Chase (6 page)
“Layla, I wasn’t a saint before I met you,” I almost snort, “and I’m not going to apologize for that.”
Okay this conversation is so not going how I expected.
“I am sorry, however, that you had to see that. The thing is, I have a past, and that past not only led me to you, but it also allowed me to recognize exactly what I want and need in a woman, and be able to appreciate a good woman when I see one. And you baby, are a diamond in the rough.” Okay that was sweet. “I have sown my oats and I’m now ready to move onto something bigger and better. So are we good?” I nod. “Good.” Replies in the softest voice I have heard him use.
We arrive home and I jump in the shower and change into my satin pajama shorts and cami. It really is weird knowing Chase is just down the hall. I walk into the lounge room to see the three guys laughing and playing video games. Chase looks my way and he takes in my attire. I see his eyes narrow slightly and his nostrils flair. He drops his controller, grabs my hand and pulls me into his room.
“Baby, don’t wear such sexy shit like that in front of anyone but me, okay?” I didn’t even realize this was considered ‘sexy shit’ but whatever.
“Chase..”
“You really are something, Layla. So beautiful, and you don’t even know just how much.” He gives me a firm, greedy kiss.
“I don’t like you sharing a bathroom with Kade,” he says suddenly, “You should use mine.”
“I really don’t see what the big deal is.” I tell him.
“Humor me Layla,” he rumbles.
“Chase! You can’t just burst into my life and start making changes!” I say indignant.
He stares at me thoughtfully for a few moments.
“It’s easier if you just give in Layla,” he says smugly.
I gasp. “You are unbelievable!” I growl. Chase chuckles.
I decide to put him out of his misery. “We’re not sharing it anymore anyway; he shares with James now. After the last incident……”
“What kind of incident?” he interrupts, frowning.
“A very large incident,” I say, giggling. Large indeed.
Massive even. I giggle harder.
“Layla,” Chase growls, a warning.
“It was nothing. I asked him if he could share with James, and he did. End of story.”
He gazes at me for a moment, eyes narrowed.
“Fine,” he relents, “come on let’s go to bed.” He moves to pull me onto his bed.
“I’m not sleeping here tonight, Chase,” I tell him gently.
“What? Why?” he growls unhappily.
“This is moving so fast, I think I should at least sleep in my own room, plus didn’t you tell me you wanted to take this slow?” I tell him, even though I want nothing more than to spend the night in his arms, this whole situation needs some normalcy.
“Throwing my words back at me,” he grumbles. He hugs me in his arms tightly, and then reluctantly let’s go. A few steamy kisses later, he walks me to my room and tucks me in, mumbling the whole time about stubborn women.
“It’s easier if you just give in Chase,” I smirk. He laughs, shaking his head at me. He loves that I give as good as I get.
“Night baby.”
“Night Chase.”
******
I’m laying in bed, thinking about Chase, and how he makes me feel. Safe, wanted, needed even. It’s all happening so fast, almost out of control. I’m deep in thought when I hear someone open my bedroom door, and I slowly move my hand to the golf club I have stashed between my bed and the wall. My hand almost reaches it, when the intruder creeps into my bed, pulls the cover over him, and chuckles softy.
I know that chuckle.
“What the hell are you doing Chase?” I hiss.
“Shhh,” he whispers, “Sleepy.”
He wraps his arms around me, spooning me from behind, places a kiss on my head, and goes to sleep. I sigh, relaxing into him, enjoying the warmth. I think about telling him to leave, but after a few moments, I’m out like a light.
Chapter Eight
I wake up to an empty bed. The man is sneaky. I have a quick shower and jump into my skull onesie. Yes, it’s that kind of day. I have nothing to do today, except stay at home and study. I shove my hair into a messy bun, and slip on my leopard print house slippers. Yes, I am sexy today. I grab my laptop and books and head to the dining table, ready to get my study on. I leave everything on the table and head for the kitchen, where I can hear Chase, Kade and James.
“Mornin’” I say cheerfully, heading to the fridge for a glass of apple juice.
Chase eyes my outfit and blinks. Kade grins, “You will get used to her weird outfits don’t worry,” he says with a chuckle. I glance over at Chase as he frowns. I have the feeling he doesn’t like the fact that his brothers know me better than he does. I guess only time can remedy that. James is looking distracted, eyes on his phone.
