Exquisite by Ella Frank Read Free Book Online

already.” then she disappeared out the door. Mason sat in silence and thought, I don't think anything about Lena is going to be easy.

Chapter Four
     
    L ena found herself once again sitting in her car at Exquisite . This time however, she knew Shelly wasn't inside to be her buffer. She ran through different scenarios she could use to leave early. Excuses. Her pager could go off, except she wasn't on call. Or maybe her dog got out, except she didn't own a dog. Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath she opened the door and stepped out into the cool air. It wasn't even the fact that it was him she was going to meet. It was the whole situation she couldn't stand. The false conversation they would have over dinner, the awkward silences, the fake interest he’d show. So she could be what? Lucky number thirty-four? Please , she thought looking around, can't something give me a plausible means of escape? When nothing immediately presented itself Lena trudged inside repeating the phrase, the sooner I arrive the sooner I can leav e.
     
    Mason was still in his office when Wendy came to the open doorway grinning. “Guess who just walked in?”
    Mason dropped the pen and leaned back stretching his long arms over his head, “I'm going to go out on a limb and guess my date.”
    “Yep.” Wendy said popping the P. “And she looks miserable.”
    “Now why do you say that like you're enjoying it?” Mason asked as he stood straightening the desk a little. Wendy leaned her shoulder against the frame and crossed a leg in front of the other. “Because I’ve never seen a date of yours turn up in a pants suit ensemble looking as though she just swallowed a lemon.” Whistling low between her lips she tacked on. “Boy she really doesn't want to go on a date with you huh?”
    Mason came around the desk and walked right up to her. “I'll have you know,” he paused watching her tilt her head, then he grinned full blown, “You’re exactly right. She's probably out there looking for the fire escape.”
    Wendy laughed and rolled her eyes, “Then why’d you ask her out?”
    Walking past her to the entrance he answered, “I have no idea.”
     
    Lena saw him the minute he stepped out from behind the huge frosted glass doors at the far end of the restaurant. She remained at the front by the hostess stand, glued to the wall,
    as he started to make his way toward her. Tonight he was dressed in the same black slacks, however he had a white buttoned down shirt over them. The sleeves were rolled up mid arm and his watch glimmered as he walked under the lights. His long legs seemed to eat up the distance and before she knew it he was sanding in front of her.
    “Ah the lovely Lena.” he said as he moved around the hostess stand.  Lena watched as two of the women who’d been sitting in the waiting area looked up at him and stopped their conversations. She couldn't believe she was standing there preparing to voluntarily eat dinner with him. What on earth had possessed her to do this again? Then he smiled down at her and his damn dimples appeared. Sneaky , she thought knowing he had just answered her question for her. Oh well, no need to be anything other than what she’d been from the start and with that self reminder Lena grimaced a little.
    “Save the charm Romeo. I don't want it and I certainly don't need it.”
    “Lena I think you're wrong there.” he paused, “If anyone could benefit from some charm it’d be you.”
    Lena watched him as he turned to the hostess, trying to decide if the smug bastard had just complimented her or insulted her. She decided it had to be a veiled insult because that’d been their weapon of choice from the very beginning. After conversing with the woman behind the stand he turned back to her and inclined his head a little.
    “Well come on through Lena and I’ll show you our table.”
    Lena heard one of the ladies behind her sigh and she rolled her eyes at the absurdity of their simpering. Mason