Chapter Seventeen
Chase
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On Monday morning, I asked my brothers to stay in the meeting room after our weekly catch-up. I wanted to tell them about the store.
Once the rest of the team left, Duncan looked straight at me. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong," Griffin said. "Look at him. The man's relaxed.”
"Suspiciously so," Wyatt added.
Finn and Knox, who'd been talking to each other, stopped abruptly.
Finn stared at me.
"You know what?" Knox said to Wyatt. "You're onto something."
"Did you go for a run before coming to the office?" Finn asked.
I rolled my eyes. "I always do that. Will you dicks let me talk?"
"This is gonna be good," Knox said, straightening up in his chair. He and Finn were so young when my parents sold it, it made me wonder if they even remembered it.
"Our parents’ store became available for sale recently,” I started.
"Go on," Duncan said.
"I bought it."
My brothers didn't say anything for a few seconds, and then Griffin said, "Wow, I didn't see that coming, but that's cool. I wonder what shape it’s in. If it’s still got the original layout. If the fireworks Wyatt and I hid under a loose floorboard are still there.”
“When did you do that?” Finn asked.
“And more importantly, why weren’t we doing it with you?” Knox added.
“Because you were way too young to even care,” Wyatt said.
“Yeah. And, Wyatt, you always said our wild ways wouldn’t rub off on the youngsters,” Griffin added. “And now they’ve surprised us.”
Mom always said they should’ve had a seventh kid, just to break up the groups. Six was easy to divide in twos, so we’d always banded according to age: Duncan and me, Griffin and Wyatt, and Knox and Finn.
Wyatt burst out laughing. “Man, I can’t believe we did that.”
Griffin turned to me. “Why didn't you tell us?"
"Yeah, we would've chipped in," Wyatt said.
"Right, like that's a problem," I said sardonically.
"Obviously not," Knox said. "But then it would've been a gift from all of us."
"I didn't consider that." I got up from my chair, walking around the room. I hated sitting during meetings. "Anyway, I figured I'd ask all of you if you've got any idea how to inform our parents."
Knox chuckled. "Dude, that’s just like you. You go and buy the store by yourself and don't even tell us, but now you ask for our advice."
"Look, I focused on winning the guy over. If it weren't for Hannah—”
"Wait a second," Knox said. "What? Hannah knows? Damn, I had a very good hunch at that wedding that something was up between you."
"How come you told her and not us?" Duncan asked. He sounded perplexed.
I shrugged. My brothers were acting like a bunch of gossips. "I figured she'd understand where I was coming from."
"And we wouldn't?" Wyatt concluded. "You're our brother, but sometimes you're damn weird."
Leave it to Wyatt to tell it to me straight.
"So how exactly did Hannah help? I'm curious," Griffin asked.
"I tried to offer the guy more money, but that wasn't working. He kept insisting that he wanted someone who would value the place."
Griffin nodded. "And he thought you were just another investor coming in to swoop up the place because of the land."
"Exactly," I said. "But Hannah mentioned that it belonged to our parents, and that tilted the balance in my favor."
“Wait, you didn’t mention it at all?” Duncan asked.
“No. You know I don’t like to talk about personal things.”
“If only you had five brothers who don’t mind talking about stuff like that,” Wyatt teased.
Knox nudged Finn. "Finn, I don't know what you imagined when you made those two dance at the wedding, but whatever is happening goes far beyond that."
"Yeah, I'm coming to the same interesting conclusion." My youngest brother sounded incredulous.
"Does Josh know?" Duncan asked.
“About the store?”
“About Hannah. Clearly there's something going on between you two if you told her about the store.”
Hannah and I hadn’t discussed telling others about us. All we did on Saturday was get our fill of each other. I hadn’t had any condoms, but I pleased her in other ways. And I still wasn’t done with her. The woman had a hold on me.
The room was completely silent. My brothers were watching me intently. I couldn’t lie to them. In fact, I didn’t want to keep this from them.
"There is something going on between me and Hannah. And Josh doesn’t know. I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't run your mouth."
"I wasn't going to. I just want to be on top of things," Duncan said.
"Can we focus on the store?” Griffin asked. "Think Mom and Dad will want to run it together?"
"That’s for them to decide," I replied.
"Doesn't really matter," Wyatt said. "I think they'll enjoy it anyway. I heard them once talking about dividing the space back before the bank snapped it up. Mom wanted to offer pottery classes upstairs, and Dad wanted to continue the store on the ground floor. But back then, it didn’t work out."
