Chapter 7 #4
“I don't pretend to know what happened between last night and this morning that could possibly make you so irrational, but I wish you'd enlighten me. I would like to remind you that even though you slept the day away, I happen to have had very little sleep in the last twenty-four hours, so tread lightly darlin’,” he continued.
“Maybe you had more sleep than you realize,” she taunted, “I was awake to hear you snoring.”
“If you’re trying to imply that my promise to you went unfulfilled, I have the scratches to prove you a liar, not to mention we could probably check with any number of your neighbors. I'm sure they heard you.”
“Ohh,” she squealed, throwing a couch pillow directly at his head. “How dare you say such a thing?”
“You started this Honey and I'm prepared to finish it, and if you think it's demeaning to cry out in pleasure rest assured I found it extremely erotic. Apparently, I gave you the wrong sleeping remedy last night but I’m prepared to fix that right now. If you’d like I can continue,” he told her beginning to roll up his sleeves.
Seeing her face flame with embarrassment was its own reward and Mason couldn't conceal his grin.
“Isn't it time you went to work,” she questioned haughtily, turning her face away from him.
“It's Saturday,” he told her really smiling now. “But I'll understand if your recent ah…ordeal has made you lose track of time.”
“I have not lost track of anything but my wits,” she informed him jumping up from the couch. “To think I was trying to tell you I'd mar ..,” she laughed shortly. “I must have been out of my mind.”
Grasping her shoulders, Mason looked deeply into her eyes and Rebecca could have bitten her unruly tongue. Trust Mason to make her lose her temper to the point she couldn't keep her mouth shut.
“What?” he demanded, staring at her intently.
“Nothing.”
“What did you just say Rebecca?”
“Now that I have your undivided attention, Mason, I seem to have forgotten what I was going to say,” she told him, pleased to see his face growing red now.
Mason hands shook and when he pushed her back down onto the couch she actually laughed. Good, no sense in just one of us being mad.
“Fine,” he growled stomping into the bedroom to retrieve his boots. “When it comes to you, call me,” he told her snatching up his leather jacket and flinging it over one shoulder. As he reached the door his hand on the knob her voice stopped him.
“Mason,” she called, apparently not the least bit upset by his anger.
“What?” he snapped turning to look at her over his shoulder, teeth clenched.
“Thanks for the preview. The main event was four star, but your before and after could use a little work,” she told him, lounging on the couch, legs crossed. “Just thought you might want to know.” After the door slammed, Rebecca threw herself down and cried.
* * *
Mason spent the rest of his day catching up on paperwork at the office.
The plans for the shopping mall had been finalized and they were to begin work in the spring.
The problems they'd had early on had been worked out to everyone's satisfaction and Mason was pleased with the way things were progressing, he wished Rebecca was as easy to manage as a 2. 3 billion dollar project.
Setting down his pencil he stretched and flipped his feet up on the desk, leaning back comfortably in the leather chair. Not bad for a man who had come up the hard way, he thought, closing his eyes and remembering the lean years when his father deserted them.
As teenagers he and his brother Nicholas had taken every odd job they could find to help put food on the table. A couple of times a week they managed to be hanging out at the O’Malley’s at dinner time, he recalled with a smile. It was their first glimpse of what a family should be.
His mother worked hard, but twenty five years ago a woman wasn't always paid what she was worth.
It had been tough for her, raising two boys and fighting to hang on to their home, but she'd done it.
A few years later when she met and married Joshua Campbell, life had gotten easier for her.
It was expected that he take care of their mother, but after the raw deal they'd been dealt with their own dad, they had a hard time trusting anyone else.
Mason and his brother had been very close, depending only on each other. By the time Nicholas was working his way through college, Mason was working part time in Moran's Hardware store and over the next few years Mason had learned to trust and respect him.
Rebecca’s father was everything his wasn't, dependable, fair, hardworking and honest. Yes, Jake Moran was just about the best friend he'd ever had, despite the difference in their ages.
Mason had already learned to accept what life handed him, but Jake had taught him to make the most of every opportunity.
Jake was also that rare breed of man, who could see the humor in everyday situations and he taught the serious Mason to see it too. Mace was convinced that Jake was watching and probably getting a great deal of enjoyment out of the merry chase his daughter was leading him on.
Mason on the other hand was not laughing.
In fact he was downright aggravated. Convinced she had been about to say she'd marry him, he had wracked his brain trying to come up with a reason for her change of heart.
After much consideration he finally came to the conclusion that it was just her general contrariness and had a good mind to ignore her and let her stew in her own juices for a while.
Mason smiled at the thought, all but giving himself a pat on the back.
She'll start backtracking fast enough when I stop chasing her he tried to convince himself.
He'd probably have his ring on her finger by Valentine's Day.
Extremely pleased with both the work he'd accomplished and the decision he'd made, Mason locked up the office and headed home, looking forward to a good night’s sleep. Unfortunately, he failed to consider what plans Rebecca might be making.