The doctor’s office is bright and comfortable. Purple chairs nestle against a long wall in the waiting area. Magazines are scattered on top of the lone coffee table. Chase picks a seat away from any of the other patients as I check in. I haven’t been to this doctor previously but made sure my past records were sent from the doctor I had in Sacramento prior to my visit. I’m ordered to fill out paper work. Chase sits quietly next to me, his warm hand caressing my back in soothing sweeps. He doesn’t know this, but I am not a fan of doctors. Countless visits to hospitals—where doctor after doctor quizzed me about how I got hurt and poked and prodded at me—have made me leery.

In the past I’ve always lied, made up bogus stories about falling down on my bike, Rollerblades, and stairs—none of which happened but seemed likely. Some of the medical professionals cared very little. Others would notify me they were bringing in a patient advocate. Those words always made me throw on my clothes and escape as if the building were on fire. The last thing I needed then were helpful “advocates” who would end up calling the police on Justin.

I learned that particular lesson the hard way. Justin was a master manipulator. The first time an advocate tried to “help,” I was beaten black-and-blue while being fucked brutally. I could barely walk for days after. Justin claimed he fucked some sense into me. It worked. I never spoke to an advocate again. Not until I made the call that saved my life.

Within fifteen minutes of arriving with Chase, I am seated in another waiting room. Chase followed me into the exam room as if he were owed the privilege. I sit on the exam table and twist my fingers together as he sits in a lone chair behind me. The silence between us is comfortable but still heavy with that energy that sizzles when we are near one another. He browses through his e-mails on his cell phone as I try to calm my heart rate with deep yoga-style breathing Bree taught me. Being in a doctor’s office with Chase is a bit unsettling. If I’m honest, being in a doctor’s office at all is unsettling.

The doctor strides in with his nose in my file. He’s a man of about fifty, dark wavy hair, tall, strong build. He wears rimless glasses that add nicely to his features.

“So, Miss Callahan, you’ve come to have some stitches removed.” He looks at me over the rim of his glasses.

“Yes, Doctor Dutera.”

He flips through pages in my file, skimming them. It’s not a small file. The doctor in Sacramento must have been thorough in sending my past medical history. “Looks like you are no stranger to having stitches removed.”

I clench my jaw tightly.

“Let’s see here, also broken ribs, fractured wrists, dislocated shoulder, broken arm, not once but twice, black eyes, and a slew of hospital visits.” He shakes his head and smacks his lips. “Looks like for a couple of years you were a regular over at Mercy General in Sac.” His eyes are kind as he looks from the file to me and then over at Chase. “Do you have any residual pain from those injuries?” he asks.

Residual pain? I glance toward Chase, hoping he isn’t paying attention. Instead of being in the chair, he’s standing right behind me with his chest a scant few inches from me. I look up into his eyes. They are clouded, unreadable. Tension emanates from him in droves, and I close my eyes. I cannot see anything remotely close to pity ever again in someone else’s eyes. Especially from a man I’m so taken with.

“I’m accident prone. Can we get on with the stitches? I need to get to work.”

Doctor Dutera slaps the file shut and nods curtly. He pulls on a pair of latex gloves and cleans the area around my stitches. Chase brings his hand to my back and caresses my lower back, up to my neck, and down in a calming motion.

With the first snip of a stitch and the corresponding burst of pain, my mind catapults to another time.

“You’re a lying little whore! You think I don’t know about you and Todd?” Justin is on a tirade. He’s shit-faced drunk with a chip on his shoulder.

I know instantly nothing good will come of this.

“Justin, I would never cheat on you. I love you. You know that. There’s no one else but you,” I assure him.

The blow comes so hard against my eye I fall to the floor. I clutch the tender spot over my eye in pain.

“You’re fucking your study buddy. I know it! The second I leave, he has his hands all over you, doesn’t he? Doesn’t he?”

