FRIDAY: Laced with Spice (Hookup Café Book 5)

by Fifi Flowers

  Did he really just say that to me? Yep, he did and he gave me an earful more that had me thinking that there was a possibility of a future with Mason. It was whether or not I wanted to wait and see if he would take me out of the friends with benefits zone or I needed to give him a little push. I had a feeling it would need to be the latter.

  By the time I had groomed Morgan into a guy you would see on the cover of a GQ magazine or one of the other gossip rags I had sitting on an oval shaped brushed chrome coffee table surrounded by black leatherette slipper chairs, we were pals. I hated to see him go once I had helped check him out and had him leaving with a bag full of Rhett Scarlett products. Thanking and hugging him goodbye, he gave me one last piece of advice. “Tell him that you are giving me access to your swimming pool. That will throw him completely over the edge.” I laughed knowing that Mason was very attached to my pool and then I promised to give his advice a try. It was just a matter of where and when. I didn’t have to wait long.

  Off to meet up with Mason, my head was filled with all of the things that his cousin had said to me… not the crude parts, but how he told me that Mason’s two dates with the test subjects did not live up to his expectations. That Mason had found himself comparing them to me and there was no comparison so he was giving up on using the service and focusing more on other aspects. Most of the ones that I had mentioned to him, including the expansion of his website, dividing it up by big cities so local businesses could benefit, as well, by purchasing sponsor slots. It was strange and wonderful to hear all of that from someone else, it made me feel important to Mason. Unfortunately, it sounded as if I was a business partner and that the hot, hot, hot intimate part of us, though not often, was a perk and nothing more.

  Those thoughts also had me thinking that maybe it was time to up my game. If the time was right or the opportunity arose, I was thinking about maybe using a bit of Morgan’s advice. I started with wearing dangerously high heels paired with another one of my bodycon dresses, this one off-white linen with a big rose and vine on it. It was definitely not a look for Mason’s restaurant selection, but it was sure to grab attention.

  “TGI Friday’s? Really?”

  “It’s a Friday… what better place to go?” He gave me a boyish smile.

  “You’re a nut!” I proclaimed, sitting so the slit up the side of my dress gave him a nice view of my bare thigh and hinted that I was not wearing panties. Seriously, I have no idea why I even own them, it’s rare that I wear them.

  It appeared that my dress had gotten to him as he had a hard time spitting out his sarcastic words. “And that’s why you love me.”

  Did I love him, love him? Or was I infatuated with him? Was it a conquest thing? Wanting something that is just out of reach or maybe even impossible. Then I wondered for about a half of a second if the moment was right to try a little test on him. But then he transitioned into a business item so I let my other thoughts drop.

  Best to move on to business, I outlined my ideas for a night where people could do speed dating anonymously in person. Communicating without seeing the person. Kind of a confessional booth setup or like the old dating game. Men would be on one side and women on the other. Cocktails and appetizers to get everyone relaxed before moving onto phase two; the interviews or timed mini dates. Everyone would be given an assigned number, a stack of three by five cards, and a pen to write down numbers. At the end of the night the cards would be turned in and if there were numbers that matched up—for instants, one-twenty-three liked four-zero-one and four-zero-one liked one-twenty-three—the pair would be moved into another area to meet and receive a gift bag. Sponsors could get involved offering services, like a restaurant could give us some gift certificates for complimentary dinners.

  “Where do you come up with these absolutely crazy and wonderfully marvelous things?” Mason asked, tipping a beer bottle to his smiling lips.

  I’m not sure where all of my ideas were coming from, but since he had confessed that I was a test—and nothing more than a business arrangement—I had a desire to play matchmaker. Just because I couldn’t make it in a romantic relationship that didn’t mean I didn’t have the skills to make things work for others.

  Mason seemed to like my idea and began to write down further notes to contact hotels that would maybe comp a conference room for our event and he even liked the name I came up with. Rapid Blind Date. “I could kiss you right now!” Yes, please! “Another brilliant idea like your city theme one. I have received emails from businesses wanting to get involved and praises from others already involved.”

  “Yes, it’s been great for Salon Luxe too.” Showtime! Ding, ding, ding! People take your seats, the performance is about to begin! “I have been transforming some pretty hot men lately. Some didn’t need much help and some required the full works, but they all walked out looking ooh la la handsome as hell.”

  “I heard a guy named Morgan came into your salon.”

  “Yes, very good looking. He didn’t require much help at all. How do you know him?” It was time to play dumb.

  “He’s my cousin. Just back from living in Europe… he’s trying to find himself.” I watched him laugh and shake his head. “He stopped in today and talked about investing in my site after seeing all of the perks you have put into place. I’m not sure where he fits in or even wants to fit in with Butler Industries.”

  “Butler Industries?” I had heard about them from my friend Scarlett, she rented space in one of their buildings in La Jolla. “Yes, they helped set me up with equipment. They provide some great communication options like social networking for the troops, textbooks for kids, and a bunch of other things…”

  “Umm… well, he asked me out, is that going to be a problem?”

  I watched him fidget in his chair. “Not sure you should date him. He’s not your type.” He took a big swig of his beer.

