Chadwick's Rare Find (An Intriguing Romance Novel)

by Heidi Sexton

  “You should go back to the library.” Brittany jumped when she heard his voice. How long had he been awake?

  “I’m lost.” She stammered stupidly. How long had she been standing there staring at him. Brittany could feel her face burn from embarrassment. He had to think she was crazy.

  “Go back to the library, Brittany. I will come get you after you finish daddy’s massage.” Chadwick had not turned over. He wouldn’t look at her. Brittany began to wonder if something was wrong. She stepped closer to the bed. Moving around to the side of the bed she laid her hand on Chadwick’s back. He flinched. She snatched her hand away.

  “What is wrong with you, Chadwick?” She asked.

  “Nothing,” Brittany could hear the strain in his voice. He turned his head and looked into her eyes. The fire in his eyes sent an electric shock through her. The room suddenly seemed smaller and warmer.

  “I will see you after the massage then,” she said breathlessly as she backed towards the door. His eyes never left her and Brittany had to focus hard on standing up straight, not stumbling, and getting through the door. Once through the door, she pressed her hand against her stomach in a futile effort to still the fluttering in her stomach. She almost ran down the stairs and back to the library.

  #

  Chadwick jumped out of the bed. Storming into the bathroom he turned the cold water on, stripped, and stepped into the shower. He had never been so embarrassed. He could not seem to control himself around Brittany. What did it all mean? Should he be running away from her or to her? He wasn’t sure if he liked being out of control. Where would it lead him? He knew what women with that kind of power could do to a man. It was not a pretty picture. He did not want to be ruled by his desires or by his woman. He prided himself in being a strong-minded man. Brittany was throwing seeds of doubt over his long held impression of himself.

  Even so, he couldn’t help but feel excited. He had felt the sexual tension between them. He knew that she wanted him. He just had to convince her that she could trust him with her feelings. Again, he wondered why she had such a strong aversion to wealthy people. He wondered what terrible incident in her life had resulted in her hatred of rich people.

  #

  Mara was wondering where Brittany had gone. She had all but dragged James to the library. He was sitting in a chair glaring at her from across the room. He had a white terry cloth robe on. Mara had made sure that he only wore briefs beneath it. Now he sat with his bare legs crossed at the ankles and hands folded in his lap. Mara struggled to keep from laughing. One would think he was about to undergo invasive surgery. She had done everything but hit him in the head with a frying pan to get him downstairs. Mara was secretly hoping the full body massage would relieve her husband. He had been tense for too long and this was causing problems in their bedroom. Maybe tonight things would be different now.

  She looked up as Brittany rushed into the room. Mara knew instinctively that she had been with Chadwick. Brittany’s light skin was mottled across her cheeks and chest area. One hand was pressed against her stomach and her eyes glittered.

  “Are you okay, honey?” Mara asked.

  “Oh, yes. I got lost. This house is huge, but it is decorated really nice. I really like Adanna’s style.” Brittany could not hide the tremor in her voice. Realizing Chadwick was in a sexually aroused state because of her had started a riot of emotions within her.

  Brittany heard a grunt from across the room and turned to see a man, who clearly was Chadwick’s father, sitting in a chair. She did not miss the warning look that Mrs. Jordan sent him. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat and stared.

  “Thank you, dearest. Make sure you tell Adanna that you like her decorating. She will be ecstatic. Well, Brittany, this is my husband, James, your client for the evening.” Mara pointed at James who pressed his back into the chair as if he could disappear through it somehow.

  Brittany was used to this. Most of her clients were regulars who knew how to accept the wonders of a massage, the wonders of human hands kneading tired muscles and rejuvenating weary spirits. Then there were the ones who viewed a massage as a passage to inhibition. These people felt that massages should be reserved for people who were pleasure seekers and immoral.

  Brittany had experience with both types of clients. She knew what to do with Mr. Jordan. She would have to take control. She would treat him as a patient instead of a friend. She would have to be totally impersonal. This was the type of client that Brittany loved most. She did not have to give anything of herself; only the labor of her hands.

