Eden's Pleasure (Pulse Book 1) (2 page)

She turned to put her empty glass on a nearby table as Paul, the boss’s obnoxious son, swooped in, taking her by surprise. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close. He had obviously had far too much to drink, his breath in her face stinking of liquor. He proceeded to smooth his hand down her back, gradually heading south of the equator.

"Miss Fox, would you do me the honor of joining me on the dance floor?" His words slurred.

She was horrified, but didn't want to cause a scene. Uncomfortable, she took his hand from her behind, placing it between her palms, like two friends meeting, and squeezed hard. "Thanks, but no thanks!"

He took hold of her wrist and brusquely pulled her close again. He smelled grotesquely strong of alcohol and cigarette smoke and all she wanted to do was claw his face to get rid of him. She turned away in disgust, holding her breath so she wouldn’t gag and throw up on him.

"Miss Fox. I'm sorry for taking so long,” Chase jumped in. “I believe this dance is mine?" Chase said, giving Paul a try-me glare and placing her hand in the crook of his arm and then walking her away from Paul’s advances.

Paul scowled at the pair and stuck his hands in his pockets, walking away in defeat towards the bar while spewing profanities under his breath.

"Oh thank you!" Eden said, holding one hand to her chest while silently willing her heart to start beating again. “The boss’s son…awkward.” She rolled her eyes and Chase laughed. A beautiful, sexy laugh she could have listened to all night.

"Not a problem, I've heard about him. You looked like you needed rescuing." They both laughed. "Shall we dance?" he said, gesturing to the dance floor. “We can’t have him think that I backed out of sharing the dance floor with such a beautiful woman. He may get suspicious.”

Shaking her head as he held out his hand, she said, "I don't dance. Actually, I should say I can't dance. Two left feet." Eden laughed, turning away from him, but he took hold of her elbow and pulled her back.

"I
can
dance,” he stated with a splash of demand in his tone if she wasn’t mistaken. “Give it a try. You wouldn’t leave me here to dance all alone, would you?" He held out his hands in anticipation and she couldn't help but come forward to join him. His gaze had a demanding pull she couldn’t label.

"Ok, but if I step on your feet and embarrass you, it'll be your burden to bear, not mine!" she grinned up into his beautiful eyes. “You’ll have the sore feet to deal with.”

His laughter had her heart soring. “I think I can handle that.”

He took her hand and gently placed it on his shoulder, encircled her waist and took her other hand into his. He moved her gracefully around the room. Chase certainly did know how to dance. She felt light on her feet, molding to him. He was at least a foot taller, causing her to stare at his chest. He looked down at her and she shared his gaze.

She studied him closely. He was beautiful, not at all her type, especially with his raven hair like his sister Rheanna’s and his strong, chiseled features. He had a carefully groomed beard and mustache which she had never found appealing, but it made him appear ultra-masculine, unlike the more boyish faces she was used to dating.

His scent was musky, his cologne rugged but sweet at the same time, expensive and intoxicating. He was tall, six foot five at least, towering over her tiny form. Broad shoulders and, from the feel of him through his expensively tailored suit, he was muscular, ripped even.

Eden came back from her thoughts only to discover that he was still looking at her, the corner of his mouth curled up in a slight smile. Shit, he caught her in her entrancing daydream. Blood rushed through her, warming her face as she felt herself turn red before looking down, disconnecting her eyes from his.

He touched his fingers to her chin and raised it up to look into her face. "You’re beautiful when you blush," he whispered. It was a whisper that ignited your core and caused your panties to dampen without warning, a whisper that you dreamt a man would make use of while making love to you.

She laughed nervously. He spun her around, holding her tight. His large powerful body pushed against hers, making her feel comfortable and sheltered, which seemed completely ridiculous since she barely knew this man.

Chase slowed to a stop. “Would you like a drink Miss Fox? We could take five and talk.”

“I’d like that,” she said, and they proceeded to the bar where he ordered them drinks, handing her a glass. Then took her by the hand, surprising her with his boldness, and strolled to a table outside to sit under the stars. The sky was unusually clear tonight and the stars seemed to be just a tad brighter from this view, unimpeded by the city lights below them.

