Concerned, he looked down at her. She always seemed like such a tigress that he couldn’t imagine her being afraid of anything. “Are you afraid someone might jump you?”
“Well, I’m not overly concerned. It’s just that…well, I’m a Fortune Robinson. And sometimes bad people have bad things on their minds—especially when it comes to money. Dad has always advised us kids to be alert and smart when we’re out alone.”
“Hmm. I see. I guess money can cause problems.”
Feeling more protective than he could ever remember, Mason curled his arm around her shoulders. “You don’t have to worry about that tonight. Not with me.”
The grateful smile she gave him made Mason feel like he could jump over the moon.
“Thanks, Mason,” she said, then gestured toward a small red sports car parked near a stairwell. “That’s mine.”
Mason walked her to her vehicle then waited patiently for her to dig out her keys. Once she had them in hand, she pressed a button and the engine sprang to life, along with the headlights.
So much for the problems of being rich, he thought. He doubted the heater in his well-used car would warm up before he reached his apartment.
And you think you have a chance with this woman? You have definitely slipped a cog, Mason. She’s accustomed to luxury. You deal in the essentials. Get real. Or get ready for a giant disappointment.
“Well, I should be getting home,” she said. “Thanks for the coffee and dessert, Mason. And I really enjoyed our chat.”
“I enjoyed it, too.” Far, far too much, he thought. “Uh, maybe we can do it again sometime.”
“Oh, for sure,” she happily agreed.
His brows lifted skeptically. “You don’t think Thom might be jealous if he heard about it—us having coffee, I mean?”
Her laugh echoed through the parking garage and Mason inwardly cringed. He supposed it was ludicrous to think a sex symbol like Thom Nichols would ever be jealous of him.
“Of course not. You and I are friends. And anyway,” she added coyly, “as much as I want Thom to be my Valentine, I’d never let him pick and choose my friends.”
Friends. Mason supposed that was better than nothing. At least, it had gotten him a little coffee date with her. Now if he could just figure out how to get her to make the leap from friends to lovers.
“That’s good—that you don’t intend to let him take away your independence,” he told her. “A woman needs to hang on to a certain amount of self-reliance.”
A wan smile lifted one corner of her pretty pink lips. “I wish my mother could hear you say that.”
Her unexpected comment had him casting her a puzzled look. “Really? Why is that?”
She shrugged, then shook her head. “Nothing important. She’s just a bit old-fashioned about things. That’s all. Good night, Mason.”
Before he could stop himself, he bent his head and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek. “Just a little goodbye between friends,” he murmured.
Something flashed in her eyes and then with her hands anchored on his forearms, she rose on her toes and planted a kiss to the middle of his chin.
“Yes. Just between friends,” she said gently, then quickly opened the car door and slid inside.
Mason stepped out of the way and the next thing he knew the taillights of Sophie’s car were disappearing out the exit and he was staring after them like a little lost puppy.
Get a grip, Mason. She’s only a woman. The world is full of them.
Yes, but none of them looked or sounded or smelled like Sophie Fortune Robinson, he argued with the sarcastic voice going off in his head.
But right now Sophie wanted Thom. Or at least, she believed she did. A detail that Mason had to change before Thom turned on that phony charm of his and managed to get his foot in the door of the Fortune Robinson mansion and stepped right into Sophie’s heart.
Chapter Five
The next afternoon, Dennis Noland, the director of human resources, made a rare stop by Sophie’s cubicle. The tall, thin man with graying black hair looked unusually harried as he pulled up a chair.
“This is a nice surprise,” Sophie told him. “Although from the looks of you, I’m not so sure you have good news.”
The man batted a dismissive hand through the air. “It’s nothing about work. My wife has been sick and our daughter is having marital problems. Lanna is six months pregnant and wants to move in with us. Sophie, we still have a twelve-year-old son at home. I don’t want her problems spilling onto him.” He raked a hand through his rumpled hair, then shook his head. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to walk in here and start pouring out my personal problems. Hell, I’m supposed to be an expert at dealing with this sort of stuff.”
From the moment Sophie had been promoted to Dennis’s assistant director, he’d been like a papa bear watching over his cub. He’d always given her enough rein to build her confidence, yet was never far away if she had any doubts. If Dennis had ever believed she’d gotten the position because of her father, he’d never implied or even hinted that was the case, and she was grateful to him for that.
Reaching over, she gave his arm a reassuring pat. “Forget it, Dennis. You can pour it out to me anytime you feel the need. And as for dealing with people, employees are far different than family members. You’ll figure out how to handle your daughter’s problem in the best possible way.”
He blew out a long breath. “Thanks, Sophie. I hope I can live up to your faith in me. But that’s enough about family matters. I stopped by to see if you’ve finished with the details on the training program for the marketing department. Since it’s supposed to go into effect next week, I’d like to give the employees time to look over everything.”
Thank goodness she’d been working overtime every night, Sophie thought. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been close to finishing this bloated project.
“It’ll be ready in the next hour,” she told him. “I’ll have Reece print and bind enough copies for the entire department. In the meantime, you go get some coffee. Better yet, call your wife. That should make you feel better.”
