Falling For Him

by Khardine Gray

  "You bought this for me?"

  "Yup, that is for you."

  "Thank you. I love it." She did, and hoped it would look good on her. She'd been pigging out over the weekend to pacify her worries and hoped she hadn't gained weight.

  "You're welcome. And this," he handed her the other bag and gave her a lust-filled smile. "Is for next time."

  She took the bag and looked inside. Butterflies filled her stomach as she looked at the sheer pink lace thong. That was from Victoria’s Secret and looked similar to what she'd tried to entice him with when she was eighteen.

  This smile she couldn't resist either. That uncontrollable want for him filled her again and sent the sparks of desire rippling through her. Her eyes met his. "You want me to wear this?"

  "It was for next time, but you can wear it now if you want."

  "Next time?" She had to admit that she admired him for his forwardness and advanced planning. She'd never met anyone with such extraordinary confidence.

  "Yes baby. You like it?"

  "I do." Her eyes took him in and his perfect form. "Do you?"

  His lips slid up into a sexy smile. "Oh yes. Pink is definitely your color. Eighteen-year-old Chloe left a lasting impression on my mind. I can't wait to see what this version of you will do."

  She looked at him, absorbing his words. It was amazing how over the years she thought he'd made fun of her for what she did. But she'd been completely wrong.

  He stepped back. "I'll leave you to change. Join me for a swim when you're ready." He winked at her, turned to reveal a black Chinese dragon tattooed across the majority of his back, and went through the sliding door.

  Chloe stared after him and released the breath she'd been holding onto as she watched him go. Wade was too much for her, too much for her nerves, and too much for her brain to process.

  But she liked him. She was starting to like him a lot.

  On that thought, she found the bathroom and got changed into the bikini, which looked stunning on her. Thankfully it also fit her perfectly.

  Wade looked her over with appreciation as she walked across the poolside and joined him on one of the loungers.

  "Perfect," he said, taking her hand and pulling her down to sit in his lap. He'd traded the jeans for a pair of black shorts, which displayed more tattoos on his legs.

  She slid her arms around his neck, relishing the feel of him and having him hold her like this.

  "Wade, how many tattoos do you have?" She didn't remember him having that many.

  "Is that your first question?" He leaned back against the vinyl material of the chair.

  "It could be? Do I get a set amount?" She giggled. She felt more at ease with him now.

  "I guess that since this is our first date, you should be allowed to ask as many questions as you want."

  She smiled down at him. "This is a date?"

  He nodded. "It was the only way I could get you all to myself."

  Chloe appreciated his efforts. She looked around at the pool and the surrounding plants that hung on the stony walls in pots. It had a European feel to it that she liked. Her parents had a similar sort of arrangement at their cottage.

  "I have fifteen," he stated.

  She looked back to him. "Fifteen?"

  "Tattoos. I'm guessing you don't have any, although there are a few places I have yet to inspect." He looked over her breasts.

  "I hate needles."

  "They're not that bad once you get used to it." His lips slid into a smooth, easy smile. "So, tell me. Why are you so worried about this job?"

  She gazed into those eyes of his wondering if she could tell him.

  "I won't say a word to my mom if you're worried I will." He smiled, running his hand over the hollow of her back.

  She looked at him and decided it couldn't cause any harm talking. So, she started with the thing that was most pressing on her mind. "I'm too comfortable at Runway," she began. "I've been there for a long time, and I work hard. I don't want to miss the chance to see what I can do if I'm in charge. I don't think I can stay there if I don't get the job."

  She'd never expressed that to anyone else and saying it out loud scared her a little, but it felt right as a plan.

  "What makes you worry you won't get it?"

  "The competition. It's fierce." It truly was.

  "Are you good?" He smiled.

  "I'm the best," she replied without hesitation. Chloe was the last person to boast and be arrogant about her work, but she knew her talent.

  "Well, that sounds like you have nothing to worry about. My mom only works with the best. If you know you are, I'm a hundred percent certain that she knows it too. She won't want the best to leave. So stop worrying about it. Things have a way of working out." It was sweet of him to tell her that. She appreciated his comments and insight. It made her relax. "So, is there any chance you could stop worrying, even for today?"

  "I think I can," she smiled.

  "Good, because I want to enjoy you. Come here." He crooked his finger, and she lowered to his awaiting lips.

  This was how they mostly were for the majority of the afternoon—kissing, playing in the pool, and taking turns at questions. She learned a lot about his plans. He told her about his new business and the work he was doing around that. It sounded amazing and like such a good idea. She also enjoyed listening to the stories of his travels and all that he'd experienced in the last five years. She loved hearing about Japan, and his description of it made her want to go even more than she already did. Japan was one of the countries she'd always wanted to visit most because of the natural beauty and the cherry blossom trees. He sounded like he had a good time there, but she couldn't help but notice at times when he spoke that there was something more beneath the exciting descriptions. She sensed pain and guilt, and it was reflected in his eyes.

  As evening drew on, they went inside and lay next to each other on the sofa. He left the sliding doors open so they could enjoy the cool air while they looked out at the approaching darkness of night.

