“We just can’t,” she insisted. “I love being with you, but it can only be as friends. We work together for God’s sake. I could get fired. You’re a wonderful man. You should be with someone that can give you everything that you want. I’m afraid that’s not me…I’m sorry.”
“Why does every moment have to be so hard and complicated with you? This should be easy. There’s a distance between us, Eden, and you’re the one placing it there. You have this wall built up around you, you’re making it hard. Be honest with yourself.”
Chase stood and brushed his hand over her cheek before he shrugged on his tuxedo jacket. He opened the door and looked over at her with blazing eyes.
“Goodbye, Eden…I’ll see you at work.” He didn’t try to conceal his temper.. She felt a tug at her heart as the door closed behind him. Closing doors and walking away, why did it always end up the same way?
***
Chase pulled into his designated underground parking space and turned off the engine. He sat back in the seat pondering his next move, his fingers turning white from the death grip he held on the steering wheel. Eden was driving him mad with this friend bullshit. He hated lashing out at her. Being cruel and vicious wasn’t how he wanted to be. Yet she could elicit unscrupulous behavior from him, the sort he’d never envisioned before.
Infuriating was the only word to describe this angel in heels. This red hot temptress stirred up all his needs and wants into one colossal steaming caldron of greediness. Like the wickedest witch from some erotic fantasy land beyond his wildest imagination.
Thank God red was his favorite color because, since he starting pursuing her, that’s all he was seeing. Eden Fox could cause his blood to boil and wind him up like a three day alarm clock. Have him kneeling at her feet waiting for a taste, she’d devour him whole and then punt him across the room and he’d still come back for more. The legend of the black widow spider sent a shiver up his spine and had him laughing at the thought.
He knew that she hungered after him just as much as he was thirsting for her. A woman that shared the same deep-rooted passion and longing was a rare find and now that he found her, he had no desire to emancipate her. In fact, the shackles should be tightened, if anything. The lust he was feeling though, was fast turning to something more, something he couldn’t put a name to. It was all too consuming.
Running away from this thing between them wasn’t an option, at least not for him. Eden, on the other hand, was a runner, and he’d have to find a way to tether her and keep her from making a dash for it as he pursued her and won her over. Tame her and take control.
Eden sat at her drawing table adding the final touches to her lobby concepts. It was late, and Amanda had long gone home. Probably the last one left in the building, she hadn't heard any movement for hours.
Rising from her chair and stretching up to the ceiling, she crossed the room to the large glass wall of windows. Folding her arms across her chest as if she were cold, she leaned against the window’s frame, content in the silence. The darkness of night brought the city’s lights to life. Enjoying the hustle and bustle of the city, people speeding here and there, she felt at home, fit in, she could lose herself there.
Visions of Chase entered her mind, butterflies raced to her stomach. Beautiful emerald green eyes, blazing with such anger, were unfortunately her last memory of him. She had an uncanny way of angering him, not meaning to, but just the same, it was becoming incredibly difficult to be around him and not piss him off. Eden’s heart ached for him..
It had been weeks since the episode at her apartment. All correspondence had been sent via courier service, not a phone call, and he hadn’t replied to any of her countless text messages. Her heart was heavy with despondency. Eden had lost him; it had to be this way. She convinced herself it was for the best.
She could almost smell his masculine fragrance as she drew in a deep breath and closed her eyes, it felt so inviting, the scent that was only his. A rush of need ran to her lower parts, she could feel a familiar pulsing between her thighs, a warm wetness, she was totally lost in the daydream.
"Beautiful," he whispered from behind her.
Spinning around suddenly, Chase leaned into her, pressing her to the window with his body, his hands on the glass at each side of her face, towering over her. He took one hand from the window and wrapped it around the nape of her neck, weaving his fingers through her hair as he tilted her face up into his.
