L.A. Cinderella (8 page)

He grabbed a couple of spoons and the container before taking her hand and leading her across the kitchen.

The rest of his house was as amazing and intimidating as the kitchen. From the crystal chandeliers in the dining room to the antiques in the living room. From the extra-large-screen TV in the media room to the red-lined pool table in the recreation room. The splendor and richness made her head spin.

“How long have you lived here?” She knew the man was a multimillionaire. She knew he wore expensive clothes, even if they were casual, but it hadn’t really hit her. Now it slapped her across the face. Her apartment could fit into his media room.

“This was my parents’ home. I inherited it.” He seemed to choke up on the statement before it passed. “Besides, it’s small compared to the one I own in Italy.”

Her head still reeling, he opened a door and pulled her into a darkened room. She slammed into his back as he halted and flipped a switch. Soft lights lit the interior of the room.

She stepped around Chase and her mouth dropped open. Before her, tropical trees and flowers filled the room in bold colors, reds, yellows, greens and blues. The scent of the flowers and the leafy smell of the trees perfumed the air. A glass roof and walls enclosed the garden.

A stone path wound its way along the floor through the trees and disappeared into the foliage. She could hear the chirps of birds somewhere in the room.

“My favorite room.” Chase’s hand rested at her lower back.

“I can see why.” She gaped up at the large, colorful flowers as he led her farther into the room. The back was blocked off and filled with tropical birds of all colors. She stopped as a large toucan swept down to the ground where a bowl of fruit rested near a small pond. It was unbeliev
able. Almost like stepping through a doorway onto a tropical island.

“Here we are.” He led her into a small gazebo open to the sights and sounds of the room, but secluded from the door to the rest of the house.

“You could forget where you are in here.” She settled on the pillows covering the floor, still trying to absorb all the colors and scents.

“That’s the point. I can’t always make time to escape to a tropical location, but I can usually slip into this room. I’m pretty good at pretending.” He lowered himself down beside her and stretched out on his side. “Dessert?”

Tearing her gaze from a beautiful orange flower, she found herself captivated by his eyes, and her breathing hitched.

She knew why she’d agreed to come here to his house.

She wasn’t strong enough to walk away from Chase. She didn’t want to walk away from the attraction between them. When it was over, she was fairly certain it would be him doing the walking.

But that didn’t mean she couldn’t enjoy the ride. “What did you have in mind?”

His grin was positively wicked. He popped the lid off the last container. “Dark chocolate mousse.”

He handed her a spoon and dug his into the creamy mousse. He lifted the spoon to her mouth and waited.

Her gaze never left his as she leaned forward and took the spoon and chocolate into her mouth. The sweetness and the slight bitterness of the chocolate combined to form ecstasy in her mouth. She closed her eyes and savored the taste rolling around on her tongue.

Before she could open her eyes, soft lips pressed against hers. His mouth tasted like the wine they’d been drinking
flavored with the chocolate of the mousse. She didn’t resist when his body shifted, pushing her back into the pillows.

His hands lifted her glasses from her face before his mouth returned to the gentle assault on her senses. She’d never experienced anything quite like Chase before. Every opportunity he could touch her, he did. Every chance to kiss her, he took.

As his lips caressed her neck, she wondered if this wasn’t a good idea. “Maybe… maybe we should stop.” Her fingers dug into his shoulders as he sucked her earlobe into his mouth.

“Mmm-hmm. You’re right. We haven’t finished dessert yet.” His mouth returned to hers. His tongue slid along her bottom lip. His hands caressed the sides of her body, pulling her firmly up into his body. Her flesh warmed beneath his, responding to his fire.

“Chase?” she murmured against his lips. He raised his head and she forgot what she was going to say at the gentle smile on his lips and the desire in his eyes. That was a look she’d never seen in his movies. Any protests she may have had died on her tongue. She hadn’t really meant them anyway.

“Would you like more dessert?” His finger lightly brushed over her nipple.

A shudder coursed through her. Resistance was futile. “Yes, please.”

S
itting cross-legged on Chase’s king-size bed wearing only his T-shirt, Natalie picked up one of the chocolate-covered strawberries from the tray. She couldn’t wipe the ridiculously pleased smile off her face and didn’t really want to.

Sunday afternoon had never been her favorite day or time. Usually it was reserved for doing laundry or running errands. But after spending the last few hours in Chase’s arms, it was definitely moving to the top of her list. Unfortunately, Monday morning would follow closely on its heels.

She glanced at the open bedroom door. Chase had discovered her weakness for sweets and had promised her the best hot chocolate ever. He’d kissed her soundly before insisting she stay in bed and conserve her energy.