I try to stand, but he kicks me in the gut repeatedly. Hot, white pain rips through my chest as I hear the sick crunching sound of my rib breaking. I lose count of the blows. I howl and gasp when he comes down on top of me, holding my arms over my head with one hand. Forcing broken ribs to stretch and arc almost makes me black out. The pain is so intense it’s as if I’m being gutted.

“Look here, you little whore, no one is going to want you. You’re not worth your weight in shit. You’re lucky I’ve stayed, but you will not fuck, kiss, or touch another man. You got it?” He bangs my head against the wood floor.

I see stars. I nod furiously, but he punches my face anyway, splitting my lip open. Blood oozes down the side of my face. The taste of copper fills my mouth as I gurgle and sputter around a scream.

“Gillian, what the fuck? You’re okay, baby, you’re okay! I’m here.”

I feel Chase’s strong arms around me. I clutch his suit jacket. Tears stream down my face.

The doctor has backed away, his eyes wide, mouth agape. Chase has his arms firmly around me as he pets and caresses me. I haven’t had a flashback in a long time. Over a year at least.

“I’m okay, I’m sorry. I’m fine.” I push Chase away and avoid looking into his eyes. “I’m fine now. Thank you.” I wipe my wet cheeks with the backs of my hands. “Doctor, are we finished?”

I sniff and Chase hands me a handkerchief. Of course he would have a handkerchief. Probably monogrammed. I wipe my dripping nose on the soft cotton.

“Yes, but Miss Callahan, I think we should discuss what just happened here,” he says.

Hopping off the exam table, I grab my purse. Chase stands behind me. “Not today. Thank you, Doctor Dutera. I’m sorry for the… I’m sorry.” I grab the door handle and briskly walk out to the waiting room and straight on out to the city street. Once I am outside, I inhale deeply, taking in my surroundings, trying to let go of the raging past that swarms around my subconscious like a hive of angry bees.

When I catch my breath and shake off the last dregs of the past, I notice Chase leaning against the car waiting patiently for me to address him. I know he wants answers, but right now I don’t have them. I don’t know that I ever will.

“Look, Chase, I can’t explain what happened in there—”

“You can, and you will,” he says, his tone firm.

“I can’t.” Tears stream down my face again as I desperately try to find a way to deal with this.

Chase wipes them away, kisses each cheek and finally my lips. “Later, then.”

I nod into his chest as he hugs me. His firm embrace is a haven to my tortured soul. Safe, warm, and solid. I clutch at him, digging my fingers into his muscular back. He holds me tighter and whispers in my ear. “Do you still want to go to work? I could call Mr. Jefferson for you?” he offers.

A bubble of laughter fills me and spills out as I rub my nose against his breastbone, inhaling his woodsy citrus scent. I pull back. “That’s rich. Let the chairman of the board call in sick for me from work? Somehow I don’t think that would go over well.” I smile, inhale, and exhale slowly, letting it all go. Being here, having Chase’s arms around me just makes it better. “I’m fine. Take me to work.”

We get into the car, and we’re off to the Safe Haven Foundation. When we arrive, I jump out of the car before Chase can comment or Jack can open the door.

“The car will pick you up after work, Gillian,” Chase calls.

I turn and look at him as he slowly walks toward me. He really is a modern-day Superman. His lengthy form as he walks toward me is virile, manly. Chase’s dark hair blows enticingly in the wind, giving him that rugged sexy aura as he stalks toward me in a black suit that was tailored to perfection. The blue pinstriped dress shirt is making his eyes light up and seem even bluer than what is possible in real life. His sculpted features turn liquid and sensual as he reaches me, places his hands on my shoulders, and slides them up to cup my neck. He caresses my cheeks with his thumbs as I’ve come to expect from his touch.

“I will take care of you. You’re never going to be hurt again,” he promises.

If only that were true. He doesn’t know me. I’m damaged. I close my eyes, cutting off the sincerity I see in his eyes.

“Tonight.” He grins.

I nod. “Tonight.”

He kisses my forehead and releases me. I stand with my eyes closed as he walks away.

* * *

Jack arrives with the full limo promptly at five p.m. I see quite a few stares and mouths catching flies at the front of the building as I scurry into the vehicle. This ought to give the gossip mill new fodder for at least a week.

