He was afraid she wouldn’t be able to keep that promise.
Chapter Sixteen
Sierra stood just as the office door opened. Mason walked in looking fine in a navy suit, white shirt, and blue-and-purple tie. The color made his hair appear even more golden, his eyes a brighter blue. He looked good and had to know it. Every woman still left in the office noticed as they tracked his progress across the entry and through the cubicles to her desk.
Mason stopped in front of her, his eyes diving down her new lilac-colored dress to her sparkly black strappy heels, then coming up to meet her gaze. “That dress is killer. You’re gorgeous.”
“I was just thinking the same thing about you.” That got her a huge smile from him. She was glad for it because things had been casual and guarded between them since she appeared in his office three days ago asking for his help with her David problem.
Mason stepped closer, the woodsy smell of him drawing her in. “I’m so glad we’re finally doing our dinner date. I love the boys, but I’ve wanted you all to myself for a while now.”
“I feel the same way. Amy has the kids. They’re having a sleepover with their cousins.”
Mason leaned in close. “Are we having a sleepover tonight, too?”
She’d thought about it all day, which meant thoughts of him distracted her from doing anything really productive. “If you play your cards right.” She was teasing, but she’d planned for this, hoping it would happen sooner rather than later.
“Well, then I’ll do my best to impress you with some good food, better wine, and charming conversation.”
“All of that sounds amazing, but really all I want to do is spend some time alone with you.” It had been so long since she’d dressed up and took the time to make herself feel pretty. Sierra couldn’t remember the last time a man paid her a compliment. It had been far too long since she’d been held. Even longer since she’d had sex.
Even more than that, she wanted to feel a man against her, inside her, and all around her. She wanted to feel needed and desired again.
The look Mason gave her went a long way to bolstering her courage and resolve that tonight they wouldn’t stop at a few hot kisses while the boys weren’t looking.
Tonight was about being a woman again, not just Danny and Oliver’s mom. She’d needed that for a long time.
Mason’s fingers brushed her face. “I lost you. What’s wrong?”
She focused on Mason, the man who’d made it clear he wanted a real relationship with her. A man who’d gone out of his way to make her and her kids feel at home with him and at his place.
“Nothing is wrong. I’m with you.” With that, she went up on tiptoe and kissed him right there in her office. The surprise she felt in him disappeared immediately and he took over the kiss, sliding his tongue along hers as his arms enfolded her and held her close.
He’d always initiated the intimacy between them. He seemed to like her taking the lead. She’d have to remember that later.
“Hi, Mason. I see my new employee is more than just a friend you wanted to help.”
Mason broke the kiss with a huge smile on his face and turned to Sierra’s boss without letting her go. “Hi, Marissa. How are you?”
“Not as good as you, judging by that big grin you’re wearing.”
Mason chuckled and loosened his embrace of Sierra, but he didn’t release her, keeping his arm banded around her waist. “Sierra and I go way back. We’ve recently reconnected.”
Marissa eyed him with a knowing look. “I see that. And I hate to admit it, but you were right about her. She’s fantastic. She’s brought in three new clients since she started. All of our clients adore her.”
Mason squeezed her to his side. “So do I.”
Sierra glanced up at him and caught her breath at the wide smile and absolute adoration in his eyes.
“Looks like you two are headed out for a nice evening together. I just wanted to say hi. Have a great night.” Marissa turned to Sierra. “I knew you had great taste when you picked out the furniture and decorations to stage the last rental property. Now I know you’ve also got excellent taste in men, and you must be something special, because I’ve asked him out at least half a dozen