’t know why she felt relieved. Lillian continued reading her book until she nodded off with the lights on.
    Later she was awakened by the sound of the office door opening and shutting. Glancing at the clock, she saw that it was a little after three.
    Lillian got up and went into the kitchen to make herself a cup of tea. She sat at the kitchen counter waiting for Masterson to come back.
    Twenty minutes later, Masterson returned and was surprised to find Lillian waiting for him.
    “Everything okay?” asked Lillian.
    “Yes,” replied Masterson. “I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to wake you.”
    “No problem,” replied Lillian, pouring another cup of hot water. She placed the mug with several tea bags in front of Masterson along with a plate of cookies. “I fell asleep reading.”
    “If it’s any consolation to you, the pool water looks good as new. The chemicals that you put in cleared the