by Sonya Weiss
“Yep. The world has definitely fallen in love with you two. You’re stuck. You can’t back out now. Besides, Mason has that means-what-he-says look about him. I really do believe he’d expose your lie.”
“He’s nothing like the guy I knew. He’s so cold now.”
“I’m so sorry, hon. Just try to avoid him as much as you can.”
Olivia groaned and tucked a strand of hair behind one ear. “I don’t think it’s going to be that easy. It feels almost like we’re playing a chess game and he already knows his moves two steps ahead of me.”
“You only have to make it through six weeks, Olivia. You can do this.”
Olivia gripped her phone. “You’re right. It’s not like it’s forever. I can handle six weeks.”
“I know you can. You’re a strong woman.”
“Thank you, Beth. I’ll call you tomorrow to check in with you.” Olivia said good-bye and then disconnected.
Beth was right. She was strong. She was a levelheaded businesswoman. Whatever it took to save her business, she could do it. That meant dealing with Mason for the next six weeks, which would be as easy as brushing a live shark’s teeth, but she could do this.
She would. Squaring her shoulders, she opened the door and went back in the direction of the kitchen. Mason Parker might ooze danger from his every pore, but that didn’t mean he would be the winner between the two of them.
She walked by the arched doorway leading into the living room and as she passed, the Great Dane leaped off the sofa and shot Olivia a guilty look. Olivia winked at the dog. “Your secret is safe with me.”
“What secret would that be?” Mason asked.
Olivia whipped her head around. He was too close. His voice was smooth, giving away no hint that their sparring in the kitchen had in any way affected him.
He handed her a glass of wine. “If you’re ready, the food is on the table.”
She would dine with the devil, but she would do it for her business and for her dad. She took a gulp of the wine; it went down the wrong way and she coughed and sputtered while he patted her on the back.
“Does the thought of sharing a meal with me make you nervous, Olivia?”
“Not at all. The stress of”—she coughed again—“the day.” She cleared her throat and squeaked, “I’m good.” Olivia followed him into the dining room and took the seat across from him. Taking several more gulps of her wine, she finished it off and then held out her glass. “This is delicious. Is there more of it?”
“Sure.” He refilled her glass.
She took another long swallow. This was ridiculous. They were both adults. He wanted the land; she didn’t want to give it up. So that part was a tie. Nothing either of them could negotiate with that. But that didn’t mean that they had to argue. She hated arguing. She preferred peace and quiet. Surely, despite the mutual hate between them, they could manage to be civil to each other.
Whoa…wait… When he’d talked about the past earlier, he said she’d begged him to sleep with her. Obviously the sex hadn’t happened. That meant that he hadn’t taken advantage of her. He’d watched out for her instead. She had to know what had happened the night of the fire. Olivia leaned forward, locking her gaze with his. “Why didn’t you have sex with me that night?”
…
Mason couldn’t look away from the blue of her eyes. There had always been something about her that made him think thoughts not wise to dwell on. Thinking about sex with Olivia made him want to sweep his arm across the table, knocking aside the dishes, and have what he wanted to satisfy his appetite.
“Mason?”
Her voice made him stop imagining what it would be like to press her back against the table and lose himself inside her. “You were drunk, and I don’t take advantage of women. It was clear that you were in no shape to give real consent.”
“I see.” She cut off a bite of her food and slipped it into her mouth.
“I am, however, very open to the idea of having sex with you now.”
Olivia stopped chewing, and her hand bumped the side of her wineglass. She took another healthy swallow before putting it back down. “I’ll have to pass.”
“Your loss,” he said.
“And yours,” she countered with a glare.
He couldn’t help but smile. The woman intrigued the hell out of him. It was clear to him she had a backbone and he was in for a fight to get the land he wanted. But Olivia had no idea who she was up against. Or exactly how powerful he was. A few phone calls and he could easily take over the mortgage on her shop. Close her down. Leave her with nothing. She’d be forced to sell the land just to stay afloat. But he didn’t want to do it that way. He wanted her to want to give in. To want him. How that would gall the chief if his daughter fell for the man he’d never wanted her to be with. Mason looked forward to the battle more than he had anything else in a long time. “You didn’t have any relationship loose ends to tie up in Texas?”
“Worried about competition?”
“I doubt any man in your life would be half the man I am—in or out of the bedroom.” He wiped his mouth and set aside the napkin. “I simply want to know all the players ahead of time. If you and I are going to act as a loving couple, it would certainly be less believable if one of your bed partners suddenly popped up to dispute our story.”
“It’s been over a year since I’ve had a relationship.”
“Over a year without sex.” He shook his head at the thought.
She smiled cheekily. “I didn’t say it’d been over a year without an orgasm.”
He laughed out loud. “I think I’m going to enjoy getting to know you very thoroughly, Olivia Carter.”
She tipped her head at that and said, “And I’m going to enjoy besting you, Mason.”
“Why has it been over a year since you’ve been in a relationship?” He wanted to know how it was that a woman as beautiful and as thought-provoking as Olivia didn’t have someone in her life.
