Anna stopped arguing with herself and stood straighter. She had too much work to do to get weepy over a man. She’d shed too many tears over Greg. Never again would she let her body or heart be at the mercy of a man, especially one that was a self-absorbed brute. She’d barely lived through it once, and she had too much self-preservation to ever repeat that mistake.
Chapter 5
“Whoa, whoa,” Chase said laughingly to the brunette in his arms, who was practically clawing at the button on his gray cargo shorts. “Where’s the fire?”
She grinned up at him as she started unzipping his shorts. “I have to be up early.”
Chase had met Dina at Curley’s, his favorite bar in Culver City, and they’d gone back to her apartment. She was flirty and fun with the sort of cuteness that was also sexy.
Pulling her closer, Chase said, “Me, too, but we don’t need to rush that much. Let’s enjoy each other a little bit.” They hadn’t even made it out of her kitchen.
Dina’s eyebrows drew together in a frown. “It’s just sex. We both just want to get off, right?”
Any excitement Chase had felt fled at her cold statement. “I think we have different ideas about this, sweetheart. I’d better go.”
Dina moved away from him and angrily crossed her arms over her ample chest. “Fine. Whatever.”
Chase refastened his shorts and picked up his black tank top. He pulled it over his head and smiled at her as he settled it over his torso. “Thanks for the company. No hard feelings, at least on my part. ‘Night, honey.”
He stepped out into the upper hallway in her building and cringed when she slammed the door behind him. Sighing, he jogged down the stairs and exited the building. He took out his cellphone and called his on-call driver, Jeremy, to come pick him up.
Looking at his phone again, he flipped through it until he saw Anna’s name. It had been two days since he’d seen or talked to her, but she’d sent him an email with a date and time for their meeting. He’d sent back a very short reply, agreeing to the arrangements.
It wasn’t often that Chase was rejected by a woman, but it happened. When it did, he usually did a mental shrug and went on the prowl again. The pain of Anna’s rejection had taken him by surprise—and pissed him off.
Which was why he’d copped an attitude with Anna. He slightly regretted how cool he was to her. She’d used their business relationship as an excuse not to become involved, but he wondered if she was hiding the real reason. Had someone had hurt her? It made him furious to think about someone hurting her, which scared him.
It meant that he cared, which was dangerous for Chase when it involved a woman. Because once he cared, he couldn’t stop any more than the ocean tides could resist the pull of the moon. He’d had deep feelings for a woman once, and it had ended very badly. His inability to provide her children had seen her flee faster than a speeding bullet.
“I have no right to worry about you,” Chase said as he looked at Anna’s contact information on the screen. “You say that you don’t want anything to do with me, but I know that’s not true. Why do I care? I don’t wanna.” He laughed, realizing that he was a little drunker than he’d thought. “I’m certifiable. Standing here talking to a cellphone like this.”
Jeremy pulled up to the curb in his green Prius, and Chase got in the car. They joked around on the way home, but inside Chase was depressed. As much as he tried not to, he kept thinking about Anna, and by the time he walked through his front door, he knew that he was in serious trouble.
He cared. Those two simple words sounded innocent enough. Good things were usually associated with them, but that small phrase held a darker meaning for Chase. In other words, he was completely screwed and headed for disaster.
* * *
As the time of Chase’s arrival at Innovative Graphics neared, Anna’s anxiety level rose. She was still upset at how their last conversation ended, but that wasn’t the only reason she didn’t want to see him. He was too tempting, too hard to resist, and she didn’t want to deal with yearnings that could never be fulfilled.
Needing to bolster her confidence, she’d dressed in a jade green skirt suit that flattered her figure more so than some of the other things she usually wore. Her carefully done makeup and hair was the female equivalent to battle armor, and she hoped that it would help her fight her impulses towards Chase.
About ten minutes before the meeting was supposed to start, Anna gathered her laptop and some files and headed towards the conference room. Tom met up with her along the way.
“Excited?” he asked.
Anna nodded. “Yes. I’m glad it worked out.”