The drive takes thirty minutes from one side of the city to the other in rush hour traffic. I don’t mind. It gives me time to think.

I haven’t had a flashback like this morning’s in a long time. I didn’t realize those old wounds were still so close to the surface. I haven’t even heard from Justin in six months. Doesn’t mean he’s done taunting me. Sometimes I hear from mutual friends that he asked about me, trying to find out my whereabouts. The last time I saw him I was with Daniel.

Daniel and I had been together about three months then. Daniel was larger than Justin and promptly scared Justin shitless. He also helped make sure a restraining order against Justin was firmly in place. He wasn’t aware of the details, just that Justin was part of my past and not a pleasant part. The night we ran into Justin, Daniel stayed over after the run in. He made slow, sweet love to me. I didn’t orgasm, never did with Daniel, but it was a nice respite from the volatile situation with Justin.

I was content with Daniel. He made me feel safe. He was a large man that I knew could take out anyone who tried to harm me. I met him at the gym, but he was an accountant for a large firm downtown. He worked out as much as I did. It was about the only thing we had in common. Daniel was good to me. Treated me like a lady. Only problem was he did so in every aspect of our relationship. Sexually he was inept at fulfilling me. There was no passion. Not like with Chase.

Chase is in a league of his own. I have never felt such a deep-seated attraction to another person. My fascination with Justin paled in comparison. My body gravitates towards Chase, and I’m powerless to stop it. He stirs desire that burns in me like white-hot fire. Just thinking about him has my pulse quickening, my core thrumming, and my thighs pressing together.

Jack stops in front of a tall concrete-and-glass skyscraper. The building is unique from its neighbors. It’s sleek and sophisticated but has a charm you don’t often see in a concrete jungle. The building is a bluish-gray in color. Red accents surround each window of the bottom floor. A huge waterfall alternates water bursts and then trickles down three tiled tiers. A glowing concrete sign boasts “Davis Industries.” I shake my head, laughing at the absurdity that I’ve been to this building before to see Phillip and never knew the chairman of my foundation owned the building.

Jack ushers me to the wide bank of elevators. We step in and he presses the 50 on the lit display. Under the fiftieth floor is a letter P and a square LCD screen with the word Thumbprint on top of it.

“What’s the P stand for?” I ask.

“Penthouse, Mr. Davis’s private residence.” His lips thin into a grim line.

I wonder if he’ll ever be nice to me or capable of having a congenial conversation.

“So you have to put your thumb over the screen?” I’m curious. I’ve never seen anything like it. The movies with the rich billionaires all have some type of keycard or physical key to unlock the magic quarters.

“Yes.” His response is curt and devoid of emotion.

“Do I have access?”

Jack smirks. “Very few have access to Mr. Davis’s private quarters.” He looks at me as if I’ve grown horns. “His women friends don’t typically receive access to his home.” He turns back to the closed doors of the elevator.

Women friends. Is that what I am? Would Chase’s bodyguard know otherwise?

I remember that Chase mentioned he didn’t take women back to his home. I wonder if he’ll take me there. He’d said he wanted to, but that could have been a random remark, not really his intention. Do I want to have access to his home? What would that mean for us?

The doors open to the fiftieth floor and a beautiful blond woman greets us. “Miss Callahan.”

I recognize her from the board meeting last weekend. She was sitting next to Chase taking notes but didn’t participate in the meeting.

“I’m Gillian Callahan.” The woman comes around the desk and shakes my hand.

“Jack, I’ll take it from here, thank you.”

Jack nods and walks down the hall.

“Mr. Davis is expecting you.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name?”

“Dana Shepherd. I’m Mr. Chase’s personal assistant.” She smiles warmly at me.

She’s a very beautiful woman. Probably in her early thirties. Even in heels she’s still a couple inches taller than I am. Dana’s thin with a runner’s long and lean build and is dressed in a fierce black suit, though her gait is much softer. Her blond hair is pulled up into a chignon so perfect I would have thought it was professionally done by a hair stylist.

