Not What She Seems (19 page)

“And where are you two going again?” he asked her for what felt like the fiftieth time.

“I told you, dinner. He wouldn’t say where but he text me this morning that it would be ‘dressy’ casual. It’ll be fine,” she reassured him, giving him a quick kiss. “He’s picking me up, so it’s not even like I’ll ever be alone.”

Keith sulked while she
prepared for her date. She tried on outfit after outfit in an attempt to find just the right look for the evening. Finally she settled on a red wool A line skirt that hung just above her knees, and a crisp looking white button up blouse. She threw on a pair of tall, supple calfskin boots and flat ironed her hair. Some simple gold jewelry and minimal makeup finished the look.

“Does this Innocent even know how lucky he is?” Keith asked as her
as he looked her up and down, when she came back out into the living room.

Sylvia grinned. “I sure hope so, we’ll see.”

“He’s a fool if he makes you chase him much longer. Any other man in his right mind would be jumping through hoops, trying to get you to bed, and this moron’s busy playing romantic but not making any moves.”

Mason
was a good man, and she bristled defensively at the insults Keith threw around about him. “You don’t even know him. He’s not a fool, or a moron.”

“Hey now, what’s this? Are you starting to get feelings
for Mr. Pure-and-Virginal?” He tried to play the question off as a joke but it was too late. She had already seen the dark look that had come over his face when she defended Mason.

“Green’s an ugly color on you, Karl,” she snapped as she transferred items into the purse she had chosen for her date.

He stared at her silently, anger and hurt clear on his face.

“I’m
sorry, just don’t insult him like that, okay?  It’s not his fault he’s in the middle of this stupid Challenge, whether he knows it or not. He seems like a decent man and it’s too bad there aren’t more like him out there.”

Keith scowled at her witho
ut replying and she worried that he didn’t have as good a hold on his jealousy as he wanted her to believe. A glance at the clock on the wall proved there was no time left to mull it over, Mason would be arriving to pick her up any minute now. Without another word to Keith she hurried out the door. She had no time for his childish behavior.

As she moved through the building to the lobby Sylvia tried to keep her mind on her upcoming date to push thoughts of the
Hunter aside. She felt exposed and vulnerable outside the confines of her apartment but to her relief, Mason arrived just as she stepped out of the elevator.

He
arrived right on time, in his gunmetal gray Audi R8. Sylvia’s heart raced as he casually exited the sleek car, dressed in khakis and a button down shirt. His eyes lit up as he smiled at her when she came out of her building.

“Look at you,” he exclaimed after kissing her cheek in gree
ting. “I swear you get more beautiful each time I see you, though I don’t know how that could be possible.”

Sylvia giggled as he gently took her hand and twirled her around so he cou
ld admire her properly.

“Ready?”

“Ready.”

He
opened the car door for her and settled into the driver’s seat once she was comfortably seated.

“I’ve been looking
forward to this all day,” he confessed as he pulled out into traffic.

“Me too.”
She studied him out of the corner of her eye as he drove. Her pulsed raced at the mere thought of locking lips with him again. As if he could sense her thoughts he grasped her hand in his, brought it up to his lips and kissed it softly.

Sylvia quivered inside as his lips brushed her skin. If onl
y this man moved faster. She wasn’t used to taking it slow and waiting. As frustrating as she found it, especially given what was at stake for her personally, she had to admit she found the suspense of it all thrilling. Waiting to bed a man was a new experience for her. It was a nice change from the fast, detached sexual experiences she was used to.

“So where are we going, anyway
?” she prodded.

“You’ll see when we get there,” he smirked at her playfully.

“I hate surprises,” she pouted, but the twinkle in her eyes betrayed that lie. She actually quite enjoyed surprises; she just hated the wait that led up to them.

Mason
shook his head, signaling he still refused to divulge their destination, and quickly changed the subject.

“I’m sorry I haven’t had time to call you
in the last few days. Work has been just crazy! How has your work week been going?”

“Fine, you k
now, same-old, same-old.” She didn’t know what ‘normal’ dating between humans was like, but she was willing to bet talking about psycho stalkers that wanted you dead was a no-no on the third date. “I’m glad you still had time to go out tonight despite your hectic week.”

“Are you kidding? I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I think our date tonight is the only thing that’s kept me sane these last few d
ays.”

He
signaled and turned off of Huntington Avenue into a parking garage at the Prudential Center.

“No way!
Are we going…”

“To The Top of the Hub?
Yup. How would you like that, eating on top of the Tower? Is that okay?” He was eager to make sure she was pleased with the surprise.

“It’s fantastic! I’ve never been there, but I hear it has the best views in Boston.”

“Indeed it does. You’ll see for yourself in a few minutes.”

He
parked the Audi and she waited in her seat as he came around and opened her car door for her.

Hand in hand they walked across the parking garage to the elevators. They had the elevator to themselves as they rode up to the top floor. Sylvia could contain herself no longer and before she had a chance to second guess herself
, she pulled Mason into a gentle kiss. Her bold move surprised him but he quickly returned her interest, slowly exploring her mouth with his tongue as he lightly caressed her lower back, just above her ass, while his other hand buried itself in her golden locks.

They pulled apart just as the elevator chimed to announce they had arrived on their desired floor.

“You are a bold one, aren’t you Miss Evans?” he teased softly.

“From time to time,” she
replied as she smoothed her skirt and ran her fingers through her hair.

Mason grasped her hand in his as
they exited the elevator. She was glad for his steadying touch as their kiss had left her feeling dazed from the small amount of energy she had sapped from him. It had an almost intoxicating effect on her.