He pulled out the chair for her to sit, taking the seat opposite. He leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. “So, are you exclusive?” he asked.

“Pardon me?” she asked, dumbfounded by his question. She needed to give her head a shake and pull it together. This man was her new boss after all.

“I mean do you moonlight, design privately?” he asked with a slight laugh at her misconception.

“Oh. Yes I design privately.”

“I ask because I have a room in my apartment that could use your magic touch.”

Eden’s brows furrowed. “Magic touch? I can’t say that my designs have ever been referred to as magic,” she said with a snicker. “But I’ll give you points for using a pickup line I’ve never heard before.”

Placing his hand over his heart in an exaggerated action he joked, “I’m wounded…”

“I’m sure.” Eden laughed, finishing the last of her drink and setting it aside.

“Seriously, I do have a room in need of attention. Would you consider having a look sometime?” he asked.

She looked at him with curiosity, playing with her empty glass. “Maybe I could do that…sometime.”

Eden too leaned on the table edge, crossing her arms in front of her, bringing her all that much closer to Chase. She could smell his cologne and it was heady, making her take it in deeper as she inhaled. They stared into each other’s eyes, not saying a word. Maybe it was the alcohol, but she felt relaxed and familiar with him.

He took his glass and placed it to his lips, taking a long slow sip. Eden felt hectic inside at the sight of his moistened lips and licked her own out of sheer lust. This did not go unnoticed by Chase, who smiled with amusement, moving his hand across the table and placing it on her arm.

He was up and at her side before she could respond. “Let’s dance.” He took her by the hand and pulled her into his arms, moving in the direction of the dance floor. A take charge man, she could feel it. She normally stayed away from his type, but from him, she kind of liked it, and almost looked forward to his next move.

“I’m looking forward to working together and getting to know you,” he avowed, breaking the silence and the spell he had her under.

“I’m just the designer on the project. I don’t think we will be working that closely.” She didn’t know quite what to say. “I don’t usually work with CEO’s.”

He pulled her a little tighter to him. “We’ll have to see what we can do about that Miss Fox.”

Catching her breath, she felt a rush of color rising. She hated when she blushed, it was so childish. Back in high school, she was the butt of many a joke, as boys took turns to see who could light her up the most and money was exchanged with loud laughter. She cringed at the ghastly recollection.

“You really are beautiful when you blush.” He leaned into her face to kiss her gently on the cheek, startling her. Her temperature rose drastically and she gasped.

Pushing out to break free of their embrace, she looked around to see if anyone had noticed his move of intimacy. He immediately released her, not forcing her to stay in his grip. Slowly her hand fell free from his, but Chase never took his eyes from hers.

Reece came over at that moment and smiled. “I’ve been looking for you.”

“Reece!” Eden was surprised she actually remembered his name. She had totally forgotten that she had brought a date. Her thoughts stumbling, she made the introductions. “Chase. This is my date Reece.” The men shook hands. Chase inspected him, looking at Eden then back again. He failed to smile as he studied the pair.

“Nice to meet you Reece...I didn’t realize you had a date,” Chase said, directing his comment to Eden.

Is he angry?
she asked herself.
He has no right to be
. But she found she liked the idea.

Eden felt an awkward silence hover in the air as the threesome fought for something to say. The cacophony of the mob in the room suddenly closing in on them made her aware of her surroundings. “Reece, would you mind getting me another drink?” Eden asked Reece with a smile.

“Not at all. Chase could I get you something?” he asked.

Yeah, get the fuck lost
, Chase thought to himself. “No thanks, I’m good.” He raised a hand and smiled.

Reece disappeared through the crowd on his mission, leaving Eden and Chase to ponder the next move. Eden wished that she had come alone while Chase wished she would leave with him.

“I’m sorry. I should have mentioned my date.”

Chase’s response was quick, he seemed rather put out. “I’m sorry too…that you have one,” he said with that smile of his. Her heart skipped a beat and she felt a stirring in her belly. She could go for this guy, imagining what she could do with all six foot five of him.

