Exquisite (17 page)

“Let me in the house Lena.”

She eyed the bag then asked,
“What’s in the sack?”

“Muffins.”

“What kind?”

“Blueberry.”

Sighing loudly she moved aside
reluctantly, “Fine come in, but only because I’m hungry and their blueberry
muffins are to die for.”

He went to move past her then
stopped. “Understood.”

Lena watched him as she sipped her
coffee trying to figure out what he was thinking. He hadn’t said anything since
he’d come into the house and made his way into the kitchen. After she’d got out
two small plates they’d sat at her small kitchen table and ended up in a battle
of wills. She was determined to make him so uncomfortable he’d leave and he was
determined to be stubborn and stay. It was like two rams butting heads.

Leaning back in the wooden chair,
his long legs sprawled out under the table accidentally bumping hers. She
didn’t move though, she was determined to hold her ground. Never taking her
eyes from his she picked up a piece of muffin and popped it into her mouth. He
was still wearing his black pants from last night. She figured he must of had
the black shirt under his white chef’s smock because that was what he was in
now and even though he should look disheveled and put out, all he managed to
look was hot. Smoking hot, and right now she hated him for it. When he finished
his muffin he sat up in the chair hearing it creak and moan under him. He
raised a brow to her. “I’m not in danger of landing on my ass am I?”

For some reason that statement
broke the ice. She burst out laughing and placed a hand across her mouth. “Do
you really think I’d tell you and miss out on something so spectacular?”

Mason found himself laughing with
the prickly doctor. It seemed he’d managed to break through whatever wall she’d
been trying to build. Leaning forward he rested his elbows on the table. “We’ll
have to go by my place so I can get some running gear. There’s a park down the
street from me we could go to. Does that sound ok to you?”

She sat back in her chair and let
out a deep breath. “You really aren’t going away are you?”

He watched her closely and choose
his words carefuly. “No I’m not. Lena look at me.”

Her eyes slowly opened and focused
on him.

“I know there are things you don’t
want to tell me. I get that. I even know that it’s way to soon for you to be
ready to tell me, but you will. Eventually.”

She blinked once then bit her lip
gently.

“Right now though, I’ll settle for
a run with you in the park.”

He pushed the chair back and stood
up coming around the table to hold out a hand. Looking up at him with wide eyes
she took it.

“I don’t understand why you’re
going to all this trouble.”

Grinning he squeezed her fingers.
“I’m finally realizing something my father told me a couple of years ago before
he died.”

He watched her eyes soften a
little, “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

“That’s ok he was a great man,
lived a great life.”

She seemed to be trying to work up
the nerve to say something but at the last minute she lowered her gaze took a
breath and dropped his hand. “What did he tell you?”

He reached out and stroked her
cheek. “That’s something I’m not ready to tell
you
yet. But I will,
eventually.”

An hour later Lena was waiting on a
bench, watching the ducks swim in circles, while Mason had gone upstairs to
change. She’d told him she needed the fresh air but really she just needed some
distance. The man was starting to make her feel things she really didn’t want
to and she was still trying to work that out. When he came jogging down the
street then crossed over toward her she almost wished she could be like Shelly
and just say,
oh what the hell and jump the guy.
His shorts were bright
red and hit just above his knees showing off his muscular calf muscles that
were lightly sprinkled with hair. He’d put on a black sleeveless shirt and red
baseball cap to run in and his arms flexed as the swung back and forward. He
looked lickable. This work out was going to be torture. She stood and walked
over to him trying to act like the sight of him powering over to her didn’t
affect her in the slightest.

“Ready to stretch?”

She nodded, “Sure am. Think you’ll
be able to keep up with me Langley?”

He grunted and nodded, “You’ll be
eating my dust doctor.”

Rolling her eyes she bent down to
touch her toes. He made a noise and she looked up at him. The side of his mouth
pulled up.

“Got a problem?” she asked with a
raised eyebrow.

