Exquisite

Chapter Nineteen

“A picnic?”

Lena asked as she stood in her kitchen the next morning in Mason’s black work shirt. He, on the other hand, was sitting at her kitchen table in his boxers, only his boxers.

“Yeah you know, the activity where you take some food and a blanket, find a nice grass spot in a park, sit down and stuff your face.”

She lifted her mug of coffee and took a sip. “I know what a picnic is Langley.”

“Well you’re the one who asked as though it were a question.”

“No. I was actually trying to ascertain whether you were serious or not.”

He arched a brow then crossed his arms over his chest. Lena couldn’t help it, her eyes dropped to his biceps as he answered.

“Oh course I’m serious. Why wouldn’t I be? A picnic is one of the most relaxing things you can do.” he paused then sat up, leaning the arms she was currently drooling over, on the table. “You have gone on a picnic before, haven’t you?”

Placing the coffee on the counter she reached behind herself and hitched up and onto it. She crossed her legs and took immense satisfaction in watching his eyes travel down them. Reaching over to grab the coffee, she picked it back up and took another sip.

“Yes I’ve been on a picnic.”

He grinned, “Oh yeah? When?”

“Ahh.” she said pretending to think about it, “When I was about four.”

“What? Wow Lena, that’s a crying shame.”

Sighing she shook her head. “No you know what’s a crying shame?”

“What’s that?”

Running her eyes over him she said over the rim of her coffee mug. “That you’re all the way over there.”

Chuckling he leaned back slowly splaying his thighs apart and giving her an awesome view of all that was naked and divine.

“Are you trying to get me to come closer Lena?”

“If you need me to spell it out, then y-e-s.”

He stood and walked over to her placing his hands on either side of her hips, then leaned in and kissed the tip of her nose. “You look really good in my work shirt.”

Putting the mug down she wrapped her arms around his neck then moved in to whisper against his mouth, “Maybe I should get a job there?”

“Yeah? I’ll put in a good word with the boss.”

“Really? Do you think it’ll help?”

Leaning back with her arms still wrapped around him she smiled. “I heard he’s a bit of a ladies man. Think I could try my hand at you know?”

Arching a brow he shook his head with a frown, “Whatever do you mean Miss O’Donnell? Are you implying that you could maybe, sleep your way to the top?”

Before she even realized she did it, Lena giggled. Even Mason seemed shocked because his mouth curved up into the most delighted smile she’d ever seen. His dimples came out and winked at her and she couldn’t help but lean in and kiss them, flicking each one with her tongue quickly, then sitting back.

“You make me happy.” she whispered unexpectedly.

Expecting him to come back with some oversized ego promoting comment she was humbled to hear him admit. “I’m glad.”

Two hours later Mason was walking across the street with Lena and had her hand firmly clasped in his. There was a beautiful park across from her home and it ran around a lake, which made it the perfect spot for a picnic. He’d quickly run home to change into some black running shorts and a Cubs hoodie then he’d made a quick run to the grocery store picking up some deli sandwiches and a cheap bottle of white wine. When he arrived and knocked on her door she’d greeted him with a kiss and a smile and now they were walking down a grassy path and around a small playground. Today she’d tied her hair up in a loose ponytail and had thrown on some grey sweats and a purple hoodie. All in all, she looked the most relaxed he’d ever seen her. Well other than last night. She turned to smile up at him and he felt his heart clench and tried to remind himself to slow the hell down. He was barreling along in this relationship, pushing not only his limits but hers as well and he had a feeling if he didn’t slow down and watch for signals he would push just a little too far and she’d disappear. However, right now in this moment, he was going to soak in her pleasure and try very hard to give her the best damn day of her life.

“How about here?” he suggested stopping under a huge oak tree.

“Looks good to me.”

“Good. Now help me spread the blanket.”

Taking one edge from him she smiled. “Bossy one aren’t you Langley?”

“Well of course. How else do you think I’d be able to run my place like a well oiled machine?”

