Chapter 21 Chase #2
Reluctantly, I turn. “Claire,” I say, trying to convey a big fuck off with my eyes, but she’s always been as thick-skinned as a sun-baked cowhide. We were in the same program at Stanford and, unfortunately, share some drunken history that’s best forgotten—if only she would.
Her gaze slides to Violet, eyes sharpening like a wolf catching the scent of something interesting. “And who is this lovely thing?” She asks, voice all sugar and spite. “Are you dating?”
“Yes,” I reply at the exact moment Violet says, “No.”
“Oh,” Claire purrs, clearly delighted with this turn of events.
“Seems like you’re getting ahead of yourself, Chase.
” She turns to Violet, her eyes gleaming with malice.
“Probably for the best. I don’t think Chase would understand commitment even if you gave him the exact page number in the dictionary. ”
For fuck’s sake.
I’m one second away from stabbing myself with the butter knife when Claire piles on more. “Why don’t my friends and I pull up a few chairs? We can reminisce about old times at Stanford. So many good stories.”
Abruptly, I stand, braving a look at Violet. Surprisingly, rather than looking pissed by the exchange, she looks like she’s barely holding back a laugh.
“We were just leaving, weren’t we, Violet?” I say, narrowing my eyes at her as she presses her lips together in a desperate attempt to hold it together.
“Yes,” she sputters, covering her mouth as she shrugs into her jacket. I grab her hand, and she mercifully takes it. Before Claire can get another word in, I shove a thousand dollars into the server’s hand and half-jog us out the door.
We bundle into the back of the limo, and Violet collapses into laughter.
“God, you hated every second of that,” I say, amusement tugging at my mouth.
“No, it was nice,” she lies with zero conviction, still catching her breath.
I slide a hand up her neck, fingers curving around her jaw possessively. Her laughter dies on a sharp inhale. “Don’t fucking lie to me, Violet.”
Her eyes spark with mischief as they hold mine. “The food was nice, but...” She leans into my touch, her cheek pressing against my palm. “What kind of restaurant calls broccoli a journey of flavors?” She breaks into laughter again, her stunning smile catching the afternoon sunlight.
That does it. I crush my mouth to hers, swallowing her laughter in a punishing kiss, tasting amusement and the last traces of expensive wine on her lips.
She exhales into me, her lips parting just enough to let me deepen the kiss before she pulls back slightly, her teeth nipping playfully at my bottom lip between licks.
“But you know what I really liked?” she murmurs, breath warm against my mouth.
“The sheer horror on your face when your friend came over to say hello.”
“Oh, I see,” I murmur, kicking my foot over the button to raise the limo’s privacy screen. “I’m so glad my suffering entertains you.”
She sucks in a breath, glancing at the screen. “Why did you close it?”
“I don’t think you’ll want Albert to see this.” A slow smirk tugs at my lips as a tremor rolls through her. I don’t make a move yet. Just trace my thumb over her cheek, sensing the tension flicker beneath her skin.
“See what?” She gulps.
Her breath fans my cheek as I work open the buttons of her shirt, revealing a pink lace bra that’s practically begging for my hands.
“See your perfect tits, Violet. How they fit so perfectly in my hands.” I slide the straps from her shoulders, push the lace aside, and palm her breasts, rolling my thumbs over her nipples until her head tilts back with a soft gasp.
My mouth latches onto one, sucking deep as my other hand moves lower, easing her thighs apart.
My fingers slip beneath the hem of her panties, teasing the heat between her legs.
“See the look on your face, Violet, when I touch this wet pussy.” I slip a finger inside, groaning at how tight and slick she is. She shudders, her breath racing, her lip caught between her teeth as she starts to grind down, desperate for more.
“Fuck, yes.” Her eyes roll back as my thumb circles her clit, my fingers pressing deeper.
“Tell me, Violet,” I rasp, dragging my teeth along the curve of her jaw. “Who’s the only person that sees your beautiful face when you come?”
“You, Chase,” she whispers.
I circle her clit with soft strokes, working her fast and slow until she’s squirming on the edge of insanity. Then I slam my lips on hers, swallowing every gasp, every desperate moan, as I nip at her bee-stung lips, drinking her in like the sweetest honey.
Her body tenses, her core clenching tight, legs falling wider apart as she arches against the leather seat.
A guttural moan rips from her throat as she erupts, sending a bolt of heat straight to my groin.
I watch, mesmerized, as she unravels for me—long lashes fluttering over sculpted cheekbones, wild strands of hair spilling around her flushed face.
Her lips, strawberry-red and swollen, part on a soft, helpless whimper.
Silky thighs tremble, spread open for me, and her pretty pink nipples peek over lace that does nothing to hide how perfect she is.
She’s never looked more beautiful—or more mine. And it claws the truth straight from my heart. A terrifying new reality I’ve never faced before.
In the past, I never had the heart to stay. But now, it’s different. She’s different.
I don’t have the strength to stay away.
She’s my first thought in the morning and my last thought at night. It’s unnerving how quickly everything I once valued has taken second place to her.
With a deep breath, I straighten her bra, smoothing the lace into place before carefully buttoning up her shirt.
My lips feathering light kisses up the delicate curve of her neck.
She exhales shakily, then combs her fingers through her hair, pulling it into a ponytail like she’s trying to regain control.
The car pulls up in front of my building.
“Well, thank you for lunch, Chase,” she says, flashing a shy smile as if she didn’t just fall apart for me.
“I hope it wasn’t too bad.” I sweep a loose wisp of hair behind her ear, the intimate touch making her shiver.
“Of course not.” Her fingers slide onto my thigh, her voice dipping lower. “The ending more than made up for it.”
She reaches for the door handle. “I’ll go in first.”
Before she can pull away, my hand closes over hers. “I’ll be in Tokyo for the next few days on business. But you’re still good for Saturday?”
“Yes—watching you get owned by a couple of kids? Wouldn’t miss it.” She grins impishly, making me smirk before I steal one last kiss, my lips brushing lightly over hers.
As soon as she’s gone, I push the button, releasing the privacy screen. Albert’s amused gaze catches mine in the rear-view mirror.
“Don’t say a fucking word, Albert.” I grin.
“I wouldn’t dream of it, sir.”
“You don’t need to. It’s written all over your face.”
He jumps out of the car to open the door. “I’m pleased for you, sir,” he mumbles as I step out.
“That makes two of us, Albert,” I say, planting a firm pat on his shoulder.
When I stride through reception toward the elevator, it irks me that I have to swish past Violet like I barely know her.
She is chatting to one of security in that easy way of hers that makes people fall in love with her.
And as the elevator doors close and she fades out of view, there’s a sinking sensation low in my belly.
I don’t know what this is shaping up to be.
All I know is—I miss her already.