Abby blinked in surprise. He was offering her refreshments? Not demanding that she get naked and meet him in the bedroom? It was as if he was just pleased she was here with him, sex or no sex. After that scene in the field, it kind of shocked her.
The memory of what had happened not even an hour ago had her heart thudding faster and heat moving throughout her body again. Food, Abby, he’s asking if you want food.
“I am a little hungry,” she admitted. “Before I…did the prank, I was out with some friends.”
He opened the fridge. “Ah, what were you girls up to? Clubbing?”
She gave a slight smile. “There’s a place we like to go dancing every now and then. But I actually prefer a night at The Lounge, watching a good jazz act. Grinding on the dance floor with some sweaty guy who’s trying to get into my pants has never really appealed to me.”
“I hear ya.”
“What,” Abby laughed and glanced at him through her lashes. “You’re not into grinding with men on the dance floor?”
His laughter mixed with hers. “Can’t say that I’ve tried it. But I’m not big on the whole club scene either. There was a time when it was all I did—that’d be my first four years in the service.”
The reminder that he was in the military sent a slow tension coiling through her body. “How long…have you been in?”
“Ten years. I joined after I finished college.”
Her eyebrows rose. “I’m impressed. Most people join to get help with college. You joined after?”
He nodded, pulling a brick of cheese from the fridge and then a bottle of wine. “Three generations of the men in my family have all joined. I grew up knowing I’d join up someday. I just decided to put college first—I got a full ride on a football scholarship.”
Now why didn’t that surprise her? Abby ran her gaze over his shoulders again and bit her lip to keep from sighing.
“So you’re career military?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Her stomach sank a little. What, were you hoping he’d only be in for a short stint so you could justify getting serious with him? Dream on, Abby. You know what you’re getting into this weekend. Don’t get attached.
Mason held up the bottle of wine. “Do you like cheese? And is red wine okay?”
She smiled, forcing away the cloud of reality that threatened their intimate moment. “I’m addicted to cheese, and you score points on the red wine. Actually, I finish each day with a glass of red wine and a square of dark chocolate.”
“Nice. I can do the wine, but I don’t keep any chocolate in the house.” He winked and began to slice the cheese.
Abby watched his hands, big with long thick fingers, slicing the cheese with quick strokes. When he’d laid out a good amount of slices, he reached into the cupboard and pulled out a loaf of bread. He made quick time cutting chunks of the dark rye and then arranging them next to the cheese.
“Man, you’re kind of good at that,” she murmured.
“That’s another thing about my family. We like to cook.” He set the plate on the counter that separated the kitchen from the living room. “Dig in. I’ll pour you some wine.”
“Thank you.” She snagged a piece of cheese and took a bite just as her stomach growled. Wincing, she looked up to see if he’d heard, but he was busy filling her glass of wine. She really should’ve grabbed a snack after the club.
“Is it good?” He handed her a glass of wine.
“It’s really good.” She took a sip of wine, closing her eyes as the liquid warmed her body. “Mmm. Thank you, Mason.”
The man had a certain class that she hadn’t expected. Then again, she’d never given him the chance to find out otherwise.
“You’re welcome, Abby.”