“Everything okay James?”
He glances up and gives me an easy smile. “Yeah, just some work stuff.” He walks over and kisses me on the forehead.
“You look cute,” he says in a singsong voice. I hear Chase growl.
“Why thank you, James,” I tell him.
Chase stomps over and gives me a firm kiss on my mouth. When he pulls away, he looks smug, shooting his brothers a glare. “Breakfast will be ready in ten minutes, why don’t you take a seat?” he gestures to the breakfast bar stools. I take a seat and watch while Chase cooks breakfast. Kade is making coffee; James is now making some sort of healthy shake in the blender. Chase pours me a coffee and sits in down in front of me, along with the pancakes he made.
“Layla doesn’t drink coffee,” Kade says instantly. It’s true, I don’t. Chase’s chin jerks up and something flickers in his eyes. He takes the coffee and practically slams it in the sink, before storming off to his room. James and I both stare at Kade. Kade and James are trying to fight laughter. And failing.
“What? You don’t!” Kade says, shrugging. I groan. Time for damage control. I get up and make my way to Chase’s room. I knock on his door, but no answer. I listen and can faintly hear the shower running. I sigh, and head back to the kitchen to finish my pancakes. They are delicious. By the time Chase walks back out, I’m attempting to study, which really is code for me online shopping.
“Hey,” he says, still looking slightly agitated.
“Hey, you over your tantrum?” I tease.
“Layla..” he admonishes, “I don’t like it.” I know exactly what he is referring to. He doesn’t like the fact that we are.. Whatever we are... yet his brothers know me better and have spent much more time with me.
“You would have met me earlier if you came out of your room after you kicked that woman out,” I say, not helping at all.
Chase growls. “That’s it! We are spending all our time together. Every. Single. Minute!”
“Should I drop out of university?” I ask, trying to keep a straight face.
“Layla..” He says before giving me a punishing kiss.
“We should start right now,” I suggest, “I have this huge assignment, that I need to hand in for the first day of class. We could do it together!”
I’m a genius.
Chase laughs huskily, “Nice try Layla. Besides, I’m pretty sure Ebay isn’t studying.” He kisses me once more, before walking out of the room. I groan loudly.
Study time.
******
Chase is finally getting his massage. He is on his stomach, on my bed, and I’m drizzling oil onto his back. I work my way from his elbow up to his shoulder, massaging his tattoo. “You’re tattoo is so sexy,” I blurt out, checking out the tribal prints and patterns that adorn half his arm.
“I’m glad you approve,” he rumbles quietly.
I move up to his neck and shoulders, and Chase groans. The sound is pure sex, and I clear my throat. This man is too fine for his own good. After about twenty minutes I’m done, and Chase has fallen asleep. I giggle. He is so adorable. I place a kiss on his cheek, covering his body with my black sparkly bed cover. I do a little reading while he naps. He deserves his rest, his phone is always ringing, and he never gets peace like this. I lie next to him, and eventually fall asleep.
That night I get dolled up. Chase is taking me out somewhere. I stare in the mirror, and check over my hair and makeup. My hair is down and in crimped waves, parted down the middle. I’m wearing a gold Grecian headband over my forehead. I’ve gone with my trademark red lips and winged eyeliner, adding a little gold shimmer. My black chiffon flowy dress completes my ethereal look. I walk out and get catcalls from Kade and James.
“Layla! I wanna lay ya!” Yells out Kade. He does a little obscene grinding thrusting move with his pelvis.
Well, hell.
“You couldn’t handle this, Kade!” I banter.
“You are fucking hot, Layla!” James adds.
“Thank you, James,” I say sincerely.
Chase walks out of his room and his mouth opens. “Angel,” he says softly, but I hear him. “You look stunning Layla,” he whispers in my ear. I get goose bumps.
“Stop perving on my woman Kade!” Chase mock growls, as he’s looking at his brothers. They both grin, unrepentant. We say bye and then head out.
When Chase pulls up at Club Deception, I must say I am surprised. He is looking over at me, taking in my reaction.
“Aren’t you going to ask why we are here?”
“I assume it’s because you like it here?” I say stupidly.
“We met here,” he says simply.
“We did,” I agree.
“And I am now the owner,” he says proudly.
“What?” I burst out.
