14. Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fourteen
M addie
I’m pacing my living room. Pacing.
I stop as I feel a trickle down my cheek. I wipe and my fingers come away wet. I’m working up a sweat.
No, no, no.
Quickly, I grab a towel and dab my face, then fight the urge to walk off my nervous energy.
There’s no reason I should be nervous. It’s only a date with my boss I’ve been seeing all day. But I am.
My stomach’s coiling and my heart’s thumping faster.
I glare at the clock, willing it to become seven p.m. so I can be put out of my misery.
Why do I feel so weird?
Chance and I shared that fun lunch a couple of days ago. I wasn’t nervous about that. Why now?
I walk over to the room and stand before the floor-length mirror. The matte green evening gown hugs my skin like a loving caress, but is free enough that I can move easily. The emerald studs in my ear complement the simple look. As does my hair packed up and away from my face in a cute little updo.
There. I look… like I’m about to go on a real date with someone I actually like.
And I’m feeling a rush of nerves like it.
I drop into the bed and recite the words.
“This means nothing. It’s only a date.”
The grind of car tires on asphalt brings my head up. The engine shuts off and a door bangs.
He’s here.
Swallowing down my nerves, I grab my purse and head to the front door. A soft knock slips through right before I open it.
My… world.
He’s in a warm brown short-sleeved button-down, paired with darker slacks and boots.
I’m sure my mouth is open and my eyes are wide. But I can’t stop.
All my nerves have disappeared, leaving a tremor that rushes through me all brought about by the sight of him.
I meet his eyes and my knees grow weak.
His deep blue gaze is smoky as it glides over me.
I’m torn between running away from the energy sizzling between us and skipping into his arms, begging him to take me.
Before I can do either very stupid things, he breaks the silence.
“You look amazing.” It’s a whisper, a rumble.
My heart stutters. “And so do you.”
His lips quirk. “You ready?”
I nod, unable to speak. He reaches out a hand and I place my palm in it.
Our eyes meet and I know he feels it too.
The electricity sizzling between us.
I only hope I can get through tonight without doing something stupid.
On the ride to the restaurant, I remind myself it’s only a date. Over and over.
“What date?” Chance asks as he turns into the parking lot.
“Hmm?” My gaze whips to him. Shit. I’ve been muttering out loud. “No date. It’s nothing.”
He sticks next to me as we proceed into the fancy restaurant. Everything is coated in a warm glow, and elegantly dressed patrons chat across primly decorated tables. It’s unlike the rustic restaurant we visited for lunch, but nice nonetheless. Maybe it’s not the place but the man.
I only realize I’ve been staring at his profile when his gaze drops to me.
I can’t look away.
He holds my eyes for a long second. Then smiles. “Come on.”
Hand on my lower back, he directs us to a table and pulls out my chair.
He takes his seat opposite me and immediately picks up his menu, obstructing my view.
I put a finger on top of it and pull it down. “What are you doing?”
“Choosing what to eat?”
“Is that what you do on dates, boyfriend? ”
He opens his mouth but no words come out. “What am I to do?”
“Talk to me, I guess. Have you ever been on a date before?”
“You usually do most of the talking. For some reason, you’re quiet tonight and…”
I frown. “And?”
“I don’t know.” He shrugs, and promptly shields his face again.
Wait, what? Is he nervous and unsure? THE Chance Easton?
I start to laugh and press my hand to my lips to stifle the sound.
He drops his menu. “What are you doing?”
“You’re cute when you’re nervous.”
“I’m not nervous.” He looks away.
His jaw twitches with held-back laughter.
“You are. And I am too.”
He looks back at me warily.
“And that’s okay,” I say quietly. “I’m on a date with my boss. That’s daunting.”
“Boyfriend.”
“Fake boyfriend,” I amend.
He smiles.
“We can just be nervous together.” I shrug. Cheesy as fuck but it works.
Chance is more relaxed and my heart’s not running a thousand miles a minute any longer.
We discuss the menu and place our orders. Then Chance tells me about his childhood on Magic Island.
“I’ve visited other places, but I always come home. There’s everything here,” he says, his eyes turning dreamy. “There’s family, the beaches, the woods…”
“And your employees to boss around?”
He laughs. “Yes, exactly. Can’t leave them to roam free, can I?”
I smile. “Certainly not.”
We chat about everything and nothing as we tuck in our meals. When we’re finishing up our desserts, I can’t believe the time has gone so fast.
I don’t want it to end.
It’s only a date .
But the way he smiles across the table and leans forward. His eyes are on me like I’m the only person that exists in his world. It’s making my pulse race with something other than just wanting us between the sheets together.
I want… more.
Fuck. No, I can’t think that.
We exit the restaurant and get into the car. It’s a quiet drive back to the Resort. I alternate between looking at Chance and out the window.
He stops in front of the villa and gets out as I do. He waits for me to come around and we start up the walkway together.
He walks in measured steps as if he doesn’t want the night to be over.
Or is that my wishful thinking?
We climb up the porch steps and the night is set to be over.
We face each other.
“We’re here,” I sing, trying to smile but failing woefully.
“Yeah, we are.” There’s no smile on his face. Just the overhead lamp highlighting his features. He looks tense. Why? I’m not sure.
“Hmm.” I nod. “So, this is goodnight?”
Why am I asking? Of course, it is.
