скачать книгу бесплатно
Though Tess’s cell phone rang a few times, apparently with calls from more of her friends, they managed to make it through the rest of the meeting. From time to time Tess tossed in more names as resources for various aspects of the project. Whatever the need, be it advertising to catering, her connections seemed endless and all of them male.
“I’ll go ahead and put these names and numbers in my database.” Cassie scribbled a few more notes. “We’ll see who can work us the best deals between our usual people and your…ah…friends, Tess.”
Tess nodded, her mouth set in a firm line. “So, we have our to-do lists. We’ve assigned tasks and set our priorities. Cassie, you’re going to check on ballrooms and get back to us, so we can pinpoint locations and maybe a date.” She paused, but no one added anything. “Should we set our next meeting time?”
They agreed to meet the following week. Josh offered to help Cassie carry out a file case she’d brought that held information from previous fund-raising events she’d helped coordinate for the DCWC. She and Josh moved off ahead of Tess and Mason, absorbed in conversation as Tess scooped up her large to-go container.
Mason glanced at her as they headed toward the door. His arm brushed hers and the heat she seemed to invoke in him rose. He cleared his throat and forced his gaze from the curve of her breasts. “Thanks for coming and rounding up the troops. This thing is sure to be a hit with the DCWC backing it. I don’t see how we can miss with their expertise and your connections.”
“It’ll be great. You’ll have your youth center.”
“Tess!” Someone called to her from a table near the door.
Pink tinged her cheeks as she turned to greet what appeared to be yet another male admirer. Mason hung back as the man granted her the customary kiss and embrace. Something about the interaction spoke of an intimacy he refused to contemplate.
Exactly what sort of woman was he getting involved with? Not that they were involved, really. If he were looking for another relationship, it would be with a woman of a more…innocent nature.
“Another friend,” she explained when she returned to his side.
“Tess, I hope you don’t mind, but I just have to ask…” He held the restaurant door for her and Miami’s heat blew over them.
She stepped past him into the bright sunlight, turning to him as they cleared the threshold. The breeze brushed over her, conforming the thin fabric of her dress to her curves. “Sure, ask me anything.”
He focused on her eyes. “How do you know all those men?”
“You mean, are they really all just friends?”
“Yes.”
“The answer is yes. They really are all just friends…now.”
“Now?”
Her gaze locked with his. The same breeze stirred her curls. One shining wisp clung to her lip. “At one time—each in his own time—they were all my lovers.”
“Oh.” A buzzing sounded in his ears. His blood warmed and his body swayed toward her.
“Each in his own time.”
“Yes, I got that.” He swallowed. What was he supposed to say? He was having a hard enough time just breathing. The thought of her with all those men was at once both disturbing and oddly exciting.
The essence of her femininity flowed over him, drawing him a step closer to her. Confidence radiated from her in the tilt of her chin, the arch of her eyebrows, the heated look in her eyes. She set her belongings on the hood of a nearby car.
Slowly, she moved to stand so close to him that the heat of her body touched him and her full lips beckoned, a breath from his. “And now it’s that time again.”
He gave in to the urge to lean in and inhale the sweet scent of her. “Time for what?”
The corner of her mouth tilted in a slight smile. “Time for me to take a new lover, of course.”
4
A GULL SWOOPED LOW overhead, a reminder of their proximity to the beach. A salt-tinged breeze stirred the humid air.
Tess’s heart pounded. If ever a man needed healing, Mason Davies did. He seemed so calm and collected on the outside, but inside…inside he was a mass of repressed emotions. If her aunt Sophie was right and most illness originated in what she called the emotional body, then his condition would likely deteriorate if he continued to deny himself.
Right now, the man’s emotions bubbled in turmoil. He wanted Tess, but he fought it. If she was going to help him, she had to work fast. As she faced him, her healing alarm clanged a red alert.
She held her breath as Mason’s brown eyes rounded. Desire flowed off him and she smiled to herself, confidence filling her. She could help this man. What a lovely new companion he’d make.
He brushed a lock of hair from her cheek. “Are you always this bold?”
“I don’t like games. I believe in laying all my cards on the table.” She cocked her head. “I want you. You want me. Sounds pretty straightforward.”
“Nothing’s that straightforward these days.”
“Sure it is. With me, what you see is what you get.”
“Do you always get what you want?”
“Not always, but a lot of the time.”
“And you want me?”
She snuggled in closer and dropped her arms around his neck. “Oh, yes.”
“You think I want you?”
“I don’t think, I know.”
“You’re awfully confident.”
“Let’s just say that I have a knack for sensing these things.”
He nodded toward the restaurant. “And all of those men in there and the ones calling on your cell phone…they want you, too?”
“Oh, no. Maybe once, but not so much anymore.”
“Not so much?”
“No.”
He shook his head in obvious disbelief. “Right, that’s why they’re all calling and hanging around.”
