Chapter Thirteen

Chastity

The next day, I could barely concentrate on my classes. The day passed in a blur – I only paid the minimal amount of attention to get me through without attracting negative attention from anyone around me. I was lucky that none of my professors were that engaged with a poor kid on scholarship. They would have been able to see the little Chases in my eyes, or the hearts floating around in my head.

About the only thing I did notice was Nathan’s absence. Good, I thought as I lowered myself down into my usual chair. He’s definitely not someone I want to see right now.

When I returned to Crown Heights after my tedious day, Trina sat on the couch with her laptop and headphones. She didn’t even greet me when I walked through the door – I figured she was probably still sore at me over the jerk chicken fiasco. But when I’d been home for half an hour, and she still hadn’t greeted me, I walked into the living room with my hands on my hips.

“Hey,” I barked. “You okay?”

Trina pulled her earbuds out. “I’m fine,” she answered. “What about you?”

“I have a date with Chase tonight.” I couldn’t help but grin. “And I think tonight’s gonna be the night. The night.”

“Oh yeah?” Trina smiled. “That’s great, Chas. Where are you going?”

“He’s taking me to Daniel.” I sighed. “And I don’t have a damned thing to wear.”

“Hey, listen.” I thought she was about to offer me some of her clothes. “Have you thought any more about that guy, Nathan? And what he meant when he threatened you?”

I rolled my eyes. “Not really. Why? Did he say something to you?”

“No, I haven’t seen him.” Trina shook her head, shiny jet-black curls falling in her face. “I just….” She trailed off, twisting her mouth. “I have a really bad feeling about him. You know how I’ve always had that sixth sense about guys? Be careful, okay?”

I laughed. “You’re so overprotective,” I teased. “I’ll be fine, trust me. Chase barely even lets me out of his sight! He’s very alpha.”

“Well, that’s probably a good thing right now,” Trina countered. “Make sure you have your own condoms.”

I frowned. “I can take care of myself,” I argued. “That’s what I’ve done for the past twenty-odd years.”

And probably what I’d still be doing until the end of my days.

Trina made a face. “I didn’t mean it like that,” she said. “But it’s fine. Whatever, Chastity. Enjoy your dinner.” She put her earbuds back in before I could reply.

I stared at her, silently fuming. Part of me wanted to yell, but the more realistic part of me knew that Chase would be arriving at any minute to pick me up, and I was still wearing grubby jeans and a sweatshirt. I hadn’t meant to offend Trina. I just didn’t think Nathan was any more dangerous than your typical nerdy gamer with zero social skills. The way she was getting all up in my business on what could possibly be the night of my young life smacked of jealousy.

“Okay,” I said softly. “Thanks, Trina.”

***

An hour later, I’d almost forgotten about the talk with Trina and the bad taste in my mouth from her warnings. Chase and I were seated inside the most beautiful restaurant I’d ever seen. Heavenly aromas hung in the air as Chase flagged down the sommelier to order a bottle of wine.

“This is perfect,” I said with a grin after the sommelier had swished away in a cloud of Tom Ford cologne. “I can’t believe we’re really here. It’s like something out of a fairytale. A fairytale for curvy girls and foodies.”

Chase raised his eyebrow. “Your personal fairytale could have been granted at my hands weeks ago,” he teased. “Remember, that day I gave you a ride home? And offered to take you to this very place?”

I blushed bright red as I remembered scrambling out of his limo and running the rest of the way back to Crown Heights like an antelope running from a ravenous lion.

“Yeah,” I admitted. “I remember. I wasn’t ready for Daniel then. Now, I can savor it completely.”

“So, what do you think of Banks Realty?” Chase licked his full lips, and I watched them glisten in the candlelight. Sitting across the table from him made me want to touch his skin so badly that I squirmed in my seat. My palms felt clammy and tingly at the same time. I was nervous. Like, way more nervous than I’d ever been for anything in my life, even when I’d booked that hotel room before prom. Tonight’s the night, I realized as I peeked down at my hands and thought about the stash of condoms in my clutch. This is the last night that I’m a virgin.