I'd overheard that same conversation. It was probably part of why I'd always kept an eye on the market for the store. I had no idea my younger brother had heard that too.
"You never know. They might run it together after all. I think they're getting along better lately," Knox said. "Last time I went to help Mom replace a sprinkler in the garden, Dad was there as well."
I blinked. "That's news to me. They've been seeing each other without all of us inviting them to something? Or Jeremy being there?" Mom had never mentioned it, and neither had Dad. We saw Mom more often because she was happy to ask us to her house when she needed something done. Dad was different—he insisted he could do most things by himself. He mostly asked for help when he moved heavy or large items around. But I’d never heard of them helping each other out.
"I don't know if it was a onetime thing or not. I mean, Dad is good with the garden stuff," Knox said.
"Whatever the reason, I'm glad to hear it."
"I have an idea," Duncan exclaimed. "Let's ask them to come here next week after the meeting."
"That's a bit too official," Finn protested.
"Yeah," Griffin said, pointing at Duncan, "but they'll also bicker less if they're at the office."
I nodded at him. “Great idea.”
"Duncan, you're a genius," Wyatt said.
"Now, let's talk about Hannah," Griffin said. "Please don't run her off."
"What the fuck?" I asked, rearranging one of my cuff links. "That's none of your business."
"I like her. And she is Josh’s sister-in-law. Besides, you're not what people like to call boyfriend material."
He was right. I wasn't. I never had been.
“This is none of your business,” I repeated. “Now, we’ve got a plan for Mom and Dad, so let’s wrap this up.”
Griffin cocked a brow but didn’t add anything else.
One by one, my brothers left the meeting room. I sat back in the chair, mulling over Griffin’s words. He was right, but he didn’t know the gist of it. He didn’t understand.
When it came to Hannah, I kept doing things differently from the way I usually did. That’s why, once I was alone, I immediately texted her. I felt a deep need to share personal things with her. I had never felt that way before.
Chase: I told my brothers about the store, and we're going to tell our parents together next week after the meeting.
Hannah: That's a great idea. I imagine they'll be super happy.
The need to see her slammed into me without warning. I could go to Magda’s office again, but I knew watching her from a distance wasn't going to be enough anymore. Not after I'd had her. And Magda was bound to get suspicious of my visits to her office.
Chase: Let’s have lunch together.
Hannah: You think that’s a good idea? Where could we go so we don’t run into anyone we know?
My nostrils flared. I had no fucking idea if it was a good idea. All I knew was I wanted to spend time with her.
I googled nearby eateries, and one particular entry caught my eye.
Chase: I heard there’s a place for pancakes in Balboa Park.
Hannah: You always know exactly how to tempt me. Now I have something to look forward to.
Chase: Pancakes?
Hannah: You and pancakes.
Chase: Now we’re talking.
Hannah: Should we meet there?
Chase: Sure.
I didn’t like this. I understood the need to keep it from everyone else, but this wasn't how I wanted to take her out, a quick lunch somewhere that no one would notice. She deserved the best, and I wanted to do that for her. She wasn't going to let me help with the inn, but that didn't mean I couldn't take care of her in other ways.
***
At lunchtime, I arrived at our meeting place near Marston Point in Balboa Park five minutes before our agreed time. Hannah was already there, leaning against a tree. There was no one around, so I decided to surprise her. She looked stunning, wearing a white dress with thick shoulder straps. It molded to her curves. Her blonde hair reached the peaks of her breasts, and my mouth instantly watered.
When I came within earshot, I realized she was talking on the phone and had put it on speaker.
"What do you mean, you've got to pony up all that money by yourself?" Blair asked.
"Look, I don't even know how much it is yet, okay?" Hannah said. "Don't worry. I just told you and Mom so you don't think I'm hiding something from you."
"Hannah—" Blair began, but Hannah cut her off.
"I know what you're about to say. You want to pitch in, but it's not fair. You're taking care of what you got from Gran, and the inn is my responsibility."
"Good Lord, it's impossible to talk to you when you're like this. Anyway, let's change the subject," Blair said.
I was growing impatient. I was about to make my presence known to Hannah, but Blair’s next words stopped me in my tracks.
"I've got you the blind date I promised."
"What?" Hannah asked.
"Yep. I'm not going to say anything except that he's superhot, and he can pick you up from home tomorrow evening."
