Pursued by Him

Pursued by Him
(Chosen by Him Series, Book Six)
(An Alpha Billionaire Romance)

by Ellie Danes

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental

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“Are you sure I look ok? This lipstick isn’t too bright? What about my hair?” Summer flipped her hair over her shoulder and straightened out her dress. I don’t know that I had ever seen her as serious or concerned about anything, not even her previous internship.

“Trust me, you look amazing. Probably too amazing in my opinion. Everyone is going to be staring at you and not even paying attention to a word I say.” I chuckled as I attempted to give her a kiss.

“No don’t! You’ll mess up my make-up…wait…everyone is going to be staring at me? Should I change?” Summer straightened her dress again and continued to fidget.

“Summer, relax.” I grabbed her hands and smiled. “It will be ok. Remember why we are here. Just smile, don’t look nervous…” She pulled her hands away and rung them together and I quickly grabbed them back and held them. “…and stop fidgeting.” I pulled her hands to my mouth and kissed them gently.

“Mr. Kerns, we’re ready.”

I looked at Summer and smiled again. “It will be over in a few minutes.”

I made my way to the front of the crowd. There were probably twenty or so city officials, three or four television stations, newspaper reporters and just as many people from the surrounding neighborhoods and community. They had set up a nice podium and microphone directly in front of the building. The doors behind the podium had been sealed with a bright red ribbon. The ceremonial gigantic scissors leaned against the side of the podium.

“Ladies and gentlemen, nearly eighteen months ago, many of you stood in this very location when we first broke ground on this building. It’s been an amazing adventure and I’ve been very fortunate to be a part of this from the very start. I’m extremely pleased that many people in the community will now have someplace new to work and be trained and that this endeavor will make it easier for students and adults alike to learn.”

Cameras clicked throughout the audience as I continued. The echo of my own voice bounced from the surrounding buildings as I attempted to make eye contact with each and every person. I paused briefly to smile at Summer, who was still obviously very nervous. She slowly swayed back and forth as I read my rehearsed speech.

“Last year, my company, Velocity Capital, donated over five million dollars to build this new technology center for the community… and today we open the doors.”

I continued my speech describing how other small businesses and companies helped bring the project to completion. This had been one of my proudest moments. While making money and building businesses excited me, the ability to give back to the community and helping others was a passion. 

I picked up the over-sized scissors and made my way toward the large ribbon securing the doors as I gently tugged an almost unwilling Summer along with me. The crowd surrounded us as I extended one side of the large scissor handle to Summer and together, we cut the ribbon. The crowds cheered and I could see the awkward smile on Summer’s face as cameras closed in on the two of us.

Some of the crowd immediately went inside for tours of the new technology center, while reporters encircled Summer and I. “Mr. Kerns, Jill Miller from the Times, Can you tell me a little more about your background and how you amassed your wealth? As a billionaire, do you feel that donating five million dollars was enough for this project?”

“Ms. Miller, I appreciate your questions, but today isn’t about me, my background or wealth. It’s about this new facility and what it brings to our community.” I had been in this position a million times before and I hated the questions that centered on me. They always attempted to turn the story into something it wasn’t.

A few more television reporters stuck their cameras in our faces and I eventually wrapped things up, pulling Summer towards the car. “Ladies and gentleman, thank you for your support. I have another engagement I must attend, but please, feel free to direct any of your questions to Mrs. Schultz, the Director of the center.

“Very impressive Mr. Kerns.” Summer squeezed my hand and leaned in to me. “I guess you’ve done this a few times before.”

“Just a few.” I chuckled.

Summer slid into the steel grey sports car and I closed the door behind her and then quickly hopped into the driver’s seat.

“I don’t know how you keep up Chase. I mean…today the ribbon cutting, last month your fund raiser…now you’re off to something else.” Summer stared at me with a big smile. “So, what is this other engagement? You didn’t tell me we had to go someplace else.”

I reached across the elaborate center console of the car and grabbed her hand resting on top of her leg. Her dress revealed just the right amount of leg and my eyes were immediately drawn to it.  I loved the way she felt. I pulled her hand to my mouth and gently kissed it like I had earlier and then rested my hand on her leg. I felt myself growing excited. “Yes, you and I have a lunch date, just us.” I gently squeeze her thigh. “I thought it would be good to have some quiet time together before I have to leave tomorrow.”

Summer pouted her lips as she looked at me. I attempted to keep my attention towards the road, but it was difficult. Everything about her was a pleasant distraction. “I wish I could go with you…but school.”

I gently rubbed her leg, allowing my hand to slide higher up her thigh, just under her dress. “I know. It’ll only be a few days.” I slowed the car to a stop at the intersection and leaned over and kissed Summer on her beautiful red lips. “I’m going to miss these lips.” I whispered as I slid my hand further up her leg.

“Chase…” She giggled and smiled as our lips locked. The driver in the car behind us honked their horn, tearing us away from our moment and I couldn’t help but smile. Everything in our lives seemed perfect.