Chase looked longingly into her eyes and gently placed his lips to hers. His taste was sweet and minty. Heat soared through her entire being. She could feel his heart racing so strong in his pulse at the back of her neck. He withdrew his lips and she opened her eyes. His gaze moved over her face with an ever-so-slight smile at the corner of his lips. His demeanor had changed; he was more demanding in his quest.
"Breathe, baby."
She took a deep breath, not realizing that she had been holding it.
He whispered against her ear. “I’ve missed you, but no more." He closed his mouth over hers again before she could react, this time with more force. His tongue played against her lips until she opened up, allowing his entrance. Their tongues moved in a wild frenzy.
Pushing against her, leaving no room between them, she could feel his bulging arousal at her belly. He brought his hand from the window down to her side and enveloped her waist, pulling her even tighter to him, as if he were trying to make her part of his very being. He almost couldn't get her close enough.
Eden found herself in a fog, a delightfully sexual fog. She ran her hands up his back and buried them in his raven curls. She was so aroused. Her breathing was heavy with want.
He took his hand from her neck and slowly moved it down to find her breast, her nipple came to a sharp bud through the silky fabric of her blouse. He cupped her breast in his large palm and squeezed gently, causing a moan to escape from deep inside her. He responded in turn by pushing his hard cock against her belly.
Chase pulled back just enough to look into her half lidded eyes and kissed his lips to hers. She’d never get over the taste of his breath on her lips. Leaning down, he nuzzled into her neck, placing a trail of kisses and tiny bites until he met her ear lobe and Eden moaned softly.
The sensation of his hand kneading her breast and his teeth nibbling and devouring her neck was driving her insane. She was building to a near explosion as his hand made its way lower to her waist band. , he gave a rough tug. He brought his face to hers and smiled wickedly as he ran his hand past her zipper, to rub over the crotch of her pants. “This. All of this. Mine! Let there be no doubt in your mind, this is mine!” Gasping at the friction and his words, she closed her eyes, letting out a moan at his touch.
Continuing to rub his hand over her pussy harder in response to her moans, she pushed into his hand. The sensation through the material was pure pleasure. Her arousal was building, her head whirled, and her knees shook from the weakness he was causing.
He stopped and she growled her disappointment.
Tugging at the button of her pants until it released, his fingers found her zipper, sliding it down. Searching through the opening, he found the lace of her panties. Hooking into the top, he slid his hand around to the small of her back, touching her soft sensitive flesh.
Chase's breathing increased as his hand slid up under her blouse between her shoulder blades. He closed his mouth over hers, twisting their tongues in a burning tango. Sliding his hand back down her back to her rear end, he forced her against his cock. Rock hard, like a granite post, it throbbed against her. Her breath catching with excitement, she needed him so badly, ready to give in.
A knock at the door brought them both bursting apart. Eden turned back to face out the window, straightening herself quickly. Chase followed suit to look out at the city below, his arousal quite apparent.
She said shaky and breathless, "Yes?" and took several deep breaths, trying to calm her heart rate. She saw that Chase was doing the same. They laughed like teenagers b
eing caught in the act by their parents. It was in a way rather exciting.
"Eden? I saw the lights on," Paul said as he peered around the door and glared from Eden to Chase and back again, losing his calculating smile. "Oh. Mr. Dean, you’re still here, I thought you left after our meeting."
"Nope. I’m still here," Chase answered coldly, giving him no explanation as to why.
“Are you okay, Eden?" Paul asked without coming any farther into the room. It was apparent that he was uncomfortable with the arrangement and planning a hasty retreat.
"I'm fine, Paul," she said impatiently. “I’m leaving the office soon, so whatever you want will have to wait till morning.” She could feel the hot red in her cheeks and knew her blush would not be overlooked by this idiot. Surely he’d tell his father of his suspicions. He was such a douche bag. Probably had the idea of playing a little slap and tickle while he had her alone, she cringed at the thought.
