She was entranced by his taste—coffee and Chase—by his male scent...but mostly by his passion. Her blouse was fashioned with buttons down the front, and now she wished she’d worn something easier to take off. Chase’s fingers fumbled on the cloth buttons as he pushed them through the holes.
They were standing in bright daylight in her kitchen, and she could hardly believe the sensations rippling through her. He was looking at her as he undid the fastenings, at her face, and then down to her breasts, back to her face again. His eyes were hungry, full of smoky desire, and she couldn’t wait to fall into it.
This was impulsive, maybe even reckless, but she felt she needed it. She felt she needed him. She never knew when might be the last time they could be intimate. He didn’t finish the bottom two buttons, simply helped pull her blouse from her shoulders so she could tug out her arms. Somehow she knew he would just rip it open if it got in the way. And even that excited her.
He was staring at her bra, a little champagne number that seemed to go with everything. She liked lace, what could she say? And he seemed to like it, too.
He just stared, ran his finger over the edge and shook his head. “I wanted to go slower this time, but I don’t think I can.”
“Slow is definitely underrated,” she assured him.
When he removed her bra and cupped her breasts in his palms, his gaze was on hers. She knew her eyes grew wider because she couldn’t hide what she was feeling. He set the base of his palm on her nipple and rubbed, and she couldn’t help moaning. She couldn’t let him watch her melt in front of him. She needed the same kind of power. Now she reached for the buttons on his shirt, and much more quickly than he had, she unfastened the placket. When his bare chest was before her, she placed her hands on it and splayed her fingers. His curly chest hair popped up between them, and she slid them up to his shoulders.
“Oh, Lucie, you’re driving me crazy,” he groaned.
“Isn’t that what I’m supposed to do?” she asked innocently.
At that, he scooped her up into his arms and carried her to the sofa. She lay there, staring up at him, as he took a condom from his pocket and laid it on the arm of the couch. Then he unzipped his jeans and let them fall. When he sat down beside her, he pulled off his boots, then the rest of his clothes.
“What about you?” he asked. “Are you just going to watch?”
“I can’t just watch,” she said. “We only have a limited amount of time. I’m ready to participate.”
With a laugh, he helped her rid herself of the rest of her clothes. He stretched out on top of her and kissed the hollow at her neck, the V between her breasts, each of her ribs.
“Chase, we don’t have that much time.” She was panting, and being so vulnerable, so open with him, scared her. It must have something to do with the daylight. Seeing each other’s every expression, hearing each other’s every sound.
“Are you embarrassed by me kissing you everywhere, Lucie? Certainly other men have.”
“Other men haven’t kissed me naked. Only you have, Chase. Only you.”
He looked astounded by her words, and then he looked just plain pleased. He kissed lower and lower, until her navel caught his attention. He ran his thumbs along her mound, touched her intimately, and so seductively, she felt like swooning.
Then he asked, “Are you ready for me?”
“Yes, Chase. Yes, I am.”
Taking her words to heart, he rolled on the condom, positioned himself and then thrust into her. She wanted to be as close as she possibly could be. She wrapped her legs around him, rocking with him on that sofa. Bringing them both countless seconds of pleasure was all that was on her mind. She wanted to give as well as take. She wanted to take with him, knowing she’d return it all over again. They seemed to want to make up for ten years of being apart. Chase didn’t hurry, but pulled in and out to give them both the most ultimate friction and superlative pleasure.
Lucie didn’t think she could take any more. Her breaths were coming so fast. Her body was so overheated. Yet still she wanted more. She wanted him. She loved him.
Chase’s thrusts became longer and harder until finally the pleasure overloaded all her senses and she felt as if she came apart in his arms. If he hadn’t been holding her, she wasn’t sure what would have happened to her. She called his name, and when she did, he found his release, too. They clung to each other breathing raggedly, letting their bodies cool, letting their breaths fall into a more normal rhythm. Somehow he gathered her into his arms and they lay like spoons, tight against each other, holding each other.
“I’d stay here all day with you if I could, but this meeting is important. I’m going to convince my father that Jeff is the man for the job, and it’s time for me to go.”
“Clementine will probably wake up soon. Amelia and Quinn are going to pick her up after lunch and head back.”
Even though she was still in a bit of a daze because of their lovemaking, she realized they weren’t talking about what was important—the two of them.
“You want to settle this with your father before you do that interview with the reporter tomorrow, right?”
“Yes. I don’t want anything coming out during the interview that would be new information to Dad. I owe him the courtesy of telling him all about my plans first. On the other hand, he has to be willing to listen. That has never been his strong suit.”
Lucie suddenly wondered what would happen if she could prolong her stay in Austin, if she could give herself and Chase time to figure out a life...if they could have one together. But her mother was depending on her. The orphanage was depending on her. She had to put her personal life on the back burner, didn’t she? She could come back to Austin after the orphanage was built.
She had so much to think about.
And when Chase was quiet, she assumed he did, too.
From the monitor on the end stand, she heard little cooing sounds. That turned to babbling, and the babbling turned to a cry.