“A lot of that was coincidence.”
“For that much coincidence you have to have a lot of men hanging around.”
“I have my fair share…maybe a little more. But they do move on eventually.”
“They move on, or you move on?”
“Both. Does it matter?”
His features darkened. “It does to me.”
“You want to be the one moving on.”
“It’s preferable, don’t you think? No one likes being left behind.”
“Why does someone have to be left behind? Why can’t you both move on?”
“That’s just not realistic. In the real world people get left behind. End of story.”
So, Mason did have abandonment issues.
How ironic that she, of all people, would be so drawn to him. Not that she’d ever abandoned anyone, but she’d seen more than her share of goodbyes. “It doesn’t have to be that way.”
“Right.” He glanced away. “Whatever you say.”
“Mason.” She waited until his eyes again met hers. “Come out with me, right now. We’ll spend a quiet afternoon, just the two of us. We’ll talk, get to know each other—see what comes of it.”
His gaze traveled down to her breasts, then back up to her face. “Maybe we shouldn’t…you know, now that we’re working together.”
“I think getting to know each other better can only enhance our working relationship.”
“Really?”
“Most definitely.”
He inhaled a deep breath. “And what would we do—just the two of us?”
“Whatever we want to.”
A short laugh escaped him. “Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of.”
Smiling, she pushed away from him. “We’re on, then. It’s a date.”
“Wait, not so fast.”
She paused, frowning at the determination in his eyes. But he wanted her. Would he really deny himself—deny them both? “Come on, Mason. It’ll be fun.”
“I have to check on a couple of patients at the hospital this afternoon.” As if to reinforce his responsibilities, his cell phone chimed. He dug it out of his pocket, checking the number on the display.
He turned to her, his eyes apologetic. “I have to take this. Hold on.” He moved a short distance away and spoke in quiet tones for a few moments before returning to her. “I’m sorry. I have to go.”
“Right.” Disappointment swirled through her. So, this was what rejection felt like. Go figure. “We can get together another time.”
His smile brightened his entire face. “How about tomorrow night?”
She nearly bounced with joy. “Saturday? That would be great. You want to meet somewhere? I know this really funky club—”
“I’ll pick you up at seven.”
“Oh, okay.”
“I’ll take you to dinner, maybe the theater. I’ll show you that sometimes the old tried and true is the best way to have a good time.”
Pride glimmered off him. The man had to be in control. He had to do things his way.
That was all fine for now. Later, once he had gotten comfortable with her, she would shake him up a little—ease him into some fun on the lighter side. Every nerve in her being told her it was of the utmost importance that she help Mason break out of his conventional ways and learn to be spontaneous. But evidently she needed to gain his confidence first.
“Okay, Mason. We’ll do it your way this time, but you have to promise me that the next time we do it all my way. I call the shots.”
“I love your confidence. You’re sure there’ll be a next time?”
“Oh, yeah.” Her blood warmed as she thought of all the good times headed their way. “Tomorrow night is just the beginning, love, make no mistake about that.”
PIANO MUSIC FLOATED from the open lounge area above the restaurant where Mason sat across from Tess. Wide windows displayed a clear view of the intercoastal, lit by the lights of a nearby pier and the numerous boats traversing the evening waters.
He relaxed in his chair as she took a tentative sip of her wine, smiling her pleasure at the robust flavor. She was stunning tonight. Not that she’d looked bad on any of their previous encounters, but tonight she seemed almost radiant.
“That’s a beautiful dress.” He nodded toward the slinky black number she wore, wishing he knew better words to describe exactly how lovely she looked. The dress accentuated her curves, making them impossible to ignore. His pulse thrummed.
“Thanks. You clean up nice yourself.”
Their server approached, dwarfed by the huge dishes she carried. Her eyes sparkled as she set their entrées before them. “Here you go, Dr. Davies, the snapper with snow peas and new potatoes, just the way you like them, light on the salt and butter.”
“You’re spoiling me, Donna.” Mason grinned at the woman. This was what he liked—a restaurant where they knew him and his preferences.
“You’re one of our best customers and we aim to please.”
He surveyed the steaming dishes on the table. “You’ve certainly done that. Everything look okay to you, Tess?”
Tess breathed in the aroma of her steak and loaded baked potato. “It smells heavenly.” She took a taste of the potato and closed her eyes as she savored the bite. “Delicious. Could we get some more rolls, please?”
“Yes, ma’am, I’ll bring them right over.”
“And butter?” Tess asked.
“Certainly.” Donna turned to Mason. “Anything else for you, Doctor? More wine?”
“No, I’m fine, thanks.”
The woman nodded, then hurried away, weaving a path through the white-covered tables. Tess cut into her steak and he took a bite of his fish. “You want to try some?” he asked her. “The chef here is wonderful.”
She leaned toward him. “You really like this place, don’t you?”
“Andre’s is the best. Been coming here for years.”
