Friends With...Benefits?

Sophie Fortune Robinson is on a mission. The word around the office watercooler is that the boss’s youngest daughter is intent on landing Mr. Right by Valentine’s Day—and that she has her eyes, and heart, set on a certain hunk in Marketing. But when she enlists her longtime pal and coworker Mason Montgomery to teach her how to get a man to notice her, little does she know she’s already captured his attention!

Now Mason’s in a real bind! He has just a few short weeks to fight his way out of the “friend zone.” On his agenda: convincing sweet Sophie that he is the real man of her dreams! Will Fortune smile on true love’s venture?

MEET THE FORTUNES

Fortune of the Month: Sophie Fortune Robinson

Age: 24

Vital statistics: Long brown hair, big brown eyes and a big fat trust fund.

Claim to fame: At Robinson Tech, she’s in charge of hiring and firing—and is most likely to steal hearts.

Romantic prospects: She is Jerome Fortune’s youngest daughter, so why shouldn’t she get what—or whom—she wants?

Time is running out. Valentine’s Day is coming soon, which means I’ve got only fourteen days to get Thom Nichols, that superhot guy in Marketing, to notice me. My sister Olivia thinks I shouldn’t try so hard, but what does she know?

Luckily, I’ve got a secret weapon:

Mason Montgomery. He works across the hall from me in IT. It’s really helpful to have a man’s point of view on all this. Mason is a great guy, and I trust him completely. He’s handsome and smart and loyal as a Saint Bernard, and he gives good advice to boot. With Mason’s help I’m sure to land my Mr. Right. Who is Thom Nichols. Not Mason. Or at least, that’s what I keep telling myself...

* * *

The Fortunes of Texas: The Secret Fortunes— A new generation of heroes and heartbreakers!

Her Sweetest Fortune

Stella Bagwell

www.millsandboon.co.uk

After writing more than eighty books for Mills & Boon, STELLA BAGWELL still finds it exciting to create new stories and bring her characters to life. She loves all things Western and has been married to her own real cowboy for forty-four years. Living on the South Texas coast, she also enjoys being outdoors and helping her husband care for the horses, cats and dog that call their small ranch home. The couple has one son, who teaches high school mathematics and is also an athletic director. Stella loves hearing from readers. They can contact her at stellabagwell@gmail.com.

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To Susan Litman for all her hard work on

the fabulous Fortune saga. Thank you!

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

She had to do something and fast!

For the past several hours, the words of warning had made a monotonous loop through Sophie Fortune Robinson’s mind, making it virtually impossible to concentrate on the work scattered across her desk.

As assistant director of human resources at Robinson Tech, it was Sophie’s responsibility to make sure two new training programs were ready to be implemented in a few short days. At the rate she was going, the task would never get finished.

Darn it! If Sophie hadn’t turned a corner at just the right moment, she would’ve been spared the sickening sight of her dream man with another woman. Now the image of Thom Nichols stepping off the elevator with his arm wrapped around Tanya Whitmore’s slender waist was stuck in Sophie’s head.

The sexy grin he’d been giving the willowy blonde had made it quite apparent he was enjoying every minute of her company. The realization had left Sophie nauseous and even more desperate. She couldn’t sit back and wait for Thom Nichols to take notice of her. She had to come up with some sort of strategy to snare the man’s attention.

But how did a woman go about making herself appealing to the sexiest man alive? There was hardly a female working at Robinson Tech who didn’t sigh at the mere mention of Thom’s name. Sophie didn’t want to think of her opposition in terms of numbers: it would be too staggering. Besides, she already knew the task of snaring her man wasn’t going to be easy.

But Sophie’s father, the giant tech mogul Gerald Robinson, had lectured her plenty of times about setting goals and achieving them through hard work and confidence. The same could be applied in this situation. Her goal was to have Thom Nichols as her Valentine dream date.

Now, if she could just figure out how to make that happen.

“Sophie? What are you doing here at this hour?”

Since everyone in her department had left hours ago, the unexpected voice caught her by surprise, especially when she’d been sitting there with her head in the clouds.

Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Mason Montgomery shoving back the cuff of a pale blue dress shirt to study his watch. The tall, dark-haired computer programmer had probably seen her staring off into space like some lovesick teenager. The notion sent a flood of pink embarrassment to her cheeks.

Mason was far too intellectual and mature to understand a woman’s crush on an attractive man. Or was he? With him working just across the hall from her, they’d often exchanged greetings and talked about work or current events, but they’d never been more than casual friends. He was a crackerjack programmer who’d created several highly successful apps for the company. He was also mannerly and nice-looking in a boy-next-door kind of way. He just wasn’t Thom Nichols.

“Oh, hi, Mason. I guess I’ve been so engrossed in my work I didn’t notice the time.” Which wasn’t a complete lie, she thought. It had been hours since she’d glanced at the clock on her desk, but only because she’d been too busy fantasizing about her Valentine date. At least, the man she was hoping would become her Valentine.

A frown furrowed his forehead. “Surely your father doesn’t expect you to wear yourself out. I realize he’s a stickler about deadlines, but I don’t think he’d want his daughter to collapse with fatigue.”

Laughing, Sophie swiveled her chair so that she was facing her late night visitor. “Most everyone in the building thinks Gerald Robinson is a taskmaster, but he’s really just a big teddy bear with a loud growl.”

His smile exposed a row of straight white teeth and Sophie could see the expression was sincere. She liked that about Mason Montgomery. He always seemed genuine. But Thom’s dazzling smile could charm the fleas right off a cat. How could any other man compare to that?

“Drop the teddy and I’ll believe you.”

She tossed strands of long brown hair over her shoulder before gesturing to a thick folder lying open on her desk. “I’ve been going over a presentation for a new job-training program the company will soon put in place. Actually, there’s a new program for your department and marketing.”

His brows lifting with interest, he moved inside the cubicle and rested a hip against the side of her desk. “Oh? Robinson Tech is going to put its programmers through more training?”

She laughed at his wary expression. “Only the newly hired employees. Not the old veterans like you.”

“Ouch!” he said with a chuckle. “I’m not so sure I like that old part.”

Shaking her head, she gave him another smile. “I just meant you’ve worked here for a long time. As for your age, you couldn’t be much older than me. I’m twenty-four.”

“Try five years,” he admitted. “I’m twenty-nine.”

“Ooooh, that’s terribly old,” she joked, then added in a more serious tone, “Speaking of working late, I’ve noticed you’ve been burning the midnight oil here lately. You know, my father wouldn’t want you collapsing from fatigue, either.”

His brown eyes twinkling, he picked up a hunk of raw amethyst Sophie used for a paper weight. “We’re getting a new app ready to roll in a few days. I want to make sure there are no glitches before Wes sends it on to your father for final approval. Sometimes that means losing sleep and a meal or two. But there’s no need for you to worry you might have to scrape me off the floor. I’ve been eating my spinach.”

Mason was hardly a muscle man, Sophie decided, as she studied him from beneath her lashes. But he had a trim, athletic build that implied he hit the gym on a regular basis. Although from the long hours he put in at Robinson Tech, she couldn’t imagine where he found the extra time for himself.

“Mmm. I like my spinach in enchiladas,” she said. “But I’d eat it raw or standing on my head if it would make me as tech savvy as you.”

He shook his head. “And I wish I had your gift for communicating with people. I’ve seen you in action—how easy it is for you to soothe irate employees. I wouldn’t have the patience to listen to their complaints, much less calm their tempers. And you can do something around here that no one else can do.”