“I take it that you’re here alone?” Eden asked, not knowing quite why she cared, but still needing to know.

“Alone,” he said. He moved closer to Eden and whispered across her cheek, “And leaving alone I’m afraid.”

Eden’s cheeks warmed, an excitement welling up in her belly. It ached from his breath on her skin. He had her ready to sneak into a dark corner and have her way with him. So tempting.

Reece came over, handing Eden a glass of Champagne. She practically inhaled it in an attempt to extinguish the flame burning between her legs but without success. Chase looked amused and Reece shocked.

“We better go Reece,” she announced, handing off her glass to Chase. The amused look on his face was priceless. “It was nice to meet you Mr. Dean…I look forward to working with you.”

“As do I,” Chase replied with a grin.

Eden smiled and took Reece’s arm. They said their goodbyes one by one through the group. Eden noticed that a certain pair of eyes followed her every move. She was thrilled, knowing he was taken with her. The knowledge that it was going to cause problems, trying not to mix business with pleasure, tugged at her heart.

“Until we meet again Miss Fox,”
Chase whispered out loud to himself, watching Eden and her date get onto the elevator and the doors close. She had had quite the effect on him.

The thought of her soft blue eyes and the smell of her perfume that was now held in his memory made his cock stir. He wondered how it would feel, having her nails tear down his back, her juices dripping down his chin or how she’d sound when he made her moan. He needed release and he was intent on getting it. The vision in his mind of her hot little body pressed against his and those legs in her too sexy stilettos would haunt him. He pictured those legs wrapped around his hips as he hammered himself into her.

He scanned around the room making sure he wasn’t being watched as he adjusted himself.
I
could be at Pulse in twenty minutes tops and between a pair of warm soft thighs in less than forty-five,
he thought as he eyeballed the room for his sister.

“I’m leaving, you need a ride?” Chase asked Rheanna when he found her hovering at the bar with Paul the pervert, as he was known within social circles.

Rheanna poo-pooed him with a waving hand gesture as she spoke. “I’ll get a ride…not having a good time brother dear?” she asked pointedly.

“I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” He cut any further conversation short and walked to the elevator, pushed the button repeatedly and smiled to himself. The thought of Eden walking the halls of his office, sharing a board room table and many, many meetings, gave him far more to look forward to in his future than he had anticipated this morning.

***

Pulse
was quiet tonight as Eden and Reece entered.

Reece asked Eden as he perused the room, “Shall I get us a drink?”

“Please, a white wine. Take it to room seven, I’ll be there soon,” she instructed him and he smiled with a gleam in his eyes. She put her hand to his jaw, tilting her head to take in his striking features and smiled. She was going to eat him alive. If he only knew.

She watched his tight little ass as he headed to the bar liking what she saw, but wishing it was Chase’s ass she was staring at.

“Not that I’m not thrilled to see you honey, but what are you doing here on a week night? Party a bust?” Mikala asked from behind her. She spun around with a smile for her friend.

Mik, as Eden liked to call her best friend, was a bombshell of a woman. Mikalas’ blazing, fire red hair gave her just the right definition of exactly who she was, a powerful woman with a take no prisoners attitude towards life. She reminded Eden of a World War II pin up girl. Tall, slim, with fabulous legs, large full breasts that screamed sexy. Eden often wished she had just a little of that hot sexiness that oozed from Mikala so easily, almost like lava.

“Not at all,” Eden said. Mikala’s eyes narrowed, waiting for more.

Mikala owned
Pulse,
a social night club in Boston, with a main floor bar and dance area, and a second floor containing a member’s only social club. A get together club for meeting and socializing with like-minded people, complete with rooms at the back for private sexual encounters. On the ever darker side, she ran an escort service within the social club, not advertised as such, but very lucrative all the same. One that Eden relied on regularly since she had no desire for a complicated relationship.

Mikalas’ gentlemen were clean and safe. Her service made sure that each gentleman assigned to Eden was briefed on all the facts of the evening, a must for her many business gatherings. A standard how we met included, always the same. Eden liked it that way, no mistakes on either party.