Chapter 17 - Cuddle

Georgia came back before noon. She prepared some lunch for them and cleaned around the house. Kelsey helped her out no matter how many times Georgia sent her away and told her it was not her job to clean. The girl was stubborn though, she put up a fight and kept saying that she was gonna help no matter what.

Kelsey also mentioned to Georgia about the argument she and Mason had earlier in the morning. Georgia tried to defend Mason's side but Kelsey was one hard headed woman. She didn't listen to whatever Georgia was saying about Mason. She just hated the fact that he was forbidding her to work. Sure, he was her boss, but that did not give him the right to control her.

Due to their fight, Georgia decided to bring Mason some lunch. If she had sent Kelsey, she knew the two would reenact World War I. Especially since Kelsey's head was as hot as the lava.

After lunch, Kelsey decided to take the time to tour around the building. Since Mason was planning on keeping her as a prisoner, she figured she should at least find something to do around the place when boredom strikes her. She went to the basement where she found a gym, an indoor and outdoor pool, and even an arcade where a bunch of kids were running around trying to play as many games as possible. She then remembered her brothers. She missed them dearly even though it only had been two days.

She then decided to go to the restaurant on the first floor. The sweet aroma of steak and lobster mixed around the room. The smell seemed to have a taste on it. It was delicious. Kelsey was walking around until she bumped into somebody. "Sorry." She quickly apologized to a man in tux. He was young, about the same age as her or maybe a little older. He had a fair complexion, shining blue orbs, dishevelled jet black hair and defined jaw.

God, men here were all undeniably good looking. She thought that Mason, Ricky and the guy standing in front of her had just stepped out of a magazine photoshoot. They all looked like real-life sculptures.

"That's quite alright. I wasn't really looking where I was going anyway." He explained as he sheepishly rubbed the nape of his neck. "So, what can I do for the beautiful lady?" He asked her. "Are you on a romantic date with one of these businessmen? Maybe I know them."

She bit her lower lip and shook her in response. "No, I came by myself. I was just wandering and looking around." She answered.

"Oh, I see. You must be a new tenant then, huh?" He wondered.

"Yeah, something like that." She muttered. She then sniffed the most amazing and delicious smell. It was her favourite. "Mhm, strawberry cheesecake..." She whispered to herself closing her eyes as she admire the sweet aroma of her favourite dessert. She bet she couldn't even afford a slice of it in the oh-so-fancy looking restaurant.

"Amazing, how did you guess that?" The man in front of her snapped her out of her trance and brought her back to reality. A smile was still playing along her face when she reopened her eyes to look at him.

"It's a gift." She proudly said earning a chuckle from the man. If he couldn't get anymore cuter, she thought.

"Are you a chef or something?" He curiously questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"I used to go to a culinary school before." She explained to him.

"I see... By the way, my name's Brandon Kane." He introduced himself sticking out a hand for her to shake.

"Kelsey Parker. Nice to meet you." She replied shaking his hand gently.

"Mr. Kane, the executives are here." One of the waitresses informed him as he nodded in response.

"Alright, I'll be right there." He announced to the waitress and turned back to Kelsey. "Well, I gotta run. Hope to see you again soon, Ms. Parker." He said his farewell as she politely said her goodbyes and waved.

She looked at her watch and saw that it was already 7 o'clock. She couldn't believe how time flew by so quickly. She then decided it was time to go back up. She took a breather and she was ready to face with the frustrating man again.

Once she was inside, Georgia greeted her with a warm but nervous smile. "Where have you been, sweetheart?"

"I was just roaming around the building. Is something wrong?" She asked noticing Georgia's different demeanor.

"Mason asked about you. Maybe a couple of hundred times already." She kept her answers at bay as if she was afraid to tell Kelsey the whole truth behind her words.

"Don't worry about it. I'll handle it later." Kelsey assured her as Georgia shot her a suspicious look. "Relax, I'm not gonna murder him." She said earning a sigh of relief from Georgia. She let a chuckle out and said, "Not yet, at least."

"Kelsey..."

"I was joking. You really need some relax time, Georgia. That's why you should head home now and get some rest. I'll take care of everything around here."

"Alright, I cooked some dinner for you. And please check on Mason. I fed him his dinner already. But if he gets cold again, I placed some blankets in his closet." Georgia rattled off.