“You did an excellent job, Anna. Don’t think we aren’t grateful to you,” Tom said.
“Just doing my job.”
They entered the conference room, and Anna put her things at her usual place. A few other people also filed into the room as Anna sat down and opened her laptop to bring up some files she wanted.
“He’s here,” Tom announced, looking at his phone. “Joyce just texted me.”
Everyone rose from their chairs as Tom’s secretary, Joyce, led Chase into the conference room. Anna recognized B-man, who looked completely different in a smart suit. Of course, so did Chase.
He might hate wearing one, but the black suit showcased his great body to perfection. His long hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and he wore expensive gold cufflinks and a stylish gold tie clip. As yummy as he looked in it, the suit also made him seem cold and unapproachable. Or maybe it was his cool expression as he looked at her that made it seem that way.
Matching his attitude, Anna gave him a polite smile and walked over to him. “It’s good to see you again, Mr. McIntyre,” she said, holding out her hand.
Unlike the first time he’d shaken it, Chase gave her hand a perfunctory squeeze and quickly let go. “Likewise, Miss Spencer.”
Even so, his touch still made her heart speed up a little. Ignoring it, Anna introduced Chase to everyone, who in turn introduced B-man as Brian Blackburn.
Tom invited Chase and Brian to sit down and everyone took their seats.
“I’m looking forward to doing business with Horizon,” Tom said.
“Me, too, Tom,” Chase said. “Your people are talented and savvy to what will get consumers’ attention. I think we’re a good fit.”
He glanced at Anna and held her eyes for a moment, obviously sending her a message.
“Our companies operate differently,” he continued, “but I think it’s true that opposites attract, and I think we’re gonna make a hell of a team.”
Once again he looked at Anna.
Tom smiled. “I couldn’t agree more. Anna and her staff are top notch.”
Chase’s gaze zeroed in on hers. “You’ve got that right. Intuitive, fun, creative, passionate about the job: all things you want in graphic designers.”
“Exactly. Well, let’s get through all this red tape, shall we? I’d like to take you out for drinks tonight to celebrate,” Tom said.
Chase took a silver pen from the inside pocket of his suit jacket. “I’d love to, Tom, but I already have a prior engagement.”
“Another time then,” Tom said.
“Definitely.”
They commenced with signing the contract, and Anna couldn’t help watching Chase’s hands as he wrote his name on several copies of it. His motions were graceful, and she wanted him to touch her again. She forced herself to look at her laptop screen before her colleagues noticed her preoccupation with him.
When all the paperwork had been taken care of, Chase and Brian prepared to take their leave. Handshakes were given all around, and when Chase came to Anna, he said, “I’d like to talk to you quickly about another project I’ve been thinking about. Somewhere a little quieter?”
“Certainly. Just let me get my stuff and we can talk in my office,” she said.
“Okay.”
Anna walked to her spot at the table, her mind whirring with questions. Why did he want to
see her? She hadn’t been sure that he’d deal much with her after that day in the elevator. Now he wanted to speak with her privately. One half of her hoped that it was for personal reasons while the other half dreaded that possibility.
While she closed her laptop and collected her files, she saw Chase speak quietly to Brian, who nodded and left the conference room, leaving her and Chase alone. That made her even more nervous.
Holding her things against her chest with her left arm, she approached him. “Okay. All ready. Follow me.”
“Right behind you.”
“How is your team?” Not only was Anna genuinely interested, but the question also avoided an awkward silence as she led him to her office. “Anyone else get engaged?”
Chase smiled and the warmth was back in his eyes. “Nope. No more marriage proposals for anyone. They’re good. I’ll tell them you asked about them.”
As they passed cubicles and offices, Anna noticed the way Chase frowned. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s so boring here. How do you stay awake? And people look so unhappy.”
Anna’s lips trembled as she tried not to laugh.
“You need to put on some good hard rock and wake them up. Makes people more productive when they’re having fun,” Chase said.
Anna chuckled. “Not every office can be like yours, Chase.”