She’d never felt so pampered or so thoroughly loved before. Her muscles and body ached, but it was a pleasant
ache. It couldn’t possibly last, though. Tomorrow was Monday, after all.

While this fantasy had been fabulous and she never wanted it to end, Monday changed everything. Back to the real world. Back to being an accountant beneath notice and an actor on the cover of
People
.

“Whoa, what happened to that smile?” Chase in only a pair of boxer briefs stood in the doorway, balancing a tray. “There it is.” He set the tray on the massive nightstand and joined her on the bed. “I’m sorry to inform you that I’m out of chocolate, but I found some protein instead.”

He produced a plate with a turkey sandwich cut into squares. “Eat. You need your energy.”

She smiled and pushed her glasses back up her nose. “Thanks.” Taking a sandwich, she smiled at him.

He lay down beside her on the bed and rubbed the hem of her shirt between two fingers. The back of his fingers brushed her skin, fanning the ever-present flame.

He helped himself to a sandwich square and a chocolate-covered strawberry. She couldn’t keep her mind from their shared bath last night or the morning spent in this bed.

She picked off a corner of the sandwich and chewed it thoughtfully. “What are we going to do about tomorrow?”

He dragged his finger lazily up her leg. “What about tomorrow?” He kissed her thigh and looked up at her with his lazy grin.

Her heart leapt, and her body responded with a pulsing need. She needed to focus. “Work. Chase, stop that. We need to talk about work.”

He picked up her plate and set it on the table. He handed her a bottle of water and sat up on the bed with her. “What about work?” This time his eyes were serious as he watched her drink.

She almost spilled from the intensity of his gaze. She capped the water before it ended up all over the bed.

“Well?” He took the bottle from her and set it aside.

“Well, what do we do about this?”

He scooted behind her and pulled her back to his front. She leaned her head back against him. He wrapped one arm around her shoulder and the other around her stomach, pulling her tight against him.

His voice was quiet and soft when he asked, “What do you want?” His arms tightened around her.

She turned her head so that her cheek rested on his bare chest. His heartbeat echoed in her ears. He made her feel warm and safe and beautiful.

She sighed. She wanted to stay like this forever, but that wasn’t likely to happen. A whole world waited outside those doors. “I…I don’t know.”

“Stay with me.”

“I can’t do that. What about the media?”

His cheek rested against the top of her head. “What if I weren’t famous and a line of paparazzi didn’t hang on my every move?” His voice had an edge to it.

“I—I don’t know. I—I—” She’d almost slipped and said “love.” “I like you, Chase. I like spending time with you, but this can’t possibly work.”

“What if we didn’t go public? What if we kept this to ourselves?” It sounded reasonable, but how many other girls had thought the same thing and ended up as tabloid fodder.

“Has that ever worked? It seems like those relationships always get caught. I can’t be that girl. I don’t want that kind of attention.”

Desperation filled her. She didn’t want to stop seeing Chase, but what choice did she have? She wasn’t made of the stuff needed to be a Hollywood star’s girlfriend. She
would be compared to all his ex-girlfriends. There was no way she could measure up against the likes of Alexis Brandt. Eventually Chase would realize the mistake he’d made by being with Natalie.

His arms squeezed her. He shifted them until she lay under him. In the move, the soft T-shirt had bunched up at her waist. He lowered his mouth to hers. Afraid this could be over, she met his lips with all the desire she felt. Her hands grabbed his head to hold it there.

His hands skimmed down her sides to her panties, and her body arched up into his erection. This could be the last time. She didn’t want this to ever end.

He shifted slightly while he retrieved a condom from the nightstand, but his mouth never left hers. His teeth nipped at her lips. He slid into her as his mouth continued to devastate hers. She sighed against his lips, and her body shuddered with longing.

She’d wanted to feel this all her life. The connection, the intimacy. It swelled up within her. How could she ever let this go? But she had to—she wasn’t cut out for his lifestyle.

He lifted his head and gazed down into her eyes. She needed his mouth back on hers. She needed him to move within her and take them over the edge. He was an addiction, and she just needed one more hit.

His eyes searched hers. “Don’t leave.”

Her core pulsed around him. “But—”

“No
buts
. We don’t have to go public. I want you.” The muscles in his arms shook as he held himself above her.

He moved within her slowly, maintaining eye contact. She could feel him touching her soul as he slowly drove her insane. She didn’t ever want this to end.

“Natalie?”

She met his heated gaze and felt the pressure building within her.

“Stay.”

Her resolve to end it now before it would hurt too much crumbled at the look in his eyes. It was going to hurt when it ended, but she couldn’t bear to let go. She’d take all she could get. Her body shook with her decision. “I’ll stay, Chase.”

