Chapter Four
Maria
The knock on my door comes right at seven, just as promised. Mason isn’t hiding his interest in me. I wish this annoyed me instead of making me happy, but I’ve been around way too many guys who’ve played silly games, and it normally drives me crazy. I know better than to fall for him and this act. I know I should be more distant. He’s making it very difficult for me, though.
When Bobby was pursuing me, he was confident, but not bold like Mason. Bobby thinks he’s great, but he’s also insecure. There’s nothing Mason has to be insecure about. He also has some humility about him, too. This tells me that he grew up in a good home and retained these values, unlike Bobby who was told he was perfect his whole life without having to earn the title.
I open the door to find Mason standing before me with a smirk on his lips, and two hands full of bags with takeout food and drinks. “Dinner’s served,” he tells me.
“The room service in this place has improved,” I say with a laugh as I open the door to invite him in. “Nikki made it back in time to join us.” I look to see if he’s bummed about this. He looks over at Nikki, who’s sprawled out on the couch looking very content as she searches through her social media. He smiles at her. He doesn’t even blink.
“You look very busy,” he says.
She grins back at him. “Well, well, well, if it isn’t the man who’s the talk of the conference.”
Mason chuckles as he sets down the food on the table. “I aim to please and I’m used to being gossiped about. I hope it’s good and juicy though.”
“We can make it really good. Want to do some poses for me? I’ll post them,” she offers as she holds up her phone.
“With you two beautiful ladies. Count me in,” he says with a wink, making Nikki laugh.
“Keep dreaming, big boy,” Nikki tells him.
“I have dreams. There’s no doubt about it,” he says. He then looks at me, and makes my heart thud. “And they star one woman.” I decide it’s smarter not to comment on this. I start unbagging the hordes of food he’s brought.
“Looks like you’re expecting a few more people,” I tell him.
“Or an all-nighter,” he says, a teasing twinkle in his eyes. “What have you ladies been up to all day?”
“After the meeting with your brother that was interrupted, I had to give a talk on editing, and then I had four more meetings. I tend to get peopled out during conferences,” I admit.
“I can see that. I love people, but I also appreciate my alone time,” Mason says.
“I’m a bit shocked by that. You seem like the type of man who’s happiest in a crowd of people.”
“That’s part of my persona. Anyone who doesn’t need alone time is someone who isn’t confident in their own company. I like myself and have some deep conversations when I’m all by my lonesome.”
Nikki laughs. “So, do you have various alter egos you talk to?” she asks.
“Of course. Who doesn’t?” he asks.
“Nobody that I know of or want to be friends with,” she says. I love how witty and quick she is with comebacks.
“The challenge of obtaining Ruth to work with your brother is fun. I’ve been doing a lot of research. She’s a family woman and has cut back on her writing so it will be a challenge, but I think I can get her,” I tell him.
We all sit at the table as we begin eating the delicious food Mason’s brought. There’s a little bit of everything from greasy to savory, and I like it all so far.
“I have no doubt you’ll get her, but you’re going to need your wingman. I’m good at charming people,” he says.
“Oh, you’ve proven that already,” I tell him. He wouldn’t be in my room if he wasn’t charming. I never have meetings in my room. It’s my sanctuary and the place I go to take off my bra, kick off my shoes, and no longer have to smile anymore if I don’t want to. Though, when I room with Nikki there’s a lot of smiling still going on.
“Not that you two still know I’m here, but my day was spent dodging boring panels that I was going to attend, and instead helping out some authors. Then I attempted some writing but got lonely and headed to the bar to do a few drinks with all of my new friends,” Nikki says. She stuffs the last piece of a sushi roll in her mouth and chews it as she reaches for a chicken strip.
“Of course I care what you spent the day doing,” Mason says, adding a dramatic flare to the words. “How dare you assume differently.” Nikki and I share a look and a grin. Besties are certainly tough nuts to crack.
We settle in comfortably with each other, too comfortably. With the conversation flowing, the laughter coming out in spades. Meanwhile, the food’s disappearing fast. I’m normally careful with how much I eat, but apparently not tonight, especially with the wine Mason’s brought. We easily go through two bottles, making me feel nice and relaxed, and very full.
“So what’s in that brilliant brain of yours on how to win over Ruth Cardello?” he asks.
“I’m still working on it,” I admit. “I have to secure this deal, though, or my boss won’t be happy.”
