Silver and Chrome: A Bad Boy MC Romance (39 page)

Chapter
Twenty-One

Even
with Chase trying to reassure me that it's no big deal, I can't help feeling
like a complete fool for the rest of the night, and the feeling hasn't been
shaken by the next day, either.  Each time I apologize for being a lunatic and
a stalker, he just laughs and changes the subject.  I know he's being kind, but
I still feel terrible about ruining his surprise and not trusting him. 
Besides, as he pointed out, I have my own ex-boyfriend baggage that I'm still
carrying around, so I shouldn't have been so quick to judge.

"What
should we do today?" he asks.  We're sitting on his couch, both dressed
but without a plan for the day.   Chase is fiddling on his phone, and has been
most of the morning while I've moped around the room feeling guilty.  I can
tell he's anxious to do something.

"I'd
like to just take it easy today."  Yesterday was more excitement than I
usually see in a week.  Between the motorcycle, the skydiving and then our
argument, I'm drained.

"How
about we just sit by the pool?"

I
shrug.  "I don't really want to spend the day in the shade as fans hover
over us asking you for autographs.  Can we go use the pool at your place
again?"

Chase
takes a deep breath and gives me a look before smiling.  "I thought you
might suggest that.  Go get your stuff together."

Less
than half an hour later his driver drops us off and we head into the kitchen
where Chase throws a few drinks into the empty fridge.  "I don't want to
stay all day, though," he says.  "I was thinking maybe we could go
and catch a movie later?  It's been forever since I've been to a theater.  I
thought it would be fun, and still relaxing."

I
make a noncommittal sound as I head out back to the pool.  I really just want
to be alone with him.  After all of my accusations last night I feel like our
relationship could use some us time.  I was even considering talking to him
about where this whole thing is going.  I think part of my insecurity is just
that this relationship is still undefined, for the most part.  I want to know
whether or not he really meant that girlfriend comment he made the other day.

We
get into our bathing suits and I stretch out on the lounge chair as I watch the
tattoos on Chase's back stretch vibrantly in the sun as he dives into the pool
before disappearing under the blue water.  He does laps for about ten minutes
before climbing out and laying down in the lounger next to me.

"Refreshing,"
he says.  "You going in?"

"Maybe
in a little bit."  I don't get as much chance to work on my tan back in
Toronto.  Especially not in October.

"So
what do you think about that movie idea?"

"Chase,
we just got here!"

"I
know, I'm not saying we go now.  In a little bit."

"I
just want to relax for a while.  Don't you ever sit still?"

"I
seem to recall a couple of days you and I spent in my hotel room without
leaving the room once.  Doesn't that count?"

"No,
because I wouldn't call what we were doing during that time sitting
still," I giggle. 

"I
dunno," I can hear the grin on his face even with my eyes closed against the
Vegas sun.  "I did feel pretty relaxed each time we were done."

"Well
give me some time to soak in some rays and you might get to feel relaxed
again."

"Deal."

To
his credit, Chase kept himself quiet for at least long enough for me to fall
asleep.

"Shit,
Lila, wake up!"

My
eyes struggle to open and I have to blink a few times against the sun. 
"What?  What?"

"We
fell asleep!"

"So? 
What's wrong?  Did I get a burn?"  I look down at my skin and it is
looking a little tanned, but not pink thanks to the sunscreen I applied before
we left the hotel.

"No. 
I mean, nothing's wrong, I just didn't expect to fall asleep as well.  But it's
been over an hour."

"Is
that all?  I could use another hour."  I yawn and lift my arms over my
head.  It feels good to sleep in the sun.  This is exactly how I wanted to
spend the day anyway.

"We
should get going if we're going to catch a movie."

"Are
you kidding me?"  I sit up now and look at Chase.  His hair is a bit
tussled from falling asleep on it while it was still wet, but he looks just as
gorgeous as always.  "Chase, I really don't feel like going out to a
movie.  I could use a drink though."  I stand up and walk into the house
and he follows.

"I
just think we should do something else," he persists, as I hand him a
bottle of water before taking one for myself. 

"What
is wrong with staying-" I stop as the I hear the front door lock click. 
Both Chase and I turn just as it opens and watch as a middle age couple walk
in.  The man is wearing a polo shirt and slacks, and the woman is wearing an
orange blouse and long dark skirt.  They look just as surprised to see us as we
are to see them.

