Bounty (43 page)

C
hase doesn't last long
, leaning against one of the posters of his bed while I kneel in front of him, pulling every inch of his hardness between my lips that I can fit. I'm hungry for his cock, hungry for his hands gripping my hair and hungry for the sound of my name uttered repeatedly as he fills my mouth with his hot essence.

When he's done, we move to the kitchen and dive into the Chinese food we had brought, using paper plates and plastic cutlery supplied by the restaurant so that Chase won't have to clean any dishes.

"I really do like this place. I just think it needs a more personal touch. But it's gorgeous, and has a great layout."

"Yeah," Chase nods, looking around. "It
is
nice."

"How long have you lived here?" I ask after swallowing a mouth full of Kung Pao.

"Not long," Chase replies, still looking around. "I really don't even think of this place as home since I never really spend any time here. So what do you want to do tonight?"

I pause with another mouthful of food as I look at him. He's now paying closer attention to his own meal than is necessary, so I know he is deliberately trying to change the subject. Not only does he not like living in this house, he seems to hate talking about it as well.

"Not sure." I have my own house waiting for me back home. Apartment, anyway. Whenever I'm there it's comfortable, and when I'm away I miss it. But today I feel bummed at having to return so soon. "I leave tomorrow, you know. My flight's at noon I think. So I'll have to be at the airport around ten."

Chase looks up at me, his cool blues probing into mine as he searches for something behind them. "That means I still have you for one more night," he finally smiles.

"Whatever are you going to do with me?"

"I can think of a lot of things I'd like to do to you, but all of those are things that have to be kept private and I was thinking you might want to go out again. Party it up on your last night."

I shrug. Last night's party was more than enough excitement for me. I don't think I could handle another run in with any more of Chase's past. Not to mention all of the fans that seem to hound him. "Does it sound lame if I say I'd rather stay in with you? Just watch a movie or something?"

Chase reaches out and touches my hand, running a fingertip up along my knuckles, past my wrist and then back down again. "Not at all. I would love a quiet night in with you. We can order room service for dinner and not leave for anything."

I sigh, blowing a strand of hair out of my eyes and returning my gaze to my meal. Of course to him that means back to the hotel even though we're already here at his actual house, but I'm not going to push the issue. It was enough that he brought me here at all. His hotel room makes more sense anyway. At least there I don't feel like I'm inside an expensive home decor catalog where I can't even sit on the couch for fear of creasing it. He probably doesn't even have any movies or cable set up anyway.

"Sounds great," I say, pausing to take another bite of lunch. "Maybe there will be time for some of those private things you wanted to do to me, too."

"Oh there'll definitely be time for those. In fact, I think that from the time we get back to my room until you have to leave tomorrow, you shouldn't be allowed to wear a stitch of clothing."

I throw my head back and laugh at that suggestion. "What about when they deliver the room service?"

"Well that'll save me having to tip..."

I giggle and swat his shoulder.

"You can hide in the bedroom until they leave."

"Wait, aren't you going to be naked, too?" I can't help but glance down between his legs as I think about Chase Anderson sitting around naked for a whole day. He's certainly succeeded in raising my enthusiasm at the prospect of going back to his room, at the very least.

"I never said that. Someone has to let the waiter in, like you said. Seeing me would almost be the exact opposite of a tip. I'd have to pay extra for PTSD therapy."

"No fair," I protest.

"Finish up and we can discuss the terms on the way back to the hotel."

I stick my tongue out at him and he darts forward, quickly kissing it before I can pull it back into my mouth. I'm just as quick, though, and before he can pull his head back I wrap a hand around it and pull him back in for a proper kiss. It's just getting good when my phone beeps with a new message, distracting me long enough for Chase to pull away.

"Hey, I wasn't done," I protest.

"We should finish up and get going, there will be plenty of time for that at the hotel."

I make a dissatisfied grunt as I reach into my purse for my phone. It's Harrison again, asking me about the flight tomorrow. I shove the phone back into my purse, but while I'm in there I verify that my passport and ticket are both safely tucked away. I'm glad I was paranoid enough about the security at our cheap hotel to carry those around with me. Harry trusted his to one of the pockets of his suitcase.

