This was the type of home she had always dreamt of owning one day. Living in this lavish elegance, an extravagant, luxurious dream world all on its own was just that though, a dream.
"What do you think, Miss Fox? Does it meet up to your standards?" He smirked.
"I think it will do." She giggled. "It's great, it should be featured in House and Home.”
“You don’t think it’s too much?” he asked, as he pulled her further into the room.
She gave him a sideways glance. “Of course it’s too much. I would be disappointed if it were anything less.”
“Are you saying its over-the-top? Not me?”
“Oh, it’s you alright. Dramatic and extreme, nothing understated. I like that about you.”
He lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles. “What else do you like, Miss Fox?”
Pulling her hand away, she pointed up with her index finger and laughed nervously. “I like the landing."
"The landing?" he asked. Of all the areas of the penthouse, she had focused on the landing? He had to wonder if it was a design thing, one of her quirky traits that he had not yet discovered.
"There's just something…I'm not sure what it is," she explained.
"Maybe we can investigate that something later," he said wickedly.
She caught her breath and found herself giggling again, feeling very juvenile, with an insane pent-up enthusiasm. Chase did crazy things to her temperament, bringing out a simpler yet far more spirited side of her nature, among other things.
Chase placed his hand at the small of her back. "Come, we'll have some wine. I have the same Pinot we had at dinner chilling." He directed her through a set of French doors and into the kitchen.
The kitchen was very classic, all dark wood cabinets. The white, 1925 Cookstone appliances with nickel plated trim were the real features of the room. Eden was truly impressed. She couldn’t cook to save her life, didn’t have much of a desire to try, but this kitchen could make a person want to sign up for lessons at Le Cordon Blue.
A smell of delicate spices in the air made her stomach growl, and she hoped he hadn’t noticed. Eden took a seat at the table, noting the two place settings arranged at the corner of the table, the seats promoting an intimate dinner. Chase was a romantic, no doubt in her mind. A simple candle gave a quixotic glow, and she smiled appreciatively.
Chase left her to retrieve the wine, returning with two glasses before handing her one. “Here’s to the promise of a very special evening.” He clinked their glasses together, and they both took a sip.
A blush came to her face as she thought about their dinner at 49 and that night’s events after too much wine. It felt like ages ago. Her thoughts and his voice that night stoked her internal furnace, just the way it was now.
"There’s that blush," he said as he took a seat next to her. He took a sip of his wine as he watched her closely.
Trying to change the subject, she asked, "So what's upstairs?" She regretted the question the minute it left her mouth.
He grinned as she squirmed uncomfortably. "My office and a guest room. The main bath and my bedroom are also upstairs. I'll take you on a tour if you like or would you prefer to eat first?"
"I'd love a tour, yes please." Her nosy bitch side kicked in, her mind playing designer, trying to visualize what she might find upstairs. Eden imagined his room, masculine and fierce, dark tones with harsh black and gray shades.
Handing Eden her wine glass, he took her hand and pulled her to her feet. He picked up his glass and then blew out the candle, before pulling her along with him through a doorway off of the kitchen, into the dining room with a table for twelve. They moved back into the living room area and down a hallway into a library with surrounding built-in bookcases, filled, almost to overflowing, with books. Completing the room was a floor to ceiling carved marble fireplace.
He didn’t say a lot except to point out what each room was and allowing her to examine her surroundings in peace. She was too busy taking it all in to hear him anyway. So many rooms, she lost track, the place was huge and emitted power like this man, nothing understated for him.
The Staircase at last! she thought.
She was intrigued with the mystery. A staircase winding its way up to the landing balcony gave view to the living room below. A large overstuffed chair big enough for two sat in the corner with a floor lamp to the side. This area made her feel warm and welcome. She liked it very much. She could imagine being curled up with a great book in the cushions of the chair, but the idea of being curled up next to Chase in that chair sent a bolt of electricity to her toes.
