With every passing second, the stirring in Chase’s loins grew. A sweat broke out on his brow. Men respond to visual stimuli. After a show like this...God help him, he couldn’t wait to get her home.
The crescendo of the song and her performance came way too soon. Stripped down to a skimpy jewelled bra and thong, she whirled around the pole at a giddy rate as applause and wolf whistles filled the room. When the music finished and Sammy skipped off the stage, Chase acknowledged a different feeling building in his gut. He and Sammy weren’t a couple as such, and yet he couldn’t stand the idea of seeing men stuff money down her crotch. With his jaw clenched, he waited for the encore. Instead the lights faded up a little and the music morphed into a background piece.
Next to him, he felt a pair of eyes drilling into him.
Laycee was grinning. “She’s pretty good, huh?”
He let out that pent up breath. “She’s way better than good.”
Sammy was in her tights and top again when she finally wiggled back through the crowd and theatrically flung out her arms.
“Ta-dah!” She flicked her hair. “Didja like it?”
Was she kidding? “Yeah, Sammy,” Chase drawled, containing himself. “I liked it.”
She hugged herself, beaming. “Still want to go?”
Stupid question.
After saying goodnight to her friends, Chase took Sammy’s hand and half dragged her out the front door. When they were on the sidewalk, he couldn’t help himself. He couldn’t wait. He bundled her up against him and showed her precisely how much he’d enjoyed her show.
They ended up in her bed, naked aside from a series of condoms. After making love the last time, Sammy felt closer to this man than she’d felt to any person. As he held her close now, dragging his lips through her hair, she also felt safer than she ever had in her life. Was it because of his former profession? A bodyguard was supposed to make a person feel secure. Protected.
Chase certainly did that.
Closing her eyes, she pressed in against his chest. Her palm skimmed skin that was bedded over muscle and dusted with hair. She trusted Chase. Trusted him enough to bare herself even more.
“I have an early call tomorrow,” she murmured against his steamy neck. “I intend to impress the shit out of the producer.”
“An audition?”
“Uh-uh.”
He gave her a squeeze. “You’ll knock him dead.”
She pushed up and, in the shadows cast by a bedside lamp, smiled down into his face. She adored his blue eyes…the strong angles of his bristled jaw.
“Want to hear some?” she asked. “The soliloquy, as they say in the biz. The part where she’s alone.”
“You bet.”
Sammy sat up, cleared her throat, and melted into the part.
Chase lay there listening, completely spellbound. Before his eyes, Sammy became another person...a woman desperately in love and undecided as to whether she ought to let the object of her affection know how she felt. The guy in question was leaving town to make his fortune and follow his dream...most likely with another woman.
Chase didn’t do daytime dramas. His television viewing comprised of sports telecasts and the occasional action flick. But this performance truly undid him. Sammy made him feel everything she was feeling...uncertainty, despair, even hope. He felt her heart break as her character said goodbye to her friend, the man she loved. It made him dig deep and wonder how he might behave in a similar situation.
Would he release the woman he loved if it meant her happiness? Or would he profess his love, hoping that she’d stay and not resent him later for keeping her from achieving her goals...hate him for putting his own desires first.
When Sammy finished, Chase took a moment before he applauded.
“That was amazing,” he said, as she fell back against him and laughed—his Sammy again.
“Maybe I should throw in a pole dance or two?”
He remembered back to earlier that night. “How often do you do that for an audience, anyway?”
“That was my public pole dancing debut.”
He searched her eyes. How much more of this woman was there left to discover? He couldn’t help but look forward to the possibilities.
“All I can say is you have remarkable talent.”
“It’s all about immersing yourself in the part. Which reminds me...” She angled toward him. “Tomorrow you said we’d talk to Ferdinand.”
He scratched his temple. He hadn’t told her yet. “Actually, I paid him a visit this afternoon on my own.”
Her face dropped. “Oh?”
More than ever, he understood Sammy wanting to absorb all she could from an actor’s perspective, but he didn’t like the idea of her getting too close to a suspect. Danger had a way of sneaking up behind you, particularly if a certain member of the Green family was in any way involved.
“It was a non-event,” he told her, hoping that might help. “I can’t see him as a suspect. But he did have some information. A week after the theft was reported, he remembers your sister and her boyfriend in the hall. Rick was blowing a gasket.”
It took a second for her expression to open up. “Hold on. You think Rick stole the ring and Ann found out?”
“It’s a possibility.” Although he still liked the Green connection better.
Sammy sat up again. “If Ann had known that Rick was involved, she’d have dropped him on his ass.”
Chase played devil’s advocate. “Even with that insurance money winging its way over to her account?”
Sammy’s pupils dilated before her mouth tightened. “Ann wouldn’t lie to me like that. Besides, keeping quiet would make her an accessory to insurance fraud. If I was a good girl back then, Ann was an angel.”
“Time will tell.” He drew her down on top of him. “For now, we should concentrate on celebrating you getting that part.”
She surrendered a grin. “I haven’t auditioned yet.”
“A mere formality.”
