Exquisite

Chapter Eight

Lena shut down her computer, switched off the light and headed out into the cold. It was Monday night and as she took the elevator down to the parking garage she started to think back to this afternoon. Somehow Mason Langley had got past her defenses. He’d managed to irritate her into a date, then stalked her into a second one. She groaned leaning back against the wall thinking about how good he’d felt against her. She’d been fine before he’d come along. Of course, she wished she could go out meet some random guy and take him home, but if she was honest with herself that always made her feel much more lonely then just being alone. So she’d stopped the random hook ups, put up her barricade and had hidden behind it quite well, until him. Making her way to her car she got in and drove down to the little boutique flower store, ‘Precious Petals’. Parking out front as usual she got out bundling herself up in her coat and walked across the lot to open the door to the store. She loved hearing the tinkling of the bells as she walked in, it made the place feel special, magical. The whole store, including the lovely owner, made her feel comforted in a way nothing else did. Just as she was reaching the counter Catherine walked out from the back and a smiled so bright Lena thought it could light a room.

“Lena!”

Lena smiled and waved, “Hi Catherine.”

“How are you tonight my dear?”

Shrugging Lena nodded. “I’m okay. Getting by. How was your day?”

“Oh lovely dear. Just lovely.”

Catherine came around the desk stopping by one man asking him if he needed help. When he shook his head she continued over to stop by Lena. Slipping her arm around Lena’s waist she moved them toward the back room. “They came in just an hour ago.” she whispered as though she was telling her state secrets. Lena squeezed the little lady tighter, so happy to be there with her. She always made Lena feel comfortable with her, she never asked to many questions. In fact Lena would have to say this was just about the happiest she’d been in years. If she were honest and like Mason had said, she should always be, part of that had to do with him. Catherine turned them around the last corner in the back room and sitting in an aluminum can were seven bright yellow sunflowers. They were magnificent. Lena grinned and patted Catherine’s hand. “They’re beautiful.”

She moved over closer and looked at the wide face of the flower. They were flawless. Catherine only ever picked the best for her.

“They’re happy little things and they make you smile. So they must be beautiful.”

Lena looked over her shoulder toward the lady standing under the bright light of her shop. She had to be around sixty Lena would guess and she had laugh lines around her eyes and mouth, a testament to the fact, she’d enjoyed life. Lena had been coming to Precious Petals since two weeks after Carly had been killed.

That was nine years ago. She remembered walking aimlessly down the street in the middle of winter and she’d heard the tinkle of some bells and turned to see a lady at the top step of her shop sweeping them free of snow. The lady had smiled and waved her forward and she’d gone because she had nowhere else to go. Catherine had taken her inside and given her a cup of hot chocolate and she’d sat in the warmth of this lady’s shop looking around when she saw three sunflowers, Carly’s favorite, smiling back at her. It was the first time Lena had found herself smiling in the weeks after her sister’s death and ever since then she’d ordered one sunflower a day to be delivered to Carly.

“How much do I owe you?” Lena asked as she stood up and walked over to Catherine.

“Just the usual dear.”

Lena shook her head, “You need to let me start paying you the right price Catherine. How do you expect to make a profit?”

“Oh pssh! You’re one of my most loyal customers and I’ve been dealing with you since you were in college busing tables to pay me. You almost feel like my own daughter. I will not change the price now. No matter how successful you are.”

Grinning Lena reached down to hug her. She was a virtual stranger to her but at the same time she was the most familiar person in the world.

“Thanks again Catherine. Same time, same place?”

“Always dear, always.”

Lena paid her the money then walked outside back to her car. As she got in she thought to herself, why on earth would Langley be delivering flowers for Catherine? Oh well, pushing that thought aside she turned on the engine, maybe she’d ask them on their next date, turning cautiously into the street she headed home.

Wednesday morning rolled around and Mason was standing in the walk in fridge, taking inventory of what he needed to order for the weekend, when he heard Rachel come in behind him. “So why do you need the night off tonight huh? Got another 15 minute date up your sleeve?”

He grinned at her then responded as any brother would. “Screw you.”

