Page 58 of Body

After Bree brings us out of what she refers to as “deep relaxation” or Shavasana in Sanskrit, I give her the low down. She is saddened by what I had to go through and wishes me luck finding my answers. Like Maria, she also encourages me to talk to Chase about it. I assure her that I’ll think about it and touch base with her in a couple days. She hugs me tightly and then I am on my way home. My mind and body feel lighter, more relaxed, but my heart still hurts.

I still haven’t come to any conclusions as I walk to my building. I enter the hallway and stop dead in my tracks. A large, ominous man in a dark suit is leaning against my doorframe, obviously waiting for me. His face is stoic and unmoving but no less beautiful.Chase.I close my eyes take a deep breath and walk towards him.

He doesn’t wait until I get to the door. In three strides, he’s looming over me. He grips my biceps and hauls me into a fierce kiss, moving to cup each cheek with his hands. I’m completely taken by surprise, his response not at all what I expected. Anger, yelling, those are emotions I expect, not bone-crushing lust. His lips fuse with mine as his tongue demands entry. I give in to him instantly, starved for his mouth, his taste, his everything. My body melts into him, gripping and clawing at his neck and back to get closer, go deeper. He holds my head tightly, turning my face to the side, always inserting control. I am at his mercy and right now I bend to his will, kissing him with a ferocity I hadn’t realized I had in me. Eventually he pulls his mouth away. His forehead presses to mine as we both pant and gulp for air.

“What the fuck is wrong, Gillian?” He’s fuming and I don’t blame him. “You ignore my calls, my texts, ditch me and my family?” His voice is scathing, ripping into my soul with each exhalation. Chase groans, pressing our bodies together. He barely contains his emotions. Physically, his back is ramrod straight. Muscles strained along the taut skin of his tight back. He holds his neck stiff as a board with a clenched jaw and that ever present ticking muscle.

“I know, I’m sorry,” I say miserably. Tears stream down my face. He pulls away and sees the misery in my eyes. He searches my face and kisses my tears away.

“Baby, tell me. I’ll fix it. Whatever it is, just tell me,” he pleads. His anger is completely replaced with concern and I want to fall into his arms and cry until I can’t cry anymore. The situation feels so hopeless.

I nod. “Let’s go inside. I’ll tell you everything.” I know now that it was stupid of me to even think I could manage such a harrowing decision on my own. It’s not fair of me to keep him in the dark when the outcome directly affects his role on the Board or our relationship as it stands now.

Over the course of the next hour I explain in great detail what occurred yesterday morning, not leaving anything out. He paces the floor in front of me while I sit on the couch hunched. My arms hold my knees to my chest in a protective ball.

“So, I didn’t know what to do. I still don’t.” I sound like a whiney loser.

“That bitch! She will regret this,” he says out loud. His jaw is set, teeth clenched and his fists are at his side as he wears a path in my carpet with his pacing.

“What? Who are you talking about?” I ask dumbfounded.

“Peterson. She’s pulling this shit because she found out that we’re together,” he says.

“That’s exactly what I just told you.” I’m still confused when he stops and removes his jacket, folding it and setting it on the arm of the couch. His tie follows and he unhooks a couple of buttons at his collar. He takes a deep breath and adjusts his shoulders back and down.

He looks at me, not really wanting to continue. I plead with him with my eyes to be open to me the same way I have been with him. He sighs. “Gillian, she has made several advancements towards me, none too subtly. I’ve turned her down each time.”

It finally dawns on me what he’s saying. “Are you telling me she’s doing this to us because she’s jealous? That it has nothing to do with the Foundation being defamed or unethical business practices?” I’m completely stunned by his admission.

He smiles at me and points to his nose. “Exactly, my sweet. Obviously, it’s not ideal for a Board member to date a staff member, but it’s not the end of the world. Not something she can use against you or threaten your job with. I’ll handle it,” he says with finality.