“Good to meet you.” She’s the epitome of whom I saw Chase with in those pictures online. Has he slept with her?

She leads me through a long hallway. Several people in suits rush by with jackets and briefcases. I imagine they are heading home for the evening. Even at the late hour, there are quite a few people still in their offices, phones glued to their ears. We end at a section of double doors with a desk sequestered to the right side.

Dana steps around the desk and hits a button. “Miss Callahan is here to see you,” she says.

“Bring her in,” a curt voice comes through the speakerphone.

She opens the doors for me.

The room is exceptionally large, taking up the entire corner of the building. One wall is glass from floor to ceiling, looking out over the dimming city. The Pacific Ocean can be seen clearly from this height. The view is breathtaking. To the left of the room is a seating area with two long couches parallel to one another separated by a black reflective coffee table. The couches are white with bright blue and black pillows neatly placed. A canary-yellow sculpture stands about two feet tall in the middle of the coffee table. Along the back wall is a sidebar with what looks to be a small bar. The space is decorated well.

To the right of the door is an enormous black desk. Behind it is a matching credenza filling the entire wall with intricate pieces of art. A couple sculptures, small paintings, statues of varying size are precisely placed in specific locations. There are a few framed photos are thrown in between the art, but I can’t tell what they are from this distance.

Chase sets down his cell phone and his eyes meet mine. His gaze is predatory. He takes his time dragging his gaze from the tip of my head to the spike of my heels and back again. He saunters over like a wild animal hunting its prey. All stealth and smooth moves. When he reaches me, he slides his hands into my hair, and his lips cover mine. He’s gentle at first but increases the pressure, sliding his tongue along the seam of my lips. I open, and his tongue circles mine. I’m lost in the sensation of his kiss. Heat builds from our chests pressed together. My body goes liquid against his, and he holds me up through his kiss. He tastes of coffee and his own intoxicating maleness. He briefly pulls away and nips at my bottom lip.

“I’ve missed you this week,” he says against my lips.

Even though we saw one another just this morning, we both know what he means. We missed the physical nature of our connection all week.

“Me too.”

His lips press mine once more. “Dana, I won’t need any further assistance. I’ll call you in the morning and bring you up to speed on anything over the weekend.”

I completely forgot she was standing there. Turning and looking behind me, I can see a huge smile is plastered across her face.

“I’ll have clothes sent first thing in the morning.” She looks me up and down in a calculating manner.

She smiles, and I cringe. Chancing a glance at Chase, I find him smiling in her direction. Finally Dana closes the door.

“What’s that about?” I ask, still in his embrace.

“She’s never seen me kiss a woman in all the years of being my assistant. Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever entertained a woman here.”

That makes me innately proud. My lips part in an “Oh,” and he laughs. I smile up at him.

“Baby, you are so beautiful when you smile.”

I love when he calls me baby. Anything that shows his interest in me on a more personal level. “It’s you, you know,” I confide shyly.

He slides his fingers up and down my back, ending at my waist. “What is me?”

“You make me smile.” I dip my head to avoid his gaze. He seems to see through me when our eyes meet, as if he’s gazing directly into my open soul. I’m not ready for him to know so much about me.

“I plan on doing a lot more than making you smile.” He punctuates each word with a thrust of his hips against mine.

I feel the ridged length of his erection hard and unrelenting.

“Just seeing you here makes me ache.”

His words fill me with uncontrollable lust. “Jesus, Chase, I want you.” I haul his face into a crushing kiss. I fiercely try to devour him whole. The time for niceties is over. I’ve had enough of his innuendo and teasing all week. It’s time for him to make good on his promises.

He slides my jacket off my shoulders. It drops to the floor with a thud. I mimic him by slipping his suit jacket down those thick arms, adding it to the pile at our feet. I search his eyes and am shocked to find them filled with intense desire.

“Baby, I was going to wait, bring you to my bed, but hell, I need you now.” His head comes down, and he inhales against the tender skin at my neck. “Vanilla…” he whispers in reverence.