“Let’s not talk about work now,” I replied. The sound of my voice made me blush even brighter. It was a low, sexual purr – the exact same voice I’d used at 1-800-Dial-A-Minx.

Damn, Chastity. Look at you go.

“As the lady wishes,” Chase replied. He scooted forward on his chair. A second later, I gasped and jumped upright as I felt his sock-clad toes roaming on my bare thigh. I’d borrowed a black jersey dress from Trina – it hugged my curves, and she’d assured me that with the right accessories, no one would be able to tell it was from Forever 21.

Even though I didn’t have her long, generous stems, the dress left me exposed to mid-thigh. Chase’s toes skimmed along my bare leg, nudging my thighs apart. I shivered with pleasure as the ticklish sensation continued until his toes stopped right at my crotch.

Damn! I wish I’d been able to find those panties, after all! Suddenly, despite the sumptuous atmosphere and luscious man seated not two feet away from me, my mind flashed back to the messy interior of my apartment. Right before I left, I hadn’t been able to find my favorite pair of second-hand Jimmy Choos. The ones I’d been wearing when Chase and I met. The ones on my feet were left over from my high school graduation – they felt both too small and too outdated.

“What’s wrong?” Chase pulled his foot away. “Too much? I’m sorry. I should have checked with you first. But after yesterday…”

I shook my head, flushing with embarrassment again. I wondered if I would ever stop feeling inadequate around him and worrying about minutia.

“No, nothing’s wrong,” I replied. “Except…”

Unpleasant thoughts stormed into my head like the front line of an army capturing my thought patterns, stealing my focus from the dream dinner.

“Never mind,” I said with a tight smile. “It’s fine.”

Chase gazed at me through narrowed eyes as if he were contemplating the truth of my words. Women always said nothing when they meant something, and he’d most likely been burned by this song and dance before. He scratched his chin but then a few seconds later, he leaned toward me, and I felt his fingers skidding up the inside of my thigh.

I could barely touch the food. Instead, I sat there, staring at my truffles, foie gras, and escargot, thinking about what Chase would do to me the moment we left the restaurant. The tension in the air sizzled like an inferno. Hot, crackling, and downright palpable. Every time Chase’s eyes caught my own, the mercury on my internal temperature soared up the thermometer. His brooding dark eyes flashed with desire and the way his dark hair flopped over his forehead made me want to reach across the table and tangle my fingers in the soft, silky strands.

“What is wrong, Monsieur Bradenton?” A frowning waiter leaned over the table, glancing at the food. Everything exactly as he’d left it. The poor guy looked like he might cry. “Does Monsieur have words for the chef?”

“No, thank you,” Chase said, his voice so low it came out as a guttural growl, and I shivered even though he wasn’t even talking to me.

Lay down, Chastity. Open your legs, Chastity. Touch yourself, Chastity.

I was so wet that I was almost afraid to stand up, and I could smell my own arousal through the thin layer of jersey material.

“Madame? A problem?”

I shook my head quickly. “No, thank you,” I whispered. I stared at the food – it was a shame to waste such an extravagant dinner, but my stomach had twisted into steel knots so I couldn’t even think about eating.

Chase pulled the waiter aside and whispered something into his ear. That changed his expression – he perked up and skittered away, holding his hands in front of him. As soon as he disappeared, I giggled.

“What did you tell him? That we have food poisoning?”

Chase chuckled. “No. I asked if it would be possible for the food to be wrapped up. I told him that my companion isn’t feeling very well and that we’d like to enjoy the food later. Because later, we’ll have an appetite. At least I will.”

I burst out laughing. “Sure. Blame it on me.”

“This is my favorite restaurant. I had to save face or they’ll start seating me in that horrible table right outside the kitchen.” Chase raised his eyebrow and pointed to a table where an older couple was enjoying a bottle of wine. My mouth went dry as he licked his lips. “I thought we could have a picnic later. You know. In the living room. On the floor. After I’ve heard the glorious chorus of your screams of pleasure.”

***

“So, welcome, again,” Chase said as he unlocked the door to his penthouse condo. The front door swung open, and even though I’d seen the palatial marble foyer before, the sight still filled me with awe. It felt otherworldly. Like some hokey out of body experience. I managed to get my wobbly legs to walk me inside as my stomach did a somersault of delicious expectation. Equal parts excitement and nausea. When Chase guided me into the living room, I felt a wave of anxiety wash over my head.

