“I am. Mindy, you have to stop before something bad happens.”
“I want to see him again. Why did I even call? You won’t listen.”
“I am listening. I just want you to be safe.”
“Dimitri won’t hurt me.”
“What he does or doesn’t do isn’t the point. I’m worried about you and your marriage. Please remember how much you love Payne.”
“I know what he means to me. I need this. I wish you could understand that.” Mindy sighed. “I have to go. I’ll talk to you later.”
The call ended. Robyn tossed the phone onto her bed, then crossed to the French doors and stepped onto the balcony.
The temperature had warmed considerably, and this late in the afternoon, it was nearly eighty. She stood in the sun, breathing in the salt air, telling herself that if she couldn’t convince her friend to listen to her, then she could at least be available when it all hit the fan. And it would.
After a few seconds, she glanced toward Mason’s room and saw him sitting on the balcony, reading. Or at least holding a book. When she spotted him, she saw he was watching her, his expression unreadable.
Their eyes locked, and in that moment, all thoughts of Mindy vanished as unexpected need filled her.
Surprised by her reaction, she was torn between moving toward him and retreating to her room. Mason solved the problem by smiling at her. A friendly, easy smile that made her lips curve up in return.
“I can’t stop thinking about the pork chops you promised me,” he said. “Between skipping lunch and being out on the water for a few hours, I’m starving.”
“Me, too,” she said, thinking she was hungry for more than food, but hey, better to keep the conversation on an even keel (no pun intended).
“You okay? You seem concerned about something.”
“My friend who’s being an idiot.”
“Mindy?”
“That’s the one.”
He motioned to the chair next to his. “Want to talk about it? I can’t promise to offer advice, but I’m a good listener, and the view can’t be beat.”
She sat next to him, then put her bare feet on the ottoman. “Mindy slept with her tennis instructor. I knew she wanted to, but I didn’t think she actually would. It’s so dumb, and when her husband finds out, her life will be ruined. I’ve told her and told her, but she won’t listen.”
“Some people secretly want to screw up.”
“You’re right, they do. More deep thoughts.”
He laughed. “Just an observation.”
“A good one. I just wish...” She shook her head. “No, you’re right. I can’t fix this. She has to figure it out for herself.”
“You’re a good friend.”
“I try. I don’t always succeed.”
“You’re being too hard on yourself.”
“You can’t know that.”
“You put in the effort when it comes to relationships.” One corner of his mouth turned up. “Let’s just say I’ve had a lot of experience figuring out people quickly, and I’m good at it.”
She supposed it was a skill he would have developed, given his former career. “Then I’ll accept the compliment. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I had a good time today.”
“Me, too. You did great, by the way. I think you have some sailor in you.”
“Yeah, let’s not put it that way.”
She grinned. “I thought all the branches supported each other.”
“We do, but I’m not a sailor.”
“So we need a more civilian word? Sail person?” She tilted her head. “That sounds weird and gender-related. I have nothing. We’ll have to brainstorm.”
“All I’m getting is boat guy and water curious.”
“You don’t take yourself too seriously, do you?” she asked.
“I try not to.”
“But you had a serious job.”
“One is what I did, the other is who I am. They’re not the same.”
“You didn’t define yourself by your work?”
His expression turned thoughtful. “I did, but I can separate the two.”
“You’re an interesting man, Mason Bishop.”
“You’re an interesting woman.”
They stared at each other. Robyn was pretty sure she read interest in his eyes. She hoped so, because she was definitely leaning in that direction. She dropped her gaze to his hands and wondered how they would feel on her body. Anticipation made her want to squirm.
“Okay,” she said, coming to her feet. “I need to check on the pork chops.”
He rose as well. Their chairs were pulled relatively close together, so standing, she and Mason were practically touching. Stepping to the side made the most sense, and was even the polite thing to do, but she couldn’t seem to move. Not when looking into his dark eyes felt really good.
He was taller than her, and broader. Fit, with plenty of muscle and that capable air she liked so much. He was always controlled, which made her wonder what he was like when he was out of control.
Hunger burned and not for pork chops. She wanted him to kiss her, but wasn’t sure how to get the message across. After a second of frustration, she realized she could kiss him. Why did the man have to initiate things? She knew he thought she was attractive, so it wasn’t as if he was going to run screaming—
“You’re killing me,” Mason said, his voice a low growl, right before he put his hands on her upper arms, leaned down and pressed his mouth to hers.
Surprise morphed into pleasure as his lips lingered against hers. There was plenty of warmth and the right amount of pressure. He didn’t demand or take things too far or grind into her. Even more exciting was the heat that quickly built up inside of her.
She got lost in his kiss, in the feel of his hands settling on her hips, the warmth of his body and how much she wanted to rub against him like one of the cats. The image of that was just disconcerting enough to allow her to pull back and breathe in a little sanity.
They stood less than a foot apart, looking at each other. She wondered if she looked as stunned as he did.
“That was nice,” she murmured.
One eyebrow rose. “Not the way I would describe it.”
His voice was low and gravelly, with more than a hint of passion.