by Sonya Weiss
Olivia faked a wide smile and was thankfully rescued from responding when Mason rejoined them.
“Sorry about that.” Mason slid his arm around Olivia’s waist.
The warmth of his hand rested against her hip, and Olivia felt the heat all the way to the marrow in her bones. She didn’t quite know what to think, and her confusion doubled. What she knew about Mason didn’t mesh with the way Bonnie described him. Which one was the real man?
“I’m going to make the rounds one more time and then I’m going to call it a night,” Bonnie said.
“Did you drive here?” Mason asked.
Bonnie shook her head. “No. I took a cab. I’ll call for another one.”
“Not necessary.” Mason motioned with his fingers and arranged for one of the managers to drive the older woman home.
As Bonnie prepared to leave, she said, “It was lovely to meet you, Olivia. I hope you’ll be very happy here in Chicago.”
Olivia linked her arm with Mason’s and flashed an adoring smile up at him. “What woman wouldn’t be with Saint Mason?”
Bonnie laughed and after she walked off, Mason said, “Was she putting me on a pedestal again?”
Swinging herself around to face him, Olivia stroked the side of his face for the sake of a photographer standing near. “Only a little.”
“Don’t believe everything you hear.” He captured her hand and brought it up to his lips for a kiss.
“But I liked hearing about you. It was refreshing to learn that you don’t have horns and a pitchfork hidden somewhere after all,” Olivia said. In the background, a band began to play a sweet melody.
“If you let yourself, sweetheart, you’ll see that I’m a very amiable guy. Dance with the devil?”
…
Back at his home after the party, Mason said, “That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
“Not at all.” She kicked off her high heels and rubbed her feet. “Do you know when and where those photos of us will be published?”
“Hard to say, why?”
“I need to explain this to my father before he sees them.”
“Do you plan on telling him the truth?”
The tone of his voice made Olivia stop and raise her head. His handsome features were stony, his mouth set in a tight line. In the tuxedo and white shirt he wore with the bow tie hanging open around his neck again, he looked like he belonged on the front cover of a magazine for the too-rich-and-too-sexy. If only his dark eyes weren’t so damned compelling, his lips so appealing to hers, she wouldn’t have the inner struggle she had every time she looked at him since he’d kissed her in the car. Since she’d heard Bonnie sing his praises. Since she’d danced with him. Since she’d caught glimpses of the boy he’d once been.
“Do you?” He pushed when she didn’t answer.
Olivia forced herself to concentrate. “I hadn’t really thought much about it.”
“Exactly how happy do you think dear old dad will be to think you’re sharing my bed?”
“He wouldn’t be, of course, but if he knew the truth, he wouldn’t think that.”
“The truth that you’re going to tell him? Exactly,” he went on when she winced. “If you tell him the truth, you run the risk he’ll tell someone and the lie you told will blow up in your face.”
“So what…I tell him you and I are a couple? That would make him very happy.” She couldn’t help the derision in her voice. “My father would no more believe me if I told him that than he would if I said I was going to try out for a football team.”
A look of exasperation crossed his face. “Then tell him whatever the hell you want to tell him. It’s your life to screw up.”
Olivia sank down on the plump sofa. “Maybe I should fly home day after tomorrow. I’ll think of something to tell him.” If she told her father about the boyfriend lie, he might tell Larry. While Larry could keep his mouth shut, his wife was another story. That woman gossiped as freely as water poured from a sieve.
Olivia bit the side of her thumb, going over her plans. “If I leave day after tomorrow, that’ll have me back in Butler Field on Thursday. I can talk to Beth while I’m there and see if she’ll come back with me on Friday. I’ll call the airline and see what reservations are available.”
“Have my pilot fly you there and back.”
“Maybe I’ll take you up on that offer in the future, but I can pay for my own flight. At least this time. Granted, it’ll be coach and not in the lap of luxury, but that’s life.”
“Anyone ever tell you how stubborn you are?”
Olivia yawned and slid down so that she stretched out completely on the sofa, crossing her hands over her stomach. “I don’t look at it as stubborn. I’m simply a woman who knows her own mind.”
“You might want to be a woman who knows her dress slid up, but trust me when I say I don’t mind the show.”
Embarrassed, Olivia tried to yank her dress down, but because it was bunched beneath her, it wouldn’t budge. She hiked her hips up in the air and gave it a good tug.
“Allow me.” Mason slipped one hand beneath the back edge of her dress, his fingers pressing against her skin while he gently freed her dress with the other. He ran his hands across the sides of the material, slowly straightening it. As he smoothed the dress, his hands rested against her thighs.
She had the urge to touch his face. To look beyond the hard steel in his eyes to see if she could help set him free. Lifting her hand, she stroked his face and knew immediately she’d make a mistake. She’d known there would be a physical tug-of-war within her. She hadn’t expected the emotional one.
It would take only one move on her part to be beneath him, to taste his mouth and feel his heat against her. That couldn’t happen. She needed to leave now and head to the bedroom she was using. Take a shower. Get into bed. Alone. Toss and turn thinking about him. Wondering if he was boxers or briefs or—she let out a small groan—nothing at all. What the hell was wrong with her? A series of great stories about him and now her hate was at war with her wanting him?
