Beautifully Awake

cloudless midnight blue sky. Lord help me.

“We need to talk.”

I spun on the heel of my ballet flats and tightened my arms around my waist trying to tame the butterflies. I was tempted to ask what the hell was wrong with the past seven days.

“We do?” I sarcastically questioned.

“You know we do, but I would rather not have this conversation here. Let me take you home. My car is right around the corner.”

My eyes narrowed and I frowned.

“Why would I leave with you, Chase?”

“You don’t have to, but I want you to. I owe you an explanation.”

Damn straight he did.

“Damn straight you do.”

He reached for my hand, but I backed away slightly, breaking the connection. The heat from his fingertips sent shivers up my arm. He sensed my trepidation, because his eyes morphed from intense to something softer, something genuine. My stomach lurched and I knew I was screwed. But it didn’t stop me from remaining pissed.

“This is crazy!” I snapped. “You had all week to say something. You’re the one who walked away. You’re my freaking boss, for god’s sake. I don’t do this ...we can’t do this.”

Sierra interrupted by walking out the door, providing a much-appreciated pause. I needed to regroup, unsure if I believed a word coming out of my mouth.

Sierra’s eyes cautiously tried reading the situation. “Hey, Lil. You okay?”

“I’m fine. Are you leaving?”

Chase stood ruminating with his hands snaked in his pockets, eyes locked on me the entire time.

“Dodd just called and surprised me. He got an earlier flight back from his meeting. I’m gonna shoot over to the airport and pick him up. You mind?” Her expression screamed “you sure you want me to leave you here with this dick?”

“No, I’m fine. Go pick up your husband. He’ll be psyched to see you. I’ll call you tomorrow.” She gave me a peck on the cheek and uttered a curt “good night” in Chase’s direction. She walked across the street and hopped in her SUV. If I weren’t so distracted by this man in front of me, I would have sworn she waddled.

“Now there’s no reason to stay. Can we go?” Chase shifted his weight between his long legs as if he were losing patience. His chiseled face was focused and determined. He was seriously off the charts breathtaking; however, I was no lovesick nursing student ready to bow at his command.

“No, Chase,” I clipped. “This, whatever this is, can’t happen!” I pointed back and forth between us, silently regretting every word that escaped from my lips. My inner turmoil was causing a relentless havoc. My attraction for this man was overwhelming.

“Calm down. Just let me take you home. Your ride just left and you’re not cabbing it home alone.” I might not live in his upscale part of town, but it was a far cry from the hood. He was unreal.

My irritation bubbled to a head, and I snapped, “It’s fine. Guy can drive me home. I’m sure he won’t mind. He lives in my part of town.”

“Like fuck he will.” Chase clenched his jaw so tight I thought he was going to pop a vessel in his neck. “He’s been drinking, and there is no fucking way you are getting in a car with him.” He was dead serious.

“He had a margarita. I’m pretty sure he’s fine.” I defended Guy, even though there was nothing to defend. Guy was a giant by normal people standards. It would probably take a pitcher of Rosa’s house margaritas to impair Guy’s big toe. Besides the fact, Guy wasn’t stupid.

“That’s one drink too many.”

Oh-kay.

“Chase, what do you want from me? Why are we even talking about any of this? As far as I’m concerned, we have a professional relationship. End of story. No more sushi dinners, no more call room ... anythings.” My face flushed.

He took a step toward me and gently lifted my chin. “Blue, look at me. You know you don’t believe that. Let me take you home. Let’s talk. If after, you really don’t want this, I promise I’ll back off.” His eyes turned molten, causing an explosion of tingles between my legs. My body cross checked my brain and prevailed in the battle. I would deal with the penalty later.

“Fine, Chase. I don’t owe you a damn thing after the way you treated me, but I’ll let you plead your case.”

His lips curled up into a devilish smile and the tingles turned into full-blown spasms. Fuck my body.

We spent the nine-minute drive in complete silence, my mind reeling with a million questions. Time was up. His black M6 stopped in front of my building. Part of me was tempted to bolt up the stairs, hop into bed and erase the evening. Tomorrow I needed to rethink the whole therapy thing, running just wasn’t cutting it.

This man was infuriating; giving new meaning to hot and cold. Obviously something was royally screwed up with my twenty-seven-year-old brain. I abandoned all sense of logic after three years spent erecting an emotional wall of China. The disconnect between my body and brain was bewildering.

“Come on, Blue.” He grabbed my hand and helped me from his car. I moved willingly. Obviously, my body just told my brain to fuck off, again.

“What was the point of the scene at the bar?” I asked.

Chase raked his hair with his hands and let out a sigh, but gave no explanation.

“Are you for real?” The words spit out of my mouth, but still nothing.

Did he want me or did he just not want anyone else to have me? I realized the only time he acknowledged my existence this week was when I was with Guy. First in the elevator, then the bar. Was this just another alpha pissing-on-his-territory display?

Screw this, I’d had enough and briskly walked to the door of my first floor row home apartment. Angling my body toward the streetlight, I searched in my bottomless bag for the keys. My goal was to get away from this man as fast as possible. How had I not told him to fuck off already?

“Don’t worry about it. I got it, Blue.” Blue? His hand rested on my lower back. The heat scorched through my clothes.

“Don’t worry about what?” I spat.

Chase effortlessly opened my door with my extra key. The one he still had since sushi night.

“After you.” Chase gently pressed at the small of my back, urging me inside. His mouth hovered at my ear, bathing the nape of my neck with his warm minty breath. He whispered, “Remember? I told you we would do it again sometime. Sometime is now.”

I immediately tensed. It was as if every nerve ending in my body awakened and fired all at once. Sweet Jesus. Heat ignited my core and desire pooled from my sex. The only thing I knew for sure at that moment was I wanted this.

He shut my apartment door, leaving us in the small alcove entrance flanked with floor to ceiling windows that let in an aura of intimacy. The charm of the space I loved, I cursed. The soft illumination did little to hide my jumble of excited nerves. Without hesitation, Chase pulled me around until I was facing him. He tipped my chin up for the second time tonight, demanding our eyes meet. One lock with his silver crystal gaze, I was gone. Totally freaking gone.

He leaned his strong back against the door and snaked both hands into his pockets. His signature stance was my undoing. He ... was ... stunning. His intensity dissipated before my eyes, replaced by something else, something primal. He bit his lower lip and roamed hungrily, landing below the hem of my short summer skirt. My bare legs felt weak. I backed up against the window, accepting its support, while my monstrosity of a bag slipped off my shoulder with a thud. Neither one of us blinked.

“Lil. You are so fucking beautiful.” Each word was punctuated, his gaze plagued with desire. My mind was