A Chase for Christmas

by Candace Shaw

  So why did Blythe keep blowing him off every time he flirted or paid her a compliment? Simple. She’d dated his type before. The player. The woman juggler. The pretty boy type that women sometimes fought over. Sure, he seemed like a nice guy. He loved his family, was overprotective of his sister and her son, KJ, and had a soft spot for the children at the hospital where he volunteered. He was an intellectual and even possessed a tad of nerdiness that she found sexy in a confident man like him. But none of that changed the fact that he was a notorious player.

  Once the stations were completed, Blythe had about twenty minutes before the women’s group at a church not far from the studio was to arrive. Sighing, she contemplated either staying in the classroom and waiting or venturing back out into the lobby area to greet her class as she always did. A movement out of the corner of her eye caught her attention as a chill ran through her body. She’d thought it was Preston. However, it was her receptionist, Ms. Bernice, standing in the doorway with her arms folded across her ample bosom. The sixty-year-old woman had a slight, curious smile displayed on her face, and her glasses hung down on her nose, her eyes peering over.

  “Hey. Didn’t know you were here,” Blythe said, heading over to her work area and sliding a smock over her sweater.

  “Just came back from my dinner break. I see you bought a tree. Did the handsome man come with it? Perhaps I need to go buy a few trees myself,” she teased, running her hands through her gray curls.

  “Nooo. That’s Tiffani’s brother, Preston. He saw me struggling with it and offered to help bring it inside.”

  Ms. Bernice slowly nodded her head. “Oh, I know who he is. I’m just surprised to see him here. You’re always brushing that fine young man off. If I was only thirty... I mean, twenty years younger...”

  Blythe laughed. “Yeah, you’d be a part of his flock of women. No thank you.”

  Ms. Bernice turned around to leave but pivoted back. “You only get played by a man if you allow him to do it. Your group is starting to arrive, but they’re chatting in the lobby and ogling Mr. Chase. Shall I send them back?”

  “No need. I’ll be out in a moment. Just want to make sure everything is ready for them.”

  Ms. Bernice’s stare perused the ten stations set up in the middle of the room. “Seems like everything is in place.” And with that, she finally left.

  Moments later, Blythe headed to the lobby to find the lights on the tree and Preston chatting with two women while looking at a cell phone. I guess he’s getting their numbers, she thought as she nodded at him and then strolled to the lit Christmas tree. But she was mistaken. Instead, it seemed like he was showing them how to download one of his free video game apps to their phones. The ladies gave him a sexy, sultry thank-you and followed Ms. Bernice down the hall.

  “Hey, whatcha think of my light hanging skills?” he inquired, standing next to her.

  His masculine, woodsy cologne caressed her nose in an erotic, sensual way, and she stepped up to the tree to straighten a light that wasn’t crooked.

  “You did a great job. Thank you so much.”

  “You’re quite welcome. You know, I was thinking maybe we should have Christmas trees as a part of the Winter Wonderland.”

  “That’s a great idea, but much taller than this one. Maybe each tree could have a color scheme or something like that.”

  “Yeah. I know you don’t have much time to discuss details now, but my committee is meeting on Sunday evening. I know it’s short notice, and I understand if you can’t make it.”

  “No. I’m off on Sundays, so that’s fine.”

  “Cool.” Slipping his cell phone from his pocket, he punched the keypad on the screen and handed her the phone. “Just input your contact information and I’ll text you the address.”

  Once finished, she handed him the phone. He eyed it, typed something and then placed it back into his pocket with a mischievous expression.

  Sizing him up, she tapped her chin. “What did you type to make you look at me like that?”

  Snickering, he scooped his leather jacket up from a nearby chair and slid it on. Preston stepped into her comfort zone, but this time she didn’t have to stifle a gulp. Blythe decided if she was going to work with him on his project, she’d have to keep him even more at bay than usual. She couldn’t let him know that his presence unraveled her.

  “I added your name to your number,” he answered matter-of-factly. “That’s all. Why? You think I’m always in bad-boy mode?”

  “Uh...no.”

  Pushing open the door, a few more ladies passed through while running their eyes over him, but his own eyes never left Blythe’s face. “Relax, baby girl. I can be nice. I’m not always naughty. Well...unless that’s what you want.” He bestowed a wicked smile on her and exited.

  Blythe remained rooted in the middle of the lobby, oblivious to her surroundings, as she watched Preston through the glass door. He strolled casually to his black two-door Aston Martin and sped off as if he knew she was watching.

  When she finally made it back to her paint session, her thoughts drifted to the upcoming weeks working on the Winter Wonderland project. She hoped her interactions with him would be minimal. If not, she had a feeling Preston was going to be everything but nice.

  Chapter 2

  Blythe rode the elevator up to the third floor of the huge, updated industrial building on the outskirts of downtown Atlanta. The first two floors served as the offices of JP3 Chase Technologies, Preston’s company, and the top floor was his loft apartment. He’d sent a text message with the address and pass code to enter the gated parking lot and the building plus another code for his private elevator. He’d also asked her not to eat dinner because he was having the meeting catered by Q Time Restaurant, a family-owned soul food place that specialized in healthy, home-cooked meals. She’d frequented the eatery and was glad they were catering the dinner.