  Wade placed kisses along her shoulder, running his hands across the flat of her stomach. He made her want to feel his touch all over her body.

  "Was it Wesley?" he suddenly asked, lingering at the edge of her ear. He hadn't asked her anything in a while.

  "Was Wesley what?" She didn't understand what he meant. As she turned to face him, she met his penetrative gaze and could tell there was something pressing on his mind.

  "Did you give yourself to Wesley? Did he take your virginity from you?"

  She had to ease herself up from the shock of the question. "No. Why would you think that?"

  "Why wouldn't I? You're always with him." He straightened up.

  "He's my friend." She smiled, looking at him. It was absurd to think it, but the thought entered her mind that he might be jealous. But she brushed it aside. It must have been mild curiosity because she couldn't imagine Wade being jealous of anyone.

  "And he's always been your friend? You never once thought you could be more than that?"

  She started to laugh.

  "Chloe, it's not funny."

  "Yes, it actually is. Wes has always been my friend. I've never seen him like that, and I seriously doubt that he thinks of me in that way too."

  As she sat up, he raised his knee and rested his elbow on it.

  "Okay." He held her gaze again. "So, who'd you give it to?"

  Now that question threw her humor. "A guy in college." Another mistake to file on the shelf of woes.

  Dean Warrington was a wide receiver on the college football team. He was set to go places, and like Wade, he never wanted for a woman on his arm. Chloe, however, thought she was special to him. He certainly treated her that way, but she got a rude wake-up call when he dumped her the day after she slept with him. He practically threw her out of his bed, and as she left, there was another girl going in. She was just a number to him. But she made the mistake of thinking he cared for her.

  "Did you love him?"

/>   She shook her head. "Let's just say it was a disaster." She looked away and gazed out to what she could see of the sky and the twinkling stars above.

  "I'm sorry." His voice brought her focus back to him. "It should have been me."

  Surprise filled her, and she didn't know how to respond. "It's okay. It's in the past." That was the reality of it. It was in the past. She hugged her knees to her chest and continued to watch him, watching his reaction.

  "I was a real mess back then, Chloe. It was the start of my ride to hell." That pain and guilty look returned to his eyes and caught her attention again.

  "Wade." She geared herself up to ask.

  "Yes, doll."

  "Is that why you left, and stayed away for so long?"

  The uncomfortable look in his eyes became more evident, and it made her wonder what had happened to make him look like that.

  "Something bad happened. Something really bad." Instead of looking into her eyes like he usually did when he spoke, he looked ahead of them. She moved closer to him, reached up, and turned his face to her.

  "What happened?" She searched his eyes, desperate to know. The pain she saw there confirmed her suspicions.

  "I can't." He rested his hand on hers and shook his head. "It was an accident that was my fault. Saying more than that is too painful."

  No one had ever said anything about Wade being in an accident.

  "What kind of accident? Were you hurt?"

  Wade shook his head. "No, I wasn't hurt, but I hurt…enough people." He pressed his lips together and looked at her with appreciation. "I promise to tell you one day, but tonight can we just have this?" He motioned from him to her and smiled.

  She wanted to know more but thought she'd respect his request. It sounded like a sensitive matter, and she didn't want to cross the line. Chloe also wanted to enjoy being with him too.

  She returned the smile as he took her hand and kissed it. She liked when he did that. He then picked her up and set her in his lap again and kissed her.

  As he did, she allowed herself to savor him and the feelings that swirled throughout her body.

  Chapter 7

  Wade

  He didn't want her to leave.

  There were several moments during their time together that Wade wanted to abandon his plan for a casual evening. He wanted to pick Chloe up and take her to his bed where he was certain they'd have more fun. But he promised himself he'd take things slowly for her, and it seemed to work.

  He'd wanted her to relinquish her insecurity and tension around him. He wanted her to give in to him freely and have the same desire to be with him that he had for her. It wouldn't be fun otherwise.

  Wade wanted Chloe to feel that intense craving he felt for her, and he knew the minute she skipped out onto the poolside in that electric pink bikini and fell into his lap that he'd accomplished his mission. Today would be kisses and play, but when next they saw each other it would be another matter entirely.

  Wade wasn't the obsessive type, but Chloe had changed his rules. She made him want to bend to hers, and Wade wouldn't normally do that for anyone.

  That was why he took her home and left her on her porch with nothing more than a chaste kiss goodnight. He knew, though, that he'd sown the seeds of desire in her mind and next time would be different. He just hoped next time would be soon

  Until then, he thought he'd take a step back into reality.

  Wade needed to see his father. He would have seen him over the weekend if the house hadn't come up. When Jared called and told him he'd found the perfect house, Wade had to go and check it out. The house was perfect indeed, and he couldn't allow the three-bed, stylish build to slip out of his grasp. The minute he walked into the property, saw the rooms, the pool, and the grounds surrounding it he decided he had to have it. He may have indulged a little getting such a big house, and the motorcycle was probably way over the top of the indulgence peak, but both made him happy.

