Chapter 19

Mason wrapped his arms around her, gliding his hand in a circular motion on her back. He smiled when she hugged him tight, sighed, and slipped into a soft doze. This was a moment he didn’t ever want to let go. The closeness he was experiencing calmed him. It was a surprise and something he wanted to savor. He was in love with this woman. He wanted to tell her, but she wasn’t ready to hear it.

He slid out of the bed and went into the master bath that housed a shower, a large bathtub, and a Jacuzzi. He ran water into the tub, added bath crystals, and then walked back to the bed and gently scooped Regine up into his arms. She stretched and loosely circled his neck with her arms, but she kept her eyes closed. When he lowered her into the tub, her eyes opened only slightly. Mason placed a pillow under her neck to give her support and then got into the tub, with her. Reaching for one of the washcloths that were stacked on the marble stand by the tub, he began to gently wash her.

“Don’t miss the hidden parts,” she said drowsily.

He looked up and saw that her eyes were still closed. He smiled and continued to wash her, moving the cloth under and then over her breasts. When he finished, he took her out of the tub and strolled with her in his arms to the shower to rinse them both. After toweling both of them dry, he returned them to the bed and pulled her into his arms. He couldn’t get enough of holding her. Regine was a part of him now and he felt different, as if something in his heart had healed. Now he knew what it really felt like to be deeply in love with a woman. There was passion, and lots of it, but there was so much more. He pulled her even closer, trying to mold her to him. It no longer mattered if she didn’t acknowledge her love for him; he felt she already did love him, she just hadn’t realized it yet. She would never have given herself to him so freely if she didn’t. All he needed was time to be able to show how he felt. He wanted her to know what being loved without boundaries felt like.

When the morning came, he got out of bed to shower and dress. When he stepped back into the bedroom, she was no longer in the bed.

She was at the stove flipping the last pancake onto a plate when she felt arms circle her waist. He placed his lips at her ear.

“Good morning,” he said.

He moved her head so he could get better access. He turned her around into a kiss that shocked her with its thoroughness.

“You didn’t have to fix breakfast,” he stated.

“I know. But apparently you anticipated our arrival and stocked up on food. No need to let it go to waste. ” She turned back around to take the bacon out of the other pan and put it on paper towels. “Besides I wanted to cook.” She swung to face him, smiled, and inhaled his fresh, clean scent. He was dressed in a pair of jeans and nothing else. He looked damn good. His dark hair was wet and his body lean, with muscles in all the right places. He was going to be the death of her. She swallowed down the sudden rush of desire, offered him a quick kiss. “I’m a caterer and, believe it or not, I love to cook.”

“I know that, but—”

She reached up and placed her hand over his mouth. “Get the orange juice out of the fridge, please.”

He looked around the kitchen, frowning.

Laughing, she said, “Don’t tell me you don’t know where the fridge is located.” She gave him a quizzical look. “How long have you owned this place?”

“About two years. And I do know where the fridge is.” He pointed to a stainless steel fridge in a corner by itself. He strolled toward it, opened the door, and retrieved the juice.

She poured coffee in two cups and they sat down to eat at the square glass table.

He poured syrup over the pancakes and took a huge bite. “These are really good.”

Regine smiled and broke off a piece of bacon. “Thanks.”

“Certainly not from a box,” he said and took another forkful.

“No, they’re not.” She cut into the pancakes on her plate. “What time are we leaving?”

“We aren’t leaving for Philly until tomorrow afternoon. Is that okay with you?” he asked.

“No problem. My calendar is clear until the end of the week.”

“I know.”

“How did…never mind. It seems Farin or Stella has been slipping you information.”

He held up his hands in defense and laughed. “I plead the fifth.”

“Never mind. Anyway, I decided to take a few days off when I get back home. I haven’t had a mini-vacation in a long time.”

“Good, because I have a full day scheduled for us.” He looked at her. “All right?”

“It’s fine.” She smiled and touched his hand. “You don’t have to keep asking me if it’s okay. I do like surprises.”

He laughed. “I sound like a parrot, don’t I?”

She nodded. “Just a little. I’m going to take a shower.” Regine walked to the sink, scraped her plate, and then put it in the dishwater. She turned and saw him start to stand and waved for him to remain seated. “No, you stay and finish your breakfast.”

“Don’t you want me to scrub your back?”

She giggled. “I’m going to shower—alone—in the guest bedroom.”

After showering, Regine pulled a pair of lightweight jeans and a sweater from her suitcase. She dressed quickly, knowing that if she didn’t he would probably come looking for her and they would end up back in bed. Although it was tempting, she wanted to see more of New York. She had been here only a couple of times, and each one of them had been a shopping trip. This time she would get to explore the city.

“First, we’re going to be tourists and visit the Statue of Liberty,” Mason said as they exited the building.

“I’m excited because I’ve never been there, or to any of the other famous sights in New York.”

“I know.”

She stopped in her tracks. “What? How do you know?”

“I have my sources.”

“Who was it? Big mouth Carina or Farin?”

He laughed long and hard. “That’s no way to talk about your sister and best friend.”

She playfully punched him in the shoulder.

Regine loved the Stature of Liberty, but what touched her most was Ground Zero. She cried, overwhelmed by the number of lives lost there. Mason took her in his arms and she let the tears flow. It was a moment she would never forget.