"Is it all you thought it would be?" he whispered in her ear.
Eden squeezed his hand. "I love it, a secluded spot." He watched her face light up as she conveyed her thoughts. She had a real passion that warmed his heart to see.
They made their way up the next small staircase to two doors. The first stop was a guest room all white furniture, walls, and linens. It was cold as ice and unwelcoming; not what she expected to find. So not Chase, and so out of place among all the grandeur. Eden turned with a questioning look only to be met with a stony glance before being pulled away.
The second door opened to an overly masculine office with all dark wood walls, where a large standalone secretary with glass doors dominated the room. Inside the secretary were old books, ornaments, and awards. The polished floors gleamed. The furnishings were all in a classic style and were ornately carved. The desk made her laugh, it being far too big, much like Mr. Hawthorn's. What was it with men and their desks? She tittered at the thought.
"What's so funny?" he asked, looking around the room, trying to grasp the mystery.
"Nothing." She again giggled to herself. “Nice desk.”
Chase looked at her with a furrowed brow, totally confused. He shook his head. He didn’t understand the humor, then tightening his grip, he said, "Come, there's more to see."
The final set of stairs led to a small hall and two doors. "That's the bathroom." He pointed to the door on the right.
"This is my room." He opened the door slightly and turned to her. "No one has ever seen this room... except Hazel, my housekeeper."
"No one?" Eden asked, unbelieving.
"No one. Come." He pulled her through the door, then turned to face her, waiting for her reaction.
"It's beautiful." He heard the shock in her voice. Warm cream color walls gave the room a light feel she hadn’t visualized for him. Her eyes took in all the detail of the large bedroom suit with an ornate armoire and matching dresser. Soft music was playing from somewhere in the room, quiet classical piano.
She moved further into the room. “Gorgeous. This is either Brazilian Cherry or Mesquite.” She ran her hand over the surface of the dresser.
“Very good, Miss Fox. It’s Brazilian Cherry.” He was impressed at her knowledge of such an exotic wood. “I had it specially made.”
“Of course you did.” She eyed him. “Only the best.”
“Only the best,” he mimicked her words and laughed.
The king size, corkscrew spindled, four post bed took center stage, with blood red satin linens and a matching spread, the only pretentiously sexual touch to the room. A thrill ran through her and she felt her cheeks warming.
"You like?" He stood slightly closer.
“I do, very much." She pulled her hand from his, walking over to see the view from the floor to ceiling windows that were draped in light sheers at the far end of the room. The sky outside showed the beginnings of an orangey pink dusk, with the promise of the impending darkness of night just on the horizon.
He joined her at the window and pulled back the sheer to better the view for them both. Looking out at the city, he slipped his hand over hers, and she swallowed away a lump in her throat before removing her hand nervously.
"Why do you pull away from me, baby? Stop fighting me." He kept his eyes on the city outside when she focused her gaze on him, watching his beautifully shadowed face.
<
br /> She bit her lip and lowered her eyes to the floor. "Sorry, I don't mean to. I guess I'm a bit nervous."
He looked at her and smiled into her eyes making her heart melt into that oh so familiar puddle. "Try not to be nervous, and don’t be sorry if that's how you feel," he said. "I want you to be honest with me at all times. Let me know if you’re uneasy."
“I’ll try.”
“You’ll do better than try,” he advised her and her heart leapt with a sense of hesitancy. She didn’t fear him exactly; it was more of an uptight excitement than anything else. An edgy thrill, if she had to put it into words.
"Come sit with me." Chase tugged her hand in the direction of the bed. "I think it's time we talked." He sat on the bed and patted the bed spread to his side. "Have a seat."
Eden sat down and played with her wine glass, turning the stem in her fingertips. She raised the glass to her lips and slugged down the remainder of the glass. Chase reached over, took the glass from her hand, and placed it with his on the bedside table.
