Page 26 of Body

We board and settle into large beige leather chairs. We are given the flight information and told to sit back and enjoy. Chase’s cellphone rings again, and he looks at me in apology. “I understand. You’re a busy man. Do whatever you need to do. I’ll be fine,” I assure him. He nods and takes his call.

I settle into the large cushy chair, lean my head back and close my eyes. I didn’t get much sleep after dinner and am exhausted today. The dull ache in my head from the wound isn’t helping. Neither is being sexually starved and emotionally spent. Ripping open that can again brought up too many memories of the past, which made me toss and turn all night. Someone drapes a blanket over my legs. I sigh in contentment. Warm lips brush my cheeks, and I lean toward the soft touch.

“You’re beautiful, Baby,” Chase says as I hear him walk away. His footsteps get lighter the farther away he goes. I don’t bother to open my eyes. I settle further into the warmth and am fast asleep before we take off.

I feel fingers trailing along my hairline and through my hair. I lean into the touch. “Baby, we’re here.” Chase’s voice reaches through the sleepy fog. I open my eyes and am gifted his dazzling blues. “Didn’t you sleep last night?”

I shake my head and he frowns. “I would have slept better had you joined me,” I challenge.

“You’re a little vixen, aren’t you? Makes me want to take you right here.” He leans forward and kisses me hard. I don’t have the chance to respond before his lips are gone. Then he’s pulling me out of my chair and out the plane.

Jack has our bags on a cart and follows as Chase leads me off the tarmac and into the airport. Hand in hand, we walk toward the exit when I hear a child’s squeal. “Gigi!”

A bouncing girl with curly blonde pigtails runs towards me. I lean down and pull her up into my arms, spinning around in a circle. She squeezes me as tightly as a four year old can. “Anabelle.” I hug my angel tightly. “I missed you, Belle.” I bring her down to the white laminate floor and come down to her level to peer into her smiling face. She’s looks exactly like her gorgeous Mother. “Dad said you had a present for me!” she exclaims excitedly.

“I do, but honey, what are you doing here?”

Strong familiar arms encircle me from behind as I stand. Phillip. A big grin splits my face and I twirl and hug my dearest friend tightly. “Phil, what are you doing here?”

He cups my face and frowns. “Not again, Gigi.” He’s looking at the stitches above my brow. His fingers graze my bruised cheek, inspecting the damage. He shakes his head and I turn away from his ministrations, not able to look at him. I know what he’s thinking.

A throat clears behind me and a hand settles on my waist. I’m pulled toward Chase. His body plasters along my back. “Introduce me,” he growls into my ear.

“Oh my God.” I got so swept away in seeing Anabelle and Phillip I forgot Chase. “Phillip Parks, meet Chase Davis.” I gesture to Chase behind me.

Phillip’s eyes widen as he looks down and clocks Chase’s possessive hand around my waist. “The Chase Davis? As in Davis Industries?” Phillip asks as he holds out his hand.

Chase nods and grips Phillips hand in a firm shake.

“Wow, Gigi, I didn’t know you were arriving with anyone. I came to pick you up as we discussed yesterday.”

I frown. If I remember correctly, we didn’t confirm anything officially. “Oh, I completely forgot you offered. One too many hits to the head,” I joke. Phillip frowns and Chase’s jaw clenches. “Bad joke,” I say miserably. Chase’s arm comes up my back and encircles the nape of my neck where his thumb makes endless infinity symbols.

“Shall we go,” he asks softly nuzzling into my cheek.

Phillip eyes the exchange warily.

I did not anticipate this. As much as I’d love to take him back to my apartment and convince him to have his wicked way with me, I can’t leave Phil and Anabelle. This is not going to go over well. But Phillip is my best friend and Chase is…well, I don’t really know what Chase is right now. I shake my head. Chase’s eyebrows raise, I’m not sure whether in surprise or in question.

“Thank you for the flight, Chase. I’m going to head home with Phillip.” For some insane reason, I’m nervous about how he will take the news. He’s been so incredibly possessive over the past few days but the last thing I need is a scene.

Chase nods, seemingly unfazed. “Phillip, good to meet you.” He shakes Phil’s hand once more. “I’m sure we’ll be seeinga lotmore of each other in the near future.” His blue gaze bores into mine. He says so much with that one look. I imagine it’s something like: We will discuss this. You will be mine. You will not escape me.

Chase turns me around and cups both cheeks. His thumbs sweep along the apple of my cheekbone. Slowly he brings his lips to settle over mine. I inhale the intoxicating sandalwood and citrus scent, trying to capture it within me. He increases the pressure on my lips and I’m unable to fight the charge between us. He slides his tongue across my lower lip and I open my mouth. He enters with his warm, wet tongue and I grip his shoulders. Chase alternates between nipping my lower lip and then my upper lip. Then his hands tunnel into my hair as he holds me against him, sliding his lips over mine. That spark between us ignites and I press against his body, forgetting where we are. Everything disappears as I’m swept into the vortex that is Chase. I moan and he growls as I try to pull away. He won’t let me. I can feel the hard evidence of his desire and thrust my hips against it. He grins against my lips peppering my mouth with sweet baby kisses. In my peripheral I hear giggling, the kind that can only come from an angel.

“Aunt Gigi is kissing that man, Daddy!” Anabelle exclaims loudly, breaking my trance. I pull away and swipe the back of my hand against my swollen lips.

Chase looks at me with that devastatingly sexy grin and I want to jump him all over again. He was staking his claim, and from the look on his face, he’s very proud of himself. I’m certain my face is beet red. He pecks my lips once more. “I expect a call later,” he stresses. “Jack, her bags,” he says over his shoulder. I completely forgot the linebacker was waiting and watching the exchange.

Phillip is waiting rather impatiently. I didn’t exactly go into any detail about Chase and the relationship we’ve formed in the short time I’d been away--if you could call what’s happened between Chase and I a relationship. I’m still confused about the entire thing.

Jack sets my bags at my feet and looks at me with a scowl. I don’t think the linebacker appreciates me leaving with another man. Chase obviously means a great deal to him. I sigh and thank him.

Chase and Jack saunter towards the exit and I look into Phillip’s worried eyes. “You have some explaining to do,” Phil admonishes.

I nod miserably and we head to the exit. I clasp Anabelle’s hand and smile as she skips alongside me, swinging my arm happily. What I wouldn’t give to be a carefree child instead of a confused twenty-four year old.

Phillip puts my bags in the trunk when we get to the car while I buckle Anabelle into her booster seat. Phillip hands her a portable DVD player and Snow White springs to life on the screen. He places the earphones over her ears blocking out sound. I know he’s ensuring we can talk without worrying about what she might hear.

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