“Those two want to be alone. It’s not only obvious, but Chase threw you out.”
“He threw us out,” she countered, then bit the inside of her cheek, knowing good and well Eric was right. Raina was the only one who’d lingered.
He shook his head, a smile tilting his lips despite it all. “What am I going to do with you?” He pulled her close, then brushed a light kiss over her mouth.
A delicious tingling took hold of her body and Raina inhaled deep. The scent of the outdoors, cut grass, and late fall lingered in the air, making her jubilant and happy. Just when she thought age would catch up with her, Eric had come along, causing her to feel young, vibrant, and alive.
“Whatever you’re doing is working wonderfully.” She brushed her hand over his cheek.
“And you’re a dear for postponing announcing our engagement until Chase is settled.”
“I agreed to wait until Rick and Kendall got themselves settled. They have. Now all I’m waiting for is to have all three of your sons in town at the same time.”
“Roman’s in D.C., but he’ll be back soon,” she reassured him.
He frowned, rubbing a hand down his face in a weary gesture she’d come to recognize.
“Still—”
“What’s wrong?” she asked, not liking when he seemed upset.
He groaned. “It just seems that now’s not the right time anyway. Even if Roman and Charlotte were here, Chase has his hands full with Sloane’s problems. Whatever her relation to Samson, with that house burning down, it’s insensitive to start planning a wedding.”
She’d thought the same thing but feared bringing up the issue. She didn’t want him to think she was finding an excuse to stall.
He was such a sweet, understanding, caring man. “I’ll make it up to you.” Raina grasped his face in her hands. “I know I’ve been a handful for you lately, but when this settles, I promise everyone will know and we’ll get married as soon as possible.” She kissed his cheek, inhaling the masculine scent of musky aftershave that never failed to warm her senses. “I’m lucky to have you,” she murmured.
“And that’s what makes it all worthwhile, Raina.”
She looked into his eyes and smiled. “Now let’s go home and let me take care of you for a change.”
“I’d like nothing better.” He guided her toward the car, unlocking and holding open the door for her to sit inside.
“You know,” she said before he walked around to the driver’s side, “you’ve successfully managed to distract me from bothering Chase and Sloane.”
Eric chuckled. “But not for long, I imagine.” He winked and slammed the door shut tight.
On the ride home, he left her to her thoughts, which was a good thing since her mind swam with memories and possibilities. Who was the girl inside Chase’s house?
He hadn’t offered any useful information. In fact, he’d failed to mention Sloane’s last name during their introduction and Raina knew her son and his manners too well to believe it was an accidental omission. Sloane could very well be Jacqueline’s daughter.
But why would she be looking for Samson? Raina didn’t recall them knowing each other back then.
Samson had been just a solitary young man with an unhappy family life. Now he was a loner, and a recluse who grew more bitter with each passing year. If Jacqueline’s daughter was here looking him up, there was a connection Raina hadn’t been aware of.
And the young woman deserved to be forewarned about the kind of man she’d find.
No sooner had Chase gotten rid of his mother, when he turned his devouring gaze Sloane’s way. “So you aren’t interested in me, huh?” He started across the hardwood floor.
She licked her dry lips. “I had a feeling you’d pick up on that line.” That was why she’d tossed it out in the first place. More to convince herself that she didn’t find the exhausted, disheveled, still-sooty-looking man too appealing. She’d failed in her attempt.
“Say it again, and this time, look me in the eye when you do.” He drew closer.
Instinctively, she backed up, not because she feared Chase, but because she feared herself and the certainty that she’d betray her instincts and common sense in favor of the desire and heated feelings he evoked. She stopped only when she reached the back wall.
“Say it.” He leaned an arm overhead, much as he had in the elevator that first night. “Say you’re not interested.”
“And then?” she asked, buying time.
“And then we’ll see if I believe you.”
Sloane swallowed hard. She needed to get out of here and find Samson. She figured she’d start with Crazy Eights. But first she’d have to ditch Chase, whom she felt certain wouldn’t let her go there alone. Which meant she had to be convincing in her rejection, when every fiber of her being screamed how much she wanted him.
She leaned against the hard wall for support and met his sexy blue gaze. “I’m not interested.”
To her surprise, a wry smile tilted his lips. “Oh yeah?”
“Yeah.” Her palms grew damp and only sheer force of will prevented her from wiping them on his shirt. Any excuse to touch him would do; then she could curl her fingers around the soft cotton and pull him closer, until the heat of their bodies singed the clothes they wore. A soft, little moan escaped the back of her throat and his eyes dilated with need.
“You don’t want me.” With his thumb, he began to stroke the sensitive flesh on her neck, pausing at her rapidly beating pulse. “Is that why you just made that little noise in the back of your throat? The same sound you made when I came inside you?”
She sucked in a startled breath. Even his words had an erotic, almost hypnotic effect on her. One she couldn’t afford right now. “What’s your point?” she asked, hoping to break that spell he wove.
He leaned forward and brushed his lips lightly over hers in reply, a soft touch that sent shivery tendrils of desire shimmering through her system. Just when she expected him to deepen the kiss, he raised his head and met her gaze.
“We’ll finish this after I shower.” His mouth lifted in a knowing grin and she realized he’d just made his point without speaking. She desired him and protesting was ridiculous.
His cocky retreat toward the bedroom came as a welcome respite. She needed space and time to think.
They were working backward, she and Chase. Having slept together first, she already knew the man was a master with his hands and could turn her on in an instant. All he had to do was look at her and her body temperature soared. Lord, but she was hot now.