Spicy with a Side of Cranberry Sauce by Rachell Nichole Read Free Book Online

“She was lovely, of course. Such a doll.” James’s eyes shimmered as he talked about Mason’s mom. It was sweet the way they acted toward each other. “I know you’re worried, son. I get it; I do. But I have every intention of making your mother happy.”
    Mason didn’t know what to say to that. Except maybe that he felt the same about James’s daughter. He froze as that thought came to him. No. Not possible. He was starting to think she might actually hate him. After his actions, she had every right to. He couldn’t want to make her happy, even though he yearned to at least make her like him.
    Mom and Amy returned, saving him from having to respond to James’s comment. He handed Mom her coat and purse. She didn’t thank him, and his stomach clenched. He owed her an apology as well. But not here in front of Amy and James.
    “After you,” Mason said, stepping aside. Amy glided past him, and they all followed her out the door. Mom and James whispered behind him. Then the sound of his mother giggling filled the air. It was delightful to hear her so carefree again.
    Now he just had to figure out what to do about Amy. He couldn’t sleep with her, even though his body demanded he do just that. He didn’t do relationships. He wanted to. Honestly he did. But every time he tried, he got so tangled in what came next that he inevitably screwed things up. Short-term flings and one-nighters were his style. That way he never had to worry about being committed to one woman and destroying her the way his father had done to his mother.
    And that wouldn’t be an option with Amy.
    As they got to the parking lot, Mason turned to see Mom and James holding hands. His mother was blushing. Jeez, they were like teenagers. He stopped that idea in its tracks. No need to think about his mother like that . He had enough issues.
    * * * *
    Mason walked into the foyer just as his mother’s car pulled into the driveway. Trying to give himself enough time to get his head on straight, he hurried into the kitchen.
    He needed to calm his mind and his libido, but every movement made the silk of his boxers slide against his sensitive skin. After grabbing a beer from the fridge, he twisted it open with menace. In one gulp, he drained half of it and listened to the laughter as the other three made their way into the living room.
    Amy’s heels clacked on the wood as she and her dad walked up the front stairs to the second floor. Only two sets of footsteps. The kitchen door swung open, and his mother pinned him with a dark gaze.
    Uh-oh.
    “Mason.” The one word deflated him. His shoulders sank, and he took another swig of his beer and sat down on a bar stool at the island.
    “Yeah?” He wasn’t going to admit to anything until she laid out her issues first. She put her hands on her hips, her mouth pressed into a line.
    “It was very nice of you to dance with Amy. But I want to make it very clear to you that that girl is not going to be the next victim of your charms.” She pointed a finger at him, her nail long and painted orange.
    “I don’t have any interest in her, Mom. It was just a dance. She just seemed so sad after she left the dance floor. You’re the one who asked me to go over and be nice to her. It was a dance. That’s it.” Was he lying to his mom? God, he hoped not.
    He vowed to make it the truth. He would keep his distance from Amy, no matter how alluring she was. Mom lowered her hand. Her eyebrows drew together, as if she was trying to sense a lie. He wanted to blame her for his actions tonight, for making Amy so irresistibly beautiful. But he knew that was a pathetic excuse. Amy could have shown up in her jeans and boots, and Mason would have conducted himself in the same manner.
    “You better make sure of that. I mean it, Mason Alexander Rider. You leave that girl alone. You understand me?”
    “Yes, ma’am.” That was it. His fate was sealed. No more Amy. He would apologize and be friendly to her. Nothing