His mouth so close to my pressure point sends shivers of lust ripping through me.

His need ramps up my desire a hundred notches. I yank at the buttons of his shirt, impatient in my need to get him naked, see that golden chest again. Once the shirt is open, my hands are greedy, smoothing along his hard pecs. I pull my lips away from his to kiss every inch of exposed skin. I suck the flat disk of his nipple and bite down. He groans and tugs at my head, keeping me close. I lightly swirl my tongue around it, lapping in a soothing motion. He shudders in my embrace when his shirt falls to the floor. Time seems to stop. His hands are everywhere at once, down my back, tugging the hair at my nape, bringing me closer to him.

The tiny buttonholes on my shirt and his large hands do not work well together. “Fuck it!” He rips the shirt open and buttons go flying.

It’s such a cliché, right out of a romance novel, but I don’t care.

I tremble in his arms as he strokes his hands over my rib cage to cup my breasts. Both of his thumbs scrape against the swollen hardened nipples. The action forces me to lunge and bite down on his chest so hard I’m sure to leave a mark. I lap and kiss the flesh better.

“Damn it! I need to fuck you!” He slides his hands over my ass and scrunches my pencil skirt to my waist. He grips my thighs and hauls me up as if I weigh nothing. My legs twine around his body, and I clench my thighs around him, enjoying the feel of his hard body between my legs. Chase palms my ass while walking us over to his desk then plops me down onto the hard surface. Before I can make a sound, his lips are on mine.

Through my lust, I fumble to remove his belt and unzip his pants. Finally the button breaks free, and I’m immediately sliding my hand into his underwear to grasp his length.

“God, baby,” he breathes.

I stroke him firmly up and down. He’s huge. I can barely wrap my hand completely around him as he lengthens and hardens further under my ministrations.

Chase trails his lips down my neck and busily pulls my panties from my hips. He lifts me with one hand around my back and yanks the garment from under my ass. When he tugs the lace down my legs, they slip to one ankle, provocatively dangling along the stiletto. He gently pushes me to lie down against the hard surface of his desk, my chest and core fully exposed to his gaze. My breath is heaving, and my hands bemoan the loss of his skin as I tightly grip onto the edge of the desk. Chase takes a moment to just stare at me laid out on his desk, ripe for the taking. I know I must make for a pornographic image. My chest arcs toward him, breasts reaching for the sky and flowing out the cups of my bra as Chase forces the fabric down. He scans the naked skin, a feral gleam in his eyes. I’d be frightened if I weren’t so turned on.

He licks his lips as he slides one finger from my neck down between my breasts. Finally, his head comes down and he brings those stunning lips to my navel, swirling his tongue into the indentation. My stomach jumps, and he laughs. He continues down my body, planting kisses on every inch of exposed skin. I’m dying with need and can’t stay still. My body twitches and thrums with unquenched desire.

“I can smell your need.” He slides his hands firmly down each thigh, as if he has every right to the sensitive bare skin. He grips my knees and stretches each leg out, opening me wide. His eyes are riveted to my sex, and I clench under his gaze.

He says one word, and it blows me away.

“Mine.”

Then his tongue is on me, lapping from anus to clit. I howl and try to close my legs. It’s too much, yet not enough. Nowhere near enough. His strong hands prevent me from closing them, keeping me wide open to him.

“So good,” he mutters, and dips his tongue deep into my center.

Bliss. An overwhelming feeling of contentment flows through me as his talented tongue plays me. “God, Chase.” I bite my lip almost to the point of pain.

He brings his hand into play and slides one long digit into my opening. I grip his hair, pulling and yanking as he swirls his tongue around my clit slowly, not allowing too much pressure. My hips gyrate against his face and finger when he adds another digit. It’s just the amount of pressure I need. He picks up the pace, fucking me steadily with his hand. My greedy pussy sucks and clenches around the intrusion.

“God, baby, I could do this all day. You’re succulent.”