She laughed and pushed past him reaching for the strawberries on the top shelf. “So what are you going to do to impress the pants suit?”

“Her name is Lena.”

Rachel rolled her eyes popping a strawberry into her mouth. “I know, I know. Dr Magdalena O’Donnell. I’m impressed. Even for you a doctor is impressive.” she paused and cocked her head to the side, “Is she a psychiatrist?”

“No you pain in the ass.” he said snatching a strawberry for himself. “She’s a Pediatrician.”

Rachel’s laugh was loud and obnoxious she even snorted at the end.

“What?”

“Well I guess that seems about right. She’s use to dealing with people as mature as you are. Now it all makes sense.”

Sticking his tongue out to prove his maturity she laughed even harder. “Thanks a lot Rach.”

“Well I was starting to wonder. I mean come on. The girls you date wouldn’t even be able to spell her name.”

Mason shooed her out of the fridge. “Don’t you have some work to do? Cakes to bake? Plus they’re the girls I use to date.”

She stopped, “Really?”

He nodded, “Really. Now scram.” Turning he stopped when he saw a box of ripe peaches on the shelf. He grinned as he heard Rachel mutter. “Wow.”

“Wow indeed.” he murmured pulling the box down.

Lena stared at the clock willing it to hit 3pm. She’d blocked off her afternoon so she could go home and panic without witnesses. It was 2.15pm when Shelly strolled in holding a small box. She shut the door then sat down in front of Lena with a huge grin across her face.

“What?” Lena asked when Shelly sat silently.

“I’m waiting for a thank you.”

Laughing Lena replied. “Well you’ll be waiting awhile.”

“I got you a date with one of Chicago’s most eligible bachelor’s.”

Grinning at her friend she shook her head. “No as I recall you set me up and left me alone with a man who wanted to stalk me.”

“Oh.” Shelly sighed dramatically putting her hand on her heart. “If only we could all be so unlucky.”

“Shut it Shelly. You still aren’t forgiven. What’s in the box?”

She shook her head and slid the small white box over to her. “I have no idea. Brandy said it just got here for you. So I thought I’d be a pal and bring it in.”

Lena frowned as she looked at it. There was nothing on the outside just a small envelope on top.

“Well aren’t you going to open it?” Shelly demanded sitting forward. Lena took the card off the box and went straight to the tape holding the sides down. As she battled with it Shelly sat back and asked. “So what time’s the big date.”

Lena looked over at her. “You make it sound like it is my first date, ever.”

“Well come on Lena. It kind of is and look who it’s with?”

As Lena thought back to Monday she succeeded in flipping the lid of the box up. Nestled inside under some orange tissue paper was the ripest, juiciest peach she’d ever seen. Feeling a grin tug at the corner of her mouth she sat back with the envelope and opened it. Shelly sat forward and pulled out the succulent looking piece of fruit. She spun it in her hand from left to right then looked over at Lena with an expression that could have been accompanied by an imaginary question mark.

“I don’t get it, he sent you a peach?”

Lena pulled the card out then glanced down still grinning. Immediately she felt her grin drop and her cheeks heat as a blush crawled all the way up her neck and onto her face. Shelly must’ve noticed because she sprung up put the peach in the box and swiped the card off of her. She took a moment to read the note while Lena still hadn’t budged, then she whispered, “Holy shit. You lucky bitch.”

She dropped the card on the table and grabbed the peach again. Lena picked the note up and doubled checked what she’d read was right, yep there it was in bold masculine handwriting;

8.30pm, Exquisite

I’ve got the peaches, you bring the cream.

Holy shit was right.

Mason was unsure how Lena would react to his invitation, but he was hoping it made her as hot as it’d made him when the inspiration had struck. He’d decided that for tonight he would do as he’d said, he would cook for her. He was going to prepare a basic Italian Fettuccini with his special Alfredo Sauce and for dessert, well that was still up in the air at this point. After setting everything up in the private dining room upstairs he stood at the small bar and looked around. The smaller dining room was outfitted with a scaled back version of the commercial kitchen downstairs and it had the capacity to seat fifty, however, tonight it was set up for two and everyone was under strict instructions not to venture upstairs unless the place was on fire. For all intense purposes, he was not here. It was just about to hit 8.30pm when the phone on the wall rang. Picking it up he heard Wendy’s voice, “Your date just walked in.” she paused then added quickly, “You must’ve done something right, she dressed up for you tonight.”

