Page 16 of Mason: His to Convince

“Don't,” he told her harshly, grasping her shoulders and giving her a small shake. “There is nothing funny about this. I could take you right here. Strip you down in broad daylight and make you cry out loud enough to bring the neighbors running, but I won't, damn you.”

Running his hand through his hair he continued, tension making his voice harsh.

“We seem to be at an impasse here Rebecca. You won't marry me and I won't make love to you unless you do. I thought I could bring you around by showing you what we could have together, but I find I'm not the man I thought I was because I came damn close to giving in to you. I won't be used Rebecca. You call me old-fashioned. I won't deny it, but I can't have the kind of love affair you seem to want. I want a wife, a family, and if you’re not interested in the same things you can damn well keep your hot little body away from me.”

Bodily he lifted her from his lap and almost thrust her into the passenger seat. Determination set his jaw and he glared at her as if daring her to argue with him.

Rebecca was hurt enough to do just that. When he said the word marriage, her heart had accelerated, but as he continued that feeling was rapidly replaced by sheer fury. He made her sound like some…wanton tramp who was so hot for a man she couldn't keep her hands off him. Well so be it. If that's how he saw her she wouldn't disappoint him.

“Mason darling,” she cooed, getting to her knees on the seat and leaning toward him, lips pouting.

“Don't get so worked up, Sugar,” she went on, using her sexiest voice in what she hoped was a convincing manner. Running her fingers through her hair she tousled it, arching her back to thrust her breasts out temptingly. Appearing to stretch lazily she thrust her hands behind her back, one grasping the door handle.

“I know you’re saving yourself for marriage, and I wouldn't dream of taking advantage of such a virtuous man,” she drawled.

Mason’s mouth fell open.

“Especially when there are so many ah...shall we say more modern men available?”

His mouth snapped shut. Then his restraint snapped. “You little witch,” he ground out, lunging across the small space that separated them.

Rebecca was ready for him. Laughing now that she had gotten even she was out the door and running for the house before his hands could touch her.

Mason got out of the car and started toward her when a large snowball landed smack in the middle of his chest.

“That should help you cool down,” she shouted to him before she slammed the door, “and I always aim to please.” It had certainly pleased her.

* * *

Mason let himself into the entryway at Maggie's, took off his snow covered boots and shook his coat before hanging it up.

“Maggie,” he called, padding across the thick carpet into the living room.

“In the kitchen,” she called back.

Eight year old Todd was at the dining room table making a dinosaur out of clay and ruffling his hair, Mason stopped to admire his creation. Walking through the swinging door he watched appreciatively as Maggie bent over to remove a cookie sheet from the oven.

The jeans she was wearing accentuated her slim waist and nicely rounded bottom. Her long auburn hair was tied back with a black ribbon making her look much younger than her 34 years.

Turning at just the right moment she caught his look and grinned cheekily.

“Don't even think about it,” she laughed. “You'd be bored in a month. Didn't anyone ever tell you not to look at a woman like that unless you're prepared to change diapers and mow lawns? Cookie?” she offered, noting his embarrassment and enjoying it.

“Sorry Maggie,” he told her sheepishly, reaching for a golden chocolate chip cookie. “I guess I'm not myself today.”

“Problems?”

“Nothing I can't handle,” he responded while munching.

Maggie laughed. “Ah, I sense male arrogance rearing its ugly head. You of all people should know I don't buy that.”

“Meaning?” he asked, pulling out a stool at the breakfast bar and sitting down.

“Meaning I've known you for a long time and the look on your face is downright screaming frustration, which translates to 'Rebecca’.”

Amazed at her perception Mason watched as she fixed two cups of coffee and sat one in front of him. Leaning against the counter she waited.

“She's driving me crazy. I don't know how much longer I can go on like this,” he finally confessed, getting off the stool and pacing the kitchen. “It isn't as though I wanted to fall in love with her. Christ, I've been avoiding a serious relationship for years,” he sighed. “Maybe it’s karma, me falling in love with the one woman who’s more repulsed by marriage than I ever was.”