Exquisite

by Ella Frank

  Lena found herself grinning. “Oh, I don’t know about that.”

  He shook his head. “No, trust me I don’t. However, that doesn’t mean that I slept with all those women either. There’ve only been a handful I’ve gone home with.”

  “Or taken home?”

  “No. I don’t take women home.”

  “You took me.”

  He leaned down and kissed her cheek gently. “When are you going to realize how special you are to me?”

  Not wanting to tackle that comment right now she asked, “Is Trisha one of those women?”

  She felt his hand stop and watched his mouth tighten a little. “Yes, she is. And just so we aren’t confused and you aren’t too scared to ask, she was one of the ones I went home with.”

  Frowning and pouting a little, Lena grumbled, “Or slipped into the back with.”

  She felt his legs tighten beneath her and she sat up, figuring his legs must be getting sore.

  “Are you jealous?”

  Her eyes went to his and she snapped out, “No. Of course not!”

  She watched him as he shifted and moved so he was kneeling in front of her. He reached out with both hands and tangled them in her hair gently, pulling her up close to him.

  “I think I have a problem, Doctor, because I kind of like you jealous. You see, for some reason you get mean, and for some reason that turns me on.”

  Narrowing her eyes at him, she gritted her teeth. “Well, I’m not turned on at all.”

  Tugging her even closer to him, he sat up, getting to his knees so that he was taller than her and she was forced to look up at him. “Are you sure?”

  Licking her lips, she nodded. “Positive.”

  He bent down and ran his tongue up her face from jaw to cheek and she squealed at the wet sensation. “What are you doing! Licking me?”

  Whispering in her ear, he said softly, “I’m trying to turn you on.”

  “By licking me?” she demanded, feeling her breathing get deeper. He nibbled her ear and then swiped the lobe with that naughty tongue. “Yes. You taste salty.”

  “Wonderful,” she said with as much sarcasm as she could muster.

  “Yes, it is. I bet you’re salty in other places too, aren’t you, Lena?”

  Gripping her hair tighter, he looked down at her with a sexy-as-hell grin and then added to that provocative statement, “Sweet and salty.”

  Then he leaned down and she forgot what they’d been talking about as he kissed the jealousy right out of her.

  Mason knew she was trying hard not to give in to him, and she was doing really well until he took one of his hands from her hair and dragged it down along her back to grab her ass. She sighed, finally relaxing into him. Her lips parted and he slipped his tongue inside. He gentled his grip on her hair and groaned softly into her mouth as her tongue tangled with his. After a moment, he pulled back, opening his eyes and looking down at her.

  “Come down here and lie next to me.”

  He let her go and stretched out on the soft blanket on his side. Not knowing if she would do as he asked or get up and leave, he was happy when she slowly moved to mirror him, resting her head in the crook of her elbow. They were a couple of inches away from one another and he kept his hands to himself as he let his eyes roam over her. The sun was peeking through the leaves and shining down onto the side of her face and he thought she’d never looked more beautiful.

  “Don’t think this means you won,” she pouted.

  He felt his grin spread. “I’ll note it down somewhere. But I’m happy you didn’t storm off.”

  Her mouth opened as though she was going to dispute him, but then she shut it silently.

  “You look cute when you’re jealous.”

  “There’s that word again. What makes you think I’m jealous, Langley? Maybe I’m horrified you let someone with her kind of intellect touch you.”

  He let out a quick burst of laughter. “Oh, boy! Now you’re lobbing grenades at someone unable to defend herself.” He paused and then questioned, “Is that a compliment or insult to me?”

  Her mouth kicked up in a grin and he watched a twinkle light her eyes. “That’s your job to figure out. Either way, Miss Redhead, does she ahh, come around often?”

  “Oh yeah she came . . .”

  “Langley,” she warned with narrowed eyes.

  “All right, all right. To answer you, no. I hadn’t seen her for around two months when she came in that night.”

  “Oh,” Lena mumbled, unconvinced.