With that parting remark from Wendy, Mason rubbed his hands together and walked to the stairs leading down to the main entrance. The side stairs brought him out behind the crowd and he spotted Lena straight away. Her long curls were clipped up on top of her head in a knot of some sort and several little ones were escaping down around her ears. From behind he could tell she was in either a dress or a skirt and he looked down her long legs to be surprised by the bright red spiked heels she was wearing. Oh shit, they were hot. He couldn’t wait to get around the front of her. So he called her name.

“Lena.”

Lena heard her name and turned to see Mason standing in a doorway off to the left. Leaning his left shoulder against the frame he had his legs crossed casually. He exuded confidence and had every right to. He looked sexy as hell. Dressed tonight in a white v-neck shirt that looked to be made of the softest cotton you could find she noticed it was so snug she could see the outline of his biceps where his arms were crossed over his chest. Her eyes traveled past that magnificent sight and zeroed in on the black belt with the silver buckle at his waist. Unconsciously she licked her lips as she continued down his long legs which were wrapped in some designer charcoal colored pants, that hugged perfect thighs and she was sure, a perfect ass. Finally, when she was about to overheat, she looked back at him as he smirked at her. Taking a deep breath she walked over to him, reached into her bag then smiled as she handed him a small white carton. He took it and looked down then laughed so loud everyone turned to look at them. He lifted his laughing eyes from his hand to her.

“You brought the cream.”

Smiling she nodded, “I did.”

Moving to the side he motioned for her to follow. “We’re going to be eating up here tonight.”

Brushing past him she inhaled that amazing smell of his and started up the stairs. She’d picked out a black pencil skirt with a flare around the knees, since he seemed so fond of them, and had paired it with a siren red sleeveless blouse that dipped down between her cleavage. When she hit the top step she opened the door and walked in then stopped in her tracks. Wow, when the man went all out, he went all out. The room was dimmed and there were lights sprinkled around the eves giving it a night time effect. However, what made it so spectacular was the floor to ceiling windows at the far end that showed off the night sky and melded it in with the lights inside, making it seem like one. In the center of the room sat an elegant table with a candle and off to her left she noticed there was a bar with swinging doors that led into a kitchen she presumed. It was simply breathtaking. She looked over her shoulder to where he’d stopped and spoke softly. “It’s amazing up here.”

“Thanks.”

He placed a warm hand on her back and ushered her inside then moved around to the bar.

“Bring all your dates here?” It wasn’t a conscious question on her behalf, and she actually winced when he stopped to look at her, but instead of being angry he grinned.

“Not a single one of the thirty three.”

Lena swallowed then bit her bottom lip looking around wondering what he wanted her to do.

“Why don’t you put your bag down then come back here and tell me what you want to drink.”

Moving away to the table she placed her purse on the edge. When she turned to walk back to him she noticed he was standing with his hip leaning against the bar watching her. She made a conscious decision right then not to let him intimidate her. She was who she was, he knew that and had still asked her out. So she was just going to be herself and see what happened and that started with finding some of that damn confidence she knew she had. Locking her eyes with his she walked back over to him.

Mason didn’t know what’d just happened but whatever it was, he was enjoying it. Lena had seemed a little hesitant at first and he was wondering how this was going to play out but as she walked back toward him he could tell something in her had shifted, she’d decided something. She looked amazing in red, that was the decision he’d come to and when she finally reached the bar he pushed back off it and placed his hands on the top in order to stop himself from reaching out and tracing the curve of her cleavage that kept peaking out at him.

“What can I get you to drink?”

“Just a wine is good for me Langley.” she hitched herself up on the chair then placed her elbows on the bar resting her chin on one hand as she watched him reach for the bottle and uncork it. “Red good?”

She nodded, “Red’s great.”

“Oh yes it is.” he grinned then pushed a glass toward her while he picked one up himself. She lifted it and sipped slowly seeming to swirl it around in her mouth before she swallowed it down. That was an erotic act all on it’s own, he thought as she tilted her head and sniffed the air.