I still haven't picked up my bag, but I'd packed light anyway. I've almost convinced myself that losing a couple sets of clothes and a new bathing suit are worth not having to run into Harry again before I have to leave. Especially now. Chase has changed things for me, but I'm not even sure how. I certainly don't want to discuss it with Harrison though.

Chase has already finished his meal and is putting all of his garbage into the carry out bag we'd brought. "If I leave this here it'll attract ants. I'm never around on garbage day. I don't even remember when it is."

I roll my eyes at him and scarf down the rest of my meal. Normally I'd be annoyed at the feeling of being rushed, but after the plans we'd just discussed I'm as anxious to get back to the hotel as he is.

"Come on," he says, holding his hand out for me as soon as I'm done. I reach up and take it. His warmth and strength surrounds me and I don't want him to let go. Thankfully he doesn't, as he leads me out of the house and back to his waiting car.

Once we're seated he scoots next to me and holds me tightly against his body. I smile and turn to see him watching me.

"I can't take you to the airport tomorrow," he says.

"Oh." I know I can't expect him to, and I wasn't going to ask, but part of me had hoped that he would have wanted to see me off. "That's okay, I can take a cab."

"No," he shakes his head. "I can't take you because I don't want you to go. I want you to cancel your flight. Stay here with me."

"
W
ait
, what?" My flight leaves in the morning. I can't just cancel it, can I? My life is back at home in a different country.

"Just a little longer. Maybe a week or two? I don't want you to leave right now." His hand slips up along my neck, causing a wash of goose bumps to rise along my skin, before he pushes it up into my hair. "I'd like to give us more time. See where this can go."

His fingers are rubbing my skull gently, distracting me with their warmth. Maybe that was his ploy to get me to agree to his crazy suggestion. "I can't just... I have a ticket." My protest sounds lame, even to me.

"You can change it, cancel it. Don't worry about what it costs." His eyes are fixated on mine and I can see the seriousness behind them. "Stay with me, Lila."

"I... I don't know..." I want to, I know right away that I want to. But it seems so sudden, so spur of the moment. We haven't talked about this at all, we just both knew I was leaving tomorrow. That this was just a fling that wasn't going to last. A rebound from Harrison. Except it doesn't feel like a rebound. It feels like a lot more than a rebound.

"Think about it," he pleads. "Just consider it."

I nod and turn to look out the window as the car continues through Vegas back streets on its way back to the hotel. Chase's hand continues to lightly run through my hair. It would feel so relaxing if I wasn't so tense all of a sudden. Chase's life is so unlike anything I'm used to. He has millions of dollars. He lives in a hotel and owns a huge house that he never spends any time in. He goes to fancy clubs and has gorgeous, albeit annoying, ex-girlfriends. People walk up to him randomly whenever he's out in public and gush over him, asking for his autograph or tips on playing poker.

I'm used to hanging around in my apartment with Evelyn, wearing sweat pants and trying to figure out how I'm going to make next month's rent.

I live in a city that's cold six months of the year, and Chase lives in the desert.

We couldn't be more different.

And yet, spending time with him makes me feel so much better about myself than I ever felt with Harry. Chase compliments me, and defers his own needs and desires when they conflict with mine. He gave up his trip to LA, he brought me to his house even though it clearly made him uncomfortable, those were both things I couldn't imagine Harry doing. Harrison claimed our trip to Vegas would be good for our relationship, and convinced me to spend money I really couldn't afford getting here. Almost as soon as we landed he did nothing but gamble at the poker tables, completely ignoring me other than expecting me to be his cheerleader when he won a big pot. And then he put me up as collateral in a game, gambling me away as if I meant no more to him than a poker chip. I couldn't imagine Chase ever doing that.

The car rolled to a stop in front of the casino entrance of Chase's hotel, and the driver came around to open the door. The Vegas sun caused me to squint once my eyes were no longer protected by the tinted glass.

"Do you want my glasses?" Chase asks, pulling his ever present shades from his head and offering them to me.

I shake my head. Without his glasses he is more likely to be recognized and I just want to get up to his room as quickly as possible.

