Billionaire's Black Runaway Love (BWWM Romance) (6 page)

Emily couldn’t help the appreciative smile that curved her lips.
Possibilities
. She liked that word. Not because it gave her ideas or expectations, but because it seemed so undefined it could mean
anything
. Chace wasn’t making any promises, and she wouldn’t ask him to.

“No, we shouldn’t,” she told him softly in reply.

His gaze glittered that much more brilliantly for a moment. “So you’re saying we can put our differences aside?”

Emily shrugged. “As to our differences they’re not going anywhere.
But
I’m ready to go with my feelings this time.”

“And what do they tell you?” Chace asked, that barely leashed intensity of his making her spine shiver. He chose that moment to lean forward and place his large hand on hers. She caught the faint hint of his sexy cologne mixed in with a dash of
Chace
. The next instant, Emily drew her hand back. Each time he touched her, she was sent into a private little cocoon with him.

Ignoring her heated cheeks, she found a way to reply. “They’re telling me that I shouldn’t be my own worst enemy. Even when my mind tells me we should walk away from each other, I’m thinking that’s not necessarily what’s best for me.”

“It’s certainly not best for me, either,” growled Chace. “I don’t want to walk away from you, Emily. I find I can’t.”

Emily stared into his eyes, stirred by what it must be taking for him to make that admission. She lost herself in his smoldering gaze.

“I think we should leave right now,” said Chace. His words full of meaning, of heat and promise.

Emily gulped discreetly, playful smile in place. “Should we?”

They both knew what would happen if she left with him right now. By the time they were leaving minutes later, the last thing Emily wanted to do was argue. She wouldn’t even let herself think too much on what lay in store. Only anticipation kept itself afloat in the tightness of her stomach.

Minutes later, they were stepping out of the restaurant. There was a group of five elegantly dressed people making their way in. Emily couldn’t help but note that as the group went past they gave Chace several glances. Emily didn’t really think much of it, not until a beautiful slim redhead broke from the group and swayed over to catch up with them as they would have exited.

“You’re Chace Hammond, aren’t you? Of course you are,” she breathed, a white smile splitting her thin red lips.

Emily turned at the sound of the overly enthusing voice just as Chace, too, seemed to stiffen with impatience before schooling his features as he faced the woman, saying, “Yes.”

The woman beamed even wider if that were possible, then started to gush about how she’d read so much about him and his success in the startup empire. She claimed she was also into building her own investment firm. It was all Emily could do not to roll her eyes when the woman mentioned something about “teaming up with Chace’s know-how,” with green eyes full of suggestion.

Emily noted the woman was young enough to be over confident, yet at that prime age of having the charms to captivate an unsuspecting male.

Seemed Chace wasn’t biting.

“People who know as much about me as you seem to do,” he said coolly, “will know I’m a stickler for due protocol.”

Emily let her eyes widen as the woman merely giggled and stepped her sleek, tall frame right up to Chace. “Oh, I know. Work my way up like the rest of the uninspiring lot,” she purred, not in the least chilled by Chace’s detachment. The woman was so close to them, Emily could pick up her heavy, expensive yet cloying perfume.

“But I’m thinking I could fast-track my way to achieving my
true
aim,” the redhead said with sultry invitation. “To get up close and personal – in more ways than one, with the city’s hottest bachelor whom I…”

“Forget it,” snapped Chace.

Emily was too busy being shocked by the woman’s blatant behavior to notice how Chace seemed to curve his frame protectively into hers as he responded to the woman. Emily’s eyes caught with the green-eyed female who seemed not only unrepentant, but even snooty as she spent several seconds staring Emily down.

Was this happening right now
? thought Emily incredulously. She’d thought stuff like this only happened in really bad TV dramas.

The redhead took in Chace’s shielding stance as he stood close to Emily, his arm familiarly around her waist. All the woman could do was huff in disdain while Emily simply stood there in outrage as the redhead spun and strode off into the restaurant after her friends.

“Good riddance,” Chace muttered, while Emily resisted the urge to march away herself after that scene, but instead walked calmly outside the building with Chace.