I almost skipped down the sidewalk and up the stairs to my apartment. My cheeks ached from smiling and laughing so much. I hadn’t been this happy in a very long time. Chase and I were in the perfect place in our relationship. Things were out in the open, school was difficult, but going well and everything seemed to just be…right.

My feet barely touched the steps as I quickly made my way up the last flight and then into the apartment. I swung the door open and caught Alyssa off guard, eliciting a slight scream and a harsh look. “Why are you busting in here like some sort of swat team? Don’t you knock?” One of the earpieces of her headphones hung over her shoulder. She had obviously been listening to something while she was flipping through some papers.

I giggled at her and smiled back. “Um…I live here, right? Besides, if you were that concerned you should have locked the door.” I shot her a closed mouth smile through tight lips and plopped onto the couch. “What are you doing? I know you can’t be studying.”

Alyssa scowled and shook her head. “Not studying, reviewing stuff for work…and why are you so happy?”

“Why not? Things are great with Chase and I, we had an amazing late lunch, we shared some hot and steamy quality time.” I raised my eyebrows as the words hot and steamy left my mouth. “Why wouldn’t I be happy?”

“You’re right. You know, there was a time when I would have loved to know every detail about how hot and fucking amazing Chase Kerns is in bed, but now that it’s you, I’m just jealous.” Alyssa grabbed the pillow on the end of the sofa and tossed it at me. “So, the ribbon cutting thing was fun?”

“I don’t know about fun…it was different. Cameras everywhere, people interviewing him. I just don’t know how he does it. I’m tired just being with him.” I tossed my head back on the couch and let out a huge sigh. “Now he’s off to work some business deal.”

“Yeah, I know. That’s been the talk in the office. It’s actually huge. We’ve been so busy getting things ready, if this goes through he’s going to be traveling like crazy, spending weeks at a time in Japan. Are you ready for that?” Alyssa flipped through the papers on her lap and looked up at me.

Chase hadn’t mentioned anything about having to travel overseas or having to be away for weeks at a time. I waved my hand at Alyssa and shook my head. “No, that’s not right. Chase would have told me if that were the case. He’s headed to California tomorrow. You must have misunderstood.”

“You know Sums, the first sign he’s your man is when he starts lying to you about things.” Alyssa giggled. “Seriously, maybe it was just an oversight or I misunderstood.”

“Yeah, probably.” I pulled myself off of the couch and made my way towards my room. The last thing I wanted to think about was being away from Chase, especially after things had been so perfect recently. I dug my phone out of my purse and send him a quick text.
I’m going to miss you…hurry home.

Miss you more…and I’ll be back as quickly as I can.

I wasn’t going to put any value in the things Alyssa said. I trusted Chase.

* * * *

“Oh my god this sucks…whose idea was this again?” Alyssa panted as she jogged beside me. “This is fucking ridiculous.”

“We both agreed we needed some more exercise.”

“But there are plenty of other ways to burn off calories instead of running three miles in this damn heat.” Quipped Alyssa. “I would say sex, but you’re the only one burning off calories that way.”

All I could do was roll my eyes and shake my head as we turned the corner on the final stretch toward our apartment. “You’ll find a man…what about Jake?”

“Seriously Sums? He’s cute, but isn’t he…?”

“Seeing someone?” I quickly responded.

“No! Gay! He always talks about Chase like he has a crush on him.” Alyssa slowed her pace and eventually walked as we reached the parking lot of the apartments.”

“No, he was actually seeing a girl for a while. At least that’s what Chase had said.” I wiped the perspiration from my forehead onto my sleeve.

“Well, we work together and…” Before Alyssa could finish her sentence two guys ran down the stairs at full speed, skipping steps. The last one bumping Alyssa and knocking her into the hand rail and down a step. “Slow down and watch where you’re going asshole!” She yelled.

I looked back and watched as the two guys rounded the corner, never looking back. “You Ok?”

“Yeah…I just can’t wait to graduate, get a job and get out of this place.” Alyssa rubbed her shoulder as we made our way up the stairs to our apartment.  Alyssa reached for the door to open it.

“Seriously Alyssa? You couldn’t even pull it shut, let alone lock it?” I rolled my eyes at she stood in front of the door.

“No Summer, I did close it.” She gently pushed the door open and it swung slowly until it hit the wall on the other side.

We both stepped inside, quietly, listening for signs of someone else inside with us, but there was nothing.  My laptop still sat on the coffee table, but my purse and all of the contents had been emptied out. “Seriously?” I yelled. “What the hell?” I picked up my purse and looked at the contents on the table. My wallet had been opened and what little cash I had was gone.

“Mine is empty as well.”

Alyssa stood there holding her purse as I stared down at the table and then quickly back towards the small table next to the door. “Shit, my keys are gone too.” Panic, anger and fear all set in at the same time.