Chapter 11

Regine hurried into the ballroom of the Mediterranean Hotel in downtown Philadelphia. She was running late. Tonight was Carina and her fiancé’s engagement party. The loud buzz of her cell phone, which she was holding, startled her. Carina’s name flashed on the screen. Ignoring the persistent ring, she pushed the button to vibrate, and threw the phone in her purse.

At the door Regine smoothed her dress over her hips. It was a short champagne cocktail dress with a surplice neckline. It molded her figure. Carina had insisted she buy the dress, telling her it did wonders for her figure. And she had to say that she did agree with Carina’s assessment. She felt good about the dress.

Gold and small diamond earrings, an early college graduation gift from her parents, hung from her ears. Tiny beaded combs held her hair back on each side. The four-inch open-toed evening shoes were surprisingly comfortable. Taking a deep breath, she moved into the room and spotted Carina rushing toward her, looking stunning in a soft green designer original.

“Where have you been?” she said. “I’ve been looking for you for at least an hour.”

“I’m only thirty minutes late. The Hudsons’ event ran overtime.”

Carina rolled her green eyes. “You’re seldom late for anything. I was beginning to wonder if you would show up.”

“You know I would never stand you up.”

Carina leaned back and stared. “Oh, my goodness!”

“What?” Regine’s eyes widened and roamed the front of her dress and shoes, thinking something was wrong.

“You look stunning. Wait until Brad’s single friends—and the married ones, too—see you. You won’t have a moment’s peace,” Carina proclaimed as she ushered her along.

Carina grabbed her by the arm as they maneuvered through the crowd. People were everywhere, mingling, dancing, or just standing around in small groups talking. Everyone seemed to be having fun. As they walked, Regine nodded and smiled, remembering a few of the people from social functions of Carina’s throughout the years.

Regine whispered, “How many people did the parents invite? It looks like a thousand.”

Carina laughed. “No, it’s only about three hundred or so.” Looping her arm through Regine’s, she said, “Come on, let’s find Brad.”

They spotted Brad in a corner talking with a man, but there was another man who stood a couple of feet to Brad’s right. She couldn’t see his face. His head was bent fully toward the beautiful woman at his side. But there was something about his stance that was familiar. Regine quickly recognized the woman as a celebrity. Evidently the conversation was a good one. As she drew closer, she could see the blatant sexiness and heat pouring from the woman’s every movement. She was looking at her companion as if she would love to have him alone in a private place, preferably a bedroom. The man laughed at something and the woman ran the tip of her tongue over her lips. Regine grinned, shook her head, and dismissed them from her thoughts.

Upon reaching Brad, Carina slid her arm around his waist. “There you go, darling.” Carina turned up her face and he leaned forward and planted a kiss on her lips.

“I wondered where you were,” Carina’s handsome fiancé said with a smile and turned to Regine. “Hi, Regine. It’s good to see you again.” Brad took her hand and drew her in for a hug.

“You, too.” She returned his smile and hug.

Brad was handsome with enticing blue eyes and a thick head of dark blond hair cut close to his head. He was a few inches taller than Carina’s five feet, nine inches, with a lean, athletic physique. In the years she’d known Brad, it had been quite evident to her that he was deeply in love with Carina. He was also a lawyer, but his wealth came from a successful family design business.

Brad turned to the tall, dark-haired man at his left. “Peter, you remember my fiancée, Carina?”

“Yes, I do. You’re as beautiful as ever.”

Carina gave a mock curtsy. “Well, thank you kindly, sir.”

“And this is Regine Thomas, Carina’s best friend and maid of honor. My frat brother and college roommate, Peter Jameson.”

She produced a slim hand. He gallantly bowed and kissed her hand. “It’s definitely my pleasure to meet you, Ms Thomas,” he said emphatically.

She offered a genuine smile to the handsome man. “Please, call me Regine. It’s nice meeting you, too.”

“I do hope you’ll save me a dance…or two.”

“Why thank you, I would love to.”

His eyes widened. “It seems as if this is my lucky night.”

“Hello, Regine.” A man’s voice interrupted the conversation. She turned her head to find herself looking into Mason Spaulding’s stormy gray eyes. The dark-haired beauty she observed earlier clung to his arm.

