NINETEEN #2
My eyebrows furrowed in confusion, so I slowly dropped down to my knees in front of him, reaching for his hand.
“I don’t need privacy. I need you to not be upset with me.”
He opened his mouth to speak, decided against it and sighed instead. I nodded and stepped back. “Want to join me in the shower then?” I asked, pulling my sports bra over my head, and when his eyes landed on my bare chest, his fingers curled into a tight fist.
“No, Dakota.”
I simply shrugged, pulling my tights down my legs before stepping out of them. “Okay,” I said, noticing the temptation explode in his eyes before I whipped around, heading upstairs.
After my shower, I made an effort to only slip on my silk robe. I purposefully didn’t tie it tight enough so that more of my cleavage was exposed, as well as my stomach.
I headed downstairs and plopped down a great distance from him as I turned my show back on. Thankfully, the noise wasn’t a distraction for him, so he could focus on his work regardless.
What threw me off was the fact that he didn’t touch me or kiss me once today. Not to mention, I was half naked, and he didn’t even bat an eye. He and Logan wouldn’t have been home the night of the party, so does that mean Kaden already told them?
I cast him a million side glances but nothing. He seemed uninterested and way too focused on his work. Well, a teeny tiny bit more than usual.
“Okay, just spit it out,” I irritably said, stopping in front of him, and when our gazes met, he seemed rather reluctant—and confused. “Chase, you won’t kiss me. You won’t even look at me.” My voice cracked, feeling hurt by the fact that he could be disappointed in me. “Is it about me drinking—”
“You know it is,” he sternly cut me off and I swallowed an uncomfortable tension down my throat. “You came home drunk, Dakota. You signed a contract and defied our rules.”
“Tipsy at most—”
“I’ve already warned you about interrupting me,” he cut me off, and I immediately shut my mouth. I nodded—apologetically—before lowering myself to my knees in front of him.
“We’ll discuss this when Logan and Kaden get home.”
I could feel bile rising in my throat as a sting shot through my heart.
“Do you understand?”
I nodded. “Yes. But please, let me explain,” I pleaded, and something told me he was holding back a storm. Every second he spent being disappointed in me felt like a blade to my heart. I couldn’t wait till tonight.
He finally gave me the go-ahead, and I sighed in relief even though my voice was tremulous. I explained myself, trying to keep my composure. “I never intended on drinking because I knew the rules, and I didn’t want to disappoint either of you.”
He seemed torn, and I burned with tears as he stared down at me with so much disappointment. I hated it.
“I know I’m not the submissive that you all need, and I know I’m difficult, but I’m trying,” I reassured him. “I’d never do anything to jeopardize what we have, I promise. And I hate—” I cut myself off, exhaling shakily. I’m not going to cry. “I hate that you’re looking at me like this right now.”
Something flashed behind his eyes, and he pulled his hand from mine, gently cupping the side of my face. I leaned into his touch, feeling his thumb gently glide over my cheekbone.
“We allowed you to go because we trusted you. You were irresponsible.”
I opened my mouth to speak but immediately shut it, remembering not to interrupt him.
“Ignorance is not an excuse.”
I simply nodded in understanding. He slightly tilted his head to the right, trailing his eyes over my face, and I lifted my hand to his forearm.
“I’m sorry.”
A beat passed between us. “It won’t happen again.”
I immediately shook my head. “Never again, I swear.”
“Kaden might need some more convincing.”
My heart sank, and I gave him the best puppy dog eyes that I could as I looked up at him. “Please, can you talk to him? Explain to him what happened.”
Genuine fear sparked inside of me, and Chase instantly picked it up.
He was reluctant, but when he simply nodded, a broad smile spread across my lips, and I leaped up, straddling his lap.
I swung my arms around his neck. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” I beamed, feeling his arms around me tighten.
I pulled back, holding his face in my hands.
“And we’ll never have this conversation again because I won’t ever be irresponsible again. ”
“You’re right. We won’t. Because you aren’t allowed to go to any parties until we say otherwise.”
My face dropped, and every bone in my body burned with a protest, but I took a deep breath in and slowly exhaled, saying: “I understand.” My arms slipped around his neck once again as I shifted closer. “Can I kiss you now?”
His eyes dropped to my lips and he nodded. “Yes, you can.”
I smiled, leaning in to feel the ache in my chest being soothed by his warmth. I tightened my arms around him, pressing my chest to his as his hands slid down to grip my hips.
I broke the kiss, meeting his gaze hesitantly. “Please, don’t be disappointed in me, Chase.”