"Take it easy with the wine, baby. I want you sober." He spoke sternly, but the tone in his voice remained gentle somehow.
She looked at him with raised brows. "Pardon me? Are you insinuating that I drink too much?”
"Not at all, I just want to talk!" He looked so serious all of a sudden and raked his hand through his hair, freeing his unruly curls, a gesture that sent her stomach fluttering.
"Have you considered my proposal?" he questioned. "Will you allow me to take care of you?"
This was the moment reality hit her with a vengeance. Up to this point, Eden had been holding on to the ugly ghosts from her past. Shock quaked to the very core of her existence. She was using her past and business as an excuse, a feeble attempt not to feel, to keep a distance, to stay in control. Mik had told her to leave the baggage at the door, and her friend was right, it was time to let it go. If at all possible, she had to push past her fears and allow herself to feel something real, something more.
Eden was keeping control over men so she couldn’t get hurt. Surrendering to Chase and the possibility of exploring her sexuality was what she needed now, what she wanted. She could still maintain control to a degree; she needn’t be frightened by Chase’s supremacy, she needed to embrace it.
"Eden, you’re driving me wild, I can barely constrain myself when you’re around. I practically come undone at the sight of you, the enticing smell of you. I know I said I could wait for you to decide, and the last thing I want to do is pressure you, but, baby…"
Her fingertip touched to his lips and stopped the flow of words. "I have given it some thought. In fact, it’s all I’ve thought about," she said, almost surprised with her own words. Eden put her hand on his arm. “I don’t need any more time,” she stated.
Chase turned on the bed to face her. “Tell me what you want Eden.”
“I want to give this thing a try, us a try. I’m warning you though, it’s not going to be easy. You need to be patient with me.” She was trembling, and he wrapped his arms around her. “No one can ever know. I mean, if it gets out at work that we’re seeing each other, I’ll lose my job. My career will be over.”
He rested his cheek against hers. “I don’t kiss and tell, Miss Fox,” he whispered, his lips just touching the shell of her ear.
“I want you to be sure. You understand my needs and desires?” he asked. “And the control, you understand that I will be in control with all aspects sexually?”
“I understand,” she said, acceptance in her voice. She reached up and ran her hand across his beard. It was so soft, yet so rough. “Can I ask you something silly?” He pulled back to look at her. “Could we stop using the word control?”
He nodded with a smile. “Of course we can, baby. How about we refer to it as taking charge?” She nodded happily; that would suffice.
“We need to discuss birth control. I have no problem using condoms but are you on the pill?” he queried without hesitation.
She shook her head. “No, there’s no need. I can’t get pregnant. A medical condition, I’m sterile.”
“I’m sorry,” he said.
“Please, don’t be sorry. I’ve dealt with it. There are no children in my future and I’m ok with that.” She smiled and continued before he could comment further on the matter. It was closed as far as she was concerned. “I have only had one real relationship, and that ended over three years ago. Any sexual partners since have used condoms, and I have yearly physicals through work.”
His eyes narrowed. “You have only had one boyfriend?” he asked with startled surprise.
“Yes. I told you, I don’t want a relationship,” she said abrasively, making sure that it was well understood.
Nodding he took her hand in his. “Point well made. And so that you know, my last girlfriend was eight months ago. I have been tested, and I’m clean.”
“Good to know.” She bit her lip. The subject felt very medicinal, far too pre-emptive, any chance at romance simply spreading its wings and flying out the window.
Chase stood and took her in his arms lifting her off her feet and spun her around. When they stopped, he buried his hands in her hair and kissed her lips softly. They stared silently into each other’s eyes for a long moment before Eden found the courage to speak.
“Chase?” He watched her, waiting.
“Yes, baby?”
Eden took a deep breath and stared into his eyes. “What if I said, I surrender to you?”
“That’s what I want to hear,” he beamed.
***
Chase held her face in his hands and melted his lips over hers. He nuzzled into her neck, kissing his way to her ear.