Damn. I wanted to do this. But could I do it? Could I satisfy a man like Chase? What if he pushed me away in disgust? Or even worse yet, laughed at my lack of experience? I should have watched some porn before tonight to glean some pointers.

“Let’s have some dessert,” Chase said. I perched my seat bones on the edge of his sofa, and he bent down on one knee, tugging off my tacky nineties-looking heels. I wanted to disappear into the buttery leather. “How does that sound?”

I nodded in response. Five minutes later, Chase snuggled up next to me with a golden platter of chocolate-covered strawberries, and a bottle of champagne in a silver ice bucket to the side. Chase handed me a glass.

“Now, don’t go getting drunk,” he teased as we clinked glasses in an impromptu toast. “As appealing as you were the night of the gala, I want you to remember every second of tonight. To your first time.”

I nodded, unable to push any words past my parched throat. The champagne tasted good, and a long sip managed to calm my nerves. My hands shook, and my heart pounded like a hummingbird’s wings, but at least I was able to breathe. I focused on drawing that cleansing breath in and out of my burning lungs. I couldn’t look at him, afraid that I’d already be able to see the disappointment resting in his eyes.

Chase placed his large palm on my shoulder and began to caress me through the fabric of my dress. His hand was big, heavy, hot – the perfect masculine blend of hair, long, elegant fingers and tan skin. A moan escaped my lips as he moved to the back of my neck, gripping and releasing my skin in a sensual massage that created instead of released tension.

“Chastity, take a deep breath,” Chase growled. “I’m not going to hurt you. Just the opposite. Open your mouth and close your eyes.”

My eyes clamped shut of their own volition, and I allowed my mouth to fall open at his gentle command. Oh god, I bet my breath reeks in spite of the ten Altoids I chewed in the ladies room. My mind raced with all of the things I was doing wrong, all of the ways I was failing. Just as I was about to leap off the couch and run away for the third time, something cold and damp and juicy touched my lip.

“I love the way strawberries feel against my sensitive areas,” Chase growled, his voice sexy and deep. He slipped the fruit inside of my mouth. “The way they taste is even better. Drink some champagne, Chastity. Your wound too tight. If I stood you up and gave you a spin, you’d twirl like a child’s play toy.”

My pussy tightened and thumped with arousal as Chase guided my hand toward my mouth and poured a small amount of champagne inside with the strawberry. Sensual flavors mingled and exploded across my tongue, and I tilted my head back and mewled with pleasure as the juices intertwined. As I chewed, the rich, sweet flavor of the champagne mixed with the tart, juicy strawberry created a world of overwhelming delight. Every sense in my body fired on all cylinders.

“Keep your eyes closed,” Chase ordered.

I shivered at his low, throaty tone. Seconds later, I felt his mouth against my own. His lips were wet with champagne, and he tasted like strawberries and heaven. I opened my lips, and Chase slipped his tongue into my mouth, gently swirling across every dark recess he found there. The taste of him was even better than the delicious dessert. One of his hands rested on the back of my neck, massaging and kneading me into a blissful state of arousal. I didn’t even flinch when I felt Chase’s other hand on my jersey-clad thigh, moving closer and closer to my straining pussy. Just one touch.

Please.

“I want you,” I admitted in a tortured whisper. And he’d probably never know how much. Because I was a lark to him. An anomaly. So I kept my true feelings hidden under lock and key. I’d already started to fall for him before the orgasm induced oxytocin had a chance to flood my brain with its heroine-like addictiveness.

Chase nibbled my lower lip, sucking on the skin until I squirmed at his touch. Wanting to escape. Wanting to crawl inside him. I’d never imagined it could feel like this – every inch of my body, every nerve, every cell enraptured and aroused. Swarms of erotic, passionate energy flowed through my veins as my mind focused on Chase. Opening my eyes, I wrapped my arms around his neck and looked in his eyes. Searching. Trusting.

Falling.

“Take me,” I whispered. “Take me to bed, Chase. Make me yours.”

