Ross Lucas walked over to join the gathering. “This old dog’s about to call it a night. I’ll see you all in the morning.” He looked at Chance and Grant. “The meeting’s at ten.”
Chance rolled his neck to work out the kinks. To say the day had been long and trying would be an understatement. “Ten. Got it.”
Another fascinating tidbit Stephanie had learned was that Chance’s father was the Chief Operating Officer of the company. He’d worked for Ross Lucas in one capacity or another before he was even out of high school. Naturally, Grant Valentine and Ellen Lucas had taken a shine to each other and the rest was history.
It was actually kind of sweet, in Stephanie’s opinion, which was strange because she wasn’t one to think sappy thoughts.
“All right, honey,” Grant said to Ellen. “We should be going.”
Frowning, Ellen looked at Chance and Stephanie. “Where are you kids staying? You’re more than welcome at our house.”
“Thanks, Mom, but I’m—we’re going home—uh, to my house.”
Ross chuckled and walked off shaking his head.
Chance rolled his eyes. “It’s not anything like that,” he said to his parents. “It’s just...well, why should she stay somewhere else when I’m the one who brought her here in the first place?”
“No need to explain, honey. We’re all adults. And to be honest,” Ellen continued in a near whisper, “with the way you look at each other, I think we all know you’ve already passed that point in your relationship.”
Grant laughed just as Stephanie’s face seemed to burst into flame.
Dropping his head into his hand, Chance groaned. “Take me now, Jesus.”
“It’s okay, you two,” Ellen said. “It’s just a matter of time before you’ll be married.” She practically squealed with delight.
Grant smiled down at his wife. “Are you ready for grandkids, sweetie?”
“Yes,” she laughed, tossing her head back.
Stephanie decided to try to reason with them. “Uh, Chance and I won’t be having—”
Grant smiled. “Well, of course not. Not anytime soon. The two of you need some alone time first. Because, let me tell you, once the kids start coming, those times are few and far in between.”
Ellen bumped him with her shoulder. “Now, don’t scare her, Grant. We may not ever get those babies.”
He shot her a look of disbelief. “I’m just telling her the truth.”
“Well, did you have to tell her like that?”
“How the hell else would I tell her, Ell?”
She gave him a light punch in the stomach and he laughed.
Her attempt at explaining forgotten, Stephanie smiled as she watched the pair. Even when bickering, it was clear they were in love. She wasn’t cut out for something like that. And for the first time she could remember, the thought saddened her.
Chapter 21
And the hits kept coming.
Stephanie released a long, slow breath as she got her first glimpse of Chance’s place of residence. The palm trees lining the sidewalk passed in a blur as the driver pulled in front of the high-rise, Mediterranean style building to let them out.
After stopping by the twenty-four hour concierge desk to get the mail that had been collecting since he’d temporarily relocated, they finally made it up to his Beverly Hills condominium.
She didn’t know where to look first as she stepped into the huge living room. The floor-to-ceiling window that made up one wall definitely commanded attention. She couldn’t see much of it tonight, but the view was sure to be spectacular. A fireplace sat at one end of the room and a large, expensive looking sectional sofa took up space at the other.
The hardwood floor—a rich mahogany hue—gleamed. Chewy darted around her feet before taking off in a mad dash. In and out of rooms like a furry bullet, his tail wagging enthusiastically. Stephanie couldn’t help but smile. “Someone’s happy to be home.”
Laughing, Chance watched the dog. “Yeah, he’s missed it.”
“Is he the only one?”
“I guess not,” he said halfheartedly. “This place is okay.”
Stephanie widened her eyes. “Okay? Yeah, right. Do you really miss Oklahoma, Valentine?” she asked, unconvinced.
He regarded her for a few moments. “Not right now, no,” he said quietly.
She could tell something was on his mind, something was wrong, but she hesitated to ask him. First of all, how the hell could she know the man well enough to know she was right? Still, she felt it in her gut, without doubt. Secondly, why should she care if something was bothering him? That’s how things got messy.