A smile of enjoyment crossed over his mug. He wasn’t fooling her at all. He was happy knowing he had stopped what it was that he stopped. "I’ll be on my way then. Good evening, Eden...Mr. Dean?" He scowled at Chase before slipping back out the door, not bothering to close it behind him.
They both exhaled, relaxing with heavy sighs. Eden moved away from the window and closed the door, then sat at her desk. "Don't pull away from me, Eden. Stop fighting me...please?"
"I have to fight you, Chase. This can't happen. It can only get complicated." She wanted to run but kept herself in control. "Paul damned near caught us. If Hawthorn suspected that anything was going on between us romantically, it could be my job. I’m sure Paul suspects something, and he’s got a big mouth."
"Fuck Paul, fuck Hawthorn! It can only get complicated if you let it get complicated. No one needs to know a thing," Chase said.
She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. "But…we work together."
"Then I'll fire you!"
She jumped to her feet, ready for a fight. "What? You can't do that. We have a contract!"
Chase came over and pulled her into his arms. "Relax, baby. I'm kidding, just a joke." He smiled that amazing smile, and she shook her head with a little nervous laugh. "Come sit with me." He took her hand and ushered her to the love seat at the far corner of her office.
He adjusted himself to better face her. "I understand your hesitation. I also understand your policy regarding work, but the way you responded to my touch just moments ago tells me we have something worth exploring. I’ve staked my claim, baby, what’s mine is mine."
Her heart raced. The idea of him claiming her as his sounded sexy as hell. But staking a claim and sneaking around didn’t sound realistic. “A sexual attraction doesn’t make a relationship and besides, the last thing I want is a relationship." How very Romeo and Juliet was the whole idea? And look at how that union tragically turned out.
"Who the hell said anything about a relationship? Call it a sexual partnership. We could have something truly special. I want..." he hesitated, trying to get his words straight before continuing on.
"What? Tell me," she demanded.
Taking her face into his hands, he placed a gentle peck on her lips. "I'd like to explore the possibilities." He studied every inch of her face with his sparkling green eyes.
"I want you. I want you sexually. I want your body on me like a tattoo. I want to explore every inch of you. I want to feel myself deep inside of you." He watched her intently.
"I want to care for you, take care of you, and fulfill your every wish. I want to be your fantasy and you can be mine. Tell me you’ll at least consider examining something more outside of the office. Open yourself to me, Eden."
A blush from below rushed to her face and her pulse felt erratic. She opened her mouth to speak but could not, her thoughts racing around in circles. He reached over and ran his thumb across her cheek, and she looked deep into his eyes. "I need to be completely honest with you, Eden."
He stood and paced back and forth as he spoke. "I enjoy a lifestyle that is out of the ordinary."
She swallowed. "What kind of lifestyle are you talking about?" she enquired, a little fearful of his answer.
"I desire…control.” The look on his face was blank of any emotion, making it unreadable. “Control in every aspect of my life, be it sexual, business, or personal."
"OH...MY...GOD!" she exclaimed. "You’re a dominant!"
"No, not in the way you think," he explained. "I'm not into whips and chains and I don’t get off on a woman’s pain. Pain is the last thing I want to inflict."
He could see the wheels turning in her head, images of fire and brimstone, a devil’s smile, and a forked tail. Chase shook his head and laughed to lighten the mood, and then pulled her from the darkness she was falling into.
Taking her hand and turning it palm up, he traced his finger across it in an S pattern and kissed his lips along its trail. "I believe in heightened pleasure, giving and getting of course. I am not a selfish lover. I get more pleasure seeing a woman come undone at my doing, than seeing her flinch in pain. That’s okay for some that like the sting of a crop or a bare hand stinging their flesh, but it’s not for me. I would never, ever, intentionally cause pain to my sexual partner in any way.
"In return, I demand respect, honesty, and total devotion. I demand a completely monogamous sexual connection. When I need you, you will come to me without question. Basically be at my beck and call sexually. You will do as you’re told and follow my instructions to the letter. Am I understood?
