“Nonsense,” she huffed in a haughty tone of voice. “Sometimes in life you have to sacrifice your own happiness for the good of someone else...”
His interest waned and his mind wandered. He wondered what his family would think of Demi. His brothers and cousins thought she was interesting, and vivacious, and would welcome her into the family with open arms. And if his mom wasn’t obsessed with him marrying Juliet, she’d probably hit it off with Demi. They both had strong personalities and big hearts, but Chase knew his mom would give her a hard time about her unconventional job.
Demi didn’t work in an office, and his parents thought social media personalities were socially irresponsible and clueless. Demi was the exception; she used her platform to educate, inspire and encourage her followers. Last night, after he’d gotten off the phone with Demi, he’d checked out her blog. He’d read her posts for the past six months and learned some interesting facts about the beauty and lifestyle expert. She knew sign language, had co-written a song on Geneviève’s sophomore album, was obsessed with, Jeopardy, and volunteered at the boys and girls club once a month.
A notification popped up on his iPhone, brightening the screen, and he grabbed it off the bed. Curious about how Demi was doing, he read her latest post. Help! My trainer said I can’t leave the Hamptons Fitness Studio until I do fifty push-ups, but I’m gassed. Someone save me!
Stroking his jaw, Chase reconsidered his workout plan. He’d rather see Demi than go for a jog and if he told Katia he’d hung out with Demi, maybe she’d finally get off his back. All week she’d been pressuring him to romance Demi and Chase was sick of her endless dating tips. He knew she meant well—Mercedes, too—but he didn’t want their advice.
“I found terrific wives for Ezekiel and Remington, and I’ll do the same for you,” Estelle continued, tapping her pencil on her sketch pad. “Trust me, Juliet’s the right woman for you. She has to be. I picked her and I’m always right.”
“Mom, save your breath. It’s not going to happen.” Chase kissed her cheek then stood. He had to hurry. Demi had posted dozens of pictures from the Hamptons Fitness Studio and if he hurried, he could reach the gym before she left. “I’ll call you tomorrow. Remember what I said. Take it easy and get some rest. You need it.”
Ezekiel and his three, young daughters burst into the bedroom, singing a nursery rhyme in French. The kids hugged Estelle and she smothered their faces with kisses. Chase joined in the fun, tickling and hugging his nieces, and they giggled uncontrollably.
“It’s good to see you, man,” Ezekiel said with a nod. “How’s life?”
“Great. Never been better.”
“Are we still on for drinks on Friday night?”
“I can’t. I have a business dinner in Manhattan. But I’ll come over on Sunday to watch the Knicks game.” Chase took his aviator-style sunglasses out of his pocket and put them on. “See you later, bro.”
“What gives? The girls and I just got here,” Ezekiel said. “Where are you rushing off to?”
Chase winked. “To save a damsel in distress.”
Chapter 15
The Hamptons Fitness Studio exuded class and sophistication and the first thing Chase noticed when he entered the gym was how young and blond the clientele was. Cushioned benches lined the front entrance, music videos were projected on the walls and soaring ceilings and glass chandeliers complemented the chic décor. The air smelled of lavender, creating a calm, soothing vibe. It was six o’clock in the evening, but the gym was packed with yoga enthusiasts, tanned weight lifters and trophy wives in spandex.
“Welcome to the Hamptons Fitness Studio,” chirped the perky redhead behind the front desk. “How may I help you?”
“I’m here to pick up my girlfriend,” he said, the lie flowing smoothly off his lips. To verify his identity, he showed the receptionist his driver’s license and smiled when the redhead said she knew Jonas.
“I’ll have one of our staff tell Ms. Harris you’re here,” she said, reaching for the desk phone.
“Then it won’t be a surprise, will it?”
Pocketing his car keys, he marched purposely through the cardio room, searching for Demi.
“Sir, stop!” the receptionist said, scrambling around the desk. “You can’t go inside! You’re not a member.”