“Are you tired?” Mason asked as they sat eating lunch. He’d chosen a quaint outdoor café in Hell’s Kitchen near Times Square. The food was delicious. She was devouring a chicken, spinach and gorgonzola panini, while he ate a large roast beef sandwich with caramelized onions and feta cheese. The day was beautiful and warm, with people strolling the streets enjoying the sights and sunshine.

“Just a little. But I don’t want to stop. I want to see everything.”

“Okay, we’ll keep going. But we’re invited to a party tonight. Would you like to rest before we go?”

Regine frowned. “A party? Where?”

“It’s upstate New York. I promise we won’t stay long.”

“But I didn’t bring anything appropriate to wear. I thought we were only staying for a day.”

“You do have something to wear. Farin—”

“Farin?”

“Yes, she packed an extra suitcase for you. It’s in the closet in the room next to mine.”

“Sneaky,” she chided with a smile. “You seem to have thought of everything.”

“I tried.”

“I’m impressed.”

“Wow. That was easy. I told Farin what I had planned and she helped with the clothing. I didn’t think you would like it if I had purchased you an entire wardrobe.”

“You’ve got that right.”

“So I enlisted their help.”

“Their help? Carina is in on this, too?”

“Of course. I couldn’t have done it without her.” Mason smiled, stood, and came around to assist her out of her chair. “Now, take that pout off your lips. We’re enjoying ourselves, and I have lots more to show you.”

* * *

They took a private helicopter to an airfield in upstate New York. Upon their arrival, a chauffeured car was waiting to take them to a mansion nestled deep in the woods.

Regine had dressed with care. This was her second public appearance with Mason and she wanted to look her best. The short black cocktail dress was comfortable but chic enough to wear to any occasion.

She took a deep breath as Mason assisted her from the car.

“Are you okay?” he asked, examining her with keen eyes.

“I’m fine.”

“You don’t have any reason to be nervous. You’re gorgeous. No woman tonight will be able to hold a candle to you.”

She laughed and slipped her arm through his. “If you keep saying things like that, Mr. Spaulding, I’m liable to believe them.”

He turned and planted a soft kiss on her lips.

She blinked, surprised at the gentleness of the kiss. “Why did you do that?”

“Kiss you?”

She nodded.

“Because I needed it.”

She stared at him in confusion.

He tilted his head and kissed her again. “You really have no idea what you do to me.”

Without waiting for a comment, he moved toward the door and, before he could touch the doorbell, a uniformed butler opened it and they were ushered in.

A beautiful, brunette woman greeted him enthusiastically. Beside her, a stocky gentleman with soft green eyes reached out and grabbed Mason in a bear hug.

Regine felt a little awkward, knowing she didn’t fit. During the exchange, Mason didn’t let go of her hand.

Finally, he turned to her. “Let me introduce you.” He looked at the couple with a grin. “Regine Thomas, this is Erica and James Carmichael. They are our host and hostess for the night. We met in college. It took James about three years after graduation to get Erica to marry him,” he said, laughing at Erica’s indignant expression.

James chuckled. “I finally wore her down. Besides, she couldn’t resist my handsome face.” He reached out his hand and shook hers. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“You also.”

Erica shook her hand and propelled her further into the foyer. “You have such a pretty name. I’m glad you could come.”

“Thank you,” Regine said as they moved to a large room that looked like a ballroom. “You have a beautiful house.”

Erica looked around the room as if seeing it for the first time. “Thank you. It’s been in my family for generations.”

The room was crowded. Regine noticed quite famous faces mingling at the bar and standing around in small groups. Once in the room, others quickly monopolized Erica and James. They told Regine and Mason to mingle, promising to connect with them later.

A uniformed waiter approached them with glasses of red wine on a tray. Taking them, Mason thanked the server and handed one to her.

“I like your friends,” she said and took a sip.

“I’m glad, because I know they liked you.”

She lifted her head to look at him with apprehension. “There you go again, being biased.”

“So what? I have the right to be biased toward my lady.”

Her lips curled. “Is that what I am, your lady?”

He smiled warmly. “You are and so much more.”

She stared at him with shock. A lump formed in her throat and she had difficulty swallowing. “You’re serious?”

“I want you, Regine. I don’t have any intention of losing you. There’s so much I—”

“There you go,” James said, interrupting. “Regine, do you mind if I borrow Mason for a few minutes? There something I need to discuss with him.”

“No, of course not.”

Mason took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Will you be okay? I promise to be back as soon as I can.”

She laughed softly. “Go. I’ll be fine.”

He looked at her with uncertainty.

“James, will you take your friend away?” she said.

He clapped Mason on the back. “Come on, buddy. No one is going to steal your lady while you’re gone.”

When they left she glanced around the room at the well-dressed men and women. They oozed wealth. She spotted the door to the terrace and headed toward it. She just needed a little quiet. She opened the door and stepped out into the warm night. There was a slight breeze in the air that took away some of the humidity. She set her drink on a nearby glass table and moved closer to the stone banister. Placing her hands on the smooth railing, she leaned over and inhaled deeply. After a few minutes, she decided to return to the ballroom. She turned to walk back in and found someone blocking her path.

“Well, well, what do we have here?” The rough voice echoed in the night air.

Shock exploded in her. “Cecil, what are you doing here?”