  “Don’t say it like that. I don’t plan to go and see her either. Lena, when are you going to open your eyes?”

  “My eyes are open,” she snapped at him.

  Shaking his head, he reached over the space between them and took her hand that was lying on her hip. He brought it up and placed her palm on his heart.

  “Stop fighting me so hard, would you? I’ve been consumed by you since the moment you yelled at me in your waiting room. All I want is to be with you.”

  Blinking, she bit her lip. “I know that.” She paused. “Logically, I know that. You’ve proven it over and over. I’m just so used to living in survival mode.”

  Watching her closely, he reached above her head where her bent arm rested. He took her fingers in his and entwined them. “Tell me what I can do to convince you, Lena.”

  Shaking her head, her big green eyes watched him. “I don’t know. I just know for the last nine years I haven’t let anyone in. I haven’t wanted anyone close.”

  “Why?” he asked softly. “Tell me. Let me know what I’m up against.”

  Closing her eyes, she gripped his hand hard.

  “Me.” She blew out a breath and he felt it on his face and lips. Then her eyes opened and focused sadly on his. “My guilt. My fear.”

  Scooting his body closer on the blanket until there was only an inch between their bodies, he reached over and placed his free hand on her hip. They mirrored one another and his eyes were lined up with hers. He wasn’t letting her get away from him and he wanted to understand what she meant.

  “What do you mean your guilt, Lena? You didn’t do anything. You’re walking around with all this self-imposed guilt you don’t even deserve.” He paused and asked softly, “Did you pull out before the light turned green?”

  Her eyes widened and she sucked in a breath. Finally, she shook it and whispered, “No, it was green and it was later determined that it had been green. The other car ran the red.”

  “Then why do you beat yourself up?” he demanded quietly. “It wasn’t your fault. It was a horrible accident that happened in the blink of an eye and you lost Carly tragically, but Lena, listen to me. It wasn’t your fault.”

  He ran an open palm up her arm and cupped her cheek. “Baby, you need to let these old ghosts go. They’re making you old before your time and you’re going to end up being left behind.”

  Lena felt her eyes well up and a tear escape. She bit her bottom lip, trying to hold it together. “I know all of that. I’ve been telling myself for years there was nothing I could’ve done, but I replay that night in my head over and over and all I can come up with is that I wish it’d been me and not her.”

  He cupped her cheek and brushed a thumb over it. “Oh, Lena, don’t ever think that. Number one, if that had happened, you wouldn’t be here to help all the hundreds or maybe even thousands of children you have over your career.” He paused and then smiled. “Like that young boy you told me about, what’s his name? Robbie?”

  Sniffling Lena nodded. “Yeah.”

  “And secondly, I’m pretty damn thrilled you’re here. Let me be what you need.”

  “I’m scared,” she confessed.

  “Of what?”

  Looking down, she took a deep breath and admitted, “Letting you in and then losing you.”

  “Lena, look at me.”

  She raised her eyes to his blue-eyed gaze and his eyes were full of understanding and compassion.

  “I’m not going any
where unless you make me or someone up there,” he paused, raising his eyes skyward, “makes me. But you can’t go through life not letting anyone in on the off chance they’ll die. Or you’ll end up dying from a lonely heart.”

  Lena sat up and swiped at the tears in her eyes. He followed her lead, sitting cross-legged opposite her. He reached out and took her hands in his.

  “I’m going to say this once, and then we’re going to go home and I’m going to take you to bed and show you how much nicer it is to feel and be with someone than to be numb and alone.” He paused, leaning over to lay his lips on hers. “It’s time to feel again. Let me save you from yourself. You were drowning when I found you, but I’m not letting you go without a fight.” He kissed her sweetly and moved back, standing up and over her. Lena looked up at his out stretched hand.

  “Take my hand, Lena.” He offered and she knew he meant it in a way that went far beyond an offer to help her stand.

