Sin In Blue Jeans Read online

  She rolled her eyes at his statement. "Every guy thinks that they can handle my family - until they actually have to. I wasn't exaggerating. Every member of my family is either a cop, or married to one. I'm one of the first Fagin's not to go on the force."

  "What part of ‘I don't care’, don't you get?" He leaned in closer, his lips mere inches from hers. He barely noticed the thud of her tablet hitting the floor in it's protective case. "It doesn't matter, Ryleigh. Prison taught me a lot of things - like how to deal with pricks in uniform."

  "It did?" The words came out a bit breathless.

  "Yeah." He inched a little closer. "I'm taking you out. Not your family - unless you tell me you're not interested - but after that little outburst outside, I don't think you can claim that."

  She shook her head. "No, I can't but...it's still not a good idea." She placed her palms against his chest.

  "Why not?" He lightly brushed the end of his nose against hers as he wrapped an arm around her waist to draw her closer. Her light floral scent, the absolutely delicious sweet pea fragrance he'd first noticed about her, teased his nose, along with faint hints of something tangy. He idly wondered what she'd had for lunch and if she'd taste as spicy as she smelled.

  "Because it's not safe." She finally whispered. "For you."

  "For me?" He pulled back a little bit, wondering if she thought her family was bad enough to be gunning for him for merely taking her out to dinner. He'd heard of overprotective Irish families but that was a bit much - even for the Fagin clan.

  "Yeah." She gave a slow shake of her head, as if she were trying to shake off the effect his closeness was having on her. "Cause you pull the same shit you pulled last Friday, I'll probably drop you right on my front walk. I don't care how big a man you are, you'll be singing soprano in the Vienna Boy's choir."

  "Aw..." her words amused him and he let a rumble free of his chest. "...was someone upset that she didn't get a good night's kiss?"

  Pain radiated up his leg when Ryleigh went from being a pliant and soft bodied woman to a hellcat. Using the same arms that had just been clinging to him to shove him away, she then kicked him in the shins. "You asshole. I wouldn't kiss you if you were the last man on Earth!" She snatched up her tablet from where it had fallen on the floor, then proceeded to smack him with it.

  "Whoa, whoa." He tried to catch her wrist without hurting her but only ended up catching his fingers on the edge of the tablet. New pain shot up his arm. "Damnit, you little hellion." Finally frustrated, he spun her around and pushed her towards his desk with a hard swat on her denim clad ass. “You don’t hit me.”

  "You son of a bitch. Let me go. I can't believe I was ever attracted to you, you fucking Neanderthal..." She continued to spew names at him, while he used his body to pin her against the desk with her makeshift weapon caught between her and the wood. "Pretending to find me attractive, then not following through. You jerk!"

  "Enough. It was a joke. I was teasing you. " He swatted her on the ass again when she tried to kick back at him. "Knock it off-unless you want more.”

  She hissed at him.

  “Little girl, keep pushing and you’ll end up in the corner with a hot ass.”

  She seemed to settle down at his threat.

  “Good girl. Look, I shouldn’t have joked about it. I was trying to lighten the mood. And don’t ever think I don’t find you sexy as hell.”

  She stilled, obviously processing what he was saying. "You find me attractive?"

  Deciding that words obviously weren't working, he deliberately pressed his groin against her ass, allowing her to feel the erection he had been sporting since he'd hauled her ass inside his trailer. "Does that feel like a man who's not interested?" He rested his head on her shoulder.

  She lifted against him, a soft moan escaping her. "Then why?"

  He instinctively knew she was asking why he'd left her without even a kiss. "A couple of reasons. One, you'd been drinking. I want to make sure you're completely sober the next time we kiss - that way you can't blame your actions later on the alcohol."

  "I'd never do that." Some of the tension left her body. "I had two drinks, Mason. One I didn't even finish. I wasn't out to get wasted on Friday."

  He sighed. "Good to know. However, I've had women do that in the past." He rested his chin against her shoulder. "They want a bad boy in the heat of the moment, but in the cold light of day they want a guy they can take home to momma. So, I'm a cautious man now. When we come together I want it to be because we both want it - not because one of us has beer goggles on."

