Cut to the Chase (11 page)

C
hase had forgotten how much he liked his home in Philly. It had been two months since he had stayed in his condo and unfortunately it had been a short trip last time. The corporate office was of course in New York, but Montclair Pharmaceuticals had smaller, but very well-run, branches in multiple cities across the country. Philadelphia was home to the second-largest office, and he enjoyed his business trips to the city. In the spring and summer months, he and his father would take full advantage of their time together and frequently mix business with pleasure, sneaking a Phillies game in whenever they could. Thinking about his father saddened him. He missed him now more than ever. Chase would have loved to introduce Erin to his dad. His dad definitely would have fallen for her and her spirit, just as he had.

Chase had taken the liberty of ordering takeout for himself and his guests. They had some time to kill before the food arrived and Chase couldn't think of a better way to spend it. He entered his bedroom and found Erin out on his balcony. She didn't see him at first and he took the opportunity to just take her in and admire the woman he loved. She was sipping a glass of chilled tea while peering out over the cityscape…and looking, as always, beautiful. He had to admit that the view was fantastic. It was the main reason he had purchased the place.

“You seem relaxed here,” he said, watching her lick her lips after a recent sip. He couldn't help but stare at those pouty lips and imagine what she could do with them. His cock twitched at the thought.

“This condo, this feels more like…you,” she said.

They may have only been together for a month, but it was obvious that she knew him well. His penthouse did not reflect his personality as much as the condo. Gabrielle had insisted that the penthouse was in need of updating and before Chase knew it, five renovations later, the modern and streamlined penthouse no longer resembled the warm and welcoming home he had acquired as a bachelor. The only room that had remained frozen in time was his home office, his private and comfortable getaway. The nursery also reflected his tastes, as he singlehandedly prepared the comfortable space for a child that he thought was his.

“Don't get me wrong, your penthouse is gorgeous, but, well…”

Erin blushed, as if she was embarrassed for insulting his New York home. With her cheeks a pinkish hue, her blond hair flowing freely in the breeze, she looked so lovely that it was difficult to concentrate. He walked out onto the balcony. “Gorgeous, but very cold,” he said, wondering if he had finished the sentence correctly.

“Um…no…ah…yes?” she asked, fumbling.

“This place is more my taste. I have neglected to make changes to my penthouse. But since I have recently learned that my girl finds the interior of our home to be, well, aversive, I think it's time for some renovations.”

Her cheeks went from pink to flaming red. “Oh God, no Chase, I didn't mean that I dislike your penthouse, I just felt…” Although she looked stunning, appearing innocent and beyond mortified, he couldn't let her think that she had insulted him.

“I had plans to renovate the penthouse, Erin. I want that place to feel like home, a home that reflects us both.”

“You did?” she asked, the panic receding somewhat.

“Of course. I want you to be comfortable in your home. And that goes for the penthouse as well as the other houses I own,” he said. He realized what he had said could come across as arrogant, emphasizing how much money he had, but he didn't care. Chase needed her to know that what was his was now and always would be hers.

Erin sighed and looked out over the city, allowing her cheeks to return to their natural shade. “I always loved this city.” She stood on her tippy-toes and squinted. “New Jersey is just a stone's throw away. See that church steeple over there, the one on the Jersey side?”

Chase followed her gaze and spotted the tip of an impressive stone structure amidst small homes. “Yes,” he said.

“My parents were married in that church,” she said. Her voice was filled with longing and just as he was about to console her, she continued, “And if you drive about five miles west of the church, you'll find the small town where Paul and I grew up.”

Chase wanted to take her in his arms and make her forget about everything she had lost in her young life—her parents, her innocence—but he got the feeling that she wanted, or maybe she needed, to talk. He took her hand and walked her over to the set of reclining patio chairs. They each took a seat and for the next half hour, Chase listened to Erin talk about her childhood, how she lived in a modest but very happy home with a wonderful family. From her tone and how she appeared wistful when she spoke about her upbringing, it was obvious that she hoped she would be able to provide the same for her own family someday. Chase remembered what she had said the night of the benefit. Standing in front of his mother's painting, she had told him that she wanted many children.

And if he had it his way, if she would have him, he would be more than happy to give her the tree-lined street she had described, the house with the picket fence she longed for. But unlike her childhood home, the house wouldn't be modest, as it would need to be large enough to accommodate all the children that he would love to give her.

“Would you mind if…if tomorrow we could go visit my parents' church?” she asked.

Chase wasn't a psychiatrist, but he knew she was making some kind of emotional breakthrough when it came to coping with the loss of her parents. And he was happy to be at her side, helping her stand her ground while she tackled each one of her demons. “I would love to see the church. We'll grab some breakfast and head over to Jersey in the morning,” he said.