  Once the elevator stopped, she shifted her oversize sketch bag and purse on her shoulder and waited for the doors to open. As she stepped out, panic seared through her veins and she screamed as a large golden dog charged her way and pounced its paws up on her shoulders. It licked her cheek in a sloppy kiss.

  “Hope! Down, girl.” Preston commanded in a firm voice while grabbing Blythe to him by the waist and wiping her cheek with his hand. “I’m so sorry. She’s never done that before,” he said, eyeing the dog, who’d lain at his feet with a sulk. “She usually waits until I introduce her to people. Are you okay?” he asked in concern, sliding the huge bag from her and hoisting it onto his shoulder.

  Blythe sighed in relief that the dog hadn’t bitten her and swiped her hand through her curls. “Oh, yeah. I just wasn’t expecting it. That’s all. But I love dogs, and I know golden retrievers are highly affectionate. So if she’s calm, I’d love to meet her.”

  “Alright.” He patted his knee and the dog stood up. “Hope, this is Blythe. Blythe, this is Hope.”

  Blythe smiled at the dog with warm brown eyes, who wagged her tail fast back and forth. Blythe petted Hope’s head, followed by a friendly ruffle. “Nice to meet you. She’s beautiful, Preston. How old is she?”

  “Almost two years old and usually well-behaved. I feel bad she jumped on you like that.”

  “No problem. I’m fine.” She followed him into the extravagant, contemporary-style loft divided with brick walls, enormous tapestry drapes and comfy seating areas. There was a huge, restaurant-type kitchen along a wall of windows, where two older women were preparing a delicious-smelling dinner that rumbled her stomach and reminded her she hadn’t eaten since breakfast. Nearby was a wooden dining table that appeared as if it could hold twenty people. Hope walked alongside her master for a bit before she veered away and plopped on a huge dog bed in front of the lit fireplace. Preston motioned for Blythe to sit in one of the oversize gray chaise lounges that were the sam
e size as a full bed, and he sat in the one opposite. Curling her legs underneath her, she was grateful for the warmth of the fire, because the temperature outside had dropped that afternoon and she’d forgotten her jacket.

  “I’m fine, Preston,” she stated once more since he seemed still to be somewhat anxious over the incident. “No need to be upset with her.”

  “No. She’s also a trained service dog and accompanies me to the children’s hospital. Hope is usually pretty calm around strangers, so there’s something about you she really likes, or you have doggie treats on you,” he teased.

  Upon hearing her name, the dog’s ears perked up, and she set her eyes on Preston while rapidly beating her tail against the mat.

  “So, where’s everyone else?” Blythe questioned. She’d arrived twenty minutes early because she wasn’t familiar with the area, but she assumed people would show up soon. Unless he’d only invited her, and she really hoped that wasn’t the case. However, Preston had always treated her with the utmost respect since she was best friends with his sister. Plus, he didn’t seem the type to lure women to his house.

  “They should be here soon. You’re early.” He paused and nodded to the picture above the fireplace. “Do you like the painting?”

  Gazing up, she realized it was one of her favorite abstract pieces that she’d painted. Wrinkling her forehead, she turned toward him. “Where did you buy that? I gave it to Tiffani when she requested some pieces for a couple of charity auctions.”

  “The scholarship fund-raiser that Tiffani’s sorority had at the beginning of the summer. I’d wanted both pictures, but my cousin-in-law Elle outbid me. But that’s fine. I love this one more. It’s peaceful. I relax here after a long day with a brain tired from developing new game concepts and strategies. Staring up at the serene mixture of blues and greens is quite tranquil. It’s calming, and sometimes I need that. It gives my eyes a break from staring at computers all day.”

  “Mmm-hmm. You definitely understand the mood I was in. I painted it after a peaceful time of unwinding and meditating. The one Elle won was the opposite with bold, daring colors and somewhat of a wild streak. I was listening to one of my Miles Davis CDs. The songs during his jazz fusion period. Insane, up-tempo jazz that made sense only to him, but I understood the emotions behind it. I’m almost surprised you like this one better. The other one seems more your speed.”

  “Yeah, I know you think I’m all play, but I work hard, so I play hard. Live in the moment. It’s been my motto for a long time.”

  She nodded in agreement, thinking of the wild stories Tiffani had mentioned about him. “So I’ve heard, playboy.”

  He chuckled. “You know, I don’t really consider myself a playboy or a player. I just date and have fun. Women usually approach me. But eventually, I do want to settle down with a wife and have children. I was raised by two parents who have a loving, wonderful marriage. I want the same. Sometimes I go on one or two dates and realize the woman simply isn’t the one for me and there’s no point of wasting my time or hers. And for the record, I don’t sleep with every single one of them, but I do like to have fun and live life like it’s my last day. That doesn’t always include being with a woman. At times, I travel alone, skydive, play video games or find something new to experience.”

