“Aunt Sandy, I have missed you so much!” I exclaimed.
She hugged me back, stroking my hair as she used to when I was young. “I missed you too,” she said.
I pulled back. “Does Chase know?” I asked.
She shook her head and wiped my tears away. “No sweetie, not yet,” she answered.
“Oh, my, the last time I saw you I was eight and mom…” I started to say. It was the time mom had slapped her and Aunt Sandy left. I never saw her again. “Why didn’t I ever see you again?”
“Honey now is not the time or place.” She said. “I will answer all your questions tonight at dinner.” I nodded. “Now, clean your face so you can get this meeting finished.”
I nodded again, happy that she was back in my life and I couldn’t wait to tell Chase.
I walked into the meeting room with Sandy in tow, smiling. Chase was the only one there.
He looked up and his smile vanished. “Why have you been crying?” he asked as he walked over to me. “Are you ok?”
“I’m fine,” I answered. “I just got some very good news.”
He looked back at Sandy, but didn’t ask why her eyes were red as well. He shook his head. “Ready?” he asked and I nodded.
He kissed my hand just as the door opened and several people walked in. He pulled me over next to his chair at the head of the table. “I sit here?” I whispered.
He nodded. “You will always sit right next to me,” he answered, “No matter where we are.”
I smiled and nodded as I took my seat. He slid my notebook to me along with the Apex file.
Once everyone was seated, he addressed them, “Ladies, gentleman, thank you for coming at the last minute. I would like to introduce you to my new assistant, Jaden Smith. When this meeting is concluded I hope you will introduce yourself and get to know her. I plan to keep her around for a long time, as she is a beautiful and brilliant young woman.” He smiled at me and I felt my face flush. He turned back to the group. “Now, on to why we’re here. Ms. Smith has found some problems with the Apex contract. I will now turn the floor over to her.”
I did the only thing I knew how to do. I squared my shoulders and stood. I pretended I was having a conversation with Chase and addressed the group. I relayed everything I had told Chase; when I had finished, one-man spoke, “Ms. Smith, welcome. I am Jared, head of finance,” he said and I smiled at him. “I want to thank you for finding this major issue. I assure you; my people will dig in and do everything you suggested. I believe sending in a surveillance team was a brilliant idea.”
“Thank you Jared,” I said. “I believe if we act now, we can save this project. I appreciate your cooperation in this matter.”
I finally chanced a look at Chase. He was beaming and his eyes were shining. I looked at Aunt Sandy and she was looking at me the same way. I took my seat and looked at him. “Mr. Daniels,” I said.
He nodded and looked at the group. “Well, it looks like Ms. Smith has given you your assignment. I need to see a detailed report by lunch Thursday. Thank you,” he said.
At that point, each one of them began welcoming me. By the time all twenty of them were finished and gone, I could not remember any of their names. However, I was pleased with myself on how well I had handled the meeting.
I was standing and staring out the window. Chase walked up behind me, wrapping his arms around me and I leaned back into him. “See baby,” he said kissing my head. “I knew you could do it. You had them eating out of your hands.”
I chuckled. “It did feel good,” I admitted as I turned in his arms to look at him. “It also helped when I pictured just talking to you.”
He raised his brows. “You were thinking of me?” he questioned. “What exactly were you thinking?”
I laughed and slapped his chest. “Chase, Sandy is still in here,” I said leaving off the Aunt part.
“Yes she is,” he laughed as he turned us both to look at her. She was sitting there looking at us, smiling. “Would you two ladies mind telling me why both of you had been crying?”
Sandy stood and patted his arm. “We will all talk at dinner,” she said and left the room.
He looked at me, his face serious. “You’re coming home with me?” he asked.
I looked away, unsure of the situation or myself. “Only if you want me too,” I answered.
He lifted my face to his. “Of course I do,” he said. “We just hadn’t had a chance to talk about it.”
I smiled. “I need to go back to my apartment to collect some things,” I said. “Since you are having me start work early, I will need something for tomorrow. And…”
“And, what?” he asked.