Emily stayed silent while replaying the last few minutes in her head. It shouldn’t bother her if women got attracted to Chace or the money and everything else he represented. Neither should she care how they showed it such as throwing themselves at him as the redhead had just done.

So why did her mood feel dampened as she felt the sudden urge to simply head home and sort out her mixed-up emotions?

Chace wouldn’t be the astute man he was if he didn’t notice the recent little exchange with the redhead was giving Emily cold feet. He swore underneath his breath and gently grabbed her elbow to turn her to face him.

“What just happened…had nothing at all to do with me. That woman and others like her – it’s all on them and how they choose to act. I don’t set myself out to attract such attention.”

“Of course not,” Emily said drily. “I mean, you may well be the playboy type and certainly look it, but something tells me you wouldn’t go for the cheap or easily accessible…prospects. You like the thrill of the hunt.”

Emily faced him squarely while his steady gaze held hers. “That’s why someone like me would interest you – if only for that fleeting time. I don’t just bend over simply because you asked. I never have. But what happens when you eventually tire of the game?”

“That’s the exact opposite of the way things stand with you,” Chace said with a creased brow.

Emily sighed. “Either way, it doesn’t really matter does it?”

Just before Chace could reply, a gleaming black Mercedes pulled up with a uniformed chauffeur at the wheel. Emily turned to Chace, about to suggest she’d just take a cab and head home – alone.

Then she saw the warning glint in his eye and the look could only be called
stern
.

Oooh, so he’s going to be
like that
. Emily bit on her lip, undecided as excitement warred with a feeling of self-preservation.
I don’t belong in his world, nor he in mine
, she thought hazily. His world was stalking reporters, enticing redheads, and flashy cars. But each time she looked into his eyes, she never stopped wishing she
did
belong. And the futility of that seemed worse than when she was younger and dumber.

Emily realized she was at a turning point when without another word, Chace swerved and went round to get in on his side while the chauffeur who’d since emerged from behind the wheel, already held Emily’s door for her.

“Miss Cortes?” the burly, bald-headed, and affable looking chauffeur shocked Emily by saying deferentially and with a slight nod. He was obviously waiting for her to get in. But would she?

Not dwelling on the issue of how come Chace’s driver whom she’d never met before even knew her name, Emily chewed on her bottom lip and ruminated how much she really, really hated Chace’s cockiness. He’d settled in the back and leaned close to Emily’s side, his dark brow arched. He was leaving the choice all up to her.

Emily couldn’t deny she was intrigued by his take it or leave it challenge. Drawing a deep breath, she finally gave the driver a smile and thanked him before slipping into the car.

With them on their way, Emily chose to glance in Chace’s direction, expecting smugness. But his gaze which he fixed on her was filled with something deeper and far too intense to be anything but the same anticipation she felt.

It was almost as if he’d tried to let her know that though he did enjoy the chase, he also liked the thought that the woman could make the critical move, just like dominant man expecting a sign of submission from his female.

Emily hid an inner smile. She didn’t think she was exactly the meek type, but even she couldn’t deny she liked a man who kept her on her toes, someone who could handle her with the right touch of indulgence and control.

That didn’t mean she was reading anything more into this than there already was. She needed to discover how far this simmering heat they shared could take them – one night, a week?

Don’t think past this moment and the next,
Emily warned herself as she managed to look away from Chace’s piercing gaze, settling into the plush seat as she closed her eyes and willed the burning ache between her thighs to subside.

Emily didn’t realize she’d fallen asleep till a gentle hand in her hair stirred her awake. Chace was brushing back her curls from her temple, and her eyes fluttered open to meet that beautiful gray gaze.

Before Emily could even think, Chace tipped her chin with his thumb and kissed her, feasting on her mouth like a man starved. Emily whimpered and slipped her arms around his neck, instantly in heat for him  – only him.

Their passion was halted moments later as Chace reluctantly drew away. “I’ve wanted to do that since you showed up at the restaurant in your little pink dress. I’m going to enjoy peeling it off you soon,” he rasped, plucking at her lips before grabbing her hand and guiding her out of the car with him.