“That’s why you need me,” Mason says as he leans back with his wine glass, looking completely comfortable.
“Well, sell yourself then. What do you have in mind?” I ask. I’m falling more and more under his spell. I should be pushing him out the door, but it isn’t going to happen. It’s better to accept and adapt to the situation.
He lets out a deep breath. “Well, I have a little problem here. There was this woman I dated last year who’s here. She works for one of the publishing houses, and she’s been following me around. I don’t like to be a jerk, but I don’t want her chasing me. I need a fake girlfriend. Maybe we can help each other.”
I give him a look that has made other men shake. He doesn’t look at all intimidated. “Mmm, hmm. So, what you’re saying is that you’ll help me if I pretend to be your girlfriend.”
“Yep. You help me. I help you,” he says. Then his grin grows. “Besides, the fake girlfriend is a popular trope in the romance industry, isn’t it? We can use this for research and business. It’s a win-win.”
Nikki laughs. “That’s my favorite rom-com,” she says.
“It worked out for my brother quite nicely,” he says.
This is a story I want to hear about. “What happened with your brother?”
He shakes his head. “You’ll have to ask him. Let’s just say he’s getting married now.” This makes my heart lodge in my throat. That’s not the outcome he’s hoping for, or at least it better not be. This is crazy that I’m even thinking about it. Mason and marriage shouldn’t be in the same sentence. Men with that smooth confidence and easy flirting aren’t the marriage type.
“If it’s fake dating, it’s fake ,” I emphasize. “I’m thinking about it, but if we do this, there will be ground rules,” I warn.
Mason looks utterly confident. “I’m all ears.”
“You should tell me what you expect me to do as this fake girlfriend, then I’ll tell you my thoughts about whatever that is.”
“I’d love to. You’ll have to fawn all over me, run your leg all over mine, grab my butt, kiss me in public, bat your eyes, and tell everyone I’m the best you’ve ever had.” He says this so sincerely that if there wasn’t a twinkle in his eyes I might think he was serious.
“Reasonable,” Nikki chimes in with a nod. I smack her arm.
“Occasional touching is okay, body rubbing is out, and kissing is definitely out,” I say.
“There has to be some pecks or we won’t sell this,” he insists.
“If it’s necessary,” I tell him. I have a feeling he’ll make it necessary. That’s the sort of man he is. He knows how to make an opportunity work for him. I’m not hating the idea of a kiss with him, but that’s the problem. This is about business, and it needs to stay about business. No combining business and pleasure; I don’t need to muddy the waters.
“I can live with that. You should know that I’m determined to get you into bed, though.”
Nikki and I choke on our wine at the same time. She starts laughing as Mason pats my back. It takes a moment for me to respond.
“I do appreciate honesty. You can try all you want, but the only love in my life besides my best friend is work.”
“There’s no way you’re a virgin,” he says with wide eyes.
“Oh, this is so much fun,” Nikki says, looking back and forth between the two of us.
I roll my eyes, but ignore his statement. If he wants information about me he’ll have to work much harder to get it. “Why is your ex such a nightmare?” I ask. I’m wondering if there even is an ex. Then again, I have an ex here myself, so it’s not inconceivable. Maybe we could orchestrate a run-in. The look on Bobby’s face would be delicious.
Mason shrugs. “Her name’s Sabrina, like the witch. We dated longer than I normally date a woman, about two weeks, but she was far more impressed by my so-called celebrity status than by me, which I don’t care all that much about, because I’m not looking for wedding bells. But when our time ran out, she didn’t get the message. Now she’s working for the other publishing house my brother is with, and she’s used that opportunity to get close to me any chance she can get. I don’t like being a jerk and I don’t want to make things difficult for Miles, but I want her to go away. I don’t trust her one little bit. She seems to always have an angle.”
“I’ve met a few clingers in my time. It comes with dating,” I tell him. “The funny thing about this situation is that my ex, Bobby, is here as well. He’s not trying to get me back, but he thinks I want him back, and he’s here with his latest squeeze, and driving me a bit insane. They sat in my talk today with their hands all over each other. When my eyes scanned the crowd he was looking directly at me the entire time. I want him to get the hint that I don’t have any desire to be with him. This might help me out.”
Mason’s eyes light up at this. “This will be so much fun. We get to help each other and win a new author. This might just be my favorite conference ever. I might have to write a book after all. Ideas are flowing. Maybe I can outsell dear old Miles.”