“No. I was just wishing you’d do
that over here in front of me.”

Shaking her head she laughed a
little, “Perv.”

“Is it my fault you’re wearing the
tightest yoga pants I’ve ever seen? Please don’t run in front of me I don’t
think my heart will survive it.”

Now she laughed loudly, “That’s ok
I’m a doctor I wont let you die.”

He moved into a forward lunge
stretching his thigh and calf, “Yeah for little kids.”

“Same principal.” she said as she
pulled her right leg up behind her to stretch her hamstring. He stood up
crossing his arms over his head. She watched his biceps flex and pull and
narrowed her eyes at him. “Are you trying to pay me back?”

He dropped his arms. “No, but it’s
good to know you’re hot for my body.”

She let go of her ankle and rolled
her eyes. “Oh my god. Can we go now?”

Chuckling he nodded, “Sure. How
far?”

“I usually do 5 miles.”

“5 miles it is. But please for all
that’s holy, run beside me.”

She chuckled and started off up the
trail.

When they hit their fourth mile
Mason glanced over to see a light sheen of sweat on Lena’s face. She was
breathing evenly, in through her nose out through her mouth, and her form was
unbelievable. She could really run. He thought he was going to have to pull
back on his pace but she was giving him a run for his money. He paced along
beside her and since she was smaller than him he did have to shorten his stride
but other than that he found she was an amazing running partner. In fact, he
was starting to think everything about her was amazing. He still couldn’t
believe it’d only been a couple of weeks ago when they’d first met, not to
mention only last week when they’d had their first date. Mason felt as though
he’d known her much longer, and although there was a lot about her he didn’t
understand he found he didn’t mind waiting to find out. She was smart, witty
and prickly as a porcupine, but for some reason the
‘don’t touch sign’
that
was hanging around her at times just made him want to touch more. They were
just coming up over a small bridge when he saw her glance at him out of the
corner of her eye. Turning his head toward her he arched an eyebrow. Then she
grinned and he felt his chest tighten, that was worth everything. To see her
smile like nothing else was bothering her for that moment. He’d done that,
he
was making her happy, and he didn’t think he’d ever felt so proud of himself in
his life.

“Race you the last mile Langley.”

He kept pace beside her. “What are
the stakes?”

“Stakes?” she asked looking a
little confused.

“Yeah, what do I win?”

Letting out a quick laugh and
breathing a little heavier she asked, “What makes you think you’ll win?”

“Answer the question Lena, we’re
coming up on the last mile marker.”

“Bragging rights?” she suggested
quickly.

“Lame.”

She narrowed her eyes at him knowing
that he was wanting more from her than bragging rights. Then a twinkle appeared
in her eye like she was about to do something mischievous.

“Ok then. How about winner decides,
but no touching involved.”

Mason felt his heart pick up in his
chest and nodded confirming his approval as they rounded the bend to the marker
that signaled the beginning of their last mile.

“Go!” she shouted and took off.
Damn she was quick. She flew past him and he ordered his legs to get moving.
They seemed to listen because they started pushing him forward closer to her
delectable ass that was bouncing up and down in front of him. She sprinted
round the slight bend at the halfway mark and he watched as she looked over her
shoulder and winked at him.
Oh hell, this woman was going to kill him
.
Picking up the pace he started pumping his legs and pounding his way toward
her. She thought she had him and he almost let her but no, victory would be his
and so would she. Just as they got to the bridge he passed her up and came
around the bend and triumphantly hit the marker where they’d started. He turned
heaving deep breaths, in and out, and saw her standing just behind him doing
the same. She raised her eyes to his, flushed pink with sweat sliding down her
temple. Putting her hands on her hips she took in a deep breath and then shook
her head. “You don’t play fair.”

He walked over to her feeling the
sweat dripping down his back. “Excuse me? I won fair and square.”

She shook her head pouting at him.
“You won because I ran full out to the end then was tired and you took
advantage and powered the last sprint.”

