“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?