Intrigued, she leaned back in her chair and arched a brow at him. “Oh? I can’t imagine what that might be.”

“You can put a smile on our boss’s face. I’ve never seen anyone but you make Gerald Robinson happy.”

Her short laugh dismissed the compliment. “That’s only because I’m the baby of his eight children. My siblings all complain that our father lets me get away with murder. But that’s not really true. I just happen to be a positive thinker.”

A doubtful grin lifted one corner of his mouth. “Positive thinker, huh? So that puts you in your father’s good graces?”

She shot him a clever smile. “In a roundabout way. I happen to think if you can dream it, you can do it. And Dad likes it when people get things done.”

* * *

Mason tossed the piece of lilac-colored quartz from one hand to the other and forced his gaze to remain on the rock rather than Sophie’s lovely face. Not for anything did he want her to think he was staring. Even though he wanted to.

Of all the women who worked at Robinson Tech, Sophie had to be the most beautiful, he decided. Her long brown hair hung straight against her back, while her creamy skin glowed as though she was lit from within. And those brown eyes fringed with long, black lashes were like looking into a cup of hot, sweet chocolate.

She was the youngest child of the famous Fortune Robinson family. Their wealth was the sort that a simple man like Mason could only dream about. And yet none of those obstacles had stopped him from watching her from afar and wondering how it might be to actually take her on a date. If that made him a fool, then he was a big one, even by Texas standards.

“So you’re a dreamer.” His gaze settled on her face and suddenly he felt a hard tug deep inside him. Unfortunately, the sensation had nothing to do with him missing dinner and everything about the effervescent glow in her eyes. “Tell me, Sophie, what does a woman like you dream about?”

Her cheeks turned a darker pink. A telltale sign that when he’d walked up on her a few moments ago, she’d been thinking about a man. What else could put that sort of spaced out look on a woman’s face?

She shrugged one slender shoulder and the slight movement caused Mason’s gaze to dip from her face to the curve of her breasts pushing against the magenta colored top, then farther downward to where a close fitting black skirt stopped just above her knees and a pair of strappy high heels covered her small feet.

“Oh, I dream about lots of things,” she said. “Like work and travel and family. But mostly I dream about—”

His eyes lifted to see a smile tilting the corners of her soft, pink lips. As Mason studied the moist curves, he felt the sudden urge to clear his throat.

“About what?” he prodded.

Her gaze dropped shyly from his. “Finding true love like some of my brother and sisters. They’re married and happy and planning families of their own.” She sighed. “But I need the right man for that. And I think I’ve found him.”

The right man. Austin, Texas was full of eligible bachelors, but he couldn’t imagine any of them being good enough for Sophie. So who could possibly be the right man for this pampered princess, he wondered, while attempting to swat away a stab of foolish jealousy.

Folding his arms against his chest, he hoped he appeared cool instead of moonstruck. “Does the lucky guy know he’s targeted yet?”

With a nervous little laugh, she said, “Uh, not exactly. But I’m planning on letting him know soon. Very soon.”

It was stupid of Mason to feel deflated, but he did. Sophie could fly to any place in the world anytime she wanted. The man who’d caught her eye could be in Paris or London, anywhere besides Austin. “Do I know this guy?”

She picked up a pencil and tapped it against a notepad. As Mason looked at her dainty hands with their perfectly manicured fingernails, he doubted she’d ever had to lift more than a pencil. But to her credit, she and her siblings contributed long hours to their father’s company, even though their financial security had been set the day they’d been born.

She said, “I’m not ready to name names, but yes, you certainly know him. He’s handsome and very smart. And has a great job here at Robinson Tech.”

Hey, she could be describing him, Mason thought hopefully. He was smart and certain people had told him he was handsome. He also had a great job with the company.

“Sounds like a nice guy,” Mason admitted.

A wistful smile put a foggy look in her brown eyes. “Oh, he’s very nice. And practically oozes charisma. When my guy walks into a room all the women catch their breath and stare. And wish he belonged to them.”

Dang. That definitely crossed him off the list of possibilities. Though finding a date for himself wasn’t exactly as difficult as moving a mountain, Mason hardly had women swooning at his feet. He was the one with the shoulder they wanted to cry on. The one they came running to whenever some reckless rebel threw them over for a biker chick or rich cougar. Always the friend, but rarely the lover. That was good ole Mason.

“Nadine, one of my coworkers, says there are plenty of hunky men working in this building. Your guy must be one of them,” he said.

A sly look crossed her face. “He’s definitely suave. But he has an edge about him, too. Just enough to keep a woman guessing. Without making him too complex, that is.”

Thom Nichols. Damn it! She was talking about that phony, two-timing womanizer who ate women for breakfast and spit their bones to his Doberman pinscher. But Mason could hardly express his opinion about the man to Sophie. He’d learned long ago that putting down a boyfriend was not the way to score points with a woman.

Clearing his throat, he asked, “Do you really think any man could be as perfect as you’re making this one out to be?”

The long sigh she released troubled Mason greatly. Even if he didn’t have a chance in a million with this woman, he’d hate to see her hurt by lothario Thom.

“Well, I think he’s perfect for me,” she reasoned. “And Valentine’s Day will be here in a couple of weeks. By then I plan to have Mr. Right exactly where I want him.”

She patted the side of her hip, but rather than envisioning Thom standing next to Sophie, Mason was visualizing himself at her side. And suddenly he was determined to make the image come true. She might be thinking of Thom as her Mr. Right, but Mason was going to do everything possible to make her see she was all wrong about the plastic marketing strategist. And that Mason was her real Mr. Right.

Placing the amethyst back on a neat stack of legal papers, Mason straightened away from the desk. “Well, it’s getting really late and I still have a few things to do at home before the morning gets here and everything starts over.”

“You should get yourself a maid,” Sophie suggested. “You’d be surprised by how much she’d ease your workload.”

Mason was thinking he’d much rather have a woman to warm his bed than a maid to clean his house. Preferably one with long brown hair, killer legs and a waist that would fit right between his two hands.

Grinning, he winked at her and started out of the cubicle. “No thanks,” he tossed over his shoulder. “I’ll just eat more spinach.”

* * *

“Have you lost your mind, Sophie? You, of all people, chasing after a man! I just don’t get it.”

She glared at her sister Olivia, who’d made herself comfortable in one of the matching wingchairs in the sitting area of Sophie’s enormous bedroom suite. Even though Olivia had recently moved into a place of her own, she often stopped by the Robinson estate to visit. Sophie had always admired her older sister and often sought her advice on personal matters. Only moments earlier, Sophie had confided her plans to snare Thom Nichols and much to her chagrin, Olivia had immediately exploded with protests.

“No. You wouldn’t understand,” Sophie said, trying to keep the bite of sarcasm from her voice. “You don’t have the same dreams that I do. You don’t care if you ever have a man in your life.”

Sighing, Olivia crossed her legs, as though talking sense to her younger sister was going to be a long, arduous endeavor. “We’re not talking about me, Sophie. This is about you. You making a fool of yourself by chasing after a man.”

Hadn’t their own mother made a fool of herself by living with a man who’d cheated on her for years? Sophie felt like flinging the nasty question at Olivia, but bit it back instead. It wasn’t her place to judge either of her parents for the artificial state of their marriage. For some reason Sophie couldn’t fathom, the two remained steadfastly together. Even so, the connection between her mother and father was about as warm as a trip to Antarctica. And Sophie was determined that she would never settle for such a cold relationship with a man.

