Naomi 

 

“You sure it’s okay that I go with you? I mean, I don’t want to impose on your family time. I could—”

Chase cut off my rambling. “Quiet, No, and enjoy the ride, yeah?” he said as his hand came over the console and grabbed mine from where it was fidgeting in my lap. He squeezed it as he laced our fingers together. I looked over to him and gave a small smile. “Calm down,” he soothed, and his sunglass-covered eyes went back to the road.

I took a deep breath, viewed the beautiful smooth interior of his Cadillac, then looked out the passenger side window, letting my mind take me away.

After our scuffle, which had turned into heated passion, things had become awkward. Chase had gone into his office, which was set up like a NASA lifting station with the huge desk taking up the length of one wall and monitors arranged across it with an array of high-tech equipment on the shelves of the large oak cabinet. I knew he took his business seriously.

But my desire for him hadn’t diminished one bit in our brief separation. If anything it escalated. When I’d knelt in front of him, which I can honestly say I had never done in the past, the look in his eyes as he stood above me was… dark. Power, lust, want, and so much more. And there was something about Chase that made me want his approval. To make him proud, give myself to him fully. 

Our earlier altercation had me on edge. My skin buzzed, my breaths deepened, and my eyes followed him every time he was near. I was excited and nervous as his words, I want you, played intermittently in my head.

It was as if I were waiting for him to pounce.  

Therefore, I spent my time going through all the nasty texts from Braydon and the one voicemail that left a sourness in my stomach: “Seriously, Naomi. I expected so much more from you. Childish, that’s what this is.” Guilt had hit me, thinking about what I’d done to his clothes, but remembering everything he was doing behind my back erased that.

The burning in my gut stayed. Maybe it was due to the knowledge that Braydon would be served divorce papers today. Chase did help me with putting that into action quickly. Apparently he knew people and just like Lane and Russell, they did what he said and swiftly.

Trying to convince Grace that I’d taken off to a spa in Aspen had been difficult. She knew I wasn’t the spa kind of girl. We had all the amenities of that luxury at the Landslide but I very rarely indulged in them. When I told her it was a present to myself for filing for divorce, she called me. I didn’t answer, I texted her back after declining her call and lied, saying I was in the middle of a facial. She let it go but told me my ass was hers Monday morning at work. And she expected my cinnamon-apple scones.

“Oh shit,” I muttered.

“What?” Chase said, turning his black shades to me.

I let go of his hand and began to rummage through my purse. “You have to take me home tonight.”

“Why?” he grated out.

His tone had my head twisting toward him. “I need to do some baking and—”

“You’re not going there, No,” he said firmly with eyes back to the windshield. “I have people looking into the break-in.”

“Did you ever think to share this information with me?” I bit out, slightly angry that he hadn’t relayed this information.

“Babe,” he drawled, but I stopped him.

“It is my house, Chase!” I snapped.

He huffed. “Can we just enjoy the ride and dinner, and talk about it later?”

“No, we can’t,” I started, and began to jot down on a piece of paper everything I needed to bake cinnamon-apple and cinnamon-pecan scones, which I had never made for Mr. Bailor and Stan. “I have scones to bake and since you won’t let me go home, I guess I’m baking at your place tonight.”

“Fine,” he mumbled with a smile.

“It can get really messy too,” I drawled. “Flour… sugar… butter, like… everywhere.”

His sexy smile turned into a grin. “That’s okay.”

I huffed annoyingly. “Whatever.” He chuckled and I clipped, “I have to go to the store on the way back.”

“Yes, we do,” he said easily.

I let out another huff and went back to writing my list. But while I was writing, I asked what he needed and wrote that down too.

 

****

 

Chase Black was sexy, that was evident. The way he carried his tall muscular body, all power, strength, and control was erotic. His flawless facial features were breathtaking. Not to mention, his strong jaw covered with constant scruff was absolutely alluring. When he hit you with those beautiful blue eyes and then his grin, it was purely arousing. Even his short crew cut was attractive.

