Bad Boy (An Indecent Proposal) - J.C. Reed Page 0,74

you’ll be surprised.”

My heart slammed into my ribs.

At last, I gave a sigh. “I’ll think about it.”

“No, don’t think,” Jude said, her tone betraying her annoyance. “Just do it.”

That evening, after Jude went to bed, I opened my laptop. Even though the prospect of contacting Chase was terrifying, it also made me hopeful.

I had to do it.

More than two months had passed since that day on the beach. The only contact we had was me sending him a copy of my mom’s last Will to help him with his case. Because truth be told, while Clint might have cared for my mom during their marriage, she had been right in her letters. He had been after her money. By now, I knew her words by heart. She had wanted me to have Waterfront Shore, not just a quarter of the money.

After downing a glass of wine to help me man up, I started to type an email because, even if I wanted to, I couldn’t see him. I couldn’t talk with him face to face just yet. His memory was too strong, my pain too raw.

It took me hours to write up the parts of my mom’s story that were of importance to him: a bit of her life, the adoption, adding my plea to get his brother tested so we’d find out whether Kade and I were related.

Outside, night had fallen. A glance at my watch revealed it was three a.m. Once done, I leaned back and pressed my glass against my hot cheek, welcoming the cool sensation on my skin. I had logged off and almost switched off my laptop when Chase’s reply came by text.

You can always count on me. I’m going to ask him tomorrow.

I smiled, oblivious to the fact that he was still awake, and then I typed back a reply.

Thank you. When do you want to meet?

His answer came quickly.

The correct question is where? I’ll be at Club 69 tomorrow 11 p.m. sharp.

I stared at the screen, my chest heaving with excitement, until my eyes fell on

Club 69?

69? Is that some kind of joke?

My fingers drummed on the table impatiently.

No joke. It’s my favorite.

The club or the position?

I laughed the way I hadn’t laughed in a long time.

Was it a wise idea to see him? Could I do it? And 11 p.m.? Then again, the late hour wasn’t a surprise. Chase was a lawyer who probably worked late.

And it wasn’t like we were going on a date. Before I could reply, my phone beeped again.

Is it true? You really think Kade could be your half-brother?

I bit my lip as I pondered my answer. Then I wrote:

I wouldn’t ask you to do this if I wasn’t sure.

A minute passed. Then another. At last he replied.

I’ll be emailing you the address of a friend of mine who’s a doctor. Make sure to visit him tomorrow. He’ll tell you how the DNA test works.

I typed my next message, then got up to get ready for bed.

Thanks, I owe you one.

I left the phone on the nightstand and switched off the lights. A few moments later, the screen lit up with a reply.

Do you miss me?

I stared at his text, my heart pounding hard as my brain began to try to interpret the motivation behind his question. Was he still thinking about us? Was he missing me? What the fuck could I possibly reply to that without offending him, or letting my guard down?

At last, I decided to stick to the truth as I replied,

Yes.

Chapter 25

Club 69 was one of the most prestigious nightclubs in Los Angeles with similar establishments in NYC and major cities in the United States. That’s where the celebrities hung out, where scandals took place, and a long line of paparazzi waited day and night to take that one major picture that would make them rich. Unsurprisingly, it was a place I didn’t frequent. The fact that Chase did, rendered me both impressed and pissed beyond my wildest dreams.

The moment I stated my name, the bouncer opened the doors and motioned me inside. I stopped in the doorway to gawk. Boy, was it big and sparkling, with loud music, stunning light work, and exquisite decorations on various levels. Gorgeous women seemed to stand around at every corner, their hungry eyes scanning the crowd for what I assumed where celebrities or someone at least half-famous to hang on to for the night.

Dressed in a short but inconspicuous black dress, I wriggled passed the crowd swaying