by Anna Black
He frowned. “No, I don’t think so.”
“You’ve met me on a couple of occasions. Deena has said, ‘Chase, you remember Madison, don’t you?’ and you’d say ‘Yes’ with a fake smile and move around. The other night, when we were reintroduced for maybe the fourth time, I decided not to mention that we’ve met before.”
“Wow, I’m a jerk.” He felt horrible.
“No, I wouldn’t say that. I just hadn’t caught your eye back then.”
“Hmm . . . Maybe you’re right.”
“Maybe so. Are you ready?”
“Yes, let’s go.”
They walked to Chase’s car, and for the first time, he found himself opening the car door for a woman.
“Thank you,” she said, smiling. Chase shut the door and walked around to the driver’s side, wondering what the hell had gotten into him. “Get it together, Chase,” he told himself.
Tyler wasn’t a large city like Austin, Dallas, or Houston, so he took her to the best place he knew in their town, Dakotas Steak & Chop House.
After they were seated and their drink orders were in, Chase gazed at her, trying to figure out why he thought she was more attractive than he had thought earlier that day and even the night he met her. Then it hit him. Her hair. She was now sporting a sexy, tapered cut, not the updo from the party or the homemade ponytail she had earlier.
“You cut your hair,” he said, his tone in a higher pitch than he meant to say. It had finally dawned on him what was different about her and made her superattractive to him.
“Yes, I did. Did you just figure that out?”
“To be honest, yes. I mean, I was asking myself, what is it about her that is different? Why does she so look stunning tonight? I mean, you are a very beautiful woman, Madison, but this is the perfect look for you. It really brings out your beautiful features. I hadn’t even noticed how light your eyes were before, and with the makeup, you look radiant.”
“Come on, Chase, you don’t have to lay it on so thick.”
“I’m not; I’m being genuine. You look gorgeous, girl. That haircut is definitely you.”
She blushed. “Thank you. I wanted to compliment you as well. You look really handsome tonight. When I opened the door and laid eyes on you, I thought I had to be dreaming. I mean, don’t get me wrong, you’re not the first good-looking man I’ve ever been out with, but I pulled them eighty pounds ago.” She looked away. “Let’s just say I’m a little apprehensive about your intentions with me.”
“Why so?”
“Because, as I said, we’ve met before, and it was like I was invisible to you.”
“Well, as I said earlier, I’m in the process of making some changes in my life. I’m not getting any younger, and I’m sorta looking for mother material, someone who has a head on their shoulders and is interested in me beyond my reputation, family name, bank account, and clout. If we date, you know, if you like me enough to allow me to stick around for a while, you may hear some things that are not pleasant about me, Madison. I just ask that you trust me when I say that is not who I want to be anymore. I turned in my player card, as they say.”
“So, you want to transition from your playa-playa days with me?”
“If that’s an option.”
“With that said, I don’t know, you know. What if you relapse?”
“What if I don’t?”
“What if I fall for you?”
“What if I fall for you?” he countered. He knew there was little chance of that, but she intrigued him, and her conversation alone was enough to keep him interested. The night of the anniversary party, they talked for what seemed like hours as they debated everything from music to black men dating white women to politics to celeb gossip.
She was a challenge, and he enjoyed talking to someone who had an education and valid arguments, someone who didn’t just agree with everything he said. Women before her were educated, maybe, but he had never wanted to get to know them for their brains. Women before her never got a dinner invite; they always had to eat whatever takeout he ordered. He’d occasionally do breakfast, but that was the furthest he’d go.
Over a good meal and exquisite wine, Chase and Madison shared endless conversation. Then just before dessert, a familiar face caught Chase’s eye, and he prayed she’d respect he was sitting with someone and not approach.
But that didn’t happen.
“Good evening, Chase.” She released the words as sultry as she could make them sound.