“I’m not actually going to chase him,” Sophie corrected as she walked over to the double doors that opened to an enormous walk-in closet. “I’m just going to give him a little nudge—a reminder that I’m in the building and available.”

Olivia snorted. “Thom Nichols believes every woman in the building is available to him. I just don’t see the attraction you have for the man.”

Gasping, Sophie shot a look of disbelief at her sister. “Are you joking? He has to be the sexiest man alive! Well, at least in the state of Texas!”

“We live in a mighty big state, Sophie. Just how would you describe a sexy man? Would you know one if you saw one?”

Momentarily ignoring Olivia’s barbed questions, Sophie snatched several pieces of clothing from the closet and carried them over to a king-sized bed.

“Apparently you need a lesson in identifying a sexy hunk from the regular crowd,” Sophie told her. “He’s tall, dark haired, has a killer smile and walks with just enough swag to let a woman know he’s full of confidence.”

“Hmmp. You mean with just enough conceit to let us know he’s struck on himself.”

Sophie glanced over to see Olivia shaking her head with disgust. Her sister’s cynical attitude irked her and saddened her at the same time. With gently waving hair that was a much darker brown than Sophie’s and beautiful features to match, her older sister could attract any man she wanted, but so far she viewed men and marriage as something worse than a chronic disease.

“Why do you have to be so jaded?” Sophie asked. “I wish now I’d never told you about my plans to go after Thom. It’s obvious you don’t understand how I feel.”

With a rueful sigh, Olivia pushed herself out of the chair and walked over to Sophie. “You’re right, I don’t understand. So why don’t you tell me how you feel about Thom?”

In an effort to gauge her sister’s sincerity, Sophie looked into Olivia’s brown eyes that were incredibly similar to her own.

“Do you honestly want to know?” Sophie asked. “Or are you just patronizing me?”

“I honestly want to know.” She reached over and plucked a black knit dress from the pile of clothing on the bed. “I need to understand why a young, beautiful woman like you feels the need to change yourself just to snag a man. If you have to be someone you’re not in order to make him like you, then you’re deluding yourself that it will ever work.”

Deflated by Olivia’s negative viewpoint, Sophie sank onto the bed. “I’ve had my eye on him for a long time,” Sophie told her. “And the more I’ve watched him, the more I’m sure he was put on this earth to be my one true love.”

Olivia let out a loud, mocking groan, then immediately plopped a hand over her mouth. “Sorry. I couldn’t help it.”

Sophie turned her misty gaze on a far corner of the room and swallowed hard. Not one of her seven legitimate siblings believed she was mature enough to take on a serious relationship with a man, much less think about marriage or a family. They all viewed her as the baby, the one offspring of Charlotte and Gerald Robinson who had been so sheltered, it would take years for her to grow up and acquire a head full of wisdom. Sometimes she even wondered how she’d gotten her job at Robinson Tech. Was it because she was well trained for the job, or because her father was the boss?

“Sure. I know. It all sounds silly to you,” Sophie mumbled.

“Oh, Sophie, don’t be so defensive.” Easing down next to her, Olivia wrapped an arm around Sophie’s shoulders. “I’m sorry. It’s just that I don’t think you grasp yet what love is. And I don’t want you to get hurt while you’re learning.”

Blinking at the tears stinging her eyes, Sophie looked directly at her sister. “I’ll tell you one thing. I know what love isn’t,” she said in a brittle tone. “It isn’t like this sham between our parents! Furthermore, I’d stay a spinster for the rest of my life if it meant avoiding the sort of marriage our mother has endured over the years.”

“Sophie!” Olivia scolded. “How can you say that? Dad has given Mother and all of us kids anything and everything we could possibly want.”

“So in other words, you’re saying Mother stays with Dad because of his money and this.” Sophie waved her arm, indicating the spacious room with its extravagant furnishings. “This high-class lifestyle he can provide her.”

Frowning, Olivia tossed the black dress back onto the bed, then looked toward the door as though she feared their mother might walk in at any moment. “That’s an awful thing to say, Sophie!” she said in a hushed tone. “Mother stays with Dad because she loves him!”

“Really? How could that be when she and the whole world know that Dad has had numerous affairs? You’re telling me that love can actually exist under those conditions?”

“Of course I am,” Olivia insisted. “Why else would she stay if she didn’t love him?”

Sophie had been asking herself that very question for some time now, and the more she did, the more she considered the idea that their mother might be hiding something from the whole family. But since that was only speculation, she was hardly going to mention her suspicions to Olivia. And she definitely wasn’t going to comment about their father anymore tonight. In Olivia’s eyes, Gerald Robinson could do little wrong. She’d chosen to forgive and forget about his philandering. Probably because Olivia happened to be one of their father’s favorites and he doted on her even more than he did Sophie.

Instead she switched the conversation back to her dream man.

“Thom is handsome and dynamic,” Sophie told her. “And I plan to make him mine by Valentine’s Day.”

“Exactly what does your plan entail?”

Sophie walked over to the cheval mirror and twisted her hair into a loose knot atop her head. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to change who I am. I’m only going to tweak the outside a bit. Maybe some highlights in my hair or some new clothes. Some sexy knee-high boots might do the trick.”

“And when you do catch his attention? Then what?”

Sophie smiled confidently at Olivia’s image in the mirror. “Then he’ll begin to look at all of me. Not just the outside.”

With a rueful shake of her head, Olivia warned, “You are headed for disaster, my dear sister. Thom Nichols wants two things from a woman. Sex and money. He’s hardly interested in finding the love of a lifetime.”

Sophie’s lips pressed into an angry line as she turned to face her sister. “Go ahead and be cynical and negative. Do your best to make me look foolish just because I want a man to love and for him to love me!”

Olivia threw up her hands in a gesture of surrender. “I give up. I can see this is something you’re going to have to figure out for yourself. And far be it from me to ruin your quest for love.”

“You’ll see,” Sophie countered with conviction. “By Valentine’s Day I’m going to have my man.”

“I hope you do get the right man—for you, that is. And I hope by Valentine’s Day you’ll begin to see the whole picture. Presently, this crush you have on Thom is giving you tunnel vision.”

Sophie frowned with confusion. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“The only man you see in front of you is Thom. You might allow yourself to look around a bit. You might find out that Mr. Right is someone else.”

Sophie scoffed. “I’m not shopping for high heels. I know what I want when I see it. I don’t have to keep looking for another man. Thom is perfect for me.”

A wan smile on her face, Olivia leaned forward and kissed Sophie’s cheek. “It’s getting late. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

As Sophie watched her sister leave the bedroom, a tinge of sadness began to push her frustration aside. A few kind words of encouragement from Olivia would have been far nicer than a prediction of failure. She’d made it sound like Sophie didn’t have enough sense to differentiate between a skirt chaser and a gentleman.

Sighing, Sophie sank onto the edge of the bed and plucked a family photo from the nightstand. The framed image was one of the few pictures that included all her brothers and sisters. With their busy lives taking them in all directions her whole family wasn’t often together. But this particular photo had been taken at their parents’ twenty-fifth wedding anniversary and everyone, including Charlotte and Gerald, looked happy. Yet that had been eleven years ago, long before anyone knew about Gerald’s hidden identity or his affairs.

