Page 37 of Bachelor CEO

“In that bag back there.”

“Got it. Let’s go.” Heclambered out and began to wade to the island. “The rocks are a little slick,so watch out.”

“I’m fine,” Miranda called, lowering herselfdown and feeling the mossy bottom beneath her toes. She reached the shore andclimbed up to the little clearing. Sand clung to her wet feet.

Chase had spread out the blanket and found thebottle of wine. He held up the cups and corkscrew in one hand, merlot in theother. “Milady?”

“It seemed like the right thing to grab at thetime. I don’t know. I’m improvising.”

Chase sat on the blanket and opened thebottle. He handed her a cup of wine as she settled beside him. He took a drink.“So tell me, Miranda Craig, are you trying to seduce me?”

She sipped her wine. “Yes.”

“You usually play life safe.”

“I always will. Except for tonight.” She sether cup down. “You only want me. Nothing more, right? You aren’t trying to stopme from taking over?”

“No, but I will, when I return.”

“In a year.” She clung to that.

A year was a long time. At least that was howshe rationalized her decision, to let passion rather than sensibility reign.

“For once I just want to feel. To know,” shetold him.

Chase set his own cup down, wedging theplastic in the sand. “So what exactly do you want from me?”

The moment of truth. Once she said the words,there would be no going back. “I want you to make love to me.”

Chapter Nine

Chase coughed, trying to get his breathback. After tonight in the gazebo, he’d half expected her to retreat into hershell. Her declaration floored him.

In the moonlight she was a goddess. Her blackhair shimmered. Her skin glowed like porcelain. She was the most beautifulwoman he’d ever seen.

Like a siren, she planned to seduce. And he’ddo anything to please her.

“I know this will be a one-night stand butonly because that’s all it can be. You’re leaving and I just have to know whatit feels like to be with you.”

He reached out and stroked her cheek, histouch gentle. “Who hurt you?”

She turned her face into his palm. “Enoughpeople. As I said, everyone’s wanted something. But you don’t.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”

“No, you just want what our bodies can dotogether. Every kiss we’ve had has been magical, unlike any other. I know we’llnever be together after tonight, but I wish it could be otherwise.”

Her words touched him. She’d left herself openand vulnerable, and Chase could only run his thumb alongher lips. He, too, needed to know how truly being with her felt. He’d sensedsomething the first moment he’d met her, when she’d snapped at him because ofher flat tire. He wasn’t sure if his heart would survive, but tonight he wouldleave her well loved.

He’d spent his whole life sacrificing for thegood of the cause, and this was a cause he could champion. He used his freehand to retrieve her cup and toss it aside. He wanted no regrets, no excuses.

“Make love to me,” she murmured. “Show me whatI’ve been missing. What it should feel like to be alive.”

Her honesty touched him and he didn’thesitate. He could say something to reassure her, but what she wanted andneeded was his lips on hers. They could talk later and he promised himself theywould. He might be exiled, but he could still use the telephone. This would notbe an end, but a beginning.

He found her mouth, tasted the merlot mixedwith a sweetness that could only belong to her. He deepened the kiss, every oneof his senses heightened by the woman in his arms. Miranda. He tried to commitevery inch of her skin to memory as he slid his lips down her neck and kissedthe hollow at the base of her throat.

“I’ve never done this before,” he whispered.

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