Page 29 of A Little More Hope

I fully understood his logic, and in truth, I wouldn’t have wanted to sleep in Mary Ellen’s bedroom as it currently stood either. Sleeping on the couch would have been far preferable. The room had been her sanctuary. I guess Gabe felt the same way about his room, and Mason recognized that so steered clear.

Glancing around the space, I decided I’d like to do the same at my place and use the upstairs as my refuge. This was the only room on the second floor, so there’d be no reason for anyone else to ever be up here. I took a quick peek across at Mason. Well, not unless I wanted them to be.

“Let me get this filled, and you can have a relaxing soak.” He leaned over the tub and put the plug in the drain, then flicked the hot water on.

“I’m perfectly capable of running my own bath, you know.”

He turned his head and flashed me a grin. “A bath needs to be just right to ensure you get the maximum benefit.” He picked up one of the foam bath bottles and scanned the label before putting the item down and repeating the process on a few more until he found the one he wanted. He opened the cap and poured the viscous liquid into the running water, fascinating me when lots and lots of bubbles rapidly traveled the length of the bathtub, covering the entire surface.

“Someone seems to like their products,” I mused. “Is that you or Gabe?”

His embarrassed smirk gave me my answer. Mason was a bath bunny. Go figure.

“Just you wait,” he said. “Once you’ve had a long relaxing bath, you’ll be craving one every day. You’ll see.”

I scoffed at him. “You’re that sure, huh?” Instead of answering me, he waggled his eyebrows and winked, causing me to nearly melt on the spot. A playful Mason might well be my biggest weakness.

“Okay. It’s all yours.” He retrieved a thick towel from the cupboard and placed it on the wooden stool beside me. “I’ll be downstairs when you’re finished.” And with that parting remark, he left me alone, leaving the door slightly ajar on his way out.

The soak in the tub was pure bliss, though I’d never have told Mason that, as I reveled in all the rich soapy suds of the expensive bubble bath. My tired muscles gradually relaxed as the tension in my body dissipated. I’d placed the towel behind my head and leaned against the fluffy softness. Closing my eyes, I’d drifted off, allowing the hot steamy water to do its job.

I stayed in until the water cooled, then reluctantly pulled the plug and climbed out. The big fluffy towel, white of course, let me efficiently dry off. I sensed a recurring theme with the house and all its shades of black and white, and speculated whether that’s how Mason’s friend Gabe viewed his life. I felt kind of sad for him if he did.

“You gonna stay up there all night?” Mason called from the bottom of the stairs.

“No, Dad,” I shouted back. “I’ll be down shortly.” I sniggered when he grumbled an inarticulate response I couldn’t make out.

After clearing up the bathroom and rummaging through the duffel I’d brought with me, I threw on some old navy sweatpants and a faded green T-shirt, then ran my fingers through my hair and jogged down the stairs to the living area.

Mason, already seated at the breakfast bar, waited patiently for me. “I hope you like Thai,” he said, as I scoured the array of open takeout boxes spread along the countertop.

“Love it.” I joined him at the counter, my knees bumping against his as I got up on the bar stool, sending tingles of pleasure up my thigh.

I served myself a piece from each carton, as no way did I refuse the offer of free food. I’d nearly put a huge forkful of prawn Pad Thai in my mouth when I stopped midway, aware Mason was staring at me with a lopsided grin on his face. “What?”

“Nothing,” he replied. “I like people who enjoy their food.”

“I never turn down food.” I shoveled the fragrant food into my mouth, talking around my chewing. “Ever.”

He nodded and ate a few mouthfuls of his own before saying, “I had a good time today.”

“Me too.” I turned to him. “Did it feel good to get back to basics?”

“It did. I’d almost forgotten how much fun manual labor can be—” He rolled his shoulders a couple of times. “—though, I for sure don’t miss all the aches and pains.” He gave me a sly look. “Come tomorrow morning, you’ll know exactly what I mean.”

I gave him a cheesy grin. “Nah. I’m young and fit; I’ll be fine.”

He smirked. “We’ll see.”

“Did you renovate your own place?”

He shook his head. “I took one of the apartments in a building we constructed in the city.”

“You build apartment blocks too?”

He smiled indulgently. “We build everything.”

“Shit.” Hotels, apartments… I daren’t ask what else they built, I didn’t think I could take the shock. I was so far removed from his life we were in different time zones. With his handsome face, hot body, and all his money, having anyone he wanted would be so easy. Anyone. And they’d without doubt trample me into the dirt to get to him.

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