Chase scooped me up in his arms and rose to his feet as if I were weightless. He carried me, cradled against his chest, out of the living room and down the hall. I blushed, a hot inferno of rosy red energy as we slipped into his bedroom. Chase deposited me on the bed with care. I stared underneath lids hooded with my desire as he tugged off his jacket and threw it to the floor before lighting a scented candle on the nightstand. He poured some oil into a small bowl and propped it above one of the candles. Soon, the whole room filled with the intoxicating, delicious scent of sandalwood.

Sexy. Just like the man.

My heart drummed in my chest, and a trace of my nerves returned as I watched Chase move around the room all grace and ease. He’d done this before. Many times. I shook my head to eradicate the disheartening thought. Stop it, Chastity. Just for this one, perfect night, he belongs to you. Body and soul. Well, maybe only the body, but I could pretend about the soul part. He tapped his finger on a Bose sound system, and I heard a small click, followed by the sensual opening of a classical guitar piece.

“To relax you,” Chase whispered. The strains of the haunting melody did nothing to calm my raging nerves. He looked like he wanted to devour me. “Come here, woman.”

I scooted down to the edge of the bed and got onto my hands and knees, crawling toward him. His shirt looked so crisp and white in the candlelight, like he was the star of a vision or a dream and not made of flesh and blood. But this is too good to be a dream, I thought as I stroked my hands down the soft cotton. As I began to fumble with the buttons, I looked into Chase’s eyes. His expression stayed calm, serious, like I could trust him to hold space for me. The fire remained, just behind the steadfastness as I pulled the fabric away from his body and laid it on the side of the bed. With a growl, Chase threw his shirt onto the floor.

He laid a powerful hand at the center of my chest and pushed me backwards on the bed, then crawled on top of me. His skin felt like hot silk pressed against my body, and his muscular arms cradled me, making me feel safe and protected. As our lips met, sparks flew between our bodies. I could practically see them floating around us like little golden particles in the air. Moaning softly, I arched my back and buried my head in the pillows.

Chase slipped a hand under my back and crushed my body to his. His other hand trailed up my thighs, pulling the hem of my dress up to my waist. I didn’t even think about pushing him away. It felt completely natural, completely right to be practically naked under this gorgeous Greek god of a man. Chase nudged my head up and planted a scorching line of kisses down my neck as he slid down my body. He nipped at the delicate skin around my collarbone, and I cried out with pleasure as his hands slid under the tight fabric of my dress, pushing it up to my neck.

“May I remove your dress?” Chase whispered in my ear.

He’s asking? Damn it, I am so gone.

Long gone.

I gave a slight jerk of my head, words impossible, and Chase pulled the material over my head. He tossed it to the floor to join his crisp, white shirt. A sexy contrast of dark and light together on the plush carpet. When he ran his hand down my breasts, I shuddered. My nipples sprang to life at his touch through the delicate black lace and stiffened into nubs so erect I relished the painful ache. Slipping a hand behind my back, Chase unclasped the bra, then eased the lace away from my body.

He reared back and hissed in a breath. My clamped eyes kept me from enjoying his expression. I wanted to open them. I did. I just…couldn’t. Not quite yet.

“You’re beautiful.”

I blushed, embarrassed again because I knew my skin was in the process of turning red when I wanted it to remain a sexy, ethereal white. “I’m not.”

“You are,” Chase growled. “End of discussion. And don’t ever argue with me about it again.”

I groaned, a low, guttural sound from somewhere deep inside my heated body, when his lips wrapped around a nipple and sucked. Heavenly sensations zipped up my spine to infiltrate my brain. All I could manage to do was arch my back and spread my legs under Chase’s body. Between my legs was a slippery, throbbing mass of nerve endings and I wanted him to touch me there so badly I thought I would die if he denied me again.

He slid his hand between our bodies and rested his palm against the heat of my lacy panties. The pressure from his hand stimulated me, just a little, and the ache of waiting was almost worse than not being touched at all. Moaning and wriggling, I ground my body close to Chase’s, reached for what I knew I needed and rubbed myself against his hand.

