“A whole lot better now that I’m talking to you.”
A thrill shot through Jessica at his words. He definitely knew how to break through a girl’s defenses. “I had to leave this morning on an unexpected trip to Knoxville,” he was saying, reclaiming her attention. “I’ve been having problems with my suppliers and I thought a face-to-face meeting was warranted.”
Jessica nodded. “I’ve heard that Knoxville is a beautiful city.”
“It is. I gather that you’ve never been here.”
She smiled. “No, I haven’t.”
“Then I’ll have to invite you to come with me the next time I make a trip this way.”
Chase murmured the words low, in a deep, husky tone. His breath seemed to transcend the phone lines and warmly caress her ear, heating the flesh along her spine. His invitation wasn’t helping matters. “I’d like that.” She ignored the warning bells sounding in her ears. She and Chase were moving a little too fast, but she didn’t see them slowing down any.
“So, how was your day?” he asked.
She didn’t want to think of her meeting that afternoon with Paula Meyers. The older, sweet and seemingly gentle woman hadn’t been able to tell her anything about who might have passed the Westmoreland secret recipes on to the cook at Schuster’s restaurant. Jessica would be taking a drive to Macon to talk to Darcy Evans the next afternoon. When she had called, the woman hadn’t seem too excited to talk with her.
“Today was wonderful,” she said. “Business was good. In fact I got another contract to supply pastries for a nearby hotel.”
“Sounds like you’re doing well. But then, I knew that you would.”
When Jessica tried uncurling her body, heat ran down her spine again. “Thanks.” A few moments into the conversation she asked, “So when will you be coming home?”
“Sometime Wednesday. You haven’t forgotten about our dinner plans, have you?”
She took a deep breath, not wanting to tell him that she hadn’t thought of much else. Even the disappointing dead end with Paula Meyers hadn’t dampened her thoughts of sharing a meal with Chase on Wednesday night. “No, I haven’t forgotten. I’m looking forward to it,” she said truthfully.
“So am I.” After a few moments he said, “I’m sure you’ve had a busy day and need your rest so I’ll let you go. Good night, Jessica.”
She hated that their phone conversation was coming to an end. “Good night, Chase, and thanks for calling.”
After hanging up, Jessica traced the lines of her lips with her fingertips, remembering the time it had been Chase’s tongue and not her finger caressing her lips. The memory sent an arousing shiver through her. As she stretched out in bed she could hear the steady tap of rain beating down on her roof.
Cuddling her pillow she shifted her body into a comfortable position knowing that the moment she closed her eyes, thoughts of Chase would consume her, even while she slept.
Darcy Evans was hiding something.
Jessica could feel it. The woman, who appeared to be in her mid-thirties, said she had only agreed to talk with Jessica because of the respect she’d had for Jessica’s grandfather. Eighteen years ago she had been a seventeen-year-old unwed mother in need of a job and Carl ton Graham had talked Scott Westmoreland into hiring her as a waitress. She hadn’t worked there long when Scott and Carlton parted ways.
“So you have no idea how the Westmoreland recipes could have gotten into the hands of the cook at Schuster’s restaurant?”
Jessica watched the expression on the woman’s face. As she stood leaning her hips against the closed door, she replied, “How would I know something like that? I was just a waitress.”
Yes, how indeed? Jessica wondered as she continued looking at the woman. “And you were a waitress there for a couple of months?”
“For four months actually.”
“And during that time you never worked in the kitchen?”
The woman’s eyes flared. “And just what are you accusing me of?”
Jessica sighed. “I’m not accusing you of anything, Ms. Evans. I’m just trying to find answers to an unsolved puzzle.”
The woman lifted her chin. “Why bother? Scott Westmoreland and Carlton Graham are dead. What does it matter what happened with those recipes?”
Jessica picked up her purse and stood. “Because although they’ve passed away, their descendants deserve to know the truth, and until they do, my grandfather’s honesty will be questioned. That’s unfair to him. I want to prove he wasn’t guilty of any wrongdoing.”
Jessica watched the woman tense up and look around the small apartment as if not wanting to meet Jessica’s eyes. “Your grandfather was a good man.”
Jessica smiled. “Yes, I think so, too, but he died knowing there was a blemish on his character and that always bothered him. And I’m asking that if you remember anything that you think might help clear his name, will you please let me know.”
“I won’t remember anything,” Darcy Evans said, much too quickly, Jessica thought as she was ushered out the door.
Chase turned and glanced around the room. His office had been transformed into a place he almost didn’t recognize. While in the kitchen preparing the dinner he would share tonight with Jessica, he had given Donna instructions on how he had wanted things set up, and it appeared his ever-efficient waitress had gone overboard. The way she had changed a section of his office into an intimate dining area for two definitely met with his satisfaction, but what was up with the lit fireplace and all the flowers and candles? There was no way he could dine in here with Jessica and not think of seduction. He would want to kiss her, take her upstairs to the small apartment he used on occasion, and undress her. Then he would run his hands all over her breasts, stomach and thighs, not to mention touch that area between her legs that had definitely become his own delicious craving. He felt a tightening in his loins. He wanted to do more than touch her there. He wanted to taste her, devour her and watch her eyes fill with the pleasure he was dying to give her as she opened her legs wider and his tongue continued to—
“Everything meets with your satisfaction, boss?”