A year ago, her older brother, Ben, had been instrumental in uncovering the truth. Their forceful father, one of the most famous tech moguls in the world, wasn’t really Gerald Robinson. He was Jerome Fortune, a member of the famous Fortune family. As if that wasn’t enough of a stunner, during the investigation, Ben had found a thirty-three-year-old illegitimate son of Gerald’s named Keaton Whitfield living in London.

Since that time, their newly discovered half brother had moved to Austin and started building a rapport with all his siblings. Sophie had to admit she liked Keaton and didn’t begrudge his place in the family. Yet the whole revelation of her father’s other life had shaken her to the core.

All at once she’d had to accept the fact that her father had never been the man she’d believed him to be. And as for her mother, who could possibly know why Charlotte had hung around for all these years? It sure as heck wasn’t for love as Olivia had suggested.

Face it, Sophie, your parents are phonies and so are you! The only reason you have an important position at Robinson Tech, or anything else for that matter, is because of your name. It certainly hasn’t come from your brains, or beauty, or hard work. The sooner you realize the truth, the better off you’ll be.

Disgusted with the degrading voice in her head, she put the photo back and squeezed her eyes shut.

If her parents were shams, then their marriage was even more of a joke, Sophie miserably concluded. So what did that make their children? Mere symbols of a fake love? Moreover, what did it make Sophie?

Her lips pressed into a determined line, Sophie looked over at the clothes she’d tossed onto the bed. In one aspect, Olivia had been correct. The outside of her wasn’t nearly as important as the inside. Yes, she wanted to look just as attractive as her sisters and all the other beautiful women of Austin. But she also wanted everyone to see she was more than just the youngest child of a famous and wealthy family. And she was hardly a fool for wanting the same genuine sort of love that her siblings Ben, Wes, Graham, Rachel and Zoe had found, she thought.

By Valentine’s Day, Thom was going to see she was worthy of him. And then everything she’d ever wanted in her life was going to fall into place.

Chapter Two

“They make a nice-looking couple. The office heartthrob and the boss’s daughter. Can you think of a more perfect pairing than that?”

“Yeah, about a million of them,” Mason muttered under his breath.

“What did you say?”

Mason forced his gaze away from Sophie and Thom, who were sitting together at the far end of a long utility table. In the past year he could count on one hand the times he’d seen Thom taking midafternoon coffee in the second floor breakroom. Which could only mean that Sophie had gone to work on her plan and persuaded him to join her.

Mason looked over at the platinum-haired woman sitting next to him. Nadine had been working in the programming department for many years, long before Mason had ever taken a job at Robinson Tech. Divorced and somewhere in her forties, she pushed the envelope of the company’s dress code, but her flamboyant appearance belied her shrewd mind. Even though Mason had graduated in the top half of his college class, he didn’t possess half the knowledge about programming that Nadine held in that sassy head of hers.

“I said they’re all wrong for each other. Totally wrong.”

Nadine turned a frown on Mason. “You don’t say? How did you come to that conclusion?”

Mason squeezed the foam cup of cold coffee so hard it nearly collapsed in his hand. “It should be obvious,” he said. “Everyone in this building knows he’s a player.”

Nadine shrugged. “So? Maybe that doesn’t bother Sophie. Besides, when I called them a couple I didn’t mean it literally. Geez, Mason, lighten up. The two of them are merely having coffee together. Not discussing their marriage vows.”

If Nadine had heard Sophie talking last night about snaring Mr. Right, she wouldn’t be making light of the situation. Couldn’t Nadine see how Sophie was leaning her head toward Thom’s and smiling at him like he was the last male on earth? It was more than obvious that she was on a serious mission to catch Thom Nichols. And what was even clearer was that Mason couldn’t just sit around and watch himself lose the lady of his dreams to a no-good womanizer.

“I wouldn’t be so sure,” Mason muttered as he studied Sophie from the corner of his eye. Today she was wearing a short black dress that resembled a sweater. The fabric outlined her petite curves while black suede boots with chunky heels fit snugly around her shapely calves. A pink-and-black printed scarf hung around her neck, as did dangling jet bead earrings. She looked more than lovely, he decided. She looked downright sexy. And the fact that it was Thom who, at the moment, was receiving her undivided attention clawed jealously at Mason.

“Why, Mason Montgomery, I do believe I hear a green streak in your voice,” Nadine declared. “Are you interested in Sophie Robinson?”

“Fortune Robinson,” he corrected. “Remember? The family discovered they’re actually a part of Kate Fortune’s bunch. You know—the famous cosmetic heiress.”

Nadine nodded. “I remember about a year ago when the news came out about Gerald. But I keep forgetting about the kids tacking on the Fortune name.” Pausing, she clicked her tongue. “Poor little Sophie. She’s such a sweet girl. It must’ve been hard on her—learning all that scandalous stuff about her father.”

Mason could hardly imagine how it would feel to learn your father was actually someone you never knew. His own dad was a hard working pipeline technician for a gas and oil company in San Antonio. Hadley Montgomery had always been a strong anchor for Mason and his two older brothers. Finding out he’d had a secret life would shake the very ground Mason walked on.

“I imagine Sophie and her siblings have tried to keep a stiff upper lip through all of it,” Mason replied. “After all, they can’t help what their father has done.”

Mason suddenly heard Sophie’s light laugh at the far end of the table. The happy sound cut straight through him and he wondered if he was destined to become a fool over women. It hadn’t been that long ago that Melody had broken his heart by deserting him for another man. He was an idiot for thinking things could be different with Sophie. She was already so besotted with Thom Nichols it was like she was wearing blinders.

Nadine’s shrewd chuckle momentarily distracted him. “Well, the revelation about Gerald most likely made all the siblings richer than they were already. Can you imagine how it must feel to have that sort of wealth? They’ll never have to worry about paying a utility bill or wondering if they can afford to eat more than macaroni and cheese for supper.”

Along with her crush on Thom Nichols, Sophie’s wealth was one more wall standing between them. But Mason was determined to knock down those obstacles and clear the path for a chance with her.

“Sophie might be filthy rich, but she’s not a snob. She works very hard.”

Nadine shot him an impish smile. “How would you know? I never see you cross the hall to HR. You always have your head buried in your own work.”

If Mason explained to Nadine that he often spotted Sophie working late at night, then he’d also be admitting he had a habit of staying long after quitting time, too. And Nadine might misconstrue things and get the idea that Mason put in overtime just for a chance to see Sophie alone. Which was completely untrue. Until last night, he thought sheepishly.

“For your information,” Mason said matter-of-factly, “the state bird of Texas is the mockingbird and we have plenty of them flying around the building. They tell me lots of things.”

“Pertaining to Sophie, I presume.” Nadine picked up her smartphone and pretended to swipe. “I’m going to find the best psychiatrist in the city of Austin. Hopefully a doctor can help you with this bird disorder you’ve developed.”

Shaking his head, Mason shoved back his chair. “My coffee is cold. I’m going back to work. Are you ready?”

Groaning, Nadine ran a hand through her wispy blonde hair and glanced around the room. “Sure, I’m ready. There’s no men around here giving me the goo-goo eye anyway.”

Mason smirked. “If a man was, you’d promptly tell him to go stick his head in a garbage can.”

Nadine laughed. “Not if he was the right man.”

Mr. Right. Mason was sick of hearing that term and even sicker of picturing Thom Nichols as the definition.

He rose to his feet and started to follow Nadine out of the breakroom, when behind them, Sophie suddenly called out to him.

“Here’s your chance,” Nadine whispered. “Better go say hello. I’ll see you later.”

