Exquisite

Chapter Twenty Nine

Mason climbed into the cab with two pissed off women. One was making it quiet obvious and the other, well she was sitting quietly between him and hot pink. He’d never seen Dr Monroe pissed off and quite honestly he pitied any man that went up against her, she was intimidating in all her hot fury. Lena on the other hand was fuming but she was sitting silently, almost as though if she breathed she would loose her temper.

He was trying really hard to push aside everything he was thinking and feeling but it was all swirling around in his head. The last time they’d been together, at her house when he’d given her the letter, and the way she’d looked at him as he’d left after telling her about his mother leaving her a part of the business.

His mother, that’s what this all came back to. Over and over he replayed the last line his mother had written to him and he shook his head, you need to forgive her. It infuriated him to no end that his mother had hidden such an important piece of information from him, but for Lena to have known, he just couldn’t seem to move past it. However, Rachel did have a point, she’d told him just the other day he was directing his anger at Lena when really it should be to his mom. After all it’d been his mom who’d chosen to keep the secret, but he couldn’t be angry at a dead woman. Could he?

So instead he took it out on the silent woman sitting beside him. The cab came to a stop and Mason presumed it was Shelly’s house because it wasn’t his or Lena’s. He watched Shelly lean in a kiss Lena’s cheek and thought he heard, “You ok?” Watching closer he saw Lena nod then Shelly glared at him and climbed out of the cab. The door shut firmly behind her and Lena scooted over to the other side making the space between them feel like a gaping hole. The cab started off and Mason rolled his head on the seat to look over at the woman now staring out the window. Her skirt had ridden up her thigh and she had her legs crossed. Her chest rose and fell softly as she took deep breaths and he thought she was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. She must have felt his eyes on her because she turned her head to him.

“What?”

Smirking at her attitude he said softly, “Nothing. I’m just looking.”

“Well stop it.” she snapped.

Blinking once he let his eyes go down over her legs then moved back to her face. “Why?”

“Because you don’t even like me, so stop checking me out.”

“I like you.” he murmured softly.

Lena grunted softly at that. “Yes that’s obvious in how you’ve been treating me.” she stopped then pinned him to the seat with her eyes. “But you know what Langley? I don’t care. I’m not going away.”

He clenched his teeth and rolled his head back to look at the dirty ceiling of the cab. Ugg, it made him think about throwing up to see the dirt and cigarette rings on the roof.

“Why do you keep coming back? I try to forget about you and you just wont go away.”

He heard a rustle but just closed his eyes, then suddenly he felt small fingers grip his chin hard. His eyes popped open as she turned his head and her eyes glared at him.

“I’m not going anywhere. Get that through your thick head.” she paused and took a deep breath. “I have no secrets from you Langley. I have nothing to hide. You know everything about me and you know what?” she blinked and shook her head, “I love that. You pushed your stubborn ass into my life, made me give a shit then decided when things got hard to check out.” she laughed a bitter sounding laugh and let go sitting back against the door. He turned his head, his eyes focusing on her as she stared out the window again. “Well I don’t thinks so. I’m not giving up on you.” she looked over at him and said softly. “Even if you’ve given up on yourself.”

Mason took a deep breath then let it out closing his eyes and listening to the hum of the car as it continued through the streets. Finally it came to a stop at the front of his condo and he watched as Lena sat forward and paid the fare. He figured he should probably do it but didn’t want to get into an argument with her. He pushed open the door and climbed out and made his way into the lobby behind her. They walked past the doorman and got into the elevator standing on opposite sides as it traveled slowly to the top. The silence was tense and the air was thick as they stood staring at one another. Lena didn’t move a muscle, just kept her eyes glued to his. His hands clutched the railing behind him and he gripped it tight knowing if he let it go he would reach for her.

