Page 24 of Mason: His to Convince

“Not for me thanks. I've had a long day and I'm driving, but I'd be glad to put on a pot if you want.”

Nick took the plate she was scraping out of her hands. “I'll do that,” he told her. “It's the least I can do to thank you for that great meal. The only cooking I get is my own and I hate to admit it but microwave dinners are about the tastiest dish I can prepare.”

Rebecca laughed. “It takes a brave man to admit that,” she told him, wiping off the counters while he started the dishes. “In this day and age you're supposed to be not only self-sufficient, but loving it.”

“Yeah well, there are certain things a man still needs a woman for and at this point in my life, cooking is right up there in the top three.”

“I'm afraid to ask what the other two are,” Rebecca teased, leaning against the counter, sipping the last of her wine. Her lovely head was tilted to the side, golden hair spilling over her breast. Her green eyes were sparkling with suppressed laughter and the dress she wore was temptation itself.

Nick cleared his throat. He almost answered her truthfully before forcing himself to remember that regardless of whateither of them might insist at this moment, she belonged to his brother.

“Why to wash my car and take my suits to the cleaners,” he told her turning back to the sink, apparently completely serious. “Not to mention I hate cleaning the oven.”

“Now I know why you're still single,” she laughed, pulling away from the counter and dangling her glass in front of him.

Taking it out of her hand, Nick proceeded to wash it and the rest of the dishes, grumbling something about women never being satisfied.

By the time the kitchen was in order, Rebecca had packed up all her paraphernalia. Despite their easy banter there was a deep sadness in her eyes when she kissed him on the cheek.

“Thanks, Nick,” she told him softly.

“My pleasure honey,” he responded, giving her a warm hug.

Nick walked her to her car; made sure she was safely locked in, and told her to give a call when she got home. Then he returned to the apartment. He had a few well-chosen words for his stubborn brother.

“You acted like a jerk,” he stated, shoving open the bedroom door and striding into the room. Mason was lying on the bed, hands behind his head, eyes fixed on the ceiling.

“I know.”

“A jealous, insensitive, jerk.”

“I know.”

“What the hell were you thinking of? I’m your brother for Christ's sake.”

“I know.”

“The least you could have done was come out and apologize.”

“I know.”

“Is that all you can say?” Nick demanded his hands on his hips, clearly pissed.

Mason sat up and ran his hands through his hair.

“I admit I was wrong, overreacted, but at the time it seemed that there was no other reasonable explanation. I'm in love with her,” he continued, as if that explained everything and getting to his feet he began to pace.

Nick stood stock still, watching the anguish on Mason's face, torn between sympathy and that good swift kick. He'd been in love once, so much in love that he'd been blinded to deception, but this was not the case here. Rebecca had truly been innocent of any wrong doing.

“Well, what are you going to do about it?” Nick asked.

“I don't know.”

Nick swore softly.

“You'd damn well better find out.”

“Nick, you don't know what that little hellion has put me through,” Mason ground out. “I can't begin to figure her out and I don't have a clue how to handle her.”