“Well, they oughta be.”
“Here’s my office,” she said, showing him inside.
He looked around at the orderly space. “This is just as bad as out there. You don’t even have a plant.”
Anna shut the door and sat behind her desk. She needed to put space between them. He looked and smelled so good, and the woman in her kept urging her to kiss him. “What did you want to discuss?” She picked up a legal pad and prepared to take notes.
Chase unbuttoned his suit jacket and sat down in a chair. He didn’t say anything right away. Instead, his eyes traveled over her, making her self-conscious.
“You look fantastic,” Chase said with a hungry gleam in his eyes.
“Thank you. What sort of project did you have in mind?” Despite the fact that his compliment made her feel good, she needed to keep things on a professional level.
Chase crossed his legs and gave her a level look. “I’m on a fact-finding mission about something.”
“Fact finding? About what?” she asked.
“About why I’m not your type.”
Anna sputtered a laugh.
“Am I not good-looking enough? Too good-looking? Too rich? Too…what?”
His expression reminded Anna of a frustrated little boy who was trying to figure out why he wasn’t allowed to have something.
“It’s complicated.”
Chase arched an eyebrow. “Is it because I’m a bit unusual?”
“No! Of course not!” Anna said. “Your management style is refreshing, Chase.”
“Then why aren’t I your type?”
Anna crossed her arms over her chest. “If I tell you, will you go away?”
“Depends on the answer.”
Anna rubbed her temple. “I’m not interested in you because you’re a man. I’m not interested in any man.”
Chase’s expression reflected his confusion. “You’re a lesbian?”
Anna blushed as she laughed. “No. I’m not a lesbian.”
He smiled. “I didn’t think so.”
Sobering, Anna said, “I got out of a bad relationship a few months ago, and I’m just not ready to try again. Anyway, from what I’ve read bout you, you’re not exactly relationship material.”
That hard look returned to his eyes. “Sometimes all the women wants is fun.”
Anna shook her head. “You like things to be fun all the time, and relationships aren’t always fun.”
“So you don’t think I can be serious just because I love having fun?”
Anna put up a hand. “I’m sorry, Chase. I really don’t know you well enough to answer that. I shouldn’t just assume. But I’m not looking for fun either. I just want to get my career going here in LA.”
“You’re right. You shouldn’t. I can be just as serious as the next person when the situation calls for it,” Chase said.
He was frustrating the hell out of her. “What do you want from me? Why do you want anything to do with me personally? I’m not some beautiful model or actress,” she said. “I’m just a boring executive who could stand to lose a few pounds. You could have your pick of women. Is it just for the challenge? Am I some joke to you? A good old-fashioned conquest?”
* * *
Chase hadn’t meant to upset Anna so much. “I don’t think your boring, not on the inside. I think you’re bright, fun, creative, and passionate—when you let yourself be. You don’t know it, but you’re gorgeous, and I want you like hell. Do you want to know where I’m going tonight?”
Anna’s perplexed look amused Chase. “You think I’m gorgeous?”
“Yeah. So do you want to know where I’m going tonight?”
“Sure. Why not?”
Chase grinned. “It’s Tuesday. Beach Volleyball.”
Her mouth fell open, making him laugh. “You turned Tom down because you’re going to the beach?”
He nodded. “Yep. The guys are still pissed that I missed the game where they had to dress as bunnies, so I swore I’d go tonight. I suspect a bunny costume will be waiting. Come with me. You’ll have a blast.”
“I can’t. I have to work, remember?”
Curbing his impulse to keep trying to badger her into accepting his invitation, Chase said, “All right. I tried.” He stood up. “Have a good rest of your day, darlin’.”
He gave her a parting smile and left her office. Riding downstairs in the elevator, Chase took off his tie and shoved it in his suit jacket pocket. He needed to stop this right now. He wanted to kick himself in the ass for asking Anna out. She clearly didn’t want to, so why was he trying so hard?