She crouched down pulling the edge taught then crawling onto the blanket to sit on one corner. He put down the plastic bag that held the food then walked around the blanket, kicked his shoes off and crouched down beside her.

“Geez Langley, the blankets huge. Do you need to be on top of me?”

His eyes twinkled with mischief as he grinned and kissed her quickly, “Well I would get on top of you but there’s kids around. Behave yourself Lena.”

He sat back reaching for the bag. She playfully slugged him in the arm. “Ha, ha.”

Looking back over at her he winked, “Plus the whole point of a picnic date is to sit or lie down with the person you bring and make out a little.”

Laughing she smiled, “Is that right? Here I was thinking it was all about eating out in the fresh air and enjoying the weather.”

“Well yeah there’s that too, but why not enjoy the food and the weather and the making out?”

“Let’s start with the eating. I’m starving.”

“That’s because you had a hard workout last night.”

Watching her he noticed a slight flush creep over her cheeks. “Or just something hard?” she whispered.

“Oh look at you flirting with me! And dirty flirting. I like you Lena O’Donnell.”

She took the sandwich he passed her then started unwrapping it. “Well thank God for that, all things considered.”

He looked closely at her when he asked, “So have you liked everyone you’ve been with?”

Her eyes came up to meet his and she raised a quick brow. “Have you?”

Taking a bite of his sandwich he nodded, “Yeah pretty much. I’m not a guy to dislike quickly. As you know I’m pretty much easy going.”

“Except with me?”

Nodding he chewed, “Yes, except with you.”

He watched her take a bite and chew quietly then she looked at the bag. “Any drinks in there?”

He pulled out the wine and she started laughing.

“What?”

Giggling she looked up at him, “I just can’t believe, Mason Langley, Executive Chef and owner of the hottest dining experience of Chicago, is about to serve me a $4.00 bottle of wine.”

“I’ll have you know that out of all the fine wines to choose from in the grocery store this one happened to be the finest.”

Nodding she grinned, “I’m sure it’ll be amazing.”

Uncorking it he poured her cup and passed it over. She took it looking at the paper cup.

“Not a word.” he said softly.

She tipped the wine up to her lips taking a sip, he watched her swallow, then around a second later she pulled a face that had him laughing so hard he almost fell backwards.

“That bad?”

“Awful Langley, truly awful. Do not drink that it will horrify your mouth.”

Chuckling he replied, “Of course. Why do you think I gave you the first cup?”

Lena felt herself grinning like a fool. After she’d swallowed the wine, and almost spat it out, she’d watched him cork it up and throw it off to the edge of the blanket. He scooted back until he was leaning against the tree, then patted his lap.

“Come here. Lay your head down Lena, relax with me.”

Crawling across the blanket she followed his steady gaze. When she reached him she leaned in and pressed a kiss against his mouth. He slowly parted his lips but instead of deepening the kiss she nipped his mouth gently then pulled back to lay down flipping onto her back and resting her head against his thigh. Looking up at the green leaves above her she felt the sun warming her face then smiled closing her eyes.

“This was a good idea.”

She felt his hand come up and tug gently on her hair tie. Lifting a little she pulled it free and felt him spread her hair out so he could run his hands over it. “It was. You need to relax.”

“What about you, don’t you need it too? Your life is pretty stressful.”

“Yeah I guess it is, but I’m good at letting it go.”

“Oh and I’m not?”

He looked down at her. “You’re tense right now.” he stressed to her. Frowning at him as he reached out to trace the line between her eyes.

“Stop frowning Lena, you’ll get wrinkles. Lean on me and relax.”

“Okay then. So Langley, can I ask you something without you getting mad at me?”

She felt him laugh, “You’re the only person who’d ever say that to me.”

“Really?”

“Yep, guess you’re the only woman I’ve got mad at.”

Thinking about that she stated, “I don’t think that’s exactly a good thing in my favor.”

He ran a hand over her hair. “Actually it is. My dad once told me, the day I meet someone who drives me so crazy I want to strangle her and yet never would because I can’t bare her to be gone, that’s when I know I’ve met a woman worth keeping.”