Feeling like a nervous teenager, but trying to be cool, Mason walked to the end of the table where his dream lady and Mr. Heartthrob were chatting as though they’d been friends forever. To say this was a fast turn of events would be putting it mildly.

“Hi, Mason!” she said cheerfully. “I saw you leaving and wanted to say hello before you got away.”

“Hello, Sophie. Thom.” He smiled at Sophie then forced a polite glance at Thom. The other man reminded Mason of one of those handsome movie stars who always played the hero on screen, but in reality couldn’t do so much as change a flat tire if a dozen lives were depending on him. “How’s the coffee?”

“Great,” Thom quickly answered and gestured to the small thermos sitting in front of him. “Sophie brought her own special brew from home and talked me into trying some.”

Mason wanted to knock the leering smile he was giving Sophie right off the other man’s face. Instead, he focused his gaze on Sophie.

“Good planning,” he said sagely. “About the coffee, I mean.”

Color swept across Sophie’s cheeks and Mason knew she’d picked up on his subtle comment.

“I try to think of the little things. They make the work day go brighter,” she said with a wide smile, then looked adoringly at Thom. “Did you know Thom is heading the marketing for your new sports app? The media blitz he’s planning is bound to make it a huge seller.”

Mason had rather believe the app would be a huge seller because he’d developed a good product. Not because of a slick talking salesman who could convince folks on Galveston Island to buy a set of snow chains.

Mason said, “I like to think Sports & More is a worthwhile project that deserves plenty of marketing.”

“You’re lucky, Mason,” Thom spoke up. “Mr. Robinson made the decision to spend a bankroll on the marketing for Sports & More. You must have done something right this time. I love sports, but to be honest, I perform better on the dance floor than I do the gym floor.”

In Mason’s opinion, the grin Thom was giving Sophie could only be described as lecherous. Which made it even more puzzling to Mason as to why she’d want a guy like Thom in her life. But women viewed things differently than men, and clearly she was seeing something in Thom that Mason was missing. Whatever the reason for her infatuation with the man, Mason couldn’t just stand passively around and watch this beautiful woman get her heart crushed.

“I’m sure you’ve had lots of practice doing the...hustle,” Mason replied.

Sophie’s brows arched upward, but she didn’t make any sort of reply. Thom merely let out a cocky laugh. Mason decided he should make a quick exit before he really insulted Thom and made both of them angry.

Glancing at his watch, Mason said, “Well, my break is over. Nice to see you two.”

Once he’d returned to his desk, it was only a matter of seconds before Nadine sauntered into his cubicle and propped a hip on his desk. “Okay, what happened? Did you score points with the girl?”

Frowning, he tried to focus on the computer screen in front of him, but the only thing in front of his eyes was Sophie. “I wasn’t trying to score points. Which is just as well. I came close to calling Thom a creep right to his face.”

Nadine groaned. “Let me give you some advice, Mason. The more you toss insults in Thom’s direction, the more she’s going to defend him.”

He turned and glowered at her. “I know that much. It’s just that whenever I’m around the guy I get the urge to vomit. And then things start coming out of my mouth before I can stop them.”

“Look, my friend, if you’re really interested in snagging Sophie’s attention, you need to forget about Thom Nichols and start concentrating on how to make yourself more appealing to her. If you do things right, she’ll start looking at you instead of him.”

“You think so?”

“Trust me. You have loads to offer a woman.” She patted his shoulder. “I better get to work. Wes has assigned me the job of coming up with a mother/baby app store. I can’t imagine what our boss was thinking. My daughter is twenty years old now. What do I remember about having a baby?”

“Hmm. I expect it’s like riding a bike. Once you learn, you never forget.”

Nadine laughed, causing Mason to chuckle along with her.

“Well, a person can get rusty if he doesn’t practice,” he agreed. “But you can always knock off a little rust.”

“And how am I supposed to do that? Have another baby?”

“Why not? Women your age are having babies all the time.”

Her expression softened in a way Mason had never seen before and then she reached out and gently patted his cheek. “You are the sweetest man ever. Sophie’s an idiot if she doesn’t latch on to you.”

Sweet. Mason didn’t want to be a piece of candy. He wanted to be viewed as authoritative, masculine and tough. He wanted women, particularly Sophie, to see him as a take-charge kind of guy who could melt a heart with just one smoldering look. He wanted to be more like his brothers, Doug and Shawn. Neither one of them ever had to worry over catching a woman’s attention. Their problem was trying to decide which one they wanted and on what night of the week.

But Doug was an assistant prosecutor in Bexar County, a fierce lion in the courtroom. And Shawn was a lieutenant on the San Antonio police force. They were both handsome and forceful, with jobs that women admired. Even as children, Mason had never felt as though he could compete with his stronger, older brothers. And time hadn’t changed Mason’s feelings. Sure, he had a great job and his physical appearance wasn’t exactly homely. But compared to his brothers, he was a geek.

If he ever expected to get Sophie to notice him, then he was going to have to be more like Doug and Shawn and a whole lot less like himself, he thought grimly.

* * *

More than an hour later, Mason was working when Sophie suddenly walked into his cubicle, nearly sending him into shock. The only time she’d ever stopped by his desk was when she’d personally helped him with a health insurance issue.

But it was clear this visit of hers had nothing to do with insurance. She was grinning from ear to ear and practically dancing on her toes.

She pulled up a chair and leaned her head close to his. The soft scent of her perfume swirled around him and tugged on his already dazed senses.

“Mason, I’m sorry if I’m interrupting your work,” she said in a hushed tone. “But I’m so excited I had to tell someone! And since I shared my plans with you last night—Well, it’s happened!”

Totally bemused, he stared at her beaming face. “It has?”

“Yes! Already! Can you believe it? Here I was thinking I was going to have to do handsprings out in the hall to get Thom to take a second look at me and all it took was a cup of exotic coffee.”

Mason had never felt so deflated in his life. “You two looked pretty chummy in the break room.”

“Chummy? Mason, you’re so funny.” Laughing lightly, she gave his knee a gentle squeeze. “He’s asked me out on a date! A real date! Tonight! Isn’t it incredible?”

Mason felt like handing her the letter opener on his desk and telling her to stab him right in the gut. The act would have been more merciful than the news she was giving him.

He looked into her brown eyes and wondered if they would ever shine for him the way they were shining at this moment.

“A date, huh? That was fast work.”

“You’re telling me! I only started my plan today. I never expected to have results this quick.” Her expression suddenly sobering, she glanced around the large room to make sure no one was listening. “Mason, you’re a really honest guy. Tell me, do you think Thom might’ve asked me out just because—well, because I’m Gerald Robinson’s daughter?”

Hell yes! Mason wanted to shout the words at her. But he held them back. One thing he was certain of, Sophie was a soft, gentle person. It would hurt her deeply if she thought her dream man might be using her for his own gain. Mason couldn’t do that to her. Not right now. He couldn’t bring himself to shatter the deliriously happy look on her face.

The more you insult Thom Nichols, the more Sophie will defend him. At this moment, Nadine’s words couldn’t have been more right.

Unable to keep looking her in the eye, Mason’s gaze drifted to the computer screen. But for all he could see, the words might as well have been written in a foreign language. “Oh, Sophie, I wouldn’t worry about that. Thom already has a good position in the company. He hardly needs you to help him get in your father’s good graces.”

“I guess that’s true enough,” she said quietly. “I shouldn’t have ever let the idea cross my mind. It’s just a date. Not a marriage proposal.”