  “This way Mr. Jordan. You may keep your robe on. Please untie your belt though. Onto the table please. No, no, face down. Place your face over this opening. Yes, that’s it.” Her voice had taken on a monotonous tone, buzzing with quiet authority. This was her show. She knew what she was doing. She had him on the table, face down without a word of dispute. Brittany glanced over Mr. Jordan’s body to look at Mara. Mara bucked her eyes and raised her eyebrows in disbelief. Brittany gave a shooing inflection of the hands and Mara spun around and exited the room.

  She was a professional. She had worked long hard hours to gain her credentials. She had done everything expected and even more to become the best there was in this business. Mr. Jordan was typical and could be handled easily. Did Mrs. Jordan think she was anything less than capable? Brittany gave it no more thought as she focused on Mr. Jordan’s hands. She still had not heard him say a word. She could sense the tension in him and so decided to put her all into his treatment. He seemed to need it.

  She had worked on Mr. Jordan for an hour and her arms and legs were aching. Her hands felt cramped. She was ready to go home.

  “Mr. Jordan,” she whispered.

  “Yes,” he said.

  “How do you feel?”

  “Defeated,” another one word reply. It was enough. Brittany’s mouth opened and she laughed hard. She laughed even harder when she saw the table shaking and realized that Mr. Jordan was laughing too.

  “Good for you, Mr. Jordan. I will leave you now. Tell Mrs. Jordan I will be in the kitchen waiting for her to tell me when it’s clear for me to pack my things.”

  “Don’t leave yet.” James rolled over and tied his robe before he climbed off the table.

  “I hear you and my son had an accident. Are you okay?” He seemed honestly concerned.

  “It wasn’t that bad. With the way it happened it could have been worse. We were very fortunate.”

  James watched Brittany from through his eyelashes. Her beauty was undeniable, but it had not complicated her. She was open and friendly. He liked her. He could see this woman and Chadwick together.

  “Do you make good money in this business?” James watched for her reaction to his pertinent question.

  “I’m not wealthy, Mr. Jordan. But I do enjoy financial freedom enough to do some of the things I want to do and buy some of the things I want to have. I’m a content individual. It doesn’t take a lot to make me happy.”

  Brittany’s answer couldn’t have been more perfect. James was impressed. “I will come get you myself when I am dressed. I want to talk to you.” He said.

  “I don’t think you understand what a full body massage will do to you. Once you get showered and redressed, you will be half asleep. These type massages have a latent effect.”

  “Oh, in that case, I will talk to you tomorrow when you come back for dinner with us.” He said.

  “Another summons, hmm. I will have to see about it. You go get some rest. Have a good evening, Mr. Jordan,” was all she said as she left the room. Her life was taking on layers of intrigue. She wondered what interesting thing would happen next.

  CHAPTER 6

  Chadwick was in awe of Brittany. He couldn’t believe the easy conversation he had just heard between Brittany and his dad. His dad had been nice to her. He had even shown deference to her by not bullying her into having dinner with them. Chadwick leaned against the wall. He crammed his hands into his pockets. What was goin
g on here? Brittany was too sweet to be a witch. He wasn’t sure if he believed in all that hoopla about powers and jinxes anyway. But he knew one thing for sure. Brittany Bradfield had power over men. He and his dad had proven that without a shadow of a doubt.

  After the incident with Brittany in his bedroom, Chadwick had left his room to find his sisters. They were in the den watching a movie. When they saw him, they were eager to talk about Brittany. Vana was not completely sold on Brittany, but she couldn’t find any real fault with her. She was leaning towards declaring Brittany’s extraordinary beauty a failing, which was ridiculous. So, Chadwick stopped listening to her. This made Vana mad. Adanna had only good things to say. She told him how Brittany put Vana in her place, which helped explain Vana’s attitude. He would deal with her later.