He knew her, and this was why he never took his dates out on the town because he didn’t like or want any drama. “Good evening, Hope,” he said. She was the last person he wanted to see. They had been a hot item in high school but had split up before going off to college. She and he had hooked back up years later, and they hooked up on a regular for a long while . . . until she started shouting marriage, commitment, and settling down with her in his ears. He had told her that now wasn’t the time for him, and he was far from ready for all of that, but if and when he was ready to settle down, she’d be his choice. A big fat lie, and he knew that bullshit was when he said it. That blatant lie was bigger than the state of Texas because although she was one of the most beautiful women in Tyler, she never made his dick throb or ache. He never longed for her, nor did he miss her when they were apart. Sex with her was good but routine. She didn’t excite Chase, so that was not the one he’d choose to spend the rest of his life with.
“I hope I’m not interrupting,” she said in her East Texas drawl. “I know you’re all business, baby.”
His brow arched. Baby? What the hell was Hope doing? he wondered. He had to make things clear and get her the hell away from their table. “I am, but this is not a business dinner.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Is this a relative?” she said, turning to Madison. “Forgive me; I’m Hope Gardner. How long will you be visiting?”
That time, Madison raised her brow. “Hi, Hope, I’m Madison Atkins-Morgan. It’s strange how you suddenly don’t remember me. Our mothers were friends since we were little girls, and we were considered best friends once. I’d never forgotten who you are. Or your family. Everyone in Tyler knows who your father is. He’s the Car King of Tyler, right? A hands-on type of man, I’ve heard.” Hope shifted her weight and readjusted her designer bag in the crook of her arm. “Chase and I are not related, but I’m sure you already knew this.” Madison smiled at her.
They both watched as Hope tried to save face. “Oh my goodness, Madison, I hardly recognized you. I mean, the last time I saw you, you were . . .” She paused and used her tiny hands to indicate the shape of a smaller frame.
“Thin?” Madison shot at her.
“Yes, darling, that is correct. I didn’t recognize you, sugar. I mean, with all those extra pounds, you look like a totally different person,” Hope replied smartly. “But I do apologize for my intrusion. I’ll let you two get back to your dinner.”
With a smile, Madison said. “Yeah, you do that.”
“You two enjoy your night, and, Chase, I’ll talk to you later.” Hope winked at him and then finally moved on, and Chase and Madison both laughed.
“I’m Hope Gardner,” Madison mimicked, turning her nose up in the air and pretending to swing her hair over her shoulder.
“How long will you be visiting?” Chase chimed in. The two of them had a good laugh.
After multiple jokes about the great Hope, Chase looked closer at Madison. She was amazingly striking and funny as hell, and her laugh was melodious to his ears. He was having a great time, a really great time. He didn’t even think that he just may dig her. He had never laughed so hard with a woman or enjoyed a woman’s company as he enjoyed hers, and he was wondering why he’d never considered that he could like her. He’d never taken the time to get to know someone, and what he was learning about Madison made her appealing to him. He was starting to feel more than a mental attraction for this vivacious woman. He wanted to kiss her. Shit! he thought.
“So, is she one of your old flings?”
/>
“Yes. And there are tons right here in this town, so brace yourself. I’m not going to lie to you, Madison. Before you, I’ve been in the company of a whole lot of women. But I’ve never shared a moment like this with any of them. I’m having so much fun with you, and I’d like to see you again. I mean, if that’s okay.” He shocked himself with that question. They hadn’t had any physical contact, and yet, he wanted to see her again. Maybe his brothers were right. Maybe if he had tried to get to know some of the others, maybe he would have been open to a real relationship, but he hadn’t given any of them a chance. He had hit every one of them with the same line up front, “I’m only looking for a good time.” If he was with one that talked too much, he’d never give her another opportunity to be with him. If she asked too many questions, he’d delete her number from his phone. He liked his women sexy, freaky, and mute, but now he didn’t want Madison to be quiet. He wanted to know every detail about her.
Madison smiled. “I’d like that too.”
“So, are you ready for dessert?”