“She’s awake.” Which meant there was no time to talk now. No time to talk before his meeting, and no time to talk with a little one needing attention.
“Do you want to shower?” she asked.
“There’s a shower at Parker Oil, and I have a change of clothes there. I often have to go from work during the day to an evening meeting.”
“I see,” she said. Chase’s life had been a high-powered one. How easy was it going to be to rev it down to ranch work instead?
They both dressed quickly. Chase made a stop in the bathroom while Lucie picked up Clementine. She was settling the baby in her high chair when Chase came back to the kitchen and said, “I’ve got to go.”
The awkwardness was there again that always came when one of them had to leave. What was it from? Not knowing when they’d see each other again, not knowing what to say, not knowing the feelings would change in the course of an hour or five or a day?
He picked up his cap from the table and plopped it onto his head. “Tell your sister and brother-in-law that their little girl is the cutest in the world.”
Lucie smiled.
He kissed her lips slightly, from one corner to the other, and then he pulled back. “I’ve got a full day today, with the meeting and odds and ends I want to clear up. Tomorrow’s lighter. Why don’t I give you a call after my interview? Maybe we can hook up again.”
Hook up. Was that what she wanted?
“Chase, what are we doing? Having an affair before our marriage is annulled? It’s dangerous and potentially explosive.”
“When are you leaving?” he asked, looking as serious as she’d ever seen him.
Her mouth went dry. “Next Monday.”
He waited as if he wanted her to say more. But what could she add?
“Are you telling me you’d rather not see me again before you leave
?” he asked.
She was so confused about what was propitious, what was best, what was right.
“What do you want, Chase?”
After a moment, he responded, “I want to start my new life...one way or another.”
With or without her?
Clementine was crying full out now and Lucie had to go to her. Responsibility versus heart’s desire. Swallowing hard, she said, “It would probably be best if we end this now.”
Chase looked stoically accepting as he nodded. “I’ll call you after the annulment goes through.”
Then before she could take either a step toward him or Clementine, he was gone.
Out of her life.
* * *
Chase couldn’t stop thinking about Lucie. That was just the way it was these days. Especially after this morning and the way they’d parted, she was definitely on his mind. At work, he showered and changed, feeling disconcerted about her, but prepared for the meeting with his dad. This wasn’t a matter of ready. He was simply going to tell his father what he was going to do.
He went to one of the conference rooms to prepare. For the first part of this meeting, Jeff would join them and give the presentation.
A few minutes later, Jeff entered, looking nervous. But he pointed to the interactive whiteboard. “I’m ready for this.”
Chase gave him a thumbs-up. “Good. Don’t let my father see you sweat. If he sees a weakness, he’ll exploit it. Just be honest with him and stick to the facts.”
“Will do,” Jeff agreed with a nod.
When Warren Parker came in, he looked from Chase to Jeff to the whiteboard to the laptop. “You’re not going to give me a chance to convince you not to do what you want to do, are you?”
“No,” Chase said with conviction.
“With all due respect, sir,” Jeff interjected, “I have a presentation ready that will show you where I intend to take the company. These are ideas I’ve developed with Chase over the past six months. Of course, you’ll have to confirm every venture I want to start.”
“What if I want to start a venture?” Warren Parker asked with some vehemence. “Don’t think you’re going to take over. I’m not going to be just some figurehead.”
“Of course not, sir,” Jeff assured him. “I just want you to know I have ideas to share—about everything, from new projects to overhauling our software system.”
Warren rolled his eyes. “So you’re leaving me with someone young and eager?” he asked Chase.
“And intelligent and forward-looking.”
Warren lowered himself into one of the chairs. “All right, let’s get started.”
A half hour later, Chase’s dad wasn’t asleep or barking that he didn’t approve of any of it. He was looking pensive.
“All right, Jeff,” he said. “You’ve shown me you have backbone and you’re imaginative. Why don’t you meet me in my office after lunch around one?”
Jeff knew he was being dismissed. He nodded, closed down his laptop and left the room.
Chase studied his father, unable to read him. “He’ll be good for the company, Dad, trust me on that.”
Warren eyed Chase and then said, “I’ll agree to try Jeff in your shoes for the next three months. If he works out, wonderful. If he doesn’t, you’re going to have to find me someone else. And the only way I’ll agree to this whole thing is if you’ll consult with Parker Oil. I’ll put you on the books as a consultant, and you can arrange your schedule accordingly.”
“Not for the first month,” Chase said, negotiating with his dad as he hadn’t done before.
He almost thought he saw a twinkle in his father’s eye. “Agreed,” he said. “One month, and then we’ll negotiate what projects I want you to work on.”
“Maybe everything will be flowing so smoothly that you won’t need me at all,” Chase countered.
His father just arched an eyebrow. His face took on a very somber expression. “We have to talk about ten years ago.”
Chase thought about what had happened then and what his father had done. He also thought about the fact that his dad wasn’t fighting him now about leaving. Maybe because he knew he’d lose him for sure if he did?
“What’s done is done,” Chase said, ready to forgive because that was right to do. But he wouldn’t forget.