“Just wish me luck.”
“Luck.” He swung her over onto her back and then murmured against her lips. “But you won’t need it.”
Chapter 10
Chase didn’t hear from Sammy the next morning. By eleven a.m., the not knowing was driving him nuts. He’d lost count of the times he’d picked up his cell to phone.
After her private recital the night before, he had no doubt she would land that part. At this very moment she was probably enjoying in-depth talks and negotiations with her new producer. She would be so engrossed, so excited, she wouldn’t even think to phone. Of course, this was only the beginning. She’d have stacks more on her plate when she became a star.
By midday, Chase needed a break from cutting glass. He was feeling edgy. Needing company. He called Leo. Unavailable. Then Taylor.
“Want to catch up for a burger and beer?” he said, putting his safety glasses away.
“Can’t today. I’m taking Plain Jane turned Prom Queen out to dinner.”
There was something unfamiliar in his cousin’s deep voice. Chase thought it might be...the rumblings of commitment?
“Buddy, you sound serious,” Chase said.
“I am.”
“As in wedding bells and two point five kids serious?” Chase asked.
“I can only say, she sure is different.”
“Guess you’ll be taking her somewhere special for dinner then.”
“Hawaii.”
Chase chuckled. “Anyone else and I’d think they were joking.”
“Sorry, buddy. Gotta go. I need to finalize some arrangements.”
Putting on a fresh pot in the kitchen, Chase thought over his conversation with his cousin. Maybe he ought to book a nice place for tonight, too, so that he and Sammy could celebrate her new job. Not Maui, but a real dinner with wine rather than beer, and flickering candlelight and maybe French cuisine. Or perhaps she was into Italian, or Thai.
He’d do some research.
After making a reserva
tion, he succumbed to the pressure and phoned her cell. Sammy’s recorded voice on the other end of the line asked him to leave a message. He walked around the house a couple of times before jumping in the car and driving to the club. He needed to get out—get his mind on something else.
Rather than use the back entrance, he walked in through the front. The receptionist blinked twice before smiling and asking how his day had been so far. As he moved between the various areas, the managers checked their watches for the day. Yep. Monday. Chase only gave them an easy smile. No drama here. He was merely feeling a little, well, restless.
After making sure lunch in the main dining room had gone well, and the gym was tidy and smelling okay, he walked by Tessa’s office on the way to his own. He hadn’t made it to his desk before she was at his door.
“It’s Monday.” She looked perplexed but also pleased. “Have you finished your renovations?”
He rubbed his jaw. “I’m a little stuck at the moment.”
She waved a shiny gray envelope before drawing out a slip of paper.
“I sent out the anniversary invites,” she said, coming to stand at his side so he could peruse her work. “They’ve gone out by email, too, of course. I’m a little worried at the short notice. Ladies like to know well ahead.”
“Three weeks ought to be enough time to book a hairdresser and sort out a dress.”
He became aware of Tessa’s perfume, something she wore that reminded him of lavender fields now he thought about it. He glanced across. She wore a light tailored jacket...only he wasn’t used to having her stand quite this close. Or getting a bird’s eye view of her cleavage.
Clearing his throat, he moved around to his desk and took a seat.
“All looks good,” he said. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Easy listening entertainment as well as a noteworthy solo performer.
Tessa rounded the desk and rested her behind against the edge right beside him as she slotted the paper away. He watched her finger and thumb grease over the envelope’s seal.
“I was thinking,” she said. “Might be an idea if you and I were to stand at the entrance to the main area to welcome couples in as they arrive. It would provide a sort of mirror. Make the ladies feel more welcome and at home.” Tessa rolled slightly toward him so that her hip, more than her rear, rested on the desk’s edge. When her outer leg edged up against the other, her skirt crept a little higher.
Pushing back his chair, Chase got to his feet. “I think that’s a great idea.”
Her smile slow and uncertain, she leaned back again. “You do?”
“I think I should definitely welcome guests with someone at my side.” He collected his “gun” from the bottom drawer. “I’ll bring a date of my own.”
As he moved to his designated line in front of the target, he heard Tessa’s breath escape her lungs. He popped off three electronic slugs—not bull’s eyes but close—while Tessa straightened.
“Do I know her?” she asked quietly.
“As a matter of fact,” he said, heading back, “she’s the woman who sneaked in here the other week.”
Tessa coughed out a laugh. “Chase, it’s one thing to sleep with someone like that—”
He cut her a look. “Someone like what?”
As Tessa’s lips pressed together, he dropped the gun back in its drawer. When their eyes met again, her expression was veiled.
He didn’t want to hurt her, but maybe now she would quit with the moves. He liked Tessa, appreciated her work. But that other stuff just wasn’t happening.
After Tessa had left, Chase found his cell and dialled Sammy again. This time she picked up.
“I stank,” she said down the line. “The guy cut in halfway through and told me I could leave.”
He held his stomach. Fuck. But it wasn’t over yet...was it?
“They do that sometimes, don’t they? They have a lot of actors to get through. They get an idea of how good you are and then call back.”