Nodding, he rose to his feet. “Talking with Aileen always makes things look brighter.” He gave her a wan smile. “How did you know that? You’re not married.”
Not yet, Sophie thought, but if she could steer fate in the right direction, she might be married in the near future. Then everyone would see her as Mrs. Thom Nichols, a smart, mature woman, who was desirable enough to win the most eligible bachelor in Robinson Tech.
“Just a guess,” she said sagely.
“Well, I’m sure you’ve watched your parents and learned that a man and wife need each other to lean on.” He mustered a grin. “So I’m going to go do a little leaning for a few minutes. If you need me, you know where to find me.”
As Sophie watched him walk off, she realized neither Dennis nor anyone would ever guess the truth about her parents. In public they put up enough of a front to make it appear as though they were a normal, loving couple. But she knew if Gerald needed to talk to someone to help brighten his mood, calling Charlotte would never cross his mind.
Just one more reason Sophie was going to make sure that she married a man who loved her utterly and completely and that she loved him just as much. She wouldn’t settle for anything less.
Unbidden, a picture formed in her mind. A memory, really. She suddenly saw Mason and the way he’d looked at her just before he’d pressed a kiss to her cheek. At that very moment, she’d felt a reckless impulse to throw herself against him and lift her mouth to his. If she hadn’t jumped in her car and abruptly driven away, she might have succumbed to the crazy urge.
Dear Lord, something strange was going on with her mind! Mason wasn’t the man in her future plans. He wasn’t the guy she’d been gazing at for weeks and imagining herself walking down a petal-strewn aisle to meet at the marriage altar.
Why was Mason’s image pestering her now with his half-cocked smiles and warm brown eyes? Why did she keep remem
bering the fondness in his voice as he talked of his family? And why did touching him feel so comfortable and right?
Because Mason is a friend, Sophie. And friends make us feel cozy and happy and relaxed. And most of all, a friend makes us feel loved.
Loved. Yes, strange or not, Mason did make her feel loved.
But she didn’t want a friend. She wanted a companion, a lover, a husband.
She wanted Thom. Didn’t she?
*
Later that afternoon, Sophie stood in the marketing department, when Olivia suddenly walked up behind her and said in a hushed tone, “Mr. Sexy is giving you the eye. I think he’s getting impatient because you’ve not spoken to him yet. Just look at him leaning against the wall. He thinks he’s cooler than a grape Popsicle on a hundred degree day with a line of women just waiting to take a bite of him. Really, Sophie, what do you see in the guy?”
“Every female in this room—other than you, that is—would give their eyeteeth to get their hands on him.”
“He’s nothing more than eye candy,” Olivia argued.
“He’s a brilliant marketing strategist. I’ve even heard Dad say that much.”
“Oh, he’s definitely smart,” Olivia agreed. “In the slyest possible way. All I can say is be careful.”
Sophie gave her sister a confident smile. “Don’t worry. When it comes to Thom, I know exactly what I’m doing. What are you doing here in marketing anyway?”
“Checking on some media matters. What about you?”
“Spreading word about a training program soon to go into effect.”
With a little wave, Olivia said, “Better go do your spreading. But if I were you I’d make Thom wait until last. Let him know you’re not easy.”
Darting her sister an annoyed glance, Sophie made her way to Thom’s cubicle. She could feel every female eye watching the two of them. The idea that they might be jealous of her was a heady thought. And yet in other ways it made her uncomfortable. If Thom was that much of a prized possession, how did she expect to hang on to him?
She couldn’t let herself worry about such things now. She had to concentrate on snagging him first.
“Hello, Sophie. I was about to think you were going to ignore me.”
Smiling coyly, she shook back her hair, making her long silver earrings jingle against her neck. “Not at all. I was working my way to you.”
He held up the folder she’d instructed Reece to pass out a little more than an hour ago. “I see the old man thinks we need more training.”
A frown pulled her brows together. “Excuse me? Old man?”
“Yeah. Your father. He’s the boss of this place, isn’t he?”
Not liking the sarcastic tone in his voice, she started to walk away, then decided that would hardly be conducive in creating a meaningful relationship with this man.
“If you’re referring to the new training program, then no. It wasn’t Dad’s idea. It was Ben’s. Why? Do you have a problem with it?”
He must have sensed her displeasure because he suddenly cleared his throat and straightened to his full height. “No. No trouble. I can’t see how anyone expects us to get our work done if we have to stop and attend training classes. Is there really that much new stuff going on in marketing that we don’t already know?”
She got the feeling Thom had to check himself to keep from saying “I” instead of “we.” Well, she did like for a man to feel confident about himself; however, she couldn’t stand a know-it-all. She hoped she didn’t learn Thom was the latter.
“Digital technology has opened up a whole new world of connecting with the consumer. Robinson Tech needs to remain on the leading edge of that connection.”
He reached out and touched a finger to her cheek and Sophie had to fight to stop herself from stepping back from the contact.
“Sorry, Sophie. I suppose if my family owned the company like yours does, I’d be defending its strategies, too. But let’s forget about work,” he said suddenly. “What are you doing Sunday night?”
Eating bread pudding with Mason. Now that would be a nice thing to be doing.