Deaf to her pleas, Chase continued into the gym. It was filled with attractive women with great bodies, but Demi’s neon-yellow attire instantly caught his eye. She was lying face-up on a padded mat, but she rocked her shoulders and hips to the beat of the music blaring inside the gym. Her hair was piled high on top of her head, diamond studs glittered in her ears and, without makeup, she looked like a college freshman.
Reaching the back of the gym, Chase heard Demi arguing with her trainer and frowned. He’d expected her trainer to be a buff muscle man with tattoos, but she was a toned brunette with braces and a chin-length bob.
“Come on, Holland. It’s not my fault I’m out of shape,” Demi said, huffing and puffing. “No one goes to Ibiza and eats healthy, so cut me some slack.”
“I’ll do your push-ups, but you have to buy me dinner afterwards. And a Heineken.”
Demi glanced over her shoulder and met his gaze.
“Ms. Harris, I am so sorry,” the receptionist said with an apologetic smile. “I tried to stop him but he wouldn’t listen.”
“No worries. It’s all good. He can stay.”
The receptionist left and Demi wore an amused expression on her face.
“So you’re stalking me now? What are you doing here, and how did you know where to find me?”
Chase raised his iPhone in the air. “From your social media posts, of course. You asked for help and here I am. Ready, willing and able to serve.”
“And just in time. Holland is trying to kill me.”
“No, I’m not,” argued the brunette. “I’m trying to get you back in shape, so finish your sit-ups or I’ll make you flip tires in the alley.”
“Not tires!” Demi groaned.
“Do we have a deal?” Chase unzipped his Nike-hoodie, took it off and hung it on a wall hook.
“No way. I can’t go out in public like this. I smell hideous and my clothes are filthy.”
Chase sniffed the air. “You’re right. You do stink!”
Giggling, she swiped at his leg, but he dodged the blow.
“You don’t strike me as the kind of woman who cares what people think,” he said. “Furthermore, I’m starving and you owe me, so stop making excuses.”
“Fine, it’s a deal because if I have to do one more sit-up I’ll pass out and you’ll be peeling me off the floor.”
Holland shook her head, but Chase could tell by the way her nose twitched that the trainer was trying not to laugh. Demi was playful, the kind of person people loved to be around, and Chase was glad he’d made the trip to the fitness studio to see her. When Demi was around he was guaranteed to have a good time, and he wanted to spend the rest of the night with her.
“Come on. We’ll do it together.” He grabbed a yoga mat from the metal stand, spread it on the ground and sat beside her. “Ready? You can tell me about your day and your upcoming speaking engagement in Atlanta while we tackle these floor exercises.”
“I’d rather tackle you instead,” she quipped with a knowing smile.
“We’ll finish our workout and then you can have your way with me. How’s that?”
Demi licked her lips. “I can hardly wait. Let the good times roll!”
* * *
Two hours later Demi sat at a round, wooden table with Chase, reading text messages on her iPhone and watching him on the sly. Worry lines creased his forehead and his eyebrows jammed together. Demi wondered what he was thinking, if he’d enjoyed their workout, and if he was serious about getting them VIP tickets to see Hamilton next Sunday.
Demi tried not to stare,
but she was drawn to him, impressed by his aura and his quiet confidence.
Since his surprise visit to the airport, she’d read numerous articles about him, and the first thing she’d discovered was that he’d lied to her about his career. Chase wasn’t just an app developer, he was a tech rock star who’d changed the industry forever, and his clients loved him. But what impressed her most about Chase was his devotion to his family. He did crafts with his mother, babysat his nieces and nephews, attended sporting events with his dad, and didn’t let a day go by without talking to his brothers. It was hard not to fall for him, and the more she learned about Chase, the more she desired him.
Crossing her legs under the table, she admired her surroundings. Decorated with a feminine touch, the café across the street from the Hamptons Fitness Studio had pink-linen napkins, fresh flowers and wicker chairs. The aroma wafting out of the kitchen made her mouth wet, and the appetizer platter they’d ordered was flavorful and delicious.
