So Many Men... (6 page)

At last she broke the kiss, and the desire in her eyes would have brought him to his knees had he been standing. She reached for a condom on the nightstand, but he stopped her. “Not so fast. I haven’t had my breakfast.”

Her eyebrows arched. “You’re hungry?”

“Starved, it seems.” He let his gaze drift to her pubic hair.

She bit her bottom lip and relaxed on the pillow. “Well, I wouldn’t want to be anything less than accommodating.”

“No, that wouldn’t do.”

She spread her knees to make room for him and he moved between her legs, the scent of her arousal stirring him. He took his time savoring the sight of her luscious flesh, already swollen and wet. He touched her
first, caressing her, parting her to reveal her hidden treasure, before he lowered his mouth.

No morning feast had ever tasted sweeter. The soft sighs Tess uttered sent his blood pounding through his veins. He licked her folds before centering on her clit. Her fingers threaded through his hair and she tilted her pelvis to him. Soon she shuddered and stiffened beneath him, her moan of pleasure curling around him.

He reached out and grabbed the condom. Heavy lidded, she watched him as he rolled it on. When he moved over her she kissed him quickly, then pulled back.

“Wait,” she said, then turned onto her stomach. “Like this.”

Her bottom nestled against his erection and he wasted no time in lifting her up and planting himself inside her. The long night must have finally taken its toll. He came almost immediately, then collapsed on top of her.

“That’s it,” he murmured in her ear. “You’ve finally worn me out.”

She rose up on one elbow and frowned at him. “That’s too bad.”

“Don’t be disappointed. I’ll get my strength back. Just let me rest a little bit, then I’ll be ready to go.”

“Great, it’s a date.”

“A date? Is that what you call it?” He waggled his eyebrows at her.

“I am not talking about sex…though there
will
be more of that later. I’m actually a little oversated myself.”

A sense of uncertainty gripped him. “Then what are you talking about?”

“It’s Sunday and you’re off, right?”

His stomach tightened. “Well, I’m always on call, but yes, I’m off for the day.”

“Then it’s my turn.”

“Your turn?”

“Don’t act like you don’t remember. I agreed to go out with you last night on your terms. I ate dinner at that restaurant with you, then sat through that play.”

“You liked the restaurant.”

“Don’t avoid the point here.”

He rolled to his back, the knot in his stomach turning into a feeling of impending doom. “And that point is?”

She leaned over him, a wicked gleam dancing in her eyes. “Today is my pick. Today we share a completely spontaneous and
fun
day.”

“Spontaneous?”

“And fun. We’re going to drift.”

“You mean what we were doing last night—and just now—wasn’t drifting?”

“I suppose that was drifting of one sort.”

“There’s another?”

She nodded.

He hesitated a long moment, fighting the unease that had gripped him. Okay, so maybe he had envisioned spending the entire day in bed with her, but this didn’t sound so bad. Spontaneous and fun didn’t necessarily spell disaster. He squelched the warning alarms in his head and sat up, lifting his chin high.

He could do this. He could meet this challenge. A single day of spontaneity couldn’t derail a lifetime of discipline. “I’m yours then—for the day.”

“You said it, mister.” She grabbed his hand and be
fore he changed his mind tugged him out of the bed and toward the bathroom. “You’re mine.”

He perked up. “Are we taking a shower together?”

“A quick one.” She turned and frowned at him. “Just a shower—no sex. We don’t have time for that. The sun is up and time’s wasting.”

Disappointment mingled with his returning dread. “Wouldn’t want to
waste
any time.”

“Don’t look so glum. We’ll get back to that. I promise. But there’s a whole world to explore and good times to be had. We’re getting you out of your rut and into the new and exciting.”

“But we did that last night. If that wasn’t new and exciting, I don’t know what is.”

She smiled at him. “Yes, it was. It was a good start, but this isn’t just about sex. You’ll feel better for it. You’ll see.”

“Right.” He padded along behind her. Good times. Something told him they had very different ideas of what constituted a good time.