Mentally shoving aside that image, she gave Thom her best smile and tried to feel excited. “What did you have in mind?”
He stepped closer and bent his face next to her ear. “Some special time together,” he said with a purr. “I’ll pick you up at seven.”
Even though he seemed to be taking her for granted, she decided not to make an issue of his approach. What did it matter how he asked her out? Another date with Thom was exactly what she’d been hoping for.
“Sounds good,” she said, deliberately stepping back to put a respectable distance between them. “Should I dress up? Or will it be casual?”
“Casual. Definitely. I have tickets to a wrestling match at the U of A. It’s going to be a blast.”
She pressed her lips together to keep them from gaping open. Was he serious? “Collegiate wrestling?”
His eyes gleaming, he shook his head. “No. That’s too tame. This is the pro stuff that gets wild and entertaining. Believe me, I had to fork over a small fortune to a scalper for the tickets. The event has been sold out for weeks.”
She couldn’t say no now. Not after she’d already agreed to the date. Yet she was already imagining herself sitting for hours, watching hulking, sweaty men straining to throw each other to the floor. She wasn’t sure she could endure it.
“Sounds interesting,” she said with fake enthusiasm.
His cocky smile grew deeper. “I felt sure you’d like the idea. We’ll drink beer and yell our guts out. I can’t wait.”
Neither could Sophie. She was already wishing the whole evening was over.
“I’ll bring some throat lozenges so I won’t lose my voice.”
“That’s my girl,” he said with a patronizing wink. “You know, this thing with you and me is working out fine. We’re compatible. Just like My Perfect Match.”
That’s because they were destined for each other, Sophie thought, and if she had to sacrifice a little to get the man she wanted, then she could endure most anything. Even overgrown men dressed in tights.
*
Later that day, Mason had just stepped out of the men’s room on the top floor of the building when he spotted Sophie emerging from the elevator. Pleasure shot through him as she gave him a little wave and started walking in his direction.
“Mason, how nice to run into you,” she said. “What are you doing all the way up here?”
She was wearing a close-fitting skirt today that stopped just short of her knees. The fabric was a geometric print of greens and blues. A crisp blue shirt was tucked inside while a wide leather belt cinched in her tiny waist. She looked professional yet very sexy and he wondered just how much Thom had taken notice of her since their date together. The man had his pick of women, but even he was probably surprised at having the boss’s daughter interested in him. And no doubt pleased to be given the chance to step into such a famous and wealthy family.
“Believe it or not, I’ve just had a brief meeting with your father. He actually wanted to commend me on creating the Sports & More app.”
Her face brightened. “That’s wonderful, Mason. Dad doesn’t often do that sort of thing. You should feel honored.”
“Actually, I’m feeling relieved. I was quaking when I walked into his office. He’s not the sort of man you have a simple chat with.”
She chuckled. “No. Dad can be formidable at times. But he recognizes good work when he sees it.”
“So what are you doing up here on the top tier?” he asked.
“I’m on my way to speak with Ben. I’m getting loads of grumbling from the marketing department about the new training program. I thought my brother should be forewarned.”
“Oh. Then I should let you be on your way.”
She glanced at her watch, which had a fashionably large face circled by rhinestones. What was he thinking? Sophie had probably never worn a rhinestone in her life. No, those spar
klers were most likely diamonds.
“Ben isn’t expecting me for another five minutes,” she said, then asked, “So did you take my advice and ask that special woman of yours on a Valentine’s date?”
The question whacked him between the eyes and for a moment he was too dazed to answer.
Put on your swagger, Mason. She needs to believe women are throwing themselves at you whether they are or not.
As he fumbled for the right words, he straightened the knot of his red and blue tie. This morning when he’d dressed for work, he’d thought the neckwear had given him that sharp businessman look. But the way Sophie was studying him now, he was beginning to wonder if he appeared to be coming down with smallpox.
“Oh, yes, the date. Well, I’m trying to decide which one I want to give hearts and flowers. Most women place a serious romantic significance on Valentine’s Day and I want to make sure I’m sending the right signals to the right woman.”
“I understand. You don’t want to hurt her by giving her false hope and perhaps cause her to believe you’re about to present her with a ring. That’s so thoughtful of you.”
Mason felt like the biggest liar that had ever walked the earth, even though he wasn’t actually fibbing about anything. He did want to send the right signals to the right woman. Sophie just didn’t realize that she was the woman. Yet giving her, or any woman, a ring was something he’d not considered.
When Christa had thrown him over for the rich real estate guy, his self-esteem had fallen flatter than a punctured tire. Even now, after months had passed, he still had to remind himself that everyone made mistakes and he’d made a big one in trusting the flirty blonde with his heart.
“Is that what you’re thinking?” he asked. “That Thom might give you an engagement ring for Valentine’s Day?”
A blush instantly transformed her cheeks to a deep pink, while a sly smile tilted the corners of her lips. “Well, it’s a little early for those kinds of thoughts. But things are definitely moving in the right direction. He’s asked me on another date for tomorrow night. So he must like something about me,” she added with a bat of her eyelashes.
Her Sweetest Fortune Page 6