“You’ve had enough screen time for one night...” Chase told her, plucking her iPhone out of her hands and putting it on the table. “You’ve been glued to your cell ever since we left the gym, and I want to spend the rest of the night admiring your beautiful, brown eyes, not the top of your head.”
“I’m sorry,” she said with a sheepish smile. “I wasn’t trying to be rude. I was working.”
“Speaking of work, I still don’t understand exactly what you do.” Chase picked up his glass and tasted his iced tea. “I know you’re a popular YouTube personality, with millions of followers around the world, but what does it mean to be a beauty and lifestyle expert?”
“I give my fans an honest, unfiltered point of view on everything from beauty and fashion tips to entertainment, relationships and even home décor.”
“And that pays the bills?”
“Yes, but I also write articles for national magazines and do several speaking engagements per month,” she explained. “I guess you can say I’m a jack of all trades.”
“I’ll say. You have more jobs than Nick Cannon and Ryan Seacrest combined!”
Voices filled the air, drawing her gaze across the room. The wait staff was serenading an elderly Asian couple celebrating their golden anniversary and Demi cheered as the employees sang. She didn’t know anyone who was happily married, and wondered what the secret was to a healthy, long-term relationship. She’d never had one and feared she never would.
“How is your mom doing? Did you have a nice visit today?” Demi helped herself to a spicy sausage roll. “After being in the hospital for several days, she must be thrilled to be home.”
“You can say that again. She’s back to giving orders and calling the shots, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Chase wore a thoughtful expression on his face. “Estelle attends the Hamptons Spring Tea every year, so there’s a good chance you’ll meet her at the event. When you do, please don’t hold it against me.”
His cell phone buzzed on the table, lighting up with several text messages.
“Who’s blowing up your phone? Madame Juliet?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. The smile slid off his face and Demi wished she hadn’t teased him about his ex, but she needed him to realize his meddlesome ex-girlfriend was a problem for her. “Please don’t tell her where you are. I don’t want her to come down here and make a scene.”
Chase glanced at his iPhone. “It’s not Juliet. It’s my marketing manager, Katia.”
“What does she want?”
“Trust me, you don’t want to know. It’s ludicrous, and I don’t want to offend you.”
Burning with curiosity, Demi leaned forward in her seat. “Let me be the judge of that. Now spill it. What does she want and what does it have to do with me?”
“Okay, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Speaking in a solemn voice, Chase told her about his company’s new dating app, its pathetic sales, and their failed attempts to attract consumers.
Blocking out the noises in the café, Demi listened closely.
The waiter arrived with their entrées, but Demi was too excited to eat. She wanted to hear more about the problems at Mobile Entertainment and gawked when Chase told her about his marketing manager’s plan to turn things around.
“Let me get this straight. Your marketing manager wants me to date you, pretend to fall head-over-heels in love with you, then post about our romance to create buzz about your company’s new dating app?”
“Yeah, that’s it in a nutshell. Katia also wants to buy advertising space on your social media pages.” Chase released a heavy sigh. “I told you it was an outrageous idea—”
“I love it! It’s brilliant!” Happier than a preacher at a white-tent revival, Demi danced in her chair. “The whole world will watch us date and fall in love, and social media will eat it up! I’m in. Let’s do this.”
His eyes widened and his jaw dropped.
“You seemed shocked. Why?”
“Because I thought you’d be offended and smack me!”
“I’d never do that.” Demi wore an innocent smile. “Unless you asked me to.”
Tossing his head back, he rocked with laughter. “You already did, remember?”
“What? Who doesn’t like a little pain and pleasure sometimes? I know I do.”
A waitress with an auburn pixie cut passed the table, stopped abruptly and whipped around. “OMG!” the waitress shrieked. “You’re Demi Harris.”
Demi winked. “Guilty as charged.”
“I love your YouTube channel. I’ve watched your one-night-stand video a million times.”
“Aww, that’s so sweet,” Demi said, peering at the server’s name tag. “Thanks, Heather.”