  She actually giggled under him. "Beer goggles. That's a new one. Wait ‘til I tell Emily. She'll get such a kick out of it."

  "Glad I can be of service." He nuzzled the side of her neck. "Do you want to know the other reason I resisted, sweet pea?"

  "Because of my job?" She finally whispered. "You said earlier you were waiting for this inspection to be over before seeing me outside of my job."

  "Yeah, there is that. I never would put your job in jeopardy." He steeled himself to continue. "But one of the biggest reasons I walked away is that we need to talk about what kinda of man I am before we end up burning up the sheets together.”

  * * * *

  Ryleigh resisted the urge to wiggle against Mason. The ridge of flesh pressed against her ass told her the truth of her desirability, while his words had explained why he'd kept her at arms distance. It made sense. She should be thanking him for looking out for her - for doing the right thing - even though her pussy was pissed that she had to wait. Resting her head against the cool wood under her, she wondered how to progress from here. She was afraid to ask what he meant by what kinda of man he was.

  "Earlier you said we could do this the easy or hard way." She tried to lighten the mood by changing the subject. "If this is the easy way, I'd hate to see what the hard way is."

  He actually chuckled against the nape of her neck, stirring the fine hairs there. "Hard would've ended up with you over my knee, a sound spanking, and some time with you in the corner before we talked it over. "

  She stilled, absorbing his words. It was one thing to read such words in her naughty books, but quite another thing to experience them in reality. This wasn’t just a couple of swats to amp up sexy time. "You would spank me?"

  "In a heartbeat." He sighed. "If I thought you were endangering yourself or you wouldn't listen to reason."

  "I can't believe this." It was a sobering thought. "I find a guy I want, but there's a catch." After experiencing what her temper wrought, she kept it under wraps - barely. "Will you please let me up?"

  His breath stirred the fine hairs on the back of her neck. "Are you going to get violent again? Throw things at me? Or are we going to have a civilized conversation, sweet pea?"

  The endearment made her heart flutter - when her head told her she should be running far away as possible. But to run away, I have to get free first. So, she told him what he wanted to hear. "I'll behave."

  "Good girl." He slowly lifted off her, before helping her straighten. Leading her over toward the chair behind the desk, he sank down in it's embrace, then tugged her down onto his lap, before she could protest. "While I may believe in being the head of my household, never doubt that I don’t respect you or your opinion, but the final decision will be mine.”

  She perched awkwardly on his knee. "What exactly does that mean?"

  "Have you ever heard of domestic discipline, sweet pea?"

  "Domestic what?" Her heart began to pound rapidly in her chest. She couldn't believe she was sitting here, talking about things she'd only read in her books.

  He took a deep breath. "Look, I'm gonna be honest with you. I like to call the shots in my home. I also have a huge protective streak when it comes to my women." He held up a hand. "And before you go all psycho on me again, when I say women, I'm referring to those that are in my family or are close personal friends. " He turned her a bit so she had to look at him.

  "No matter what anyone eve
r says, I never will raise my hand in anger at a woman. But if I feel it will benefit my woman to have her bottom warmed for taking the subway when she should’ve called me to come get her, you can bet your sweet ass, she'll find herself in a corner with a very sore hind end ." He drew out a long breath. "So now this is where you either tell me to get bent, or ask whatever questions are running around that pretty head of yours."

  She chewed on the inside of her cheek, her mind whirling with what he'd told her, and the information that her uncle had provided her with he'd caught them all those years ago. It just didn't add up. But how did she ask the man whose lap she was currently perched on, about his past - about time that he spent behind bars.

  "I...." she started then stopped, frustrated as two very different parts warred inside her head. Part of her wanted a strong man who would take her in hand - a man she wouldn't be able to walk all over, while the other part was worried that Mason wasn't the right one - because there was a difference between abuse and domestic discipline. She knew that, but how did she figure it out?

  "You need to talk to me, sweet pea." Mason ran his hand up her back.