  Chapter Twenty

  It had been two weeks of late nights spent in Mason’s arms and rushed days down at the hospital. Lena came into her office and sat down behind the desk. She’d agreed to go down to Exquisite tonight and have dinner, but she could feel herself getting pushed further and further back from the time she wanted to leave. Looking at the paperwork on her desk, she was about to start charting when there was a knock on the door. Raising her eyes, she was shocked to see her mother standing there.

  “Mom. What are you doing here?”

  Lena watched as her mother smiled warmly as she stepped into her office. “Now is that any way to greet your mother?”

  Lena smiled back and her mother looked at her with a curious expression. “No. I suppose it isn’t. I just wasn’t expecting you today. Is Dad with you?”

  “No, dear, it’s just me.”

  Lena stood and walked around her desk, waving her in. “Well, come in. I was just about to do some paperwork.”

  “Oh, well, don’t let me interrupt you honey.”

  “Oh, nonsense, it can wait. It’s waited this long.”

  Her mother took a seat and then looked at her with a smile so bright it almost blinded her. Lena sat back against her desk and grinned at her. “What is it?”

  “You.” She paused. “You look different.”

  For a horrifying moment, Lena wondered if Mason had left any noticeable marks on her from the night before, but then her mother clarified.

  “You look happy, Lena.”

  Ahh, she thought, nodding her head. Wow, maybe Mason had somehow changed her molecular makeup and now she was glowing. Grinning at that thought, she replied, “I am happy, Mom.”

  It was almost comical how shocked her mother looked, except it wasn’t because she knew that for so long she’d caused this wonderful lady to worry.

  “You’ve met someone,” her mother accused with a secret little smile coming over her face. Lena clasped her hands in front of herself and continued to smile in a way that she could never have seen herself doing a few weeks back. She felt like she was twelve with a crush instead of a woman in her mid-thirties very possibly on her way to being in love. Her mom sat forward on her seat and bit her lip as if she was about to share a secret. “Well, tell me all about him.”

  Lena felt her cheeks tighten as she grinned. “He’s wonderful, Mom. He owns a restaurant downtown and is the head chef.”

  Her mother’s eyes widened and she sat back. “Oh honey, good for you getting a man who can cook.” She paused and then asked, “How did you two meet?”

  “Actually through you,” Lena replied and watched her mother frown.

  “I don’t understand. I haven’t been here in weeks and even then . . .” she trailed off.

  Lena laughed now, shaking her head. “No, remember when you sent me flowers a couple of months ago for Carly?”

  Her mother nodded silently.

  “Well, his mother owns the flower shop you used, and he delivered them.”

  Lena watched as her mother clasped her hands and beamed at her. “Oh, isn’t that a wonderful story!”

  Lean smirked a little. “Well, not really. We couldn’t stand each other at first.”

  “Oh, pish! Who cares about that? Obviously you got past it.”

  Laughing, Lena agreed, “Yes, we did and Mason’s wonderful.”

  Her mother froze and then her mouth dropped open. Lena raised a brow as her mom asked, “You don’t mean Mason Langley? That young man who’s been splashed over the television? What are they calling him? Ahh, the Casanova Chef.”

  Lena winced, knowing she’d had everything to do with that nickname. “Yes, actually, that’s him. But that whole article and nickname was a misunderstanding and is kind of my fault.”

  Her mother still looked like she was in shock. “You’re dating Mason Langley?”

  Nodding slowly, Lena was worried that this wasn’t going to go well at all, and then her mother said softly, “My, oh my, Lena O’Donnell. You don’t date for years and the first man you choose is a man labeled Casanova?”

  “Mom,” Lena said softly about to defend Mason.

  “Well, I always said you were quietly brilliant. Honey, he’s gorgeous!” and just like that they burst out laughing together.