Feeling light-headed, she swallowed hard. Her stomach muscles clenched against the overwhelming emotions threatening to betray her. The man who haunted her dreams, who she tried so hard to forget in the last few weeks, was standing before her. She briefly closed her eyes, not wanting to believe that he was as devastatingly handsome and virile as she remembered. The gray gaze that had caressed her with passion and warmth as he made love to her now showed disdain.

Disbelief froze her into silence. She had ignored his calls and assumed he got the message that she didn’t want to see him again. Stop lying. Damn. Damn. They didn’t travel in the same circles, so the likelihood of her seeing him had never crossed her mind. Squaring her shoulders, she nodded.

“Mr. Spaulding.”

He laughed without humor. “Mr. Spaulding? I thought we decided to dispense with formalities.”

“You two know each other?” Brad asked.

“Regine’s business catered the opening of the Atlantic City resort and my parents’ wedding anniversary celebration,” Mason offered with a sardonic smile. “Let me introduce my companion, Sophia Gutierrez.”

“You’re a cook?” The beautiful dark-haired beauty hanging on to Mason’s arm narrowed her eyes and asked the question in a husky tone, with her nose turned up.

Regine turned her attention fully on the woman who was dressed in a tight black dress with a plunging neckline. She realized she was the country’s latest rock and pop singing sensation. She was also the woman that she noticed had been devouring a man with her eyes and lips. She hadn’t known the man had been Mason because she had only seen his back.

She remembered reading about her in People magazine. By the way she was holding onto Mason, it seemed they knew each other…very well. Why was she surprised? He didn’t owe her any explanations, and he certainly made her no promises. Then why do I feel as if I’ve been punched in the gut?

“No, I’m a not a cook but a chef.”

She pouted and turned to Mason. “Isn’t a cook the same as chef?

Regine narrowed her eyes at the woman. “If that is the case, Ms. Gutierrez, then I should call you a bar singer instead of a professional artist. There can’t possibly be a difference, now could there?” Regine knew she was being snide, but she didn’t care. She’d read somewhere that the Sophia Gutierrez had started her career at thirteen singing in low-class bars and clubs for coins throughout Mexico.

A red flush showed in Sophia’s face. Evidently she didn’t like what she’d said. Tough. If that woman thought for one moment that she was going to shame her because of her profession, she had better think again.

“Why you—”

“Sophia,” Mason warned. Silencing Sophia, he turned back to the group but kept his gaze on Regine. “I heard Brad say you were Carina’s maid of honor. I didn’t know you knew Brad and Carina?”

Regine glared at Mason. “I didn’t know you knew them well enough to attend their engagement party.”

Regine could feel all eyes on her and Mason. The tension was thick, but no one made a move to break it. She stood still and held his direct stare. She’d be damned if she’d let him see how uncomfortable he was making her. He was the one standing there with a woman wrapped around him like a snake. After what they’d shared, he should be the one that was tense.

Carina broke the silence. “Regine and I met our first year of college and have been best friends ever since.”

“Mason, demand that she apologize to me,” Sophia said as she leaned into his chest and ran her fingers down the buttons of his shirt.

Regine clenched her hands, her nails digging into the skin, and silently counted to ten.

Carina grabbed one of her hands and started propelling her toward the entrance of the ballroom. “Uh…we’re going to mingle a little. Dinner will be served shortly. We’ll see you then.”

She let Carina steer her away from the group. When they were out of earshot, Carina gave her a pointed stare.

“What’s going on between you and Mason Spaulding?”

Regine sighed deeply. “Nothing…now.”

Carina’s eyes widened. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Just what I said. Nothing.”

“Come on.” Carina grabbed her arm and started walking toward the ballroom entrance. “We need to go somewhere where it’s quiet and Mason Spaulding will not be staring a hole into your back.”

“I will not turn around. I’m not giving him or you the satisfaction.”

Carina rolled her eyes. “You’re incorrigible.”

They moved to a quiet corner of the lobby. Since the ballroom had its own private sitting area, there were only a couple of guests who were taking a break from the music and chatter and lounging in the chairs.