Chase’s breath came in small pants when he pulled his mouth away from my turgid nipples. The music had changed to Ravel, and the smell of sandalwood and the mingled sweat of our bodies filled the room with a sensual musk. Chase sat up, and I reached forward, fumbling with the silky material of his trousers and tugging them down his hips. They snagged on his erection, and I cried out in surprise when I saw the size of his cock straining the front of his black boxer briefs. He was huge. I wondered if I would be able to take him all.

I traced my fingers down Chase’s rock-hard abs until I got to the waistband of his briefs. Chase licked his lips, his body straining at my touch. I grinned – there was something inherently powerful about knowing he experienced pleasure at my naïve hand. When I pulled my hand away, Chase growled in frustration. He reached down and grabbed my wrist, sliding my fingers over the hard bulge at the fork of his legs.

“Touch me. Right now.”

When I felt the girth of Chase’s cock under my hand, I trembled. What if I touched him wrong? What if I hurt him? He growled in response and shoved his hips against my hand. Chase reached down and slipped his fingers under the waistband of my panties, pulling them down my legs and slipping each foot out of the soaked material. I blushed as the smell of my arousal filled the room. When Chase ran his fingers up my thighs and pushed my legs apart, slowly lowering himself down onto the bed until he was eye-level with my pussy. The feeling of being completely and totally exposed while he stared drove me wild, and I covered my eyes with my arm against the sensual assault as I felt Chase’s hot breath on my damp, sensitive skin.

“Chastity,” Chase groaned. “I want eye contact. Look at me.” He tugged my hand away from my eyes, forcing me to look at him. “I want you soft for my cock. For that to happen, you have to come at least once.”

I bit my lip and nodded.

Chase kept his eyes on me as he licked over my slick folds, then I clamped my eyes shut as the pleasure shot through to every cell. My body felt like an inferno of need and want. A human fireball of sensation heading straight to my clit. But he hadn’t licked me there yet. I bit the fleshy part of my lower lip to keep from begging. My first orgasm at the mouth of a man. Coming. Right. Fucking Now.

Please, Chase, lick me where I need it.

My eyes fell closed. He stopped, and I felt his breath so I arched my pussy up toward his waiting mouth. He flicked my clit with his tongue, then sucked it into his hot mouth. One finger slipped into me just the tiniest bit, stroked over a place that had my hips bucking. I cried his name and threaded my fingers through that glorious mane of thick hair. I tugged him closer, ensuring that he wouldn’t stop until I came.

He sucked my clit again, and I thought I would die.

“Come, Chastity. Right now.”

At his command, my body had no choice but to comply and the orgasm hit me so hard, I had no voice, no will. My pussy contracted, clamping down on his fingers as the pleasure rocketed through me so fiercely I saw stars.

Leaving me no time to recover, Chase scooted to the edge of the bed and dug in the nightstand, coming up with a gold foil-wrapped condom. I finally opened my eyes, head still spinning. My mouth went dry as I watched him tug his boxer briefs down and throw them to the side. Naked, he was the most beautiful man I’d ever seen. His skin was a uniform golden glow that could only come from tanning year-round, and his cock stood up straight in the air. I could see blue veins on the side, practically throbbing with the lust that flowed easily between our bodies. He was so big, and I was scared. I couldn’t imagine how we could fit together without it hurting.

Ripping the packet open with his teeth, Chase pulled the condom out and unrolled it along his cock. Watching him stroke himself sent a new pang of desire through my body and I reached down and put my hands on his shoulders, pulling him close. The duvet under my naked back felt like silk, and I nestled into the soft bed as Chase crawled between my legs. He reached down and steadied himself against my hip, pushing the head of his cock against the entrance to my soaked womanhood.

It didn’t exactly hurt, but I felt a thick pressure. I let out a small yelp of discomfort and shifted on the bed, spreading my legs wider and sliding further under Chase’s frame. He met my gaze with his own.

“This might hurt, just a little,” Chase whispered.

He leaned down and kissed me, licking the salt from my lips, chasing away any thoughts of pain to leave pleasure in their wake. I nodded, and Chase pushed my damp hair out of my face, kissing my cheeks and forehead as he strained against me. Finally, the pressure gave and a sharp pain, almost like a knife, hit me between the legs. I tensed my body and dug my fingernails into Chase’s shoulders.

