by Lily Cahill
“No,” Emily said, gazing up into Chase’s eyes. She hoped he saw all the love in her face. “No, I should be the one apologizing. I haven’t been able to sleep thinking about what I said.”
“That I was a failure, a drunk, a sleaze.”
Emily groaned.
“No, Em. No, you were right. I hated all of that about myself, but I’m trying … I’m trying to be a better man.” Chase lifted his hand from Emily’s waist and cupped the side of her face. They’d stopped dancing, Emily realized, though she didn’t know when.
“Emily, you make me a better man.”
Emily pressed into Chase’s hand against her cheek and closed her eyes, letting a sigh escape her.
“You must know, Emily. You must. What I feel for you …. I tried to deny it, but when Lacy followed me to my room and tried to kiss me, all I could think about was you. I couldn’t be with her, not when my heart belongs to you.”
Chapter Twelve
Chase
CHASE REMEMBERED TIFF’S WORDS TO him: It was time to be truthful with Emily, fully truthful.
He’d been thinking a lot about truths in the last few days as he and his brothers finished their album and packed up for Brooklyn. For most of his adult life, Chase had thought that being fated to a mate was a prison sentence, not a destiny to long for. Destiny was what made his father become clan leader, after all, and that power had corrupted him and destroyed his family.
But that was the hard thing about truth, because Chase had to face the fact that fate hadn’t made his father a tyrant and a violent, terrible person. His father had chosen the road he followed. Chase also had the freedom to choose his path. And he chose Emily.
Chase tore his gaze away from Emily to look around the room. It was hard to do, she was unbelievably beautiful in that dress. But he couldn’t exactly be truthful in a room full of people.
Or … maybe he could, in a way. Chase spied a ring of theater boxes above his head circling the dance floor. This space must have been a theater in a previous life. A smile curled on Chase’s face, and he leaned close to Emily and whispered for her to meet him in the box on the far left. He’d meet her there in five minutes.
Emily looked at him quizzically, but nodded and slipped away. Chase felt colder without her body pressed against his, but he reminded himself it was only for a moment, really. After tonight, hopefully they’d spend every night together for the rest of their lives.
Chase kept his head down—he knew people recognized him, but he didn’t want to talk or sign any autographs tonight. He paused at the bar in the corner and ordered another sparkling wine for Emily and a water for himself.
“You don’t belong here,” a voice hissed behind him.
He turned to see a tall man with hair styled to an inch of its life. He was such a pretty boy, Chase could barely conceal his sneer.
“What? At this bar? Yeah, probably not. But that’s thankfully not your problem, man.”
The man—who Chase was fairly sure was Asher Longchamp—kept his features flat, but his thin mouth curled in disgust. “Don’t play dumb.” Asher laughed meanly. “Though, from what I’ve heard, that’s about all you can do.”
Chase picked up the drinks and tried to shoulder past Asher, but the man barred his way.
“You can play dress up and pretend you’re one of us,” Asher hissed. “But don’t forget you’re just the talent. You’re replaceable.”
Chase pulled his shoulders straight and looked right into Asher’s face. Up this close, the pretty boy mask turned into something uglier. “I’m pretty sure it’s you who got replaced, Asher.”
Asher’s hand shot out and grabbed at Chase’s forearm. Chase flexed his considerable muscle, but didn’t move.
“You’ll be sorry you screwed up my relationship with her.”
Chase blinked slowly and extracted his arm from Asher’s grip. Then he turned and fished a twenty out of his pocket and threw it on the bar. “This man needs a stiff drink,” he told the bartender, who nodded and glanced at Asher. Then he paused at Asher’s shoulder. “Get a hold of yourself, man. You’re embarrassing yourself.”
He left Asher and the gala behind and took the stairs two at a time. He stopped just outside the curtain hiding the box and straightened his suit jacket. It had cost more money than he’d spent on a year’s worth of clothing, and he didn’t feel like ruining it tonight. Not for a whiny bastard like Asher Longchamp.
