The man she’d sailed and swam with today was much kinder than the Mason she was used to. She wished… She didn’t want to finish the thought, but she had scarcely any control over it. She wished she’d seen this side of him before agreeing to marry Jace. The thought was disloyal, and Stacey knew it wouldn’t have mattered, in the end. She had been so determined to do what her parents wanted, so determined to avert any scandal. It was useless thinking anyway. She was married.
So why had she agreed to have dinner with him? At least the oyster bar he mentioned was a pretty small place. Her friends would be a lot more likely to hit some of the upscale places, if any of them were even on the bay this weekend. And she knew she wouldn’t run into Jace or Justin. They’d decided to go fly fishing along the New River when one of their college buddies’ cabins became available on the spur of the moment. Jace had invited her, but Stacey hated any fishing that wasn’t on the ocean. Too many mosquitoes and too much humidity. He knew she detested it, so she wasn’t sure why he’d invited her to begin with.
Maybe to get me in a hot tub with Justin again? She shook her head, her attention lapsing enough that one of the sails flapped.
“Everything okay, honey?” Mason asked.
“Yes. Sorry.”
By the time they reached the marina, it was already after five. “You want to grab a shower and I’ll meet you in an hour?”
“That sounds good.” Stacey told him. Back on board her own vessel, she used the bathroom next to the main cabin. The boat had been an engagement gift from Jace, though she knew Seth had given him a lot of advice on finding the right fit. For any of her brothers, it would have been a cinch to sail on their own, but she didn’t have the same amount of experience they did, so she usually had someone crew. Brandon had always been a good choice when he was in town, but now he and Lucy were married, she probably couldn’t count on him being available. After all, he had his own boat. Jace sometimes came unwillingly, but she’d always found those excursions turned tense. He was slow to do anything she asked, which made trips frustrating.
Today, she’d had a blast. Mason was an excellent helmsman and equally good at crewing.
After slipping on slacks and a neatly pressed button-down shirt, she started to put her hair into a knot at the back of her head. As Stacey stared at her reflection in the mirror, she slowly let her hands drop. Running her fingers through it instead, she scooped it back off her face and simply left it loose.
When she climbed topside, Mason stood on the dock, leaning against one of the supports, his own hair tied back at the nape of his neck. He straightened. “You look great. Ready?”
“Yes.” She took the hand he held out to help her onto the dock and walked easily next to him toward the parking lot. She liked the fact they were nearly the same height, so for once she wasn’t dwarfed. Amazingly, she discovered it didn’t make her feel gangly or awkward. It made her feel safe. Brandon, Seth, Jace…and now Justin always seemed to loom over her. This was nice.
Mason handed her into his Porsche before sliding in on the driver’s side. After starting the sports car, he glanced over at her. “You’re okay with having dinner with me? I mean, it won’t be a problem, will it?”
“No.” Jace was hours away fishing. Even if he heard something, it wasn’t like it was anything scandalous. She saw Mason a lot in the course of her work. They were business associates who’d spent a friendly day together. That was it. “I have to tell you, after a day out on the water, I’m starving.”
Mason chuckled. “Me too.” He put the car in gear and pulled out of the parking lot heading into downtown Annapolis.
The restaurant was exactly as Stacey remembered it, small and dimly lit, housed in an older building with plenty of ambiance. The crowd was light, and despite her assurances that going to dinner with him was not a problem, she was relieved to see no one she knew. As promised, Mason ordered a pitcher of beer and two glasses along with a bucket of raw oysters.
He made no attempt to start a conversation until after they’d taken the edge off their hunger and thirst.
“Have you heard anything from the newlyweds?” He plunked another empty shell in the bowl on their table.
“No. They took off in Brandon’s sailboat and have been pretty much incommunicado other than quick emails from their ports of call to let us know they’re okay.”
“Lucy told me they were choosing between the sailing honeymoon or returning to Colorado.”