Feeling her heart kick up a little at his words she tilted her face and saw him looking down at her with those blue eyes.

“What was your question?” he asked her softly.

“Oh um, well I wanted to ask if you really had, you know? Dated thirty something women this year?”

Chuckling her grinned at her with a bright white smile. “Ahh, the famous number that Google supplied you with.”

Blushing she found she couldn’t hold his gaze and looked away. He didn’t let her get away with that though because he cupped her chin then tilted her head back. “To answer your question, no Lena.” pausing he traced her jaw with a finger, “I’m not going to lie. There’ve been a lot of women, but not that many. Damn, I’d be really tired if that were the case. Not even I have that much stamina.”

Lena found herself grinning, “Oh I don’t know about that.”

He shook his head, “No, trust me I don’t. However, that doesn’t mean that I slept with all those women either. There’ve only been a handful I’ve gone home with.”

“Or taken home?”

“No. I don’t take women home.”

“You took me.”

He leaned down and kissed her cheek gently. “When are you going to realize how special you are to me?”

Not wanting to tackle that comment right now she asked. “Is Trisha one of those women?”

She felt his hand stop and watched his mouth tighten a little. “Yes she is and just so we aren’t confused and you aren’t too scared to ask. She was one of the ones I went home with.”

Frowning and pouting a little Lena grumbled, “Or slipped into the back with.”

She felt his legs tighten beneath her and she sat up figuring his legs must be getting sore.

“Are you jealous?”

Her eyes went to his and she snapped out, “No. Of course not!”

She watched him as he shifted and moved so he was kneeling in front of her. He reached out with both hands and tangled them in her hair gently pulling her up close to him.

“I think I have a problem doctor because I kind of like you jealous. You see, for some reason you get mean and for some reason that turns me on.”

Narrowing her eyes at him she gritted her teeth. “Well I’m not turned on at all.”

Tugging her even closer to him he kneeled up so he was taller than her and she was forced to look up at him. “Are you sure?”

Licking her lips she nodded. “Positive.”

He bent down and ran a tongue up her cheek from jaw to cheek and she squealed at the wet sensation. “What are you doing! Licking me?”

Whispering in her ear he said softly, “I’m trying to turn you on.”

“By licking me?” she demanded feeling her breathing get deeper. He nibbled her ear then swiped the lobe with that naughty tongue. “Yes. You taste salty.”

“Wonderful.” she said with as much sarcasm as she could muster.

“Yes it is. I bet you’re salty in other places too aren’t you Lena.”

Gripping her hair tighter he looked down at her with a sexy as hell grin then added to that provocative statement, “Sweet and salty.”

Then he leaned down and she forgot what they’d been talking about as he kissed the jealousy right out of her.

Mason knew she was trying really hard not to give in to him, and she was doing really well until he took one of his hands from her hair and dragged it down along her back to grab her ass. She sighed, finally relaxing into him. Her lips parted and he slipped inside. He gentled his grip on her hair and groaned softly into her mouth as her tongue tangled with his. After a moment he pulled back opening his eyes and looking down at her.

“Come down here and lay next to me.”

He let her go and stretched out on the soft blanket on his side. Not knowing if she would do as he asked or get up and leave, he was happy when she slowly moved to mirror him resting her head in the crook of her elbow. They were a of couple inches away from one another and he kept his hands to himself as he let his eyes roam over her. The sun was peaking through the leaves and shining down onto the side of her face and he thought she’d never looked more beautiful.

“Don’t think this means you won.” she pouted.

He felt his grin spread. “I’ll note it down somewhere. But I’m happy you didn’t storm off somewhere.”

Her mouth opened as though she was going to dispute him then she shut it silently.

“You look cute when you’re jealous.”

“There’s that word again. What makes you think I’m jealous Langley? Maybe I’m horrified you let someone with her kind of intellect touch you.”

He let out a quick burst of laughter, “Oh boy! Now your lobbing grenades at someone unable to defend themselves.” he paused then questioned, “Is that a compliment or insult to me?”