“Can you ask them to package it to go? I’m really stuffed from dinner.”
“What? You barely finished your food.”
“Yeah, thank God you brought your appetite and finished it for me.”
“Well, I just assumed you would devour your meal.” Immediately after he said those words, he realized how it sounded when it came out. He didn’t mean it that way. He was only saying how good the food was, not that he thought she was a pig. “Wait, I didn’t—I . . . mean for it to sound like—”
She tilted her head to the left and narrowed her eyes at him. “Why? Because I don’t look like Hope? Because I’m a big girl, you thought I’d lick my plate?” she said with much attitude.
He knew that things had just turned bad. “No no no, babe, wait. That came out wrong. I didn’t mean it to be insulting. I just meant that the food here is so delicious that I thought you’d clean your plate. That is all I meant, Madison.”
This time, her laugh was sarcastic. It was clear she didn’t believe him. “I have to visit the ladies’ room. No, I don’t want dessert. I would like it very much if you would take me home now, Chase Storm.”
Chase stood. “Madison, please. Wait a minute, let me explain, please.” He watched as she strutted to the bathroom without looking back.
Chapter Nine
Wow, the nerve of him. She paced the bathroom floor. The evening had been so perfect until he said that bullshit. She had felt so beautiful before he had said those words. Hell, that’s an understatement—she had felt sexy, something she hadn’t felt in the last couple of years. But after the brief visit with Hope and his comment, she felt differently. Did he think big girls were a safe choice because no one else wanted them? Did he think he’d have a good woman in her because no one would take a second look at her? Her thoughts raced through her mind as she paced. She didn’t want to go back out to face him, but she didn’t want to call anyone to get her. She’d be too embarrassed to say what truly happened on her first date with Chase.
She got a glimpse of herself in the mirror and then paused. She smiled at her reflection. She looked better than she had in years, and she felt good, so why was she hiding in the bathroom worrying about what his ass thought of her? She wasn’t going to let Chase make her feel insecure just when she was finding her way back to being confident. Not a hair was out of place. She needed to touch up her lips, but her makeup was still flawless. She reapplied her lipstick, straightened her belt, and went back to the table.
Chase saw her approaching and stood, looking like a sad puppy, but she didn’t give a damn. He was rude, and he wasn’t going to choose her because he thought she was easy.
“Madison, I’m really sorry. I promise you that I didn’t mean anything by that. I wasn’t trying to be insulting. That came out completely wrong.”
“It’s okay, Chase. I’m good. Are you ready?” She hoped her tone would cut him like a knife. She didn’t allow him to answer before she turned and headed for the door. Chase was the one lucky to be out with her, not the other way around, she told herself.
He opened the car door for her, and she got in. When he got in, it felt strange. The mood had changed. On their way to dinner, they had talked nonstop, but now they rode in awkward silence. When they pulled up to her house, he hurried around to open her door.
“I’m fine from here.”
“Come on, Madison, you know we don’t do it like that in Texas. I can walk you to your door,” he insisted.
“Fine,” she said and walked ahead of him.
“Can I see you again?”
She froze. Why in the hell would he want to see her again? “Why? To make fun of me again?”
“Madison, I’m sorry. I know you are a plus-sized woman, and I also know that doesn’t mean you eat up everything in sight. I’m so sorry for how I said what I said. I wasn’t trying to be rude. It came out all wrong; please believe me. I was only suggesting that the food was so good I’d thought you’d clean your plate. I’m a lot of things, Madison, but not insensitive. And I’d never say something so mean to a woman that I’m digging.”