Chase had already made the executive decision that Erin would not be included in Mia's investigation in regards to the “article” she was researching for. Erin had worked in Dr. Mitchell Morris's hospital and there was a great chance that people would recognize her and wonder why she was there. It was best to keep Erin far away from that. Besides, tonight was going to be very difficult for her. Although he understood why Mia wanted to go to the cemetery and see where the crime took place, what the lighting was like and so forth, it was still going to be a struggle for everyone to relive the event.

Erin stood and walked the two steps to join him on his own lounge chair. “You were too far away,” she said.

“I was thinking the same thing,” he said.

Erin threw one gorgeous leg over and straddled him. Against the backdrop of the city, she looked positively radiant and, to his delight, wanting.

“I need you, right now,” she said, hovering over him. Erin tore off her t-shirt and then undid the front clasp to her lace bra. Her full breasts sprung forward and were now within inches of his mouth. His cock went from hard to complete stone at the sight of her taut, rosy nipples.

“Ah…yes,” he said, taking one nipple into his mouth, while giving the other the attention it deserved with his fingers. He sucked and nipped at her, enjoying her taste and the sounds she was making.

He felt her hand at his belt and was thankful that she wanted it as much as he did. With her perched on top of him and naked from the waist up, he wasn't going to last too long. To expedite the process, he lifted his ass, which allowed her to shimmy his pants and boxer briefs down low enough so he could maneuver. He needed to get inside her. He reached for the button on her thin khaki shorts when she pushed back, making him release her nipples. She slithered down his body and lowered her head.

“I want this,” she said. She kept her eyes locked on his while she licked the underside of his cock.

“Christ!” Chase gripped the sides of the lounger. “Your mouth…Erin,” he groaned.

With heavy lids and a look of satisfaction on her face, she wrapped those full lips around his cock and took him deep. He thrust his hips, maximizing the incredible sensation within her hot mouth. Erin pried his fingers from the death grip he had on the chair and brought his hands to the back of her head. The gesture overwhelmed him, as it was her way of showing him that she trusted him with her body. He could come at any moment like this, with her head bobbing up and down on his cock at a pace that he could control. But that was not what he wanted, not this time anyway. He felt his balls tighten and knew that he had to act.

“Shorts…off…now,” he said, barely able to get the words out.

Erin complied immediately and removed her shorts and panties. She resumed her original position and straddled him on the lounge chair. The lips of her sex brushed against his throbbing cock. He couldn't take it any longer. She must have known he was struggling because in one fluid movement she lifted herself onto him and let him slip all the way into her tight channel.

“Oh Chase…you feel so good,” she moaned. He grabbed her hips as she bounced up and down on his cock.

He watched his girl bite down on her lower lip. She was close. Thank fucking God! “Are you going to come for me, baby?” he asked.

“Yes…yes. Please make me come,” she begged.

And that was his undoing. He thrust into her with a sense of urgency and from what he heard, wonderful precision. Chase exploded into her sweet heat. With her back arched and her breasts even more pronounced, his climax seemed to go on for an eternity. He felt her cunt clench around his cock and her body quivered. Chase took her in his arms and held her quaking body against his chest.

“It will never be enough,” she said, breathless.

“No baby, not with us,” he said, the mixture of her perfume and sex filling his nostrils. The intoxicating scent alone had the ability to make him want to take her again. But as she nuzzled into him, he could tell his girl was spent. He swung his feet around and stood. As he carried her to their bed for a much-needed nap, he whispered, “I'll never get enough of you, Erin. Never.”

S
cott looked at his tracker. Erin Whitley had come home. He had wondered if she would ever return to their city, maybe take a trip down memory lane.

Scott sat back in his leather chair and processed what he had learned between patients. His internet search had been productive, giving him a better understanding of why and how Mia had become involved with the Whitleys. Scott was disappointed in himself for not having put together the connection between Erin's bodyguard and Mia until today, but he would get over it.

So, Andrew Moore's niece had joined Montclair's payroll. Was that the case? Had Mia been brought in to help build a profile? That was a more realistic explanation, and more palatable than thinking that Mia was seeing Paul Whitley. Scott would not lose his Angel again. He had waited so long for her.

It had been hours since he watched Mia leave in Paul Whitley's vehicle. Where were they headed? Had she returned home? It was possible that she had gone to Philadelphia to meet up with Montclair and Erin Whitley, but he couldn't be certain.

Scott finished with his patients and decided to head home. He picked up a salad and a green tea from his favorite organic shop on the way. He needed to refuel, but more importantly, it was essential that he prepare for what he hoped would be a memorable evening with Mia.

After dinner, Scott showered and shaved for the second time in one day. He wanted to be clean for her, his skin sensitive to her touch. He felt his adrenaline pumping, the excitement building as he thought about his Angel. He knew he was breaking his own rule by pursuing Mia while the Whore continued to desecrate herself. But he felt that the window of opportunity was closing and if he had any chance of having Mia, he would need to act now. He would take care of Montclair and his Whore upon their return.