“Hmm, dinner smells amazing.”

Smiling over at her he couldn’t help but reach across the bar and twist a curl around his finger. Looking over at him with sparkling eyes she smiled as he answered with a slow. “Thank you.”

Lena didn’t care about any promises anymore, she’d decided that she had to kiss this man. She watched him as he let go of her curl and picked up his glass, taking a sip. The air was heavy with tension. She could feel it coming off her body as it itched to get closer to him. She picked her own drink up, not taking her eyes away from him, and took another sip. One for courage, then asked.

“Don’t you think we should just get the obvious over with?” What could she say? She’d never claimed to be subtle.

He placed his wine glass down on the bar and moved away. As disappointment mounted inside her she was shocked to see him walk around the end of the bar and come toward her. Swiveling on the stool to watch him as he approached the only way she could think to describe the way he was watching her was, hungry. He looked at her like a starved man would a meal. Stopping so close to her that she could feel the fabric from his pants brush her knees he reached out and gripped the bar’s edge with one hand and tried for a casual pose. It didn’t work. He looked as tense as she felt. “And what Lena, is the obvious?”

Swallowing and placing her hands in her lap she straightened up and answered him the way he’d told her, honestly. “The first kiss, you know? The awkward one. The one where..” she trailed off abruptly because he’d moved his hand and it was now gently squeezing her bare knee that was crossed over the other. Looking down at it then back at him she was mesmerized by his eyes which were now close to incinerating her they were burning so hot.

“You think our first kiss will be awkward?”

“Ahhh..” she stammered a little because he was now stroking circles around her knee cap. “Stop.” she said softly.

“Stop?” he questioned and stepped closer until she had to uncross her legs to sit taller. His hard thighs were now pressed to her bare knees and his fingers were resting lightly on her left one, but he had in fact stopped moving. Licking her lips she once again looked down at his big hand, then back at him. She watched as a wicked smile crept onto his face and he leaned in, a mere breath away, then licked his own lips watching her closely. She swallowed, felt her eyes widen then surprised herself when a small moan slipped free as his fingers trailed softly onto the inside of her knee a little higher on her thigh.

“Stop?” he asked again this time flicking his tongue out to lick across her bottom lip. He didn’t go any further than that, he just waited, watching her fall apart in his hands. She blinked her eyes slowly and shook her head.

“What was that?” She shook her head again then heard a loud buzzing noise. She glanced away for a moment and that seemed to break the spell.

“That would be dinner.”

Lena watched him stand up straight and felt the throb of his arousal brush her knee. He gave her a tight smile and she watched him walk around the bar then push into the kitchen and that’s when she let out a shaky breath. Okay so she’d wanted the first kiss over with but she had a feeling she’d been one second away from being devoured. Saved by the bell, anyone?

Mason walked over to the timer and switched it off. Taking a deep breath he ran his hands through his hair and tried to get himself under control, what the hell? He thought as he took the sauce from the stove then the pasta. She’d asked for a first kiss and he’d almost flattened her out on top of his bar. The woman made him crazy, absolutely crazy. One minute she was feisty and confident and the next she was melting and wide eyed. The combination was driving him insane. He plated their food and brought it out to the dining room. He noticed she’d moved over and was seated safely at the table. Grinning at that he moved to place her meal in front of her. She smiled up at him, back to the shy smile, and thanked him. He sat down opposite her and grated the cheese over her meal.

“Stop.” she said softly. Looking up at her he raised an eyebrow then she smiled and shocked him, “This time I mean it.”

Nodding slowly Mason watched her as he answered, “I’ll have to remember that.”

She took a bite of her food and groaned softly. It was such an unexpectedly erotic noise Mason stopped what he was doing for a moment to enjoy her as she ate her meal. When she noticed he was watching her she asked, “Why aren’t you eating?”

He shook his head and smiled, “I’m having too much fun watching you eat.”

“This is delicious.” she took another mouthful and licked her lips then followed it with a sip of the red wine. “Seriously, you can cook for me anytime you like.”