We're both quiet in the elevator. I'm still thinking about what I should do tomorrow, but I have no idea what's on Chase's mind. Is he mad at me for not saying yes immediately?

As soon as his hotel room door closes behind us my phone beeps with another message. I sigh, wondering how long it will take Harry to get the hint that we're done. I glance down at my purse quickly, but then back up to Chase.

"Go ahead," he smiles, shrugging. "I have to change anyway. When you're done, figure out what movie you want to watch."

"Okay," I agree. He doesn't seem upset, but it seems like plans of our naughty negotiations and spending the night naked have been forgotten. Or is that proof that he's upset? Would he really forget something like that? Does he think I'm mad at him for asking me to stay?

I'm confused, unsure about everything. When my phone beeps again, I pull it from my purse, annoyed. The text messages aren't from Harrison, though. They're from Evelyn.

3:04 PM Evelyn: Hey, did you know Chase has over 200,000 twitter followers?

3:05 PM Evelyn: I just started following him. Have you seen his latest tweet? Is that you he's talking about?

Confused, I switch over to my twitter app. I'm not a huge user, but I have an account and follow a few actors and comedians. I never tweet anything myself, though.

I search for Chase Anderson and find him immediately. It's true, he has 223,345 followers. There's a picture of him wearing his usual sunglasses with a big smile on his face that I suspect is forced for the camera. I grin as I imagine him sitting in a photo session as his publicist tries to convince him that a big smile would be good for his image. I click through to his tweets to see what he last wrote.

Chase Anderson @chaseanderson - 5h

Skipping the tourney in LA, found something incredibly better than poker to spend my time on - or maybe I should say "someone" incredible...

He wrote that tweet five hours ago, when I was still sleeping in his bed.

My phone beeps again.

3:09 PM Evelyn: So? Is that you? Tell me that's you! Don't forget that you promised to fill me in when you get home tomorrow!

Tomorrow. Why am I even contemplating going back tomorrow? What's waiting for me besides a friend desperate for gossip?

3:10 PM Lila: About that, you might have to wait a bit longer to hear the details. I'm changing my flight. Not sure when I'll be back but yes. It's me.

I know Evelyn will be disappointed that I'm not coming back, but she'll understand. I turn off the sound on my phone so that I won't be disturbed by any more messages.

3:11 PM Lila: I gotta run now, but we'll talk soon, I promise! Luv ya!

I drop my phone back into my purse and then reach up and slip my shirt off, followed by my bra, before stepping out of my pants as well. "Chase?" I call out. He answers me, still in the other room.

"I believe you and I had a plan for the rest of the day, and the movie was only part of it..."

A
fter a bit of playful negotiation
, Chase agrees that it's only fair for him to be naked as well, and an hour later the two of us are lying on his bed, amongst a heap of sweaty sheets.

"You hungry for dinner yet?" he asks, pushing himself up onto an elbow to look down at me.

"Why? Did you decide to give the waiter a show after all?" I lift up onto both of my elbows as well and stare down his chiseled body to his spent cock. I wonder how long it'll take for that to become useful again?

"Hmm, I was thinking that when they deliver it I could at least put on a robe."

"I don't know," I say, shaking my head. "I don't remember that being called out in our arrangement."

"Does that mean we have to go back to the bargaining table?"

"Well, I'm just not sure why I would agree to reopen negotiations after everything has been settled to my satisfaction." I smile at him, running a finger along the lines of his hard abs. How much time does he spend in the gym, anyway?

Chase reaches down, pressing a hand against my thigh and spreading my legs. "I don't know, I think I have an idea about how to get you to
reopen
them..." He slides down the bed, his strong hand still holding onto my upper thigh as his thumb brushes against my still moist folds.

"Wait a minute," I protest, "that's not fair, that's not what we were talking about reopening."

His lips kiss my thigh, right below where his hand is and then higher as he stops holding me open. His gamble pays off when I don't close my legs on his head. He kisses me again, this time a little bit higher. "Okay, you're right, maybe I should stop then." One more kiss just below my aching core and he lifts his head up to look at me.