M
ASON STARED AT THE
brightly painted building near the beach. “You’re kidding. There is absolutely no way I am going in there.”

“Come on. You can’t tell me you’ve never been to an arcade.”

He never had, but he wasn’t going to admit that to her. “Arcades are for kids.”

“No, they’re not.”

“Yes—” he nodded to some children pushing through the door “—they are.”

“Well, even
you
must have been a kid at one time.”

“Nope, never.”

She grabbed his hand and pulled him into the dimly lit interior. Multicolored lights flashed from various games lining the walls and grouped about the open center area. Various dings, tones and computerized notes sounded from all corners.

He wrinkled his nose at the sour smell that permeated the air, while eyeing the blotchy carpet in distrust. “I don’t know about this.”

“Oh, come on. It isn’t going to hurt you to have a little fun.”

“I have fun.”

She folded her arms and gave him a wide-eyed look, waiting for him to elaborate.

“You know, like last night. I go out to dinner and the theater on occasion.”

“That was really nice, Mason, but I mean
Fun
with a capital
F.
”

He scratched his head. “I’m taking Rafe to a game next Saturday.”

“Good, but my guess is that’s more for Project Mentor and Rafe. I’m talking about fun for you, where you let go of your inhibitions and enjoy yourself, regardless of what anyone else might think. Fun outside the bedroom. Last night was about us. This is about fun for you. Just for you. When was the last time you did something just because it was something
you
wanted to do? Something besides sex.”

When
was
the last time he’d had that kind of fun? “I like football and lacrosse.”

“Playing it or watching it?”

“I haven’t done much more than watch it in years, but I used to play.”

“Doesn’t count.” She grabbed his hand again and pulled him toward a low counter at one end of the building.

While she purchased what she called a game card, he eyed a row of plastic rings and other unidentifiable, but seemingly just as useless, objects proudly displayed beneath the grimy glass countertop. “And exactly what would you do with any of that?”

She flashed him a grin and nodded toward a row of stuffed animals lining a shelf on the wall behind the counter. “I don’t go for the small stuff.”

“I see. I didn’t realize I was with a big winner.”

“This way.”

She maneuvered her way past a guy on a pair of skis, poling his way down a snowy terrain depicted on a screen in front of him, a circular table with spinning lights and buttons that did who knew what and an air-hockey table. At least that Mason recognized. A loud banging sounded from around a corner. Tess swerved toward the sound, stopping beside a small girl who viciously hammered mechanical rodents as they popped out of an assortment of holes.

“I love this one.” Tess’s face glowed with excitement.

“Hammering rodents?” He leaned back as the girl made a particularly wild swing.

“They’re gophers.” Tess rolled her eyes at him as though he should have been able to recognize the creatures before they disappeared.

“Of course, gophers. What else?”

The game played out and the young girl squealed when the machine spit out a string of tickets. Tess took her place as the youngster ran off toward the prize counter.

“So, the more rodents you hit, the more prize tickets you get?”

Tess fed her card into the machine, then raised the hammer. “You catch on quick.”

The music wound out and she swung her hammer with a vengeance, hardly missing the little guys as they popped up. Mason folded his arms and let his gaze drift over her as she focused on the game, her expression stern with concentration. What was it about this woman that attracted him?

Her nose sloped a little long. Her lips were almost
too full, but somehow put all together, her features worked. She flashed him a triumphant glance and he nodded to himself. It was her eyes. Tess had the most amazing blue eyes he’d ever seen.

And the woman could swing a hammer. He winced as she struck a mechanical gopher and laughed. The sound curled around him rich and full, drawing his own laugh from him.

“Okay, your turn.” She held the large rubber hammer out to him.

He backed away, his hands raised to ward her off. “No, thanks.”

“It’s a great way to get out all your aggressions.”

“I don’t have any aggressions.”

“Sure you do. Everyone does.”

“Nope.” He folded his arms across his chest and planted his feet wide. “I keep a rational head.”

“That’s what concerns me. I say you’re suppressing your emotions.”

“What? No. I express my emotions just fine, thank you very much. I laughed with you, didn’t I? I was having a good time.”

