Eden's Pleasure (Pulse Book 1) (10 page)

Eden came over and sat beside him, keeping an eye on a group of small children kicking around a soccer ball in the park, enjoying their innocent laughter.

“Is this your house?” she asked, trying to break the silence and change the subject.

“No, it’s my parents’. I moved out years ago. I stay here on occasion, since it’s home. Rheanna lives here… she’ll keep my mother company now that my father’s gone,” Chase said, a little more to himself, the bitterness fading away somewhat.

Eden reached over and took his hand in hers, squeezing it tight. He turned his head to look at her with a furrowed brow and narrowed eyes.

“I don’t get you. Perhaps I never will. You fight my every advance, kicking and screaming, yet you take my hand and hold it like you’re comforting me. You complicate everything. You fucking confuse me all to hell. You know what you are? You’re a cock tease, a fucking cock tease.”

“That’s enough, Chase. I won’t take any more of this abuse. This here has nothing to do with sex, Chase.” She held up his hand. “I’m your friend, this is a difficult time for you, and I’m trying hard to understand your heartache. I hold your hand because I care. It has no sexual innuendoes tied to it.” She tried to explain, but wasn’t sure he gave a damn to understand her. She
was
a complicated mess, and it tired her just thinking about it. “Yes, I may confuse you, but your cruel behavior is scaring me. And I so want to be your friend, but not if you keep acting like this.”

Tightening his hold on her hand, he forced out a long, heavy breath. “I never meant to scare you. I’m sorry,” he said, but the lack of feeling in his voice wasn’t convincing her that he actually gave a shit.

Chase looked at his watch and stood. “We better go back downstairs before my mother sends out a search party.” He pulled her hand to his lips and placed a hurried kiss on the knuckles. “Thanks for being here,
friend
.”

Upon entering the front room, Chase made his way across to the woman he had sat with at the service, keeping a grip on Eden’s hand and leaning in to place a sweet kiss on her cheek.

“Son, I was wondering where you got to. Are you better?” she asked, holding his forearm with concern.

“I’m okay, Mom. I worry more about you.” He smiled the first smile, Eden noted, since seeing him this morning, and he tightened his grip. Moving her to the side so that his mother could see his companion, she raised her brows in a questioned look.

“Sorry, Mom, this is my
friend,
Eden.” An overly emphasized use of friend was starting to really rub her entirely the wrong way. He moved her forward to shake hands. “Eden, this is my Mom, Deanna.”

“Eden. Eden Fox?” she asked.

“Yes, Mom, Eden Fox. She’s the design executive at McLean & Associates,” he replied, and Eden smiled.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Dean. I’m terribly sorry for your loss, please accept my deepest condolences.” She noted that Mrs. Dean held her hand tight for several moments, her emerald green eyes examining Eden closely, before smiling sweetly.

“Very pretty. Thank you dear, and please, it’s Deanna.” She stood and pulled Chase down to meet her cheek, whispering something into his ear. She kissed his cheek, his face lit up, and a smile followed as he looked at Eden, almost embarrassed.

Deanna stood. “You’ll excuse me. I need to tend to things in the kitchen. It was very nice to meet you. I hope we have a chance to meet again.” She glided through the room and disappeared down the hall.

“She likes you,” Chase said subtly.

“She doesn’t even know me.”

“Does anyone really know you?” His voice was acrimonious and the sudden silence in the conversation nipped at her core. She was done. Chase took Eden’s hand in his and leaned over, planting a rough kiss atop her head.

“Why are you being so…never mind, I’m going. I have to run into the office on my way home for some papers I forgot.” Choking back her tears was starting to get the better of her. She needed to escape his cruelty.

“I’ll see you to your car.” He placed his hand at the small of her back, and moved her to the door. He walked her to the car, holding her hand in his.

“Chase, can I ask you something without setting you off?”

“Maybe. That seems like a loaded question.”

“Why do you hold my hand all the time?” She tilted her head and narrowed her eyes, waiting for another cruel answer. He held her hand up, looking at his hold on her, and as he thought, he softened to some degree.

“Why do I hold your hand?” Like she should have known, he answered, “To touch you…feel you…keep you as close to me as I can. Your touch is like nothing I’ve ever known. It brings my heart to life.”

Eden’s heart skipped a beat, and she felt a rush of heat rise to her face.

“I love when you blush,” he said, lifting her chin with his fingertip, not making a move to kiss her, openly holding back.

They shared a long hug before she finally got into her car and drove away. She watched him stuff his hands into his pockets and walk away slowly towards the townhouse, totally unconcerned with her departure. Finally letting the floodgates open, she held nothing back and sobbed.

Eden stifled a yawn with the back of her hand and peered around the boardroom table to see if it had gone unnoticed or not. The complete concentration of the group rested on the open folders on the table and the presentation being given. The morning’s report was dragging on and on, and in her current state of far too little sleep, she took in absolutely nothing being discussed.

Amanda stood outside the clear glass wall trying desperately to gain Eden’s attention. When she finally noticed and waved her to come into the room, Amanda quietly entered with her head down, handing Eden a large manila envelope.

“This arrived for you from Mr. Dean a moment ago. I thought it may be important,” she whispered into Eden’s ear.

“Thank you Amanda,” she whispered, dismissing her secretary, noticing her name beautifully hand written in the center of the envelope.

Eden untied the looped string and opened the envelope, peeking in at the contents. There was a letter and a smaller envelope. She slipped the letter up enough to read it without removing it. It was also hand written in the same beautiful calligraphy.