I shrugged. “I don’t know how long you will want me to stay,” I answered.
He kissed me and said, “If I had my way about it, you would never leave.”
“Chase we haven’t been together long enough for that,” I said.
His brows creased. “Jaden, all relationships are different,” he said. “What’s right for one may not be for another.” He shrugged and stepped back. “But if you want to wait, we can.”
It almost looked like I hurt his feelings. There is no way he could want to live with me already. He can’t. He doesn’t want the sleepless nights because of the nightmares. Hell, I don’t want them.
I looked down at my hands, twisting my fingers together. “I’m sorry,” I said. “I just don’t know how to do this. I don’t know what’s right or wrong. Besides, you’re not ready for the sleepless nights because of my nightmares.”
“Honey look at me,” he said and I looked up. “I told you I would walk through your darkness and I meant it. I am fine if you want to wait. Just stay with me tonight, ok?”
I smiled. “Ok, I can do that,” I said. “Thank you.”
He smiled, collected our things, and reached for my hand. “Come on. Let’s go home,” he said.
I loved the sound of home. I took his hand and allowed him to lead me from the office.
Chapter Twenty-Two
A Palace for a Princess
Jaden and I were sitting in the back of the car, while Sandy was sitting upfront with Charlie. I had to admit I was a little nervous. I have never brought anyone back to my house and both Jaden and Sandy were acting strange.
“Oh my God Chase,” Jaden exclaimed. “Is that your house?”
I laughed. “Yes,” I said.
She kicked her heels off as she reached for the switch to open the sunroof. Before it opened fully she was pushing herself through.
“It’s so beautiful,” she said as she pulled me to stand next to her.
“Yes it is,” I agreed, but I wasn’t looking at the house. She turned to look at me. “Yes you are very beautiful. Now, let’s sit back down before one of the trees takes your head off.”
She laughed, but allowed me to pull her back into the car. Charlie stopped long enough to punch the code in for the gates to open.
“It’s like a palace out of a fairy tale,” she said in amazement, still staring at it.
“A palace for a princess,” I said.
“And for a prince,” she whispered without turning around.
My breath caught in my throat. I could not think or speak. This beauty had me under her spell and I loved every minute of it.
Charlie parked at the front entrance, got out, and opened my door. I reached for her and asked, “Ready to go in princess?”
She smiled, slipped her shoes back on and took my hand. “What about our bags?” she asked.
“Don’t worry,” I answered. “Charlie will bring them in.”
We reached the door and Hazel opened it, greeting us. “Mr. Daniels, Ms. Smith, welcome home,” she said, stepping back.
“Hello Hazel,” I said. “Thank you, it’s good to be home.”
“Hi Hazel,” Jaden said acting more confident after the meeting.
“Ms. Smith, it is a pleasure to meet you,” Hazel replied. “Mr. Daniels, where would you like dinner served?
”
I smiled. “The family dining room, please,” I answered.
She gasped and smiled. “Yes sir,” she said. “It will be thirty minutes.”
I nodded and she left. I shocked myself, as I have never eaten in that dining room. I had made it clear to all staff that the family dining room would not be used.
I stood there watching Jaden and that long time worry started to fill me. I had stayed clear of all emotional attachment for fear of being hurt.
“I can live without money, but I cannot live without love,” Jaden said.
“Judy Garland,” I said looking at her. How did she do that? It seemed she was always reading my mind. Yet, I was able to do the same with her so maybe it wasn’t all that strange.
“I saw that look on your face,” she explained. “Yes, I am in love with your house, but I would still be standing here if you lived in a box.”
I nodded. “Wanna get out of these clothes before we eat?” I asked.
She rolled her eyes. “Yes, please,” she answered.
I smiled, took her hand, and led her to the stairs, then stopped. “You may want to take your shoes off,” I said and she gave me a questioning look. “There are a lot of stairs and I don’t want you to break your pretty little neck.” She smiled and went to bend down and I stopped her. “I have a better idea.”
