Page 20 of Body

I have taken care of it. You will fly home with me in the company jet. Stop worrying.

“Holy Shit! He has a company jet?” I say aloud while staring at the words on my phone. I blow a puff of air toward my heated forehead. “How rich is this guy?” Who really has their own jet? Donald Trump maybe? The President for sure.

“No, Miss Callahan. Mr. Davis does not have “a” jet; he owns a fleet of them.” My mouth drops to my chin. “Mr. Davis is worth billions,” Jack adds, very matter of fact.

I start to shake and twist my fingers together.Billions?I knew he was rich, but I had no idea. What could a man like that possibly want with a poor, charitable fundraiser from a broken home with a jaded past? Besides, I’m a mess. I have more than my fair share of issues and baggage, much more than any man deserves. God, knowing he’s worth so much, that he’s so valuable, makes me want to run for the hills.

We make our way back to the hotel. My head aches, my heart heavy. The linebacker follows me into the hotel room. He checks the closet, bathroom, under the bed and behind the curtains. For what, I don’t know. How an intruder would be able to get into a locked hotel room is beyond me, but I allow him to do what he feels is necessary before kicking him out.

“Mr. Davis will come for you this evening at 6:00 p.m. Be ready when he arrives. He requests that you not leave the hotel,” he announces.

“Oh really? Is that right? You just tell Mr. Davis that I don’t need his permission, but thanks for the concern.” I walk to the door and open it wide for him. The man almost spans the entire space of the door frame. I wonder idly if he used to play football. “Thank you, Jack. For your assistance today at the station.” He leaves with a nod.

I answer to no man. Even if Chase has some misguided notion that I will fall in line like everyone else does around him, he’s dead wrong. I’m no longer the type of woman to bow down to a man’s every whim. I learned that lesson the hard way.

My cell phone pings, and I pluck it out of my briefcase and see his name.

To: Gillian Callahan

From: Chase Davis

Dinner at 6:00 p.m. We head home first thing in the morning. Have your bags ready.

Even from his board meeting he’s trying to control me. Unbelievable.

To: Chase Davis

From: Gillian Callahan

I’m tired. No dinner. I’ll be ready in the morning. See you then.

Space from Chase Davis is necessary. He makes me all googly eyed and filled with feelings I can’t control. Last night, though, he took care of me. I haven’t been taken care of by a man in years. My last boyfriend Daniel tried, but ended up making me feel smothered. He was just too damned nice all the time. His voice never rose once until the night that I asked him to try a different sexual position. That’s when things started to fall apart. Good riddance. He was a lousy lay. I’ve had more pleasure from Chase’s fingers just the once, than I had in the better part of a yearlong relationship with Daniel.

Even though Chase is trying to be nice, he doesn’t own me.But you’d like him to,my traitorous subconscious pipes in. I groan, knowing I just need to sleep. My head is killing me and I’ve suffered through a lot. Between the board meeting yesterday, the emotional rollercoaster, being mugged, a stint in the hospital, waking up next to Chase, having Chase get me off, and making my statement at the station, I’m a mess. A tired broken down mess. Once I’ve rested I’ll be as good as new. Unlike Humpty Dumpty after he falls off the wall, I’ll be able to pull myself together again.

I yank off my jeans and sweater and let them fall to the floor in a clumsy pile. The sheets are crisp and cool as I crawl into the plush bed in my bra and underwear. Sleep takes me instantly.

Chapter 6

Silk whispers across my forehead, against my temples, down the side of my face. I try to stretch and realize I can’t. Something prevents me from moving. The blankets are pinned on either side of me. I can’t move.I can’t move!I gasp for breath and scream. My heartbeat speeds and I start to panic and struggle.

“Shhh, Baby, there you are. You’re finally awake.” Chase’s voice penetrates the layer of fear, calming me instantly. I breathe in and out a few times. The panic eases. For a scant moment, I was backthere. Back to when I’d awaken tied to the bed against my will. The room is dark, though I can still see Chase’s sly smile. He’s in the same suit from this morning and distractingly handsome. I take a deep breath and exhale slowly. The rest of the anxiety trickles out the edges of my pores as I inhale his woodsy scent. His fingers slide along my temple and he cups my chin. He pets the apple of my cheek which is probably still twice its normal size.

“What time is it?”

“It’s six. I’m taking you out. Get up, get dressed.”

A sigh escapes. “I told you, I was tired. I’m not going out.” I stick to my guns, though Chase’s nearness sends all pretense of a defense crumbling into a pile of mush. When he’s close, I just want to be with him. Alone, it’s easy to pretend what’s happening between us isn’t real.

He brings his mouth down for a slow luxurious kiss. Mmm, this man can kiss. He slowly sweeps his mouth across my lips, then nibbles on the plump lower one. I groan as he deepens the pleasurable assault. His tongue enters my mouth, sweeping along mine. He tastes so good. Like a perfectly ripe strawberry. I know he’s using my lack of restraint when he’s touching me to get what he wants.Sneaky bastard.

I twine my fingers through his thick, dark hair, scraping his scalp lightly. He groans in appreciation while sliding one hand against my chin to turn my head, delving deeper. His tongue swipes languidly against mine and I feel that tingling down low in my belly. God, I want this man. Just as I grip at his waist to pull his shirt out of his pants, he pulls away.

“Seriously?” Frustration seeps out in a snarl.

“Gillian, as much as I’d like to fuck you right now, you’re in no state.”

I roll my eyes in disbelief. He’s the only man in the universe with a conscience.

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