"Okay, I got it. Now go home and relax. We'll be fine. I'll take care of him." She assured her once more as Georgia finally nodded her head and took her small purse on the stool by the counter.

"Take care and I'll see you tomorrow."

"See you." Kelsey waved goodbye as she locked the door. She made her way to the kitchen and ate some of the rice and stew Georgia cooked for her. She cleaned up around the kitchen before she headed upstairs to check on Mason before going to her bedroom.

She was only by the staircase when she heard his loud coughs. She was no doctor but she knew it was getting worse. She took a deep breath before entering his room. Kelsey saw him cuddling around the comforter pulling it against his chest as he continued to cough loudly. He was shivering but when Kelsey touched his forehead, he was burning hot. She almost hissed as she touched it. She then went to his bathroom and pulled out a basin under the sink. She filled it with freezing water then grabbed a small white clothe.

She soaked the clothe on the water then placed it against his forehead. He was still shivering and his teeth were cluttering against each other. She took a blanket in one of the closets in his room and placed it around him. He snuggled with it as she soaked the clothe again and rubbed it against his face, neck, arms and hands. Kelsey suddenly fixed the hair falling on his face and moved it. His locks were soft, Kelsey liked the texture of it against her hand.

She then took the clothe and the basin back to the bathroom and cleaned up. She came back to the room only to find him shivering again. She took another blanket and placed it around him but it seemed to be not working. She then got an idea. Kelsey knew that she might regret it later on but she hopped on the bed and cuddled around him. She hugged his torso to radiate the warmth of her body to his. In response, Mason pulled her closed to his body as the noise of his clattering teeth subsided. He pulled her even closer and Kelsey felt her eyes getting weary all of a sudden. She found comfort in his arms and before she even knew it, she had fallen asleep with the frustrating man.

~ * ~ * ~

Mason stirred in his sleep and slowly opened the lids of his eyes. He couldn't believe it, but he never felt so peaceful. It was the best sleep he'd ever gotten in many years. He glanced around until his eyes rested on a beautiful flawless face resting on his chest. Kelsey's mouth was slightly agape and her arm was wrapped around his torso. He'd gotta admit, it was the most comfortable position and he liked it.

He continued to stare at her face and he gently removed the hair blocking her eye and tucked it behind her ear. He slowly outlined the features of her face with the tip of his index finger. He traced her eyebrow, to her eyes, nose and lastly her luscious lips. He wanted to taste it so badly. So without any second thoughts, he leaned in a pecked her lips. It tasted even better than he had imagine and he wanted to do it again. He was about to when Kelsey slowly opened her eyes and Mason panicly leaned back.

Kelsey was confused at first but she then remembered that she fell asleep last night trying to keep him warm. She lifted herself up and sat up. "How're you feeling?" She asked in wonder.

"I um, feeling much better." He awkwardly replied as he sheepishly rubbed the nape of his neck. He looked like a deer that was caught in a headlight. Somehow, he didn't regret planting a kiss on her delicious lips.

"That's good. I'm sorry, I must've fallen asleep last night. You were so cold that not even these blankets kept you warm." She explained herself as she pointed at the blankets that were now placed at the end of the bed.

"That's quite alright. Thanks for taking care of me." He gratefully said shooting her one of his rare warm smiles.

"Don't thank me, thank Georgia." Kelsey simply shrugged and stood up from the bed making her way towards the door. She was only half way there when Mason asked her a question.

"That reminds me, where were you yesterday?" He curiously asked as the smile completely faded from his face and replaced were darted eyes and furrowed brows.

"I was just roaming around the building. You can't really keep me prisoned here in your penthouse, Mason." She annoyingly answered rolling her eyes.

"That's not what I meant and you know it-"

"Then what is it? Why won't you allow me to get a job and work?" She asked throwing her hands in frustration.

"Because I said so!" He exclaimed. "You are not working and that is final! I am here to pay you. I hired you, Kelsey. That means that you work for me and only me alone! I expect you to be there whenever, wherever I need." He explained running his hands through his hair multiple times.

"You know what, thank you." She sarcastically replied. "Thank you for clearing it up that I'm just your 'beck and call'." She said as she left the room slamming the door behind.

Mason was left alone in astonishment and frustration. He didn't imply that she was his beck and call and it wasn't the message he wanted to come across.

He then knew that he messed up. Big time!

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