  Now standing against the wall, he could hear Brittany’s long-legged strides coming towards the door. She came out and stopped immediately when she saw him. Their eyes met and memories of their recent encounter flared between them. Chadwick knew she had watched him, as he had lain across his bed. He could feel her eyes on him. The memory of it stirred his male desire. Forgetting where he was or what he was supposed to be doing, Chadwick’s eyes traveled the length of her as she stood in the hallway. He came off the wall slowly. He stalked her until she was up against the same wall he had come off of. Only a breath separated them when he stopped. He looked down into her caramel brown eyes. His gaze traveled down her throat to the swell of her breast. Breathing in her essence, his eyes rose to her lips. She licked them. He watched, like a man under hypnosis, as her throat convulsed with a swallow.

  “Since you aren’t going to kiss her anytime soon, I suggest you help her get her equipment together. It’s late and I know she is tired after working on my old bones for over an hour.” His dad’s voice intruded like the sound of a canon. Chadwick jerked upright. He balled his hands into fists and faced his father.

  “You’re right, Dad. Brittany must be very tired. Let me help you pack up, Brittany,” he said through clenched teeth. Chadwick gave his father a glacial stare. With his hand in the middle of Brittany’s back they entered the library his father had just exited.

  “Brittany, do you want me to get one of the girls to take you home or are you comfortable with Chadwick taking you?” Chadwick couldn’t believe his dad’s perfidy. He was inwardly seething. He knew if his father said one more thing, he would lose control completely. Both he and Brittany had turned back around and were staring at his father.

  “Mr. Jordan, it is so sweet of you to show concern for me. Thank you, but I’ll be fine. I’ve been alone with Chadwick before. You’ll be glad to know he was well behaved,” she said with a twinkle in her eyes.

  With a grunt in Chadwick’s direction, his father reached out and patted Brittany on the shoulder before taking himself off to shower and thank his know-it-all wife for such a pleasant experience.

  Brittany looked at Chadwick and he gave a tight smile as he pointed to the table. “How do you let this down?”

  “I’ll let it down and you can carry it out,” she said in an even tone. It was obvious Chadwick’s father had upset him. He was tense and she could feel it. She could always feel when people were tense. She knew it had to do with her training as a masseuse. Her mind briefly wondered what Chadwick would do if she offered him a massage. She watched him from the corner of her eye as he moved around the room. His movements were lithe. His body was in good shape. He probably ran every morning. No, his body was sculptured. Bodies did not get that way from running. Chadwick, more than likely, pumped iron.

  After dismantling her table and gathering her towels and oils, Brittany was ready to go. She picked up her music box and followed Chadwick out the door, as he carried her table. Within minutes they were outside and at the car.

  “Just put your stuff down here. I’ll put everything in the trunk.”

  Brittany put her bags down and Chadwick laid the table against the trunk of the car. He walked around to the passenger door, opened it, and Brittany slid in. She reached for her seatbelt, only to find that Chadwick had it. She stared at him as he leaned over her, pressing his chest into hers. She barely heard the click of the buckle. He smelled so good and it seemed as if tongues of fire were coming from him. He was so hot. As he buckled her belt, he silently watched her face. His warm breath fluttered over her lips and without saying a word, he slid away from her, stood up and shut the door.

  Brittany was breathless. She gulped for air as he finished putting her things in the trunk.

  As he came around the car, Brittany struggled to compose herself before he got in. What kind of man buckled a grown woman’s seatbelt? Whatever he was trying to do, it had certainly worked. She squeezed her legs together in an effort to still the turbulence that had begun.

  Chadwick climbed into the car and slammed the door. He jerked the car into drive. He knew he had startled Brittany by her sharp intake of breath. He was immediately ashamed. He was frustrated. It seemed as if he was getting nowhere with her. Something inside of him snapped and without a thought, he put the car back in park and turned towards Brittany.

  “You know I want you don’t you?” he said.

  Brittany tensed. She could not believe what she was hearing. With one question he was challenging her to deny the blazing sexual attraction between them. She would not lie. She could not back down.