She had to get out of here. Her gaze dropped to his lips.
He gave her a chance to turn away before his head lowered. Her breasts ached with need along with another part of her body, and she closed her eyes, waiting for his kiss.
Chapter Six
The small moan that slipped from Olivia’s mouth was all it took to make him reach for her. She looked damn good in that short little black dress, but he knew she’d look even better without it. He looked forward to tasting her and…a hard object rammed into his hip and Mason toppled over. A wide swath of wetness coated the side of his face. What the hell?
Struggling to sit, Mason put his hand on his dog’s nose and pushed. He wiped the slobber from the side of his face. “Great timing, Red.”
Olivia’s laughter filled the room. “You should have seen your expression.”
He made a face, and she wrapped her arms around her stomach and laughed deeper.
“Glad I could amuse you. I usually take Red for a walk about this time. That’s why she interrupted.” Mason got up and held out a hand. “Want to join us?” He fully intended to walk the dog and pick up right where he’d left off with Olivia. “Join us now and then I’ll join you later in your room or mine.”
She sat up on one elbow. “I can’t. I shouldn’t. I feel confused and I don’t like it. It’s probably wiser if I don’t.”
“But a whole lot less satisfying.”
“Speak for yourself.”
He groaned at the mental image. “If you need a partner or a spectator, you know where I’ll be. You won’t always be able to run from the chemistry between us.”
“How can you see me as your enemy, as someone you think ruined your life, and still want to sleep with me?”
“You know I’m after your land. You know I believe your father framed me and my friends, yet you still want to sleep with me. How is that any different?”
“Intention. I’m here and in this situation only becau
se I want to save my business. I don’t intend to hurt you.”
“And I don’t intend to hurt you.”
“But you will if that’s what it takes to get what you want,” she said.
He had to look away. What did she expect? Flowers and forgiveness for the ones who’d damaged his life? Not happening. He’d never pretended to be anything other than who he was, and he’d been clear from the start what his intentions were. When he finally looked back at her, he said, “You and I have a mutually necessary relationship that could extend to sexually satisfying as well. Once I have your agreement for the land, we’ll find a way to end the relationship so that it benefits you as well. Neither of us will get hurt.”
“You’re forgetting the very real possibility that you won’t get the land.” Olivia crossed her arms. “I’m only going to be here for six weeks. I can withstand your charm for that long.” She came closer.
So close Mason could inhale the sensual perfume on her body. He swallowed. He’d never wanted a woman with the same ferocity that he wanted her. “True, we agreed on six weeks, but this ends when I say it does, Olivia.”
“Six weeks is all I’m giving you.” She walked off, swinging her hips, leaving Mason feeling unsatisfied and irritated.
…
The next afternoon, as soon as Mason arrived home, he sought out Olivia. When he couldn’t find her in the house, he wandered into the kitchen and saw her in the backyard throwing a ball to Red.
Her hair was wind-tossed, her cheeks flushed. He could imagine how silky her hair would feel, how warm her skin would be if he placed his palm against her face. Driven by a force he couldn’t understand, he opened the door and stepped outside.
She looked up when she heard the door and her smile faded.
Mason hated that the sight of him would steal her laughter. He waited for her to approach. He forced himself to keep his hands in his pockets so that he wouldn’t give in to the urge to touch her.
“I thought you worked late.”
“Normally, I would, but there’s a jazz event at Millennium Park featuring some local talent. It’s about an hour from here. I thought you might be interested.”
Her eyebrows rose. “You know I like jazz music?”
“I heard you playing it this morning.”
“I’m sorry, did I disturb you?”
Mason rubbed the dog’s head when Red nudged him. “You disturb me, but not because of your music.”
She grinned as if that delighted her. “I’ve never been to a jazz event. I’m definitely interested. What can I expect?”
“Shoulder to shoulder people, long lines for the porta-potty, overpriced beer and pizza.”
She laughed. “Then let’s go. I’m all yours.”
His gaze shifted to her lips and he jerked his gaze away in time to see her grin widen. He grinned back, knowing he didn’t need to say what he’d been thinking.
…
The event was packed. Olivia loved the energy and watching couples dance with sweet oblivion to the crowd around them. She sighed at the romance of it and looked up at Mason when the sounds of a saxophone began. “I love this. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Care to dance?”
Olivia hesitated. Already, her negative feelings toward him had begun to slip, melting faster than snow under a blazing sun. She didn’t want to like him, and she knew she needed to be careful. But it was only a dance. Slowly, she moved closer until she stepped into his arms. His hand was firm, strong against her back. She leaned back to look at him. “I noticed that you had coffee ready for me this morning. My favorite flavor. Thank you.”
He smiled down at her. “You’re welcome. I saw that you had a bag of it at your shop.”
He’d noticed a little thing like her favorite coffee. He’d surprised her with this festival. Could it be that the devil Mason portrayed himself to be was only a mask?
“You dance well. I noticed it the first time we danced. Did you take lessons?” he asked.