He quickly dressed and left his apartment. He was happy to know that Mia hadn't moved from her parents' home. A top-notch medical library was conveniently located just blocks from Mia's house. Not that he thought he would need to produce one, but the library posed as a perfect alibi. He pulled up to the library, grabbed his backpack from the trunk, and exited his vehicle. The library was not slammed, probably due to the fact that the semester had concluded, but it was still busy enough for his intended purpose.

Scott made sure to greet the young librarian behind the counter. She was plain and only slightly attractive. Perfect. He smiled at her, which caused her to blush. “Is anyone using study carrel five? Need a place where I can do some research without being interrupted,” he said. Scott had visited this library a handful of times for research purposes and always requested that particular carrel. It was secluded away from everyone. He could easily put his empty backpack on the desk, grab a few books off the shelf and scatter them haphazardly next to his backpack, and slip out the back door of the library.

“Um…yeah…no one has reserved it yet. It's all yours,” Plain Jane said.

“Great,” he said. He winked at her, in hopes that she would remember him. Her skin grew pink and blotchy. Yeah…she would remember if she was ever asked if she had seen him in the library that night.

It was about time Mia had shown some signs of life. Rose had been worried about her young neighbor. It wasn't healthy for a beautiful girl like Mia to be alone, especially after what had happened to her parents, God rest their souls. Hopefully, she was spending her evening in the company of a man, with Paul Whitley in particular, but Mia had not disclosed why she wouldn't be back the next morning as planned, but would be returning that afternoon instead. Rose told Mia that if she wanted to spend another night away, she was more than happy to watch Henry. Mia had thanked her for the gesture, but seemed confident that she would be home to retrieve Henry.

After receiving Mia's phone call saying that she wouldn't be back until later the following day, Rose decided to go next door and grab some more dog food to hold him over. Mia also told Rose that she had filled one of his hollowed-out rubber toys with peanut butter and had put it in the freezer. Mia assured her that Henry would gnaw on that frozen treat for hours if given the opportunity. Rose let herself into Mia's home with the key Mia had given her and went to the kitchen in search of the items. Instead of hauling the thirty-pound bag of food over to her house, she decided to dish out a few scoops of food into a plastic container she found in one of the kitchen cabinets. Next, she went to the freezer and found the toy gorged with peanut butter. With dog food in one hand and peanut-infused toy in the other, she made her way to Mia's porch and locked the front door.

Rose turned around and discovered that she was not alone. A very attractive man in black jeans and a white button-down shirt shared the space, and she gasped with surprise.

“Oh…I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you,” he said, his brown eyes twinkling. “I was just coming to visit Mia. To see if she wanted to grab dinner.”

Rose looked him over. He appeared sincere and was dressed as if he was hoping that Mia would accept a dinner invitation for a casual night out. But something about him didn't seem right.

“Well, Mr.…”

“Michael,” he supplied.

“Well, Michael, Mia is out of town for the night. She should be back later tomorrow,” Rose said, descending Mia's porch steps. She walked across the adjoining properties and stopped at her side gate. Henry was wagging and staring at the frozen treat in her hand. She threw it over the fence and was amazed that he caught the toy in midair, considering it was as heavy as a brick. Henry trotted off to the backyard for what she hoped would be hours of puppy bliss. “I'm dog sitting until she returns.”

“No problem. I'll catch up with her at work,” he said.

Something was definitely off. The man gave her the creeps, though she had no idea why. “Oh, you two work together at Lincoln Elementary?” she asked, with her back still turned.

“Yes. As a kindergarten teacher, Mia must have the patience of a saint. That's why I opted for fourth grade. More my speed,” he said.

Rose instantly felt sick. Though his answer had been quick and correct as he referenced Mia as a kindergarten teacher, she noticed one glaring problem: Mia didn't work at Lincoln. She was a teacher at Washington Elementary, and this man…whoever he was…was a liar.

Rose felt her hand begin to shake and she quickly tucked it into the pocket of her pink knit sweater. Avoiding eye contact, she turned around. “Well, it was nice to meet you, Michael. I'll be sure to tell Mia you stopped by,” she said, ascending her own porch steps.

She opened her screen door and let it smack shut behind her. Her hands were shaking furiously, causing her to drop the plastic container of dog food. Henry's food pellets scattered everywhere. It was during that split second, when her attention was diverted to the mess at her feet, that she heard the familiar sound of her screen door creaking open.

“Very clever. Even I can admit that,” Michael said.

This man…this “Michael” gently closed the screen door behind him. “You won't be telling Mia I stopped by…you won't be telling Mia anything ever again.”