He burst out laughing at her, she
was adorable in full sulk mode. “You Dr O’Donnell are a sore loser.”

“Am not.” she said crossing her
arms over her chest like a ten year old. He bent down until they were nose to
nose. “Are too.” he kissed her quickly on the nose then stood and walked over
to the water fountain. He bent down got a drink then turned back to her.

“And now I get to name my prize.”

Lena stood trying to catch her
breath as she watched him look her over. She could only imagine what he had in
store for her. Something devious, no doubt.

“Ok Langley, enough with the
suspense already spit it out.”

He walked over to her slowly and
reached out tipping her chin up. He grinned down at her and said plainly. “I
choose a shower.”

She blinked once then again. “Huh?”

“I choose to take a shower.”

Still looking up at him she raised
a brow. “I’ve got news for you. It’s not going to happen. I’m not showering
with you. I said
no
touching.”

That was way to intimate. To her
that was more intimate than sex. Being close enough to trust someone with your
health and care.

“I didn’t ask you to.” he bent down
so they were inches apart, his finger still under her chin and said slowly. “
I’m
going to take a shower.”

Narrowing her eyes still confused
she stated, “I don’t understand how that’s a reward. You could do that anyway.”

That’s when a wicked grin tugged on
his lips and he nodded, “That’s true but my prize is that you’ll be there to
watch.”

He couldn’t have shocked her more
than if he’d told her he was an alien.
Who in their right mind demands
someone watch them shower? A lunatic trying to drive her crazy, that’s who.
She
felt her face heat and it had nothing to do with the 5 mile run she just did.

“What?” she managed to squeak out.

“I won so I get to choose my
reward. I need and want a shower and you’re going to watch.”

Sputtering Lena managed to get out,
“That’s kind of kinky Langley.”

“Say’s she who offered to smack me
on our first date.”

Lena felt like her whole body was
on fire. Just thinking about his big body under water made her want to
hyperventilate. The idea was outrageous, but so damn sexy she could feel
herself getting damp between her thighs. He dropped his hand and moved back a step
and Lena found herself looking him over trying to visualize exactly what he was
going to show her. Then her eyes found his and they were burning bright.

“So I’m what? Just going to sit
there and watch you take a shower?”

He nodded slowly then stepped in so
close to her she could see a small drop of sweat bead up and slide down his
neck and into the shirt. “Yes. I told you Lena, you make me want things I’ve
never wanted. You make me want to do things,” he paused and took a deep breath
then let it out, “Hmm things I would never normally do.”

Licking her lips she asked, “And
one of those things is take a shower?” it almost seemed ludicrous until he
added.

“In front of you.”

She swallowed slowly, sucked into
the sensuality of the moment, then nodded. “Okay. It’s your choice. You won.”

He reached out and she placed her
hand in his. “Yes I certainly did.”

M
ason didn’t know what on earth had possessed him
to choose what he had. All he knew was that when they were standing there,
after the race, she’d been looking at him with a sort of hunger in her eyes he
didn’t want to stop. So when she’d asked what he wanted that was what had
popped out. In all fairness to her, it was a little kinky,
but damn the more
he thought about it the more he wanted it
. They hadn’t spoken since they’d
reached the agreement and now that they were getting out of the elevator and
about to go into his condo he was wondering if she was trying to think of a way
out. Sure, everything about them had been up and down from the start, but right
now he would’ve done anything to know if she wanted to bolt. When they finally
reached his front door he unlocked it and pushed it open. She walked past him
and he could smell the slightest musky scent from her run permeating off her skin.
Stopping in his large living room she looked around at the huge open space.

“Wow.”

He’d bought an old warehouse a few
years back gutted it and remodeled. The roof had exposed silver pipes and the
walls still had the old brick. His kitchen was his pride and joy, as any chef’s
would be, all stainless steel and dark granite and the floors were the original
hardwood restored. He loved his place and was happy to see that she was
impressed.