"It’s about my taking charge. You will do as you’re told and speak only when asked," he stated. "This night is yours, baby, but just this one. If you’re not comfortable with something, tell me to stop."
“No safe word?” she asked.
“This is not a romance novel baby. You don’t need a safe word, just tell me to stop,” he reassured her.
She was about to dive into a new chapter of her life. His words both terrified and thrilled her. If he gave her half the pleasure that he offered, she'd be ecstatic. Give into him, she repeated in her mind. She was anxious, almost frightened, closing her eyes.
"Open your eyes, Eden," he insisted. "I don't want you to miss a thing. I want to see you unravel at my doing, baby."
She opened them and saw the electricity sparking in his eyes, so emerald green. They were amazingly sexy, magical eyes. He could look deep into her soul and set her ablaze with one glance.
He moved her closer to the bed unbuttoning her blouse slowly, methodically. Watching her eyes as one by one, he continued until her blouse hung open. Eden quivered with heat. He moved his eyes down to see that she was wearing a red lacy bra.
His mouth curled to a slight smile. "Mmm...hmm... my favorite color."
She grinned up at him. Yes, it was no coincidence that she wore red. She remembered his comment that he had liked her red dress, that it was his favorite color. She had found herself drawn to all things red since his confession.
Eden moved to slide off her blouse, but Chase quickly grasped her hand and then placed a kiss in her open palm. “No, baby!”
He slipped his hands into her blouse and slid it off her shoulders, letting it fall to the floor. He ran his hands down her arms, sending shivers to her already pulsing clit. He opened the button on her jeans, lowered the zipper with ease, sliding them down over her hips to her ankles. His nose caressed her hip, she heard him take a deep breath and give a soft moan, and she stepped out of them, and he kicked them to the side.
His eyes shifted over her body, taking in the sight of her wearing nothing but her bra and panties. Becoming erect in an instant, taking in a deep breath, he noted the familiar scent of her perfume mix with her arousal, he exhaled to gain control.
“What scent is that?” he asked, inhaling as he nudged into her neck.
“Roberto C
avalli,” she said in a whisper.
Eden felt the rush of his breath over her face. Seeing his eyes skimming over her body made her stiffen. Releasing control was proving harder than she thought as she raised her arms to hold around her waist.
"Don't do that, baby!" he spoke firmly, holding her arms out so that she could not cover up. "You’re so beautiful, never hide yourself from me. I want to see every delicious inch of you." She smiled.
He pulled her into his arms, kissing her with a passion she had never sensed from a man before. It was raw and rough. His tongue entered her lips, seeking, searching. She slithered her tongue to meet his, weaving her fingers in his hair and tugged. Feeling slightly naughty she wanted to take over, but held herself back.
When he released her mouth, her lips were swollen and plumped, her breathing was rapid to match his. The sensation was wicked.
Nuzzling into her neck, he took in her fragrance with a deep breath. He let out a soft gentle sigh. Eden smiled at just how sexy this man could make her feel. Chase ran a finger along the lace of her bra, ever so slightly touching her flesh. He closed his arms around her to unhook her bra with precision, sliding it off her shoulders before letting it drop to the floor, her breasts falling free. Chase smiled his approval.
He noticed her scar shaped like a lightning bolt on her left breast. "How did you get this scar?" He traced over the scar with his fingertip, and she promptly pulled his hand away.
"Not now." Her eyes wordlessly pleaded with him to let it go.
"Ok, baby," he pledged, the sight of her shame causing him concern, but he would uncover the mystery behind that scar at a later date. He'd let it go, for now.
Chase stripped out of his clothes, slowly teasing her as he threw each garment to the floor with a sexy half smile. He stood before her in his tight black briefs; she just couldn’t get over the size of his erection. She shuddered, thinking that he actually fit inside of her and how good it had felt.
Eden's Pleasure (Pulse Book 1) Page 11