“It’s her dream. We all have them. Or we should.”
She caught his gaze again and cupped his cheek as if she had one more try left in her. Then she hitched her tote strap over her shoulder and headed out. Chase followed.
After opening the door, she turned to him. Her expression was calm but determined. “I don’t want to leave you in the lurch, but it’s time I moved on, too. I’ll finish organizing the party, tie up a few loose ends.”
“Tessa…” What could he say? “I’m sorry to see you go.”
Her lips trembled but she held her smile. “Yeah. Me, too.”
When she was on the porch, she glanced back over her shoulder at him and winked. “I think this might be your lucky day.”
Walking up the path was the one person in the world he wanted to see. Wanted to hold and kiss and so much more. But as soon as their gazes met and Sammy gave a nondescript smile, he reined all those impulses back in, so hard and fast, he felt punched in the chest. The women nodded as they passed, and then Sammy took the half dozen porch steps to stand there in front of him.
Chase tried to make light because bundling her close just wouldn’t do. He allowed himself a cheeky grin. “Are you tailing my ass, Miss Mayne?”
Obviously remembering the line, her smile spread from ear to ear. “I wanted to give you a house renovating gift. Something to remember me by.”
While he couldn’t do anything to stop his heart from crashing against his ribs, for self-preservation’s sake, Chase kept his smile a few degrees above cool.
“Sounds good. Got time to come in?”
“I have time.”
He led her inside. “Want a coffee? A beer?”
“I don’t think so.”
He folded his arms over his chest. “You need to be some place?”
“I have to get back to packing.”
“Oh. Sure. Actually I thought you’d be gone by now.” When she only shrugged, he went on. “Did you contact Laycee’s friend in L.A. about a place to stay?”
“He has room.”
Chase’s arms tightened so much, he couldn’t draw a breath. “That’s–great.”
They held each other’s gazes for a long moment, before she moved to slip the bag off her shoulder. “Anyway...that gift,” she said, drawing something out and handing it over. “I know how much you loved your old one. I know I could never replace it. But this one’s signed.”
Chase wanted to rub his eyes to make sure he was seeing straight. After verifying the autograph—Buster Posey’s!—he slapped the new Giants cap on his head. “Where’d you get it?”
She grinned. “I have some hot connections.”
He took the cap off to study it again and found that his throat was clogged. Pressing his lips together, he nodded. “Thanks.”
She rubbed her nose like it had prickled and then checked out the stained glass panel on the worktable as Tessa had done a moment ago.
“Hey, it’s all finished.”
“Pretty much.” He tapped the one piece left to solder–the part that read Chase’s.
“When are you fitting it in above the door?”
“Soon.” She angled her head to look at it a different way and then another. “I know,” he said reading her mind. “There’s something about it that doesn’t quite work.”
“The colors look great.”
Peppermint green and crimson. “It’s not the colors.”
“The crinkly glass goes well with the clear stuff.”
He nodded, frowned and then shrugged. “I’ll figure it out.”
She was digging in her bag again. “Maybe I can help.”
She drew out a piece of cut glass, roughly the same size but it looked like a different word. When she handed it over, he held it up to the light. For a minute, he didn’t understand.
He lowered the glass. “This says Our. As in–”
“Our Place.” Keeping her gaze on the glass, Sammy rubbed her temple. “I’m not sure it’ll fit with the other pieces.” Her uncertain gaze found his. “I thought I might put it out there and see.”
He let that sink in and then sucked back a deep breath. “Our Place. You and me. Us. Here.”
Chewing her lip, she nodded.
“What about L.A.?” he asked.
“I love the stage,” she said. “Being a part of the entertainment scene. But the truth is I’m not a great actress. I don’t think I hold a tune so well, either.”
He kept a straight face. “You have a terrific voice.”
“I’ve thought and thought and I’ve accepted it. I need to move on. I have moved on.” She stepped closer. “Except where you’re concerned.”
His arms wound around her as his heart began to thump higher in his chest. Lord above, she felt so good.
“Well, now,” he said, “this is interesting.”
Her grin turned cheeky. “I’m glad you think so.”
“I’m going to have to ask some questions.”
“Okay.”
“You want to move in with me?”
“I think it could be fun.”
He pulled her closer. “I know it would be. When?”
“Whenever you say.”
His tone sobered. “What are you wanting from this?”
“I don’t know yet. I thought we could work it out together.”
When she knotted a hand in the front of his shirt and dragged herself up, he tightened his hold around her waist and lifted her off her feet until his mouth covered hers...and, suddenly, absolutely everything seemed right in the world.
When the kiss broke, it took a long while for him to open his eyes. He wanted to hold onto this feeling. He’d never known such relief. Never felt this fan-freaking-tastic.
“I have one more question for you,” he said before tasting her lips again.
“Hang on.” She roped her arms around his neck and sprang up enough to wrap her legs around his hips. Anticipating the rest of the day, he adjusted her sit and then pulled her in tight against his belt.
