“Just bring myself and a pen?” Eden asked, confused at such a silly request. This is my first board meeting, so maybe I have a lot of signing to do? she thought.
“Not sure, Miss Fox, that’s just what he said.” Amanda shrugged, and left the office, closing the door behind her.
“Besame Mucho” starting playing from her purse, and she smiled reaching for her cell, knowing it was a text from Chase waiting for her.
You look so beautiful this morning! Sorry I had to be away all weekend, see you at the meeting. C.
My pen and I will be there. And how do you know how I look? E.
You always look beautiful to me baby! C.
She smiled to herself, putting her phone to the side, and set her focus on her messages, one of which came from Ross Simons Jewelry Store, where she and Mikala went on Saturday to pick out a gift for Chase. Her item was ready for pickup; she would get it on her lunch hour.
Eden spent most of her time leading up to the meeting going over design concepts and revisions, making fabric picks and color changes for several of the deadlines that were looming in the next few weeks. These were the first contracts for the new team, and their importance was immeasurable.
Back in her office, she rummaged through her purse until she found her favorite pen and scribbled on a notepad, making sure that it was working. She couldn’t think why he had worried so much about a pen. Perhaps it was just to take notes. She wasn’t going to drive herself crazy over it. She had a tendency to overthink things. She took the stairs since it was just one floor up. When she came through the door into the reception area, she stopped to ask Jessica which room the board meeting was in, and made her way down the hallway of glass walls until she came to the right one.
Inside, she was welcomed by Deanna, who introduced her to several of the board members. Eden shook hands, then sat at the far end of the table, keeping a happy distance but still a spot where she could stay involved. Rheanna sat near her mother’s side, dressed in her usual black ensemble, shamelessly flirting with one of the older gentleman, oblivious to all. She glared at Eden before returning her attention to the overly interested man.
Chase came into the room and shook everyone’s hands, smiling and sharing conversation, asking how their wives and families were keeping, children, etcetera. Eden watched him with great interest. This was her man. Her heart fluttered when he turned his attention to her, smiling from one corner of his sexy mouth. He sat next to her, holding up his pen and clicking it. She did the same, and he sat back in his seat smiling. Eden looked at him, furrowing her brow in confusion.
“In time,” he whispered, and his minty breath crossed her face, sending a rush over her. She licked her lips, wishing she could kiss him.
Black folders were handed out to each person, outlining the agenda for the meeting. Eden opened hers and started to read it over, trying to divert her attention from the sexy scent of the man beside her. It was working until Chase sat forward and touched her arm as he reached for his folder. He opened it and turned to the back of the first page, which was blank, and scribbled something, tapping his pen to draw her to look.
Hi.
It was all so clear to her now, like the text fun, this was going to be a naughty pass-the-note-in-class game. She bit the inside of her lip to stifle a laugh. He was in such a playful mood lately, and she relished the excitement that it gave her. She rolled her pen in her fingers and started to write her reply on the back of her page, excited with the idea of being mischievous in a room full of people.
Hi yourself.
Nice pen.
Thanks.
Lunch?
Can’t today sorry!
Sad face.
Rain check?
Sure baby. Dinner?
Perhaps.
Restaurant or my place?
Your place could be dangerous.
My place it is then! Big smile.
LOL we could do pizza?
And a movie?
Sounds good what movie?
Don’t care, we can make out.
Really big smile.
Love it when you blush.
Stop! Lol
Do you know how hot you look today?
Do you?
Do you know what I’d like to do to you at this moment?
Is it hot in here?
The group was directed to turn to another page, and the pair did so, but to the back of it. Eden was feeling quite naughty and a little heated. She hoped that her face wasn’t giving anything away as she glanced at Chase, noting that he was fiddling with his pen while answering a question directed his way. When he was finished with his conversation, he looked at her, smiled, and wiggled his pen, and she moved her attention to the paper again as the meeting moved on. Too bad she had absolutely no idea what had been discussed, she would have to read over the file after.