Eden nodded reluctantly before he continued. "You don’t have anything to say?” She shook her head. “Your reward you’re asking...is pure pleasure." The sound of his words resonated in her head, sending butterflies flying and a divine warmth surging throughout her body.
But keeping true to herself, she had to ask, “And if I were the aggressive type, wishing to take control, then what? If I chose not to be quite so submissive? Then what would you say?” Eden asked. “Would you push me from your bed, or would you be willing to submit a tiny portion of that power of yours and enjoy the pleasure that I could bestow upon you?”
He thought for a moment and smiled. “Like I said, it’s all vis-à-vis pleasure, for both of us…just know this…before I met you, I would have walked away from such a woman. Would have never considered giving over any form of control. But with you, I may be willing to negotiate…somewhat.” His admission delighted her.
There was a long, hanging silence as she imagined what he could do. He already woke her sexual needs and desires with no more than a spoken whisper and a single touch to her skin. She could hear her heart beating in her head and feel her breath heaving in her chest. Confused, wanting so desperately to just let go of the fear of being consumed, to let herself feel something real, to let go of the pain she had felt for so long.
"What are you thinking Eden?" he asked, catching her off guard.
"I don't know what to think. I’m afraid, you have no clue how being controlled terrifies me. You’ve thrown quite a bit at me. I need time to think, to take it all in," she admitted. "Who wouldn't want to be taken care of and treated to sexual pleasure? You can’t imagine how desperately I just want to give in. But I just couldn't be what you want."
Chase came over to sit with her again, taking her hand in his. "Why do you say that?"
"My turn to be honest." She felt uneasy. "I don’t know that I could be totally compliant, as submissive as you ask. I have only had one real sexual relationship, and that was a disaster I don't want to think of. I have control issues myself, major control issues. I don’t know if I can give you what you want, what you’re used to getting from a woman."
“Forget other women; there are no other women, just you.” He moved in, mere inches from her face. "Eden, I hunger for you. Let me train you to submit baby…" he whispered across her lips. “…give in to sensuality and indulge, I promise you only pleasure.”
***
Teach me?
The suggestion of Chase teac
hing her to give up control, to submit to him and give him pleasure in return for her own, was causing a commotion in her gut. She was near to throwing up. She felt giddy like she was a virgin all over again and he was going to pop her cherry, as Mikala would say, a disgusting but delicious thought. It also frightened her out of her mind.
This was crazy and all she could think of. Her mind was a mess already, and now, a new equation had been added. She needed to talk to Mikala. She could trust her to be honest enough to tell her she was nuts.
Chase was so genuine in regards to what he required from her. He could have his pick of hundreds of ultra-sexy women but he’d chosen her. Why?
How his eyes had melted into hers when she agreed to consider his proposal, he had held her so tight she could still feel his exhilaration. No verbal demands to give an answer in a certain time period put her at ease, saying he would wait as long as it took.
Eden hit the speed dial, the phone connected after just one ring. "Pulse." Mikala greeted.
"Hi Mik, it's me. What are you doing for lunch?" Eden asked.
"Honey, I'm having lunch with you!" She laughed. "We can eat here if that’s okay. It's quiet. I’ll have the chef make us a nice light salad plate."
"Sounds great," Eden said. "I really need to talk with you."
"Are you okay, honey?" Mik sounded concerned.
"Nothing to worry about Mik, we'll talk when I get there, okay? See you at one?"
"One it is."
***
"Penny for your thoughts?" Rheanna asked. "You’re miles away."
Chase took a deep, cleansing breath. "Just thinking." He sat in the large chair of his father's office, engulfed in his paperwork.
"So how did your meeting with Paul go? Did you finalize everything?" Rheanna inquired.
Fanning through papers and signing at the designated sticky notes, he spoke without looking up. "Yes, all signed on the dotted line, the papers are on my desk," his answer monotone.
Eden's Pleasure (Pulse Book 1) Page 9