"No, we were just getting to the fun part." He pretended to pout.
"We've been having fun since we woke up." That was around five this morning, and now it was eight thirty.
"A little more fun never hurt anyone, baby. Come back here." He reached for her, but she smacked his hands away playfully.
"No, you're too much, Wade." She giggled and started laughing when he pulled her into his lap. "I'm going to get in trouble."
"Okay, I'll allow you a few hours to go to work."
"You'll allow me?" She ran her finger along the sharp ridge of his jaw.
"Yes, allow. Then I'll pick you up at one."
"Wade, I finish at five."
"That is a long day to be at work."
"Sweetheart, that is the real world. Nine to five are the hours most of us common folk work."
He looked at her with an amused expression on his face and held her gaze for a few seconds.
"What?" She wondered if she said something wrong.
"Call me that again, baby." He continued to stare at her.
Sweetheart. That was what she'd called him, but it naturally came out. Her cheeks warmed as she looked at him.
"Sweetheart."
He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it, then he held her hand to his stubbly cheek and gave her that sweet smile she liked so much. It contrasted from the cheeky one he had when he was up to no good or thinking up some crazy idea.
In the past, she'd seen him smile like that at other women, but the sweet one was just for her. She'd only seen him smile like that with her.
It was an insignificant detail and shouldn't mean anything, but there was some part of it that had some value to her. It felt like he was hers when he looked at her like that, if only in her mind.
"I like that. I like sweetheart."
"Okay sweetheart." They shared a smile. "I seriously have to go to work, and I have to finish at five. The fashion show is tomorrow, and a lot of people are depending on me."
"Chloe, I could die from loneliness in that time. You wouldn't want that to happen, now would you?"
"I highly doubt that you'll be lonely." Him, lonely? Look at him. She didn't know anyone who could wake up and look that good. His ruffled hair looked like it had been styled that way. His piercing gray eyes were bright with excitement and energy, and his handsome face was ready for the billboards.
Wade got attention wherever they went. Even when he was walking with her, holding her hand, and it was clear they were some kind of couple, women still looked at him like they wanted to devour him. They looked at him like they wanted him and would jump at the chance to be with him.
He would never have to worry about being lonely, let alone die if she—little her with her average beauty—left him to go to work.
"I'll be lonely if you aren't here," he replied, to her surprise. That sounded dangerously close to emotion, and she had to force herself to look past the softness in his voice and the way he looked at her. Like she was important to him.
"Right, so I should believe that you wouldn't just run along that beach with your muscles and tattoos on display, in your Wade Vanderville way, and pick up the first woman that comes along?" She narrowed her eyes at him, daring him to refute that, because she was sure that was just the thing he'd do.
The corners of his mouth pulled into a frown. "Yes baby, you should believe that."
She looked at him and felt her heart warm against her will. It warmed and expanded within her chest. It was like in those few moments her guard dropped, and she allowed herself to feel.
But…she willed her heart to stop and her emotions to take stock of reality. It would do her no good whatsoever to confuse sex with love. Chloe had fun with him, and he had fun with her. That was all it could be. Fun.
She wasn't the kind of woman to do this and be with someone for fun, but she couldn't say no to him. It didn't matter that Chloe wanted someone who could commit to her; Wade had eradicated that from her mind. She allowed him into her life, and it was for her to be sensible about what they were.
It was like picking up a snake and expecting it to change into something different. It just wouldn't happen. The minute she started thinking that this thing with Wade could be more than what it was she'd be in trouble. She'd be in the worst kind of trouble because it wouldn't be hard to fall for him. It wouldn't be hard for her to fall for him because she'd always had feelings for him.
Admittedly, that feeling in her heart just now was nice. It was nice to feel like this could be real, and she did almost believe him.
"I'm going to get dressed." She smiled. He gave her one last kiss, and she got off him.
"I'll take you to work and pick you up at five," he stated. She stopped at the entrance to the en suite bathroom and looked back at him. "I'll pick you up at five. We'll go to yours so you can pack a bag or two and then you'll come back here. Then I'll take you out to dinner."
She continued to watch him, surprised by his words and the fervent ardor with which he spoke. And the confidence. Always that confidence in just assuming she'd agree.
"Okay." As if she could say anything else.
"Where should I take you for dinner?"
"Anywhere," she replied. He brushed the side of her cheek and kissed her nose, sending sparks of electricity across her body.
"I'll surprise you, then," he said, bringing his hand to the small of her back. "I'll surprise you, baby."
She knew he was talking about dinner, but she still wished he could surprise her in other ways too.
He gave her that sweet smile again, and she moved back to him for a kiss. It was one of those kisses that felt timeless, the ones you wished would never end.
Damn…she was in trouble. It was bad enough that she couldn't say no to him and was always drawn to him by the magnetic power of his touch, but now she was losing the little control she had over her heart.
Wade
Wade was too excited about being with Chloe to worry that his feelings for her
were rapidly developing into something he'd never felt before.
Everything about her made him want her, but there was something else about her that made him need her. Something only she could give that made him happy.