Chase pulled the curtain aside and slipped into the shadowy box. Emily was at the balcony railing, the lights from the gala below silhouetting her irresistible form. He took a second just to stare at her, at how perfect she was. Then he cleared his throat and watched with a full heart as she turned, her eyes lighting up and her smile beaming.
Chase crossed to her and held the sparkling wine out. She took it with a smile and glanced at the water in his hand, but didn’t say anything. Chase was grateful for that. He didn’t want to shy away from talking about his problem with alcohol, but he wanted to focus on happier things tonight.
Chase joined Emily at the balcony railing and looked out over the gala below. Miniature dancers turned in circles far below them, the music wafting up softly to their hidden perch.
“Emily, I want to be totally honest with you,” Chase said, still watching the gala play out beneath them. Emily set her drink down and faced Chase. He took her hands between his own and pulled her fingers up to his lips. “I would simply say that I love you, but it’s more than that. Emily, what I feel for you transcends love to become something deeper, more primal.”
The brightness in Emily’s eyes shone for him, tears sparkling in her beautiful brown eyes. “I feel the same way, Chase. I don’t know how to explain it, but I understand what you’re saying. Completely.”
Chase squeezed her hands. “It’s because we’re soulmates.”
A delicate frown creased Emily’s forehead between her eyebrows, and Chase reached up to smooth it out.
“I know you’re my soulmate because of what I am.” Chase took a deep breath and stepped back, deeper into the shadows of the box. “I need to show you something, but just … just promise you won’t scream.”
Chapter Thirteen
Emily
CONFUSION AND INTRIGUE SWIRLED THROUGH Emily. What could Chase possibly have to tell her that could make her scream? She tilted her chin and stared at the man … but he wasn’t quite the Chase Hart she knew.
Emily squinted in the gloom and heavy shadows of the theater box, and what she saw made her shove her fist against her mouth to stifle a gasp. Chase was changing … morphing into a creature that set Emily’s heart racing. Hair rippled over his entire body. No, not hair, fur. His limbs were breaking and reforming into something thick and powerful, and his face was stretching into a snout. It all happened so fast, the changes nearly fluid. One second, Emily had been regarding Chase, the next, a monstrous bear crowded the suddenly too-small box.
Emily pressed her back against the railing, her lungs gasping for air and her throat tight. He was … he was a bear. Emily shook her head, willing this vision to clear, but when she looked again, the bear was still there.
A bear … in a theater box … in the middle of Manhattan.
The bear lumbered closer, a low rumble rolling out of his sharp-toothed muzzle. The bear peered at her, blinked slowly. And Emily’s heart calmed, her breath returned. The bear had Chase’s eyes. Emily didn’t know how she recognized that, since the bear’s eyes were darker than Chase’s, but it was undeniable. Emily recognized Chase—the human Chase—in this creature.
Tentatively, she inched forward and ran her hand lightly over the bear’s neck and shoulders. The bear—no, she reminded herself, Chase—nuzzled against her fingers. A giggle escaped Emily. This was crazy! She was petting a bear. She dug her fingers into his soft, deep fur and recognized the coloring. It was dark, with threads of auburn woven throughout.
“Chase,” Emily whispered.
The bear looked up at her, and Emily coul
d have sworn he smiled.
Then Chase was before her again, and Emily tumbled into his arms. She felt dizzy with the encounter she’d just had, her knees weak and her hands jittery. She ran her fingers over Chase’s face, his shoulders, down his chest, just to reassure herself he was there, he was real, he was hers.
“You recognized me.”
Emily nodded and pressed her forehead against Chase’s chest, felt her heart beat in rhythm with his.
“It’s because we’re soulmates, Emily. My people, shifters, we believe in one mate who fulfills us, who is our destiny. And you’re mine.”
Emily smiled into Chase’s chest. Before meeting him, Emily would have scoffed at such a concept. But everything he said just felt so … right.
“Emily, I knew the moment I saw you that you were my mate, but I tried to deny it. There are things about my family, me past that you don’t know. But, God, I couldn’t function without you. I felt so hollow, like a husk of the man I knew I could be with you by my side.” Chase’s arms were warm and secure around Emily’s waist, their bodies lined up and fitting in the most perfect way. Emily felt Chase’s words rumble through her. “Emily, I love you.”