“Now that’s an offer I may take you up on.”

As they finished their meal they talked about where he’d studied cooking and why he’d decided to become a chef, small talk to pass the time. She talked about her job and how sometimes it was difficult but on most days there was something that reminded her why she was doing it. When they finally finished and had managed to drink a whole bottle of red and were half way into the second he asked her to come with him into the kitchen. She followed him back and stopped when he told her to wait by the large stainless steel bench where there was one large pie dish. She waited watching him the best she could when he disappeared around the corner. When he came back he was carrying over his hands a pie base. He put it down in the dish and molded it in with quick hands. Then he smiled at her and handed her a knife.

“Ahh, you want me to cook?”

He grinned and one of his dimples appeared, “Nope I want you to chop.” he turned and moved away again opening the fridge then bending over, giving her a fine view of his ass, then he straightened and turned back to her with a bowl full of ripe peaches.

She smiled at him. “Ahh I see.” she said feeling a lot more relaxed with the wine in her. “This is what the peaches were all about.”

Nodding he placed the bowl down and passed her one. Taking it she watched him as he came to stand next to her. He picked one up and started to peel it. “You have to peel it first.”

Lena set about copying him. The skin came away easy leaving a sticky mess behind and she watched as he placed his on the board then started the chop it into precise pieces. She too placed hers on the board watching him as she tried to copy his quick moves. Once it was done he reached into the bowl and pulled out another one. By the time they were finished, there were peeled and diced peaches everywhere and her hands were a mess. She looked around for the sink. Spotting it behind her she placed the knife down moving to turn toward it when she felt a warm sticky hand grab her wrist.

“And where are you going?”

Lena looked over at his smirk and smiled, “To wash my hands Langley. I’m a mess.”

Very slowly he lifted her hand to his mouth and licked the end of her ring finger. She froze as he pulled her in close and sucked the same finger deeper inside his hot mouth. She watched as her finger disappeared into the hot wet heat then reappeared. Looking up at him with her mouth slightly parted she stood frozen as he reached up and traced one of his sticky fingers across her bottom lip. She was about to lick it off when he shook his head and wrapped one arm around her. Reaching down beside them she watched as he grabbed a piece of peach and slid it across her bottom lip, then pushed it slowly inside. She let out a soft sigh as the cool wetness hit her tongue and slowly chewed it as he watched her. He groaned low in his throat and pulled her in close to him then leaned down to slowly suck her bottom lip into his mouth. Lena started to sway a little but it didn’t matter because he was holding her in his arms as he nibbled and licked his way across her bottom lip. Moving his head back, she whimpered. She did not want him to stop this time, and actually thought she just might die if he did.

Mason watched her eyes cloud over and close as he reached down again beside them and picked up another piece of peach. He lifted it up and painted the left side of her neck with it then dipped his head down to trace the sweet sticky line from shoulder to ear and whispered. “Ready for that awkward kiss Lena?”

She didn’t answer right away, as her head remained tilted to the side, so he bent down and nipped her ear. Her eyes flew open and he leaned in and sealed his mouth over hers. She was sticky and sweet and so hot she nearly singed his lips. She groaned and parted her lips for him when she felt his tongue pressing for entrance. He deepened the kiss stroking his tongue in against hers and pulling her up tight against him. He felt her hands land on his waist then burrow in under his shirt to land in a sticky mess against his stomach. She seemed to like that because she smiled against his mouth and moaned softly in the back of her throat. Mason took one hand from her waist and placed it on her neck keeping her still as he licked her bottom lip then slid his tongue right back inside to rub against hers again. She pushed her hips in closer to him and he almost lost it when she started to suck on his tongue. Finally he pulled away breathing hard and looked down at her. She smelt like vanilla and tasted like peaches and she’d been one hell of a dessert.

Smiling at him she removed her hands and whispered softly, “Well. Now that the awkward part is out of the way.” and just like that Mason knew he’d be going back for seconds.