After what felt like the longest two minute elevator ride ever, it lurched to a stop and dinged. The doors slid open and she waited for him to move. Pushing off the wall he kept his eyes on her as he moved past. She didn’t look as though she were breathing either but he saw her move and follow him out. He unlocked the door and moved into the dark condo quietly, aware she was standing directly behind him. He dumped his keys on the counter and heard the click of the door and lock. He didn’t move and didn’t turn. This was the first time she’d been up here since that horrible night months ago and he suddenly found he couldn’t think of anything to say.

Lena was barely breathing. The air thrummed with tension. Mason had moved through the condo and was now standing in the living room in front of the couch. She wasn’t sure what to do from here but she knew talking was not going to be part of the plan, and she was determined that sex wasn’t going to be either.

It was clear he was waiting to see what she would do so she moved up to stand behind him and reached out to place a hand on his hip. His whole body tensed and she could actually see his spine straighten, but he held still. Not saying anything she moved in behind him and ran a hand around his waist until her palm was flat against his stomach. When he did nothing but stand there she did the same thing with the other hand, until she had her arms wrapped around his waist with both palms flat on his shirt just above his belt buckle. She pulled him back a little and moved in molding herself to his back. Her breasts brushed against his shirt with every breath she took and she gently placed her cheek between his shoulders. Closing her eyes she listened to his breathing, in out in out. Her hands tightened and she felt him shudder. This was what she’d wanted to do that fateful night many months ago, hold him.

She felt him shift then sighed as his hands laced over her fingers that were resting on his belly. Swallowing hard she fought back the tears that were threatening to spill over and then she felt him pull her hands apart as he slowly turned and walked silently into his room. Left standing in the living room she looked out the huge window at the city lights below. Taking a deep breath she turned and made her way into the bedroom they’d once shared. He had his back to her and was removing his shirt. She watched in silence, with just the lights playing over his skin, as he slowly shrugged out of it. He turned to face her, and she noticed he’d unbuckled the belt and top button of his jeans, he looked mouth watering. His eyes didn’t hold the anger she had seen earlier, but they weren’t warm either, they seemed distant.

He moved around the bed and walked over to stand in front of her. Lena looked up at him when he stopped in front of her and held her breath as he reached out to touch her cheek. He stroked his fingers down it, like he had so many times before, but this time the touch seemed impersonal. He was holding back from her and it broke every part of her heart.

“Now what?” he asked softly.

She knew he expected her to get angry or scared and leave but he was in for a shock. She reached up and placed a hand over his heart. He looked down at it and then his eyes came back to her face, not missing the importance of where she had put her hand.

“Now we sleep.”

“Just sleep huh?”

Stepping back from her he reached down and unzipped the jeans and pushed them off stepping out of them, revealing he’d gone commando for the night. She sucked in a deep breath and nodded. Stepping forward with all the resolve she could muster she managed to keep her eyes off his amazing body and glued to his face.

“No.” she paused and watched a smirk, devoid of humor, cross his face, “Not just sleep. We are going to sleep and I’m going to hold you.”

He stepped back from her shaking his head. “No offense Lena, but if you’re getting in my bed I don’t want you to hold me. I want you to fuck me.”

She winced and moved forward following him knowing he was starting to panic.

“Well that is kind of offensive Langley.” she reached up and pulled the bow at the top of her corset and watched his eyes go straight to it. He’d taken another step away from her and she tried not to grin at his retreat. “I’m offering comfort, not a fuck.”

He stopped for a moment watching her finally finish with the ties that held the corest together and then pulling it apart to fling it on the floor. She stood in front of him in her fuck me boots and her tiny mini skirt, and nothing else.

“So what? Now you think it’s fun to tease me? What the hell Lena? You never use to be this cruel.”

She reached up and took her ponytail out and shook her hair down over her shoulders. The hair came down to cover her breasts and she watched him as his eyes roved all over her, taking in every inch of her. While he did that she finally let her own eyes drop and she was thrilled to see that even if he was angry at her and even if he did blame her for everything wrong in his life, his body sure as hell remembered and like her. He had a rock hard erection, and even though she was dying to go to him, it was going to go unsatisfied tonight.