He paused for a moment, but the look in his eyes was sincere. She believed him. She walked over to the swing and sat. He came over and sat with her. “I’m not picture-perfect, Chase. I know I could stand to lose some weight. I went through this deep depression when I lost my family.” Her eyes glossed. “And now that I’m reclaiming my life, this is the body that I’m in. I don’t need someone tearing me down when I’m building myself back up. It’s hard enough to accept my new self for who I am, and I don’t need a man to make me feel bad for how I look. If you’re here because you want to prove you’re not a shallow asshole who preys on women to boost your self-esteem, you’re at the wrong address.” She took a deep breath. “I’m sure Hope Gardner can stroke that ego of yours and do double duty as arm charm. I’m not desperate, and you are not the last man on earth, Chase Storm. I’m beautiful inside and out, and if you think I’m the safe chick to finally settle down with because no other man would want me, you’re sadly mistaken.”
“You’re absolutely right, Madison. I know you’re not a perfect size six, and I don’t think you are the safe one that I’d never lose. I think you are gorgeous, and you have captured my attention with your pleasant personality, your melodious laugh, and you are so interesting. Tonight was the best night of my life. I’ve never had this much fun with a woman.” He smiled at her. “I don’t have any ill intentions, Madison, I promise, and I hope that you will go out with me again.”
She couldn’t help herself; she smiled back. “I’d like that. I mean, beneath all those layers of handsome, you do make me laugh. I enjoyed being with you tonight just as much.”
He let out a breath he didn’t know he had been holding and realized he was relieved at her answer. “So, we are good?”
“We are. Just watch what you say. I’m a plus-sized sister, but not desperate, Chase Storm. What you see is what you get, and if you don’t like it, you have a choice.”
He tilted his head and frowned. “And what choice is that?”
She cleared her throat and stood. “You can say good night and never show up again. I won’t be mad, nor will I hold any ill feelings toward you.”
Chase stood and moved closer to her. His lips were inches from hers. Her nipples hardened, and her center awakened.
“I don’t want that option,” he breathed into her mouth.
She swallowed hard, and she was sure he heard it. “What option do you want, Mr. Storm?”
“To see you tomorrow and to spend more time with you. I want to get to know you better, Madison, if that’s okay with you.”
“Okay,” she breathed. She was beginning to sweat. She wanted him to kiss her. She wanted to taste his tongue.
“I have to work, but I can clear out as early as you’d like.”
“I meet with Marcus tomorrow morning. After, I’ll be free for lunch.”
“Okay.”
Then he gave her what she wanted. He grabbed the back of her tapered head and pushed his tongue into her mouth. Their tongues danced like they were familiar with each other, as if they had kissed before. Before she could stop herself, her arms were around his neck, and his body pressed into hers. She moaned as he sucked her tongue and then her bottom lip. Her panties were getting wetter by the second.
“Chase,” she whispered between kisses, “you should go, baby.” He backed up, and she could see the bulge in his pants.
“Yes, I agree. Tomorrow, baby,” he said, pulling her back against him.
He kissed her again, and she made herself stop him because she knew she’d asked him to come inside . . . inside of her silky center.
“Baby . . .” She backed away and smiled. “Tomorrow.”
“Okay, beautiful,” he said and headed for the steps.
She moved to her front door, watching Chase and smiling. He stopped and turned to look at her. “Why are you standing there?” she yelled.
“Waiting for you to get safely inside.”
She laughed. “Drive safely and call me as soon as you’re home.”
He flashed his gorgeous smile. “I will.” He paused. “Wait, I don’t have your number.”
She laughed. “I didn’t think of that.”
He headed back to the porch and handed her his phone. “Key it in,” he said.
She swiped the screen. “You don’t lock your phone?”
“No, I don’t have a reason to.”
She raised a brow. “Well, I don’t either, but if you lose your phone, you give people access to your information,” she said as she keyed in her digits.
“I never thought about losing my phone, but since you mentioned it, I guess I’ll lock it,” he said as she handed it back to him. He leaned in and touched her lips with his again, and she allowed herself to get lost in his kiss. The ringing of his phone jolted them out of their sensual fog. They both looked at the screen and saw Hope’s name.
Chase hit ignore. “That’s nothing,” he smiled.
She returned his smile. “I know,” she said, not worried about the other woman.