“I’ve done this dozens of times before. Hundreds. He thought I sucked.”
Chase shut his eyes tight as his gut dropped more.
He needed to be there, hug her and tell her that asshole today was a cross-eyed moron. She lit up rooms. Damn it, she had star written all over her.
“I gotta go,” she groaned.
He pressed the phone harder to his ear. “I’ll come around. I’ve booked dinner at a restaurant on the water. It’s new.”
“I don’t want to go out.”
“It’d make you feel better.”
“Just because I feel like crap doesn’t mean I should bring you down, too. I’d rather be a grump on my own.”
Chase was pacing the room. He understood about wanting to escape to lick one’s wounds, more than Sammy could ever know. On the other hand, wouldn’t his company, holding and soothing her, help even a little?
“Why don’t I come over—”
“Please, Chase. I’m limping and sour and—” Her tone lowered. “Look, I’ll call you next week.”
Next week? It was only Monday for Christ’s sake. “What about the case?”
“I don’t think anyone’s going to bolt and leave the country, do you?”
“Well, no. But at some stage, we need to sit down with your sister and her husband. And I was thinking, I need to interview Fay.”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t talk now. Okay? I’ll call.”
After she hung up, Chase thought it through. Sammy was upset about missing out on the part. She didn’t feel like company and wasn’t enthused about anything much. But finding out who had stolen the heirloom ring meant the world to her. Nothing would stand in her way. Hell, she’d got him on board, hadn’t she?
And then a thought struck like a mallet to the side of the head.
He didn’t want to be like Tessa–need to be told point blank.
Was he imagining it?
Or had he just been dumped?
Chapter 11
By the time Chase called later in the week, Sammy felt better about her audition flop, probably because she had come to a painful realization—a tough understanding about where she was going and how fast, or slow, she would get there.
When Chase suggested she join him for a boat ride around the bay, just the two of them on a forty-foot luxury catamaran, she found her missing smile and accepted. A good dose of sunshine and smoldering Chase Wild had to be a good thing.
Sunday, mid-morning, they arrived at the marina and boarded Free and Breezy.
“You own this rig?” she asked, feeling all Nicky Hilton as he helped her on board.
“It belongs to a wealthy patron. This is a tugboat compared to his real yacht. Harry and I have enjoyed many a conversation about the property markets. I swear he owns half of California,” Chase said as he retrieved a massive rope from a pylon. “He’s been overseas in Asia for months, putting together a squillion dollar deal. He said if ever I felt the urge to warm up the motors, be his guest.”
Set out on the galley table inside the cabin, champagne was chilling in an ice bucket. Heaps of gauges and shiny knobs waited down the front. Looked mega complicated.
“You sure you know how to drive this bus?” she asked.
“Dad had a runabout. I got my license soon as I was old enough. I’ve only taken this baby out twice before, but I love the sense of freedom, the feel of salt air pushing against my face.”
She moved outside. Hanging over a rail, she tilted her nose up at that big blue expanse and breathed in the scent of early Fall.
“You should definitely do this more often.”
He grabbed her hand and tugged. “Maybe I will.”
They took a set of exterior steps to the second story—the fly bridge—which housed another set of controls. After they took their seats—(he took up position behind the wheel while she rode shotgun)—he turned a key and throbbing engines kicked in.
The day was warm with no sign of fog. Across the water, she admired the orange vermillion towers and yawning stret
ch of the Golden Gate Bridge. But after these days and nights away, Sammy was more inclined to admire this vessel’s captain. Resting on the wheel, Chase’s hands were big, bronzed and confident. Her stomach fluttered thinking about trailing her fingertips over the strip where smooth hand met the hair on his wrist.
In a short-sleeved button-down shirt, his chest looked even broader—deeper. His jaw jutted slightly while a hint of a smile tugged at his lips. His gaze was set on the sun-jewelled water and the adventure ahead—which would no doubt include an encounter of the sexual kind. She guessed there was at least one bedroom downstairs. She flushed wondering when he might introduce her to it.
When they were clear of the marina, he squinted at the glare reflecting off the water. He needed a hat—which reminded Sammy of his baseball cap. Some things were pretty much irreplaceable.
He upped the speed and pitched his voice over the engine noise.
“Heard from your friends this week?” He flashed over a smile. “I’m still grinning at the way your dance brought that house down.”
She confessed, “I’ve seen way better dances than mine.”
“I only know that tongues were dragging on the floor.”
“Were you jealous?”
He hesitated. “A little.”
Sammy didn’t condone jealousy, but she wasn’t offended that Chase felt a touch possessive.
Remembering the moves she had made that night, the adrenaline charge she had owned on that stage, she sat straighter. “I had fun.”
“I had even more fun afterward.”
She caught him looking at her and read his expression. He was glad she seemed to be over the hump of that audition rejection earlier in the week. She was glad, too. And she wasn’t. Thing was...she had a plan. And she was good with it, even though there would need to be a few adjustments in her life. Major ones.
She took a breath.
Wild About The Bodyguard Page 8