Finally he moved his eyes back to hers and he had that now familiar sneer on his mouth.

“This must be great for you right? Finally proved I still want you.” he said gesturing to his hard on. She shook her head and reached down unzipping the skirt and sliding it off. She stepped forward over it and toward him and he backed right up and hit the bed and fell onto it on his ass. Lena smiled down at him and put a boot delicately between his legs where he was throbbing and she looked down into his eyes and whispered.

“I’m proving how good we were together.” she stopped and unzipped the boot then pulled it off and changed feet while he sat silently spread eagled with her other booted foot now between his vulnerable legs. She leaned down to unzip the second one and looked right into his lust filled eyes.

“I’m proving how good we could be together.” she unzipped it and then yanked it off. Then she stood tall, as he sat staring at her in silence, and walked around to the side of the bed she use to sleep in and as calmly as she could manage she pulled the cover back and crawled into his bed wearing only a small black thong. She watched his back rise and fall with each breath and she counted to four before he turned to face her and he asked quietly. “Are you insane?”

She smiled in the dark and answered softly. “No why?”

She watched him in the twinkle of the lights as he stood and moved to pull the covers back. Staring down at her he asked, “You really think I’m not going to be in you in five seconds flat if I climb into this bed with you?”

Blinking up at him feeling her heart thump and her legs clench she spoke softly, “You could do that, we both know it.” she paused and then continued, “But Mason, I don’t want you in me again until you can touch me without regret.”

Swallowing deeply she reached out with a hand, “Let me hold you tonight. Even if you don’t think you need it. I do.”

After her confession she watched him sigh then slowly climb into the bed. He pulled the cover up over him and rolled onto his side away from her. She scooted over and pressed her naked breasts to his back and wrapped a hand around his waist, careful not to brush his erection. Her knees came up to bend into the crook of his and she nestled in close pressing her lips to his shoulder. She lay there listening to his breathing get slower, steadier. She felt his shoulders relax and his body calm as he drifted into sleep.

“You just keep trying to keep your distance Langley.” she stopped, felt him take a deep breath and then said softly, “And I’ll keep showing you I love you, until you’re ready to listen.”

Predictably Mason woke with a hangover. The sun was once again shining through his window and hitting him right in the eye. Grumbling to himself, he rolled over vowing to get some kind of curtain to hang over the wide windows. He froze when he noticed the pillow beside him was indented but empty. Suddenly the night before came back to him with startling clarity. He sat up quickly, wincing as his head protested against the sudden movement. His eyes narrowed against the bright light and he looked around his bedroom franticly. Nothing, there was absolutely no sign she’d ever been there. Had he imagined the whole thing? He moved to the edge of the bed where she’d dropped her top and skirt and looked for visual evidence that he wasn’t going crazy. Nothing. Sitting up and resting his back against the headboard he ran a hand over his face and blew out a deep breath. Shit, maybe he should stop drinking if he was going to come up with life like fantasies in his head. It had seemed so real though, and when he looked down at the pillow beside him there was an impression that looked as though someone had slept there, but the house was silent. There wasn’t a single sound and he was sitting dead still straining to hear everything.

Shaking his head he reached down and grabbed a pair of shorts he must’ve thrown to the floor at some point. He pulled them on and stood scratching his stomach and running a hand up through his hair. He moved over to the window and watched as a woman crossed the street in running pants and a shirt and started a jog into the park. How long had it been since he’d gone for a run? Actually he couldn’t even remember the last time. Sighing he turned and walked over to the closet looking for his running shoes. Grabbing them he made his way through to the bathroom and turned the tap on splashing his face with cold water. Sure, his head was hurting but maybe a run would clear it. He needed to do something to clear his mind after last night. Bending down he put his shoes on and went out to grab a shirt. Shrugging into it he made his way around the partition and into his living room.

