Chapter 8 #2
“What the hell is going on here?” he shouted through the door, causing Rebecca to retreat from it even though it was securely locked.
Nick, it appeared, was content to lounge on the bed and watch the scene playing out before him. He wasn't sure what was happening, but it was damned interesting.
“Rebecca, open the damn door,” Mason continued, not even making an attempt to control his rage.
“I'm not dressed,” she shouted back, hating the way her voice quivered. What the hell was Nick doing in Mason's bed anyway?
“So what,” came his angry response. “Obviously it didn't bother you to parade around damn near butt naked in front of my brother. Are you trying to keep it in the family?”
“Now, wait a minute little brother,” Nick finally responded, climbing out of bed and pulling on his pants. “I am not into that sort of thing and furthermore I had no idea whose lovely voice was coming from the bathroom until she walked in here.”
Rebecca, hearing the insulting tone of Mason's voice, was growing more steamed by the second.
How dare he insinuate there was something sneaky going on between her and his brother.
If he'd bothered to inform her that Nicholas was in town she'd have made other arrangements.
Dressing quickly she was eager to call Mason out on his bullshit.
“All I know is that I came home to find my brother stark naked in bed and my woman close to it in the same room. Somebody better do some pretty fancy explaining.”
Mason’s voice was dangerously low now, and Rebecca could picture his clenched jaw and flashing blue gray eyes.
For a second she wavered and almost slipped out the other door, leaving him to his own jealous imagination, but she had done nothing wrong and she'd be damned if she leave without at least telling him so.
Opening the door she stepped into the room.
“It's all right, Nick,” she told him, the light of battle in her eyes. “I'll take care of the explaining.”
Mason's heart stopped in his chest. Rebecca stood in the dim room, the soft light spilling from the bathroom almost giving her a glow.
The red dress she was wearing hugged her curves like a second skin, accenting her small waist and full breasts.
The thin spaghetti straps didn't look strong enough to hold all that loveliness in and his mouth went dry as he studied her.
Her golden curls framed her delicate face and his stomach clenched in anguish at the thought of her with his brother.
When she began to speak he had a hard time taking in her words so stunned was he by the sight of her short flaming dress and silky legs in red high heels. His desire, in spite of the situation, blinded him to reason and he began to sweat, clenching his hands into tight fists.
“I came over here tonight with the intention of trying to work things out with you Mason. I've missed you. The dinner was my way of a peace offering to make up for dumping your breakfast and attacking you with the broom.”
Nick’s eyes widened at this and he quickly turned away, clearing his throat suspiciously.
Rebecca continued undaunted, determined to convince Mason that despite the evidence to the contrary, the situation was really totally innocent.
She kept her voice calm even though she was shaking inside with a combination of fear that he wouldn't believe and anger of her own because she’d gotten herself into this situation.
She also felt a little disappointed because Mason was so obviously ready to believe the worst of her.
“I had no idea your brother was here and it never occurred to me that I wasn't alone in the apartment.
I decided to shower and dress here because I wouldn't have had time to cook the roast and run home before you got here and I wanted everything to be perfect tonight. I hope you will see reason Mason and understand that this was just an unfortunate chain of events.”
“You really expect me to believe that?” he queried, wavering between what he'd seen with his own eyes and what seemed quite logical when spoken by the vision before him.
Rebecca sighed, shoulders slumping in defeat.
It hurt to think that he doubted not only her fidelity but something she'd always prided herself on, her honesty. For a moment tears threatened but fearing she was about to make a complete fool of herself not only in front of Mason but Nick as well, she stiffened her spine and smiling defiantly into Mason’s eyes, she did something she never did. She lied through her teeth.
“You’re right of course, Mason,” she told him sadly.
“I don't know how I could have thought you so gullible.” Gliding across the room to Nick's side she slipped her arm around him and leaned into his warmth.
If Nick was surprised he hid it well and when Rebecca launched into a new explanation it was all he could do not to applaud her spirit.
