The Defendant (25 page)

But there was nothing to be done about it now. Chase’s firm knock on the screen door sounded loud and clear throughout the house. Smoothing down her pale pink tailored blouse and fitted, knee-length cerise-colored skirt, she hurried from the bathroom. Her high heels made a clicking noise on the polished wooden floorboards that led down the hall and into the entryway. With a last quick breath, she opened the front door.

From the tilt of his head, she guessed Chase’s gaze drifted over her, from the top of her bobbing ponytail, across her blouse and lower still. He paused noticeably at the open V neck of her fitted shirt and her heart skipped a beat. With his eyes still concealed behind the sunglasses, she had no idea of his thoughts.

“How could you have spent a day in the office and still look so gorgeous?” he murmured.

Josie swallowed the lump of nerves that had lodged in the back of her throat and tried to get her mouth to work. Stepping away, she sucked in another breath. “Um…thanks. I-I… You look good, too.”

Chase shrugged and looked down at his clothes. “I’ve been stuck all day in court in a suit and tie, listening to evidence. I needed to get some air.” He shrugged. “I dropped by my place to change and then decided to kick over the Fireblade.” He looked away and Josie had the sense that he was suddenly shy. “I thought you might like to see her.”

She smiled with genuine pleasure. “Of course! I heard you coming from half a mile away. She sure sounds like she has the goods. I bet she goes like the wind.”

“Yep, you’ve got that right.” He paused and then looked back at Josie. “Would you like to go for a run?”

Excitement coursed through her and she grinned a mile wide. “You bet.” She looked down at her clothes and smiled wryly. “Just give me a minute to change.” Before she could think through the wisdom of her decision, she turned and hurried back inside. “Come in,” she tossed over her shoulder and then headed down the hall.

Once in her bedroom, she kicked off her heels and then unzipped her skirt. She shucked it off her hips and it fell in a pile on the floor. The blouse quickly followed.

A moment later, she pulled a T-shirt over her head and then slipped into her jeans. They were snug, but stretchy and she was confident she’d be able to put her leg over the bike without too much difficulty.

The power in Chase’s Fireblade reminded her of her brother Declan’s Ducati and she was filled with another surge of excitement. The knowledge that she’d be pressed up close and personal against Chase’s back while she rode pillion made her insides quiver with anticipation.

The thought of his nearness shouldn’t have her so stirred up, particularly because they had yet to have “the talk.” She had no idea if she would like what he had to say. It was why she needed to do this now because after he’d given her his reasons for abandoning her, she might never speak to him again. The very idea was beyond depressing.

Shaking the negative thoughts away, she resolved to focus on the positive. Right now, she had a hunk on her doorstep with a smile so sexy it curled her toes and he was waiting for her to climb on the back of his bike and go for a ride. Right here, right now, life couldn’t get any better and she was going to seize the moment for what it was. Pulling on some socks and boots, she left the room.

Chase held the door open for her and she stepped out onto the porch. “I’ll just grab my helmet from the garage,” she said and sashayed down the stairs.

* * *

Chase stared after her, his mouth dry with excitement. His gaze followed the gentle sway of her hips, encased in her skintight jeans. The soft denim cupped her ass like a lover’s hand and his fingers itched to do the same.

She’d always been hot to look at, but at eighteen, she hadn’t fulfilled the promise in her youthful body. A decade later, and it was all he could do not to drool. She’d filled out in all the right places—from her generous cleavage, clearly outlined through the soft fabric of her T-shirt, to the gentle flare of her hips that swept down to a pair of long, shapely legs.

The only thing that hadn’t changed was her beautiful, wheat-colored hair. She’d worn it long, even back then and the casual ponytail was as familiar to him as her smile. Not that he’d seen a lot of her smile lately. He determined to change that: starting right now.

He’d called her with the intention of explaining everything from start to finish—just like Riley had suggested—and he would… But…not right now. Not when her eyes were alight with excitement and she all but danced with anticipation. So what if it was all about his motorbike? He’d take whatever time he could get.

He didn’t know how she’d react to his story, especially after the way he’d treated her since he found out she was in town. All this could be too little too late. Still, he’d enjoy the next few moments and make them last as long as he could. If things went badly, the memories of her on the back of his Fireblade might have to last a lifetime.

Within minutes, she returned, tugging a helmet on her head. Together, they walked to the Fireblade and Chase swung his leg over the bike. Holding it steady, he couldn’t help but gasp when she climbed on behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. The feel of her pressed up against him was heaven and he cursed beneath his breath.

What kind of hell had he just made for himself?
He’d tossed his jacket aside earlier and now felt every inch of her soft breasts against his back. His skin burned beneath his T-shirt and his cock hardened with need. How the hell was he going to stop himself from dragging her into his arms later and burying himself inside her? He didn’t know.

In an effort to distract himself, he pulled on his helmet and blew out his breath on a heavy sigh. If she felt his tension, she didn’t say anything and a moment later, he pressed the starter button and the Fireblade’s engine roared to life.

One hundred and fifty-three horsepower and more than seventy-eight pounds of torque throbbed between his thighs and the familiar bolt of adrenalin surged through him. Josie’s arms tightened around him and all of a sudden he didn’t care about anything but the two of them.

He intended to treasure this moment in time that might never come again. The girl he loved more than anyone else was pressed tightly against him, astride his motorbike. Life didn’t get any better.

When they turned onto the main road that led into Watervale, Chase opened up the throttle and enjoyed the rush of wind against his face. He turned slightly and caught Josie’s wide smile and contentment swelled in his heart. She loved it, just like she’d told him. He couldn’t believe his luck. The woman of his dreams loved his hobby, probably as much as he did.