Lena watched him carefully as he licked his bottom lip. Holy shit, that’d been worth the wait. She’d never had a first kiss that had been so hot she felt like she’d melted from the inside out. He still had his hands around her and she could feel him pressed against her from the waist down, and he was all kinds of hard. All she wanted to do was grind against him and ease the ache between her legs, but she held still waiting for a sign from him. She got it when he moved back. Just when she was about to combust from frustration he took her sticky hand and tugged her over to the sink. He turned the tap on silently and reached for the hose attached to the faucet.

“Put your hands in the sink doctor. I’ll wash them for you.”

His voice sounded like it’d been scraped against sandpaper and his eyes were dark as he watched her move over to place her hands in the sink. When the cool water hit her Lena flinched and looked up at him. The spray had hit off her hands and splashed onto his shirt plastering the material too his stomach. Her eyes raised to meet his when she noticed he’d turned the water off. He still held the hose in one hand and she noticed a mischievous grin tugging on his mouth.

“What?” she asked quickly before she lost her nerve.

“You look so fucking sexy right now. Your hair is half falling out, your lips are swollen and your blouse is all creased and you have peach juice dripping down your neck.”

Lena leaned her right hip against the sink and looked him over. “You look pretty good yourself.”

He raised an eyebrow and asked softly, “Just good huh? I must be losing my touch.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. You were supposed to be so blown away by my kiss you thought I was the sexiest thing you’ve ever seen.”

Smiling at him now with a huge grin, that was starting to feel natural, she tried for her serious face, and knew she failed. “Nope that would require something else entirely.”

Mason dropped the hose now with a loud clunk and took a step toward her. She looked down at his sticky hands. “Mine are clean, yours are still sticky.”

He held them up and she reached out then surprised them both by taking one and sucking a finger deep into her mouth, mimicking his actions from earlier. He groaned low and shut his eyes. She flicked her gaze up to him to see him run his tongue along his lip.

“If you don’t stop. I can’t promise I will.”

She dragged her mouth off the top of his finger with a loud pop then grinned, “Who asked you too?”

Groaning he shut his eyes then asked again. “You said I was missing a requirement.”

Lena blinked seeming to refocus and looked him over. “Yeah, to be the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen you’d need to loose the shirt.”

He looked shocked for a moment then grinned wide, “Are you trying to get me naked doctor?”

Lena shook her head, “How else will you get the peach juice off your stomach?”

He stepped back from her then before she knew it whipped it off over his head. She stood glued to the spot as he tossed it on the floor. There, not two feet away from her, was the most amazing body she’d seen. It was tight and ripped from his shoulders to his arms down to his chiseled abdomen, and Lena could see the juice glistening there and wanted to drag her tongue all over it. Instead, through sheer determination, she raised her eyes to meet his as he said softly.

“Now how on earth are you going to get the juice off your neck Dr O’Donnell?”

He didn’t know what he’d expected but when she reached down and pulled her shirt out of her skirts waist, to lift it over her head, his heart nearly stopped. He knew all the blood from every part of his body was now in his cock and it was pressing so hard against his pants he was surprised it hadn’t burst free. Here was prickly, Dr Magdalena fucking O’Donnell, standing in his kitchen in a black tight as shit skirt, red fuck me heels, a red lace bra that offered her breasts up to him like the ripe peaches he’d just squeezed all over her, and she’d just tossed her shirt on the floor.

She took a step over the discarded tops and stopped when she was an inch away from him. “This is as far as you get tonight Langley.” she tilted her head up and raised her brow, “Is this second base?”

“Who gives a shit? It’s fucking heaven.” with that he raised his hand and traced a finger down the cleavage he’d been looking at all night. She started to breathe a little deeper so he bent down and followed the same trail with his tongue.

“Shit.” he heard her whisper as he licked his way up and over to her neck tasting the peach still on her. She placed her hands on his naked chest digging her little nails into him and he groaned at the contact. Reaching behind her with one arm he tugged her forward rubbing himself up hard against her trying to ease his own ache. She groaned and leaned up on tiptoes rubbing those amazing fucking breasts against his chest in a sweet brand of torture.

Slowly he pulled back from her a little, “Well are you ready for me to get you wet?”

She grinned leaned in and whispered, “Don’t you mean a little more wet.”

And with that hot as hell comment, he knew he’d met his match.