They sat on one of the small sofas.

“You didn’t tell me you knew Mason so well he would be invited to your engagement party,” Regine said in an accusing tone.

“I told you I had been introduced to him.”

“Well, I didn’t take that as knowing him. I thought he was an acquaintance and you never corrected me,” Regine said.

“What is this? If you had told me you were sleeping with the man I could have given you more information.”

“I’m not sleeping with him. Well, it only happened once.”

Carina’s mouth dropped open and her eyes widened in shock. “When were you going to tell me?”

Regine remained silent.

Carina sucked in her breath. “Well, it seems once was enough to capture his interest.”

Regine ignored her. “Are Brad and Mason close friends?”

“Brad and he went to prep and boarding school together. They were very close when they were younger, but lost touch when they went away to college.”

“Since they are so close, why weren’t you and Brad at the Atlantic City opening?”

“Remember, that was the weekend we went with his family to St. Tropez.”

“Of course, I remember now.”

“Anyway, Brad and Mason reconnected about five years ago.”

“What can you tell me about him?’

Carina frowned at her. “After sleeping with the man, you now want to know something about him? Don’t you think that’s a little backwards?”

“Are you going to tell me or not?”

“Okay. What do you want to know?”

“Whatever you can tell me.”

“I see you’re as intrigued as I was when I met him,” Carina said. “According to Brad, he comes from a close knit family and is extremely wealthy. The Spauldings have many diversified businesses, but entertainment remains their core business.”

“I knew all of that.”

“I don’t believe I have ever seen him with the same woman twice. However, I did hear gossip that he was engaged once.”

Shocked, Regine couldn’t believe she’d heard correctly. “Engaged?”

“Yes. From the rumor mill, it was a long time ago. I believe it was with his one-time live-in lover, Megan Standish. She’s a famous supermodel. Her pictures are always in one magazine or another. She also does a couple of television commercials.”

“I’ve seen her commercials.”

“She was voted one of People magazine’s hundred beautiful people in 2011,” Carina said.

Regine heart dropped. Mason was engaged to a supermodel. Go figure. How in the hell could she compete with that? She was short with a passable body. She wouldn’t call herself beautiful, but she wasn’t ugly, either. Mason called you beautiful. What the hell does he know? He could afford to be generous after being engaged to one of the most beautiful women in the world. Megan Standish was a tall swan that floated down the catwalk. There was nothing short or passable about her.

“Do you know what ended the engagement?”

“According to a statement from Megan Standish, he wouldn’t deal with her being famous.”

“Although he’s a private person, I don’t believe that. He’s a very strong and confident man.”

Carina observed her closely. “It’s seems you know more about Mason Spaulding than you are letting on.”

“Carina, please.”

“All right. The word around town is that someone cheated and that’s what ended the relationship. Of course, my bet is on Mason. Megan is one of the coldest bitches I have ever met.”

Surprised, Regine asked, “You know her?”

“I have had the misfortune to be in her presence. She tried to make a play for Brad right in front of me. I’ll tell you one thing about her, she has balls and doesn’t take fools lightly.” Carina sighed. “Now tell me how you happened to end up in Mason’s bed.”

Regine took a deep breath, realizing that Carina was unaware of the turmoil she was going through at what she had just told her about Mason and his former fiancée.

“Our first meeting was at the opening, and it wasn’t what you would call smooth. I walked in on him in the kitchen—lying on a table of appetizers—making out with a bimbo. Of course I was furious because he ruined my food. I gave him a piece of my mind; he laughed and had the nerve to flirt, which made me madder. A couple of weeks later, his sister commissioned me to do their parents’ anniversary celebration. The attraction was there and I decided to act on it. I wanted to experience passion with no boundaries, no strings attached, just sex. What better person to show me what sex was really like than Mason Spaulding…a renowned playboy and lover.”

Carina mouth fell open again. “Are you kidding me? You used Mason to give you your first orgasm.” Carina rubbed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Have you lost your mind? The man is a barracuda. When it comes to women, he devours them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I can’t believe you let yourself fall for him.”

Regine frowned. “I haven’t fallen for him. It was a fantasy, Carina. It was one time. It’ll never happen again. You’re making too much out of it.”