They rode along the highway without saying a word, heading further away from the town. So caught up was he in the wonder of the moment, that Chase didn’t notice the light had faded until Josie tugged on his arm. They’d best turn around for home.

Switching on his headlight, he pulled onto the shoulder of the road and slowed. Coming to a halt, he put his foot on the ground to maintain their balance and then tugged off his helmet.

“So, what do you think?” he asked and smiled at Josie. She pulled her helmet off and shook out her hair. The ponytail had loosened and strands of golden silk hung in all sorts of crazy directions.

Her grin was wide and infectious. “It was great. I loved every minute of it. I thought my Triumph was fast. It’s got nothing on this.” She nodded toward the Fireblade and he smiled back at her, pleased and proud.

Their eyes locked and suddenly the world faded around them. The noise from the nearby highway disappeared. The encroaching evening was forgotten and all of a sudden, he couldn’t breathe. His cock throbbed with desire, his heart beat double time. His mouth was as dry as sandpaper and he couldn’t think of a single thing to say.

Josie seemed to be similarly affected. She opened her mouth and then closed it and then opened it once again. In the dimness, her eyes were huge and dark and…full of need. He moved closer and cupped her chin in his hand and slowly lowered his head. His lips touched hers with the lightest of pressure, but it was enough.

Familiar memories engulfed him. She tasted exactly the same. Her lips were soft and full and giving, just as he remembered. He’d never get enough. With a groan, he pulled her hard against him and kissed her like a man starved and tried to satiate his need.

“Chase,” she breathed and his heart swelled with emotion at the sound of his name on her lips.

“Josie, Josie, Josie. Hell, I want you so much. It’s been so long. God, I’ve missed you. You can’t imagine how much.”

Her arms crept up around his neck and she joined him kiss for kiss. Little sighs and moans of need escaped through her mouth. His cock throbbed painfully against the denim of his jeans. He’d have to slow things down or he’d take her right there, against the seat of his bike.

Their first time after a decade deserved so much more, no matter how much the idea of seeing her bent over the Fireblade’s seat appealed to him. He wanted their second time to be so much more than that. He dreamed of lying her down across satin sheets and loving every inch of her with his tongue. He dreamed of her legs around him, holding fast to the frantic pump of his hips. She’d rise and meet each one of his hard thrusts and beg him for more.

As if also sensing the side of the highway was probably not the best place for an intimate reunion, Josie pulled slowly back and slid her arms away from his neck. Her breath still came fast, but she put some space between them and offered him a nervous smile.

“Phew, that was… I’m not sure if I can describe it.”

He smiled back at her and nodded, knowing exactly what she meant. Relieved that she wasn’t going to deny the chemistry between them, even after all these years, he pulled her back into his arms for one last hard hug and pressed a lingering kiss against the softness of her hair.

“We better get back,” he murmured against the silky strands. He felt her nod.

“Yes. We better.”

* * *

Josie poured each of them a glass of Prosecco and carried both drinks out to the front porch. Chase was sitting on the loveseat that stood at the far end. He’d set it to swinging gently and appeared to be engrossed in the view of the yard. Only the last vestige of sunset was visible on the horizon.

Josie offered him a glass and he murmured his thanks. “It’s beautiful out here.”

She looked up and absorbed the red and purple and deep golden-orange hues that colored the evening sky and nodded. “Yes,” she said with feeling. “It is.”

“It must be a change from the city.”

“Yes. A lot quieter, for one thing and I don’t miss the daily commute, although the city has its advantages.”

“Tell me,” Chase murmured.

Josie made her way over to the loveseat and sat down beside him. Taking a sip from her glass, she drew in a breath and spoke.

“The city’s alive with people. There’s never a dull moment. Brisbane’s not like Sydney or Melbourne, of course, but it has a charm all of its own. The river is busy with ferries and boats and yachts and all sorts of other watercraft and I love to go down to the port and watch the freighters coming in. They carry flags from all over the world and sometimes I wonder about the sailors on them: arriving in yet another foreign place, exploring another unfamiliar city.”

She shrugged and smiled and felt a little foolish because she’d rambled on, but Chase only looked at her with gentle encouragement and she continued.

“I love the shopping, of course and all the things you can do in a city: the live shows, the musicals, the concerts. There’s always something on. You’re never bored there—at least, Chanel and I never were. She still lives there. She’s finished her degree in medicine and is doing her internship at Royal Brisbane Hospital.”

“I remember Chanel. She’s a few years younger than you.”

“Yes, she’s three years younger. The last time you saw her was at my graduation and she was a gawky fifteen-year-old.”

Chase smiled. “I recall she wore some kind of blue shiny dress that she complained long and loudly didn’t fit. That’s about all I remember. I had eyes only for you.”

Josie’s heart stopped completely and then thudded against her chest. She stared at Chase and remembered. Every word, every smile, every minute detail of that night was branded in her mind.

Chase was remembering, too, if the pool of emotion in his eyes was any indication. The light was fading fast, but he stared at her like he used to; like she was the only woman in the world. He moved closer until there was barely an inch between them.

“Josie,” he croaked, his voice husky with need.

She wanted so much to kiss him, to take up where they’d left off, but this time, the purpose of his visit held her back. The mystery of the reason they were no longer together crashed into her consciousness and she eased herself away. He’d come there to tell her the truth, to give her the explanation she was owed.

She trembled at the thought of what he might say, but there could never be anything between them in the future until the past had been put to rest.

“Chase, we need to talk, remember? That’s the reason that you came.”

He blinked and then drew in a deep breath. Blowing it out in a rush, he nodded and then looked away.

“You’re right. Yes, of course. Talk. We need to talk.” He stood abruptly and gulped at the remains of his wine.