"Blair, wait. Um...."
I couldn't stay back anymore and stepped around the tree.
Hannah gasped when she saw me. "I'll get back to you, okay?" she said before disconnecting the call. "Oh my God, Chase, you scared me. When did you arrive?"
"Two seconds ago."
She laughed nervously. "So you heard that, huh?"
"Are you going?" I asked, stepping closer to her and looking straight into her eyes.
"What do you mean?"
"The date. Are you going?"
"Chase, why would you even ask that?"
"Because you didn't say no."
"My sister blindsided me, and then I saw you...." She stepped backward, but then her back hit the tree, and she didn't move anymore.
"What would you have told her if I weren't here?"
She moved to one side, over the roots. "I can't believe you even have to ask."
"That's not an answer," I replied.
She looked up at me. "You really think I would go on a blind date?"
"I don't know, Hannah. You tell me."
"Of course I wouldn't go. I even forgot we spoke about a blind date. She made me promise at the wedding that I’d go on one. I didn't think she’d actually go through with it. I can't believe you’d think that about me."
I tried to get my temper under control. I had no idea why it flared up like this and why I couldn't seem to calm down.
"I need to hear you say it,” I realized. “That you're not going to date that guy, or any other guy."
Her lips parted, and her eyes widened.
I stilled completely. Fuck! She wants to date other men? I couldn't deal with that. Not in a million years.
"I need to be the only man in your life," I said before she even had a chance to respond.
"I wasn't planning on seeing anyone else, but I don't like that you're accusing me of... I don't even know what you're accusing me of."
My chest finally expanded, and I could take a deep breath. I was close enough that I could smell her perfume. I put an arm around her waist and pulled her against me. She didn't put up a fight, and the knot of tension between my shoulder blades dissolved.
"I'm sorry. The thought of you and another man... I can't even think about it without seeing red."
"Clearly," she murmured. Her body went soft.
"I take it you didn't tell your sister and mom about us?"
She shook her head. "No, I wasn't sure how to tell them or what to tell them."
"I'm your boyfriend."
"Are you sure?" she teased.
I growled, "Fuck yes."
She smiled and put her forearms on my shoulders, lacing her fingers behind my neck. "I like that. Chase Sterling is my boyfriend."
"I don't want to keep you a secret," I said, caressing her jaw.
Hannah tilted her head. "I wonder how Josh will take it."
"I'll deal with him."
"What about the office?" she asked.
"Ideally, I'd like to shout it from the rooftops. How does that sound to you?"
She smiled sheepishly. Fuck, it was cute. She had a dimple, and she looked adorable.
"I think some people are bound to gossip, but I never really cared much about that, and I don't like the idea of sneaking around."
I wiggled my eyebrows. "That's right. If everyone knows, then I can ask you to my office for lunch and close the door. Then lock it and throw the key out the window."
She gasped, taking a step back. "Chase, no, you can't. Absolutely not. And you also can't come to Magda’s office anymore. It's going to be super obvious."
"You can’t tell me what to do, Hannah."
"But I'm going to damn well try."
I laughed. "Yeah, you will. I know you will. So, let’s not keep it a secret, but also don’t flaunt it, if that makes sense."
“It does.”
She smiled from ear to ear. I liked seeing her like this. I wanted to make her happy even though she was going through a shit time with the inn.
"Right. I’m starving, and I vote for us to grab something to eat. Otherwise, I'm going to become really unreasonable really fast."
"We wouldn't want that," I said.
"So, where is that famous pancake place?"
"According to my phone, a few minutes away." I put an arm around her waist, kissing her temple before I ushered her forward. I couldn't be this close to her and not reach out. I wanted her flush against me.
"The park is so great," she murmured, glancing around. "I don't think I've been in this part of it."
"I haven't been here in years," I confessed.
She jerked her head back. "Really? But it's not far from the office."
"I know, but it's not something I typically do."
"Hmm. You suggested coming here awfully fast."
Because you like pancakes, Hannah. It’s only for you.
"What can I say? You inspire me."
She grinned. "I'm your inspiration? I like that."
"I usually just eat at my desk. I ask the catering company to send the food directly to me."
"You don't even go to a break room to eat?"
"No. Too many people."
She snorted. "Got it. Wouldn't want to engage with people, would you? Who knows what might happen?”
“I like to talk with you. Now, if you change your mind about eating lunch in my office—”
"No." She elbowed me lightly. "Don’t start that conversation again."