Stacey nodded. “I think they’re planning to go out there this winter when they can go skiing.” She shook her head. “Lucy’s got a lot more guts than me. I don’t think I could go back anywhere near where their plane crashed.”
“Lucy is an amazing woman,” Mason commented. Stacey felt a twinge of jealousy for her sister-in-law, then immediately dismissed it. He was basically affirming what she had already voiced. “But then she had a tough life where she had to learn early on to make the best choices for her.”
Stacey stiffened. She took a quick sip of her beer. “Are you implying the only way people learn how to make tough choices is by having a difficult childhood?”
Mason leaned back in his chair, his dark eyes narrowing. “I think it forces kids to grow up a whole lot faster.”
“Speaking from personal experience?” There was a bitchy tone to her voice even she could hear.
Mason finished his beer and set the mug on the table with a decided click. “Yes. I am. I’ve never tried to hide who I am or where I came from. The circumstances of my birth are not my fault, but I can take credit for who I’ve become.”
“And I can’t? Is that what you’re saying?”
He crossed his arms across his broad chest. “I think you’d have to admit your parents have had an influence on the choices you’ve made.”
“Is that so wrong?” Stacey knew she sounded defensive, but she couldn’t help it.
Mason leaned forward, tried to take her hand in his, but she jerked it away. Lips pressed together he responded, “It is when you’re forced to make choices that make you unhappy.”
He was uncomfortably close to a truth Stacey wasn’t ready to acknowledge to herself, let alone him. “There’s nothing wrong with the choices I’ve made. I have a wonderful life.”
“Why? Because you dumped me just so you could get the Winchester diamond on your finger? Was it what you wanted or simply another item on the list of things Stacey Barlow-Barrett should do?” He arched one brow at her.
Stacey took a quick sip of her beer. “And what is that supposed to mean? You arch your eyebrow. Why don’t you come right out and say what you’re thinking, Mason? I’ve never before seen you show any hesitation when it comes to speaking your mind.”
He leaned forward again and put his elbows on the table, bringing his face uncomfortably close to hers. “All right. If the choices you’ve made have led to such a wonderful life, then why is it you’re down here alone for the weekend and your husband is God only knows where?”
“He’s trout fishing. It was a last minute opportunity, and he loves fly-fishing. I couldn’t stand in the way…”
“Even though he’d already promised to come with you? It sounds to me like you’re the one making the sacrifices. You’ve had to take in his…friend. I take it Justin went with him?” She nodded. “So your groom of less than a year is off fishing with his college buddy while you’re stuck on your boat, not even able to get out because you needed Winchester to crew.”
Stacey pushed her beer away from her and fumbled for her purse. “My marriage is not open for examination, especially not by you. Jace and I have a wonderful relationship. We’re even trying to start a family.”
She had the fleeting satisfaction of seeing his face go pale beneath his tan. His lips parted as if he wanted to say something, but then he clamped them tightly together. After slapping a couple of bills on the table, Mason stood. “Let me take you back to the marina, Mrs. Winchester.”
The ride back was silent. Stacey stared out the windo
w, wanting to say something to ease the tension between them, but not knowing how to begin or even what to say. He walked her to her boat, made sure she was safely aboard and turned away. She had to do something.
“Mason?”
He stopped but didn’t turn. “What, Stacey?” There was weary impatience in those two words.
“Thank you for today. I had a wonderful time on the bay.”
He glanced at her. “I did too. I’m sure I’ll see you around.” He walked away, but she noticed instead of returning to his boat, he headed for the parking lot. He was leaving. She felt as alone as she had when she’d first arrived Friday evening.
* * * *
A family. She was going to have Winchester’s babies. Mason’s jaw clenched as he slid behind the wheel of the Porsche, barely resisting the childish desire to spin his wheels as he left the parking lot. But no. He kept his temper and headed south toward his house. He didn’t want to be anywhere near Stacey tonight. Even his boat a few slips over was too close. He’d spend the night at his house then head back to town in the morning.