I laugh again as I shake my head. “You’re a bad influence, Mason Bennett. But I’m in.” I’m not opposed to him writing, either. I actually think he’d be pretty great at it.
We continue our conversation, planning, scheming, and laughing. Our main objective is to win over Ruth, but driving exes crazy is a whole lot of fun too. I think maybe I get too bored in my life sometimes, and this adventure, however short it will be, with Mason, is bringing more excitement to my world than I think I’ve ever had before. Nikki doesn’t help. She’s a bad influence, trying to goad us both into more outrageous things.
“You two should sit all cuddled up in the main lobby with your hands all over each other. Not only will lots of people take pictures and post about it, but the chances of either Sabrina or Bobby walking by are very good,” Nikki suggests. I shake my head.
“I’m more than willing to do that just for the cause.” He pauses as he gives me a wicked smile. “Not just to run my hands all over you,” he adds in a mock serious voice.
“Not going to happen. If they’re nearby we can stand with arms around each other,” I compromise.
“Boring,” Nikki groans. I glare at her.
“Back to business,” I say after about five minutes of more obnoxious ideas flowing. “How do we get to Ruth?”
“We charm the heck out of her,” he says.
“That’s great and all, but we have to make her see the potential of this collaboration,” I tell him. “She’s obviously mastered the craft, so we have to bring something that intrigues her, and maybe appeals to her soft side.”
“We show her how passionate we are about the project,” Mason suggests.
“I agree. I’ve never lied to sell to a client. I truly love what I do. We’ll present a solid proposal, one she can’t turn down. I hear she really loves her kids, so we can charm them as well.”
“Great idea. I do great with kids,” Mason says. “Are any of them football fans?”
“As much as I don’t like researching people, I’ve researched her. She might not be the biggest football fan, but her husband Tony is a football junkie. You can easily win him over.”
“We’ve got this. I’ll charm the hubby and kids, you charm Ruth,” he says.
“He’s Italian, so feed him and give him a signed jersey and we’re in,” I say. We all clink glasses. We have this.
His fingers brush mine as we toast to our nearly guaranteed win, and the sexual tension between us that never fully leaves the room, wakes me up all over again. I can’t think about that right now, though. I have to stay focused and determined. This deal is too important. Mason’s simply a fun distraction that can help me out.
It’s been hours when Nikki stands up, her eyes hooded. “I’m leaving you two lovebirds alone. I’m off to bed,” she says. I want to demand she doesn’t leave me, but she simply blows me a kiss then goes into her room and firmly shuts the door. My gut clenches. I hear music come through the door which is her subtle message of letting me know she isn’t listening. Hopefully Mason doesn’t figure this out.
I turn and look at a grinning Mason. “Maybe we should have our first kiss now so it doesn’t look awkward in public,” he suggests.
“I told you there shouldn’t be kissing,” I say.
“There’s always kissing,” he says as he begins moving toward me. I want this kiss. I want it desperately. I just don’t want to want it.
We reach the wall and Mason places his hands on either side of me. “Tell me now if you don’t want this to happen,” he says, his tone lowering, his eyes darkening. I open my mouth to speak, but no words come out.
“Too late,” he says. He then closes the small distance between us. His lips find mine, and it’s better than I ever could’ve imagined. His tongue traces my lips before slipping inside, and soon I reach my hands around his neck and hold on for the ride.
My knees go weak, and I fully understand why this man’s as confident as he is. By the time he pulls back, I’m putty in his hands. He looks like he wants to carry me to the bed, and I’m not so sure I’d object if that’s what he does. It’s very sad how quickly he rips away my will-power.
“I’m going to leave now before I blow this,” he says, his voice gravely, making my insides melt. “We will share a bed, but I want you to have no regrets.”
With this he turns, then exits my room. I stay right where I am for several long moments. That was the best kiss I’ve ever had before. I can’t help but feel a mixture of excitement and trepidation at what’s to come next. I’m normally a strong woman, but where this man’s concerned, I’m a mess.
This is going to be my most interesting conference ever. While I’m determined to keep things professional, a part of me can’t deny the growing attraction I feel for Mason. But for now, I’m focused on the task at hand, and I have to make sure I secure the deal. Tonight’s going to be another night of dreaming about Mason. There’s no doubt about it. Maybe this is inevitable.