“The truth is Mason, Nick and I have been caring on a long distance romance for years. I came over here today hoping to prepare an exceptional four course dinner, make passionate love to your brother, shower, dress, serve him dinner, clean up the kitchen and dining room, remove all traces of myself from the bathroom, pack up my linens, and candles etcetera, and be gone before you got home.” Raising her chin haughtily she smiled up at Nick.
“Come on darling; let's enjoy our meal since we no longer have to hide from your little brother.”
“Certainly sweetheart,” Nick replied. “Maybe when my pig-headed brother realizes how badly he has misjudged us both we can scrape up some dinner for him.” Smiling at Rebecca, Nick gallantly held out his arm for her and escorted her from the room.
It took Rebecca exactly ten minutes to put a meal on the table and although the presentation wasn’t as elaborate as she'd planned, it was exceptionally good.
Nicholas flipped a dish towel across his arm, seated Rebecca at the table, and opened the wine with all the flair of the most experienced sommelier. While he poured Rebecca smiled gratefully over the rim of her crystal glass.
“It’s not exactly the dinner, or company you had in mind, is it my beauty,” he crooned, twisting an imaginary mustache and raising his eyebrows in a very bad imitation a gigolo.
“Beauty much prefers your company to that of the beast in the other room,” she countered laughing.
This fiasco was unbelievable and she was grateful for Nick's attempt to keep the mood light.
Her appetite was virtually nonexistent but she picked dutifully at her food.
Pride kept her there when all she really wanted to do was go home and cry her heart out.
How ironic that she had finally been ready to accept the happiness fate had been offering only to have it snatched away. She should have known better.
Nick refused to let the conversation lapse, asking her about her job, how soon she would graduate, and her hobbies.
He was attentive and charming and soon Rebecca felt herself relaxing.
Studying him in the glow of the lamp Rebecca couldn't help but notice how attractive he really was. Silver threads were woven throughout his glossy black hair. His eyes were bright blue without the stormy quality of his brother’s.
The tiny laugh lines added character rather than age to his handsome face and when he genuinely laughed at something she said, Rebecca was startled, a feeling of déjà vu washing over her.
He reminded her of someone else. That beautiful flashing smile, the flawless teeth, struck a strange chord in her.
Her mind tried for a moment to make the connection.
It must be that Mason and he were so much alike, but it wasn't Mason's laugh, Mason's smile.
A frown creased her brow and Nick immediately began telling her about his life in Colorado, describing the majestic mountains and breathtaking wonder of his home and it was obvious to Rebecca that, although not a native, he loved it too much to stay away for long.
“When do you go back?” she inquired softly.
“Right after the first of the month,” he told her, pushing his plate aside. “What are your plans for Christmas?” Rebecca's eyes went involuntarily to the bedroom door, her longing clearly revealed to Nick.
“We're having a Christmas party at the senior center but after that…I don’t really have any plans,” she answered with a defeated shrug.
Damn Mason he thought, pushing back his chair and beginning to clear the table. He needed a swift kick in the ass and he was just the one to give it to him. This girl was obviously very much in love with him but he didn’t trust her, and he doubted his own brother. That was fucked up!
“Would you like me to make coffee,” Rebecca asked, following him into the kitchen.
“Sure. I was hoping you weren't planning on running off. I make a mean Irish coffee.”
“Not for me thanks. I've had a long day and I'm driving, but I'd be glad to put on a pot if you want.”
Nick took the plate she was scraping out of her hands. “I'll do that,” he told her. “It's the least I can do to thank you for that great meal. The only cooking I get is my own and I hate to admit it but microwave dinners are about the tastiest dish I can prepare.”
Rebecca laughed. “It takes a brave man to admit that,” she told him, wiping off the counters while he started the dishes. “In this day and age you're supposed to be not only self-sufficient, but loving it.”
“Yeah well, there are certain things a man still needs a woman for and at this point in my life, cooking is right up there in the top three.”
“I'm afraid to ask what the other two are,” Rebecca teased, leaning against the counter, sipping the last of her wine. Her lovely head was tilted to the side, golden hair spilling over her breast. Her green eyes were sparkling with suppressed laughter and the dress she wore was temptation itself.