Visualize.
What?
My hand on your breast.
Oh my!
My hand on your knee.
Yes.
My hand on your hot thigh.
Yes, yes.
My hand under your skirt.
What if I said…
What?
I wasn’t wearing panties!
You’re killing me. Big smile.
Big smile.
Good thing the meeting isn’t over.
Why?
I have a big problem.
What???
Hard-on!
Lol
She glanced over to see that, indeed, he was sporting a nice sized swell under his dress pants, making her heart race, creating a puddle down below. How she missed the pleasure that he gave her. She reached for her glass of water and took a sip to calm down before she created an embarrassing scene.
I wish I were that glass.
?
And your lips were touching me.
(Blushing)
Stay the night.
I don’t know.
I’m not asking!
What happened to taking it slow?
I promise to take it slow baby! Agonizingly slow!
(Blush) Maybe!
That’s better than no. Big smile.
Big smile!!!
When the meeting was over, the group stood, making small talk and shaking hands. Each member of the board wished Eden a long future with the company, telling her how happy they were to have a design department with such a talented designer. Checking her watch, she saw it was nearly twelve thirty. She needed to get to the jeweler.
“Eden, could I see you in my office for a moment?” Chase asked, his face void of any expression, not giving anything away to the rest of the remaining group.
“I have a minute,” she answered, and they walked painstakingly untailored to his office in silence.
Chase slid open the door and waved her in ahead of him. Once inside, he closed the door. Moving to her, pulling her roughly into his hold, he closed his mouth over hers and gripped both cheeks of her rear end tight to him, rubbing his arousal into her with a shift of his hips. She dropped her folder to the floor and wrapped her arms around his neck, darting her tongue into his mouth, seeking out his tongue in a dance of delights.
She pulled away, breathing heavy and flushed. Chase straightened himself, smirking as he watched her do the same. He picked up her folder from the floor and handed it to her, running his hand along her arm seductively as she took it.
“I’d love to stay and play, Mr. Dean, but I must go,” Eden said, provocatively.
“You’re such a tease.” He laughed.
“Mmm…” She hummed with a cheeky grin.
“Until tonight,” he said, reaching out to touch his fingertip over her plumped nipple, evident through her satin blouse.
“Behave yourself, Mr. Dean…until tonight!” She giggled, biting her lip.
She opened the door and walked down the hall, wiggling her butt just a little exaggerated, for his eyes only, which she knew were fixed on her ass. She heard his moan and turne
d to see him leaning in the doorway arms, crossed with a smile on his gorgeous face.
***
Eden practically ran to the jewelers. Her time was limited due to a scheduled meeting with a new client shortly after lunch. The playtime she shared with her man after the meeting didn’t help, but it turned out to be the highlight of her morning.
She was more than happy with Chase’s gift and waited while it was gift-wrapped. She looked around the store to kill time, admiring the entire selection of diamonds and glittering cocktail rings, etcetera.
An all too familiar voice rasped along Eden’s nerve endings like nails on a blackboard as she turned to see Rheanna schmoozing with the salesman. Leaning forward and laughing far too loudly, she was visibly laying it on thick for the benefit of the male staff. She reminded Eden of a black-haired harlot from a fifties movie with just the right amount of cleavage displayed for her companion’s enjoyment. Eden shook her head with a snort, disgusted with the lengths that this woman would go to attract a man’s attention.
When the salesman returned with the carefully wrapped gift, alerting Eden that it was ready, Rheanna looked over and scowled before excusing herself from the drooling salesman long enough to skulk over to speak, to Eden’s dismay.
“What do you have there?” she asked in a rather sour tone, eyeing the black-wrapped box, tied with gold satin ribbon.
“A gift for your brother’s birthday,” Eden answered, wishing not to be having this conversation with the dragon lady.