After turning the Porsche into the dark drive, Mason let himself inside. He switched on the light over the stove so he could see his way around while he got a glass from the cabinet and grabbed a bottle of bourbon. When he’d splashed enough in the glass to satisfy him, he grabbed the heavy crystal and downed it in a couple of gulps. To hell with sipping, drunk was what he wanted.
He carried the bottle into the living room and flopped back on the couch. Kicking his feet out of his Sperrys, he leaned into the corner, propped his feet up and unscrewed the cap. After a couple swigs, he laid his head back and closed his eyes.
All he could see was Stacey as she’d been on the boat that day, her hair blowing in the wind, her smile and her laughter as carefree as he’d ever heard it. Most of the time, she seemed as uptight as the first time he’d seen her. But even then, Mason had felt the overwhelming tug of attraction for the cool blonde and her ice maiden beauty.
She’d stared down her nose at him with her golden eyes as if he was nothing more than a servant to do her bidding. Boy, had it pissed him off.
“If you’ll bring the items in,” she’d told him in a haughty tone, “I’ll be able to tell you where they go. I seriously doubt your boss wants you loitering on his time.”
He’d looked her up and down. “I don’t answer to the boss. I am the boss.”
She’d refused to believe him of course. But after their initial exchange had ended in some incendiary sex, he’d been unable to get her off his mind. He’d gone out of his way to see her, and her client’s home had been an ideal meeting place. Had it been wrong? Hell yes, and that had been part of the fascination–but not all. Every time he’d put his hands on her, held her, made love to her, the emotions he thought he’d had such control over had flared, singeing him.
Mason took a long swallow from the bottle. It had seemed like a fairytale. He’d wanted to believe it was, but he should have known better. Fairytales didn’t happen to men who’d had a whore for a mother and no father, only his mother’s pimp, who had viewed Mason as just a unique addition to his stable.
Yeah, he knew about well-heeled men like Jason Winchester. Knew what they hid behind their expensive lifestyles and their Ivy League educations. At the core they were as rotten as an apple infested with worms.
But Winchester was the one with Stacey. Mason shuddered. He had to find a way to get her out of there.
* * * *
Stacey lingered around the marina as long as she dared on Sunday, but she never saw another sign of Mason. She felt like she should apologize, but for what? Tell him she was sorry she was trying to make her marriage work? That she was willing to give Jace the baby he so seemed to want because sometimes she wasn’t exactly sure about her relationship? But the most frightening thought was she needed this marriage to work with Jace because she was in love with another man, one she couldn’t have, one her parents had made more than plain was not acceptable.
And Stacey Barlow-Barrett never did anything unacceptable. The one time she’d tried, it had nearly ended in disaster.
Finally deciding Mason would not be back and knowing she couldn’t wait any longer, Stacey loaded her duffel bag in the back of her car and headed back to Georgetown. As soon as she entered the house, she realized Jace and Justin were already back.
“Stacey?” Jace called from out on the back deck. “Come join us, darling, we’re in the hot tub.”
This time she wore her bikini. The two men weren’t quite so inhibited. Stacey kept her eyes averted from her husband’s friend as she slipped into the water.
“Did you have a nice time, darling?” Jace asked.
She smiled a bit uneasily. “Yes. I just puttered around the boat.” Something made her not want to mention her day with Mason, almost as if talking about it would spoil it in some way. “What about you guys?”
Justin grinned. “We caught a couple fish, but released them. It was a great weekend, though, wasn’t it, Jace?”
Her husband nodded. “Wonderful. Very relaxing. Would you like a drink, Stacey? I was going to make some margaritas.”
“Sure,” she smiled, “but just one.”
Alone with Justin, she shifted. His green-eyed gaze was guileless as he looked at her. “So did you sail?”
“Some. Mostly I worked around the boat, sat on deck.”
“Jace worried you might not go out without him to crew. Did you find someone else?”
“A friend there at the marina. It was fun.”
Justin raked his fingers through his short hair. “Look, if my being here makes you uncomfortable…”
“No,” Stacey protested, not wanting him to feel awkward.