Caring could lead to far worse.
They stared at one another until Stephanie broke eye contact by heading for the dining room. Opening a pair of French doors that led to a private balcony, she peeked outside at the city lights that shone in the distance. “Wow.”
Eventually, she moved to the state of the art kitchen. The cherry wood cabinetry, gray granite counters and sleek black appliances made the room gorgeous, warm, and rich—just like their owner.
She ran her hands over the island that stood in the middle of the kitchen. “Do you cook, Valentine?” She looked around the space. “Seems a waste to have all this and not use it.”
Chance leaned against the arched doorway and crossed his arms. “A bit.”
Stephanie nodded, unsure of what to say next.
“Is there something you’re in the mood for?” Chance kept his eyes on her.
Your cock in me now. “Uh...” She cleared her throat. “I’m still full from earlier, thanks.” She stepped around the island and headed for the doorway. Chance didn’t move. “Guess I’ll go check out the rest of the place. How many more rooms to go?”
“There’s a study slash office, a couple of bathrooms and,” his gaze flickered over her face and landed on her lips, “a bedroom.”
Stephanie’s hand flew to her throat and she fidgeted with the necklace. “One...bedroom?”
“One. Would be two if I hadn’t turned one into a makeshift gym. But don’t worry, Love.” Chance smiled. “I can sleep on the couch.”
She filled with disappointment she dared not let him see. “This place had to have cost a pretty penny. It’s beautiful.” She wanted to find out what was behind his slight shift in mood. He was still charming and sexy—just...further away.
“Only two point five.”
She smiled and lifted an eyebrow. “Oh, is that all?” Chewy ran in with a doggy toy firmly clamped in his mouth. He dropped it at her feet and looked up with his tail wagging. “I don’t do the play thing anymore, buddy.” She pointed at Chance. “Talk to this guy.”
“He just wants you to throw it.”
Stephanie started to refuse, but stopped when she looked at Chance. Would playing with his dog make him...happier? Unwilling to examine why the problem was nagging at her, she bent down carefully in her snug dress and picked up the toy. “Go get it!” She chucked the toy across the room, and it landed on the couch. Chewy bounded up to snatch it, and he began shaking it furiously in his mouth.
Laughing, Stephanie glanced at Chance. Smiling, he’d turned back to look at the sight of his dog playing. She took a deep breath and forged ahead, knowing she wouldn’t rest otherwise. “Are you okay?”
Slowly, he faced her again. “Yeah, why?”
She shrugged. “You’ve been kind of quiet since we got here—to California, I mean, not here.”
“I’m all right, Love,” he said, giving her a weak smile that failed to reach those incredible eyes.
Stephanie wrinkled her brow. Okay, something was definitely wrong. She’d agreed to a truce so maybe it was acceptable to prod him into telling her what was on his mind. If two people were being civil to one another, then that was allowed, right? And since they didn’t have an audience, she could revert back to her true, pushy self. “Enough bullshit, Valentine. Spill it.”
He sighed. “There’s nothing to spill. I’m going to
get a blanket and hit the couch. Goodnight.” He turned to go and she grabbed his hand. He turned back slowly to face her.
“Chance...” She couldn’t stand this aloofness. It wasn’t him and why she cared that it wasn’t, she didn’t know.
Not true, Stephanie. Face it. She wanted him—the old Chance, the real one...her Chance. She frowned.
My Chance? Before she could follow that uncomfortable thought to its conclusion, he pulled her to his chest.
Bending down, he placed his forehead against hers. His voice was low and husky as he asked, “Since when do you care about how I’m doing?” There was a faint scent of champagne on his breath as it gently warmed her skin. God, she wanted to kiss him.
She turned her face up to his and their noses brushed again and again as she slowly shook her head. “I don’t,” she said breathlessly. “Just making...conversation.” She brought her hands up to roam over his chest, his shoulders.
Chance lowered his head to her neck. “Liar.” He licked the soft flesh before gently, but firmly, biting it.
