A playboy's proposition

CHAPTER THREE

"Women," he pushed through the restroom door, whispering to himself. Kelly was lying on the tapestry settee, her eyes covered with a damp paper towel. Her skirt was hiked halfway up her hip on one side, providing him with an amazing view of her thighs and legs. She grunted in frustration, asking, "Can you father my children?" as she heard footsteps.

Mason guffawed. She had shown him her fiery nature at the Christmas party, as her deep auburn hair had so predictably revealed. When she made it clear to him that she didn't want to be one of his one-night encounters or conquests, all of her shyness vanished in an instant.

"It's not actually Michael,"

Kelly grabbed the towel from her eyes at the sound of a stranger's voice. Her face turned horrified as she saw Mason in front of her. She jerked down her skirt and swept a hand through her unkempt hair. She answered, sheepishly, "I didn't expect to see you, Mr. O'Connell."

A grin appeared on his face. "No, I assume you thought you would get to castrate Michael."

Kelly's hair colour flushed up her face and neck. "I apologize for having to hear that and for interrupting us in the middle of our disagreement. Even though it was embarrassing, I really respect your effort.

With a shrug. "I was glad to assist."

Okay, I'm appreciative. I apologize for spoiling your evening as well.

Mason smiled, never one to pass up a chance. "My evening hasn't been wrecked by you. Well, it's early in the evening, so how about I buy you a drink?"

She tossed the paper towel into the trashcan after twisting it in her hands. "Well, thank you for offering, but I've had a busy day. I really ought to go home."

"We could go to O'Malley's by simply walking across the street." He laughed at her persistent hesitancy. "I assure you that this is not an attempt to take advantage of your weak emotional state by offering you alcohol in order to get you to come home with me." In his heart, he secretly hoped that a few drinks would soften her cold exterior and allow him to sneak up on her and score.

He wasn't overly shocked to see astonishment wash over Kelly's face. Actually?

His fingers were crossed over his heart. He lied, saying, "Scout's Honour."

Her lips curled upward as if she was trying to suppress a smile. Well, then. I could really need one after this day. She took another look in the mirror. I know I'm a mess. "Please let me a few minutes, so I can get ready."

"Of course. I'll be outside immediately."

Kelly let out the breath she'd been holding with a long, exaggerated whoosh as the door closed behind Mason. She slumped against the bathroom counter, deflated. Mason O'Connell for drinks—are you crazy? Every woman in the building was aware of his screw-em-and-leave-em reputation, so you avoided him unless you wanted your heart hurt. Memories of their meeting at the Christmas party raced through her head like lightning.

She was new to the firm and was keeping an eye out for any potential unmarried males. Upon observing him gazing at her multiple times, she had naively inquired Ashley about his identity. Kelly was certain she was going to suffer whiplash because of how quickly she shook her head. She had answered, "He's a s*x on stick type guy, Kell, so you better avoid him unless you want to get used to him."

The other women spoke out and gave incredibly thorough accounts of some of Mason's notorious antics with various women at the company. She sent him on his way, tail between his legs, with her firm refusal when he came sauntering over with his bedroom eyes and swagger.

She extracted her makeup bag from her purse. She looked at herself in the mirror and put some loose powder back on her face. She required new mascara, eye shadow, and eyeliner because of her tear-stained eyes. She applied a rose-colored lipstick tube on her lips as a last touch.

Kelly sighed as she saw her mirror. How come you even give your face any thought? His only concern is your appearance from the neck down, especially around the waist! God, Mason had to be the one to save her out of all the males in the building. The man w***e O'Connell in question. He must have a score to settle with her because he was the kind of man who wasn't used to ever being rejected.

She threw back her beauty bag into her purse. She took a big breath and went outside. Mason kept his promise and took a seat on one of the benches outside the lavatory. As soon as he spotted her, he shot up. Prepared?

“Yes.”

Pushing beyond the spinning doors, they emerged onto the pavement. Kelly scuffed her heels on the sidewalk. Her short skirt fluttered in the warm air from the fast-moving traffic, and she struggled not to feel like Marilyn Monroe in Seven Years Itch. In an attempt to strike up a conversation, she inquired, "You frequent O'Malley's?"

