Page 41 of Body

“What happened to the girl you were bringing?” Chase asks.

“Didn’t work out. She wanted to get married and have babies…yesterday!” Carson cringes. “So I’m going solo.”

I immediately think of Kat. She’s available and can be ready at a moment’s notice. The show she’s working on doesn’t open for a couple more weeks. Her Saturday should be free and Carson is just her type. Tall, good-looking, laughs a lot. “I know someone I could invite to be your date,” I venture into unchartered territory, wondering if I’ve suggested a double date too soon. I barely even know Chase, let alone Carson.

“Really?” Carson seems hopeful. “Is she hot?” I nod. “No, I mean, is she hot like you?”

Chase punches Carson in the arm.

“Ouch! Damn Dude! What the hell?” Carson rubs his arm and looks like a sad little puppy.

“Don’t hit on my woman and you’ll live life with a lot less bruises.” Chase’s hint of humor holds a note of warning.His woman? I like the sound of that but choose not to let it go to my head. I’m still unconvinced this will go further than a few weeks and a few rolls in the hay once he learns how weak I am.

“I’ll call her now! Her name is Kathleen, we call her Kat. She’s tall, blonde, thin but curvy in all the right places,” I tell Carson. He waggles his blonde eyebrows. I think he might be perfect for Kat. She has a soft spot for big, hunky blondes. Carson fits the bill perfectly. Hell, I may get BFF of the year award for this set up. Now I just have to pull my get out of jail free card in order to get her to go on a blind date. Every woman hates a blind date. Once she’s there and sees his fine ass she’ll be thanking me!

“I’ll be back in twenty.” I tell the men. Chase catches me as I turn to leave. He grasps my waist and pulls me against him. I fall into his lap. One hand strokes my thigh and the other holds me close. He inhales my scent at the crook of my neck. Carson gets up and leaves the room. I’m not sure where he’s going nor do I care. When Chase’s arms are around me everything and everyone ceases to exist.

“What do you want for breakfast,” he whispers into my ear. His tongue slides up the curve of my neck. I lean to the side giving him better access.

“Mmm, you?” I breathe seductively against his lips.

He laughs. “Seriously, whatever you want. It’s yours.” His hands slide up the front of my shirt and cups my breasts. I increase the pressure by pushing his hands against me and sigh with pleasure. He tweaks the peaks through the fabric. “Jesus, I want you again,” he says through clenched teeth, thrusting his ridged length against my ass.

I flip myself around and put my legs on either side of the chair, straddling him, then plant my lips over his. He deepens the kiss and we spend a few minutes groping and kissing like two hormone driven teenagers.

“Chase! Today!” Carson yells from somewhere outside the kitchen.

Chase pulls away. “If that bastard wasn’t my best friend I’d throw him out on his ass.”

I laugh and shimmy out of his grasp. I mouth the word “Later,” and he grins and heads out of the kitchen.

After heavy cajoling and pulling out every trick in the book, Kat agrees to go to the charity function as Carson’s date. I’m thrilled. I tell her that I owe her one. She reminds me that I owe her plenty more than one. I squeal in excitement and then compose myself once more.

Kat is going to evaluate her closet. The woman has more dresses than a bridal shop, though many are in various stages of creation. I’m sure one of them will do. I remind her that she’s the most talented designer I’ve ever known and she should wear something already finished. I also inform her that Chase’s cousin is a designer. I hear her intake of breath when she puts two and two together and realizes that Chloe Davis is Chase’s family. Apparently she knows who the young designer is and groans saying she can’t possibly wear anything old. I hang up leaving her talking to herself and freaking out. She could care less about the date now. She’s more interested in meeting the designer.

I go back into the kitchen and realize Chase and Carson are no longer there. I look around perplexed.

“They are in the garden,” Bentley informs me.

A garden? We’re on the fifty first floor of a skyscraper. Where the hell would they put a garden?

“Take her to the garden,” Bentley tells his assistant.

“Come with me, Miss Callahan,” she says.

“Call me, Gigi.” The young girl smiles shyly and nods her head.

We walk through the length of the apartment to a spiraling black staircase. It reminds me that I haven’t really had the tour of Chase’s home. I’ve seen the dining room, kitchen, his bedroom and bathroom. I smirk realizing that Chase and I have been too busy pleasing each other to have a proper look around. I shrug, not really caring.

“Just go up the stairs and you’ll be there,” the young blonde says.

“Thank you. What’s your name?” I ask.

“Summer,” she says looking down and gripping her black dress.

“A beautiful name,” I tell her. She smiles and rushes back to Bentley and her tasks.

The staircase is wrought iron and very intricate. The spindles are swirled metal with curling ends that encircle the railing like a claw. I reach the top and open the heavy metal door. Bright light blinds me as I put a hand over my eyes.OH MY GOD!

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