His words have me on the very edge of release. He slides his other hand up my body and to my breast, gripping the mound roughly, possessively. The sensation is mind-numbing, and I press deeper into him. He laps at my clit and digs his fingers high and hard into me, hooking them up into that secret spot, one I think is solely for him alone. A few more licks of his tongue and he presses down hard, sucking with all his might on the tiny abused bundle of nerves. I shatter into a million pieces. My orgasm sweeps over me in an explosion of intense pleasure as I convulse on his desk. Chase stays with me, finger fucking me leisurely while I break apart.

He removes his fingers and places his mouth greedily over my sex delving his tongue deep, as far as he can go. A loud groan fills the air as he laps up my release. He licks and pets me with his tongue, milking me for everything I have as I come down from my high.

Best orgasm ever.

He places kisses up my body until he finds one taut peak and sucks it deeply into his mouth. My sex twitches with pleasure. I can’t believe I’m responding again so quickly. I’m panting and moaning as he nips at the tight bud. I try to grip his head, make him stop the sweet torture of my oversensitive tips, but he won’t stop. He smiles against my breast and continues his ministrations, flicking the edge with his tongue. His other hand tweaks my nipple’s twin, plucking it, making it impossibly engorged and hard as a rock.

Finally, his lips find mine. I can taste the tangy sweetness of my release on his tongue. “I need you,” I whisper against his mouth.

His eyes pierce mine. It’s as if the word “need” trips something inside of him. He grips my hips roughly, digging into the soft flesh, his nostrils flare slightly, and sweat dusts his hairline. He’s every woman’s fantasy.

“Are you on birth control?” he asks.

“Yes, yes, the pill,” I stutter through my sex-induced haze.

An evil grin breaks across his face, and he slides down his pants. His cock springs free, and my mouth starts to water. I cannot wait to take him into my mouth. He spreads my legs so wide my calves knock against the desk. Thank God for yoga. His hand encircles his length and gives it a couple long hard strokes. I moan, watching pre-cum bead at the tip. It makes me salivate. He adjusts his cock at my opening and slides just the head in. I lean my head back against the desk, close my eyes, and arch up on a gasp. He grips my hips possessively, and in one quick thrust, Chase impales me.

“Chase!” I scream at the onslaught. His cock has stretched me wide, the lips of my sex retracting around his girth. I’m filled to bursting.

He holds his position, allowing my body to adjust to his size before sliding out. Then slowly, inch by glorious inch, he presses more into me. It’s not enough. I want him hammering me, showing me how much he wants me. That he’s as crazy for me as I am for him.

“More, Chase. I need all of you,” I say through gritted teeth.

He pulls back almost all the way and slams back against me until he bottoms out at my cervix. It’s unlike anything I’ve felt before. This is a whole new kind of sex. His body comes over mine and he kisses my lips, neck, and breasts while he pistons his large cock in and out of me feverishly. My pleasure builds with each long stroke of his length, and I lift my hips to meet every thrust. He pinches my nipples hard, and lightning shoots to my lower body, preparing me for the mother of all releases.

“God, baby, this is so good. You’re so fucking tight!” He lifts my thighs and presses them close to my chest, changing the angle of his penetration.

Split open, I scream out at the intrusion. Every stroke of his thick cock slides deliciously against that bundle of nerves within me. It is almost like he’s pressing an elevator button over and over, except it’s more like an orgasm button. With every twitch of his hips, I rocket further into the abyss. A few more strokes, and it’s as if his name is forcibly ripped from my lungs, the orgasm tearing through every nerve ending in my body, splintering out into a burst of heat and energy.

“Fuck yeah, come for me, baby!” Chase encourages as he strokes that spot with perfect accuracy. “I need one more, baby. I want it all. Your pleasure is mine now.”