“Okay,” she said. “Shoot.”
“Are you looking for a job?”
“As long as it doesn’t involve vacuuming or cooking because I suck at both.”
“I have an opening at the club.”
“Book-keeping?”
“I’m looking for a forward thinking individual to help with promotion, public relations and entertainment.”
Her face fell. “Oh, Chase, I’m sorry but your club really isn’t my scene.”
“I think my club could only benefit from an infusion of someone like you.” He hitched her higher on his hips. “Why don’t you come to that party and decide then? And maybe...later...”
She looked at him harder. “Later, what?”
“I was thinking, I might start up another office.”
“What kind?” She must have read his eyes then because her jaw dropped. “Not...you don’t mean...?”
“How would you feel about helping me bust a case or two?”
She seemed to rein in her emotions. “This isn’t a sympathy vote for an out of work wannabee thespian, is it?”
“It’s a vote of confidence from someone who thinks you’re incredibly talented.” He tasted her lips. “Amazingly special.” The next taste lasted longer. “Awesomely awesome.”
She laughed. “You do great things for my ego, you know that?”
“I want to do great things for more than your ego. But first I’ll need an in depth profile.” His eyes searched hers. “I want to learn everything about you.”
She dragged her fingers up through the back of his hair. “Let the interrogation begin.”
Epilogue
“Here they come,” Chase told Sammy, slotting an arm around her back. “Finally you’ll get to meet Hector Garfield.”
Tonight The Don was pumping. In the main lounge, guests enjoyed music that ranged from 50s classics to contemporary hits. A dance floor was awash with a sea of slow-spinning lights, men and their partners were mixing, and champa
gne was flowing non-stop. Chase filled out a tuxedo in a way that would make James Bond pout. Every woman he passed gave him a second, and then a third look. Sammy had chosen an evening gown that made her feel every inch the princess...a pearl-colored sheath with diamante halter neck straps. Chase had told her that she had never looked more stunning.
She knew for a fact she had never felt happier.
Now, watching Hector Garfield and his wife approach, Sammy pulled up tall. She wanted to thank this man for his help. She wanted to thank them both.
Stopping before them, Hector Garfield nodded a greeting. “This is my wife, Barb,” he said. “After tonight, she’s a huge fan of yours, Chase.”
Chase smiled broadly. “Pleased to meet you, ma’am.”
“Everyone seems to be having a good time,” Mrs. Garfield said, casting a look around the glittering crowd.
Chase introduced his date. “This is Samantha Mayne. Sammy’s taking over our public relations position. I mentioned that she’d be here tonight.”
Chase had let patrons know that Tessa Coleman had resigned. When he’d told Tessa that Sammy was stepping into the role, she had graciously bowed out early.
“So, you’re the young woman who tried to track me down in here that day,” Garfield said good-humoredly.
“I apologise for that,” Sammy said.
Garfield chuckled. “I give you full marks for creativity. I was glad to hear from Chase that you solved the mystery surrounding the disappearance of your heirloom ring.”
“Thank you so much for your help,” Sammy said, addressing both the Garfields. “You made all the difference.”
Since finally putting the past to rest, she and Ann had become closer than ever. Sammy and Chase had even had dinner at “The Palace.” The guys got along well, too; Rick was enthralled by Chase’s P.I. stories.
Garfield stepped aside and gestured at his wife. “Barb believes she has something that will make an even bigger difference.”
From her sequinned evening bag, Mrs. Garfield drew out a small box. Smiling as she opened the lid, she offered Sammy the contents. “I just love reunions,” Mrs. Garfield said.
Sammy’s heart swelled and rose to her throat. She wanted to sweep that ruby and pearl ring up so badly, her hands were trembling. But she couldn’t. No matter how this had come about—although she’d had no prior knowledge of the deceit—she and Ann had benefited from an insurance claim. Now she also had in her possession the proceeds of the sale to Mrs. Garfield.
“This is so generous, Mrs. Garfield,” Sammy began. “You can’t imagine how grateful I am. But you need to know. Since I lost the ring ten years ago, there’s been insurance money—”
Mrs. Garfield interrupted. “What’s happened in between doesn’t alter the fact...this, my dear, belongs to you.”
When Mrs. Garfield found Sammy’s hand and slipped the ring on a finger, Sammy could have cried. So many times she had imagined this moment. Finally she had her precious ring back.
The Garfields headed off to mingle while Chase threaded an arm though Sammy’s and ushered her onto the dance floor. But as he bought her close and moved her around in a tight, intimate circle, she couldn’t take her eyes off the hand resting on his shoulder. She couldn’t stop smiling.
“The Garfields have big hearts.”
Chase murmured, “I only know you’ve stolen mine.”
She grinned. “That’s good, because I need to tell you about my plan.”
“Does it involve solving a crime?”