Walking into the kitchen he stopped cold and blinked at what was on his counter. He knew he hadn’t left it there. Moving closer he looked down at the bench and sitting right in the center of it was the ripest peach he’d ever seen. Picking it up he noticed it was sitting on a small note that read, Look after yourself Langley, eat some fruit. Doctors orders. He couldn’t help the grin that slid onto his face when he realized last night hadn’t been a fantasy, but in fact reality.

It was 3pm and Lena had just sat down at her desk when she noticed her phone’s message light was blinking. She blew out a breath and felt her hair flop back over an ear. She hadn’t planned to sneak out of Mason’s place this morning like some kind of thief in the night, or in this case the morning, but he’d been sleeping so peacefully she didn’t have the heart to wake him. When she’d left she had made it down the street and it was right as she was passing by the corner store she spotted the fruit. Automatically she’d snatched it up hoping he was still sleeping and begged the doorman to let her in, lying that she’d left her phone and didn’t want to wake him. In the end the plan had been genius. Picking up the phone she went through numerous messages and froze when she heard his voice come over the line.

“Lena? Thanks, you’re a real peach.”

That was it? Nothing else? No, hey about last night thanks for staying with me. I agree with everything you said. Just, you’re a friggin peach? Glaring at the phone she debated the benefits of picking it up and hurling it across the room. Clenching her jaw she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Okay so she hadn’t expected him to just wake up this morning and think, oh I’m an idiot and want her back, and then call her. Sighing she sat back and admitted, she had hoped for it though. Glancing at the clock she stood and made her way down the hall and took the elevator to Shelly’s floor. When she got to her friend’s office she tapped on the door and was shocked to see a dark haired man sitting in the chair opposite Shelly.

“Oh I’m sorry for interrupting.”

Shelly’s eyes came up to hers and they looked mad. “You’re not. Paul here was just about to leave.”

Presumably, Paul the lawyer, stood and nodded once more at Shelly then turned and brushed past Lena, without so much of a hello. Lena bit her bottom lip then moved inside closing the door behind her. “What was that all about?”

Shelly let out a deep breath. ‘That was me kicking Paul to the curb.”

Wincing at her friend she took the vacated seat. “Sorry?”

“Nah, don’t be. It wasn’t working out anyway.”

“That’s because you’re too picky.”

“Oh and you’re not?” She asked raising an eyebrow. “The first guy you date in nine years was a local celebrity, not to mention you haven’t dated since.”

Waving her hand at her friend Lena said softly, “Yeah, yeah whatever. Want to talk about it?”

“Nope. But you want to talk about something, so spill.” Then she asked as though she realized she’d forgotten. “How did last night end?”

Lena shrugged, “I don’t know, that’s the thing.”

“What do you mean you don’t know?”

Lena raised a hand and scratched her temple, “Well I stayed the night with him.”

She watched as her friend’s mouth fell open, “But I thought the rule was,”

“No, no. I didn’t sleep with him.” she paused, “Well I slept with him but we didn’t have sex.”

Shelly’s eyes widened, “Okay we need to take a moment here.”

Lena stopped and tilted her head, “Why?”

“Because I want to know how on earth you climbed into a bed with Mason Casanova Langley,”

“Naked.” Lena added into the mix with a grin, enjoying her friend’s amazed and baffled look.

“Naked? Oh my god Lena. I want to know how you got into a bed, naked no less with Mr Hotness and kept your hands to yourself!” she stopped then asked quickly, “Or were they tied up?”

“No!” Lena responded laughing and shaking her head. “I just wanted to hold him.”

Shelly looked flabbergasted. She rolled her eyes and slumped back on her chair. “You wanted to hold him?” she demanded incredulously. “I’m trying everything in my power to get the man who just left here to pound me into a wall and you just want your naked man to hold you?” Closing her eyes and shaking her head she then opened them and focused on Lena, “You do know I hate you right?”

