Page 28 of The Billionaire and the Maid

“Hey,” I say as I start walking toward him.

“You look…amazing,” Chase says, his voice low and gravelly. I realize then why women fall at their feet for him. His dark eyes are appraising. I suddenly want him to want me. No, no, no. I can’t want that. I’m just a temporary thing. Who am I kidding? I couldn’t possibly be with Chase. He might as well live on another planet. Maybe if my dad hadn’t died. Maybe if I had inherited money and finished college on time and could already have started my business. Shit, there’s a lot of maybes.

“Thanks,” I whisper as I let him open the passenger door for me. Our hands brush and I swear I feel that current of electricity again.

He’s quiet when he gets back inside. I shiver and he presses a button to raise the heat in the car.

“You want the seat warmers?” he asks.

“I’m fine,” I say because right now, I feel overheated. Between smelling Chase’s cologne and his arm muscle contracting with each shift of the gear stick, I’m beginning to think Chase Marino might have a magic button that controls my libido.

“You look flushed. Are you feeling well?” Chase asks as he looks over at me.

I realize my face must be visible with the passing streetlights. I clear my throat and nod. “I’m fine.”

“We don’t have to stay long. I don’t want to make this uncomfortable for you,” he says.

“It’s fine. My friend Gus will be there,” I assure him.

Five minutes later, he pulls up to the valet at the tennis club. The attendant opens my car door and Chase is around the car in an instant to escort me inside. There are already several dozen people here, including his parents. They say a half-hearted hello to us. And then I see them, my so-called family.

I tense and Chase’s gaze follows mine. “You want to avoid them, or shall we say hello?”

I glance back at Mila, Myra, and my stepmom. Nancy is talking to some man that I don’t recognize. Myra has some guy with her, and Mila is looking uncomfortable with her phone glued to her face.

Chase takes one look at them and then, to my horror, they all make eye contact with me at once. Unapproving gazes shoot at me like daggers. Gazes that sayyou don’t belong hereandwho do you think you are?

I’m about to tell Chase that we should leave, but then suddenly, I’m spun around, and Chase takes my head in his big hands and presses his lips to mine. I don’t move for a long beat. I’m too shocked. Is Chase kissing me? What the hell? I should be pissed, but…I’m not. In fact, I’m the opposite of pissed. I’m enjoying it? Yes, yes, I am.

Chase’s lips are smooth and warm against mine. Our breaths mingle as I let out a sigh. I suddenly want more, so much more. But just as fast as he kissed me, he stops, and I’m left wishing he would continue.

“That’ll have them talking,” he says with a wink as he takes my hand and drags me out to the balcony that overlooks some gardens and the small terrace where people have drinks and snacks after playing. Little fairy lights illuminate the otherwise dark space, leaving it feeling a little magical.

Once we are alone, Chase stops and looks back down at me. “I’m sorry. I…I thought that might help things,” he stammers.

I step toward him so we are almost nose to nose since I’m wearing heels and standing on an area a step up from him.

“Ace, you can’t do that without warning…I…” I trail off as I lean up and press my lips to his. I can’t help myself. I need more Chase.

This time, Chase’s lips part immediately. His hands fly to my face, cupping it and angling it as his tongue strokes the seam of my lips, coaxing them apart. I oblige and our tongues begin to feel one another. He tastes like the champagne we were offered while talking to his parents. He’s controlling but not overbearing. I groan against his lips and his one hand reaches around me and tightly grips my ass, pressing my body against his and…holy shit! Chase’s erection digs into my belly. And I know then that the rumors are one hundred percent true. This man is well endowed. I swallow. If that rumor is true, then are the rumors about his abilities with that appendage also true?

I’m about to ask him when a clearing throat behind me has Chase stepping back all too soon.

“Hate to interrupt, but I wanted to introduce myself to you and introduce you both to my date, David,” Gus’s voice says.

I blush and then further redden when I steal a look up at Chase. His darkened eyes are still on me, and I feel as if he could literally eat me alive right now. I take a breath and turn to see Gus next to a man about three inches taller than him. He looks very handsome in a rugged outdoorsy sort of way. I’m a bit surprised by this because Gus is the opposite of outdoorsy.

“Hi, David. I’m Ella. It’s so nice to finally meet you,” I manage as I try to compose myself. Gus shoots me a pointed look and I glare back at him before plastering on a smile at David.

“Likewise, Ella,” David says.

“And this is Chase,” I add, motioning to my fake date…my fake date that I was just real kissing. I blush and Gus gives me another pointed look. I shrug slightly. I know there will most definitely be a conversation later.

“Pleasure to meet you, Chase,” Gus says as he extends his hand. Chase shakes it and looks between the two men.

“Do I know you?” he asks David.

David pauses and then laughs. “You’re Chase Marino.”

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