He nods. “Come on, let’s go in, I have something to show you.”
We walk into the VIP area, where it has been closed off and a dinner table set up with candles. It looks beautiful. Chase pulls my chair out for me and I take a seat. The music is still loud from downstairs, but with the doors closed we can still hear each other perfectly. We are served a delicious dinner, and Chase treats me like a princess. Chase puts some of his chocolate cheesecake on his fork and feeds it to me.
“You even eat sensually Layla, I don’t think you are even aware of it,” he says huskily.
I scoff. I don’t eat daintily at all. I just eat.
“I told you- you don’t even realize. How sexy you are, how fucking beautiful..”
He feeds me another mouth of cheesecake, his eyes half-mast and never leaving my lips. The sexual tension reaching an all-time high, he leans over and kisses the very corner of my mouth. “You have a little chocolate..” he murmurs, as he leans in again, this time kissing me on my mouth, giving me a deep kiss, which I greedily accept. When his lips finally leave mine, I am panting. Chase adjusts his pants, and I can’t help the smug smile that spreads on my lips. Chase sees it and bites me playfully on my neck.
“Let’s go home, Layla,” he says hoarsely.
We get home and I’m following him into his room, seduction on my mind. I start kissing him, removing his shirt. “Layla, I want to, so fucking bad, but not yet,” he pleads. I wonder how long his determination can hold out. I start kissing him again, tasting him. I rub my hand over his arousal, and he growls, stepping away from me.
“Layla, fuck! I want you so bad, it almost hurts. But you’re not ready,” he says, his voice full of need, and also a little regret.
“Don’t assume you know what I’m ready for, Chase!” I hiss, getting angry.
“Look Layla, I’ve never done this before. Gotten to know a woman before jumping into bed with her. Just bear with me, please. It will be worth it in the end, I promise you,” he begs.
“Fine,” I relent.
“I’ll make you feel so fucking good Layla. You are going to be so worth the wait. It’s fucking torture, but it’s what I need, okay?”
I nod slowly in agreement. We kiss goodnight and I leave his room, glancing at him one last time, before I close the door. He is raking his hands through his thick black hair, pulling at the strands at the end. I sigh. It’s a little hard being the only girl he won’t sleep with, even with his reasoning. I jump in my bed and force myself to go to sleep.
The next morning, after another night in my own bed, (Even though Chase ended up sneaking into my bed in the middle of the night again), I wake up before Chase and head into the kitchen to make breakfast. Chase wakes up about twenty minutes later, wearing nothing but a low slung pair of pajama pants. He is seriously hot.
“Mmmmm, smells good Layla,” he says, burying his face in my hair.
“It’s ready,” I tell him, putting the stove off.
Chase scoops me up in his arms and carries me to sit at the table. “You sit here,” He mumbles, heading back to the kitchen and pulling out two plates. He serves for both of us and even pours me a juice. We eat our meal together, touching each other at every opportunity.
Kade walks in while I’m loading the dishwasher, wearing basketball shorts and running shoes. Chase stares at him thoughtfully. “Nice of you to wear clothes around the house now that Layla is here,” he tells his brother. I almost drop my plate.
Kade clears his throat. “Well, I’m going for a run.” And he walks out, giving me a parting grin.
“What was that about,” Chase asks suspiciously.
“Nothing,” I say quickly. A little too quickly.
“Layla,” he growls, his body comes in closer, hands tightening on my waist in silent warning.
“Fine, but it was nothing, so don’t over react!”
Okay, well, maybe it was something. I did see Kade’s penis.
“Layla!” He almost shouts.
“There might have been a naked incident, or two,” I say, trying to play it off.
I watch as Chase clenches his jaw, almost grinding his teeth.
“You saw him naked?” he says slowly. I shrug nonchalantly. “I’m going to kill him,” he hisses.
I leave out the part of Kade seeing me half naked, because I’m smart like that.
Chase goes into his room and comes out in his running gear. “Going for a run, I’ll be back,” he says, placing a kiss on my forehead. Hmm, I can just imagine who he is going to run into. I sigh. Men.
An hour later, Kade and Chase both walk in together, covered in mud. They must have got into it. Or rolled into it. I burst out laughing. They both give me matching scowls, and I laugh harder. That is, until Chase grabs me and pulls me into a mud filled hug.
“Chase!” I scream.