His words are like a dusting of kerosene on an open flame. My body burns for him. He continues to plow into me, furiously gripping my hips. I know I will be wearing his mark in the morning. I don’t care, as long as he keeps fucking me. He nips at my lips, and I put everything into this kiss, holding nothing back. My fear of commitment, of losing myself, of my career—I leave it all behind, content to give him everything. He’ll accept nothing less. Chase’s hand slips between our bodies, and his thumb crushes my swollen clit. Spirals of light shoot past my eyes, so bright I squeeze them shut. Pleasure skims through every pore as Chase thrusts into me over and over, extending my orgasm to a place beyond reality. My entire body quakes with the viciousness of his lust. He relentlessly gives pleasure, and I take all that he gives and more. I scream his name so loud I’m sure the people in the other offices hear it.

“God, baby, so beautiful when you come…” A few hard strokes and his eyes close tightly, his jaw sets, teeth clenching down.

On a mighty roar, Chase releases into me, his arms tight, the veins on his forearms raised as he pumps into me over and over. I almost come again from the heat washing over my insides coupled with seeing his loss of control. He’s more than my Superman. He’s a God, lit up from the inside out when he comes. I know I have to see it again. That beauty is as great as a sunset or a newborn baby. It’s light and love and all nature’s beauty put together. It’s Chase, letting go.

For me.

With me.

Because of me.

He melts against my chest, and I grip him to me protectively as he shudders and trembles, his cock throbbing delectably with every breath. I kiss his shoulders, neck, temples, everywhere I can reach. His head is firmly planted in the crook of my neck. I can feel his strangled breath against my skin. It’s warm and comfortable. It’s everything.

I slide my hands up and down his naked back and relish touching his skin. The man is a work of art in the bedroom.

“Gillian, damn woman. You’ll be the death of me. I’m going to fuck you until we both die. It’s inevitable.”

I chuckle and kiss him as he lifts me upright. His penis slips from me, and I cringe at the loss. His essence trickles out of me, and he watches it pool on the surface of his glossy black desk. A combination of our pleasure. He grins solicitously, clearly fascinated. He likes what he sees. Dirty boy.

We kiss for a couple of minutes, and then he pulls up his pants. I watch as he enters a door I hadn’t noticed to the side of his desk. I hear water running, but I’m too far gone to move from my position on his desk. The man ruined me for the evening. I’m completely sated and reeling. Three times! My mind sings. Chase returns with a warm washcloth and wipes between my legs, removing the essence of our pleasure.

“Better?” he asks, quietly cleaning me.

“Perfect.” I smile.

And it was perfect. I know the sex wasn’t conventional. It wasn’t in his bedroom after a nice romantic candlelit dinner but the fierceness in the way he took me was intense, incredible, consuming. I loved every moment of it. I stand as he takes the washcloth into what I can assume is his personal bathroom. Must be good to be the king.

I pull on my panties and slide my skirt back in place, adjusting my bra so my breasts are covered. I pick up my blouse. It’s completely destroyed. A slow grin smarts across my lips.

Chase returns with a bright white men’s dress shirt and holds it out for me with a shy grin. I turn my back and put my arms through the holes.

He turns me to face him. “Let me.” He makes quick work of the buttons.

The shirt hangs to my thighs, but I’m completely covered. I roll the arms up to three quarters. If I had a thick belt, it would actually look like I put the look together intentionally.

“Are you hungry?” What an odd question after mind-blowing sex. “My chef has prepared a meal for us.”

Oh, dinner. “Starving,” I admit. I pecked at my lunch after the horrible experience at the doctor’s office. I am famished, especially after the body-melting sex we just had.

He picks both of our suit jackets up from the pile in the middle of his office floor. He grabs my hand and steers me through the building. Most of the offices are now quiet and dark, but the lighting makes the path easily visible. A couple offices still have people hard at work, and they look up as Chase walks me through the halls, holding my hand. Looks like I’ve managed to stir two gossip mills today.

We enter the elevator, and he places his thumb against the LED computer screen. A light shines red and scans his thumb, and the elevator springs to life, taking us another level up. He’s taking me to his home. The place he never takes women. A sense of pride fills me and I feel taller, standing straighter. The elevator opens to a foyer. The door opposite is wide and Jack holds it open as we enter.

“Mr. Davis, Miss Callahan,” Jack greets us.