He liked that she had such a strong personality and challenged him. He liked her no-nonsense attitude, but he liked the soft side of her too. The part that she revealed during the times when she trusted him.
He took her to work with great reluctance, trying his hardest not to turn around and drive back home with her. He nearly did but knew she'd probably be furious with him, so he let her go.
He had a few things to sort out in the house, but more importantly, he'd been neglecting work too. Over the last few days he'd allowed the rich brat that still lurked in him to take over, and he pushed work to the back of his mind. It was wrong of him but he had to be honest and confess that if he had to choose, he'd always choose Chloe.
Jared and Zeek had made quite a bit of progress since their first meeting. They now had a store set up on the south coast, which he was told was practically ready for business. He'd seen the inside of it once, and that was for about ten minutes as they showed him around. He remembered most of what was discussed that day, but his mind had been on Chloe.
As he entered the store, the work they'd put in was instantly evident. Jared and Zeek now sat behind desks, and there was a desk for him too. They had a reception area, which looked fantastic with adventure posters on the wall. To complement that they'd placed a few brochure racks on the wall and filled them with a host of brochures detailing all the adventures they planned to do.
It looked better than Thrills. It looked better than anywhere Wade had ever been and had the enticement effect to draw customers in. His attention was drawn to a group of women who had gathered in the far corner near the snowboarding brochures. Jared had told him that while they weren't officially open, they'd have an open-door policy while they were setting up so people could do advance bookings.
Wade was happy with that. It was great, and he felt proud that their vision was taking shape.
"Where've you been, man?" Jared beamed when he saw him.
Wade felt guilty now. He should have at least called to see how things were progressing.
"I was busy." Busy with an incredibly beautiful woman who robbed him of all his senses and responsibilities. When he was with Chloe, he didn't want to be anywhere else and forgot everything existed besides her.
"As you can see we've been doing well." Jared laughed. Zeek joined him.
"Come and see what we've done. I set up your computer with remote access so you could manage everything from home," Zeek smiled.
Wade widened his eyes, impressed. "Thanks man, I didn't even know that could be done."
Zeek nodded with enthusiasm. "Jared told me you moved into a new house so I figured you wouldn't have much time to be here setting up. I'll show you how it all works later."
"Thanks. Is there anything I can do now?"
"Yes." Jared beckoned him to come around the reception desk. "Look at this." Jared led him to his computer where he opened up a file and then a table showing what looked like bookings. Wade had to move closer to look properly because he couldn't believe what he was seeing. He saw that for June alone they'd secured five hundred bookings in twenty locations for bungee jumping and another six hundred for paragliding. A similar pattern followed down the table for other activities like windsurfing, scuba diving, snowboarding, rock climbing, and a few others.
"Jesus, is this real?"
"You bet." Jared laughed deep and heartily, running his hand over his stubbly chin. "We have my man Zeek here to thank."
Wade looked over at Zeek quickly. "This is you?"
"Mad skills." Zeek smiled, opening his palms.
"This is serious shit." He threw his hands up. At this rate, they'd make a fortune.
"I have other plans too. That's just the warm-up."
Jared nodded. "We've managed to secure contracts with a few more locations."
"I've also started contacting more instructors. Trust me, we're gonna need it. It would also help to have a few administrators here, too, so we can focus on the key tasks." Zeek raised his chin with pride.
"Yeah, sure. Whatever we need I'm in." Wade would be an idiot if he didn't. "This is amazing. When Jared said you were good, I didn't expect this." And he never expected to be looking at making a small fortune so soon. Wade knew he hadn't done as much work as Jared or Zeek, but this felt like a great accomplishment. He'd never done anything where he'd made his own money before. It was nice to see some part of the goals he desired for himself actually happening.
Zeek smiled at that. "That means a lot."
"Excuse me?" said a smooth female voice from behind him.
Wade turned to see a tall, dark-haired beauty with striking green eyes standing by the reception counter. She looked him over with approval as she twisted the ends of her long hair around her thumb.
"Hey," Wade said. She'd come from the group in the corner looking at the brochures.
"I saw you come in and wondered if you'd like to get a drink with me sometime, like maybe now?" Her smile widened, revealing a dazzling display of perfect white teeth.
Wade inclined his head to the side. Now here was a woman who seemed to share his forward ethos. And she was definitely his type. Beautiful with the perfect shape, stylish and confident. But he had a certain blonde on his brain, and the image of Chloe flashed through his mind as he looked at the woman before him.
Chloe was right, he wouldn't have been alone today, and he didn't even have to take his shirt off.
"I'd love to, but I can't," he replied. He could see Jared's surprised face out the corner of his eyes.
"Oh, that's a shame." She looked him up and down and shifted her weight from one foot to the other. "Let me know if you change your mind." She winked at him and walked away.
Wade watched her join her friends who were now outside the store. He looked away when she glanced over her shoulder at him. He didn't want to make it seem as if he was staring at her.
"You." Jared pointed at him and raised his thick dark brows. "Start talking."
"Talking about what?"