I bent down in front of her and took hold of one of her ankles. She placed her hands on my shoulders to steady herself. She lifted her foot and I slid the shoe off. When we repeated the movements for the other she said, “Maybe we should have an elevator put in.”
As I went to stand, I slide my hand up the inside of one of her legs and she moaned. I got to the hem of her skirt and stopped. “There you go with that we stuff again,” I whispered. “This time you can’t use work as an excuse.”
“Do you not like it when I include myself?” she asked breathlessly.
I leaned in and placed a kiss at the apex of her legs as my hand continued up her skirt. I felt my cock harden and a sharp intake of air from her. “No, I want you to include yourself as much as you’re comfortable with,” I answered. I reached her panties and she was soaked. “Damn baby, is that for me?”
“Only you, always,” she whispered. “Chase what about Sandy and the staff?”
“Damn,” I mumbled removing my hand, picking her heels up, and standing. I smiled. “Ready princess?” she didn’t speak, just nodded. I took her hand and led her up to our room.
There was no need for words as what we were feeling was there, in the air, crackling around us and it had nothing to do with sex. It was more. It was deeper than either of us had expected, least of all me.
I was in a trance, a spell she had woven over me. It had been such a short time, yet I knew without a doubt, I was in love with this woman next to me. All past relationships paled in comparison to this. In addition, with her by my side anything was possible, even the fairy tale. I just had to make her see it too.
We stopped in front of the bedroom door and suddenly I was afraid; afraid of losing her, losing myself, losing everything. The money meant nothing if I didn’t have her next to me. I looked around me. Yes, it would have been nice to fill the halls with the sounds of children. A family, it was all I had ever wanted. Had, being the key word. I wanted this beautiful woman with the sassy mouth, her sexy shyness, and yes, her darkness.
Her hand touched my face, bringing it up to look at her. There was a small smile on her face as she looked into my eyes. “You told me to feel, not think,” she said in small voice. “As much as it has scared me, I did what you asked. I can see in your eyes we are feeling the same things.” Her face blushed, but she never broke eye contact. “It wasn’t a dream, on the plane, was it?” I looked at her questioningly. “When you carried me to bed, you said you loved me.”
When I answered, my voice was horse, “Yes.”
She smiled and there was a sparkle in her eyes. “Chase, at the risk of ruining a special moment, don’t you think that it’s a little too soon?” she asked. My heart stopped, “When we first met it wasn’t either of our finer moments. Then at the restaurant…” she trailed off as she looked away with tears in her eyes.
As much as it hurt, I knew she was right. However, I couldn’t stop my heart from feeling what it felt. I took hold of her chin, forcing her to look at me. “Maybe you’re right,” I said. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t feel it. Whatever this is between us is more than just sex.” I pushed a stray hair behind her ear. “All I ask is you give me a chance. Give us a chance to explore this.” She started to speak and I placed a finger to her lips. “I know you think you’re broken. Hell I thought I was until I met you. I know all about your darkness, your secrets and I am willing to walk through it with you.” I took a deep breath. “I know you have been hurt. Hell, maybe hurt isn’t the right word. However, as you tell me, not all men are the same. Some of us actually want the fairy tale.”
Jaden let out a long breath, “Chase, fairy tales don’t exist,” she whispered. “At least not in real life and not the way books or movies make them look. My parents are a great example of that.” She placed her palm against my chest. “But I will promise to see where this goes. I agree there does seem to be more than sex between us and it makes me curious.”
Feeling a little flat that she still thinks fairy tales don’t exist, I brought her hand to my lips and placed a kiss on her knuckles. “That’s all I ask, for now.” I whispered, “Ready to change? It’s killing me that you and Sandy have a secret.” I chuckled.
She laughed. “Don’t worry,” she said. “It’s nothing bad. To answer your question, yes I need out of this monkey suit.”