  He hadn't arranged to go to his father's office the next day. He just thought he'd turn up. Previous experience taught him to never make an appointment. It was better to go in and hope that his father could make time. Wade felt in light of him coming home his father could make an allowance.

  Wade was trying to bridge the gaps in the relationship he had with his parents. He and his mom were fine, but he'd always had a difficult relationship with his father. He wanted to fix that, and admittedly glean more understanding on why his father wanted to co-own Runway. Wade decided to ask outright what his plans were.

  The metropolitan building was always busy, and today was no exception. Everyone looked busy, from the administrative staff to the legal personnel. His father's office was on the second floor.

  Wade took the stairs. When he got to the top, he walked through the door and went on to the corridor leading to the office. He heard his father's voice just as he neared the corner. He sounded cheerful as he talked about dinner arrangements.

  "Make sure you're not late," came a female reply. "I have the hotel room booked from nine to continue our eventful evening."

  Wade only stopped by the corner because he recognized her voice. It was a voice he'd heard raised against his mother in many arguments in the past. He peered around the corner and confirmed his thoughts. The voice belonged to Penelope St. Clair, owner of Sassy Magazine. What Wade never bargained on seeing was Penelope wrapped within his father's embrace, kissing him.

  That was the trouble with stopping by for an unexpected visit. Encountering the unexpected.

  His mother was right in saying that she and his father were the same as they always were. His father was always a cheat, always, and hadn't changed. But what made this occasion all the more significant was Penelope herself.

  And, he would just love to know what his father was doing with one of Runway's biggest competitors if he wanted to co-own the magazine.

  What the hell had Wade come home to?

  He didn't bother to interrupt. As anger boiled within him, he turned and walked away. He walked back the way he'd come, trying to keep his cool as he left the building and convince himself not to go back and land his fist in his father's face.

  Wade was ten years old when he first learned of his father's unfaithful habits. He'd caught his father with one of their maids. Caught him in live action. His father made him swear not to tell his mother, and to this day he hadn't, but the whole ordeal affected him. No child should have to witness that or hide such a secret from a parent he loved with all his heart.

  That was probably the start of his problems, the incident that fueled his recklessness. It didn't help that he was already so wild. Wildness mixed with anger was a dangerous combination for him and provided the push that would propel him towards a mental breakdown and serious drug and alcohol abuse.

  Wade knew, of course, that his actions were his own and he didn't have to spiral out of control. That part was on him, and he didn't blame anyone besides himself for his actions. But his father certainly didn't help, and sadly, that incident wasn't the last time that he'd caught his father with a woman that wasn't his mother.

  Wade loved women, adored them, and loved the thrill of the chase when one piqued his interests, but he didn't think he could be a cheater. He'd never had many serious relationships, but when he did, he had never contemplated cheating. The opportunity presented itself many times but he valued trust, and if he was with someone, then that was who he was with. As bad as he was.

  Perhaps it was because he'd seen what his father did to his mother. He would never want to become that kind of person and become the kind of man who broke his wife's heart because he couldn't keep his pants on. Wade didn't know what to do about today. His mother already suspected that his father was up to something with the request to co-own Runway, but this with Penelope…

  What did it mean?

  Wade made his way back home and wrestled with the decision of what to do for the next two days. Like always he was stuck in the middle with knowledge of something going on t
hat he shouldn't declare because it would cause more hurt and distrust.

  By Friday he thought he'd go mad with the whole thing and decided he needed to push it all aside for the moment. Instead, he thought of the one thing that kept him going since coming home.

  Chloe.

  It annoyed him that he'd wasted the last few days without her, but that was about to change. He smiled to himself as he grabbed his jacket from the coat rack and shrugged into it.

  Taylor

  Taylor handed Kelly the bridal magazine folded over at the page that had mesmerized her.

  "I want that dress." She pointed to the page and squealed with delight.

  Taylor rubbed her hands together as she imagined herself in the beautiful, slender-cut, white gown walking down the aisle towards her dream man.

  Oh, what a day it would be. What a happy day. She could burst with the joy and anticipation, and she just wished that Richard would hurry up and propose already.

  "I love it," Kelly cried, nodding vigorously. She looked happy and excited.

  Miss Chloe, on the other hand, had that faraway look, again. That strange, vacant look, like her mind was on another planet. Now she was simply staring ahead, looking across to the wall.

  They'd been sitting out here on the terrace for the last hour looking through wedding magazines. Chloe had looked like that the whole time. Sitting there, stiff and ridged, motionless like a statue. Taylor couldn't even recall her blinking her eyes more than a few times.

  It was starting to bug her now because she didn't know what to think. Chloe hadn't exactly said much about the proposal, and it was hard to tell if it was because she was worried about getting that job, or if it was that she didn't want Taylor to marry Richard.

  Taylor wasn't stupid. She knew Chloe didn't like Richard. Chloe tried to be polite when he was around but always had that reservation Taylor didn't want her to have. She didn't know anyone who didn't like Richard. After all, the man spent his days trying to cure cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Who could have anything against someone like that?