"You wouldn't turn down a woman like that unless you had someone else."
"I'm busy." Wade smiled.
"Yes, with someone else, and the fact that you're not saying confirms it."
Zeek chuckled and folded his thin long arms as he listened. "Well Wade, you always were a ladies’ man. High School Wade would wither away right now if he saw you do that."
Wade was still kicking himself for not being able to remember Zeek.
"Man, I'm different now." Wade smiled.
"Sure. Each to their own."
"No, no you won't get off that easy. Who is this mystery woman?"
Jared grinned. The problem with Jared was he knew Wade too well, and he wouldn't stop pestering him until he told him.
"She's—" The minute Wade said that Jared threw his hands up.
"See, I knew it," Jared gasped.
"She's special to me." That was the best way that he could describe Chloe.
Jared's mouth dropped. "Is she now?"
Wade nodded.
"Well, that says it all," Zeek chimed in. "The renowned Wade Vanderville has someone special."
It was strange. When Zeek said that Wade thought he had some recollection of him. It was just a flicker maybe of a memory, and the strange thing was it felt like he'd seen him some place besides school. Then he got an odd, unsettling feeling. He pushed the feeling aside and straightened up.
"I do. So anyway…" Time to change the subject before they asked for more details. "I'm eager to work. Why don't you show me the other things you've done."
"Sure," Zeek offered with a nod.
"And we'll talk later." Jared pointed at him again and smiled.
Wade probably needed to talk. There was a lot on his mind besides Chloe. There was a lot going on, and Jared had always been a great listener.
"Alright, let's do this."
Chapter 10
Chloe
Here's to another successful show. Brought to you by my amazing team," Regina declared with pride as she raised her champagne glass.
Everyone cheered and clapped. Regina stood at the end of the runway looking every bit the fashion queen she was with her white-blonde hair glistening against the light and a beautiful gold gown that gave her an ethereal appearance. Next to her was Pierre Beaumont, the man of the evening. Beside him stood the lineup of models who'd worked hard to make tonight a success.
Tonight was definitely a true success, and Chloe knew it signified the start of something amazing. There was already a buzz around Pierre's work but tonight took everything to the next level. Both for him and Regina.
The excitement of tonight's show electrified the air. Pierre's cutting-edge ensembles of eccentric designs accented with bold details and unusual embellishments had mesmerized everyone. His infallible masterpiece designs with daring aesthetic quality mixed classic with the latest contemporary trends.
Pierre had undoubtedly brought out the true essence of originality.
Chloe was so honored to have had a hand in it. If nothing else she was proud of herself and the talent she displayed in putting the show together. Sometimes, like tonight, she surprised herself. She was surprised at what she could create and her never-failing potential.
Everyone continued to cheer as Regina and Pierre bowed. Chloe smiled wide when Regina turned towards her and raised her glass.
"This evening wouldn't be possible without this wonderful lady here." Regina pointed at Chloe. Blood rushed to Chloe's cheeks. She hadn't expected that at all. "A special round of applause for Chloe Matthews."
To Chloe's surprise, the crowd cheered even more.
Chloe was standing below the stage in the front row of seats. She placed her hand at her heart and gave Regina a curt nod and smiled, then looked around at everyone
as they cheered. She couldn't have felt more appreciated.
Her eyes landed on Wade who was standing on the other side of the room next to Taylor and Richard. When she focused on him, he offered a pleased smile, which she happily returned.
As she looked at him, she found herself melting at the memory of last night. He'd taken her to a beautiful Japanese restaurant called Aika, then finished the night with a romantic walk on the beach. It was nice. He'd held her hand and she actually felt like they were a couple. It was beautiful.
"You're drooling," Wes said, nudging his elbow into her side. He didn't knock into her hard, but it was enough to make her already weakened knees wobble.
"You leave her alone, Wes," Kelly warned. She was next to Wes and eyed him sharply. "It's sweet. Chloe has a boyfriend," Kelly teased.
"Kelly," Chloe hissed. As close as she and Wade had gotten, she would never go around saying he was her boyfriend unless they discussed it first. Nice as it sounded, she wouldn't go jumping ahead to assumptions only to find herself wrong.
"I'm going to vomit." Wes shook his head and sauntered away. Chloe shook her head at him.
The after party started minutes later and soon everyone was celebrating the success of the show. Lots of different people, who were either from the press or fashion reps from other magazines, came to talk to her, engaging her in deep conversation. It was a busy night and she spent half the time trying to make her way back to Wade, but he was busy too. Every time she had a clear moment to get to him she saw him talking with some of his old friends. New friends, too, who she couldn't help but notice were mostly models. He was talking with a few of them now.
"Why don't you go over there and get your man away from those sirens?" Kelly giggled, coming up to her. She leaned into her shoulder playfully.
"Because he isn't my man," Chloe corrected her.
"Of course, my mistake. I must have mistaken the non-existent you in our house again, and I guess that wasn't you running off with a travel bag only yesterday. Off to Wade's house again. Are you ever coming back?"
Falling For Him Page 31