"Who
the hell are you?" I blurt out immediately.  Despite my accusation I step
back against Chase, not that the couple look physically threatening.   Both of
the strangers gawk at us for a moment and I realize I'm standing here in a
fairly revealing bikini.  I pull my arms up against my chest, suddenly feeling
even more vulnerable. 

"Young
lady," the man says, his facing turning red.  I'm not sure if it's anger
or embarrassment, but by his tone it could be a bit of both.  "I believe
it's my right to ask
you
that question.  This is my house."

"What? 
No it isn't.  This is Chase's house."

I
turn to look at Chase, expecting to see a mirror of the same indignation I
feel, but as usual his face is a stony mask of
unreadability
. 
"Chase?  Tell them."

His
cool blue eyes shift from the couple to me, and then back to the couple but he
doesn't say anything.

"Were
you swimming in our pool?" the woman asks.  I turn back to see they've
walked further into the house now.  The woman has stormed over to the door
leading outside.  She turns back to her husband.  "Henry, they have towels
out there.  They were swimming in our pool."

"What
the hell is going on, Chase?" I demand.  He still hasn't said anything.

"The
two of you better get out of here this instant, before I have you arrested for
trespassing."  The man is definitely more angry than embarrassed now, but
I'm still completely confused.

"Chase,
what the hell is going on?" I repeat.  "Is any of this true?  Is this
really their house?"

Our
eyes lock together and I finally see a crack in his armor as he takes a deep
breath and lets it out slowly.  There's something in his gaze now that I've
never seen before. 

Chase
slowly nods.  "Yes, it's true."

I
feel my heart sinking as I look at the man I've spent almost every minute with
for the last week and I wonder if I really know him at all.

“
I
can explain.
”

The words are uncomfortably familiar, even
when spoken in a different voice.  From a different mouth.  My thoughts are
spinning enough that I have to reach out and grab the kitchen counter for
support.  It
’
s Harrison all
over again. 

Lies.

“Lila-”

“
I think your explanation
needs to be to us, young man.
” 
The
older couple are still standing in the room as well, and the man in the polo
shirt has a cell phone in his hand with his thumb poised as if ready to dial. 
“
Or
you can explain it to the police.
”

“
I need some air,
”
I say.  I have to shake off Chase
’
s
hand as he grabs for me on my way to the front door.  I left Harrison, who
’
d
I
’
d been dating for months,
because of his lies.  Chase and I have only been together a week. 

Outside
, the hot desert sun is
stifling, but it still feels like I can breathe easier.  Chase
’
s
limousine is parked in front of the house.  I wonder if his driver would take
me back to the hotel if his boss isn’t with me.  I feel like I need to run. 
Get away from the lies again.  But there
’
s
a pain in my chest, a heaviness born by fresh betrayal.  I really felt like
Chase was different.

“Lila.”

Chase is standing at the front door,
staring at me.  His blue eyes are catching the sun, causing them to sparkle,
but there is a depth to them now as he looks at me.  He
’
s
asking me to wait with them just as clearly as if he said the words. 

“
What is going on here?
” 
The older couple are behind him now, I can see them
through the open door.  He still hasn’t dealt with them, but he
’
s
not even looking back.  His eyes are focused on me. 
“
That
’
s
it, I
’
m calling the police.
” 
The man is looking down at his phone, but Chase is
still ignoring them, all of his focus is still on me.

“You
’d better explain
yourself to them,
”
I
finally say, my heart beginning to speed up as the situation continues to
escalate. 
“He
’
s
calling the police.
”

“
I don’
t
care,”
Chase says without wavering his gaze or
changing his expression.  I would believe him, except that his entire
profession revolves around his being a good liar and a master of keeping his
emotions under control.  Apparently those skills extend to his personal life as
well. 

“
Well I do,
”
I say, glaring back at him.  
“
I
didn’t stay in Vegas to end up in jail.  You
’
re
an asshole for involving me in this.  If you want to be a fucking criminal who
breaks into people
’
s
houses, leave me the hell out of it.
”

Chase is shaking his head. 
“
We
didn’t
break in.”

“
Then what do you call
being caught in my house?
”
the
man asks.  He still hasn’t dialed the police, which surprises me.  If it were
my house that
’
s the first thing
I would have done.  He must not view us as much of a threat, although if Chase
was violent he could easily overtake the older man.