He was gorgeous, pure sex.

He was that guy you passed on the street, saw in a store, or simply glanced at from a distance and stopped to take in his beauty.

That guy who had you simply saying in your head, yeah… I’d let him fuck me.

Even with his sex appeal and striking good looks, there was nothing more beautiful than watching Chase with his eight-year-old nephew, Bryce. 

We had been here for two hours now and the chill still hadn’t disappeared. Even with them all welcoming me with open arms, it didn’t help. His sister had known he was bringing a friend last minute but I don’t think they were expecting to see a woman.

When Jessica greeted us in the driveway with a bouncing dark-haired little boy at her side, her mouth dropped and her eyes went round. She quickly caught herself when Chase coughed loudly, then introduced me with his arm protectively around my shoulders, as a friend.

And when I looked up at him after he said that, he grinned down at me and I melted into his side and smiled back. Then we were interrupted by his sister muttering, “Right.” My arrival hadn’t affected his nephew, as he came barreling toward Chase and jumped into his arms, causing me to lose Chase’s heat at my side. That was when the chill set in.

There had been an odd tension when Chase greeted his mom, Florence, with a kiss to her cheek and a simple, “Mom.” Then when he introduced me to her, she put a hand over her heart and smiled brightly, and offered her welcomes.

But that bizarre strain between them remained.

Jack, his brother-in-law, seemed to be the only adult unaffected by my entrance. He greeted me with a handshake and a simple, “It’s nice to meet you, Naomi.” Then he shot Chase a wink and a nod. On the inside, I rolled my eyes at their secret guy exchange of his approval. If only he knew why I was really here with Chase. His mom and sister had watched me intently the whole time, as if I were going to either explode right before their eyes or spring up into a song and dance.

The roast beef with all the fixings that Jessica served for dinner had been delicious. Dinner conversation had been dominated by Jessica’s talking about the PTA or by Bryce’s talking about soccer. I didn’t think Jessica meant to do most of the talking but it was as if she were easing everyone at the table. Because at first, eyes just darted around the table with “Thank yous” and “You’re welcomes” as dishes were passed around.

Now we sat on the patio in the crisp air that was being mildly heated by two large standing heaters. 

“Thank you again for having me,” I expressed my gratitude to Jessica, who sat to my right at the table.

“Oh,” she drawled. “It was truly great having you, and please,” she pleaded, “don’t be a stranger.”

“Yes, dear,” Florence piped up. “Please don’t.”

I smiled at the both of them and brought my eyes back to watching Chase kick the soccer ball with Bryce. The way he smiled and laughed, looking so carefree, was wreaking havoc on my heart.

I moved my eyes to where his mom and sister sat side by side and caught them watching me before they both quickly moved their eyes to the yard. Jessica shouted, “Good job, sweetheart!”

Swiftly, I moved my eyes back to the yard and saw Bryce just standing there and Chase holding the ball in his hand, staring at his sister like she’d lost her mind because apparently nothing exciting had happened.

“You sure I can’t help Jack with the dishes?” I asked.

“No,” Jessica said. “Believe it or not, he likes doing it. I think it’s because he puts his tunes on and sings while cleaning up.” She chuckled.

“No!” I heard Chase shout.

I giggled. “Yeah, music always makes things easier.” I kept talking even though Jessica and Florence’s eyes were moving between me and the yard. “I love cleaning and—”

“No!” he bellowed again. I halted my words, looked to him out in the yard and he yelled, “Baby, how long you need to bake that shit?”

“Oh!” I shouted back with a wave of my hand and lied. “Not long!”

While this discussion between Chase and me went on, Jack had come out. All heads moved back and forth like they were watching a tennis match.

With his left foot on the ball, arms crossed over his hard chest, he rumbled, “Can you give me an estimate, No? ‘Cause we still have to stop at the grocery store.”