Jerked out of his racy thoughts, Chase turned and met Donna’s excited features. He sighed. “You kind of went overboard, don’t you think?”
Donna chuckled. “Well, considering how things went the first time Jessica Claiborne walked into your office, I figured you needed all the help you could get, and I have a feeling that she likes to be wined and dined like the rest of us.”
Chase nodded as he studied the woman he had hired six months ago. Donna had become someone he could depend on. Although he didn’t know a lot about her personal life since she kept that pretty private, he did know that she was twenty-three and was attending school at night to earn a degree in business management.
A few hours later when he was alone Chase’s primitive instincts kicked into gear. His staff had cleaned everything up and left for the day. He hadn’t seen Jessica since Sunday and al though he had spoken to her on Monday night from Knoxville, he had talked himself out of calling her again on Tuesday. He had convinced himself that his desire for her was natural and he would just have to ignore the low burning need that always simmered in his gut whenever he was around her. Tonight the two of them would celebrate a week of knowing each other, although he didn’t want to dwell on the fact that he’d never commemorated a week of knowing any other woman.
He sighed, almost impatient to see her again, to kiss her, talk to her, then frowned, wondering what the hell was wrong with him. He didn’t have long to ponder that question when he heard a knock at the door.
Ignoring the racing of his heart, Chase opened the door and for a moment just stood there staring at the woman standing in front of him. She was dressed in a skirt and blouse that would have looked simple on any other woman. The outfit did a pretty nice job of emphasizing her full, firm breasts, tiny waist and curvy hips. And, he thought, glancing downward to take a look at her legs, which could easily
be seen thanks to the shortness of her skirt, there was definitely temptation there, especially with the high-heeled sandals she wore. Her scent, hot and seductive, also triggered something within him. Like he wasn’t heated up enough already.
He didn’t say anything for a moment and watched as she nervously swept her bottom lip with her tongue. Pure unadulterated lust hit him with the force of Mount St. Helens erupting.
“I hope I’m not too early, Chase,” she said softly, glancing up at him.
His gaze came to rest on her mouth when he said, “No, you’re right on time.” And I want to taste you bad.
He took a step back, let her in, then closed and locked the door behind her. The air surrounding them seemed to quiver and the need to take her into his arms and kiss her was slithering through every vein in his body.
“I thought I’d contribute dessert,” she said, handing a covered container to him. “Chocolate cheesecake.”
“Thanks.” He slowly felt his control slipping and knew he had to get a grip. Grip, hell! He placed the cake container on a nearby table and reached out and pulled her into his arms. As soon as his lips captured hers he knew kissing her was becoming an addiction. It should be against the law for any woman’s mouth to taste this sweet, this delicious, this able to whet his sexual appetite.
He hadn’t known how much he needed this until now. He needed to bury his mouth in hers, suck her tongue, feel her breasts pressed against his chest, and hear the way she moaned when he kissed her. And then there was the way her body automatically connected to his groin, fitting his arousal dead center between her thighs—the part of her he craved most.
Damn if he didn’t put a stop to this madness, he would be taking her right here, right now. Slowly, reluctantly, he lifted his head and almost drowned in the heated look in her eyes. “I thought it would be best if we dined in my office,” he whispered against her moist lips. “That way no one would see the lights on in here and assume I’m open for business.” In other words, he didn’t want any interruptions.
“All right.”
He suddenly felt warm again and he inhaled deeply, trying not to focus on her mouth. Trying to pull himself together, Chase picked up the cake container off the table and placing a hand at the center of her back, he led her down the hall. Neither said a word. When they reached his office door he pushed it open and watched as she walked into the room.
Her gaze immediately went to the table set for two, the lit fireplace and the flowers and candles. She didn’t say anything for a moment, turning slowly. The eyes that met his were like a soft caress and did nothing to cool his desire, only heightened it.
A smile tilted the corner of her mouth when she said, “You didn’t have to go to all this trouble, Chase.”
Yes, I did, he thought, as he slowly strolled toward her, covering the distance separating them. He placed the cake container on his desk and to keep from reaching out and touching her, he tightened his hands into fists at his side.
The way her hair tumbled around her shoulders, made her look sexier than ever, and now, within the close confines of his office, her scent, a delicious fragrance that was the very essence of her, further ignited that primal instinct already playing havoc with every part of his body. Kissing her earlier definitely hadn’t helped matters.
“I hope you enjoy dinner. It’s a Westmoreland secret recipe for chicken and dumplings.”
Jessica swallowed. The last thing she wanted to hear anything about was a Westmoreland secret recipe. “Is it good?”
He chuckled. “I’ll let you decide.” He walked over and pulled out a chair at the table. “Come and let me serve you.”
She nodded and sat down at the table. Jessica watched as he expertly served the food, struggling to re main calm and fighting not to stare at him. She hadn’t realized until now just how much she had missed him these past couple of days. Nor had she realized how much she had needed him to kiss her. He had such a dark, handsome, sophisticated look, yet her senses told her that there was a hint of something untamed about him.