Mason gave a nod. "A few times a week, I have a beer with a few of the guys from my department. Watch the newest game, perhaps." I saw him press the crosswalk button. "How are you doing?"

As they started across the street, Kelly furrowed her brow. Actually not. I don't really care for the atmosphere. She hurriedly added, "I mean, it's fine going with you tonight," in response to his eyebrow raising. It's simply not a place where my pals and I like hanging out.

Mason gave her a confident smile and held the O'Malley's door open. Give it a guess. You won't have to worry about a bunch of inebriated asshole hitting on you because you're with me.

Indeed. Maybe just one inebriated asshole, though. She gave him a quick look. "Based on your alcohol consumption."

Mason smiled after his eyes grew wide. "I will attempt to observe myself."

At the hostess station was a young blonde. She smiled to see Mason and tugged her shirt up, so he could see more of her cleavage. He grinned in appreciation of her efforts. "Silvia, can we have a booth?"

Yes, Mason. Accompany me.

Kelly rolled her eyes at Mason, who winked back as Silvia flashed her hips in front of them. Silvia seated them to a poorly lit bar table at the rear. She gave them a menu, then gave Mason a straight look. "Until later!"

He waved briefly before turning to look at the menu. He raised his head again, sensing Kelly's intense stare. How come?

"Nothin'," she whispered.

"I told you I came here a lot, if your nothing is about Silvia."

"Nothing was said by me," she retorted.

You weren't required to. It was enough of the death gaze you were giving me. He gave her a sly smile. "Silvia is not one of my conquests, and I've never seen her anyplace other than O'Malley's, but I know you want to ask. Additionally, her dad owns this property, and he would not think twice about kicking my ass!

Kelly took solace in that statement, for whatever reason. She shrugged her shoulders, though, and kept her best poker look on. "It is not relevant to me."

He merely laughed as a waiter approached the table. "This evening, what can I get you two?"

Mason gave Kelly a nod. “I’ll have a margarita on the rocks with no salt, please,” she said.

"Beer in a bottle,"

After writing down their order on a serviette, the server went to the bar. Kelly put her head in her hands and leaned her elbows on the table. A long, frustrated sigh came out of her mouth.

"Awful day, huh?"

She looked up, a melancholy smile flitting across her features. Not my finest work. Michael really isn't to blame for the worst of it, either. The baby shower I was throwing Therese was already a disaster.

He asked, "Your boss?" Kelly nodded. Their drinks were brought back by the waiter. Mason took a big gulp from his bottle, and Kelly took a tiny swig of her margarita. His inquiring look gave her a nervous feeling, as if he was going to ask her a very pointed question.

"What about the baby shower was so wrong? Is there someone who is not interested in playing games like Guess What's in the Diaper, even after getting shitfaced with spiked punch?"

Alright, so that wasn't the query she was anticipating. "How on earth are you aware of what transpires during a baby shower?"

He scowled. “I have four older sisters. Trust me, I’ve spent some time in baby shower hell.”

Kelly grinned. “I guess you have.”

“So what happened?” he prodded.

With a shrug, she said, “Nothing really. It was just harder than I imagined it was going to be.”

“Because you want a baby of your own?”

She gasped and almost knocked her margarita over. “Wait, how could you...?”

“Michael told me.”

Kelly widened her eyes as a warm flush danced over her cheeks and neck. “H-He did? W-What else did he say?”

Mason took another gulp before he answered. "That he backed out, even though he was supposed to father your baby."

The room tipped and whirled around her, even though she had only taken one sip of her drink. She gave a shake of her head, attempting to shake off the terrifying direction the talk had gone. This was not possible. "I'm going to murder him,"

"You're not required to do that."

"Are you serious?" Kelly raised her voice by one octave. "It was already problematic when he was constantly texting and calling." He's now harassing me at work by showing up. The worst part was that he revealed to you—of all people—the most intimate aspect of my personal life!