  Gathering her courage around her, she sighed and took the plunge. "What’s the difference between what you’re talking about and your assault charge?"

  “I'm assuming your uncle told you.” He sighed. “There’s a world of difference between domestic discipline and the beating I gave Randy. I was furious when I laid into Randy.” He shifted her slightly on his lap. "You met my sister. I've always been very protective of her - even knowing how headstrong she was. So, when she started dating my best friend, I thought she'd be in good hands. Randy would rein in some of her wilder tendencies, while letting her thrive and grow. We shared a lot of the same philosophies when it came to women, or so I thought."

  He drew a deep breath in and let it out slowly. "But that all changed one night when I stopped after work one night. I walked into what I thought was a domestic discipline scene, and found out how wrong I was when my so-called friend kicked my pregnant sister in the stomach - all because she'd been talking to our mother on the phone and didn't have his dinner on the table. It didn't matter that Mom was giving her an update on our dad who'd had a heart attack earlier that week."

  "Damn." Ryleigh pressed her fingers to her mouth.

  "Yeah. I lost it. " He looked directly at her, ‘honest to god’ pain filling his face. "I beat the hell out of him. Nearly killed him. He spent two weeks in the hospital pissing blood with my sister by his side. When the cops showed up to arrest me, I didn't fight them. I knew by their mere presence that Diane had refused to press charges against him and had probably denied any abuse."

  He cupped her cheek in one palm. "I wish I could say I was sorry but...I'm not. Randy deserved everything he got. There's a huge difference between warming your woman's bottom and beating the hell out of them. I know the difference." He twirled a piece of her hair around his finger. "In the end though, it's up to you whether or not you can accept how I'm built. I may want you like hell on fire, but you won't be a one and done. If you become my woman, you'll be subjected not only to all the pleasures I can give you, but the consequences as well."

  He gently set her on her feet. "Which is why, if you have no further questions for me, we're going to go finish this inspection. Then I will walk you to your car. I want you to take the time between now and Friday to decide what you want. If you decide you can accept me - warts and all - meet me at O'Malley's at eight o'clock."

  She swallowed hard. "And if I have questions?"

  He smiled down at her. "Well, then sweet pea, I'm just a phone call or text away." He grabbed a scrap of paper off the desk and jotted down his number before folding it in half. "It's your call, Ryleigh."

  She accepted the paper without a word and slipped into the pocket of her jeans before he led her out to the job site. God, why did it feel like she’d just slipped into the Twilight Zone or one of her naughty books?

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  As Friday loomed closer, Ryleigh went back and forth. She had no one she felt comfortable in talking to about Mason's ultimatum. Well, she wasn't really being fair. It wasn't exactly an ultimatum. It was an offer - plain and simple. Despite his bad boy reputation, the man had an honest streak a mile wide - nor did he sugar coat anything. While that was good because she knew exactly where she stood with him. He wanted her, possibly cared for her, if their texts back and forth this week were any indication but was willing to let her make her own choice. And damned if it's not a difficult one. She took another nibble of her sandwich.

  "Refill?" Lola stopped at her table, holding a coffee pot in one hand.

  This time she'd come to the Bad Apple Cafe without Emily, because she needed to make a decision about what to do with Mason’s offer. "Sure."

  While Lola refilled her cup, the bell above the door jingled. Ryleigh glanced in the direction of the noise. In walked a petite woman with salt and pepper hair. She had a quiet dignity about her that spoke of self-assurance. This was a woman comfortable in her own skin - a person who others confided in. And popular, Ryleigh surmised as one of the other waitresses greeted her by name. Even Lola smiled at the newcomer.

  "Morning, Sister Mary Agnes!" She turned back to Ryleigh. "Whatever it is, I promise it will work out - with men it always does."

  Ryleigh gave a humorless laugh. "How did you know?'

  "Only a man could drive a woman to sit all by herself and consume massive amounts of coffee." Lola gave her shoulder a squeeze. "And if it doesn't - I'll be your alibi if you need one."

  This time the chuckle that passed her lips was an honest to god giggle. "I may take you up on it."