"Well hold on," I say, almost finding it hard to catch a breath. "No one said you should just walk away from the negotiation table. I'd like to see where your current strategy is headed."

"Ah, I thought you might."

Now his head dips down again and there's no more teasing. His lips brush against me right before I feel his hot tongue invade my pussy. I arch my back against his bed and moan.

"Fuck you taste so good," comes his muffled voice. His hands grab one of my legs and slip it up and over his shoulder, giving him deeper access to my center. This time I scream as he pushes his tongue deeper inside of me. Chase's hands are holding me by the waist, pulling me hard against his face.

"My clit," I pant. "Don't forget my clit."

He makes a satisfied noise as he pulls his tongue from me and drags it slowly up to spin circles around the center of my pleasure. My body shivers with excitement as the stimulation grows to an almost unbearable level. No one has ever made me come so hard or so fast as Chase Anderson.

"Fuck..." I practically yell the word, dragging it out into its own sentence as Chase's tongue draws a powerful orgasm out of my body.

"You win," I say after catching my breath. Chase is using one of my thighs as a pillow and running his fingers lightly up and down my other leg. "You can wear a robe when you answer the door. I'm hungry all of a sudden."

Chase laughs as he rolls out of bed. "I'll find the menu."

B
y the time
I wake up the next morning it's after ten, which is still better than the almost noon of the day before. This time Chase is still next to me, still drained from a long night of fluid loss. We really only managed to watch half of a movie. Apparently spending the whole night naked turned out to be very distracting for both of us, and neither of us could concentrate on the television.

Parched, I push myself out of bed and walk into the other room to get a bottle of water from the mini fridge. After a long drink I sit down on the couch, pulling my phone out of my purse to see if Evelyn had anything else to say after I left the conversation last night.

Turns out she did, but most of those messages were buried under an avalanche of missed calls and other texts from Harrison who was frantically trying to reach me when he noticed I didn't show up for the flight. I wince at that. I should have probably warned him I wasn't going back. The flight was due to leave at ten so he was already in the air and who knows what he was thinking. Still, he's been an asshole and I'm kind of happy he's worried about me. Serves him right.

I skip his messages for now and scroll through Evelyn's. She wasn't happy that I wasn't coming home either, but she totally understood and sounded a bit jealous. She made sure to note numerous times that she expected a complete blow by blow when I got home, and the fact that he's tweeting about me and I'm skipping my flight for him means that she's not going to accept any excuse from me that there is nothing to tell. I just shake my head and smile, imagining the things I could tell her when I got home.

It surprises me that Harrison didn't call Evelyn to ask if she'd heard from me, so I jump back over his messages to see if he mentions doing that. If he did, I can stop feeling guilty about not telling him. Despite how he treated me and the fact that I'm sort of happy to hear that he seems to be genuinely worried about my safety, I do feel bad that I completely forgot to let him know that I wouldn't be there today.

I don't see anything in any of his texts to indicate that he thought of talking to Evelyn, so I switch over to the voicemails he left. He does sound worried, making me feel even more guilty, until I get to the last one where he mentions his intention to call my parents as soon as he lands to find out if they had heard from me. Of course he wouldn't call them before he got on the plane. Too cheap to pay the long distance charges on his cell phone. So maybe he wasn't quite as concerned as I thought.

Still, if he does call my parents they are liable to do something crazy like contact the US embassy or something, so I decide to call him back to at least let him know I'm still alive. Besides, with him already on the plane I at least won't have to actually talk to him directly. I certainly want to avoid the real reason I'm staying. That's still not a conversation with him that I'm ready to have.

It takes me a minute to mentally compose what I'm going to say. I need something that sounds clear and final, but without giving away too much. I don't really want to lie to him, he'll find out about Chase eventually, but I don't really want to tell him about us just yet either. I have the advantage in being able to leave it as a message and not have to worry about him peppering me with questions. I'm not a great liar.

I dial his cell, trying to keep the rough monologue in my head and hoping I won't sound like a fumbling idiot trying to dance around the most important part of the story.

It only rings once.

"Hello? Lila? Where the hell are you?" comes Harry's unrecorded voice.

Shit.