Grinning Lena nodded and asked, “But this morning he’s being weird.”

“What do you mean weird? He was pissed last night and then you didn’t put out, he’s probably even more pissed.”

“Screw you.” Lena muttered.

“At this stage I may say yes, so keep your offers to yourself unless you mean it.”

Sticking her tongue out at her friend Lena shrugged. “I bought him a peach.”

Shelly grinned slowly nodding, “A little tit for tat huh?”

Lena would have agreed but for the annoying message he’d left her. “Well yeah, it was supposed to be fun, sexy. Remind him of the night he invited me over with a peach and it ended in juicy kisses.” knowing she was extremely close to whining she stopped talking.

“So? What happened?”

Letting out a sigh Lena mumbled, “He left me a message telling me, thanks Lena you’re a real peach.”

There was dead silence then Shelly burst out laughing. Lena’s eyes moved to her friend and she glared at her so hard she almost felt her eye begin to twitch.

“Well I’m so glad you find it funny.”

“It is funny. You two are hopeless.” she said and began laughing all over again.

“I came here for advice and all you’re doing is pissing me off.” Lena stood about to storm out.

“Wait wait.” Shelly said waving her hand and trying to stop laughing. Once she seemed to have herself under control she asked, “You want my advice? Drive him crazy Lena. Make sure that man never stops thinking about you.”

Lena paused and looked down at her. “I’m not having sex with him, that’s too easy and he’ll hate me for it.”

“Right now he would.” Shelly said standing and walking around the desk and moving over to Lena. “But if you slowly drive him out of his ever loving mind and make him remember all the reasons he wanted you in the first place it will all fall together.”

Lena nodded starting to like this idea. “So what did you have in mind?”

“Well I’d start with sending a little message of your own.”

Mason was sitting on his couch watching the cooking channel. He’d gone for a run and he had to admit he felt better. Maybe it was time to get his shit in order. After all how long could he possibly keep going the way he was? He needed to check in with Rachel and Wendy, start going back down to the restaurant and trying to move forward. He needed to work out a way to heal. The chef on the television had just started peeling potatoes when his cell phone buzzed next to him. Picking it up he flicked it open and read,

312-925-7654: A peach huh? So… I’m juicy?

He read the message several times, noticing the number in the corner to be one that wasn’t in his contacts, but knowing exactly who it was at the other end. Adding her name he hit reply.

Lena? Is this you? Not a minute later the phone buzzed.

Dr Lena O’Donnell: Well I hope so, who else has been leaving peaches in your house?

Finding himself smiling he typed. Well I’m not sure. It didn’t come with a note.

Dr Lena O’Donnell: Yes it did.

Ok, the note wasn’t signed.

Dr Lena O’Donnell: Well I thought it would be obvious, Casanova :P

Grinning from ear to ear he wrote back. To answer your question, from what I remember, yes you are very juicy.

There was a pause. A minute or maybe two passed and then the phone buzzed in his hand.

Dr Lena O’Donnell: Do you still like peaches?

Frowning at the phone he typed. What are you asking?

Dr Lena O’Donnell: Did you enjoy the peach this morning? Or didn’t you eat it?

Of course I ate it, my doctor told me to.

Dr Lena O’Donnell: Your doctor huh?

He paused and then wrote quickly, You know what I mean.

There was silence for about five minutes before the little light on his phone lit up.

Dr Lena O’Donnell: I could be your doctor. If you wanted me to be.

Lena….

Dr Lena O’Donnell: Yes Mason?

He tapped his leg having completely forgotten the program on the televising and wrote back. Were you really in my bed last night?

Dr Lena O’Donnell: Yes.

Were you really naked?

Dr Lena O’Donnell: Yes.

Did I really just fall asleep with your arms wrapped around me and your breasts all up on my back?

Pause. Long pause.

Dr Lena O’Donnell: Yes and my hands were right above your naked cock.

Did you just write the word cock to me?

