City of Sin - Chapter 24
Bee
I poured myself a cup of coffee and leaned against the counter in the break room.
It was a new week, so it was time for a fresh start.
I just needed to stop dwelling on the past so much.
One stupid date and one very bad day at work wasn't enough to make me give up on the life I had made for myself here.
I had stuck it out after Patrick had left me.
And that was the worst thing that was going to happen. It could only get better from here.
Just because Mr. Ellington said I didn't have thick skin and Mason Caldwell said I was soft, didn't mean those things were true. I was going to make it in advertising. And I was going to find a guy that was worthy of my time. I wanted to prove everyone wrong.
Thinking about Mason made me so angry but at the same time it made my skin tingle. I walked back toward my desk and froze. There was a huge bouquet of roses on the middle of my desk. I pulled out the card that was attached to them.
Bee,
I hope you don't mind, but I'm going to keep calling you that. I had an amazing time with you on Friday. I can't stop thinking about you. And I don't want to stop. I'm sorry about what happened with you and your fiancé. Let me help you get your mind off him. I'm taking you to dinner tonight.
-Mason
What? He couldn't come here! How did he even know where I worked? God, my mom was right. He's a serial killer. I pushed the vase to the side and sat down in my chair.
"Wow, nice flowers," Kendra said and perched herself on the side of my desk. "Who are they from?" She arched her eyebrow.
"They're from Mason."
"How romantic."
"No. He's not romantic."
"I know I already told you this after I talked to him, but I think he really likes you. He was pretty persistent about talking to you. What kind of guy goes through all this trouble for a hook up?"
"A lunatic."
Kendra laughed. "Those roses are beautiful."
"They're okay."
"So, what did you mean when you said you didn't exactly have sex with him?"
"I meant I didn't have sex with him. Don't you have work to do?"
"Well, maybe whatever weird non-sex thing you did is what has him hooked? You'll have to tell me sometime. Because I never get roses. And you're welcome. While I was talking to him, I may have let it slip that you work at Kruger Advertising." She smiled at me.
"Kendra!"
She walked back to her desk without responding.
***
Each minute that passed made me more and more nervous.
He isn't seriously coming here, is he? He can't just show up at my work.
I tried to focus on the document I was editing, but my mind was scattered.
I couldn't stop thinking about the spark I felt when he touched me.
I wasn't sure if I could control myself around him.
It was almost 5 o'clock. As soon as it was time to go, I was going to race out of here as quickly as possible. Maybe I'd miss him.
"Jenkins! Good to see you, man."
Oh my God, it's him. And of course he knows Jenkins. He probably set up all the men here with prostitutes too.
"You too, Caldwell. What are you doing here? Trying to spy on the competition?"
"At Kruger? I don't think so."
They both laughed.
"I'm actually here for pleasure, not business. If you'll excuse me," Mason said.
Pleasure? Gross. Who talks like that? There was no way I was going to dinner with him.
I ducked down behind my desk. What the hell am I doing?
But it was too late. I could already hear footsteps approaching my desk.
Maybe he'd think I had left for the day.
Shit. My coat was still on my chair. The footsteps stopped right in front of me.
I leaned down farther to peer under the desk.
He had really big feet. Feet really must be a sign of endowment. I had always thought that was a rumor.
I could smell his cologne from where I was. Just the smell of him made me slightly aroused. What is happening to me?
Mason began to walk around my desk. I closed my eyes, hoping that if I couldn't see him, he couldn't see me.
"As much as I like you on your knees, how about we have dinner first?" Mason said.
I slowly opened my eyes. His hand was in front of my face.
"Oh, yeah, I was just looking for a pen I dropped. I can't find the darn thing anywhere. Slippery devil." What did I just say?
He laughed.
It was deep and sexy. God. I got to my feet without taking his hand.
"You look beautiful tonight, Bee."
"Thanks. I'm sorry, though, I'm really busy. I don't have time to go to dinner. I have to stay late. I would have called you, but I didn't have your number."
"Are you asking for my number?" He flashed me his jaw dropping smile.
"Nope."
"Mhm. After dinner I promise that you'll want it."
"I just said I can't. So if you'll excuse me." I tried to walk past him, but he sidestepped, blocking my path, so that I ended up just a few inches in front of him. He smelled amazing.
"Are you saying no to me?"
Am I? "Yes."
"So, it's a yes?" he said.
"What? No."
"Bee," he said and picked up my jacket. "You have a lot to learn. For one, you should never say no to me." He grabbed my hand.
I felt the same electricity shoot through my body. I quickly pulled my hand out of his. "I'm sorry, Mason. But I'm not interested in pursuing whatever this is."
He bent down so that his lips were by my ear. "I promise you that tonight will be worth your time, Bee."
I pressed my thighs together.
"Bridget, do you have those papers I asked for?" Mr. Ellington came out of his office. He frowned when he saw Mason.
Maybe this was exactly what I needed to get Mr. Ellington to stop hitting on me.
"Stop, Mason, not at the office." I giggled and pushed on his chest. I internally rolled my eyes at myself.
Mr. Ellington's frown deepened.
"Yes, Mr. Ellington." I smoothed down my skirt even though it didn't need it. I picked up a folder off my desk and handed it to him. "Is there anything else I can do for you tonight?"
"Not tonight, no."
"Okay, great. Let's get going, baby," I said and put my arm through Mason's. I tried not to look at either him or Mr. Ellington. What was I doing? Getting away from one snake and into bed with another.
Mr. Ellington turned and walked back into this office.
Thank God. I sighed and tried to take a step away from Mason, but he held me in place.
"I'd like to know what that was about," he said. He kept his hand on my arm. "I think you owe me an explanation."
"I owe you an explanation? You're the one that owes me an explanation."
"Let's discuss it over dinner then. My treat."
What if Kendra was right? Maybe I should hear him out.
Guys like him didn't need to do stuff like this.
Maybe Patrick had made the whole thing up.
All he did the last few months of our relationship was lie to me.
I grabbed my jacket out of Mason's hand and walked past him.
"We'll split the cost," I said over my shoulder.