The maître
d’ greeted Mason by name and swiftly led them to a private table overlooking the city and all her glorious lights.

“The best seat in the house for you tonight, sir, madam.”

Mason thanked him and watched Sylvia as she gazed out over the city, enchanted by the view before her.

“It’s beautiful.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

A bottle of the
ir best wine arrived and Mason’s eyes were on her as the wine was opened and poured. He scanned his menu briefly before setting it back down and she could feel his eyes upon her once more as she pondered her order. Everything sounded delicious and she was determined to pick the perfect item. It wasn’t often she dined in such a fine place, so she wanted to be sure to enjoy every moment of it. As soon as she settled on the braised short ribs and placed down her menu, a waiter came to take their orders.

“So,” Mason began once the waiter left their table, “Tell me about
yourself. I feel like we haven’t had much of a chance to talk, with the gallery being so busy the other night.”

“What
would you like to know?” She took a sip of her wine to try to quell the butterflies in her stomach. Their kiss in the elevator had left her wanting and made her mind wander, lost in sexual fantasies involving Mason.

“Anything.
Everything.”

“I l
ike to read, swim when the weather’s right, jog when I can, I love ‘B’ horror movies and cheesy chick flicks and Thai food. Ugh, I sound like some cheesy online dating profile, don’t I?” she chuckled, slightly embarrassed. It wasn’t often men asked her anything personal about herself and she was unsure what to tell him.

“Not
at all, not at all. I happen to be a fan of Thai food as well.” He smiled kindly at her over his wineglass. “Any family?”

“My m
other lives here in Boston as well.” Instantly she chastised herself for mentioning Lilith. Why? It’s not as though he would ever meet her. There would be no bring-the-new-man-to-Mom’s-for-Sunday-dinner in their future. “What about you?” She was eager to turn to spotlight off of herself. Talking about herself in such a personal way made her uncomfortable. It was rare anyone asked her to do so. He took another sip of wine and stared pensively at the glass before answering her. “My parents were killed in a car accident when I was only 11. My Grandfather raised my brother Jeffrey and I.”

“I’m so sorry.” She
reached across the table and placed her hand over his. She could hear the pain in his voice.

“Thank you. My Grandfather
did a wonderful job raising us, but my brother never got over my parents’ death and gave him a tough time when we were younger. They got along for a bit, but had a falling out a few years before my Grandfather’s death.”

“Do you and he get along?”

“Yes, most of the time. I wouldn’t say we’re close but we talk from time to time. We rarely get together even though we live in the same city. Enough about that.” His demeanor changed as he made it clear the topic was off the table for now. “I work a lot and haven’t much time for hobbies, but I read when I can, go to the gym religiously, and refuse to give up my Polo habit, no matter how busy work and school keep me.”

“Polo
? You play Polo? I adore horses! I used to ride when I was a girl.” Centuries ago, she had spent some time working as a farmhand and had fallen in love with the beautiful creatures.

“Do you ride now?”

“No, I haven’t in years. I’d love to get back into it, but with work and all…”

Mason held up a finger as he pulled out his
iPhone. “Excuse me for just one moment, please.”

She
watched in silence as he sent out a text, waited for a reply, then sent one back again. What was he doing?

He tucked his
iPhone away and turned his attention back to Sylvia. “I normally wouldn’t be so rude as to send out a text in the middle of dinner like some kind of obnoxious teenager, but I had an idea.” He gave Sylvia a sly smile as his eyes danced mischievously. “That was Marjory Bennett I was contacting. She has a stable at her place in New Hampshire. If it’s agreeable to you, instead of just going up there for brunch on Sunday, we’re welcome to go up Saturday morning, go riding for the day, and stay over. I’d be happy to stay in the main house with the Bennetts and you could use the guest house, or I’ll stay in the guest house if you’d be more comfortable in the main house instead,” he added hastily.

Sylvia couldn’t believe her ears. “We can stay the weekend, ride her horses?” The part about sleeping in different houses didn’t sit well with her, but there was time to work on that. A romantic weekend away could be just the thing to move along her progress with him in the bedroom department.

“Yes, of course. All I had to do is ask. Marjory is like family to me. I’m welcome there anytime, and she’s quite impressed with you, which is no small feat when we’re talking about Marjory Bennett! So what do you say? Would you like to go for the weekend, go riding? If it’s too soon to spend a weekend together I’ll understand,” he said. “Please don’t feel pressured about this. I want to take you for the weekend only if you truly would like to go. It won’t hurt my feelings, or Marjory’s, if you decline. I know I’ve sprung it on you out of the blue.”

“I’d love
to, if you’re sure it’s not an imposition for you, or Marjory.”

He
pulled his iPhone out again and read Marjory’s text back to him out loud. “‘Yes, you are both welcome to stay as long as you like and take out the horses. Looking forward to seeing you both.’ Doesn’t sound like an imposition to me. You don’t know Marjory yet, but rest assured her offer is genuine. She would let me know if it would impose; she’s very straightforward. So what do you say?”

“I say yes.” It was hard not to seem to
o eager to spend a weekend away with him, but she was unable to keep all of her excitement out of her tone. The buzz of her cell phone interrupted the moment and a quick glance at the screen revealed a text from Keith.

All okay there?
You safe?

“Pardon me, I j
ust need to answer this,” she mumbled apologetically. Damn it, if only she hadn’t agreed to respond to Keith’s hovering.

All’s well, don’t interrupt again!
She sent off the text and put her phone away.

“Everything okay?”
Mason asked, picking up on the tension on her beautiful face.