Her mouth kicked up in a grin and he watched a twinkle light her eyes. “That’s your job to figure out. Either way Miss Redhead, does she ahh come around often?”

“Oh yeah she came..”

“Langley.” she warned with narrowed eyes.

“Alright alright, to answer you, no. I hadn’t seen her for around two months when she came in that night.”

“Oh.”

“Don’t say it like that. I don’t plan to go and see her either. Lena when are you going to open your eyes?”

“My eyes are open.” she snapped at him.

Shaking his head he reached over the space between them and took the hand laying on her hip. He brought it up and placed her palm on his heart.

“Stop fighting me so hard would you? I’ve be consumed by you since the moment you yelled at me in your waiting room. All I want is to be with you.”

Blinking she bit her lip. “I know that.” she paused, “Logically I know that, you’ve proven it over and over. I’m just so use to living in survival mode.”

Watching her closely he reached above her head to where her bent arm rested. He took her fingers in his and entwined them. “Tell me what I can do to convince you Lena.”

Shaking her head those big green eyes watched him. “I don’t know. I just know for the last nine years I haven’t let anyone in. I haven’t wanted anyone close.”

“Why?” he asked softly. “Tell me, let me know what I’m up against.”

Closing her eyes she gripped his hand hard.

“Me.” she blew out a breath and he felt it on his face and lips then her eyes opened and focused sadly on his. “My guilt. My fear.”

Scooting his body closer on the blanket until there was only an inch between their bodies he reached over and placed his free hand on her hip, they mirrored one another and his eyes were lined up with hers. He wasn’t letting her get away from him and he wanted to understand what she meant.

“What do you mean your guilt Lena? You didn’t do anything. Your walking around with all this self imposed guilt you don’t even deserve.” he paused and asked softly, “Did you pull out before the light turned green?”

Her eyes widened and she sucked in a breath. Finally she shook it and whispered, “No it was green and it was later determined that it had been green. The other car ran the red.”

“Then why do you beat yourself up?” he demanded quietly. “It wasn’t your fault. It was a horrible accident that happened in the blink of an eye and you lost Carly tragically but Lena listen to me. It wasn’t your fault.”

He traced an open palm up her arm and cupped her cheek. “Baby you need to let these old ghosts go. They’re making you old before your time and you’re going to end up being left behind.”

Lena felt her eyes well up and a tear escape. She bit her bottom lip trying to hold it together. “I know all of that. I’ve been telling myself for years there was nothing I could’ve done, but I replay that night in my head over and over and all I can come up with is that I wish it’d been me and not her.”

He cupped her cheek and brushed a thumb over it. “Oh Lena, don’t ever think that. Number one if that had happened, you wouldn’t be here to help all the hundreds or maybe even thousands of children you have over your career.” he paused then smiled, “Like that young boy you told me about, what’s his name? Robbie?”

Sniffling Lena nodded, “Yeah.”

“And secondly I’m pretty damn thrilled you’re here. Let me be what you need.”

“I’m scared.” she confessed.

“Of what?”

Looking down she took a deep breath and admitted, “Letting you in then losing you.”

“Lena, look at me.”

She raised her eyes to his blue gaze and they were full of understanding and compassion.

“I’m not going anywhere unless you make me or someone up there,” he paused raising his eyes skyward, “Makes me. But you can’t go through life not letting anyone in on the off chance they’ll die, or else you’ll die of a lonely heart.”

Lena sat up and swiped at her eyes. He followed sitting cross legged opposite her. He reached out and took her hands in his.

“I’m going to say this once and then we’re going to go home and I’m going to take you to bed and show you how much nicer it is to feel and be with someone than to be numb and alone.” He paused leaning over to lay his lips on hers, “It’s time to feel again. Let me save you from yourself. You were drowning when I found you, but I’m not letting you go not without a fight.” He kissed her sweetly and moved back standing up and over her. Lena looked up at his out stretched hand.

“Take my hand Lena.” He offered and she knew he meant it in a way that went far beyond offering to help her stand.