Page 13 of Bachelor CEO

His gaze locked on to hers and his lipsparted. For a moment she thought he’d try to change her mind. Then he steppedaway and let her go. “Shall we head back to the party then?”

The abrupt way he dismissed what had happenedmade her knees wobble. She couldn’t believe she’d forgotten her reserve andfallen under the spell of his playboy charms. He seemed to live for adventure.And she’d been just another challenge. Now that he’d succeeded, game over. Timeto move on to the next conquest.

She followed him from theboathouse and toward the tent. Dinner had been served and people were sittingat tables eating and laughing.

“Shall we eat?” Chase asked.

“Sure,” Miranda agreed.

Places had been saved for them at the headtable, and after going through the buffet line, they settled in their seats.Miranda tried to eat, but the fact that she’d kissed Chase McDaniel smarted.She wasn’t easy, yet she’d succumbed like a dog rolling over for a pat on itsstomach. Disappointment at her behavior made her lose her appetite, so shepicked at her food, while Leroy and Walter shared stories of becoming friendsand building companies.

“Mine was always a family business. Even nowwe control the stock,” Leroy boasted.

“Yeah, but I proved to my boss you didn’t haveto be family to get ahead. I’m a self-made man.”

“And I’m not?” Leroy countered. They loved toone-up each other, a friendly game they’d played for years.

“I’ve survived two mergers,” Walter claimed.

“Speaking of which, what’s with this latesttakeover?” his old friend asked.

“Is something wrong with your food?” Chaseleaned close and gestured to Miranda’s plate as Walter began to describe thesituation in detail.

“It’s delicious,” she replied. The foodwassuperb, and she forced herself to eat a bite.

The gall of the man, anyway. Why had he kissedher? Sure, it was only a kiss, but for some reason she couldn’t let it go theway Chase obviously had. He’d probably kissed plenty of women like that, whichshowed her inexperience. She also felt guilty. She’d enjoyed his touch toomuch. It had been awhile since she’d dated. Heck, she hadn’thad a real relationship in over a year, and Manuel had only been using her toclose a sales deal and get a promotion at his company.

The night slipped on, and Chase asked her todance. Despite her resolve to keep distance between them, she went. She wantedto be in his arms, to see if her earlier reaction was a fluke. She also wantedto speak with him.

“I need to tell you something,” she said asthe slow number ended. She had to talk to him about her job. Given what hadhappened between them, it was the right thing to do. Otherwise, workingtogether would be awkward. It probably would be anyway. He was like chocolatecake. She loved eating it, but afterward felt guilty for indulging.

“What is it?” Chase asked.

She opened her mouth.

“Chase!”

Miranda closed her lips and tried not togrimace as an older couple came forward.

“You look fantastic,” the woman gushed. “Ihaven’t seen you in, what, ten years?”

“This is Leroy’s second cousin Laura and herhusband, Cliff.” Chase made the introductions. “They live in Paris.”

“Yes, but we wouldn’t have missed Leroy’seightieth for the world.”

Miranda, seeing the conversation would beongoing, soon slipped away.

“Having fun?” Walter asked as she returned toher seat.

“Loads,” she said, her gaze seeking out Chase.She knew he’d hate her once his grandfather took the stage.

Not five minutes later that moment arrived,sealing Miranda’s fate. Her window of opportunity to tell Chase the truth andset things right had closed.

Leroy grasped themicrophone in one hand and asked for everyone’s attention. Chase finishedchatting with his relatives and moved to the side of the room, joining hissiblings. Miranda slipped into the chair next to Walter.

“I saw you and Chase dance. I’m glad you’ll beable to work well together,” Walter told her.

“Yeah.” Miranda didn’t want to tell him thatwas doubtful after tonight. She listened as Leroy thanked everyone for coming,before acknowledging and introducing his family.

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