His brow goes up but he doesn’t reply. Instead, his eyes drop to my lips. I lick them instinctively and his chest heaves.
I swallow, looking at his lips too now, wanting him.
I shouldn’t.
He closes the gap between us suddenly, his lips claiming mine. The breath leaves my lungs as his body presses into mine and his arms wrap around me, pulling me against him.
I open my mouth to receive his kiss and his tongue dives in.
I’m panting, trying to hold on. Just as I let my purse go, he spins us so my back meets the wall. I grab his neck and pull him down, kissing him more deeply.
He groans, hands caressing down to my ass and squeezing. His grip hardens and he thrusts.
My eyes split wide and I meet his heated gaze. He’s hard steel, poking against my lower belly. I gasp, my core clenching with need.
Damn our earlier agreement, I want him to fuck me. Hard.
“I’ll get the door,” I say.
He steps back, giving me room to grab my purse where I tossed it.
I pick it up and run my fingers through it. There’s my phone, lipstick, kerchief… where’s the key? “A moment.” I back him and search through it more thoroughly.
Oh, no. Can’t find it.
We’re both still breathing heavily, but it’s growing quieter as my search for the key stretches on.
“What’s wrong?” Chance’s voice is hoarse with need.
A shiver rushes through me. I want him. “Can’t find the damn key.”
“Let me help.” He takes the purse and takes everything out. “It’s not here.”
“But I locked the door and put the key in it.” I look around. “Maybe it fell out when I dropped the purse.”
“Plausible.” He notes. “No zipper.”
Just a clasp. Fuck.
“Where did the purse fall?” He crouches.
“There.” I point to a spot and step aside as he starts to search.
I take out my phone and help with a flashlight. It takes a lot of looking before we spot it.
The light winks off the key where it fell between the flowers.
“Got it!” Chance rises with a grin.
I smile back. “Thank you.”
He drops it in my hand and I insert it. I turn the key and the door unlocks.
I glance back at Chance. He’s standing with his hands in his pockets, his eyes solemn. I don’t need to ask, I know he’s not coming in.
Searching for the key brought on a reality check. Everything from the kiss to the nearly letting him in was breaking our agreement.
Still, I’m tempted.
“Would you—”
“Goodn—”
We say at the same time.
“You go first,” I concede.
A smile plays on his lips. “Goodnight, right?”
He’s the smarter one of us two. I was about to invite him in for coffee.
And I’m the one who said no sex.
“Yeah, sure.”
He nods. “See you on Monday, Maddie.”
He turns and heads down the walkway. He gets into his car and I expect him to drive off, but he looks back at me.
Oh, he’s waiting for me to go in.
Of course. I push the door open and enter.
Seconds later, I hear the start of an engine.
Sighing, I drop onto my couch, staring up at the ceiling.
The feverish need pulsing through me has become a low thrum. I can still feel Chance’s lips, his searing touch, and his heated gaze.
I groan. If I didn’t throw the purse and lost the key, we would have been on my bed now. Or maybe we wouldn’t have made it that far. Either way, I’ll be a very happy woman who’d have regrets in the morning, but happy nonetheless.
Now, I won’t have regrets but I’m left aching.
Shutting my eyes, I push my hands down to my center. Maybe I can just fix this.
A knock at the door has me sitting up.
Is he back? Did he change his mind?
Excitement pulses through my body.
I hop to my feet.
The knock sounds again, more urgent.
He must be eager.
I quickly fix my hair and straighten my dress, then I pull the door open.
The man before me is not Chance. He’s in all black with a mask covering his face. A scream tears from my throat and I push the door.
A foot appears between the door and the frame. The man reaches a hand in to grab me and I scoot out of the way.
“Open the fucking door!” he yells.
“No!” I push back but he’s gaining on me. He’s stronger and I can’t keep him out for long.
Except… I stare down at that foot. It’s booted but with enough force I can do some damage.
I release my hold on the door for a split second then push back with all my strength. The door slams against the foot and the man howls.
The force pushing back against me from his end disappears and I’m able to close the door. With my heart racing and breath heaving, I shut the door and clip all the locks in place.
I rush to find my phone and dial Chance’s number. “Please, pick up.”
I balance the phone between my shoulder and ear, rushing through the house and making sure all the windows are locked.
“Maddie?” Chance answers, finally.
“Someone was at my door.”
“What?”
“Someone came to my door. I thought it was you and I opened and they tried to get me and I fought back but I don’t know what to do. What if they come back?” I’m shaking, my voice is shaking.
But Chance sounds calm. Too calm. “Stay away from the door, Maddie. Can you hear me?”
“Yes, yes.”
“Don’t open for anyone until you hear my voice. Are all your windows locked?”
“Yes.”
“Good girl. I’ll be there in a minute.”
A minute feels like an eternity as I wait for Chance to show up. All the terrible what-ifs leave me trembling.
“Maddie!”
My body jerks.
“Maddie, it’s me. Chance. Open up.”
I rush to the door and pull it open. He’s there indeed.
Relief swoops through me and I rush into his open arms.
“You’re alright.” He holds me close, patting my hair. “I’m here, okay?”
My trembling ebbs and I look up to meet his eyes. “I’m so scared. What am I going to do?”
“We can’t think of that right now. For tonight, you’re coming with me, okay? Go get your things.”
I nod quickly and go back inside, glad I don’t have to stay here.