“If you believe that you’re fooling yourself. I saw your face when you noticed Sophia Gutierrez hanging onto his arm. You were hurt. You may have fooled Mason, but you can’t hide your emotions from me. I know you. Your tough girl exterior is not the real you.”

“Him being with that woman didn’t bother me.”

You wanted to scratch her eyes out.

“Carina, you don’t need to worry about me. I have everything under control. My heart wasn’t involved.” Regine’s heart squeezed at the lie.

“Really? What about Mason’s heart?”

A puzzled look framed Regine’s face. “What do you mean?”

Carina laughed. “He was angry when Peter took your hand and held it a little longer than necessary.”

“You’re imaging things.”

“I don’t think so. You need to be careful, Regine. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“I won’t.” She said it with more confidence than she felt.

* * *

“Excuse us, Brad,” Mason said to Brad and ushered Sophia by the elbow out of the ballroom and onto the terrace.

After making sure they had privacy, he rounded on her. “What the hell was that?”

She shrugged. “What was what?”

“Don’t play games with me, Sophia. You treated Regine Thomas as if she was a bug beneath your feet. You don’t even know her.”

She placed her hands on her hips and glared back him. “Oh, but you certainly do.”

Mason frowned. “Of course I know her. We hired her to—”

“That’s not what I’m talking about. I saw the way you looked at her.”

Mason stiffened. “What are you talking about?”

She threw up her hands and moved closer to him. “I’m talking about sexual vibes, chemistry, sparks, call it whatever you want. I saw it tonight. You want her. I could feel the heat pouring from you.”

His mouth tightened. “My personal life is no concern of yours.”

She gasped. “You say that to me after what we shared this past week.”

“What?” Agitated, he ran a hand through his hair. “We shared nothing but a business relationship.”

“It was more. You came to the studio almost every day. We spent a lot of time together outside of the studio.”

“Sophia. You are my protégé. It’s my job to make sure the album is a success. You didn’t know anyone in Philadelphia. I wanted you to be comfortable and feel at home. Everything I did was as a friend. I thought you understood that. What is between us will always be platonic. You’re my client and I’m your friend, nothing more.”

Watching the color drain from Sophia’s face, he knew this talk was long past due. Mason allowed himself to harden his resolve. He needed to make her see once and for all that he was serious.

She turned away from him. He saw her take deep breaths to gain control of her emotions. She threw her hair over her shoulder and lifted her head back in a stance.

“You want her over me.”

“You aren’t in a contest, Sophia. And if you were, you wouldn’t win.”

“I see. What is it about her?” Her lips turned up in cynical twist. “She’s pretty, but she’s not beautiful. She’s small, with no noticeable assets.”

Sophia pushed out her breasts so he would have no doubt of her meaning.

Mason didn’t answer or acknowledge her invitation. He refused to discuss Regine with her or anyone. What was between them was private. The connection was still strong. If he had any doubt, seeing her tonight erased it. It was there from the beginning and it seemed to be getting more powerful every time they saw each other. Mason still didn’t understand it. For the first time in his life, he felt alive and vibrant. There was something about her that gave him that feeling and he intended to keep it. He thought of Peter Jameson. He was someone he knew socially. He’d held Regine’s hand too long for Mason’s liking. He frowned. He was jealous. Damn. He’d never been jealous over any woman. He didn’t like the feeling. He stiffened when he noticed Regine had offered the man a bright smile. The man’s immediate interest was there, but he would be damned if he would give him the chance to act upon it.

“Let’s go in to dinner. I’m sure they have already sat down.” He reached for Sophia’s arm to guide her through the door.

She stopped him. “I think it’s time for me to visit my family in Mexico before I head back to New York.”

“All right, I’ll ask the office to book you a flight tomorrow.”

“It’s still early. I might be able to get a flight out tonight,” she said slowly as if she was waiting for him to try to change her mind.

“Tonight?”

“Yeah.” She sighed. “I’ve been in Philadelphia long enough. I have finished the tracks for the songs. It’s time for me to leave. You know I don’t like being tied down.” She gave him a flippant smile. “Is your driver still at my disposal?”