For a moment, he stayed inside of me, not moving. The only indication of his own frustration was the corded muscles in his neck and the veins popping out as he held himself still.

“Are you still in pain?”

I gave a little shake of my head and opened my eyes to gaze into his. “No,” I whispered. “I’m fine.”

Chase pulled out of me, then slid back in at a torturous, slow pace. I moaned – the pain was already starting to melt into something warm and pleasurable. Exquisite. I felt like someone was gripping me between the legs, and I moaned and shifted. Every time Chase buried himself to the hilt, I felt his pubic bone grazing my clit. It only took a few minutes of thrusting until all memories of pain had floated away. I felt full. Safe. Protected.

Claimed.

As my lungs began to ache, I realized I held my breath, and when I sucked in new gulps of air, it felt cool and relaxing inside of my chest.

I traced my hands down Chase’s body as he began bucking his hips against me a little faster. Any temporary discomfort had vanished, and now I leaned into his thrusts, opening myself as much as I could to Chase’s ministrations. My body flamed with sensations as Chase’s cock filled every inch of my pussy. The muscles in my lower belly clenched and I let out a loud moan as Chase rammed against my body. My hard and swollen clit hit his cock with every thrust, and I groaned low in my throat, shoving my body against Chase’s, desperate for more pleasure.

Chase grabbed my wrists and pinned them above my head with one of his hands. My body stretched beneath his and I closed my eyes and moaned softly as he lowered his head to my breasts. Chase’s teeth against my nipple sent a shock of delight through my body, and I couldn’t stop the pleasure-filled gasp that flew from my lips as he bit down.

A fine sheen of perspiration covered Chase’s chest. As he fucked me, warm droplets of salty water fell and landed on my body. I moaned softly, shifting underneath him, wishing I could lick the moisture from his body. But he hadn’t let go of my hands. I could do nothing but submit to his every want. Not being able to move my arms drove me wild, but I wanted more. I wanted Chase to fuck me forever, to never stop, to keep going until we burned ablaze with our joining. Chase let go of my hands only long enough to move his fingers between our heated bodies and circle my engorged clit with his thumb.

“Yes,” I shrieked as something delicious clenched in my lower belly. The sensations grew sharper and more intense, and I held my breath, bucking my body against Chase’s, wanting even more. God, he was so huge, and I felt so full. So complete. Gritting my teeth, I arched my back and finally brought my hands down, wrapping them around his neck and pulling his face toward mine. My eyes were screwed shut, and I could hear myself wailing with pleasure, but I didn’t even care how ridiculous I looked. It felt so good, so earth-stoppingly good that I couldn’t even breathe.

As the powerful orgasm exploded inside of my body, I writhed and panted, smearing my own sweat all over Chase’s chest. He let out a grunt and dug his fingers into my hips, penetrating me with his massive cock. Chase bucked and gasped and threw his head back toward the ceiling. He let out a wild cry and then his cock pulsed and twitched inside of me.

The symphony coming from the sound system couldn’t even begin to rival the one that had just erupted in crescendo as it ripped through my body. Chase panted and lowered himself to the bed, taking me with him. As I lay atop his heaving body still joined to him, I giggled. I couldn’t help it. It just came out. My first time. And it had been incredible.

Perfect.

Chase exhaled on a sigh. He pulled out of me, slid the condom off, and threw it to the side, then drew me close until I lay curled up next to him on the bed. My skin felt hot and sweaty, just like his, but I didn’t care. The afterglow, the intense sensation of love and desire that kept washing over me in huge tsunami waves, was too powerful.

“What’s so funny?” Chase propped himself up on his elbows.

I licked my lips and smiled at him. “It’s just…if I’d known it was going to be that good, I would’ve had sex a long time ago,” I said and then blushed so red I could feel my already flaming cheeks heat again. “But I’m glad I waited for you.”

“It wouldn’t have been that good with anyone else.” A cocky grin stretched itself across Chase’s handsome mug. “But I’m glad you waited too. I’m really fucking glad.”