“I didn’t apologize for it, and that’s because I don’t know if I did the right thing or the wrong thing. Marrying someone so young wasn’t right for you back then.”
“Dad—” Chase warned.
Warren raised his hand. “I know. I should keep my mouth shut. Your mother tells me that all the time. But I’m going to say this. Lucie Fortune Chesterfield is a beautiful woman. She was a pretty girl ten years ago and that beauty has just increased. I can see why you fell head over heels then, and why you could now.”
Chase didn’t protest because he didn’t want to lie to his father. Something had happened again now. He just wasn’t sure what to do about it or how to handle it. His heart thumped madly whenever he was near her. He was excited whenever he saw her. He wanted to spend as much time with her as he could. Could it really be love?
“Over the years, I have learned a thing or two about women, mostly through your mother. If Florence likes Lucie, then the girl must have a head on her shoulders as well as a pretty smile.”
Chase couldn’t help being a bit amused by his father’s assessment. “She does have a good head on her shoulders.”
Warren stuck out his hand. “I know everything can’t be forgiven. Nothing’s that easy. But maybe we can have a new start. What do you say?”
Chase extended his hand to his father, and as they shook, he felt closer to his dad than he had in years. Would it last? He didn’t know, but he hoped it would.
* * *
The following morning, Norton Wilcox introduced himself to Chase in the greenroom about ten minutes before their interview at TXLB began. Chase hadn’t given the reporter much consideration because he was still thinking about all the details he had to handle at Parker Oil before he left, as well as his confusion over Lucie leaving. Norton—the man had said to call him by his first name—had been made up with his hair gelled, his navy suit and red-and-blue tie perfect for an interview. Chase had worn black jeans, a white shirt and a bolo tie, knowing he had to look professional as far as the horse rescue ranch went.
Once the lights in the studio were glaring and the interview began, Norton’s questions started easy enough. He said, “You’re an oil man by experience and family history. Why did you want to get involved in rescuing horses?”
As Chase had explained to his father last evening as they’d talked over dinner—really talked—he related, “When I was a kid, I went to the barn when I didn’t get my way or when I had a problem that needed to be solved. I never thought of a horse as just a vehicle for a trail ride. Like any other animal, a horse responds to voice, to touch and to kindness. I learned that early. They are intuitive creatures if you tap into their souls. I like doing that. I felt fulfillment, being able to communicate with them. And when I see one neglected, it makes me angry. That, however, doesn’t serve much purpose. My reaction to it does. I rescue the horse and coax it to trust humans again.”
Norton looked totally surprised by his answer. “You make the connection sound almost mystical.”
Chase shook his head. “Nothing of the sort. Just as people have to learn how to communicate with each other, I had to learn how to communicate with a horse. But once I did, I wanted to use that for good. Gentling horses can benefit us all.”
“How so?” Norton seemed to be truly interested.
“I have a friend who’s going to be involved with helping troubled youths. When a kid makes a connection, he’s helped. Gentling a wild mustang might not solve a teenager’s problems. but it can pull him out of
himself. It can teach him how to feel productive and worthwhile.”
“So you plan to open a nonprofit ranch on the old Schultz homestead?”
“I do. I’m going to refurbish the house and the two barns and soon get started.”
“But you can’t get started right away, can you?”
A prickling began at the back of Chase’s neck and he knew he wasn’t going to like what was coming. He kept silent.
Interviewers hated dead air time, and Norton rushed to fill it. “There’s a glitch getting a loan for the place, right?”
Chase still remained silent.
Again Norton hurried to fill the air with words. “Apparently you had a secret marriage ten years ago that you thought was dissolved. But it wasn’t. You’re still married and you need your wife to sign those loan papers. I think our audience would be very surprised to learn who that wife is. They’re seeing the photo of you and Lucie Fortune Chesterfield on a split screen now.”
Chase glanced toward the monitor. The photo was one of him and Lucie at the South by Southwest Conference.
“Haven’t you been dating Lady Fortune Chesterfield again since she’s been in Austin?” Norton pressed.
Chase could easily grasp the fact that the photo was a long shot. Lucie was wearing her wig, sunglasses and ball cap. Chase’s disguise made him almost indistinguishable. Only one thought occupied his mind. He had to protect Lucie and her family.
He tried to be as nonchalant as he could be. “As your audience can see, Mr. Wilcox, the two people in that photo look nothing like me or Lady Fortune Chesterfield. I don’t know where you’ve gotten your information, but you’re mistaken.”
Norton studied him with a scowl. “I took that photograph that day myself,” the interviewer said in a huff. “And I’ve been shadowing Lady Fortune Chesterfield. I spoke with someone who saw the two of you at a church function.”
This Chase could explain and he could even add some truth to the interview. “If you’ve done your research, Mr. Wilcox, you know that Lady Fortune Chesterfield is in Austin, setting up a branch of the Fortune Foundation. My mother asked her to evaluate the after-school program at our church to help with the funding. Lady Fortune Chesterfield was at the function and so was I. But we weren’t together. Maybe you should have talked to me about this before the interview, so we wouldn’t mislead your audience.”
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