Dr Lena O’Donnell: Yes.

You’re trying to drive me crazy, right?

Dr Lena O’Donnell: Is it working?

He took a deep breath and leaned back on the couch closing his eyes and then typed. I think it is.

Dr Lena O’Donnell: Good J

So Lena, other than driving me crazy, is there a reason you’re blowing up my phone?

He was sure she would get angry at him but he was once again proven wrong.

Dr Lena O’Donnell: Well I figured you wouldn’t let me blow anything else so this is what I’m going with.

Letting out a laugh he reached up and wiped a tear from his eye. He was sitting on his couch in the middle of the afternoon and he was the happiest he’d been in a long time.

I’m going to be at Exquisite tonight. Come? He waited, wondering what she’d do. Did she mean everything she’d said to him last night? He wanted her to show him. He wanted to believe in her again, in them.

Dr Lena O’Donnell: I’ll come to Exquisite but there’ll be no other sort of coming.

Feeling his smile grow he wrote back, Tease :P

Dr Lena O’Donnell: Not always J

So 8?

Dr Lena O’Donnell: Don’t know. I’ll see you when I get there.

Frowning at that reply he ended the text with a, K and then turned off his phone.

Lena sat in her car at 10pm in the Exquisite parking lot. She’d thought long and hard about what she was about to do and honestly she didn’t think she’d be able to pull it off, but at this stage she was willing to try anything, she just hoped he was there. Getting out she made her way around to the entrance in the back of the building and knocked twice. Wendy opened it and looked down at her standing on the bottom step under the floodlight.

“Is he here?”

Nodding Wendy grinned and pulled her inside. “Yep he came in at 6.30pm just like he use to. I don’t know what you did but he’s different tonight. More like himself.”

Shaking her head Lena moved past and said softly, “I didn’t do anything except annoy him last night and tell him to straighten up.”

“Well whatever you did, it’s working.” She pulled her into the hall and pushed her down to the office where her and Mason had had their first date. “You go on in and I’ll send him back in around ten minutes?”

Nodding Lena smiled tentatively, starting to feel nervous. “Yeah that should be good.”

Stepping inside and closing the door behind her she looked around the small office. Not much had changed, the desk and chair were still the same and there was still paperwork everywhere. She moved around to the chair behind the desk and cleared off the surface. Taking a deep breath she started pulling things one by one out of the bag she had brought with her and started to set up.

Mason felt good. It was the first night he’d come back and worked the restaurant like he use to. He’d arrived at 6.30pm and everyone had been shocked when he walked in dressed for work in the charcoal slacks and black button up shirt with the Exquisite logo. For the last two hours or so he’d been up at the pass verifying, and looking over the orders. He felt like he’d come home. Rachel had hugged him when he’d come in and she cried a little when he apologized to her, then she’d nodded and told him to get to work. So that’s what he’d been doing. He was about to check over the last order to be sent out for the night when Wendy came up beside him.

“Hey Mase?”

Turning he looked at her and winced a little. “Hey Wendy.” he paused and shrugged, “I’m sorry I’ve been such a shit.”

Smiling at him she nodded. “Apology accepted. You really have been a shit, but I guess that’s what family does right? We forgive one another?”

He reached out and hugged her. “Yep we do.” Nodding and hugging him back she smiled up at him as he asked. “What’s up?”

“I left some paperwork down in your office in a manila folder, could you go and grab it for me?”

He stepped back and went to turn, then stopped himself and said softly, “I’m expecting Lena tonight. Can you grab me when she gets here?”

Wendy smiled and nodded. He walked away hoping Lena was going to show and suddenly worried for a moment that she wouldn’t. Moving down the hall he made the turn to the left and stopped at his door unlocking it. Then he pushed it open and walked through. Turning he flicked on the light and what he saw as he turned back to face his desk made his heart kick up and beat so fast he thought it would pump right out of his chest. Lena had come after all.