  “I don’t match up with him on your site?”

  “He’s not on the site.” Mason sounded less than happy about my interest in his cousin and I found it fun to rattle him. But it was a good thing we were in a public place otherwise I had a feeling my ass might have been turned to a shade of pink, darker than my hair. I bit my lip to keep from laughing at my thoughts.

  “Excuse me, customers at the next tables have been complaining about your conversation.” Camilla—name on tag—seemed a bit nervous informing about our undesirable behavior. “It’s kind of a family restaurant… uh, maybe you’d like to move up to the bar area… the pickup zone.” She stood swaying from side to side, toying with her hands in front of her and then moving them behind her.

  “Pickup zone?” I had to laugh as I questioned her.

  “Yes, men are always glued to tits up there and asking us to go home with them.”

  “Check out his site.” I hooked my thumb toward Mason who was sitting back, unusually quiet. “He offers dates without knowing about your perking assets.” I dug out some cards from the pocket of my leather bound notebook and handed a few to her. “I included my business card too. If you want a discount on eyebrow waxing…” I extended my hand to take one card back and flipped it over to make a note, then gave it back to her. “First brow job is on the house.” She was in desperate need of plucking, tweezing, and waxing.

  “Wow! Thanks!” she exclaimed and then added in a hushed voice, “do they wax everything?” Her face was so red, I couldn’t help but laugh before I informed her that they ripped it all off with a wink. She seemed delighted with the news and walked off without moving us to the bad kid section.

  “I can’t believe you told her that her eyebrows were a mess.”

  “They are, didn’t you notice?”

  “No, I couldn’t get passed her huge tits begging to be free.” I slapped his muscular arm. “What?! They were straining up against the buttons of her striped shirt. She definitely needs a larger size top to be working in this so-called family area we are contaminating with our hookup plans.”

  “You men are all alike.”
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  “That’s why I started the site; to save women from men like me and to give guys a chance based on their personalities.”

  “You know, your cousin could be involved in the Rapid Blind Date project if there is a problem with me dating him. He’s hot as fuck and the ladies would go wild for him! Or if it’s not a big deal to you, I may date him myself.”

  “Like hell you will!” His raised voice was probably going to get us thrown out. But I got exactly what I was hoping for, but I was not quite there yet.

  “Excuse me?” I asked like his words offended me.

  “You heard me. You cannot date him.” He had lowered his voice, but it was stern.

  “Wait. You are not interested in me for more than a business and benefit arrangement. Morgan was pretty flirty with me and he wants to date me. And if things go well, you might have to share my pool with him or maybe put a lane line down the middle…”

  “Fuck no! You are not dating him. And he sure as hell is not swimming in your pool, and I will tell him so.”

  “You better come up with a better answer than your because I say so attitude.”

  “I think we should go out on another date.”

  “Experimental or an actual date?”

  Chapter Eight…

  It turned out to be a real date where he picked me up at my door. He even used the guest code I had given him when he first came to my apartment a few weeks ago. Without full access, he waited for me to push the button to open the elevator door. I was so excited to see what waited for me on the other side of the doors just like I was playing the Mystery Date game. I could see it was him in the elevator thanks to a camera inside of the box that projected to a screen next to the doors in my unit. However, I couldn’t see more than a portion of him where he stood which made it even more thrilling.

  I was not disappointed at all as the doors parted and he stepped off extending a bouquet of flowers toward me. I definitely did not get the dud and I could visualize the words Laced with Spice. Trying to play it cool, not letting him know that I was swooning inside, I decided to be a bit playful.

  “What?! No magazines, fruit, cookies, candies? Flowers? How unoriginal of you…” I actually giggled. “…and very beautiful.”

  “They are exotic flowers… that’s what I was told. I’m not a botanist.” He shook his head. “You couldn’t make this easy on me, could you?”

  “What do you mean?” I smirked. “Let me put these in water and then I’ll be ready to go.” I turned to walk down the hallway to my kitchen and I realized he wasn’t behind me. “You’re welcome to follow me,” I said as I continued.

  “I’ll stay right here so we stay on time,” he called out so I moved quicker to get the gorgeous flowers situated on my kitchen island and rejoined him in the foyer.

  Exiting my building through the front door was something I hadn’t done in a very long time. But there was his sleek Jag sitting at the curb instead of being parked next to my Fiat. Just like a gentleman, he opened the door for me and I slid into the passenger seat. I was thrown for a loop when Sade began to play when he turned the ignition on.

  “Nice music.” I hid my smile by turning my head to look out the window.

  He didn’t make a comment, but ignored me and changed to another subject. “Hope you don’t mind American food for dinner?”

  Thoughts of a popular chain restaurant popped into my head knowing it was a Friday night. “Let’s make sure to sit in the adult, dirty-talker area to begin with so we aren’t asked to move.”

  “Do you plan on speaking inappropriately?”

  “I was looking out for you.”