She traced her finger around the rim of the wineglass, looking pensive. “My life became…hectic.”
When she lifted her eyes to his, he saw heartache there. “Business related?” For a minute, he didn’t think she was going to answer, but she finally did.
“Some of it. My business started struggling financially. I was being pulled in too many directions.” She lifted a shoulder. “That’s why I invented the boyfriend lie.”
“I find that shocking. That honest, straight-as-an-arrow Olivia Carter would tell a lie.”
“I can hear the sarcasm in your voice. What is it you feel I’ve lied about? That’s what you’re digging for. Am I right?”
“You never came forward after the fire and told the police there was no way I could have been in two places at once.”
Her eyes widened. “Mason, why don’t you believe me when I say that I don’t remember?”
He’d been stunned when she hadn’t confirmed his alibi. But he was older, wiser now. He knew that women were rarely as straightforward or as kind and honest as they pretended to be. She’d fooled him back then. Damned if she’d fool him now. “Your father never discussed anything about that night with you?”
“No…come out and say it, Mason. What are you accusing my father of?”
He’d spell it out for her. “Your father knew we were all innocent.” As expected, anger flared on her face. She was better at acting than he’d thought.
Olivia got to her feet. “My father served the community without a single mark against his record for over twenty years. While he can be gruff and hard to get to know, he’s not a liar and he would never sit by while an innocent person was punished. Even you.”
“Even me? I’m a better man at my worst than your father will ever be.” He stood as well, feeling the surge of resentment and anger for the years of his life lost in the facility, for the treatment he and his friends had endured. “Why don’t you have a conversation with your dear old dad?”
She blinked, then said, “There’s no need for
me to talk to Dad. I know what kind of man he is.”
“Did you ever think that maybe you’re blinded by family loyalty?”
“Did you ever think that you’re blinded by your hatred toward anyone who represents authority?”
“I don’t hate authority, Olivia. I hate injustice.”
“I don’t believe you,” she said.
“And I don’t believe you,” he returned.
“Then what we have here, Mr. Parker, is a draw. We might as well part ways now. You will not get the land. You will not get me.”
“Time will be the judge of that, sweet Olivia. Now would you like me to show you to your room?”
“I’ll find it myself. I’ll also need some space to work on my designs. I can work out of one of the extra bedrooms. I’ll also need Beth to fly in on occasion.”
He didn’t like the sudden all-business tone of her voice. “You would have more room to work in a shop. I can rent you a space for the time that you’ll be here. Whatever you need, I’ll have it taken care of.”
“I’ll handle it myself, and using a bedroom is fine. I was only letting you know.”
He heard her, but he’d do as he pleased. She would need the space, especially if she had to meet with clients. He didn’t relish the thought of strangers coming to his home. Instead of arguing with her about what he intended to do, he put the topic on the back burner and changed the subject. “You’ll need to be ready by seven tonight. Wear something elegant.”
“What for?”
“There’s a party for the management staff of my company. The event is at the Trump International Hotel and Tower. It’ll be the perfect time to introduce you.”
“Fine. At an event like that I’m sure there will be a photographer or two there. Photos of us together will help promote my business.”
“I’ll have my secretary make sure we’re photographed.”
She started to walk away, then stopped. “What’s your sign?”
“My sign?”
“Your astrological sign.”
“I’m a Gemini. Why?”
She shook her head. “That explains a lot. I’ll see you at seven.”
Chapter Five
Shortly after six, Olivia stared out the window of the yellow Lamborghini Gallardo as the scenery flew past. The car was one of five she’d seen in Mason’s garage as she’d met him outside for the evening. When she’d commented drily on the perks of the wealthy, he’d quietly informed her the car belonged to Jake and not to him. “Jake drives the car when he’s in town.”
“Does he have a business in the area or something?”
“He does. Along with Cole, we were determined to be successful.”
Olivia pictured the three of them against the world. After his announcement that her father knew he was innocent, she’d replayed the night of the fire over and again in her mind, searching for some clue she might have missed but she still couldn’t remember. She gave up focusing on the past and focused on Mason. “Do you want to know why the two of us will never end up in bed together? We are the absolute worst match.”
He pulled his gaze from the road to shoot her a look. “What?”
“You being a Gemini and me being a Pisces,” Olivia said. “People born under your sign are known for being superficial and cunning.”
“Superficial?” He sounded offended.
She waved a hand. “Those aren’t my words. On another note, I think I read that our signs are compatible sexually, which is funny since I know that we aren’t going that direction.” Olivia paused to think about her horoscope. Lately, the predictions had been kind of ominous come to think of it. The predictions had talked about emotionally charged life changes and warned her to avoid romantic entanglements.
“Life has a way of forcing people to change direction.”
“I liked the direction I was going before you entered the picture.” She smoothed her black dress—the only formal dress she’d brought with her—and hoped she looked okay. Since Heather Ramsey’s wedding dress had gone viral, Olivia had met her share of well-known people, but being in Mason’s world made her feel like a gawky schoolgirl.
“Nervous?” His voice was smooth, cordial.