Emily looked up, trailed her fingers up Chase’s neck, through his trimmed beard, to cup his face. “I love you too, Chase.” She smiled at the pure joy that shone in Chase’s eyes and felt her love for this man reflected back a thousand times over. “But don’t think this means we’ll stop arguing. You fluster me like no other.”
A wicked grin tugged at Chase’s lips. “I love sparring with you almost as much as I love making up.”
He dipped his mouth to hers, his kiss soft, reverent. Emily pressed into the kiss, deepened it. But she felt it could never be deep enough to show just how much she loved this man.
After a long moment, Emily pulled back. “So this … this love between us? It’s forever?”
Chase grasped her chin and tugged her closer. He pressed his forehead to hers and gazed deep into her eyes. “I can’t wait to get started on my forever with you.”
Their long kiss burned molten, until Emily could feel Chase’s cock pressing against her belly and her own thighs slick with desire. Emily ran her hands hungrily down Chase’s suit jacket to his pants, desire making her rush. She tugged open his pants and released his cock.
“I need you,” she panted against his lips. “I need you inside of me.”
Chase growled in agreement and flipped Emily around. Breathing heavily, she planted her hands against the railing as Chase hoisted her long gown up her thighs. With sure fingers, Chase yanked her panties down, and Emily stepped out of them, keeping her stilettos on.
“Jesus, Em. You’re so fucking hot.”
Emily peered over her shoulder and grinned wickedly. She had never been this brazen, this hungry, with another man. But with Chase, she could give in to her naughtiest desires. “Yeah? You like what you see?”
With Chase’s hot gaze on her, Emily spread her legs and bent over the railing, pushing her round ass toward Chase’s hands. He grabbed hold of her with a deep groan and let his fingers roam.
Emily looked out over the gala still in full swing below them as Chase’s fingers left blazing hot trails over her thighs, her ass, along her wet pussy. God, he was going to make her come with all these people below, completely unaware. It was so dangerous. The danger of it just made Emily want Chase all the more.
Emily gasped as Chase’s fingers plunged into her. It was only for a moment, then his hands was on her ass again, spreading her legs. Emily felt him shift behind her, get on his knees. She gripped the railing to keep herself upright, her breasts heaving in the low-cut gown.
She felt Chase’s breath on the back of her thigh, then his tongue lapped at her skin. He licked and sucked his way up her body, and Emily was nearly overcome with lust as he paused at her pussy.
“Chase, please,” she groaned. “Please—” Her pleadings were cut off with a sharp gasp as Chase’s tongue plunged into her pussy, his tongue rolling against her slit and his mouth hot on her skin. He worked his way forward, until his tongue flicked at her clit.
Emily moaned loudly, her eyelids fluttering closed in ecstasy. Chase grabbed hold tightly to her thighs and his face was pressed up and against her wet pussy, his tongue and lips working wonders on her clit. Emily rocked her hips back, arching backward so Chase could suck her clit deeper into her mouth.
She was panting, her heart ramming against her ribs and her entire body pulled taut. God, she was so close. She could feel the orgasm pressing against her skin and bones from the inside, begging to be let out.
Chase sucked at her hard, then pulled away. His hands wrapped around her hips and dipped back down the front of her body to her clit. At the same time, Emily felt the head of his enormous cock press against her slit, and she arched back into him. He drove deep, his giant cock plunging into her pussy.
Chase’s mouth was hot against Emily’s neck, his teeth nipping at her earlobe.
“Look at them down there,” he whispered into her ear as he pumped his cock in and out of her. “You think they’re having as much fun as we are?”
Emily could only moan loudly at the sensation of Chase working his cock deep inside of her body. She let go of the railing with one hand and wrapped her arm back around his body to grab for his delicious ass. She yanked him closer, driving his cock deeper into her.
Her entire body wound up tight, her pussy squeezing around Chase’s cock. Then she gasped loudly as her orgasm broke free, washing over her in delectable, warm waves. Chase groaned and released himself into her, his body growing heavy against her back.