“My mom loved to dance. From the time that I was a little girl, she would do these impromptu dance lessons with me. I’d be at the table doing homework and she’d sweep in, grab my hand, and we’d dance.”
“I’m sorry for that hole in your life, Olivia. If I had a way to give her back to you, I would.”
Moved by his words, Olivia nodded and, unable to speak, rested her head against his shoulder.
They danced until the warmth of the late-afternoon sun eased into the pink and blues of the setting sun and still, Olivia wished for more. The atmosphere, the music, the man—all of it was perfect. Mason had exchanged his customary suit for a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. He looked relaxed, handsome, and dangerously sexy.
When the last strands of music ended and the crowd roared with approval, Mason kept his arm around her waist and leaned close. “I can have my driver take us to a pizza place on South Wacker if you’d like.”
She didn’t want the night to end. Not yet. She was enjoying his company—this more relaxed Mason—too much. She smiled. “Good idea. I’m starving.”
At the pizza restaurant, Olivia took a seat across from Mason while they waited for their food. Needing to know the man in front of her and not the one she strongly suspected was a front, she asked, “Do you ever see your father?”
She caught a quick glimpse of his wounds from the emotion in his eyes. Pain. Fear. Rejection. “I haven’t seen him since my final day in court.” He shook his head. “He told me that I was no good, that I wasn’t worthy of his time or love.”
Her heart ached for him. She understood those feelings of pain, fear, and rejection all too well. But she didn’t understand how a father could treat his son that way. Sliding her hand across the table, she tentatively touched the back of his. He hesitated then opened his hand, his fingers tangling with hers.
His smile was rueful. “I don’t remember ever holding a girl’s hand. I had a reputation to keep, and holding hands didn’t fit that image.”
“Neither did saving that dog from drowning.” Olivia leaned back while the waitress placed the pizza on the table. Once they were alone, she added, “I think that’s when I developed a crush on you.”
He withdrew his hand to slide slices of pizza onto their plates. “What made you get over it?”
“Who said I was over it?”
Mason stared at her. Then swallowed. “You’re serious?”
Olivia smiled ruefully, remembering the way she’d built Mason up in her mind back then. She’d imagined him as a hero who would swoop in and erase all the pain in her life. “I am, but I was a teenager then, and I think a first crush kind of sticks with a girl. I would have acted on it if I thought for one second that you liked me, too.”
“Your father would have loved that.”
Olivia caught that Mason hadn’t admitted he’d liked her in return, and it bothered her. “I know, with you being his favorite person and all.”
He laughed, then said, “I don’t want to ruin tonight. We probably shouldn’t discuss your father.”
“I don’t want to ruin tonight, either.” She took a bite of her pizza and swallowed before asking, “What’s your favorite movie?”
He took a sip of his beer. “It’s been a while since I’ve watched one.”
“Too busy building an empire?”
“Actually, yes.” He smiled, then his brow furrowed. “I don’t know that I have a single favorite movie.”
“Mine is Rebel Without a Cause,” Olivia admitted.
“You’re a James Dean fan?”
“Who isn’t? What?” she asked when he kept staring at her.
“I think every time that I see you, you become more beautiful than you were the moment before.”
She held his gaze. “What’s something that bothers you?”
He took a deep breath. “I can’t stand to see stories about children doing without or suffering. It makes me want to rescue them all, and I feel helpless that I can’t. What about you?”
“It�
��s the same for me about children. And animals, too. I can’t stand to hear about abused or neglected animals.”
“Childhood memory that makes you laugh,” he challenged.
“I forgot my show-and-tell item when I was in the second grade. Since we would get extra credit if we did it, I didn’t want to miss out. So at recess, I took my lunch box outside and collected a bunch of ants and stuck them in the box. I called it my ant farm. When I opened the box, the ants escaped and ran all over the place. The teacher called my mom.”
Mason laughed.
Outside the window, it began to rain gently. Underneath the soft streetlamps, the water glistened as it fell. Olivia looked at it wistfully, then started when Mason took her hand. “Do you like walking in the rain?”
“As long as it’s a warm rain, I love it. I would skip the bus and walk home from school when it rained.”
“Then come on.” He tossed some money on the table and led her to the door of the restaurant. “Are you ready for this, Olivia?”
She had the feeling that he was asking about more than just the rain. “I’m ready.”
He pushed open the door and they stepped out together.
As they walked, Mason talked about the city and what he enjoyed about it.
“Watch your step.” He put his arm around her shoulder and guided her past a puddle. His arm felt like it belonged around her. They walked until the rain began to fall harder, and then Mason had his driver take them home.
Olivia waited while Mason opened the front door and waved her in before him. When the door shut, he leaned against it. “I want to kiss you good-night.”
“That would be okay with me.”
He pushed away from the door, covering the distance quickly. Olivia expected something fast and powerful. Instead, his lips covered hers in a gentle caress that rocked her. Much too soon, he raised his head and ran his thumb along her jaw. “Good night, sweet Olivia.”
…
Thursday, after Mason left the house to go to his office, Olivia called a cab and went to the airport. She managed to get an earlier flight than what she’d thought she could, which would land her back in Texas before lunch. So at least the day started out on a good note.
