Page 12 of Body

“We’re here,” he expertly evades my question without much effort. I force myself not to pout.

Jack gets out of the car and comes to open my door. To my surprise, he dips a hand towards the entrance. “Right this way, Miss Callahan.”

He leads me to a bank of elevators and presses the button. A grim line sets his mouth, insinuating that he’s not interested in chit chat. I roll my eyes and take a breath.

“You know, I can take it from here. If you just tell me what floor, I can find my way.”

“Mr. Davis requested I bring you directly to him.”

“Oh, okay.”Control freak.

On the way to floor sixty, my palms sweat and I wipe them against my skirt. Maybe I should have changed into something else? No. This is not a date. Changing into something more feminine and pretty would give the impression I want more.Letting him hump you against a wall, his tongue down your throat, gave that impression already.I sigh, letting those thoughts leave me before they twist and turn into something more.

I’ll sit with the man, have a drink, and explain that this is the last time we’re going to see each other outside of work. That shouldn’t be too hard. Before today’s board meeting, I’d never so much as cast a glance at him, and I’ve worked for the Foundation for over two years. Decision made, I remind myself that this is the way it has to be. A relationship with him would be career suicide. I’ve worked too hard to lose everything now.

We reach our destination and I swipe a hand through my hair to make sure no loose strands are out of place from the wind earlier. I didn’t change clothes, but I did pull my hair down and curled it into soft waves around my face. My appearance reflects back at me in the mirrored elevator doors. The bright red pop of color across my full lips adds drama to the look. My pale skin, red hair, and the emerald of my eyes and blouse make the ruby lipstick a perfect contrast. I feel brazen, bold. It gives me the courage needed to let down the world’s most eligible bachelor. Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath and remind myself that we are from two very different worlds that, if pressed together, would collide and implode. If he really knew me and the details of my past, he wouldn’t want me anyway. There’s also the giant elephant sized issue of him being my boss.

Jack walks me through a crowd of people talking and laughing at intimate tables. The centerpiece consists of three wine glasses at altering heights filled with a blue liquid. There’s a lit, delicate flower shaped tea light floating on the surface of each. Such a simple but unique concept. It would be smashing at a donor fundraising dinner. I could even use food coloring to change the color of the water. I store the idea in the back of my mind for future reference and look around the lounge. It occupies the entire floor of the building. Glass walls enclose the space from floor to ceiling, providing a 360 degree view of the Chicago skyline. The view of the city from this height is breathtaking and dizzying. I sway and Jack plants a firm hand on my elbow.

“It’s a rotating floor. It’s designed to allow the patrons to see the entire 360 view.”

“Beautiful.” I pay closer attention and feel the slight movement. He keeps his hold of my arm as he leads me to the bar, dead center of the room. Blue lights glow behind frosted glass. The bar’s surface is black and shiny like a grand piano. The entire place is very chic. I can see why Mr. Megabucks would own something so opulent. Another reminder why I, who lives in a shabby apartment with a roommate, could not possibly fit into his world.

Chase’s presence is like a current that tingles down my spine, tickling the hair at the nape of my neck before I even see him. Jack leads me around a divider. Chase swivels on a barstool as if he can feel me, too. No preparation, not even the serious pep talk I gave myself before coming tonight, could prevent me from eye-fucking this beautiful man. He has removed his tie and blazer. The crisp, white dress shirt he’s wearing pulls against his broad chest and is rolled up at the sleeves. A couple buttons are undone at the collar. His hair looks like he’s combed his fingers through it a million times, giving him that just rolled out of bed, rugged appeal. His come hither look and crooked smile is almost my undoing. I stand stock still as he appraises me. Ifeelhis eyes glide over me as if it were his hands.

“Miss Callahan as requested, Sir.” Jack pushes me toward Chase.

Chase’s eyes soften. He stands and pulls out the chair next to him. “Thank you, Jack. That will be all. I’ll ring you when we’re ready to leave.” Jack exits. No goodbye, no see you later.

I sit down in the chair he offers. “Interesting company you keep.” I gesture toward Jack as he walks away.

Chase laughs. “He’s rough around the edges, but he gets the job done. I trust him to protect me. We’ve had some close calls, but he rises to the challenge.” I swallow the golf ball that got stuck in my throat as he mentions the “close calls”. I want to ask him about his experiences, but choose to hold my tongue. Learning too much about him when I’m going to give him the “it’s not you, it’s me” talk wouldn’t help my situation. “Thank you for meeting me, Gillian. I was looking forward to seeing you.” His smile puts me at ease even though I’m about to tell him we can’t take this thing between us any further. ”Would you like a drink?”

“That would be lovely, thank you.”

Chase waves at the bartender, who bustles over at break neck speed. “Yes, Mr. Davis. Sir, what can I get for you?”

“A bottle of the Caymus Special Selection 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon.” He doesn’t ask what I’d like, but it doesn’t bother me. He’s comfortable taking the lead and it gives me a few moments to figure out what to say. “Figured you’d appreciate a wine from our backyard.” He smiles and turns his chair toward me as he did the night we met. Was that only just last night? Jeez. Time definitely slows in his presence.

“I’m sure anything you pick will be great.”

“So Gillian, tell me about yourself?” He turns his body toward mine, his focus on me is absolute. For a moment, having this much of Chase’s attention is disconcerting with a twinge of exhilaration. What would it be like to be the center of such an intense man’s world? I’ll never know.

The bartender sets two bulbous glasses in front of us and busies himself opening our wine.

“What do you want to know?” If he keeps looking at me like I’m the most interesting thing in the world, I’ll be happy to pull out my diary and read it to him.

“Everything.” His eyes light as his hand reaches to twirl a few fingers through one of my locks. “You have gorgeous hair. I love redheads.”

“Really? I thought you preferred blondes.” The comment slips between my lips before I can take it back.

He frowns. “What would give you that impression?” One brown eyebrow rises to a point.

Might as well go for broke. “I looked you up before I came.”

“Ah, I see. So you saw pictures of me at events with blondes, and you surmised that I have a type?” He gestures using quotes when he says type. I nod.

“Those women were not mine. They meant nothing to me.” He grabs the wine the bartender poured for him to taste. Watching him hold the delicate stem reminds me of his hands trailing down my neck with the barest of touches. A shiver runs through me. Cupping the glass, he circles it, swirling the wine. He inhales before he puts the glass to his mouth and sips. The burgundy liquid kisses his full lips. He makes an “mmm” sound and the tone goes straight to my core. I cross my legs and his hand covers my knee. He drags a thumb across the silky nylon surface and starts mimicking figure eights or the infinity symbol. It’s maddening, but I don’t move it. I like his hands on me too much to stop him. “The wine is fine. Thank you, James.”

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