“Chase, what do you plan on doing?” I ask, scared of his answer. “Please don’t tell me you’re going to step down as Chairman of the Board. I couldn’t handle that.” The fear creaks up my spine as I stare at his disheveled appearance, from his wrinkled shirt to his finger-combed unruly hair. I put him through hell the last couple nights and for what? I should have gone to him at the very beginning.

He goes to his knees and places his hands on mine. “Baby, no. Just…” He takes a deep breath. “Trust me to handle this.” I stare deeply into his eyes, trying to figure out my mercurial man. “You are not going to lose your job. I am not stepping down from my position, and we are not ending our relationship.” He says in a calming tone. “Unless, of course, that’s what you want?”

“No, God, no. That’s the last thing I want.” Chase visibly relaxes. He pulls my legs off the couch, separates my knees and settles his large frame between them. He hugs me tight, leaving no room between us. I lean my head on his shoulder, taking in his scent. His wood and fruit scent cling to his clothes, soothing and enchanting. The man smells so good it makes every nerve ending in my body tingle. Finally I’m able to relax. The last two days drained me and feeling his arms hold me tight makes me realize I should have never tried to figure this out on my own. Lesson learned. I squeeze him tighter to my body. His hand sweeps through my hair. I close my eyes and allow him to just touch me.

“I need to be with you tonight,” he whispers in my ear. His tone is thick with emotion.

I nod into his shoulder and he lifts me off the couch. My legs wrap around his waist. I think the alpha caveman in him likes carrying me to bed. While he walks to my room, he pulls out his phone and hits one button. The other arm rests securely under my bottom.

“I’ll be staying at Gillian’s,” he says into the phone. “Pick me up 7:00 a.m. with a fresh change of clothing. Tell Dana to secure a meeting with David as early as possible first thing in the morning.” He hangs up without saying goodbye. His take charge voice and tone sends shivers of excitement through my body, making the space between my thighs soften and moisten.

He sets me on the bed and slowly removes my clothing. His fingers graze my ribs, down my sides, circle the flesh at my hips in a worshiping manner.

“I’d like to take a shower.” He frowns for a moment. “Join me?” And there’s the smile.

We take a nice long shower making sure to wash every nook and cranny. Chase leads me to bed and spends the next couple hours making love to me. It isn’t the heated, rushed, can’t wait to slake the lust, type of sex we’ve had before. He spends his time pleasuring me, bringing me to release several times over the course of our love making. He’s relentless in his efforts. It’s as if he’s ensuring his position in my life, in my heart…within my body, deep into my soul.

I’m about to fall asleep, my head flat against his chest, his hands smoothing up and down my naked back in a loving caress when he takes a deep cleansing breath. “Don’t ever hide from me again. From this,” he adds, his tone thick and unyielding.

Lifting my face, I lean on his chest and stare into his eyes. I don’t expect such intensity. His gaze is unguarded, soulful. “I won’t. I promise,” I whisper in the dark and kiss him softly before snuggling back into position on his bare chest. I know the promise I made is unending. We’re in this together. If we’re going to be together, I’m going to have to be honest with him in all things, at all times. I just hope he can handle knowing all of me, including my past.

Chapter 14

Thursday morning I awake alone. Chase held me through the night but left before I woke. The alarm clock reads 8:00 a.m. I can’t believe I slept through him leaving. The guilt and fear of the last couple days hits me like a sledgehammer. He’s going to meet with the Chief Executive Officer of the Safe Haven Foundation, David Hawthorne today. I cringe and realize there’s nothing I can do but wait to hear from him. I can’t imagine what he’s going to say or do or how he’s going to change Ms. Peterson’s ultimatum.

I walk into the kitchen and see a full pot of coffee made. It’s official. The man is a keeper. Chuckling, I pour myself a cup and pull out my vanilla creamer. I pour a heavy dose in my cup. It’s not my beloved vanilla latte, but it’s as close as I can get at home. I notice a note by the phone on the counter.

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