is not the way I want to be found.”
He grinned, kissing the tip of my nose. “This is the way I hope to find you all the time. In fact, I have little fantasies about it. I want you just like this every day.”
“Well, I appreciate that, but this is not a look I tend to make a part of my daily routine.”
“Naked and sweaty while draped on leather is a very good look on you.”
I peeled myself away from him and the sticky leather sofa and got to my feet. I found my panties and pulled them on before putting the dress back on. Chase pulled on his clothes, leaving his dress shirt off. I looked at the jewelry sitting on the table. I couldn’t accept it. I was hoping I could just leave the necklace and earrings where they were.
He bent down and picked them up. “These are yours.”
“Chase, I feel guilty taking them.”
“They are for you. I want you to have them. They are perfect for you.”
“Thank you,” I told him, which felt completely inadequate. “I don’t know what else to say.”
“That’s all you need to say. I like them on you.”
I leaned up and kissed him. “I’m going to go.”
He grabbed my hand, tugging me back into his arms. “Not so fast,” he whispered before kissing me again. “Now, I will walk you back to your room.”
I giggled, appreciating his silliness. “Only because it’s next door to your own.”
“Are you suggesting I’m not a gentleman?”
“No, not at all.”
We walked outside and the cold felt much more intense than it had when we walked to the office. He noticed my shudder and immediately took off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders. I was warmed by the jacket and his sweet offering. I could smell him on the jacket and leaned my nose down to inhale.
He walked me to my door, giving me a chaste kiss before walking to his door. I offered a wave before going inside. I went into my room, glad Parker was already in bed for the night. I was certain I looked like I’d had sex. I didn’t want to explain it to her. I was still not sure how I felt about the situation.
I stripped off my dress and decided to take a quick shower. I found the box the necklace and earrings had been in. I carefully put the jewelry back in the box, staring down at the beautiful gems. They were expensive. I knew he could afford it, but it still felt wrong to accept such an extravagant gift.
I ran my fingertip over the smooth emerald. Was I making a horrible mistake? It was easy to love Chase. It was easy to fall back into old habits. He was sweet and charming and knew just what to say and do to woo me. He always had. He knew me too well. It was the way it always had been.
I was treading on some pretty dangerous ground. I couldn’t let myself fall for him. I couldn’t let him hurt me again. I was going to be much more careful this time around. It was just sex. Nothing more.
We had great sex. It was normal for two healthy adults who were attracted to each other to participate in a casual, sexual relationship. My friends did it all the time. Why couldn’t I?
After my shower, I crawled into bed. I was exhausted. The night had been long, and we had danced for a good hour. Then there was the sex to help lull me into complete contentment. I closed my eyes and thought of him. I thought of his smile and those devastatingly gorgeous blue eyes. I loved staring at him.
As I thought about him, something uncomfortable crept forward. I couldn’t quite figure out what it was. Then it hit me. I was leaving in a few short weeks. I would never see him again. I couldn’t see him once I left. I needed to make a clean break.
The man was my kryptonite. He would strip me of all my defenses and leave me broken. I would give myself this one little Christmas present and cherish every moment of it until it was time to say goodbye.
And I would say goodbye. I had to.
If I stayed on, it would be too hard to walk away. I needed to protect myself. Chase was great right then, but eventually, he would grow tired of me. A young, pretty, wealthy socialite would show up