Page 31 of Bachelor CEO

“You make it sound so simple.” Then again,guys did think with their libido.

“It can be. I stopped, not because I didn’twant to make love to you, but because I wanted both of us to be on the samepage before we did. If we make love, I don’t want regrets.”

“I agree,” she conceded. “You know, sometimesI wish I hadn’t taken this job.”

He laughed. “No you don’t. It’s just that youdon’t let yourself go. Maybe this weekend you could.”

Miranda wanted nothing more than to say yesand let herself experience everything a man with a bodylike his could offer.

“It’s probably time for bed.” She stifled ayawn. “Let me sleep on this.”

“I’ll walk you up.” Chase saw her to thestairs that led to her room above the kitchen. Minutes later, she crawled intobed and lay staring up at the ceiling.

Chase made her long for things best leftunknown. Yet he was a gentleman. If he’d been a cad, he wouldn’t have stopped.That he had was some comfort.

Each kiss, however, made her want more.Kissing wasn’t enough. She was in danger of forgetting a fundamental truth: youcan’t have it all. And with Chase determined to be CEO, she never would.

Chapter Eight

“I think that about wraps it up.” Leroy setaside the stack of file folders.

Chase checked the time. His grandfather hadpromised at the start of the business meeting that they’d be finished by lunch,and he’d kept his word.

Leroy’s smile widened. “I believe this works,and no more transition is needed. Monday we’ll meet with the board and finalizeeverything.”

Chase organized the papers in front of him.Two days from now he would straighten his desk, forward his phone and e-mailand turn off the lights for a year.

“I’m thrilled you’ve caught on so quickly,”Leroy told Miranda. “The board won’t have any issue with your taking over forChase. I’ll still be running everything and I can assist you with whatever youdon’t know.”

“Thank you.” She bowed her head and stackedher own papers, then slid them inside her briefcase.

“I can’t resist my leftover meatloaf from lastnight, so maybe Chase could take you into Birchwood for lunch. There’s not muchto eat here, unfortunately, and it’s almost time for my siesta.”

Leroy rose to his feet andChase put the file folders into his grandfather’s briefcase. This was the lasttime he and his grandfather would complete this ritual for at least a year.Next weekend Miranda would bring the work Leroy had to address before Monday.

A hard lump formed in Chase’s throat, one hecouldn’t swallow. When he’d expected to be named CEO and take over, he’dplanned to spend Saturdays discussing the company with his grandfather. He’d bein charge, but Leroy would be there to help.

Chase had been looking forward to thattransition. However, with the definitive click of the briefcase, he fulfilledhis last duty, and his obligation to McDaniel ended.

Whatever this year of finding himself wasabout, it started now.

He glanced at Miranda. She’d done well today.She was perfect for the job. The fact that she fit him perfectly, as well, wassomething he’d have to forget after this weekend.

“You need to see Birchwood,” Leroy was saying.

Chase could tell Miranda didn’t necessarilywant to go to lunch with him, but since Leroy was insisting she learn the layof the land, Chase knew she wouldn’t refuse.

“I’m ready when you are,” he told her, takingadvantage of his grandfather’s arm twisting. She hadn’t said a definite no lastnight, so there was still the possibility that something could happen betweenthem. He wanted to see where that possibility led. “Say five minutes?”

“Okay.” She rose and disappeared into thekitchen.

“You sure you’re fine with meatloafsandwiches?” Chase asked. “We could bring you something back.”

Leroy nodded. “I want to take a nap. I tossedand turned last night.”

Chase was immediately concerned. “You feelingokay?”

The older man gave a dismissive wave. “Fine.You can’t have a perfect sleep every night, especially at my age. Thistransition has weighed on me, as well.”

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