Dearest Eden,

I have been such a fool. I hurt you and there is no excuse for my abysmal behavior. I can only beg for your forgiveness and hope that you will find it in your heart to take me back as your friend.

To try and make it up to you, if at all possible, I would be honored if you would please join me this Friday for an evening of music.

I have enclosed a ticket, should you consider my invitation, my way of saying how sorry I am for treating you so badly.

Your Friend!

Chase

The ticket was for The Boston Conservatory of Music, a recital of graduating piano students. She loved piano, especially classical. Smiling at the thought of an evening listening to beautiful music and seeing Chase, she would most definitely join her friend
.

From the corner of her eye, she caught sight of a familiar shape standing just out of view of the other occupants in the boardroom. Chase came into view, smiling with a wink, before walking away towards the elevators. Eden didn’t have a chance to respond. She counted the minutes until the meeting was over. The hands on the wall clock seemed to stand still, as if taunting her.

After the meeting, she rushed back to her office, intending to send an email with her acceptance of his invitation, only to find an email waiting for her.

From: Mr. Chase Dean C.E.O

To: Miss Eden Fox

Eden,

I hope from that smile you have accepted my invitation?

Chase

She smiled and hit reply immediately.

From: Miss Eden Fox

To: Mr. Chase Dean C.E.O

I accept, with great delight.

Eden

A new email popped up almost instantly.

From: Mr. Chase Dean C.E.O

To: Miss Eden Fox

Does this mean I’m forgiven?

I am the one that is delighted. I will pick you up at 7pm, if that’s alright with you.

I will be leaving my office soon and will not be returning until the end of the week, estate business, but please feel free to text my Blackberry should you wish. 1-857-555-6262.

Chase

Eden took her Blackberry from her purse and saved his number to her phone, setting ‘Bésame Mucho’ as the ringtone before replying.

From: Miss Eden Fox

To: Mr. Dean Chase C.E.O

It means I am thinking it over. It may take a few recitals for total forgiveness.

I will be waiting for you at 7pm, thank you.

I have saved your number to my phone.

1-857-555-4559, just in case you wish to reach me!

Eden

When Bésame Mucho starting playing from her phone, just as she was about to slip it back into her purse, she pushed the button to read Chase’s text.

Fair enough!

Forgot to tell you I miss you! C
.

She quickly typed her message and sent it, tossing the phone into her purse. She needed to get back to work so she could leave early to go shopping for a new dress for the recital.

I miss you too Chase ;) E

***

Eden applied deep red lipstick as a finishing touch to her look before pressing her lips together, blotting the excess with a tissue, and looking into the mirror. She was pleased with her choice.

She wore a red, off the shoulder, designer chiffon gown that cost far too much, but it was so worth it. It had an embellished beaded applique at the waist, with ruched side drapes at each hip and a slight train. She felt like a princess. She had also purchased a matching lace pashmina to cover her shoulders in the event that the night air turned chilly.

The knock at the door brought a smile to her face. She quickly took one last look in the mirror, satisfied with the results, and ran to open the door. Chase looked like a god in his black Armani Tux. A lock of his raven hair hung defiantly over his eye. Eden found that she had to look away to regain some trace of composure.

Chase’s eyes lit up at the sight before him. “You look gorgeous.”

“Thank you,” she said, turning around in a whirl so that he could appreciate the entire ensemble.

“I just need to put on my shoes and we can go.” She bent, lifting her shoes from the floor, and leaned on the back of the couch for support.

Dropping to his knee at her feet and taking her shoes from her, he said “Let me.” He held her ankle, slipping the shoe over her foot and then the other. He slowly ran his fingertip along the length of the stiletto heel. “Very nice!” Chase had a thing for stiletto heels. The shape of Eden’s legs when she wore them drove him wild.

Eden gathered her scarf and evening purse. Chase took her scarf and draped it over her shoulders, making contact with the tender skin at her neck. A spark from the sensation of his touch released butterflies into her stomach.

“Shall we?” He held out his hand in the usual gesture of needed closeness and squeezed her tiny hand lightly with a smile.

The doorman held the door as they passed through, nodding his approval to Eden. She smiled her silent thank you.

“I thought that I would drive tonight,” he said, directing her attention to the powder blue Audi R8 GT Spyder that sat at the curb.

She looked up at him, her eyes wide and her mouth open. “Wow!”

Chase laughed at her child-like expression, opening the door and then helping her into the seat. “Buckle up tight and I’ll show you what she can do.”

As they pulled onto the highway, he accelerated, pushing her back into the seat. She held the seat tightly at her sides and laughed out loud at the sheer thrill of speed as they passed car after car, leaving them behind in a blur.

“You like?” he asked her, not taking his eyes off the road.

“I do, but you better slow down before you get a ticket which will surely make us late!” she laughed, and he slowed to a proper speed, looking over at her.

“You look so beautiful tonight. You make this evening perfect. Thank you for accompanying me.” He ran the back of his fingers across her cheek.

She took his hand and kissed the tip of his index finger. “Thank you for inviting me.”

“My way of saying sorry for the way I treated you after the funeral…I….”

“It was an emotional time for you,” Eden said cutting him off. “Let’s put it behind us.” The memory of the gazebo incident was indelibly etched in her brain. The way he roughed her up as he brought her to orgasm, the look in his eyes as he licked his fingers sensually, had thrilled her beyond words. The way he talked to her after made her shiver at the thought. She could put it behind her, but she would never forget.

When they pulled into the parking space, she looked at Chase in wonder as she read the sign at the nose of the car, reading ‘Reserved Mr. Chase Dean’.