Chase pulled himself free, and Emily spun to collapse into his arms. They fell back against the theater box wall, sated.
Emily kissed lazily at Chase’s neck, nuzzled into him. “Let’s get out of here,” she whispered. “I’ve had enough of this gala, don’t you think?”
Hand in hand, they ran down the stairs and into the crisp New York night. It was only when they were blocks away that Emily remembered her panties, left behind on the theater box floor. She giggled madly and turned in a circle, her smile wide and free.
“I love you, Chase Hart.”
Chase hauled her close and kissed her under the streetlights. “I love you, Emily St. Clair.”
Chapter Fourteen
Chase
CHASE TUGGED AT THE CUFFS of his pressed button-down. He wanted to prove to Emily that he could be part of her world. Now that he’d finally accepted fate—not just accepted, but reveled in it, embraced it—he wanted to shower Emily with everything he could think of, to show her what he could offer her as a mate.
But that didn’t make him any more comfortable in the expensive dark blue dress pants and patterned tie. But if it made Emily happy, it was worth it. Chase adjusted his tie and pressed the buzzer to her apartment. It was more than worth it.
“Hello?”
Chase leaned close to the speaker. “Hello, Ms. St. Clair, you have one hour to slip into the fanciest thing you own. I’m taking you out.”
He heard a laugh, then a buzz as she let him up to her beautiful, old apartment. Emily answered the door in her Harvard hoodie and yoga pants, her hair thrown up in a bun.
“I’ll be requiring a dress hoodie, madam,” Chase said, handing over a bouquet of dusky pink peonies.
Emily rolled her eyes and opened the door wider for Chase to come in, taking the flowers as she did. He’d been to her place once so far, though they hadn’t spent much time outside the bedroom. It was a lovely brownstone in Sutton Place, with leaded windows and arched doorways and zero closets. Apparently, her parents were appalled by the apartment and insisted she move somewhere with a doorman. Emily rejoiced in paying for the place on her own.
Emily took her time looking Chase up and down, her lips curled in a devious grin. “I’m going to need you to undress immediately,” she purred, grabbing his tie.
Chase shimmied out of her grip and turned in a circle. “Lat
er. Right now, you need to change. We have a driver showing up in one hour and reservations at Le Cirque.”
Emily froze. “Seriously?”
“Seriously.”
“That place is impossible to get into!” Emily scurried away, tugging her sweatshirt off and she went. Chase groaned and followed, suddenly regretting the reservation. The curve of Emily’s ass as she wiggled out of her yoga pants was just too delicious to ignore.
Chase strode into her bedroom and grabbed her from behind, his mouth going to the sensitive spot on her neck he’d discovered. Emily stopped and tilted, giving him more access.
“I thought you said I had to hurry and get ready.”
Chase licked his way up to her ear. “In a minute,” he growled.
It was well over a minute later when Emily, her cheeks bright and her chest heaving, climbed off Chase and collapsed onto the bed.
“When is the car coming again?”
Chase glanced at the clock. “Ten minutes.”
Emily squealed and jumped off the bed, dashing around her room naked. She grabbed a black wrap dress from her closet and stepped into black pumps as Chase tugged his pants back on. Emily swiped on mascara and some red lipstick, then twisted her hair into a knot on top of her head. She was at the bedroom door when Chase stopped her.
“Your pearls,” he said, plucking them off her dressing table. “I’ve had the strangest change of heart about pearls on a woman.”
Emily held still as Chase hooked the clasp at the nape of her neck then leaned close to kiss her there. She reached behind her to caress his face.
“And I’ve had the strangest change of heart about tattoos.”
Chase laughed, then held out his arm for her to take. “You don’t say.”
The black car was waiting at the curb when they walked out, and it was a quick drive to Le Cirque. The place was styled like a French Riviera bistro, but it was apparently known for its envelope-pushing gastronomy. They were seated at a window table, and one look at the small menu was enough to make Chase’s stomach clench. Why were there so many foams on a single menu? Avocado foam crudité? He had no idea what that was.