“Gosh, I hope I meet a guy like Chase one day because I’m sick of kissing frogs.”
Demi raised a fist in the air. “Girl, keep hope alive!”
The women laughed then gave each other a high five.
Chase looked amused, as if he was watching a sitcom, but Demi decided to indulge in a few minutes of harmless girl talk with the waitress. She enjoyed meeting her fans, often drew from their experiences to write her blog, and she wanted to encourage the server. “Heather, while you’re waiting for Mr. Right, spend your time becoming Mrs. Right. Pursue your passions, give back to your community, and work on being the best you you can be.”
“I will. Thanks!” The waitress yelped. “I better go. I’m supposed to be bussing tables and my boss is watching. ’Bye!”
Demi gestured in the direction the waitress had fled and spoke with enthusiasm. Couldn’t help it. She knew a hit when she heard one, and Katia’s plan sounded like a winner. “See! My followers love my dating segment, ‘Ask Demi,’ and my post about our one-night-stand received more views than any other video. People are dying to know more about you.”
“Okay. I’m in. I’ll have Katia send you the contract first thing in the morning.”
“Sounds good. I only have one stipulation.” Demi pointed her fork at her chest. “Every date I go on is the same ole thing—dinner, a movie or after-work drinks. Bor-ing. I crave fun and excitement, so I’ll plan all our dates.”
“You can plan the dates, but I’m paying for them.”
Demi laughed. “Boy, please, that goes without saying. A gentleman always pays, and I’ve been told I have expensive tastes so make sure you bring your platinum card!”
“With pleasure,” he said smoothly, watching her over the rim of his glass.
Tasting her salmon, Demi considered this new business venture with Chase. This week couldn’t get any better! She’d reconnected with Chase, interviewed an Oscar-winning actress for her blog, and agreed to speak at the Hamptons Women’s 50th Annual Tea. Demi couldn’t remember the last time she’d been this excited about an event, and had spent much of her day working on her keynote address. She loved the idea of socializing and networking with other successful women
in her community. The Hamptons Women’s Society did charitable, life-changing work, and Demi was eager to support the organization and its worthwhile causes.
Sadness gripped her heart and her shoulders sagged. She’d invited her mom to be her plus-one for the event, but Althea had claimed she had other plans and couldn’t attend the spring tea at the Maidstone Club. Despite the progress it felt like they’d made recently, their relationship was still strained over Demi’s resigning as Geneviève’s personal assistant.
Apparently her replacement was accident-prone and forgetful, and Althea seemed to blame Demi whenever Maribelle made a mistake. Thankfully, she still had Geneviève. Her sister was never too busy to talk or to meet for drinks, and Demi appreciated her support. Geneviève had bought two tables at the event so their girlfriends could attend, and next Saturday the group was going shopping to buy fascinators.
“How long are we supposed to play boyfriend and girlfriend for?” she asked, eager to hear more details about the clever publicity stunt. “A couple weeks? A month?”
“A month seems reasonable to me, but I’ll confirm with Katia. It’s her brainchild.”
Her iPhone lit up, but Demi ignored it. Chase was fun, a pleasure to be around, and she didn’t want anyone to infringe on their time together.
“A toast,” Chase proposed, raising his glass in the air. “To a winning partnership.”
“And outstanding sex!” she added, batting her eyelashes.
“I like how you think.”
Leaning over, he kissed her lips. Slowly, tenderly, as if he had all the time in the world. He nuzzled his nose against hers, causing her to giggle, and caressed her cheek with his hand. At his touch, her body came alive and her pulse rose.
“You took the words right out of my mouth.”
And what a delicious mouth it is! Her food forgotten, she caressed his jaw. She lifted her gaze to his eyes and swallowed a moan. In that moment Demi realized she’d never be able to resist him. How could she? Everything about Chase appealed to her—his intelligence, his sense of humor, his charm and his transparency—and when he sat back in his chair, Demi noticed every woman in the café was gawking at him. Pride flowed through her veins.
Southern Seduction ; Pleasure in His Arms Page 30