"We never finished it."
"We did as far as I'm concerned."
"What do you usually do for lunch?" I asked her.
"I like testing out all the break rooms. My favorite is the one that has the balcony on the back of the building."
"I think I know the one," I said.
"Pity we don't have one on the roof."
"You like rooftops?"
"Yes. They’re super relaxing. When I looked for an apartment in the city, I hoped for one with a rooftop, or at least a balcony. I love to barbecue. It’s my favorite way to cook food. But I didn’t find anything that fit my requirements."
That gave me an idea. My apartment had a rooftop and a grill.
We arrived at the bakery, which was actually a truck. There were tall bar tables scattered around, and everyone was eating on their feet. This wasn't exactly the long, lazy lunch I had in mind. Eating a hurried lunch on our feet wasn’t going to cut it, but we didn't have any time to do something else right then.
We got the pancakes quick enough.
"Mmmmmmm," she murmured after the first bite. She’d spread peanut butter and caramel sauce on it. I’d opted for strawberry jam and syrup. "This is good but nowhere near as delicious as Fanny's.”
"I agree," I said.
Watching Hannah eat was a damn delight. She seemed to savor every bite. She closed her eyes, dropping her head back just a tad. Then she opened her eyes, and I winced when she saw me looking at her.
"Something wrong?" she asked.
"No, why?"
"You're looking at me."
"I like watching you. You're so damn perfect."
She parted her lips, lowering her eyes to the plate. "No, I'm not."
I put an arm around her shoulders, bringing my mouth to her ear. "Want me to prove it to you?"
"Part of me wants to say yes, just because I'm curious as to how you’d prove that."
"I could start showing you, but then we'd never make it back to the office."
"Ah, now I see where this is going." She looked up at me. "You want to get in my pants again."
I looked down at her, putting my fingers under her chin. "That too, but it's more than that."
She put her hand up over her forehead, and I realized the sun was shining directly in her eyes. I glanced around, eyeing a table under an umbrella. It was the last free one in the shade.
I nodded toward it. "Let's go there."
The second I took the plates from the table, I realized someone else was eyeing it too, but they were farther away than us.
We got there first.
"That was quick," Hannah said, glancing at the other couple. "You looked like you were about to fight them if they made it first."
"Don't put it past me,” I assured her. “I don't want you to get sunburned."
She looked at me with soft eyes and then focused on her plate again. We finished the pancakes a few minutes later.
"Technically, my break goes on for another twenty minutes," she murmured. "What do you want to do? Head back to the office?"
"I'm not going back to the office today. I’m taking Jeremy to soccer practice.”
She pouted. "Oh. Okay."
"What’s that?"
"Nothing. I was hoping you’d steal a kiss or something before I had to get back to my desk.”
"Fuck yes, I will," I said. And then I took her hand, walking in front of her and glancing around.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"Looking for a place that’s hidden from view."
"For kissing?" She sounded incredulous.
"Yeah."
"This better be good. It's not fit for the public, huh?"
"Fuck no." I pulled her between another patch of trees, not just because we were hidden from view but because the shade was cool.
My phone vibrated with a message just then. Out of instinct, I pulled it out. I'd have to put it on airplane mode when I was with Hannah from now on. I didn't want anyone bothering us.
The text was from Duncan.
Duncan: The SEC wants to look into some transactions they’ve flagged as suspicious.
I frowned, putting my phone on silent and shoving it in the back pocket of my pants. That was going to be annoying. The Securities and Exchange Commission often did this. They’d audited us several times over the years, and they never found anything. I wasn't expecting them to find anything now either. But still, it wasn't a pleasure to have them at the office.
"Bad news?" Hannah asked as she stepped right in front of me.
“Annoying news. Nothing I want to talk about now."
"Okay."
She offered me a seductive smile. It was enough to make me forget about everything. Usually, the second I knew the commission was coming, I alerted the board and warned clients. Sometimes business news outlets got wind of it and then clients panicked. But right now, all I wanted was to focus on Hannah.
She put her hands on my shoulders, rising on her tiptoes. Then she pushed her fingers down on my shoulder blades. I hadn't even realized I was tense, but they relaxed under her touch.
Leaning down, I kissed her ferociously. My instincts acted of their own accord when it came to Hannah. I kissed her until her breath quickened and her thighs shook, yet I still hadn't had enough. I wanted to lose myself in her, but that was going to wait until this evening.
I had a plan.