“We have to stop at the grocery store,” I heard Jessica mutter to my right and then emphasize, “We.”

Jack mumbled, “Shh.”

“About an hour and a half,” I told Chase.

He took his cell from his back pocket and looked to it before he turned and said to his nephew, “A few more kicks then I’m gonna take Naomi on a walk, okay?”

“Can I go?” Bryce said excitedly.

“Bryce, honey,” Jessica called, “why don’t you let Uncle Chase and Naomi have some alone time.”

His shoulders fell and he looked to the ground. I instantly felt like the bad guy.

“Buddy,” Chase started, and Bryce brought his head up. “Tomorrow when you get home from school, you text me, then we get on Xbox, play a few rounds before Naomi gets home from work, yeah?”

“Home from work.” Again, this was muttered to my right by Jessica and then followed by his mom drawling out, “Home.”

Bryce’s face brightened. “Yeah!” Then he looked to me, smiled, then back to Chase where he rolled his eyes and said, “Girls.”

Chase glanced at me, and agreed, “Yeah, girls.” He winked at me with a grin.

Suddenly the chill disappeared and was replaced with a warmth that hit me in my chest and I smiled at him brightly.

As this small interchange occurred, there was a gasp, an “Oh my God,” that sounded like Jessica, and a mumbled, “Fuck,” from Jack.

Chase went back to kicking the ball with Bryce and Jack coughed, getting everyone’s attention on the patio. “Coffee, anyone?”

“Yes,” Jessica chimed in as she stood quickly, causing her chair to teeter. “Yes, coffee sounds great. Mom, you?”

“Oh yes,” Florence choked out, cleared her throat and said, “Coffee.”

“Naomi,” Jack said and I looked to him. “Coffee, honey?”

“I’d love a cup, thank you.” I smiled.

He smiled back then turned to his wife and put a hand on her shoulder. “Sit down, sweetheart. I got it.” Then he turned and went inside the house.

She sat down slowly and asked, “Naomi, you bake?”

I twisted in my seat so I could get a better view and said, “Yes, kind of picked it up as a hobby. I was actually going to offer to bake something for the bake sale you were talking about during dinner.”

Jessica waved a hand at me. “Oh, you don’t have to.”

“But I’d like to,” I offered.

“Really?” she asked with a tilt of her head.

“Absolutely.” I smiled.

Jack came out with a tray of steaming mugs and handed one to me. “Milk, cream, sugar?” he said as he held the platter down with all the fixings on it.

I took a quick splash of cream. “Thank you.”

He nodded with a smile and moved over to his wife and mother-in-law, set the tray on the table, and handed out the coffee.

Jessica turned to me after fixing her coffee. “I’ll give you the list of approved items to bring, along with my number.”

“Great,” I said, and took a sip of the hot liquid. Pulling the mug from my mouth, I suggested, “I can come up Saturday morning and bring the stuff and help if you need it.”

“Come up Saturday morning? What are you talking about?” Chase inquired as he appeared on the steps of the patio, eyes on me.

“The school’s bake sale,” I informed him and took another sip of coffee.

“What about it?” he asked, making his way up the five steps and then leaning against the railing. Jack held a steaming mug out to him but he shook his head and muttered, “No, thanks, man.”

“Naomi offered to bake something for the school’s bake sale on Saturday,” Jessica told him, smiling.

Chase’s eyes came back to me. He started at my feet and gradually brought his gaze up my body and stopped when he hit my eyes. His were soft when he said, “I’ll bring you up Saturday morning.” Then he grinned at me.

Oh God, not here.

Please.

Those bright blue eyes, that slight tip of his lips had my body buzzing and my heart hammering in my chest. A flood of sensations hit me hard.

God, Chase and Braydon were like day and night. Braydon shone with his perfect hair, tailored suits, and sophisticated mannerisms. Chase was dark and edgy with his rough exterior and powerful presence.