“You were living vicariously. Until you’re doing the actual hammering you haven’t really experienced the art of gopher bashing.”

“I’ll pass.”

The familiar sound of her cell phone mingled with the clatter of the game room. She pulled her phone from her purse to check the number, then put it back without answering.

Something about her ease in shrugging off the caller irritated him. Was it another one of her former lovers?
How long would it be before she stopped taking Mason’s calls?

She stared at him a long moment, before shaking her head. “I’m afraid that our work here is done.”

“What work? What do you mean?””

“Our work in transforming you.”

“Transforming me?”

“Yep, I misjudged. You’re not quite ready for this. It’s time for plan B.”

“Plan B?” He pursed his lips. “You mean more spontaneity.”

“That’s right.” Her eyes sparkled with mischief. “Follow me. I’m hot. Let’s cool off.”

Once more she grabbed his hand. This time she led him out of the cool arcade into the blinding sunlight. He blinked to allow his eyes to adjust.

“Hear that?” She cocked her head.

He frowned as a gull screeched overhead and the dull roar of the surf floated over a row of colorful shops. She motioned for him to follow, then struck off toward the sound. He trailed in her wake.

What had he gotten into?

“T
HE BEACH
?” M
ASON GLANCED
from his leather shoes to where Tess stood knee deep and laughing in the foamy spray. She’d taken off her shoes and had her skirt tied up faster than he could catch his breath. “We’re not exactly dressed for the beach.”

“It feels wonderful.” She squealed as a wave splashed over her. “Come in.”

“I think I might have preferred the gopher bashing. Maybe I’ll just watch you for a bit.”

“That’s no fun.” She splashed water in his direction, inadvertently soaking her top so the thin fabric clung to her breasts.

“Don’t be so sure.”

A devilish light shone in her eyes. She splashed again, liberally wetting herself, this time apparently on purpose. “I had better warn you. This is
not
a spectator sport.”

“I don’t know. Looks pretty good to me.” He settled on his haunches. A gull swooped overhead as a bead of sweat rolled down his temple. It was the first week of October. How could it still be so blasted hot?

She ran her hand across her belly. “Don’t be so sure.
Feels
even better.”

The whir of a Jet Ski floated over the breeze. Laughter rose from a cluster of people farther along the beach. The sun beat down on Mason and sparkled off the water all around Tess. He swallowed, his leg muscles cramping. Trailing his fingers in the white sand, he kept his gaze on Tess as she played in the surf.

“Come on in, Mason.” She gestured to him, her eyes beseeching.

He shifted to sit in the sand, his throat dry. Maybe he could take his shoes off, cool his feet a little. He removed his loafers and nearly sighed in relief as the air hit his feet.

“Dip your toes in.” Her smile enticed him. “It’s just water. Nothing to be afraid of.”

“It isn’t the water that worries me.”

Still he rolled up his pants, then rose and walked gingerly over the sand, wincing as bits of crushed shell bit into his feet. He stepped into the water, just beyond the shore where the waves ebbed and flowed in a lulling motion.

“Ah…” The water lapped around his ankles, bathing his feet in refreshing coolness. He wiggled his toes as Tess sloshed toward him.

“See, you should always listen to me. I know what feels good.” She sidled up beside him, her wet skin glistening in the late afternoon sun.

“I have no doubts about that.” He leaned away from her. “You’re soaked.”

“It’s a heavenly release from this humidity.”

He glanced down at his not-so-crisp shirt. The afternoon had taken a toll on his clothes. Never had he sported more wrinkles.

Laughing, Tess turned, then dove into the deeper water, submerging for several long strokes. Mason shook his head. The woman meant to wreak havoc with a lifetime of precise conditioning.

If his uncles could see him now…

He stared longingly after her as she floated on her back, a smile of pure satisfaction on her lips. Sweat rolled down his forehead. He stepped in farther. “Oh, the hell with it.”

He dove after her. With blissful relief the surf closed over him. He pulled himself through the water with long strokes, coming up beside her as she treaded water.