Stephanie moaned as she buried her fingers in his hair, pulling him to her. She was wet, ready for him. Every inch of her skin cried out for his touch. His hands slid around her body to unzip her dress. Stepping back from him, she kept her eyes on his face as she tugged the dress down. She stepped out of it, kicking it lightly out of her way.
He took a deep breath, his eyes touching every part of her he could see. “You are so fucking beautiful, Love.”
Her heart swelled. She gulped down the lump that had instantly formed in her throat. She couldn’t acknowledge the effect his words had on her, how they made her want to make love to him. There was no room for love. And so instead of thanking him, she simply asked, “What do we do now?”
His gaze snapped up to hers and he peered into her eyes for a few moments. “Now,” he said as a slow, devilish grin spread across his lips, “you see the bedroom.”
****
Chance hadn’t planned to sleep with her. He really hadn’t. The idea felt too immoral, too twisted to entertain now that he was considering ruining her life by firing her. What had started as fun and games had become all too real.
Having sex with a sexy pain in the ass when you planned to break her heart was one thing—having sex with a beautiful, strong, good woman when you planned to destroy her entire life was another.
Love would bounce back from heartbreak, without a doubt. Her career, however, was all she seemed to have, other than her friendship with Amber and an apparently rocky family situation. To have sex with her knowing all of that was beyond wrong, which was exactly why he’d made a vow to keep his hands, and every other part of his body, off her.
The damned brat had to go and be sweet for once. With no one around to impress, he’d been touched by her concern for him. Had it been genuine or was she still playing him? His head said one thing, his heart another. In the end, his body spoke the loudest. When he’d turned to leave the kitchen and she had grabbed his hand, the simple touch proved to be his downfall.
His cock had stirred to life and he couldn’t help pulling her body to his. Looking at her standing there in a strapless, black, lacy push-up bra and matching panties, she’d been a pure work of art.
He had the sudden desire to make love to her and it scared the hell out of him. He’d fucked plenty of times; he’d never made love. He’d never even thought about it. And he was determined not to think about it now as he carried her to the bedroom and flicked on the lamp.
The king-size bed was enormous, and he planned to make use of every inch of it with her tonight. He laid her down and began removing his own clothes, all the while staring at her. Beautiful.
Love tossed her bra on the floor. Her nipples, already hard, made his mouth water. He couldn’t wait to taste them. She brought her hands up to knead her breasts as she lay there. Then she slid one hand down to stroke her pussy through her panties.
“Chance,” she said on a sigh, her eyes closing. That, along with the soft moan that came directly after, urged him to rid himself of the rest of his clothing in a hurry.
His entire body seemed to throb as he stood there, naked, watching her rub that sweet pussy of hers. Wrapping his hand around his dick, he stroked it while she lifted her hips and peeled her panties off.
She tossed them next to the bra before propping herself up on her elbows to watch him. She spread her legs wide and began caressing herself again. Her eyes focused on his cock as she started moving her hips against her hand. “Fuck me.”
Wearing nothing but high heels and diamonds, she was an incredible sight. Chance groaned as he stroked his dick faster. “I want to taste you.” His voice sounded foreign to his ears. This woman’s body was getting to be more than a desire—it was becoming a necessity.
Licking her lips, she continued to watch him jack off. “And I want to taste you.”
“Then we’ll do both.” Chance gave her a slow, wicked smile. “At once.”
“Whatever you say, sir,” she said, her eyes sparkling with mischief and desire.
“I like the sound of that, Love.”
“Don’t get too used to it.” Smiling, she slipped two fingers into her pussy and gyrated her hips against it. “Now get over here.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said, lying down next to her.
Her eyes brightened. “Now I could get used to—”
Chance chuckled. “No way.”
She sat up and tilted her head as she looked down at him. “Bastard.”
“You love it,” he said in a thick, gruff voice—almost a growl.
She rubbed her pussy faster. “I do,” she said softly.