“
It was a viewing,
”
Chase replies, not even bothering to turn his head. 
“I
’
m
entitled to three of them as per the contract.
”

“
Hold on, you
’
re
Mr. Anderson?”

Chase nods, still looking at me.  I have
no idea what
’
s going on.

“
Well as per the contract,
those viewings are supposed to be with advance warning, and you
’
re
supposed to be accompanied by your agent during each one.  You aren’t entitled
to just show up here whenever you feel like it.  It
’
s
still ours until we close.
”

“Apologies,”
Chase said,
finally turning to look at the other man. 
“
My
agent was supposed to inform you.  I thought everything had been squared away. 
She was supposed to meet us here but had to cancel.  We were already here so
decided to just come in anyway, I didn’t see any harm in it.
”

“
You were using our pool,
”
the woman said, sniffing at Chase as she ogled his
half naked body.  I
’
m
pretty sure I catch a subtle change of expression on her as her eyes take him
in, but it
’
s gone almost
immediately.  Is she wishing her husband had a body like Chase?  Did she want
to see the rest of him?  I don
’
t
blame her, either way.

“
Wait, what the hell is
going on Chase?
”
I
interrupt.  What is he talking about?  Viewings?

“It
’
s
true, this house isn’t
mine,”
Chase
says, turning back to me. 
“
Yet. 
I put an offer in yesterday.
”

My eyes close as I shake my head, trying
to make sense of the time lines.  Even still, the lies still exist.  This was
never his house, and he told me it was.

“
That doesn’t give you
free run of the place.  Not until it
’
s
yours.  I’ll be calling your agent
…”

“
Would you like to walk
away from the deal?
” 
I
hear Chase snap at the older man. 

When I open my eyes, Chase is glaring at
the man behind him who has now taken a step back. 
“
We
have a contract
…” he
’
s
protesting, somewhat feebly.

“
A contract with clauses
on both of our sides that would allow for this deal to fall apart.  If you want
to cancel it right now, let me know.  I
’
d
be happy to let you walk away from it.  Perhaps you
’
d
rather wait another three months for your next offer?
” 
The man
’
s
wife grabs his arm as if to hold him back from Chase, but it
’
s
clear the man has no intention of arguing. 
“
Fine. 
Now as I said, I apologize for the mix up with the viewing.  I promise you, it
won
’
t happen again.
” 
He turns back to me, taking a step in my direction,
crossing through the doorway and into the Vegas heat.

“Lila,”
he begins again as he
reaches for me.  I step back, letting his hand grasp at the empty air between
us.

“
Why would you lie about
this?
”
I finally say, gesturing back towards the house.  It
doesn’t make sense to me.  None of this makes sense. 
“
What
else are you lying about?
”

“
Nothing, Lila, please. 
Let
’
s get into the car and
let me explain.
” 
He
nods at the limo that is still parked in front of the house.  His driver must
be watching him as I hear it start up at his gesture.

“
Yes, please leave,
”
I hear the real owner of the house say from behind
us.  He and his wife are still standing in the open doorway, watching us.

Chase stiffens, but then points to the car
that is now pulling into the driveway. 
“
Please. 
Lila.  Let
’
s just go.  I know
I wasn’t
totally honest
about the house, but please, just hear me out.  I
’
m
not Harrison.  I can explain what happened,
it
’
s
really not that big of a deal.  I should have just told you up front, instead
things got away from me.  But I promise, this is all that I’ve lied to you
about.
”

I relax my jaw a bit as I realize I’ve
been clenching my teeth.  I can at least hear him out.  At least he didn’t
involve me in a crime, we weren’t really breaking and entering and the couple,
although pissed, seem to agree with the fact that he is intending to buy the
house.  I’ve only known him for a week, after all.  I can
’
t
expect that he
’
s filled me in on
every detail of his life.  Maybe I
’
m
taking this issue too seriously.  There are plenty of other things, or people,
he could have lied about that would have been a lot worse.

I turn to his car and take a step just as
the homeowner calls out to us again. 
“I
’
m
still calling your agent about this,
”
he
says. 
“
What
’
s
her name again, honey?
”

“Denise,”
his wife says. 
“Denise
Parks.”