His mouth covered hers, and he thrust within her again. Her body convulsed around him as she returned his kiss. Joy filled her heart. His body arched into hers once more before he collapsed against her. Her fingers tangled in his hair as they both drifted back to themselves. Where was the harm in trying?

By Monday morning the weekend rain had passed, leaving everything greener and brighter. Natalie had gone home Sunday, and Rachel hadn’t even missed her. Rachel had asked what she’d done last night, and Natalie had mentioned going out to a movie or shopping or something.

Her heart had been full, and her body had been relaxed. She’d slept wonderfully last night, with only thoughts of Chase racing through her brain.

Natalie had come in early this morning to get the report finished for Mr. Morrison. Her heart jumped every time the exterior door opened, knowing that Chase would be here soon.

When Mr. Morrison showed up at nine, Natalie had handed him the report with trembling hands, sure he would sense she knew. Mr. Morrison took it and didn’t spare her another glance as he made his way back to his office.

The morning dragged on, but still no Chase. Natalie lost herself in her work. When Mr. Morrison went out for lunch, she pulled out the copies of the bank statements and listed
the cash withdrawals. She made sure they were put away before he returned.

She took a quick break to run and get something to eat at her desk. By then she figured Chase wasn’t coming in. She didn’t want to arouse anyone’s suspicions by asking the receptionist about him. Her nervous energy drained off as she spent the afternoon engrossed in an audit of another film that Mr. Morrison wanted her to do.

“Good night, Natalie. That was a fine report you put together.”

She broke away from the list of numbers she was adding to look up at Mr. Morrison blankly.

“Chase and Robert have it on their desks now. Don’t worry about working late this week.” Mr. Morrison locked his door and left before Natalie could think of anything to say.

Her head was spinning. Was Chase here? Why hadn’t she noticed him go by? Why hadn’t he said anything? She picked up her water bottle and headed down to the kitchen. She at least could check to see if his light was on.

It wasn’t like they’d actually made any plans for today. Maybe he’d had time to think about it and really didn’t want to be with her anymore. Maybe it’d just been a line to make her feel better. Her stomach dropped. Well, it wasn’t like it was going to last.

She slowed her pace as she reached the end of the hall near his office. His door was shut, but light peeked out from under the door. Was that the sun or his desk light?

She sighed and went into the kitchen. Why did she care? They were just going to have an affair. It’s not like they’d decided to date. She had been the one to try to cut things off. The water ran over the top of her bottle.

Maybe he’d decided that she was right. Her heart twisted but she ignored it. Maybe this was for the best. Not
sparing his door another glance, she headed back to her desk. Putting it out of her mind, she filed what she was working on and pulled out the documents for
Night Blooming
. Chase wouldn’t hide from her. Obviously, he had to do stuff away from the office sometimes.

She shoved her glasses up on her nose. She’d checked the shipping documents online for her contacts. They were supposed to be delivered today. Maybe she would call it an early night. After all, hadn’t Chase said they should work on it together?

She heard the door close as the last person left. Well, she thought, the last one, except for her and potentially Chase, if he really was in his office. She sighed. She had it bad.

Her computer fan shut down, leaving the office in silence. She glanced down the hallway. She could knock to see if he was there and tell him she was leaving for the night. If he wasn’t there, no one would know. If he was there…well, she could cross that bridge when it happened.

As she moved to stand, her desk phone rang. It was almost six o’clock. Who would be calling her at work?

“This is Natalie.”

“Hi, Natalie. Jared Anderson. Before you hang up, let me apologize for the way I came off the other day. I’m just trying to show people the real Chase Booker.”

She almost hung up the phone, but his last sentence stuck with her. “The real Chase Booker?”

“You know, the man behind the legend. The real Chase Booker, not the public persona.”

Actually she was very familiar with the real Chase Booker, or at least the Chase Booker he’d shown her. How could she really trust that was the real Chase? He was a great actor. Award winning. What made her think he wasn’t acting with her?

“Hello? Are you still there?” Jared’s voice cut across the phone line.

She cleared her thoughts. “I’m sorry. I really can’t help you.”

“That’s fine. I’m going to send you an e-mail with my contact info in case you change your mind. Good night, Natalie.”

She hung up the phone. Maybe he was right. Maybe no one knew the real Chase. Her mind wandered back to this weekend. Her pulse kicked up a notch and she released a breath. If that hadn’t been real, she didn’t know what was.

Or maybe she just didn’t want to know if it was faked. Maybe she wanted to cling to those feelings for a little while longer.