Embedded

Hotel

Mason parked the car in the hotel lot and stepped out, tugging his jacket into place. The marble reception area sparkled, and he could see the young woman at the front desk watching them as they strode up. He smiled warmly, but his voice was all business, “I’m Mason from Reynolds and Evans Law Firm. I’m here to see if a guest may have stayed here between the 19th and 21st of September.”

The girl’s fingers flew across the keyboard, the soft tap-tap-tapping of the keys echoing in the room. She paused, glanced with an apologetic expression at Mason, and shook her head. “I’m sorry, Mr. Reynolds, but we don’t release that information to anyone.”

Mason took a confident step closer to the desk, his eyes twinkling. He gave her a playful wink and said in a low, teasing voice, “I’m not just anyone, you know.”

The girl’s mouth dropped open, her eyes widening and cheeks reddening as Mason’s flirtatious words rang in her ears. She hesitated, darting glances between him and the computer screen. After what felt like an eternity, she finally found her voice to reply. “I don’t know...” her voice quivered.

Thea stepped in, “Sorry, he’s my lawyer. My husband came here multiple times with girls your age. He cheated on me. I know I’m not crazy,” she pleaded, “Please help me.”

The young girl stared at Thea with wide, almost child-like eyes, her face reflecting the panic that had engulfed Thea. “You said September 19th through the 21st, right?” She asked, her voice barely audible, while her fingers quickly ran across the computer’s keyboard.

Mason nodded and said, “Yes,” before his gaze swept Thea, admiration evident in his expression. The slight upturn of his mouth revealed his approval.

The young woman’s lips were tight as she spoke, and her eyes hardened. “I’m sorry. I can only provide access to the public footage in the lobby and halls. Anything else needs to be cleared and verified through the firm first.” She tore off a piece of paper from a notepad on her desk and scribbled something down before retiring to a backroom.

The young woman returned a few moments later and handed Mason a small USB drive, her hand lingering on his for a moment before she pulled away. She turned to Thea; her eyes were kind and sad, and her voice soft as she said, “I’m so sorry you had to find out about your husband like this. I hope these will help.”

“Thank you so much for all your help,” Thea said, her voice full of genuine gratitude.

Mason and Thea stepped away from the concierge desk, their faces momentarily illuminated by the chandelier overhead. Mason looked at Thea in awe and said, “You continue to amaze me. Maybe I should book us a suite to show my appreciation.”

He could see the fire in her eyes as she uttered the words, “Sounds good. I was looking forward to a night by myself,” she retorted.

He grabbed her waist and pulled her in close. His gaze was hungry, and his voice echoed with a possessive warning, “I’m not letting you get away so easily. The only nights we’re separated are the ones I allow. You’re mine, Thea. All of you.”

Once back in his car, Mason fired up his laptop, plugged in the USB, and began to click through the footage. It was spliced, but a few images of the husband and mistress entering a hotel hand in hand was discernible. “Not much,” Mason said as he studied the footage, “but this, along with the hotel bill, shows something more was going on.” With a smirk, Mason shut the laptop and looked at Thea, mischief gleaming in his eyes. “I think we can end work early today,” he whispered playfully into her ear as he started the engine, “Let’s go home and celebrate our success.”

* * *

Mason and Thea stepped through the threshold of the penthouse, and the excited energy from their earlier day together still lingered. Mason walked into the kitchen, and Thea heard him clinking glasses together before he returned with a delicate bottle of wine. She smiled as she accepted the glasses and watched Mason pull out the cork with a satisfying pop!

“I don’t know about you, but I could use a drink,” he said, filling two long-stemmed glasses with a deep, ruby-red liquid.

“Yes, please,” Thea agreed.

Mason handed one glass to her, tapping his own against it in a gentle salute. She smiled softly as she raised the glass to her lips and took a sip, as did he.

Mason and Thea chatted for hours over the course of two bottles of red wine. With each sip, Thea felt her inhibitions slipping away, and she welcomed Mason’s hungry glances as he refilled her glass. When the last drops of wine were gone, she could feel her cheeks heating up with flushed warmth as Mason stood and reached for her hand, squeezing it gently as he led her to the back of the house. His smoldering gaze never left hers as they reached a door, and he murmured, “I think it’s time I show you what I use this room for.”