  “Yes”, was all she said.

  “Do you want me?” Incredibly he asked the question she knew would come next, but had hoped pride would prevent him from asking. Turning astonished eyes on him she stared through the darkness. Chadwick was gorgeous with his clean shaven and smooth skin. In the darkness of the night it glowed. Brittany could feel the heat radiating from that skin as she stared at him.

  ‘Chadwick, I don’t believe there is a woman alive who would not be attracted to you. But, I need to be sure of what you’re asking me. Are you asking me if I want to have sex with you or if I want you in my life?”

  He gripped the steering wheel. He had two sisters and a mother. He knew when a woman asked a question, it behooved a man to think deeply before answering. He wanted her to want him sexually and in a broader sense as well, but how did one articulate that. Answer a question with a question was the way to start.

  “Have you ever wanted a man sexually, but didn’t necessarily want him in your life?”

  He was really good at answering questions with questions. Brittany closed her eyes for a brief second. She had to steady herself. She already knew she was way out of her league with Chadwick. He had experience and she didn’t. For all of her sexual prowess, she was innocent. So, taking a deep breath she tried to relax.

  “Is that possible?” she asked quietly.

  The question disturbed him. Again, Chadwick had the feeling something wasn’t right. He looked at her through the darkness, but he couldn’t see her eyes. Hitting the switch above his head, soft light illuminated her face. To her credit she did not look away. She simply watched him and waited for his answer.

  Chadwick narrowed his eyes as he looked at her. He took a really good look at her. Her hair was in a ponytail. He looked at her caramel-colored cat eyes, her straight nose and soft, wide lips. She was truly sexy, but she wasn’t really dressed to tease a man. She had on another floral skirt made out of silk, but it was not too short. It was modest. Her breasts were full and obviously beautiful, but they weren’t on display. There was no cleavage to be seen. She was completely covered, too covered. She had on clear lip gloss. To be honest, she looked very young, very sweet, and very innocent. It couldn’t be true. There was no way he could have misjudged her. He had been on fire since he’d laid eyes on her. She had to be the sexual goddess he imagined her to be. Chadwick had stopped dealing with virgins after high school.

  “Brittany, have you ever had casual sex?” He had to be careful. He had to go slow, but he definitely had to find out if his suspicions were correct.

  She squirmed a little in her seat. Chadwick’s voi
ce had changed. His voice was low and throaty and it seemed to vibrate through her as he spoke.

  This time it did not excite him to see her wiggle around, instead it made him uncomfortable. He could feel a cold sweat breaking out on him as he waited for her answer.

  “No”, she said too quietly. She stared into her lap now.

  “Brittany”, he whispered. She felt his hand cup her chin, as he leaned in and gently turned her face into his. “Brittany, kiss me.” She could feel the warmth of his breath on her face. She stared at his lips, refusing to look into his eyes. He smoothed the back of his hand down the front of her neck and then around to the nape of her neck to pull her closer. All of Brittany’s senses came alive. She had never felt so many things at once. She had been kissed before, but no simple touch of a hand had ever affected her like this. She was in a storm. She wished that she was not a virgin. She wanted to meet this man body and soul as his equal. She wanted to climb on top of him and wage war; a sexual war that left him calling her name instead of her calling his name. He was so handsome and so sexy and she was so inadequate. No book or movie could help her know what to do with this big beautiful man.

  His lips lay on hers. He didn’t move, just pressed his lips lightly against hers. As their breaths mingled, Brittany’s toes curled. She felt heat all around her. Then his tongue swept the crease of her lips and fire exploded through her. She gasped and his tongue quickly tangled with hers. Brittany’s hands found their way onto his shoulders and she held on. Chadwick was breathing harder as he pressed her head against the back of the seat. His mouth was greedy as his tongue plunged deeper into her throat. She felt his hand tugging her skirt up, sliding over her knees and between her thighs. It was a branding. It was too much heat for her senses. Instinctively she squeezed her thighs tight stilling his hand.