Chase finally pulled back. Breathless. Something in side him snapped. The deep sexual need for her that he’d been fighting all day swiftly uncoiled. He wanted her. Desperately. Now.
He lifted up his T-shirt. Tossing it aside, he went to the snap on his jeans. The same fever consuming him was consuming her too and he watched her undo the top two buttons of her smock and pull the cotton material over her head. Within seconds he stood before her with out a stitch of clothing on and she wore only a blue bra and matching lacy thong.
Driven by a need that was unlike anything he’d ever experienced before he reached out and pulled the rubber band holding her ponytail in place, letting her hair flow wildly around her shoulders. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he unfastened her bra and slipped it off her. His gaze then went to her thong, and he reached out and traced his finger along the thin scrap of material before bending to gently pull it down her legs.
He smiled and, before Jessica was aware of what he was about to do, he reached his hand into the pot of chocolate, coated his fingers and proceeded to smear the warm, creamy richness all over her chest. She made a purring sound deep in her throat at the feel of his hands coating the dark, sticky sweet substance all over her breasts. Using his fingers and gentle precision he smoothed it all over her skin, rubbing his thumb over the sensitive peaks of her breasts before moving lower.
His hand made a path down her stomach then slid lower, spreading chocolate everywhere he touched. Jessica squeezed her eyes shut as heat suffused her body, causing a burning sensation between her legs. And when he touched her there, covering her in warm chocolate, she leaned forward and pressed her lips against his neck and whispered his name.
She opened her eyes when she felt him sweep her up into his arms and walk across the room to an unused table and placed her on it. Then his mouth was everywhere as he leaned over her and began licking the chocolate from her body. With every stroke, every caress of his tongue she moaned his name, groaned a need, and her hips involuntarily came off the table as he robbed her senses blind in the most primitive way known to mankind.
The quaking of her body alerted him that she was close to coming apart. He quickly gathered her into his arms, sat down in a chair and placed her on his lap, straddling him. Purposefully, he guided himself into her. Instinctively, as if she needed this, wanted him, she pushed her body down on the hard, pulsing erection and threw her head back as her muscles drew him in deeper, clenched him, stealing his breath with every inch of him that her body absorbed.
He pulled her mouth down to his in a kiss that was downright salacious, and he began thrusting his body upward, plunging back and forth, in and out of her, setting a rhythm that was meant to drive her.
“Chase!”
He gritted his teeth, took one final plunge and gripped her hips, locking her body to his, needing the feel of his throbbing flesh exploding within the crevices of her womanly core. The thought of what was happening, the profound degree of intimacy they were sharing, made him nudge her legs wider, wanting to give her everything he had and then some.
He heard her cry out again and then he lost it. When she began convulsing in his arms he was powerless to deny himself another orgasm. A shiver of animalistic need raced up his spine and with a growl of deep satisfaction he plunged into her again. He arched his back and called her name as the most incredible climax took control of his body and mind, sending them swirling with sensations he’d never felt before. Three nights ago he’d thought this innocent whiff of a woman was almost too much for him. Now he wondered how he would survive the passion she stirred each and every time they made love.
What he had just experienced left him weak, sensuously spent and for long moments neither of them spoke. Nor did it seem were they in a hurry to separate their bodies. They needed to remain connected a while longer.
Then he lifted his head and their gazes met and at that moment he knew that what they had shared had been earth-shatteringly special, and that no matter how many times they made love, he would never get enough of her.
And he also realized something else. Jessica Claiborne was getting under his skin, and getting deeper and deeper with every passing second.
Chase awoke to the sound of horns blasting in the distance. It was morning. He glanced over at the woman cuddled beside him, remembering all that had transpired between them the night before. After making love to her in the chair he had swept her into his arms and brought her upstairs to the shower where he washed any lingering traces of chocolate from her body. He had dried her off before sweeping her into his arms to carry her over to the bed where they made love over and over again.
He closed his eyes, thinking there was no other place he’d rather be at the moment than lying beside her. But then the thought of being deeply embedded within the warmth of her body was a damn good idea, too. An even better one. He rubbed a hand over his face. If he kept at this pace he would have to start taking an extra vitamin each day.
He glanced over at the clock. It was nearly seven. His restaurant had opened without him and since his car was parked outside and he was nowhere to be found, Donna and Kevin would be able to guess where he was and what he’d been doing.
He rubbed a hand across his chin. He needed a shave. But then a slow burn began seeping up his spine making him aware of something else that he needed. Jessica.
Oh, hell, he had to wake her up sometime. He smiled, knowing just the way he wanted to do it.
Jessica glanced over at Chase when they passed a sign that said they had reached Chattanooga. Situated along the Tennessee River and tucked away among the southern Appalachian Mountains, it was clearly a beautiful city.
She had enjoyed Chase’s company during the two-hour drive from Atlanta, although she had slept the first half hour on the road. She was still filled with memories of how he had awakened her that morning. A smile curved her lips.