Yes, he enjoyed a good challenge, but it was more than that. He was definitely attracted to her—and not just her looks. He wanted to know her. Know the real person inside her, and why she carried such sadness about her. He identified with her wounded soul.
“But it’s none of my business,” he muttered. “You need to let well enough alone. Don’t let your daddy issues make you do something you’ll regret.”
Reaching the first floor, Chase exited the elevator and weaved his way through the busy lobby to the front doors. Brian was waiting for him in his car, which was parked in a visitor spot. He got in and flopped back in the seat.
“Turned you down?” Brian asked.
“Yep. Oh, well. Let’s go home.”
“Sorry, Chase.”
Chase laughed and put on his seatbelt. “No worries. There are plenty of fish in the sea, my friend. Like some of the beauties that’ll be at the game. Maybe Elise will be there.”
Brian blushed as he put the car in reverse. “Shut up.”
“You need to ask her out, B-man. You’ll never know if you don’t ask,” Chase said, looking up at the building. “At least if you ask, you’ll know whether or not you’re wasting your time.”
Brian drove out of the lot and onto the road, taking the exit for the freeway. “Yeah, but if I ask and she says no, things’ll be awkward. I’d rather be able to talk to her here and there than not at all.”
“That’s some fucked up thinking, B-man. You’re gonna miss out on some great woman who really does want you if you keep spinning your wheels with Elise. Ask her out, just for coffee. If she says yes, then you know you have a shot. If she says no, then you deal with it and find someone else,” Chase said.
Brian glanced at him with a smile in his brown eyes. “Is that what you just did?”
Chase nodded. “Yeah. I asked Anna out, and she turned me down. So, I’m going to turn my energies elsewhere. I don’t need to beg anyone to go on a date with me.” He rubbed his hands together. “I’m feeling lucky, so I predict that team Lucifer is gonna win bigtime tonigh
t and that some lucky lady is going to go home with me.”
Brian laughed. “Well, I don’t know about counting on team Lucifer, but my money is on you not going home alone.”
“That’s right,” Chase said as his phone rang. His heart plummeted when he recognized the number. “Shit. It’s the halfway house.”
“Your sister’s?”
“Yeah. God damn it. Might as well get it over with,” he said and hit the answer button. “Hello?”
“It’s me, Chase,” his sister, Brenda, said.
“I know. What is it?”
“You could be a little nicer,” she said.
Nicer. He’d spent the last three years cleaning up her messes. He’d paid for numerous trips to rehab only to have her run out, then she’d turn up again when the next crisis hit. The last crisis had seen her end up in jail. All his friends said he couldn’t help her until she’s willing to help herself, but she was his sister, and their father had fucked her up worse than him. “I am being nice by giving you money to live on until you get a job,” Chase replied. “What do you want?”
“I want to sit down and talk with you. I need to explain some things to you,” Brenda said.
“I don’t need you to explain anything to me. I just need you to want to try to turn your life around.”
“I am trying.” Brenda sighed. “Please, Chase. It’s important. I need you to listen to me.”
Chase pinched the bridge of his nose and he wanted to bang his head off the car window. “Fine. I’ll come over tomorrow around lunchtime. How’s the job hunt going?”
“Shitty. How else did you think it would go? No one’s going to hire me since I have a criminal record. I’ve had interviews at every McDonalds and Starbucks within a fifty mile radius, and I’ve been turned down every time,” Brenda said.
Chase clamped down on the sympathy that tried to surface. He’d offered her a job once before, and it had been a disaster.
Being the boss’s sister, Brenda thought she could lord it over everyone, and that she didn’t really have to work. Her brief career at Horizon ended in a car crash that almost killed one of his team. He couldn’t have her around his staff until he knew she would not use or drink again. It wasn’t fair to them. That was his problem. He had too much empathy sometimes and he knew it. It was so easy to imagine how he’d feel in certain situations and he wanted to fix things for people when they were in tough situations. He needed people to need him. He blamed his father for that. Blamed his father for a lot of things, including Brenda.
Want Me (Coopers Creek Book 3) Page 5