Perfectly Lonely - Jessica Marin Page 0,64
He told us you were beautiful, but his words do not do you justice.” Her words render me speechless as I wasn’t prepared for such kindness. My cheeks feel like they are on fire from my bashfulness at her compliments and all I can muster out is a “thank you” back.
“Hi Layla, I’m Ellory. It’s so wonderful to finally meet you. Chase told me so much about you!” Ellory says with an overabundance of enthusiasm. But Chase has said nothing about you, Ellory, my mind screams as she squeezes my hand in a firm handshake. “We must find some time to talk and get to know one another. I would love to get some advice on your favorite places to go in Chicago. I’m hoping for a visit sometime soon.”
“Sure, I would love that,” I respond, adding another note to my mental checklist to research both Chase and Ellory.
“Excuse me for interrupting, but I need to say hello to my little minx.” A rich, masculine accented voice speaks behind me. I turn around to see who they are talking about, only to be surprised to find myself embraced in a strong hug from the devilishly handsome, Sean Lindsey.
“Sean! What are you doing here?” I laugh as I hug him back, missing his sexy Irish self. Sean is Cal’s best friend and I met him in Las Vegas when I went to visit Jenna the same time she met Cal. I tried my hardest to seduce Sean, but he never took me up on my offer and now we have more like a brother/sister relationship.
“I came out to support Cal and to see if this venture is worth my money as well.” I’m about to respond to him when I feel myself hauled up next to Chase’s hard body as he puts his arm possessively around my waist, making sure his territory is marked. He holds out his free hand for Sean to shake.
“Hi, I’m Chase Wilson.” Chase’s usual warm voice is ice cold as he sizes Sean up.
Sean does the same, a cruel smile appearing on his lips. “I know exactly who you are since I clearly remember you being a low-life paparazzi.“ Sean takes Chase’s hand and leans in close to his ear. “Hurt my girl and I’ll ruin you,” Sean says, in a low menacing tone before giving Chase a cold smile, dropping his hand and walking away.
Embarrassment creeps up along my cheeks and I look around to see who else had witnessed that exchange. The only person I see watching us is Isla, who has a surprising glint in her eyes as she watches Sean introduce himself to the Wilson Enterprises’ staff. My intuition is telling me there is more to the story of them just being family friends.
“Chase, we need to get going,” Rhys says, as he starts to usher everyone to board the plane. Chase drops his arm from around my waist and turns to me.
“My brother is going to need me to conduct business the rest of the day, but as soon as this press conference is over, you’re mine,” he growls, pecks me on the cheek and walks over to his mother to escort her on the plane.
I cover the area of my cheek where he had just kissed with my hand and look around for witnesses. Of course, the only people watching me like a hawk are Jenna and Robert, both of them staring at me with shit eating grins on their faces. I shake my head and laugh as I know they’re going to interrogate me as soon as we have alone time.
Our day at the vineyard started out with a private tour, lunch at the restaurant on the property, and then ending with the press conference. Cal, Chase and Rhys talked about their partnership, answered questions for forty-five minutes, and then obliged all photography requests. By the time we were done, the early evening sky was speckled with gorgeous hues of purple, pink and blue as the sun was ready to set. The plane ride back to Vancouver was filled with excitement over the success of the press conference and anticipation for the gala the following evening. I start to panic a little at the thought of not having anything formal to wear, but Jenna reassures me that Cal has flown in his stylist and make up artist to take care of us.
As the plane gets closer to the city, trepidation starts to lace through my veins at the idea