Ella Frank - Exquisite

Predictably Mason woke with a hangover. The sun was once again shining through his window and hitting him right in the eye. Grumbling to himself, he rolled over vowing to get some kind of curtain to hang over the wide windows. He froze when he noticed the pillow beside him was indented but empty. Suddenly the night before came back to him with startling clarity. He sat up quickly, wincing as his head protested against the sudden movement. His eyes narrowed against the bright light and he looked around his bedroom franticly. Nothing, there was absolutely no sign she’d ever been there. Had he imagined the whole thing? He moved to the edge of the bed where she’d dropped her top and skirt and looked for visual evidence that he wasn’t going crazy. Nothing. Sitting up and resting his back against the headboard he ran a hand over his face and blew out a deep breath. Shit, maybe he should stop drinking if he was going to come up with life like fantasies in his head. It had seemed so real though, and when he looked down at the pillow beside him there was an impression that looked as though someone had slept there, but the house was silent. There wasn’t a single sound and he was sitting dead still straining to hear everything.

Shaking his head he reached down and grabbed a pair of shorts he must’ve thrown to the floor at some point. He pulled them on and stood scratching his stomach and running a hand up through his hair. He moved over to the window and watched as a woman crossed the street in running pants and a shirt and started a jog into the park. How long had it been since he’d gone for a run? Actually he couldn’t even remember the last time. Sighing he turned and walked over to the closet looking for his running shoes. Grabbing them he made his way through to the bathroom and turned the tap on splashing his face with cold water. Sure, his head was hurting but maybe a run would clear it. He needed to do something to clear his mind after last night. Bending down he put his shoes on and went out to grab a shirt. Shrugging into it he made his way around the partition and into his living room.

Walking into the kitchen he stopped cold and blinked at what was on his counter. He knew he hadn’t left it there. Moving closer he looked down at the bench and sitting right in the center of it was the ripest peach he’d ever seen. Picking it up he noticed it was sitting on a small note that read, Look after yourself Langley, eat some fruit. Doctors orders. He couldn’t help the grin that slid onto his face when he realized last night hadn’t been a fantasy, but in fact reality.

It was 3pm and Lena had just sat down at her desk when she noticed her phone’s message light was blinking. She blew out a breath and felt her hair flop back over an ear. She hadn’t planned to sneak out of Mason’s place this morning like some kind of thief in the night, or in this case the morning, but he’d been sleeping so peacefully she didn’t have the heart to wake him. When she’d left she had made it down the street and it was right as she was passing by the corner store she spotted the fruit. Automatically she’d snatched it up hoping he was still sleeping and begged the doorman to let her in, lying that she’d left her phone and didn’t want to wake him. In the end the plan had been genius. Picking up the phone she went through numerous messages and froze when she heard his voice come over the line.

“Lena? Thanks, you’re a real peach.”

That was it? Nothing else? No, hey about last night thanks for staying with me. I agree with everything you said . Just, you’re a friggin peach? Glaring at the phone she debated the benefits of picking it up and hurling it across the room. Clenching her jaw she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Okay so she hadn’t expected him to just wake up this morning and think, oh I’m an idiot and want her back , and then call her. Sighing she sat back and admitted, she had hoped for it though. Glancing at the clock she stood and made her way down the hall and took the elevator to Shelly’s floor. When she got to her friend’s office she tapped on the door and was shocked to see a dark haired man sitting in the chair opposite Shelly.

“Oh I’m sorry for interrupting.”

Shelly’s eyes came up to hers and they looked mad. “You’re not. Paul here was just about to leave.”

Presumably, Paul the lawyer, stood and nodded once more at Shelly then turned and brushed past Lena, without so much of a hello. Lena bit her bottom lip then moved inside closing the door behind her. “What was that all about?”

Shelly let out a deep breath. ‘That was me kicking Paul to the curb.”

Wincing at her friend she took the vacated seat. “Sorry?”

“Nah, don’t be. It wasn’t working out anyway.”

“That’s because you’re too picky.”

“Oh and you’re not?” She asked raising an eyebrow. “The first guy you date in nine years was a local celebrity, not to mention you haven’t dated since.”

Waving her hand at her friend Lena said softly, “Yeah, yeah whatever. Want to talk about it?”

“Nope. But you want to talk about something, so spill.” Then she asked as though she realized she’d forgotten. “How did last night end?”

Lena shrugged, “I don’t know, that’s the thing.”

“What do you mean you don’t know?”

Lena raised a hand and scratched her temple, “Well I stayed the night with him.”

She watched as her friend’s mouth fell open, “But I thought the rule was,”

“No, no. I didn’t sleep with him.” she paused, “Well I slept with him but we didn’t have sex.”

Shelly’s eyes widened, “Okay we need to take a moment here.”

Lena stopped and tilted her head, “Why?”

“Because I want to know how on earth you climbed into a bed with Mason Casanova Langley,”

“Naked.” Lena added into the mix with a grin, enjoying her friend’s amazed and baffled look.

“Naked? Oh my god Lena. I want to know how you got into a bed, naked no less with Mr Hotness and kept your hands to yourself!” she stopped then asked quickly, “Or were they tied up?”

“No!” Lena responded laughing and shaking her head. “I just wanted to hold him.”

Shelly looked flabbergasted. She rolled her eyes and slumped back on her chair. “You wanted to hold him?” she demanded incredulously. “I’m trying everything in my power to get the man who just left here to pound me into a wall and you just want your naked man to hold you?” Closing her eyes and shaking her head she then opened them and focused on Lena, “You do know I hate you right?”

Grinning Lena nodded and asked, “But this morning he’s being weird.”

“What do you mean weird? He was pissed last night and then you didn’t put out, he’s probably even more pissed.”

“Screw you.” Lena muttered.

“At this stage I may say yes, so keep your offers to yourself unless you mean it.”

Sticking her tongue out at her friend Lena shrugged. “I bought him a peach.”

Shelly grinned slowly nodding, “A little tit for tat huh?”

Lena would have agreed but for the annoying message he’d left her. “Well yeah, it was supposed to be fun, sexy. Remind him of the night he invited me over with a peach and it ended in juicy kisses.” knowing she was extremely close to whining she stopped talking.

“So? What happened?”

Letting out a sigh Lena mumbled, “He left me a message telling me, thanks Lena you’re a real peach .”

There was dead silence then Shelly burst out laughing. Lena’s eyes moved to her friend and she glared at her so hard she almost felt her eye begin to twitch.

“Well I’m so glad you find it funny.”