His driver stood holding the door open for them and Chace said “Thanks, Lennox.” So Emily could finally put a name to the guy. He gave her a smile and another slight bow of his head. Cheeks heated from the knowledge that he’d possibly witnessed the steamy kiss just now, Emily gave a semblance of a smile and couldn’t move fast enough after Chace. Damn, she was no exhibitionist, but it felt exciting to know they’d been watched getting hot and heavy.

It took a moment to realize this wasn’t Chace’s place she’d been to the last time. Taking note of her surroundings Emily observed it was some kind of manor house with no other buildings in sight, just stretches of trees and road. She turned to Chace in surprise. “This is just another one of my many homes in the city. It was much closer to the restaurant and to the air strip where I keep my jet. I’m going on a trip early tomorrow.”

“Oh.” Emily bit back her disappointment. So it was to be a one-night thing, after all. Well, okay. She didn’t have high expectations, anyway. Maybe one night was all they’d really need.

“Your home is beautiful,” she heard herself say as she looked around, wondering just how many houses a person needed in the same city. This was much different from his last one which had spelled “bachelor pad,” for the most part. These surroundings were more inviting and heart-warming, giving the sense of a family home. The kind of place you’d love to have warm meals waiting for your man when he got home from work, while the little ones sleep in their bedrooms upstairs.

Emily shook the scenario off instantly. She came up here tonight to get laid, simple. No use thinking about a future playing wifey to Chace.

There was silence as she turned around and found Chace standing some distance away, leaning against the wall and staring at her. That intense look always sent her inner folds swelling and twitching with fiery desire.

“Now that I’m here,” she began, trying to think up something satirical and confident, much as if to tell him she did stuff like this all the time, came back home with a guy just to get down and dirty.

Not that Chace was just any guy. He was embedded somewhere deep in her heart she hadn’t fully submerged yet. Was she still in love with him? Maybe this one night together would help her find out.

Chace moved from his place and closed the gap between them. Even the way he moved spelled danger, but Emily wasn’t running – though she knew in her heart she should.

“Now that you’re here,” he echoed when she couldn’t say more. He cradled her throat in his big hands, his touch gentle, yet holding a trace of superior potency. “You’ll see that you belong and that I’d never do anything to hurt you. Yet you’re still scared, aren’t you.”

Emily’s eyes darted. Much as she hated the thought of Chace seeing her fear, obviously she hadn’t been able to hide it that much. “Yes,” she finally said, lifting unwavering eyes to his. She was glad when he didn’t ask what exactly she was scared of.

His gaze narrowed into icy gray orbs of molten promise. “I’ll have to do something about that.” His tone was husky and seductive. His thumbs stroked against her jawline and it was the most tender caress she had ever felt.

Somehow Chace being tender put her too much on the defensive. She didn’t need to see this side of him – didn’t want to forget the kind of man he was and how getting what he wanted was what he was really all about.

“Don’t lead me around, Chace. Please,” she said softly yet clearly. “Now that I’m here…the best gift you can give me is your honesty. We both know what we both need right now is to keep it real.”

Suddenly, Emily wasn’t sure what she saw blazing in his eyes. It was gone too fast before she could truly grasp it. Then came the words from his lips that made her spine tingle.

“Take off your dress.”

He’d moved a small distance away. The command in his tone and gaze did impossible things to Emily’s rampaging hormones. She’d never seen him look so remote, yet with a darkening flame in his eyes which told her how much he was reining himself in.

Emily shrugged her dress off her shoulders and let it drop to pool at her feet. Her underwear was in matching pink with chocolate brown lace and ribbons. Chace came forward, reaching out a hand and cupping between her legs. His fingers hit the moist spot and rubbed it in circles.

Emily got wetter and wetter. “Pretty,” said Chace, while Emily drew in a hissed breath and bit off a moan. She felt him slip a middle finger beneath the lace and trace over her puffy slit. “Very pretty,” he added, before hooking a finger and easing the fabric aside.