I smile confidently, Chase still holding my hand. It takes everything I have not to stick my tongue out at the man like a silly schoolgirl.

“Mrs. Shepherd said the clothes you ordered for Miss Callahan will be here first thing in the morning. I will have Mr. Bentley see to them.”

Chase brings me through a cozy living room adorned in rich jewel tones. Bookcases and large paintings fill the walls. An enormous stone fireplace blazes, making the room glow with ambient light. Before I can examine the space, I am led into an elegant dining room. A long mahogany table that seats twelve fills the room. A sparkling crystal chandelier hangs over the center of the table. Silver candlesticks run down the center of the table on top of a gold-threaded table runner. Two places are set, one at the head of the table and another at the seat just to the right. A water glass and wineglass are preset with the finest-looking china. The plates are white with swirling gold trim etched along the edge. Several forks, spoons, and knives hug the sides of the plates. Too many for me to know which ones to use with which course, but I’ll watch him pick the right one.

“Sit.” Chase holds out my chair for me. “Would you like some wine?”

“That would be heavenly, thank you.”

He pulls the white wine from the freestanding ice bucket and fills our glasses. I’m still completely giddy and sated from our rendezvous moments ago.

We clink our glasses together and sip, eyeing one another.

“That was…” Chase exhales deeply and shakes his head. “Being with you, it was unbelievable, Gillian.” His eyes hold mine.

My face heats and I nod, not knowing what to say.

“Having you on top of my desk… I’m usually more controlled than that.” He licks his lips and sizes me up. “I can barely keep my hands off you now.” His eyes burn with desire.

I bite my own lip as I glance at his hands. They are held into tight fists on top of the table, showing the power behind his restraint.

“Will you stay the weekend with me?” he asks.

“Are you sure that’s what you want, Chase?” After this afternoon, I’m surprised he didn’t run for the hills. When he really gets to know me, learns of my past, he won’t want me anymore. Men like him are used to shiny new toys, not damaged broken ones that need a lot of TLC.

“I’ve never been more certain of anything.” His answer is revealing and brutally honest.

It makes me nervous, but looking into his gorgeous face seals the deal. He’s too damned pretty. Maybe I’ll just do what Maria says and enjoy. If I don’t get too attached to the man, we’ll both get something out of it.

“Okay,” I say with a hint of trepidation and a great deal of excitement. A couple days of having him in every possible way will be like a dream come true.

“It’s settled then. Your clothes will arrive in the morning.”

“You ordered me clothes?” That’s what they were talking about. I’m so dense.

“Yes.” He grins. “I have a charity function I’d like you to attend with me tomorrow evening. I’m certain Dana will do you justice.”

Dana. The lovely, perky blonde that seems overly familiar with her boss. Hell, I’m overly familiar with the boss right now. “You call her by her first name.” It’s not a question but an observation.

“Yes, Dana and I have been together for the past several years. I scooped her up right out of college. She’s loyal, and I trust her. I trust very few people.”

“Were you ever with her?” I hate myself the second the question passes my lips, but the desire to know is overwhelming. I knot my fingers together in my lap.

He shakes his head and picks up his wineglass. “No.” He laughs. “She’s my most trusted colleague and friend, aside from Carson. I’m not attracted to her in that way, but I care a great deal for her.”

I wrap my mind around that and realize this is the time to pounce. “So what you’re saying is that you love and care for her, but you’re not in love with her. Is that right, Mr. Davis?” My question hits home when I see his eyes sparkle and his lips curl into a crooked grin. Now he’ll have no choice but to feel ridiculous about his jealously over Phillip.

“Touché, Miss Callahan.” I beam with pride and he caresses the side of my face. His thumb brushes against my lower lip.

A short rotund man enters the room with two plates. He’s wearing a butler-style suit. “Salmon, Mr. Davis, and chicken cordon bleu for the lady,” he announces.

I smile. He remembered my distaste for seafood. “Thank you.” I smile at the man.

“Looks amazing, Bentley. You can leave us undisturbed. I’ve got it from here.”

He definitely has me. That’s for sure.