Thank God, Mason thought. If that ever happened, he’d have to speak up.

“That’s true. And anyway, you’re an intelligent woman. You’d know right off if a man was trying to use you.”

Her eyes grew soft. And then suddenly without any warning at all, she leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his cheek.

“Thank you, Mason. You’re wonderful!”

To his utter amazement, she pressed another kiss to same spot she’d already branded with her lips, then jumped to her feet.

“Stop by my desk tomorrow and I’ll let you know how things go,” she told him, then with a wiggle of her fingers she hurried away.

Mason lifted fingertips to the spot she’d kissed not once, but twice. The skin was still tingling as though she’d stuck a naked electric wire to his cheek. If a simple kiss to the side of his face had caused this much reaction, the feel of her lips against his would probably have him dancing like a drunk idiot atop his desk.

Darting a glance toward Nadine’s desk, he realized the woman must have seen the whole interchange between him and Sophie. She was smiling broadly and giving him a thumbs up. The encouraging signal had Mason stifling a loud groan. Nadine didn’t know Sophie had merely stopped by to announce her date with Thom. And at the moment, Mason felt too sick to set his coworker straight.

* * *

Later that evening at the Robinson estate, Sophie was hurrying to her bedroom when her mother called out to her.

“Sophie? Why are you running through the house like a child?”

Laughing, Sophie stopped in her tracks and waited until her mother caught up to her.

“Probably because I feel like a happy kid tonight. Don’t you ever feel that way, Mother? Like kicking up your heels and doing pirouettes?”

“I like to think I’m in good physical condition for my age,” Charlotte told her daughter, “but I’m not exactly ready for ballet leaps and spins.”

For a woman in her midseventies, Sophie’s mother still looked youthful. Of course, it helped that she could afford to get routine facials and have her own personal trainer, along with a chef who designed meals to keep her weight down and her skin and hair glowing.

Smiling brightly, Sophie said, “I refuse to believe that, Mother. I happen to think you could dance all night.”

Charlotte pursed her lips with disapproval. “Those occasions are long over for me, Sophie.”

Sophie frowned. “That’s nonsense. Dad doesn’t think in those terms. He still does plenty of fun things.”

“Fun,” Charlotte repeated in a mocking tone. “Your father views the whole world as his playground. That will never change.”

It was a rare occasion that Charlotte made any sort of comment about her husband. More often than not, she went about her business as though Gerald didn’t exist.

Looping her arm through her mother’s, Sophie urged her down the hallway to her bedroom. “Come sit and help me pick out something nice to wear,” she told Charlotte. “I have a date tonight and I want to look extra special.”

“Who is this special date?” her mother asked, taking a seat in one of the wingback chairs. “Do I know the young man?”

“I doubt it,” Sophie called from inside the closet. “He works for the company—in marketing. His name is Thom Nichols.”

“Nichols,” Charlotte repeated thoughtfully. “Is he related to Drew Nichols, who owns Austin Capital Bank and Trust?”

“I have no idea,” Sophie answered as she stepped out with clothes tossed over her arm.

Charlotte gasped with dismay. “You have no idea? You’re going out with the man and you don’t know any more than that about him?”

The branches of a family tree were very important to Charlotte. So was public perception. Which made Sophie wonder how her mother had stood so stanchly by her husband when the news of his London love child had hit the rumor mill in Austin.

“Oh, Mother, I hardly need to know the size of Thom’s wallet before I go on a date with him.”

Her spine ramrod straight, Charlotte scooted to the edge of the chair. “I am not talking about money. As a Robinson you have a social standing to uphold and—”

“A Fortune Robinson,” Sophie interrupted dourly. “Surely you haven’t forgotten I have an extra name now. But then, I suppose as a Fortune, I have an equally important reputation to uphold.”

Her hands clasped tightly together in her lap, Charlotte said stiffly, “The added name is a fact I don’t care to ponder on.”

“That’s perfectly understandable,” Sophie said gently. She walked over and sank onto the dressing bench facing her mother. “Ever since Keaton has come into the family I’ve been wondering about you, Mother.”

A shutter fell across Charlotte’s face, making her features unreadable. “There’s no reason for you to be wondering about me. I’m fine. And I’ll remain fine.”

Not wanting to add to her mother’s suffering, Sophie chose her next words carefully.

“Actually, I’ve watched the way you’ve conducted yourself through this whole scandal, Mother, and I’ve been amazed. I couldn’t have been nearly as strong and steadfast as you’ve been.”

The rigidness of Charlotte’s face eased a fraction as her glance returned to Sophie. “It’s not been a picnic for me by any means. But I understand your father completely. Actually, I understand him better than anyone,” she said. “And sometimes a wife just has to put on a brave face and look the other way.”

The other way? Sophie was incredulous, but she carefully hid the reaction from her mother. Charlotte had grown up in a past era, where women had different roles in life. Especially when it came to men and marriage.

“Maybe so, Mother. And I know a person is supposed to be forgiving. But I happen to think you deserve better from Dad. For the life of me, I can’t imagine why you stay married to him.”

Her mother shot her a stern look of warning. “Your father and I have a complicated relationship. It’s also unbreakable. I can assure you of that.”

Unbreakable because her mother refused to let go of a cold marriage? Or maybe it was her father who kept his wife bound to his side for purposes other than love?

“Anything can break, Mother, with enough pressure.”

“Gerald has provided me, you and everyone in his family with a wonderful life. Not one of you children has a thing to complain about. So don’t.”

The firm tone of Charlotte’s voice told Sophie not to push the issue, so she would honor her mother’s wishes and let the subject drop. But that didn’t mean Sophie would stop speculating and wondering if there could be more to her mother’s loyal devotion to her cheating husband.

Smiling, she focused on her upcoming date instead, standing and holding up a pale pink mini dress with black accents. “What do you think about this for dinner and a movie?”

“Dinner and a movie? You’re calling that a special date?”

Sophie’s laugh tinkled through the bedroom. “It’s the man that’s making it special. Not where we’re going.”

Clasping the dress to her, Sophie waltzed over the plush carpet, while her mother eyed her with speculation.

“Sophie, you always were an impulsive, dreamy child. I’d hoped that by the time you graduated college you’d be more realistic and settled. But it’s clear you’re still flittering around like a butterfly, believing life is nothing more than a rose garden. One of these days you’re going to have to face the real world.”

Pausing in front of Charlotte’s chair, Sophie fought hard not to roll her eyes. If it wasn’t so sad, her mother’s comment would be laughable. Did she think pretending to have a loving, caring husband wasn’t delusional?

“I crammed four years of college into three and I’ve held down a demanding job ever since,” she said stiffly. “I’d call that very real, Mother.”

Charlotte’s features softened somewhat. “Oh, Sophie darling, there’s no sense in you getting all defensive. I only meant—well, you’re a romantic soul. You believe life is full of hearts and flowers and kisses. And I suppose there’s nothing wrong with that—in small doses. But you also need to be firmly grounded.”

When Sophie came home sporting an engagement ring, then her mother would see her butterfly daughter was perfectly capable of landing safely on her feet.

Determined not to let anything spoil her evening ahead, Sophie dropped a kiss on her mother’s smooth cheek. “Don’t worry, Mother. I promise not to let Thom sweep me off my feet tonight.”

But I’m sure as heck going to try to sweep him off his.

Chapter Three

Several hours later, a bored Sophie stared at the theater screen while fighting back a yawn. She’d never been into action movies and this one, with its ridiculous, computerized explosions and car chases, was hardly enough to hold her attention.