She splashed him. “You’re swimming in your clothes, Mason. There’s hope for you yet.”

He laughed. It felt good. Really good. When was the last time he’d laughed like this? A strange euphoria filled him. “Maybe you’re not such a bad influence after all.”

“Me? A bad influence?” She kicked closer to him, until the warmth of her body flowed over him. Her lips hovered just beneath his. “Never.”

His gaze fastened on her mouth. He swayed closer
to her. Laughter from a group up the beach grew louder as some of the party moved in their direction.

“Maybe we should head out of here.” He pushed away from her, toward the shore.

A seductive smile curved her lips. “But you were going to kiss me.”

“Was I?”

“Yes, you were. I saw it in your eyes.” She tilted her head in a familiar gesture. “What’s wrong? Too stuffy to kiss me in public?”

“Just prefer some privacy. There’s a time and place for everything. When I kiss you again, I intend to enjoy the hell out of it. Besides, kissing you tends to lead to other pursuits definitely not suited for public.”

Her eyes widened as she followed him. “I’m sure there are certain ways we can be discreet in public.”

He laughed and she frowned at him as she stepped from the water. “What’s so funny?”

“You are many things, but I hardly see how you can be discreet. You’re the kind of woman who draws every eye when she walks into a room.”

Pink blossomed in her cheeks and she smiled. “Well, maybe just the men’s.” With a flick of her wet hair, she laughed and ran past him.

He stared after her, his enjoyment of the moment fading. Right, the men’s. Tess was a man magnet and he was nothing more than her current lover. In a short time she would move on.

He would do well to remember that.

H
UMMING SOFTLY THE
following day, Tess set aside her watering can and fluffed her latest batch of gardenias.
Her aunt Sophie said no one could grow the temperamental flowers the way Tess could. She breathed deeply of the fragrant petals as memories of her weekend with Mason drifted through her mind: Mason resisting her at the theater; his hunger for her as he pleasured her in his kitchen; his immense control, even in the midst of their lovemaking.

The man was nothing short of magnificent, even as he resisted his innate need to cut loose.

“Where do you want these?” Victoria Green, Tess’s new full-timer, lifted a crate of flowers.

“Those are for Mrs. Hammond. She won’t be by until tomorrow to pick them up. Why don’t you put them on the workbench in the back greenhouse? Make sure you note it under her customer profile, so we’ll be able to find them when she comes.”

“Customer profile is on the computer, right?”

“Yes. Tell you what, I need to enter the last shipment, so I’ll take care of it.” She headed for the small office she kept in the nursery’s main building, but stopped and turned back. “I’m expecting my sister. Will you come get me when she arrives?

Victoria nodded, then strolled away carrying Mrs. Hammond’s flowers. Tess sighed and glanced around the nursery, frowning. A sense of restlessness filled her. Everything was in order here at work and she had Mason now, who was a wonderful distraction. She’d been so happy with him over the weekend.

Life was good. So why this continuing feeling that there was some void in her life? She shrugged it off. The beach cleanup was this Saturday. Mason had said some of the teens would be there to help. Maybe she just
needed some hands-on experience with Project Mentor to perk her up. Surely then she’d feel better about things.

She spent the next half hour catching up on the recent shipment and looking over the work schedule for the following week. She loved being able to take the weekend off. This was a relatively new luxury that she would enjoy all the more now that she had the good doctor to share it with.

Memories of her time with Mason brought a smile to her lips. The man was so unique. He was a puzzle she couldn’t quite solve. For the most part he was all stern Mr. Rule-follower, but every now and then his resolve would slip, especially when they made love.

“Tess?” Victoria stood in the open door. “Your sister and a guy are here with a big truck.”

“Thanks, Victoria.”

Tess saved her work, before heading out to where Erin examined her latest assortment of trees. Thomas Scott, the man who was the closest thing to a father that the girls had ever known, stood by her side.

Erin glanced up and smiled, a sight Tess saw too little of these days. Maybe this was a sign that her little sister’s mood had taken a turn for the better.

“I see you brought our number-one handyman.” Tess grinned at Thomas.