“Of course.” He reached again for her arm. “I’ll walk you to the car.”

Sophia stayed his hand. “You stay. I’m going to leave now.” The words were forced.

“Sophia, you haven’t eaten. I’m sorry if—”

“Hey, there isn’t anything to be sorry about. I’m a big girl.” Sophia straightened her shoulders. “You know me, Mason. I don’t play games of the heart.”

She reached up, kissed his cheek, and walked away.

* * *

The second course was being served when Regine saw Mason enter the dining room. He took his seat without glancing her way. Great, he would have to be at her table. However, she was glad the table was a long one where she didn’t have to look at him directly. She looked beyond him and noticed that his companion wasn’t with him. She wondered where she could be. It was none of her business. Since she was the maid of honor, she sat close to Carina at the head of the table, while Brad and his best men sat at the other end.

Carina leaned over and whispered, “Mason just sat down two chairs across from you.”

Regine didn’t answer, just kept eating.

Carina continued, “Your overnight case the driver stored at the bellman’s station has been taken to your room.” She handed her a room key. “Your room is down the hall from Brad and me.”

“It must be nice marrying into a family that owns five-star hotels across the country.” Regine slipped the key into her purse.

Carina giggled. “It has its perks.”

“I don’t have to spend the night. I can easily go home.”

“Too late. The driver has already left and you’re stuck with us. Besides, it will be like old times. I can come to your room and we can sit up the rest of the night, eat popcorn, and talk about man trouble.”

“Yeah. You don’t have man trouble, and I don’t have a man.”

“Really? Well, there’s a certain man who can’t seem to take his eyes off of you,” she said and tilted her head toward where Mason was sitting.

Regine spared Mason a glance, and at that moment he turned his head and captured her eyes. She dropped her eyes back to her place.

Carina gasped. “Don’t look now, but here he comes.”

“What?” Before she could grasp what Carina was saying Mason was at her elbow.

“May I speak to you a moment?” he said. She looked up at him, surprised at the determination in his eyes.

“Well, I was getting ready to—”

Carina interrupted. “She’s finished eating,” she said to Mason. Carina looked at Regine with wide, innocent eyes. “I’m sure you don’t want coffee this late. If so, I can make sure it’s sent to your room.”

“You’re staying at the hotel?” he asked.

Regine shot Carina a look that could kill. “Yes, although I told Carina there was no need.”

“I need to talk to you…somewhere private.”

“I—”

“Go ahead, Regine. Everyone is almost finished. People are already getting up from the table,” Carina urged.

She looked at Mason for a moment and then stood. “All right. We can go out into the lobby.” She stood and walked past him. His long strides easily caught up with her. In the lobby, he took her elbow and turned her to him.

“I would like us to go somewhere where we won’t be disturbed.”

“Not a good idea.”

“Why not?”

“Do I really need to explain it?”

He ran a hand through his hair and swore. “Damn it, Regine, I’m not going to pounce on you.”

She didn’t answer or move.

He swore again. “There are many people staying here tonight from the party. I’m sure you’ll be safe from my clutches.”

“I know how to take care of myself.”

“I’m sure you can.” A twisted smile formed his lips and her pulse raced. He looked so appealing and sexy, and in spite of all her caution, she still wanted to experience again the ecstasy she knew she could find only in his arms.

They strolled to the private elevator and she put her key card into the slot. Silence enveloped them as they rode the elevator to her floor. She examined the wisdom of what she was doing. She wouldn’t succumb to her needs. She was stronger than that. She intended to withstand his appeal and keep up her guard. Regine reminded herself he didn’t want long term, and neither did she. It was a temporary fling. She was a novelty. A woman probably had never left him first after making love. Once he got over it, he would move on to the next woman who crossed his path. Judging by tonight’s scene, he had already moved on with Ms. Big Boobs, the singer. He didn’t want commitment. Like any other man, he played the field with his own set of rules. A woman accepted them or he moved on to the next one. She was okay with it because she was in control of the situation.

The elevator door opened. He held his hand out to her. She glanced at him for a moment, confused by her struggle to breathe. Finally, releasing a strangled sigh, she placed her hand in his.