When Thom had asked her what movie she’d like to see tonight, Sophie had generously insisted he choose, with hopes he’d view her as easy to please. She’d hardly expected him to take her to see Road Devils: The Final Battle. So far there hadn’t been one meaningful exchange of dialogue. But that hadn’t seemed to bother Thom; he appeared to be enthralled with the story. For the past hour and a half, he’d rarely glanced in her direction.

So much for taking pains with her hair and makeup, she thought wryly, as she sipped her diet soda and darted a glance over at Thom. At the moment, he was munching on butter-drenched popcorn, his gaze fixated on the gun battle on the screen. Even though he’d not been all that attentive, she had to admit he looked devilishly handsome tonight in close-fitting brown trousers and a black shirt. But was gazing at a good-looking face all she wanted?

The question had barely had time to roll through her mind when suddenly, for no unexplainable reason, Mason popped into her thoughts. Would he have brought her to this sort of juvenile flick?

Are you going crazy, Sophie? You’ve been bragging to everyone how you’re going to snag Thom. Now you’re finally out with him and you start thinking about Mason Montgomery! He’s just a friend at work. He’s not the man of your dreams!

The scolding voice in her head was correct. This was hardly the time for her thoughts to be straying to Mason. Yet this was the second time in the past few hours that a vision of the other man had appeared to her.

Earlier, when she and Thom had been sitting in a restaurant eating a simple meal of fish and French fries, a dish she’d learned was Thom’s favorite, the image of Mason cutting into a rare steak and sipping red wine had popped into her mind. It was ridiculous! She had no idea whether Mason liked to eat such a masculine meal. Besides, Thom was the he-man of the two. Wasn’t he?

“Wow, that was a great ending, don’t you think?”

Ending? Sophie glanced around to see the credits were rolling on the screen and people were already filing toward the exits.

“Oh. Yes, for sure. It was very exciting,” she said, hoping he wouldn’t guess she’d mentally blanked out the last hour of the movie.

He tossed his empty soda cup into the popcorn tub and dropped the whole thing to the floor for the janitors to clean up.

“Ready?” he asked.

She nodded, while telling herself his untidiness was hardly anything to be concerned about. He was probably very orderly at his own place. Besides, it wasn’t like she had to clean up after him.

Are you even ready to see this guy’s apartment, Sophie? And what would you do if he tried to seduce you into his bed?

Frowning at the silly questions that continued to pop into her head, she nodded at him and reached for her coat. After he’d helped her into the garment, the two of them left the theater. Once they were outside, Sophie dropped her soda cup into a nearby trashcan.

As they walked across the parking lot to his car, Thom glanced at his watch. “It’s getting rather late. I think we should call it a night. We both have to be at work early in the morning.”

So much for worrying about going to his apartment, she thought. He couldn’t even manage a stop off at a coffee house.

Sophie tried not to show her disappointment. After all, this was their first date. Just one of many, she hoped. She shouldn’t be expecting him to behave as though he was reluctant to tear himself away from her company.

“Fine. I can always use the extra time to shampoo my hair and shave my legs—again.”

He tossed her a puzzled look. “What?”

She chuckled and then realizing he was clueless, she shrugged. “Oh, nothing. Just a girl thing.”

“You’re a good sport, Sophie. I like that about you.”

At least there was something about her he liked, Sophie decided. Although she would’ve preferred to hear him say how competent she was at her job. The way that Mason had complimented her.

Mason. Mason. Why did the man keep lurking at the edge of her mind?

Thankfully, Thom put his arm around her waist and as they walked the remaining distance to the car, she was able to push the ridiculous question from her mind.

When they reached the sleek, little sports car, he politely helped her into the bucket seat. No sensible economy car for this guy, Sophie decided. Apparently he wanted his mode of transportation to match his image. Cool and sexy.

She’d been sitting only inches away from the man for the past few hours. By now she should be feeling the itch to get closer. Instead, she was wondering about the other women he’d dated. No doubt most of them had been eager to get their hands on him. Shouldn’t she be wanting to scoot closer and snuggle her cheek against his shoulder? Was she just not getting herself in the right frame of mind?

Minutes later, Sophie was still mulling over the troublesome ideas when they approached the iron security gates connecting the high stone walls surrounding the Robinson Estate.

After Sophie keyed in a code to allow them entry, Thom drove down a long drive lined with live oak trees. In the summer months, the multi-winged mansion was shaded by more live oaks, along with several massive pecan trees. Presently, winter had bared the branches of the pecan trees.

Normally, when Sophie went on a date, she met the guy at a chosen spot downtown. It saved him the inconvenience of driving to the estate and dealing with security. It also took away the intimidation factor. A few of her past dates had taken one look at her home and never asked her out again. But Thom was far more self-assured than that and she’d wanted this whole evening to feel like a special beginning.

After parking in the wide circular drive illuminated by solar footlights, Thom helped her from the car and walked her to the door. The arm at the back of her waist felt strong and sturdy, but she wasn’t getting any warm or cuddly vibes from the contact. Maybe that was because she was still a little miffed at being brought home early as though she had a curfew.

“This is some serious digs, Sophie,” he said as he eyed the elaborate entrance to the only home she’d ever known. “Bet the inside is even fancier than the outside.”

The subtle hint brought Sophie up short. Did he want her to invite him in for a drink—with her father?

Hating herself for thinking such unseemly things about this man, she forced a smile on her face. “It’s nice and comfortable,” she said simply. “I’d invite you in, but like you said, it’s getting late and I wouldn’t want to disturb my parents. You understand, of course.”

He smiled back and Sophie was relieved that he didn’t appear to be offended. This was Thom. Her Thom. She wanted things between them to start off well. Even so, she had no intentions of being a pushover.

“Sure. Maybe next time,” he suggested.

Tilting her head back, she studied his perfectly carved features. “Would you like there to be a next time?” she asked.

He shrugged. “Why not? I’m willing if you are.”

His response wasn’t exactly what she’d been hoping for, but this was just the beginning of things, she assured herself.

Lowering her lashes, she said demurely, “Yes. I’m willing.”

“Great.”

The simple word was said offhandedly as he shoved back the sleeve of his jacket to check his watch. Again. If time was more important to him than she was, she thought bleakly, she was doing something very wrong.

“Well, it’s rather cold out here,” she said. “Maybe we’d better say good-night.”

Sophie turned toward the door, but before she could key in the entry code, his arm snaked around her waist and drew her toward him.

“I can’t let you go in without a proper good-night,” he said with practiced ease.

Finally! The word was zipping through Sophie’s mind as she planted her hands on his chest and tilted her head slightly back. At last! Her dream man was going to kiss her!

Her heart tripping with anticipation, she waited for his kiss. But shockingly, when his lips met hers, her initial instinct was to push him away and step back. Somehow, she managed to catch herself before the crazy reaction ruined everything. Then, forcing herself to lean into him, she attempted to put real feeling into the kiss.

His lips moved expertly over hers with just enough pressure to convey that he was interested. The feeling was pleasant enough for Sophie, but there was no passion igniting inside her. No sweet singing birds sounding in her ears. No trembling in her knees. Even after he lifted his head, she was still anxiously waiting, expecting some last-minute explosion.

Smiling smugly, certain the dazed look on her face was a result of dreamy desire, he patted the top of her head. “Good night, Sophie. See you tomorrow.”

“Yes. Good night.”

As Sophie watched him walk back to his car, she was struck by the stunning realization that something was very wrong with her.