He relaxed. “I noticed the bathing suit and everything…”
“I’ll probably take it off later,” she assured him, not intending to do any such thing if she could gracefully avoid it.
He smiled, his expression as innocent as a choirboy. “I’d be happy to look the other way. I don’t want you to feel inhibited because I’m here.”
Stacey smiled, feeling like she was being expertly backed into a corner. If she refused, it would seem she didn’t want him there. Justin turned his back, and she felt like she had little option. She would take her top off, but that was it. As she set the bikini top on the deck, she said, “You can turn around.”
Jace returned then with a pitcher of margaritas and three glasses already filled. He handed one to her and then Justin before setting the pitcher on the edge of the hot tub and grabbing his. Leaning forward, he smiled at them both and raised his glass. “To good friends and a fabulous future. Cheers.”
Stacey drank. There was more salt than she cared for around the rim. Jace seemed to keep forgetting she liked hers without. She had to admit, the hot tub felt good because she was a bit sore tonight from sailing and swimming Saturday with Mason. As she chatted with Jace and Justin about their fishing trip, it seemed her glass was always full. Finally, after her fourth yawn in a row, Stacey giggled. “I hate to be a party pooper, but I can’t seem to stop yawning.”
“I’ll take you to bed, darling,” Jace said, setting his glass aside. As he stood, Stacey noticed he was already semi-hard. She giggled again.
“Jace, I’m going to go sleep.”
She saw him wink at Justin. “I’ll be back later, bro. Enjoy yourself.”
Stacey tried to stay awake as Jace laid her on the bed and began to kiss her. As he usually did once things got hot and heavy, he turned her onto her stomach and raised her hips. She was feeling fuzzier and fuzzier, her head swirling with a dizziness that seemed to increase the sensations because she’d swear he felt different than normal, his thrusts deeper, his hands gripping a little harder…but she didn’t want to question it. Jace was finally showing more interest in her. That was good, wasn’t it?
* * * *
The following day turned into a real bear. It seemed she was running behind all day long. When she parked out
front, Jace’s car was already there. He’d gotten home early while she’d still been at Congresswoman Stanczewski’s house, where they’d spent the last couple hours matching paint and fabric samples. At least Justin was nowhere to be seen, she thought as she set came inside.
“Stacey,” he greeted her coolly from the doorway of his study. “After you put your things down, come in please. I have something we need to discuss.” Without another word, he turned on his heel and stalked out of her line of vision. Sometimes, his mannerisms reminded her of her father…and not in a good way.
Looking around cautiously, she set her purse and her briefcase on the chair near the stairs. She would collect them later to take to her own sitting room so she could finish the drawings for the congresswoman to approve. From the silence, she guessed Jace had sent the staff home for the evening already, which usually meant they were going out to eat, but somehow, it didn’t feel right tonight. In fact, this didn’t feel right at all.
Smoothing her hands along the sides of her skirt, she stepped forward and spotted him standing near the fireplace, a frown drawing his dark brows together.
“Why were you out Saturday evening with Mason Hatch?” he demanded with no preamble when he saw her.
“We ran into each other,” she began. “He’s a business associate. You know that.”
“People saw you together, Stacey. Friends saw you. Said it looked more like two lovers having a quarrel.” He stepped forward and grabbed her wrist. “How do you explain that?”
Her heart beat heavily. “You know how he is, Jace. We were discussing some business and we disagreed. He made it personal.” He still had hold of her wrist in a grip bruising in its intensity. When she tried to free herself, he snatched her closer, jerking her off balance. A gasp of surprise and fear escaped her. “Jason!”
“Did you think I didn’t know about the two of you?” he demanded, his eyes narrowed to slits and his mouth thin.
“There’s nothing between us…”
“Maybe not now,” he interrupted. “And I emphasize maybe. But did you actually think I didn’t know why you were in such a hurry to accept my proposal?”
Broken Heart Page 5