“It involves a stage production.”
His lips twitched. “With a pole.”
“With you.”
He stopped dancing. “I’m not your friend Jay. I don’t do the stage thing.”
“I want to put on a detective spoof. It’ll be fun. We can sell tickets to members and friends and raise money for charity.”
“God help me, I’ve created a monster,” he groaned over a slanted grin before dancing her around again. “What is it they say in the biz?”
“All’s well that ends well.”
“I can think of a better line.” Among so many others on the dance floor, he bundled her deliciously close. “How about I’m insanely in love with you.”
She sighed. “You are?”
“Actually, your line is, I’m in love with you, too, you wonderful man.”
She laughed. “Madly. Completely. Forever.” She cupped his jaw. “Sometimes I can’t believe I found you.”
When his head dropped over hers, she melted into his kiss, embraced the thrill...found that joy.
As his lips left hers, he kept her close. “I know we’re the hosts, but I’d give anything to slip away for a few minutes.”
When an idea struck, she took his hand and headed off the dance floor.
“Where are you taking me?” he asked as they wove though the crowd.
“To the place it all began. You can sing about bats out of hell and I can soap up your snake.”
He stopped dead before a smile stole across his face. “You are wicked.”
She cocked her head. “Are you coming?”
“Are you kidding?” He dropped her hand and bolted. “I’ll race you.”
# # #
A tease from...
Wild About the Billionaire
How in hell had this happened?
Fern Addison peeked beneath the sheets again and felt her cheeks burn brighter.
Yep. She was naked. Not a stitch on. And that was Taylor Wild’s voice drifting in from the adjoining room. Deep and sexy and what in God’s name had gone down last night?
Against these lemon-scented covers, her skin felt alive...glowing, as if every inch had been brushed by pure skill wrapped in velvet. But from the time they had met again—reconnected as Taylor had called it—she’d read the message glittering in his deep-amber eyes. She’d felt the energy rippling off of him in waves. From the start, she’d been clear. She didn’t do flings. And yet...
Here she lay.
Fern shut her eyes and cringed.
When her BFF Sophie had told her to “lighten the f@#k up,” Fern had buckled and agreed to Taylor’s idea of dinner out: flying from San Francisco to Hawaii in his private jet. They’d taken a detour. Made it as far as Vegas. There’d been that amazing bottle of French Champagne...her admission that she normally didn’t drink.
Taylor had been even more charming and masterful than usual. When some sleaze-ball had propositioned her in a bar, there’d been a blow or two struck. Things got hazy after that.
There’d been talk of a chapel and...
Something else.
Suddenly a memory flooded back and Fern threw her left hand up in front of her face.
Oh crap!
The diamond was massive. Big enough to choke a horse. The most beautiful piece of jewelry she’d ever seen.
Then another memory popped up and she withered. She literally wanted to die.
In her state, she had asked for a sex-nup. A promise of conjugal rights delivered not less than once a day. At the time she’d thought herself so shrewd. Repressed much? Taylor had only chuckled—a delighted, sultry sound.
But none of this was her. Not really. Fern Addison might have gotten rid of the eyeglasses, frizzy hair, lisp and thunder thighs, but deep down she was the same girl she’d always been. A woman who stood for principle, decorum and modesty, and most all...
Most of all, Fern wanted a family of her own one day. She wanted to give her children a happy home. The kind of sanctuary and security she’d never known.
Her parents had married out of a sense of duty, because “mother had been with child.” Growing up, Fern had felt responsible for her mother’s scorn, her father’s sullen moods. Family life for the Addisons had been such a blast, Mom and Dad had decided to stop at one. Christmases had been so....depressing.
She sure as hell hadn’t been depressed last night.
With his playboy past, Taylor Wild knew how to show a girl a good time. Figuring out that
he wanted to sleep with her wasn’t rocket science. Before the champagne, she’d been clear that wasn’t happening. She didn’t care who thought it was old-fashioned, she would save herself for marriage.
Now, she sneaked a look at that diamond again.
Billionaires knew no limits when it came to getting what they wanted. But a quicky, tipsy, totally unexpected wedding? Really?
A far more sobering thought...
What if she were pregnant?
Dear Reader,
If you liked Wild About the Bodyguard, you might also enjoy Wild About the Billionaire, Taylor Wild’s story and book 2 in the Wild About the Boy Series, due for release soon!
Do you love holiday romances as much as I do? Then take a look at my Holiday Babies Series. Book details are listed below.
If you’re so inclined, leave a review at your favorite retail site. Your opinion matters.
Tabitha (@tabbyrobbins )
So far in the
Holiday Babies Series
The Billionaire’s Mistletoe Baby (A short Christmas story)
The Tycoon’s Cupid Surprise (A Valentine’s novella)
The Bachelor’s Cottontail Baby
(An Easter tale novella - Out February 2014)
Wild About The Bodyguard Page 13
