“Right now you’re my number one priority. Everything else can wait.” He ghosts a kiss across my lips and then pushes himself backwards off his bed. I admire his fit body as he walks naked across the room, but it gets blurry as he moves further away. My glasses, where the hell are my glasses? I don’t know where I discarded them earlier in my rush to get undressed. By the time I’ve located them on a table near my pile of discarded clothes, Chase has reappeared wearing a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt. That’s a shame, but maybe I’ll get to see him naked again later. Though a Chase in sweatpants is still a very fine sight.
“Be right back,” he says and slips out the door. I quickly pull on my clothes. I didn’t have a chance to see any of this room or his house before, or rather I was too focussed on Chase to notice anything else. It’s a large room, though obviously not as large as the castle. Not that I saw Chase’s bedroom there, but the room I stayed in was bigger, so I doubt Chase’s would be smaller. It’s elegant, quite modern but still expensive.
I look out of the window and can see a gravelled driveaway ending in some iron gates and a large brick wall extending in both directions, which I assume circles the property. I’m not sure where we are, except I know we’re still in London somewhere as the drive from the office wasn’t that long. But wherever we are, to have a house this large in London must have cost a fortune. I bite back a laugh at the thought. This is Chase, who has an actual castle, and a yacht and a jet and . . . I don’t know if he has any more houses. It wouldn’t surprise me if he has one on every continent. I’ll have to ask him. If he does, I’d love to see them all.
I drag myself away from the view and daydreaming about Chase and set my laptop up on the table. Just as it’s booting up, the door opens and Chase is followed in by a lady carrying a tray. She puts it down on the table and gives me a kind smile.
“Noah, this is Macy, my housekeeper here.”
“Pleased to meet you,” she says, holding out her hand. I shake it firmly.
“Erm, pleased to meet you too,” I reply and feel my cheeks heat up a little. Was she in the house while we . . .? Did she hear every time I shouted Chase’s name while bouncing up and down on his cock? It never occurred to me he’d have staff. I know he does at the castle, but that place is huge.
“Let me know if there’s anything else you need,” she says before leaving the room.
“Was she here the whole time?” I whisper as the door shuts behind her. “You know . . . earlier?” I swallow and Chase laughs as he understands my concern.
“Yes, but don’t worry, this house is old. The walls are thickand the doors are solid. I doubt she would have heard anything.”
“You doubt?” I squeak, but he laughs again.
“Relax, all my staff are hand picked and discreet. She would have made herself scarce if she heard anything and gone to a different part of the house.”
“Okay.” I take a deep breath, not sure that is really okay, but I guess it’ll be something I’ll have to get used to. Well, I hope I get the chance to get used to it. Chase seems keen, and I’m committed too, especially now I’ve blown my job at ANC partly so I can be with him.
“What’s going on in that head of yours?”
“Erm, nothing,” I say and turn back to my computer, but he catches my hand, he cradles it in one of his large warm ones, and runs his fingers in a caress across the palm, causing a shiver down my spine.
“Sweetheart, you don’t have to hide anything from me. Even if you tell me you don’t want this. It will crush me, I’m not going to lie. But I’d rather know.”
“I do want it. I want you, Chase. It’s just . . .” I push my glasses up my nose. I know they’ve not slipped, but I do it anyway when I’m slightly nervous. “Your life is very different to mine, with the castle, this house, the staff. It’s a lot to take in and get used to. Even your food.” I gesture to the plates of sandwiches Macy has put down. They look delicious, with leafy greens and other salad, some chicken, and a relish, cut into quarters. “If I was at home, I’d probably just have beans on toast.”
“I don’t understand the British obsession with it, but I like that too.” He shrugs.
“That’s not what I meant.” I press my lips together and his face softens.
“I know, and I’m not trying to make light of what you’re feeling, but I want you in my life, Noah. I told you I was serious, and it’s true, so whatever you need we can do it. We can take this as slow or as quick as you want. Though I’d rather keep the staff, because I really hate cleaning.”
I can’t help but laugh at his last statement, but I can feel he’s sincere.
“Thank you,” I whisper, and he leans forward to press a sweet brief kiss to my lips.
I start work, getting in touch with my clients while Chase works beside me and we eat the sandwiches. Every time I look over at him he meets my eyes and gives me a smile that makes my heart nearly burst. I leave Rafe until last and he responds to my email almost straight away, so I call him.
I fill him in on the situation, and although he’s busy he sends his withdrawal email to ANC straight away. I haven’t got anything set up to replace it, but I know I can trust him. He tells me that it’s still not going so well in the States and I look at his schedule. He still has ten days left. I hate that he’s out there alone.
“Tomorrow you’re in Houston. I’m going to meet you there,” I tell him, and I can almost hear his relief over the phone. I just hate that he’s been on his own. I’m not too impressed with the publishers either, which I’m going to tell them when I update them with my contact details. I promise to send him my arrangements once I’ve got them sorted and I end the call.
“I’m never letting that happen again,” I say, and Chase gives me his full attention.
“And you won’t have to. Do you need my jet?”
“No. I’m perfectly fine catching a normal flight,” I say carefully. I know he’s offering it willingly, but I don’t want to use it just because it’s there. I don’t want to be with him because of his money. He is enough.
“Okay,” he says and doesn’t press me. Appreciation that he truly understands spreads a warmth through me. I could easily fall hard for him, which I suspect I’m halfway to doing already. I book my flight to leave early in the morning, that way I’ll be there before Rafe’s next signing tomorrow, and I email him the news.
“Are you ready for my proposal?” he asks me about thirty minutes later.