  That’s how Mason found Lena—laughing in her office. He’d come down to pick her up on his way into work, and there she was in her office laughing with a little lady who was seated with her back to him. He stood at the door for a moment and enjoyed the sight of her. Over the past few weeks, he’d watched her change and grow into a calm, relaxed, and incredibly beautiful version of herself and right now, as she laughed freely she took his breath away. She must’ve felt his eyes on her because she raised hers and stood up, pushing off the desk. He smiled, feeling pure joy from just being near her, when she leaned down and whispered something in the woman’s ear. Then he saw the woman turn in her chair and look up at him and he was staring into wide green eyes that mirrored Lena’s.

  “Are your ears burning?” Lena asked him as she walked around the chair the woman was seated in and over to him. He moved into the room and paused as she stopped in front of him gripping his arms and leaning up to brush a kiss across his mouth.

  He shook his head. “No, should they’ve been?”

  “Hmm.” She grinned against his mouth. Stepping back, she reached down and took his hand, tugging him closer to the woman who was still looking at him with curious but warm eyes.

  “Mason, this is my mother, Alannah O’Donnell.”

  Mason watched as her mother stood gracefully and walked around the chair. She reached out a hand and he clasped it in his and shook it gently.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am.”

  He watched as a smile spread across her face and he was struck by how attractive she was for a woman of her age. She looked like an older version of Lena, and what was that saying? If you find the woman you want to spend your life with, get a good look at her mother because that is whom you’ll be with in twenty years. Well, Mason thought, no complaints there. He turned his eyes to Lena and she was beaming at him.

  “We were just talking about how we met.”

  Groaning, he shook his head. “All lies. Whatever she told you, it’s all lies.”

  Alannah grinned at him and reached up patting his cheek. “Oh, I doubt that, young man.”

  “Mother, stop flirting with him.”

  Mason grinned over at Lena and smirked. “I happen to like it.”

  Lena rolled her eyes at him. “Of course you would. Anything female must bow down to your endless supply of charm.”

  “Can I help it if the women love me?”

  He looked back to see a twinkle in her mother’s eye. “Apparently not.”

  Grinning, he looked over to Lena. “You should bring your mother down for dinner tonight.”

  Lena looked over to her and he saw the way Alannah looked back at her daughter, almost wary, expecting her to say no. “That’s a great idea. Would you like to come with me or do you need to
get home right away?”

  He watched as mother and daughter seemed to reach an outcome neither of them expected. Then Alannah turned to him and smiled brilliantly. “I’d love to.”

  “Well, in that case we’ll take a cab and meet you down there, so you don’t have to worry about bringing us both back to my place,” Lena told him as they walked to the door. Mason nodded at her and smiled and all of a sudden, Lena thought the paperwork could wait.

  Not twenty minutes later, their taxi arrived at the valet in front of Exquisite, and as they got out of the car, Mason came around the side of the building where he had, no doubt, parked in his reserved spot. He made his way over to them and leaned into the taxicab window.

  “This one’s on the house. Just comp it,” he told the cabbie and then straightened up, turning to face them.

  “Boy, this place sure gets busy. He must do very well,” her mother whispered.

  Lena nodded without saying anything as she watched Mason walk back over to them.

  “Busy tonight,” he remarked as he crooked his arm for her mother to take.

  Lena watched her mother slip her arm through his and then look up to answer him. ”Sure is. Is it always this crowded on Fridays?” Alannah inquired.

  “Yeah, pretty much. The quietest nights are Tuesday and Wednesday.”

  “Well, that’s a sign that the food is good,” Lena’s mother told him with conviction.

  Mason smiled widely. “Our food is the best.”

  “If he says so himself,” Lena added.

  “Well, fine, don’t let my words convince you.” He leaned down and told Alannah softly, “Let my food. Tonight you dine at the chef’s table.”

  Lena watched her mother’s face beam at him and was amazed at how easy he seemed with a virtual stranger. Catherine, Mason’s mother, was right. He could wrap any woman around his finger.

  “Is the chef’s table in the kitchen?” her mother asked excitedly. He winked at Lena over his shoulder and they started forward. Lena followed from behind smiling and heard him reply,

  “It sure is.”