Page 10 of I Need You Tonight
Chapter 5
Nicole
I woke with a start…from a very erotic dream. Damn it. Why couldn’t I have at least stayed asleep for five more minutes? I’d just been getting to the good part—with Mason. My brother’s friend. Who by now was driving back to L.A.
I groaned, although that might’ve had more to do with the wine-induced pounding in my head than with how I’d been dreaming about screwing someone I shouldn’t.
But I guess what my brother didn’t know…
In desperate need of caffeine before walking Bernie, I scooted out of bed. At least I could start the coffee, then have a shower while I waited for my caffeine fix to perk.
When I got downstairs I was greeted by the happy scent of coffee and something that smelled delicious. Exactly what my stomach had requested.
That wasn’t the only thing that greeted me when I entered the kitchen. A pair of jean-clad legs were sticking out from under my sink. The open door obscured the body, but the bare brown feet gave the owner away.
I walked over to Mason and peered down at him. He had a wrench in his hand and was tightening or loosening something.
I crouched beside him to get a better look. “Is there a reason why you’re under my sink?”
“Your tap was dripping.”
“So you thought you’d fix it?”
“Sure, why not?”
“Are you a plumber?”
“No, but it really wasn’t all that hard.”
For him, maybe.
“I made you an omelet,” the man still under my sink said. “It’s on the table.”
“Wow, you made me breakfastandfixed my sink. Mason, how is it you’re still single?” I laughed. Then a thought leaked in. “Are you single? Or do you have a girlfriend waiting for you to get back home?”Waiting for him to make her breakfast in bed.
We’d been so busy watching the movie last night, we hadn’t bothered to talk about our lives—other than my bad luck when it came to dating.
“Yes, I’m single. I like my freedom too much to settle down.” He pushed himself out of the enclosed space, somehow managing to avoid hitting his head. “There you go. The sink’s fixed.”
I wondered if it would be too much to throw my arms around him and hug him. The dripping had been driving me nuts. But other than paying a lot of money to hire a plumber, I’d had no idea how to fix it.
Instead of hugging him, I settled on saying thanks, then walked to the table and removed the plate covering the omelet. The food looked as delicious as it smelled, with the sautéed vegetables spilling out, along with a healthy dose of cheese oozing from the edges.
“You really made this?”No, dummy! A bunch of elves whipped it up during the night while we were sleeping.I took a bite and almost died on the spot. “Mmm,” I said around a mouthful. I swallowed it down. “This is amazing.”
“Thanks!” He turned the hot water on and washed his hands. “I was just thinking how I don’t have to rush back to L.A. just yet, and there are a few things around here I could fix before I go. Like the hallway light, for one.”
I stood there stunned for a moment. “You don’t have to do that, Mason,” I finally managed.
A smile danced across his lips. “I know, but I really don’t mind. I kind of like fixing things. I’m handy that way.”
“Sure, if you really want to.” Who was I to stop a guy who wanted to make my life a little easier?
I finished the omelet and loaded the plate into the dishwasher. “My neighbor had to go to L.A. for a couple of days, and I promised her I’d walk her dog. I won’t be long.”
A lazy smile grew on Mason’s face. “I’ll help. I’ve always wanted a dog, but can’t have one because I’m on the road a lot.”
“All right.” I hoped Bernie wasn’t too upset because Beatrice was gone. The last time she’d gone away, he’d destroyed one of her sofa cushions. “I’ll just have a quick shower first.”