“Love,” he said as he reached up to run his hand over her breasts.
She covered his hand with one of hers. “Mm?”
Chance tapped his lips with his other hand. “Have a seat.”
Chapter 22
“Don’t mind if I do,” Stephanie said with a smile. Facing the foot of the bed, she carefully placed one leg on the other side of Chance’s head. As soon as she eased herself down on his mouth, she closed her eyes and moaned. She started to grind against his face, slowly at first, but gradually increasing speed. His tongue lapped and licked at her, driving her out of her mind.
Swirling his tongue over and around her clit, Chance slid his hands up to her breasts. His fingers rasped her nipples before giving them a light squeeze. He moaned, and she felt the sound rather than heard it. Softly, he sucked on each of her lips before delving his tongue between them to get to the aching, slick center.
Gasping, Stephanie covered his hands with her own as she moved her hips in circles. “Oh God...” She ran one hand down her body to rub her clit, bracing herself on the bed with the other as she leaned down. Chance sucked in a sharp breath when she ran her tongue over the glistening tip of his cock.
She began to suck the head gently while she quickened the tempo of her gyrating hips. She rubbed her clit harder as she slid her mouth down over his shaft. Once again, the taste of him was too much to bear, and the plan to prolong his delicious suffering evaporated.
Instead of a maddeningly slow, oral tease, soon she was sucking him off as fast as she could. She stopped rubbing her clit to brace herself on the bed with both hands.
Chance pulled back long enough to groan and say, “Goddamn it, Love. Fuck yes. Don’t stop.” He groaned and cursed again. “Just like that, baby.”
Stephanie continued driving her mouth down over him even as he went back to running his tongue over her dripping wet slit. She gasped when he licked at her clit, the sound muffled by his cock. She ground her pussy against his mouth, his tongue, and closed her eyes. Pulling her head back, she sucked in rapid breaths. “Yes, God, yes. Oh shit, Chance, don’t stop.”
Always having to do the opposite of whatever she wanted—or at least it seemed—Chance did just that. She almost cried out in protest when he pulled his face away. “Valentine, you asshole,” she said, snapping her head around to look back
, “I said don’t stop.”
His chest heaved beneath her and he groaned. “Fuck, I’m about to come, woman.”
She raised an eyebrow. “And I’d like to as well.” She lowered herself onto his mouth.
He flipped her over and she landed on her back. “Damn it,” he said roughly, kneeling between her thighs. “The point is, I don’t want to come yet.”
Stephanie frowned as she stared up at him. “Why not?”
“Your mouth is amazing, Love.” Smiling, he stroked her, his fingers sliding back and forth between the wet folds. “But there’s something else I want right now.” He reached over to grab a condom off the nightstand before sitting with his back against the headboard. He tore open the package and threw it aside before rolling the condom on. “You want to fuck me?”
Stephanie dragged her bottom lip through her teeth. “Yes,” she whispered, straddling him. Chance brought his mouth to her breast and sucked it gently as he kneaded the other in his large hand. She eased herself down on him, gasping as he slid into her.
He flicked his tongue against her nipple as he moved his hands to her ass, giving it a firm squeeze.
Stephanie began in a slow tempo. He filled her perfectly, hitting every wanting, sensitive spot within her. He circled his tongue around her nipple. “Chance, yes,” she panted as he started moving her ass up and down to assist her motions.
Lifting his head from her breast, he stared up at her. “Love...” He groaned as her pace quickened even more.
She bent down to place her forehead against his. Knowing it was against the rules, she wanted so badly to kiss him in that moment. Their breaths mingled as he tilted his head back even more. Their parted lips touched.
His cock filled her pussy completely when she slid down on it and stayed there. She grabbed his face, holding it captive so she could look him in the eye. Slowly, she began to rotate her hips.
“Ah, shit,” Chance said before moaning. The sound, the words were right against her lips.
“Mm,” she said breathlessly, brushing her open mouth against his repeatedly, “I want you.”
Chance on Love Page 14