She sighed as she thought about the conversation they had shared during the past hour or so. He had told her more about his and his brothers’ escapades growing up, and she had shared with him memories of her times with Rico and Savannah.
After taking care of the business he had come to Chattanooga for, Chase suggested that they have lunch at a restaurant on the Formal Gardens at the Chattanooga Choo Choo. After a delicious lunch of mouth-watering seafood, they had walked around holding hands, basking in the beauty of the gardens. She hadn’t known so many kinds of roses existed.
As they continued walking, enjoying the beauty of so many flowering plants, he pulled her closer to him and whispered. “Last night was special, Jessica. This entire week has been. I want you to know that.”
She glanced up at him and smiled. He had told her that twice already. “Spending time with you has been special to me as well, Chase.”
They were silent for a moment while they continued walking, headed toward the parking lot and back to his car. He then said, “I’d like to prepare dinner for you tomorrow.”
She chuckled, remembering what happened the last time she’d shared dinner with him. “At the restaurant?”
“No, my home.”
They had reached his car and stopped walking. She gazed up at him. He was smiling that smile that made her feel warm and tingly on the inside. She had gotten a quick tour of his home when they had gone there that morning for him to change clothes. She thought his home in Buckhead, a very upscale and affluent section of Atlanta, was simply beautiful.
“I’ve love to have dinner with you tomorrow, Chase. Do you need me to bring anything?”
A sexy smile touched his lips. “Only yourself.”
She laughed quietly. “Umm, I think that can be arranged.”
He pulled her into his arms and just before he kissed her, he whispered, “I most certainly hope so.”
Although Chase had told her to only bring herself, Jessica couldn’t resist making a delicious dessert. She smiled as she glanced down at the baking dish filled with banana pudding.
But her smile faltered,
the banana pudding suddenly forgotten when Chase opened the door and her gaze connected with his. He stood before her, imposing, undeniably male and irresistibly sexy. The royal blue pull over sweater he wore emphasized very broad shoulders and his jeans fit well-built hips and firm muscular thighs perfectly. She clung tightly to the little composure that she had left while drowning in everything sensual about him.
“I thought I told you that the only thing you had to bring was yourself.”
She swallowed. Good grief. His voice sounded just as sexy as the rest of him. “I couldn’t resist.”
He smiled, moved forward and took the dish from her hand. “And neither can I, Jessica.” He leaned down and kissed her, giving any neighbors who might be out and about something to talk about.
He pulled back slightly and whispered close to her lips. “Maybe we ought to finish this inside.”
She licked her lips. “Umm, yes, maybe we ought to.”
He stepped back, and, as soon as she was inside with the door closed, he placed the baking dish on a hall table and pulled her into his arms, kissing her more ardently than he had a few moments ago. “Kissing you has become addictive,” he whispered, as he used his tongue to lick the sides of her mouth and a section of skin beneath her earlobe. “I definitely like the way you taste.”
She smiled up at him. “And here I came prepared to be fed, not to become a meal.”
He chuckled against her lips before licking them some more. “Oh, don’t worry, baby, I’m going to feed you.” He pulled in a deep breath and took a step back. “Come on to the kitchen before I have you pinned up against that door and take you right here and now. I’m just that tempted.”
He picked up the banana pudding, then bent his head down to her for another quick kiss. “I hope you have plenty of energy because I intend to put you to work.”
She smiled. “Work?”
“Yes, work,” he said as he led her into the kitchen. “I intend for you to help me prepare one of the Westmoreland secret family recipes for dinner tonight.”
Jessica suddenly went still. “But I thought you said you didn’t share the secret recipes with anyone.”
He turned around, looked over at her and grinned. “It’s okay—I trust you. Now come on. I told you, I planned on putting you to work.”
Jessica hesitated. Now was the perfect time to level with him. She should tell him the truth, especially since her investigation had hit a brick wall. There was no one else to talk to for more information. Paula Meyers and Darcy Evans said they had told her all they knew, while Schuster and Theodore Henry claimed they knew nothing. Although there was something about Darcy Evans’ and Theodore Henry’s version of things that she didn’t believe, she had no proof to base her suspicions on. But she wasn’t ready to throw in the towel. She was determined to speak to both of them again. “Jessica?”
She glanced over at Chase. He was looking at her strangely. “Yes?”
“Are you okay?”
She inhaled deeply, wanting to tell him the truth. But she knew at this moment she couldn’t. She couldn’t risk what he might do. What if he kicked her out on her butt. She couldn’t stand that right now. She would tell him the truth soon. But not today.
She forced a smile. “I’m okay. What do you want me to do?”
Chase placed a typed piece of paper on the counter in front of her. “I’ve got the recipe memorized but since you’re helping I printed it off the computer.”
She breathed in as she glanced down at the recipe. “You keep secret recipes stored in your computer?”
He chuckled as he pulled a can of cream out of the refrigerator. “Yes, I intend to pass my business on to one of my nieces or nephews one day.”