“No,” she lied. He kept himself under such tight control. Olivia wondered what it would be like to push Mason past the point of being cordial. To the point where he’d act against what he thought was practical, as was the trait of a Gemini.
“You have nothing to be nervous about. The men and women you’ll meet tonight are already aware of your existence in my life. Several of the women are fans of your designs, so I’m sure they’ll be thrilled to meet you.”
“They all believe our relationship is real, then?”
“As far as the entire world is concerned, it is.”
“Then won’t they expect us to act…comfortable with each other?”
He looked away from her. “That might be a problem. Plus, you have an untouched look about you.”
“What?” Olivia dug in her clutch purse for a small mirror and flipped it open to check her appearance. “No I don’t. I look sweet.” She sent him a smirk as she closed the mirror and put it back. “Out of your league. Just perfect.” She held on to the side of the door when the car made a sudden move to the left and slid into a vacant parking slot. “This isn’t the hotel.”
He unbuckled his seat belt and reached across the console. Putting one hand at the back of her neck, he drew her to him. “There’s nothing out of my league.” Then his lips took hers.
Before Olivia could draw in a breath, he began a sensual onslaught that reminded her how long it had been since she’d felt the touch of a man’s lips on hers. Olivia knew she should pull away; she knew all the reasons why this wasn’t smart. But the sensations flooding her body from the tips of her toes all the way to the top of her head were too deliciously tempting not to have just a little more taste of them.
Fumbling, her lips still under his, she reached for the clasp on her seat belt, releasing it so she could have better access to Mason. Grasping the sides of the undone bow tie around his neck, she used it as leverage to keep him leaning toward her while she explored his mouth with her tongue. Like teenagers making out in a car. Like she’d once fantasized about doing with Mason when she was in high school. Before the fire. It was that thought that doused her hormones and restored her knowledge that this was a mistake.
Jerking back, she put her hands up to her flushed face. How could she have reacted that way to a man she couldn’t stand?
“Now you look very touched,” he said, his tone acting as if he weren’t a bit affected, but Olivia knew better.
She could definitely see the proof. “As do you.” Her lips felt swollen. The expertise with which he’d kissed her hadn’t surprised her. She’d known that he would be knowledgeable. What did surprise her was her own reaction.
Without embarrassment, he dropped his hand to his lap and adjusted the front of his pants. “Feel free to make sure I don’t look untouched any time you want.”
Olivia silently chastised herself. She’d told him that she didn’t like him and yet she’d grabbed his tie and hauled him closer. “I’ll check my schedule and let you know the next time I can pencil you in.”
He laughed as he resumed the drive. Minutes later, he pulled up at the hotel on North Wabash Avenue, got out, and handed the keys off to the valet. When Olivia joined him, he slid his hand around so that his fingers rested against her lower back. “This way, darling,” he said.
In the elevator, he tied the bow tie and Olivia let her gaze roam around the interior, hoping to keep her mind from dwelling on how good Mason looked in the formal wear. Once the elevator stopped and the doors opened, he led her to the meeting room where a crowd of people gathered. As soon as they stepped into the entrance, several of them hurried up to greet Mason warmly, smiling and shaking her hand as he introduced her. A short man with warm blue eyes and a friendly smile asked Mason if he could speak with him in private for a mome
nt. “If you’ll excuse me, Olivia?” Mason lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss there.
She watched him walk away, admiring the way his tuxedo fit, but before he could get very far, a group of women surrounded Olivia. One of them introduced herself as Bonnie, Mason’s secretary, who’d obviously had a little too much champagne, but Olivia instantly liked the grandmotherly woman.
Bonnie retrieved two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter and handed one to Olivia. “We were all so thrilled when Mason said you were moving to Chicago.” She lowered her voice. “I’ve worked for him since the beginning and I tell you, there’s not a finer man in the world.”
“He is quite handsome,” Olivia said, taking a sip of the champagne.
“Oh, that’s not what I mean. In all my seventy-three years I’ve not met a kinder, more generous person.”
Assuming the other woman meant that Mason was financially generous with his employees, Olivia said, “The company must be a good place to work.”
“Oh, no.” The woman put a hand on Olivia’s arm. “It’s not what you’re thinking. Mason invests in his people more than just financially. I probably shouldn’t be saying this, but you probably already know. Last month, one of the managers returned from a business trip to find that her husband had kicked their eighteen-year-old son out of the house after the boy said he was gay. She was pretty frantic because she couldn’t find her son. Mason put his team of investigators on it, located him, and is now paying the entire cost of his college tuition as well as his living expenses.”
“That’s very kind of him,” Olivia said, her gaze crossing the room to where Mason was still in deep conversation with the man who’d led him away.
Bonnie looked the same direction. “That’s Scott, one of Mason’s attorneys. Two years ago, his wife was diagnosed with cancer. Mason paid for all their insurance deductibles himself.”
“Mason sounds like a saint.”
“Oh no.” Bonnie shook her head. “I’ve seen Mason when someone doesn’t do the job he’s supposed to do or tries to take advantage of him. He can be a bit on the forceful side when that happens.” The woman laughed and winked. “But you probably know all about Mason’s qualities.”