I’d always wanted the light, but now the dark and unexpected path was looking so much more appealing.

I slowly smiled at him as that realization came to the forefront. And like he knew what had just happened in my head, he winked. I needed to break this haze his eyes captured me in. But thank you, God, for little boys because Bryce did.

“Awesome!” he shouted. “Uncle Chase, you’re coming to the stupid bake sale?”

“It’s not stupid, Bryce,” Jessica reprimanded.

Bryce shot back, “But you say that it is all the time!”

“True,” Jack mumbled and Jessica smacked his leg, causing him to chuckle.

“Yeah, buddy, I’ll be there,” Chase said with a smile and reached for his nephew and pulled him against him, hands to Bryce’s small shoulders. He looked to me. “Walk?” he asked with a jerk of his head toward the front of the house.

“Sure,” I replied and got up.

But the happy vibe that was hanging in the air quickly dispersed when Florence spoke.

“Lovely. Your father will be back by then and I’ll make a pot of meatballs for Saturday’s dinner,” she said with excitement.

I was the only one who smiled at her. It was the first time I’d heard about Chase’s dad. With no mention of him since we’d been here, I’d assumed he’d passed on.  Jessica and Jack’s faces fell.

“Mom,” Chase bit out in a whisper.

“Honey, why don’t you go inside and wash up those dirty hands?” Jessica said to Bryce.

“Yeah,” Jack said and stood. “Come on, Bry, let’s wash up.”

I didn’t know if Bryce felt the air change or the tender tone his parents had spoken in some secret language to him but he didn’t argue as he followed his dad inside.

Once the French door closed, Florence spoke. “Chase, please—”

“Nope, not happening,” Chase grated and held his hand out to me. I took it and he pulled me to his side, where he let my hand go and put his arm around my shoulder. “Ready?” he whispered, looking down at me.

“Chase,” Jessica pleaded.

“Umm…,” I stumbled, because I didn’t know what the hell to say. Apparently we were treading through dangerous territory.

Chase’s head flew to his sister. “Don’t fucking start, Glinda,” he warned.

Glinda?

“Chase Michael,” his mom said firmly. “Do not carry that tone with your sister.”

His hard eyes on his mom, he quietly rumbled, “I don’t need this shit.”

Then he moved his arm and snatched my hand with a firm grip and we were on the move. He took the stairs first and I felt a light touch on my arm and turned my head.

“Please talk to him,” Jessica mouthed with a forgiving face.

I didn’t know what to say. I just nodded. It was clear that they didn’t know the role I played in Chase’s life. They thought I was the woman. Furthermore, their behavior throughout the time we were here had certainly been an indication that I may be the first girl Chase had ever brought around.

If they only knew that I’d hired Chase to look into my husband. Husband. That I was currently married. Married. And that the only reason I was really there was because Chase was protecting me. What would they think then? Would they still look at me with soft eyes and smiling faces?

The wonderful dinner began to turn in my stomach. I walked fast as I tried to keep up with his long hard strides.

We were two houses away from his sister’s when I finally spoke. “Chase?”

I was trying to take in the beauty of the new development that his sister and her family resided in, but Chase’s quick angry steps made that a difficult task.

“Chase,” I called again.

“Not know, No,” he bit out, his gaze straight ahead.

My hand began to go numb with the strong hold he had on it and my breathing was becoming heavy as we were now six houses down and coming into the construction area of new homes. I wasn’t in great shape but I also wasn’t in bad shape. I pulled his hand down, jerking his arm to get his attention.

He stopped, narrowing hard eyes on me, and I snapped, “I thought this was supposed to be a walk, not a marathon?”

Chase took a deep breath and started to walk again, this time much more slowly. We came to a part of the street that was nothing but newly built homes and some still in phases of construction. Even with the dirt-covered expanses around the homes and materials scattered about, the mountain view in the distance was breathtaking.

I broke the silent tension. “Chase, we need to talk.”