“What about kids of your own?”
He glanced over at her. The smile he wore wavered just a tad. “I have no intentions of getting married and I don’t plan on ever having any. And on the off chance that I do marry—probably a good twenty or thirty years from now—all I’d want from my wife is companion ship. Our marriage will be in name only.”
Jessica nodded and glanced back down at the piece of paper. Even the thought of a fifty-something Chase marrying a woman in a marriage of convenience bothered her. She loved him, dammit!
“So what do you think?”
His question almost started her. She’d been so wrapped up in her thoughts. “About what? You getting married twenty years from now to a woman you won’t love?”
He shook his head and smiled wryly. “No. What do you think about the recipe? Are you up to it?”
He placed the cream on the counter and came to stand directly behind her. He reached out and drew her back against him, her tush snug against his erection. If anyone was up to anything, he most certainly was. She sucked in a quick breath when he slid his hands down past her waist to her hips.
She slowly closed her eyes. At any moment he would start inching up her skirt to slide his hand underneath. From there he would find his way into her panties. If she didn’t stop him they would never get dinner done. Besides, she needed a few moments alone to pull herself together. Their conversation about the possibility of him getting married one day had messed with her mind.
She spun around quickly, almost startling him in the process. “Excuse me. I need to wash up before we get started.”
Without giving him a chance to say anything, she eased by him, went into the hall bathroom, closed the door and tried to catch her breath.
After finishing off the last piece of baked chicken on her plate, Jessica leaned back in her chair and licked her lips. Every meal that Chase had prepared for her had made her want seconds. But what was so special about the baked chicken and Westmoreland rice was that they had prepared the meal together—working side by side in his kitchen as though they belonged there.
“Don’t lick your lips like that,” Chase murmured from across the table.
She glanced over at him and raised her eyebrows. “Why not?”
“Because it makes me want to lean over this table and lick them for you.”
The air between them started to simmer, and Chase felt the need to take a step back, slow things down, savor their evening together. “Tell me about your grand parents.”
She quickly glanced over at him. Panic suddenly fill her. “Why?”
“Because I think considering what you told me about your mother’s situation that your grandparents must have had a positive effect on your life.”
She smiled. His expression warmed her, and she could tell that he was truly interested. Memories of her grandparents flashed through her mind. “They did. Al though my mom and I had our own place, my grand parents were close by.” She paused before adding. “They moved to California to be near me and my mom when I was around ten or so. My greatest memories are the ones I shared with them.”
Jessica knew that now would be the perfect time to tell Chase that she was Carlton Graham’s granddaughter and suddenly decided to do so. “Chase.”
He met her gaze and smiled. “Yes?”
She made a small sound in her throat but couldn’t get the words out. At least not those words. Instead, she cleared her throat and asked. “How long have you lived here?”
“A little more than a year. Before then I had an apartment in Roswell. I visited a friend in this area and decided I liked it. What about you? Do you plan to live over your shop for a while or are you interested in buying a house someplace?”
Jessica took a sip of her coffee. “I owned a home in Sacramento. It was larger than I needed, but my boss at the corporation where I used to work believed that a big house in a posh neighborhood was a must for the attorneys he employed. And, like an obedient soldier, I did what was expected.”
He nodded. “Do you miss being a lawyer?”
She shrugged. “I miss practicing law but not the corporate politics that went along with it. The straw that broke the camel’s back was a case I was assigned to work on. One of the divisions of a company I represented made children’
s toys. We had repeatedly gotten complaints that one particular toy was dangerous and several kids had gotten injured playing with it. But it was a big moneymaker and the company refused to pull it from the shelves. When a child died, we got sued. I had to defend a product that I knew had been responsible for causing that child’s death. I couldn’t do it and quit.”
Chase felt a rush of admiration for her. Instead of getting caught up in the woes of corporate politics and be coming just another company robot, she had taken a stand and had made what had to have been tough decisions regarding her future.
He stood, walked around the table and took her hand in his. “Come on, let’s go for a walk.”
She lifted a surprised brow. “A walk?”
He smiled. “Yes, the neighborhood has a nature trail. And usually around this time of the evening you can catch a fox or two roaming around. Besides, walking is a good way to work off that huge meal we just ate. And just think we haven’t gotten into the banana pudding yet.”
She grimaced. “Hey, don’t remind me. I don’t know where I’ll be able to put anything else.”
He grinned. “That’s what you get for having a hard head. I told you not to bring anything but yourself.”
A smile touched her lips. “Well, yeah, but I didn’t want you to do all the cooking. Had I known you would put me to work I would have thought twice about doing it.”
He leaned over and pressed a kiss to her temple. “You enjoyed sharing the kitchen with me today. Admit it.”
Jessica laughed. “Okay, I admit it. Are you happy?”
He raised his hand and cupped her face in it. He smiled down at her and held her gaze. “Yes, I am happy,” he said quietly, actually meaning it. His hand tightened around hers. “Come on, let’s get out of here and take that walk.”
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