Thom Nichols, the man of her dreams, had just kissed her and she hadn’t felt a thing.

* * *

The next evening Mason was still at his desk, deep in work, when Nadine stopped by his cubicle.

“Hey, guy, haven’t you looked at the clock? It’s quitting time.”

He glanced around to see Nadine was already buttoned up in a fake fur coat that resembled a cheetah. In spite of her smile, she looked drained.

“I’ll be going soon,” he told her. “I have a few more things I want to finish. How’s the mother/baby app going?”

Groaning, she rolled her head one way and then the other. “I’m losing my mind. That’s how it’s going. Wanna help?”

Mason chuckled. “I have plenty of work waiting on me. Besides, I know nothing about mothers and babies.”

Nadine grinned suggestively. “This would be a good opportunity for you to learn.”

“Hah! It’ll be years before I have a child. If ever,” he said flatly.

“Aw, come on, Mason. I can see deep down you were made to be a family man. Don’t disappointment me.”

Mason shot her a glum look and Nadine promptly stepped into the cubicle as though she’d forgotten she was on her way out of the building.

“It’s been months since Christa threw you over for that high-rolling real estate agent. If you’re still pining over her, let me assure you, she’s not worthy to wipe the sweat off your brow, much less be your wife.”

Mason gave her a weary smile. “Thanks for the compliment. But forget about Christa. Believe me, I have.”

“Really? Then tell me why you’ve been going around all day like you’ve lost your dog?”

“I don’t have a dog.”

“Don’t evade the question. Something...” Her red lips formed an O as she shot him a shrewd glance. “It’s about Sophie, isn’t it? You were very unhappy at seeing her with Thom in the breakroom yesterday. What’s happened? You think you’ve lost your chance with her or something?”

Mason tossed his pen onto the desk, where it promptly rolled to the back and fell between the wall and the kickboard. A sign of just how his luck was going, he thought dismally. “She went out on a date with him last night.”

Nadine’s brows arched upward. “Really? How would you know that?”

“Yesterday, when you saw her here at my desk, she was telling me that Thom had asked her out. She was jumping up and down with excitement.” He shook his head while trying to ignore the heavy feeling of dejection settling in the pit of his stomach. “She has her heart set on having a big Valentine’s date with Thom. And knowing Sophie’s determination, she’ll probably get it.”

“Poor girl. She’s letting that pretty face of Thom’s blind her. I expect it won’t take long for the blinders to fall off and then she’ll start looking for a man with real substance. And we know where she can find one of those,” Nadine added with a sage grin.

“Do we?”

Before Nadine could answer, Dexter Johnson, another programmer, stopped by Mason’s cubicle.

“Oh. You two are still here. Are we supposed to be staying over for a meeting or something? I didn’t get a memo about it.”

In his midthirties, Dexter had black hair that waved in a giant bush about his pale face. A wide smile exposed a set of longer than normal eyeteeth, prompting the nickname Vamp. And though it was done with affectionate teasing, Mason didn’t approve of his colleagues’ humor. When it came to computers, though, Dexter was practically a genius. Along with that, he was a nice, unpretentious guy.

“Don’t worry, Dexter. There’s no meeting. Nadine and I are just having a little visit.”

“Oh, well, I’ll let you two get on with it.”

Before he could move on, Mason said, “You don’t have to go. Pull up a chair and join us.”

Even though Dexter was clearly warmed by the invitation, he quickly shook his head. “No thanks. I need to get home. They’re predicting sleet tonight. Not good walking weather. And I’m too chintzy to catch a cab.”

Nadine wrapped her arm around Dexter’s slender shoulders. “Forget about walking, or the cab. You can ride with me. Your apartment is right on my way.”

Dexter’s thin face brightened. “Are you sure? I don’t want to be a bother.”

“No bother at all. I’m happy to have the company. So if you’re ready, let’s go.” She urged Dexter away from the cubicle, while tossing a smile over her shoulder at Mason. “Get your swagger on, Mason. Your time is coming. Good night.”

Mason waved, then turned back to his computer.

Swagger? Him? He was hardly the guy who roared in on a motorcycle wearing black leather chaps and a slick pompadour. How was Mason supposed to get swagger when everybody saw him as the boy next door with the kind face and comfortable shoulder?

For the next two hours, Mason tried to dive into his work and forget about Sophie’s date with Thom. But each time he thought he’d cleared his mind, her pestering image came right back to him.

Sophie had told him to stop by her desk today and she’d give him a report on her date. But regardless of how much he wanted a chance to talk with her, he was hardly keen on hearing about Thom Nichols sweeping her off to some magical spot and kissing her until she fainted with delight.

No. Mason didn’t need to hear any of that. But when he finally shut down his computer and walked out into the corridor to leave, he spotted a light still burning in human resources and knew it had to be Sophie. No one else put in the long hours that she did.

With his jacket slung over his shoulder, he stood near the elevator doors, trying to decide whether to go speak to her, when the light suddenly went dark and Sophie stepped into the corridor.

Spotting him immediately, she waved. “Mason! I didn’t know you were still here.”

His heart tripping at a ridiculous rate, he watched her stride quickly toward him, while thinking she looked as fresh as if it was eight thirty in the morning and she’d just arrived, instead of nearly three hours past quitting time.

“Hi, Sophie. I just now saw the light and wondered if it was you,” he confessed.

Her lower lip thrust forward in a playful pout. “And you weren’t going to stop by and see me? Shame on you. I expected to see you today.”

So she could brag about her date with Thom, he thought sickly. “Well, I’ve been very busy today. I’m still doing last-minute tests on the sports app. And then there’s a new project.”

“You’re so incredibly smart, Mason. I doubt you ever worry about the work you produce. In fact, I’ve heard Wes bragging on you before. You’re one of his favorites,” she added, then gave him a coy wink. “But don’t let him know I told you so.”

At least there was one Fortune Robinson who appreciated him, Mason thought dryly.

“I wouldn’t think of repeating that little tidbit,” he assured her.

For some reason he felt compelled at the moment to grab the bull by the horn, as the saying went. Raking a hand through his hair, he asked her, “Uh, seeing as how you’re leaving, too, would you like to grab a cup of coffee?”

For one split second she appeared surprised by his invitation and then a bright smile lifted the corners of her lips. “Sure. I’d love a cup.”

Feeling as though the floor beneath his feet had just turned to air, he reached for the coat she was carrying. “Better let me help you with this,” he said. “I hear there’s bad weather coming tonight.”

Standing behind her, he held the coat so that she could slip her arms into it and Mason was immediately struck by her petite stature and the grace with which she moved. As always, she smelled like a cloud of sunny flowers and he longed to drop his face to the crown of her hair and draw in the subtle scent.

“Thanks,” she told him as she buttoned the coat and wrapped a dark purple scarf around her neck. “I hate being cold. I’ll be happy when three-digit temperatures get here.”

He chuckled. “Don’t worry. Summer will be here before you can say the rat ran over the cheese barrel.”

She shot him a quizzical look. “‘The rat ran over the cheese barrel.’ Where did you get that phrase?”

He grinned. “I made it up.”

She laughed then, and looped her arm through his. “You’re so funny, Mason. Thank you for making me laugh.”

Funny. How was he supposed to get any kind of serious swagger going when Sophie viewed him as some sort of standup comedian?

He didn’t know, but he had to get his new and improved Mason going soon or Thom Nichols was going to snare this sweet Fortune on his arm.

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