I smiled as I opened the door and ushered her in. No matter what she said, I know she feels the same as I do. I just need to be patient and she will come around. “After you Princess,” I said, following her through the door.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Unanswered Questions
What have I gotten myself into? I thought walking into his bedroom. It is excessively soon to be declaring his love. Hell I don’t even know what love is, let alone what it feels like. The last person that I had in my life who truly loved me died when I was a child. I would like to think that Sandy loved me, but she didn’t even try to save me. She had to of known. At least that’s what I thought.
He flipped a switch and the room came to life. There was soft music playing somewhere in the room that I recognized as a tune by Robert Downey, Jr. Before I even took in the view of the room, I spun around, smiling. “I knew your voice, when you sang to me, was familiar. You sound just like RDJ,” I accused, laughing.
He smiled. “I wouldn’t know,” he admitted shyly. “You’re the only one I have ever sung in front of or to.”
I raised my brows in disbelief. “Well don’t stop,” I said. “It’s sexy as hell.” He smiled and I swore he turned a shade of red before he walked into the bathroom.
I shook my head smiling as I turned back to survey the room. It really was breathtaking and huge, laid out in gold and silver. The windows were covered with gold velvet curtains and a balcony was off to the side. To the right was a sitting area filled with a flat screen on one wall along with a couch and chair. To my left were two rather large walk in closets. Both doors were lined with full-length mirrors. The woodwork had to of been done by hand, pure art.
A large four-poster bed in cherry wood dominated the center of the room. The ceiling was something that belonged in a church or museum. The artwork had to of taken pain staking hours to complete. It was worthy of Michael Angelo. Hell if I were being honest, the whole house was, at least what I have seen so far.
Yet I was confused. ‘Why would a man, who had been hurt so badly and swore off women, buy such a big home?’ I pondered as I walked over to the bed. However, I believed I knew the answer. He was still optimistic of finding his true love and filling the home with children. ‘Children I would never be able to give him.’ I thought sadly.
I saw, si
tting next to the bed, that Charlie had somehow gotten our bags to the room before us. I was sitting on the bed looking through my bag as Chase re-entered the room. I could see out of the corner of my eye that he hadn’t moved. I looked up and saw that he was just standing there, staring.
“What’s wrong Chase?” I asked, becoming concerned.
He shook his head and blinked. “Just the sight in front of me,” he answered. “I’ve never had a woman in that bed. For that matter, I’ve never brought a woman here at all.”
Taken back, I asked, “How long had it been since you had been with a woman? Didn’t you say four years?” He nodded and I saw a glimpse of sadness in his eyes. “How long have you lived here?”
“Same amount of time, four years,” he answered quietly.
I collected my clothes and as I walked to the bathroom said, “If you were so put off of women, I just don’t understand the large home. You need to explain that one to me at some point.” Then I shut the door, but not before, I saw his face turn white, as if he had seen a ghost.
I leaned back against the door and closed my eyes. I know my darkness as I relive them most every night; Chase on the other hand, has his own. One day soon, I need to find out what that darkness is. I need to know what made him believe all women were like that.
“Fuck!” I whispered when I opened my eyes. This room was almost as large as the bedroom. There was a bathtub large enough for four people, a beautiful open steam shower and an enclosed toilet. There was a large sky light above the tub with a perfect view of the sky. The more I saw of this house the more I fell in love with it.
I quickly slipped into my sundress that was covered in purple tulips. ‘I just love purple.’ I thought with a smile. I stepped through the door to find Chase changed into a pair of dark dress slacks and dress shirt and standing on the balcony.
“Are you ready?” he asked without turning around.
I had a feeling I hurt him bad with my comment about love and fairy tales. However, that is how I feel. I have not had an easy life, and with it comes not being able to trust. Life proved that to me two years ago with Steven. What scares me is, if, no when, my mother and sister get wind that I am seeing Chase, they will stop at nothing to destroy whatever it is between us. I just hope that when the time comes we are stronger than they are.
Just...Breathe: The Love They Had Always Wanted, and Now Try to Fight... (The Broken Series #1) Page 11