  Lola winked before leaving to give the newcomer a hug.

  On the table, next to her plate, her phone dinged. She stared down at the screen as Mason's number flashed across the screen. It was a text from him - not surprising since she texted him frequently. A warm fuzzy feeling washed over her as she opened it. It wasn't anything important. Just a simple checking in with her - along with a reminder to eat something and not just consume chocolate and caffeine for lunch.

  It amazed her how quickly he picked up on the little nuisances of her life. It should bother her, but amazingly enough it didn't. Picking up her phone she took a quick shot of her refilled coffee cup and half eaten sandwich, then sent it off to him with a snarky response that her chocolate was coming. Which was true. Lola would be bringing over her slice of Chocolate Decadence once she asked for it.

  Her phone dinged immediately, with another text. Brat. Finish your sandwich.

  The wealth of promise in the text had her shivering. Not in fear, but in anticipation. Did she honestly want the structure - the gentle guidance he was offering? Or was it the newness of having a man, who wasn't a relative, care enough to get after her. She gave a heavy sigh. Damn she was torn. What she wanted and what would be the smart move seemed to be miles apart.

  As a modern woman she was supposed to be strong, independent, and stand on her own two feet, but a smaller part of her, the part that read naughty books with dominant men and submissive women, wanted what Mason was offering. The same relationship her mom and dad shared. But Mason didn't know that she was raised in such an old-fashioned household.

  "You look troubled." The soft melodious voice came from her left. It was the woman who had gotten such a warm welcome. What was her name? Sister Mary something or other?

  She opened her mouth to tell the other woman it was none of her business, but instead found herself softening by the gentle understanding in the woman's faded blue eyes. "I need to make a decision about a guy I'm kinda of seeing."

  Sister Mary Agnes tipped her head as she picked up her own coffee. "Kind of seeing, child? One would think you either are or aren't."

  Ryleigh looked down at her phone again. "It's complicated."

  Sister Mary Agnes nodded. "It always is." She took a sip of her coffee. "Would it help to talk about it?"

  Ryleigh shrugged, eve
n as her cheeks flushed. "Maybe. But it’s not something I should probably talk to a nun about. It has to do with sex."

  The other woman actually laughed. "I might have been a disciple of the Lord, but I'm human as well. Sex is a very natural part of life. The Good Lord made it pleasurable to ensure the continuation of our species." She winked at Ryleigh. "And to make sure woman would put up with man's rutting ways.

  Ryleigh almost choked on the bite of her sandwich she'd just taken. "I never thought of it like that."

  "It's all about perspective." Sister Mary Angus set her cup back down. "Let me hazard a guess. Your man wants to try something you're not exactly comfortable with?"

  "No. Nothing like that." Ryleigh toyed with her napkin. "He hasn't even taken me to bed yet."

  "Ah..." Mary reached for the pastry next to her coffee. "And you are wishing he would."

  "Hell yeah." Ryleigh covered her lips. "Sorry Sister."

  "Relax." Taking a bite out of her cheese Danish, Mary Agnes gave a soft moan of appreciation before speaking again. "I've heard worse from my boys. So other than this man of yours being a clit-tease, what is the issue?"

  This time Ryleigh actually did choke. Leaping from her chair with a quickness that belied her age, the nun lightly smacked her between the shoulders. By the time Ryleigh cleared her airway she stared at the woman in wonderment. "Are you sure you're a nun?"

  "Once upon a time." The woman sat back down. "And call me Mary. The other is such a mouth full."

  "Okay." Ryleigh was ready to shake her head in disbelief. If someone had told her that she'd be talking to a former nun about her lack of sex life, she'd have asked them what the hell they were smoking.

  "Look, I won't force you to talk about it. " Mary took another sip of her coffee. "I just noticed you seemed troubled."

  Weighing her options, she figured she had nothing to lose. It wasn't like she'd see the nice lady again. "Not so much troubled, but more uncertain which path to take."

  "The unknown is hard," Mary agreed. "Let me ask. Of the two paths - which appeals the most?"