My voice held an unfamiliar tremor, and I didn’t understand why him being disappointed in me hurt so badly.
He gently held the sides of my neck as he pulled me closer, planting a soft kiss on my forehead. My eyes fluttered closed as I exhaled, lifting both my hands to hold onto his forearms.
“I know you’re trying,” he finally said, pulling back to meet my apologetic eyes. “And I am so proud of you.”
With goosebumps covering my skin, my chest exploded with warmth as his words resonated deep within me. That felt so good to hear.
I leaned in, pressing my lips to his in excitement. His tongue dominated mine, and out of instinct, my hips rolled against him.
His hands slid to my ass and I groaned into his mouth, feeling him squeeze my ass before pulling back to leave a trail of kisses down my jawline.
He buried his face in the crease of my neck and my clit ached as my head rolled back with a whimper. I trailed my nails up his nape, tangling my fingers in his hair.
He gave the belt of my robe a slight tug, allowing it to fall open, leaving my front exposed.
He pushed the material down my shoulders, lifting his hand to grip the back of my neck. Leaving wet kisses down the valley of my breasts, his warm mouth latched onto my left nipple.
My mouth fell open with a moan, and I rolled my hips against the bulge in his pants. His hand glided to the front of my throat—his grip tightening—and I arched my back, pushing my chest into his face.
He traced his tongue over my chest one last time before his lips crashed against mine. Having him this close to me again—his care, his affection—felt exhilarating
My stomach growled embarrassingly loud and Chase smiled against my skin. He looked up at me and I closed my eyes. “Sorry.”
“Come on,” he held the back of my thighs as he stood. My arms snaked around his neck as he carried me into the kitchen.
He lowered me to the bar stool and I watched him gather my favorite snacks. He plated them in front of me and leaned onto the countertop with both arms.
Kaden entered with a woman, and I couldn’t help my brows drawing together. Who the fuck…
Chase pressed a kiss to my temple. “You’re frowning.”
“No, I’m scowling.” Who is this?
“Chase, you remember Lilian,” Kaden said, and Chase gave him a single nod, shifting his eyes to Lilian before shaking her hand.
She smiled, shifting her eyes to me. “Who’s your little friend?”
My jaw nearly dropped in disbelief, but I held it together, forcing my most polite smile.
“Dakota,” I reluctantly answered.
She extended her hand. “I’m Lilian.”
I shook her hand. “Yeah, I heard.”
Her eyes narrowed in on me for a second before we let go, and I watched her smile over at Chase, batting her eyelashes.
“It was nice seeing you again, Chase,” she acknowledged him before Kaden saw her to the door.
I hopped off the kitchen bar stool, grabbing some water. “It was nice seeing you again, Chase,” I silently mimicked, rolling my eyes.
“You’re jealous,” Chase accused me.
“I’m not,” I lied, downing some of my water. This is ridiculous.
I continued snacking but when Kaden took longer than usual, I grew agitated.
Hopping off the barstool, I exited the kitchen and headed for the front door. “Seriously? What’s taking—” I froze, seeing Kaden in the doorway with another man.
Both their gazes landed on me but when my eyes landed on the other man, my heart pounded.
An expensive black, wrinkle free suit that had clearly been tailored for him.
Tattoos peeked out of the collar of his white dress shirt and the back of his hands that were tucked into the pockets of his slacks.
Green eyes narrowed in on me, sending a bolt of fear zapping down my spine.
“I’m sorry,” I blurted out and the man grinned.
He took in my appearance from head to toe, and my body cowered under his stare.
Something about him screamed danger, but I knew Kaden wouldn’t let anything happen to me.
“We’ll talk in my office,” Kaden instructed the man and he nodded, not tearing his eyes off me. I swallowed a tight ball of fear down my throat.
He entered the house, and right as he neared me Chase’s hand rested on my lower back.
“Don’t even think about it, De Luca,” he gave his head a slight shake.
De Luca stopped walking, looked up at Chase, then back at Kaden, and then down at me. Something clicked in his head.
“You know I don’t like my woman…” he trailed off, stepping forward as though he needed to find the right words but I knew he was pretending. “Submissive,” he finally said, holding eye contact with me. He knows? Is he one of their friends.
De Luca stepped past me and Chase and Kaden shared a look before Chase ushered me into the living room.
“Who was that?” I whispered up at him and he sat back on the couch, pulling me to his side.
“Kaden’s friend,” he vaguely answered.
“Well, he looks dangerous,” I shuddered, snuggling to Chase’s.side as my eyes fell back on the TV.
He simply kissed the top of my head.