Her shrill laughter and annoying throwing back of her head only riled Eden more. The vision of it tearing from her shoulders and crashing to the floor behind her, made Eden smile if only for a brief second. “You do know that he can’t wear cheap jewelry, it gives him a rash. Besides, if you knew him like you think you do, you would know you missed his birthday.” She tittered at her own bitter undertaking at humor.
“Not to worry, Rheanna.” She so wanted to put her in her place, but was holding back so as not to make a scene. Then she thought better of it since the sales staff had heard the insulting comment from her nasty lips already. “I left the cheap shit just for you!”
Eden smiled to herself, turning to thank the salesman who was trying hard to restrain his laughter behind the back of his hand, and walked ceremoniously out the door with her head held high.
***
Eden ordered a pizza and sat sipping a bottle of water while she waited. She sat near the counter, watching as couples shared romantic stares and glasses of wine by candles lit in cheap wine bottles with the wax drippings, now solid, down the sides. Her mind drifted to thoughts of the night to come. She missed his touch and the promise of pleasure only he could bestow upon her.
She’d carefully chosen what to wear with a wet appetite for only him in mind. She dressed in a pair of ratty, old, loose-fit jeans, folded over at the top to accentuate her tiny waist and curvy hips and a tight, form-fitting white t-shirt that left a gap at her waist, leaving her belly button exposed. She chose not to wear a bra and panties, well aware that her dark nipples undoubtedly could be seen through the thin fabric. Over it, she wore a heavy, grey hoody, now zipped up to keep her warm in the cold December air. It would add to the allure when it was removed.
The sweet Italian gentleman behind the counter called to her, holding out her pizza. She thanked him, turning to make her way out the door, when she was blocked by the unwelcome view of the dragon lady. Her stomach felt like a lead weight had been dropped into it, and she would have given anything to be able to sneak out the back way unscathed. Chase had mentioned that Rheanna was living at the country house until it sold, making Eden wonder what she was doing in the city.
“Is there anywhere in this city that you aren’t?” Rheanna spit at her. The sour smell of liquor blew in Eden’s face, causing her to turn her head away and hold her breath.
“Goodbye, Rheanna,” Eden said, trying to squeeze passed her without disturbing any of the nearby customers, without success. This just couldn’t happen three times in one day and in less than twelve hours. What were the odds, like a million to one?
“Who’s the pizza for? Got a date…must be a real loser.” The tail end of her statement was directed at her much older dinner companion, but said loud enough to attempt to annoy Eden. She really was a contemptible bitch, as evil as the day was long. Rheanna made the wicked witch of the west come across like the good fairy in comparison.
“Not nice, Rheanna…shouldn’t call your brother names.” She crushed passed her, bumping an empty chair, and apologizing to a family enjoying dinner, not waiting for a reaction from the dragon lady. Three strikes and you’re done, with any luck, Eden thought.
Eden walked along the street wondering what the hell that woman hated her for. She had never done her any harm. In fact, it should be Eden that hated her, since Rheanna was a big part of Jackson getting into the country house and terrorizing her.
She turned her sights to the window displays as she walked by the many stores and boutiques that lined the busy main street. A palm tree and cruise ship caught her eye in the travel agent’s window, complete with real sand and seashells. She dreamt herself soaking up the sun, and the sound of waves splashed along the shore of a tropical location. She almost felt warm, almost, when she became very aware that she was shivering. She picked up her pace, proceeding past the shops and into Chase’s apartment lobby.
At the Pen1 elevator, Eden punched in the code on the pin pad and climbed in when it opened. She checked her lip gloss in the mirrors and unzipped her hoody, so as to check that her look was just perfect and would have the effect she was hoping for. She zipped it back up just as the door opened to an empty foyer. It was quiet and quite dark inside. There was no sound. She frowned and tiptoed in a little further. He assured her he would be there when she arrived.