  Blythe was about to respond, but the opening of the elevator doors sent both of their attentions to it, and Preston excused himself to greet a group of men and women. Releasing the breath that had been lodged in her windpipe, she was relieved that the other committee members were beginning to arrive. She noticed Hope stayed seated and watched her instead. Blythe kneeled down and rubbed Hope’s head before the dog turned over on her back and placed her paws up.

  “Oh, I know what you want,” Blythe said in a singsong voice, rubbing the dog’s stomach. “Who’s a good girl?” Blythe loved dogs and had been searching for one lately. It had been two years since her beloved Misty, a German shepherd, had died. Perhaps a sweet golden retriever puppy was what she needed for Christmas.

  Preston returned as several of the guests made their way into the dining area.

  “I see you two are becoming fast friends.” Preston stooped down and rubbed the dog’s head.

  “I love dogs. I lost my dog of thirteen years a few years ago, but I’m contemplating owning another one. I think I’m ready, but I’ll always love and miss my Misty.”

  “Sorry to hear that. Dogs are truly a man’s...and a woman’s best friend. What breed do you want?”

  “Actually, a retriever like Hope or a Labrador would be ideal. Something sweet and lovable so people won’t be scared of my dog. Misty was a German shepherd, so sometimes she had to stay in my bedroom when certain family or friends stopped by to visit. I see Hope loves to be spoiled.”

  Preston nodded his head with a smirk. “She loves tummy rubs and her hair being brushed. She’s a pampered pooch. Aren’t you, girl?”

  “All women loved to be pampered.”

  He raised a questioning eyebrow. “Really?” He stood and reached his hand down to her.

  She grabbed it but let it go quickly once she was back on her feet. The warmth of his hand was cozy and comfortable. For a moment, it felt nice to hold a man’s hand, even if the man was Preston.

  “Well, I know I do,” she admitted. “Facials, pedicures and of course, deep tissue massages. That should be at the top of every woman’s pampering list.”

  He glanced at her over his shoulder. “I’ll keep that in mind,” he answered in a low, seductive voice.

  Ignoring the heat that rose to the surface of her skin, Blythe stopped walking as her eyes perused the loft. “Where’s your powder room? I just need to wash my hands.” And have a moment to calm the hell down.

  “Down that hallway. The last bedroom on the left has a bathroom. The others are still being renovated. Use whatever you like.”

  “Thank you.”

  Making her way down the hall, she realized that only the front part of the apartment was lofty. The rest was divided into rooms, and she peeked into each that was open as she passed. A home office, two bedrooms, a game room with a pool table along with vintage video game machines, and a workout room. Finally she landed in front of the one he’d mentioned. She stepped into a vast bedroom that was more than likely the master. An oversize cherry wood bed with gigantic swirled poles was the focal point of the room, draped in a plush gold comforter topped with at least a dozen decorative throw pillows.

  That must be where the magic happens, she thought sarcastically.

  Peering around, she spotted a door by the sitting area and made her way in its direction. Behind it was indeed the bathroom, and just like the rest of his home, it was immaculate. The window scarf that flanked the huge stained glass window over the garden tub matched the comforter and the drapes from the bedroom. A flat screen hung on the wall above the tub and there were two vanities on opposite brick walls. She trekked to the one that was empty except for a gold tray with hand napkins and a matching soap dispenser. The other one held colognes, a few pictures of the Chase family in gold frames and an electric toothbrush and toothpaste.

  Glancing at herself in the mirror, she noticed her flushed face and sighed. She had no idea what had come over her. Preston Chase had always flirted with her and teased her. She had never taken him seriously and would easily brush him off with a laugh and not give it a second thought. But now her nerves were unraveling and she had to get herself together. He wasn’t someone she could ever in a million years date, not even one date. He was the kind of man she avoided.

  Ever since her ex had repeatedly cheated on her three years ago, she’d distanced herself from players like him and Preston. She still dated but thanks to a string of dating disasters lately, she’d decided to take a break and reevaluate her life. While the occasional outing would arise, she wanted the next man she dated to be long-term and one day l
ead to marriage.

  It sure as hell wasn’t going to be Preston Chase. The thought made her nearly laugh out loud. She couldn’t even imagine him married and definitely not to her. She could envision him with children, perhaps because he loved and doted on Tiffani’s son as if he was his own. What kind of woman would he end up with, anyway? Would he want an independent working woman who was his equal or a trophy wife at his beck and call?

  Realizing she’d been away for almost five minutes, Blythe tossed the napkin into the wastebasket on the side of the vanity, checked her hair and headed back to the meeting.

  She returned to the dining area, where the other committee members were loading their plates with food and conversing about their day or the project. A few other people had arrived and were sharing ideas with Preston in the kitchen. He glanced in her direction when he noticed she’d returned, and a warm smile reached his face. Turning her attention away from him, she chatted with a few people she’d met at a party at Tiffani’s home. There was something intriguing about Preston that sent a slew of goose bumps along her skin. Even though there were twenty other people in the room, she sensed that his attention was solely on her. The thought scared her, and she laughed at herself for having that silly and ludicrous notion. She wasn’t even the man’s type. He was just being friendly as always because she was his sister’s best friend.