  “We should have no problem here,” he said as he pulled into a covered, parking slot in the back of what looked like an office building. “My home,” he announced as we made our way from his car to where he unlocked a heavy, steel door next to a set of glass doors, pushed buttons on an alarm system, and walked us through a small lobby area to an elevator. His elevator was plain compared to mine that had a dark smoked mirror-like look on the ceiling and streaked lucite walls to give it a woodgrain feel. His was huge enough for my tiny car to fit in, dull metal and plastic—good thing he owned an online business—nothing about it screamed hot date.

  “Cozy. You live in your office?”

  “Is it possible for you to steer clear of sarcasm or snarky things that will have me wanting to spank you all evening?”

  “Well…” I hit my hand to my chest like I was offended. “I am shocked that you would say such a thing on a first date. But I shouldn’t be surprised with that bad boy scruff you have on your face and the fire in your beautiful blue-ish green eyes.” I smiled as he reached up and scrubbed his hand over the new stubbled look gracing his handsome face.

  “What do you think?”

  “I’m not so sure about it. I like the innocent, baby face, boy-next-door look on you. It is a contrast to the real fiery you that comes out behind closed doors. And I’m kind of partial to the whole looks can be deceiving mystery you have going on.” He smirked at me. “But I am willing to see how it feels between my thighs.” He raised an eyebrow and unmistakably adjusted his pants. “Yep, I’ll give it a go… but I think outside of the elevator would be best… you might want to select a button on the panel.”

  That seemed to cool his fire and got him laughing before he punched some code onto a pad similar to mine but behind a trap door. Finally, the elevator began to rise and stopped quickly, opened onto a waiting area with streamlined, black desks in rows. I wasn’t sure how people actually got work done with floor to ceiling windows that faced the harbor. Walking further in, we reached the back glass wall and he pushed a button which opened to sliding doors that were almost not visible. “Interesting texture.”

  “I didn’t think anyone would like to see their reflection in the glass wall all day. It would drive me crazy.” I don’t know why, I could most certainly be happy staring at Mason all day. I smiled at my own thought and followed him into an area that looked like a cocktail lounge with modern black leather sofas and chairs along with several low tables. The only thing that said office was a conference table behind it and what looked like a large private office beyond.

  “Where’s the bar?” I turned to him with confusion written all over my face.

  “It’s the think tank. Employees have their desks as you just saw, but people tend to come up with better ideas when they’re comfortable. They have the option of working here. That’s why the waiting area is only a couple of chairs. We rarely have anyone visit and definitely not our clients.” I spun to take it all in, trying to imagine working in this environment. “Come on, dinner’s not going to cook itself.”

  He guided me toward the private office; a typical desk, a chair behind it, a sofa, a coffee table with gossip magazines—loved that element—a built-in fancy kitchenette, a private bathroom, and a door. We moved right through that door into a sleek bedroom that screamed bachelor pad… fuck pad. “Am I to be the dinner?” He shook his head and kept us moving to another door that took us to a stairwell.

  Up we went, following a sign that announced this way to the roof. The last door on our adventure led us to a spectacular, up-close view of the harbor. I wasn’t sure whose view was better, his or mine? I decided they were equally, from a different perspective; he got the sounds and the action while I got the serene picture.

  “Do you own this building?” I asked, watching a sailboat drifting in the harbor.

  “It’s part of Butler Industries.”

  He looked straight ahead as I turned to look at him.

  “Which is you… Mason Butler? I saw the name on your door.”

  “Yes, along with my family, stockholders and board members. My father, uncle really, holds the most shares which keeps him holding the reins.”

  “Your uncle?” I tilted my head and he turned to address my inquiry.

  “He raised me. I call him father and very few people in the business world know that he is my uncle. He’s my fat
her’s brother. My parents were killed in an automobile accident on the way to the hospital to have me. It was a rainy night, slick roads, a car ran a stop sign and hit the tail end of their car, causing them to spin out of control until they careened into a light pole. My mother was extricated from the wreckage and given an emergency C-section, my father was already dead at the scene. The doctors called me the miracle baby and said that it was probably the way that they found my mother barely alive; slumped with her arms and hands protecting her belly.”

  I stood there in shock, looking at him, and felt a tear roll down my cheek.

  “I grew up with Morgan and two other brothers, Carter, the middle one, and Redmond the baby of the family and probably the most ambitious of all of us. I think because of our names and being close in age, people have often asked if Morgan and I are twins.”

  “I understand that. Once I got his unruly hair in control and even before, there was something about him that had me thinking of you.”

  “No more talking about him.” I sensed a hint of jealousy since I had told him that I was thinking about his similarities to Morgan. “Tonight is all about us and a new beginning. I figured it was time that I told you more about me and where I live. What better place than my rooftop? You’ve already introduced me to your balcony and told me about your family.”

  “This is pretty spectacular.” His rooftop was the opposite of mine, no obstructions to viewing the ships in the harbor, surrounded by plexiglass. He did have patio furniture situated on wood planks and even an outdoor grill that was twice the size of mine. In fact, it was a complete outdoor kitchen with a sink and mini-fridge.

  “We have office parties up here and it’s a nice break area for employees in the building. Most of them use the elevator.” He pointed to the opposite side of the building from where we accessed the roof. “Wine? I have a spicy red that goes great with bleu cheese burgers.”