Page 47 of Body

“Thank you for this award. Honestly, I had no idea when I came here tonight that I would be receiving the Humanitarian of the Year Award.” He holds up the crystal award “I really don’t know if I deserve it, for I believe that everyone has the basic human right to a warm place to live, a place to hang their hat after an honest day’s work and something they can call home.” The room roars in applause. “Thank you, I’ll treasure it always. Now, everyone, open up your checkbooks, because now’s the time we give back!”

The emcee returns to the podium as Chase makes his way off the stage. “I couldn’t agree with Mr. Davis more.” He continues his speech but my eyes are planted on the man with the shy smile and an award. Chase makes his way back to the table after several handshakes and slaps on the back. I’m still standing, having not been able to sit the moment his name was called over the loud speaker. His gaze meets mine and it’s filled with happiness and a hunger I recognize deep within because it matches my own need. Chase pulls me to him, slamming our chests together before he grips me by the waist and spins me in a circle, as he kisses my neck.

“Humanitarian of the Year! Such an honor, Baby.” I whisper to him. He squeezes me and then sets me down.

“Way to go, Cuz.” Chloe stands and hugs Chase.

Cooper actually claps Chase on the back. “Congratulations.” Chase smiles and nods. Their animosity toward one another seems to be on hold for the time being.

“Good show, young man.” Charles Davis shakes Chase’s hand.

With a huge smile in place, Chase makes his way to his Mother. He brings his award down to her face and she has tears in her eyes. “I’m proud of you, my Darling.” He hugs her and kisses her on the cheek. She pats his hair like a mother would a small child she adores. She’s not so bad; she obviously loves her son a great deal and he’s never said a cross word about her. It seems that she has an issue only with me. I’ll have to ask Chase his opinion but not tonight. Tonight we celebrate his achievement! Chase is congratulated by Kat and Carson who are discreetly holding hands under the table, much to my excitement. Chase may have got Humanitarian of the Year but this girl is about to score BFF of the year for this hookup. I can barely contain my need to text Maria and Bree with the juicy details of my awesome love match.

After what seems like eternity and several rounds of food the silent auction winners are announced and a local band starts playing current radio favorites.

A Maroon 5 song is first on their set list and the floor fills quickly with couples swaying to the beat.

Carson grabs Kat’s hand, dragging her to the dance floor. They seem to really enjoy each other’s company and Kat has all together forgotten her hero worship of Chloe Davis. She’s more smitten with a certain male Davis at the moment.

“Would you like to dance, Gillian?”

I nod as Chase takes my hand and leads me to the dance floor.

We move and sway to the Maroon 5 song about a woman being stuck on his body like a tattoo. I shimmy my hips left and right rounding out with a little booty tip. Chase brings his hands over to my hips, “Damn, you’re sexy!”

I laugh and calm the desire to bust out like I do when I’m out with my girls. Maria has taught all of us some serious dance moves and when the four of us hit the floor, we drop it like it’s hot. Chase twirls me then brings me back to his hard body. He’s actually a good dancer, and I love being pulled against his form every so often. His hands slide up and down my back and grip my hips but never stray inappropriately. If we weren’t in a crowd of people he respects and works with, as well as his mother, he’d have trouble keeping his hands off me.

I on the other hand am having a trying time keeping my hands off my sexy Superman. As the music sways so do my inhibitions, which have me sliding my hands into his suit coat and down towards his tight ass. Before I can get to the prize, he grasps my hands and twirls me with a flick of his wrist. I pout and he winks.

We dance through two more songs and make our way to one of the cash bars in the corner of the room. Chase orders me a glass of white wine and a gin and tonic for himself. We sip our drinks and meet with the others from our table. Cooper is nowhere in sight. For that I am relieved. I don’t know what’s between the two of them but Chase is in a great mood now and I’d like to keep him that way.

“Hey Gigi! I just received a text from Ria. She says Tom has six extra tickets to the baseball game tomorrow and wants us all to come! Apparently some guys at work couldn’t go. Carson said he’s game. How about the two of you?” Kat says excitedly.

Chase looks at Carson. He grins and bashfully looks down at his shoes and away. He likes Kat! This is awesome. Chase slides his fingers to my nape and nuzzles my chin. “Would you like to go, Gillian?”

“Yeah, I would. Sounds like fun.”

“Well then we’ll go to the game. My company owns a box at the Stadium. We could sit in air conditioning. I could have it catered,” he suggests. My smile fades and I look away. He sees my discomfort immediately. “What is it?” he asks.

“Nothing. Whatever you want,” I say not wanting to force anything. I know he’s trying to be nice and helpful.

Chase lifts my chin and looks into my eyes. “What is it? I won’t ask again,” he uses his stern voice.

“If Tom is offering tickets, we should just accept them gracefully. Maybe he wants to impress the woman he’s courting by taking her best friends to the game. I wouldn’t want to rain on his parade.”

“Damn, Dude, she told you. Gigi, I like a girl who can speak her mind!” Carson laughs with uncontained glee. “When was the last time a woman told you like it is, Chase!”

“Never,” he says flatly. He kisses me briefly. “You’re honest. I like that. We’ll go with your friends and sit in the seats he has purchased.”

“I’ll text, Ria.” Kat announces.

“I’ll text Phillip,” I say.

“Excuse me? Why are you inviting Phillip to a couple’s event?” Chase interrupts. There’s that tone in his voice again, the one that I’m beginning to dislike immensely.

“We are conspiring to set Bree up with Phillip. She admitted at dinner the other night that she has a crush on him. This will be a perfect time to play match maker!” I flutter my lashes for effect.

Chase relaxes. “Bree is the one I’ve yet to meet. The Yoga Instructor?” I nod. “Sounds like an excellent idea.”

---