The dark was beginning to scare her, making her uncomfortable. She reached the hall light switch and turned it on, illuminating the living room area. She looked up the stairs for a sign of light under the doors, but they were dark. The kitchen light was off so she made no attempt to go inside. The only other place she thought he could be was the movie room. She turned the hall light on and made her way to the door. A flicker of light shone inside from the LED screen. His raven hair could be seen over the back of the couch.
Eden walked around to face Chase, who was sound asleep. She smiled at how sweet he looked. His lips were slightly parted, and she could hear his gentle breathing. Placing the pizza quietly on the coffee table, Eden leaned in close making sure not to touch him and possibly wake him too soon. Coming forward, she touched her lips to his. He startled and his eyes burst open, his hands grabbing her arms. Chase let out a breath when he realized it was her and pulled her onto his lap, smothering her with many tiny kisses.
“Hi, baby,” he said, smoothing her hair back from her face.
“Hi, nice sleep?”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to fall asleep. I was going to meet you at the elevator. I feel bad now.”
Eden ran her hand over his chest and shoulder with a smile. “You don’t feel bad to me, not bad at all!”
They kissed and caressed each other until they were breathless.
“I’m hungry, and I brought pizza. Let’s eat,” Eden said, getting to her feet and pulling Chase to stand.
“It’ll be cold by now. Come, we’ll heat it up.” Chase took her by the hand and carried the pizza box into the kitchen, placing the pizza in the oven to heat it.
“Can I interest you in a glass of wine?” he asked while retrieving two glasses from the counter.
“Yes, please.”
Chase poured the wine, and they clinked their glasses together, enjoying the first sip with locked eyes and then a soft kiss. When Chase peeked to see the pizza’s progress, Eden took the opportunity to check out his rear end, enjoying the view immensely.
“Did you find a movie for us to watch?” she asked.
“I did, but you’ll have to wait. It’s a surprise,” h
e teased.
“An action flick? Comedy? Perhaps porn?” she asked, laughing, causing him to choke on his wine as he guffawed at her question.
“Nice try, Miss Fox, but my lips are sealed.” He gestured zipping up his lips, locking them with an imaginary key, and throwing it away, making her laugh at how crazy he looked and how much she wanted him at that very minute.
They ate several slices of pizza each and had a few glasses of wine while carrying on a serious conversation about what they had missed at the meeting, which turned out to be a lot.
He shared with her how he started working for his father as a carpenter, moving up through the different departments in the company before taking the position as CEO. How that’s the reason he spends so much time on the construction sites, the physical end being his first, true love.
She shared her love of art and all the different mediums that she had tried and failed. They laughed as she told him of her disaster with clay and a potter’s wheel.
“Let me top up our wine, and we’ll go watch the movie,” he said, clearing the table and filling their glasses. He took her hand in his familiar commanding way, and they went to the movie room. All the while, she wondered what he had up his sleeve with the movie pick.
Before they settled onto the couch, she intentionally stood in front of him and slowly unzipped her hoody, making sure that his interest was piqued. Her intention to tease was in the forefront of her mind as she slid it slowly off of her shoulders, letting it fall to the ground. Chase scanned over her from head to toe and back again, to focus on her breasts.
“Are you kidding me?” he asked with his mouth hanging open, just sitting and staring.
Eden was taken aback by his comment and uninterested demeanor. Suddenly feeling silly and discomfited, she reached down for her hoody to cover up.
“I don’t fucking think so,” he said, grabbing her hoody from her and throwing it back to the ground. “Very, very hot, Miss Fox!”
He ran his hand over her exposed belly and up to her breast kneading it with vigor. He took his other hand and cradled it around the nape of her neck, moving her waiting mouth to his own, and delved his tongue into her mouth in search of her hot tongue. Her hands ran up his back into his raven curls, and she buried her fingers deep in his unruly hair with such heat and passion, it hurt. He let out a painful moan. She untangled her hands from his hair and peeled his hands off of her breasts and stepped back.
Eden's Pleasure (Pulse Book 1) Page 30