“Let’s dig in,” he said after they’d said grace.
During dinner they talked about a number of things. He even gave her pointers on how to promote her business on the Internet. Afterwards, they savored the cheesecake she had brought.
“Did you enjoy dinner?” he asked softly sometime later, when they stood in front of the fireplace enjoying a glass of wine.
She smiled. “Yes, I enjoyed everything. The chicken and dumplings were to die for.”
She glanced around the room at the flowers and candles then turned back and looked at him. “Everything was nice, Chase, but I’m wondering…”
When she hesitated and didn’t finish what she was about to say, he asked, “Wondering what?”
She nervously bit her bottom lip. “I’m wondering if perhaps it’s a little too much for two people who’ve decided to be just friends.”
Chase had crouched down in front of the fireplace to add another piece of wood to the flames. He lifted a dark brow and glanced at Jessica. “When did we decide that? We talked about things moving too fast and slowing them down a bit. We also agreed to take the time to know each other better. But I don’t recall saying we wouldn’t be anything more than friends. In fact I’m counting on just the opposite. I don’t want to be only your friend.”
He studied her as he stood, watching every nuance of her features as the words he’d spoken sank in. “What are you saying?” she whispered softly, her voice the only sound in the room other than the resonance of the fire crackling in the fireplace.
He sighed, knowing he had to give her the bare truth. No frills, no gimmicks, no lies and definitely no game-playing. He wanted to be her lover and not her friend. Usually he didn’t move this fast with any woman, but with Jessica he was driven to do so. “We’ve already discussed the issue of us being attracted to each other. But there seems to be another problem, a deeper one.”
Her brows furrowed in a frown. “What?” She tried to downplay the churning in her stomach as he looked at her. His dark eyes, shadowed by long lashes, were doing things to her.
His features were serious when he said, “I want you, Jessica, and I think you want me as well. We can do whatever we want to skirt around that fact, avoid it or ignore it, but eventually the final result will be the same.”
She lifted a brow. “The final result?”
“Yes.”
“Which is?”
“We will become lovers. If not tonight, then some other night. The chemistry between us is too strong for us not to. I would never force or trick you. But I will try my best to seduce you.”
Seduce you…Chase’s words flowed through her mind and as much as she didn’t want them to, they stirred a sensual need in her. They did more than that, they ignited something deep and elemental. She turned to study the flames in the fireplace, but they were nothing compared to the ones inching through her bloodstream at that very moment.
For two solid days she had tried keeping her mind focused on finding out how Schuster’s cook had gotten hold of the Westmoreland secret recipes, but Chase had always lurked deeply in her thoughts.
She heard him come to stand behind her. She breathed his masculine scent, and knew that what he’d said was true. Considering their families’ history, an involvement with him was the last thing she needed. But he was right. Sooner or later they would sleep together, even though she hadn’t liked sex in the past. She knew that with Chase things would be different. He’d already changed her mind about kissing.
“Jessica?”
He whispered her name just moments before he reached out and gently turned her around. Dark-brown eyes studied her intently, searching her face, heating her insides and melting her resistance. For longer than she cared to remember, she had been an independent woman, placing no aspect of her life or livelihood into a man’s hands. But then those hands had never belonged to Chase Westmoreland.
The truth of the matter was that she wanted hi
s hands to hold her, snuggle her close to him, touch her all over, give her the pleasure she had dreamed he had given her just last night. Just thinking about it made her pulse fierce, her breathing erratic, her heartbeat wildly and generated an intense amount of heat between her legs. She drew in a shaky breath knowing what she was going through was more than mere lust, but at the moment she didn’t want to define anything.
She struggled against the need to be sensible versus her desire to be wanton. There was a heartbeat of a pause, and then she reached out and wrapped her arms around Chase’s neck and brought her body against the hard solid plane of his. She felt how aroused he was through his slacks and the intense sexual need she had been fighting since first meeting him took control.
“Chase,” she murmured softly, deciding to throw caution to the wind and take what she wanted for the first time in her life.
“Yes?”
“Seduce me.”
Seven
Seduce me…
Jessica’s words sent Chase’s libido into overdrive. He gazed at her, thinking that not only did he plan to seduce her, he intended to drive her wild. “Will you join me in another glass of wine?” he asked quietly against her ear.
She nodded as a shiver passed through her, uncertain of his plans for her. But whatever they were she would be a willing participant. She met his gaze and held on to it. “Yes.”
Emotions were churning inside her as she watched him pour them each another glass of wine. “I propose a toast,” he said huskily, gazing at her with those dark penetrating eyes that had her body simmering. “To seduction.”
Jessica let her gaze shift from him to stare at the hand holding his wineglass in midair. This wasn’t the first time she had studied his hands and wondered how they would feel on her. Even now, just thinking about it had her senses overheating. She swallowed deeply as she clicked her glass to his then slowly drank her wine. When she had taken a couple of sips he reached out and gently eased the glass from her hand and placed it be side his on the table. He turned to a CD player that sat nearby and after he had turned a knob, soft jazz filled the air.
Claimed for Destiny Page 21
