Because he sure as hell didn’t want to.
After he’d finished dressing for his ‘date’ with Natalie, Chase headed upstairs. His misgivings about the evening increased when he found Natalie dashing about, fretting about her appearance. First she decided she didn’t have the right handbag, and then she changed her mind about her earrings. Personally, he thought she looked sexy as hell, and although it was on the tip of his tongue to tell her so, he decided that probably wasn’t the wisest thing he could say.
He may have teased her about being afraid to be alone with him, but to be honest he had a few reservations about the evening himself. Although he’d known Natalie for a number of years, it had taken him a while to notice she was no longer just Patrick’s little sister, but once he noticed he played hell keeping his hands off her. A part of him had always wondered why she agreed to an affair that was destined to end before it really began, but he never asked. Mostly because he didn’t think he wanted to know.
“Well, what do you think?” she asked after having changed her shoes, jewelry and grabbing another handbag.
He obligingly looked her up and down, but soon regretted it as his hormones jumped to attention. Her halter cut, fire engine-red dress fit like a glove displaying her cleavage, the curve of her hips, and the leanness of her legs. Chase didn’t know a great deal about fabric, but this one had a soft sheen and looked alternately red and hot pink depending on the lighting. Her hair was pulled back with a simple barrette, and her subtle makeup, or maybe it was the lighting, brought out the green in her eyes. However, a dress like that served basically one purpose – to make a man wonder how to get it off, and given the halter style, Chase doubted he’d need much direction.
But before he could manage an intelligent response the door opened, and Patrick came strolling in looking every bit like the high-powered advertising executive he was. Patrick and Chase were the same age, six years older than Natalie, but back in college it had become obvious Patrick was more suited to working behind a desk, whereas Chase preferred a more hands-on career. Although there was no denying Patrick was doing well for himself. Patrick’s suit wasn’t exactly Armani, but Chase recognized custom tailoring when he saw it.
“What are you all dressed up for?” Patrick asked, eyeing Natalie’s supposed going-out-with-a-friend dress.
“Chase and I are going out to dinner,” she said simply, while rearranging the contents of her black evening bag.
“You’re going out to dinner?” Patrick cast a wondering eye at Chase, then at Natalie. His expression reminded Chase of Natalie when she was uncertain about something. “Dressed like that?”
With a touch of annoyance, Natalie planted a hand on her hip, her gold bracelet catching the light from a nearby lamp. “Don’t give me that Dad routine.”
As Patrick’s expression grew more concerned, Chase hastened to explain. “A friend of mine wants me to have dinner with him. He told me to bring a friend, and since you and Erica are busy tonight – ”
“Yes, but that’s not a going-out-to-dinner-with-a-friend dress,” Patrick said in an accusatory tone. “That’s a date dress.”
“And how would you know?” Natalie slid her purse strap over her shoulder.
“I’m engaged, remember?” Patrick said, clearly offended.
Recognizing sibling rivalry when he saw it, and hoping to sidetrack Patrick from jumping to any more conclusions, Chase quickly intervened. “Look, Patrick, it’s just dinner. We won’t be late.”
“Yes, Patrick,” Natalie mimicked in a falsely sweet voice. “It’s just dinner. Besides I’m a big girl. I think I can manage for a few hours without a chaperon.” She slid her arm through Chase’s.
Chase wasn’t sure her touching him in front of her brother was such a smart move, but he supposed the gesture went along with her I’m-a-big-girl-and-I-don’t-need-advice-from-my-older-brother act.
He refrained from saying anything more while he backed out of the drive. Although the evening had been Chase’s idea, he was beginning to question the wisdom of his plan. Sure, bringing along Natalie to keep Drake from forcing Chase into an unwanted date was a simple enough solution, but things between him and Natalie weren’t exactly simple. The nights Natalie had spent in his bed were never far from his thoughts, and he’d be lying if he said he didn’t want a repeat performance.
However he wasn’t some horny high-school kid who couldn’t control his hormones. He could, when needed, exert some self-control. And as for tonight if Natalie wanted to torment her brother by wearing a dress that was guaranteed to raise the blood pressure of any normal male in the general vicinity, Chase really had very little say in the matter.
Although he had to admit, casting another sidelong glance at how the silky fabric clung to her breasts, if he was her brother he doubted he would like her dressing like that, either.
*****
Seated in a comfortable chair surrounded by understated elegance, Natalie perused an expensive looking menu. She had congratulated herself on how well she handled the scene earlier with Patrick, but a small voice reminded her Patrick was only part of the problem. The remainder of her problem sat to her left with his arm draped around her shoulders. All for Drake’s benefit she knew, but Chase’s innocent touch was a subtle reminder of everything she longed for, and everything she knew would never be.
Knowing such doomsday thinking was counterproductive she shifted her thoughts to Drake. Drake reminded her of an older version of Chase: passionate about his work, too good looking for words, and wary of any woman who crossed his path. Chase could usually talk a good story, but deep down she knew there weren’t many people he let close.
Not that she could wholly blame him with his family. His father’s multiple divorces had nearly buried the family in scandal, and in between marriages Chase’s father and mother would attempt reconciliation, and always with disastrous results. Natalie had given up trying to figure out Chase’s parents, but she wouldn’t mind getting closer to the man next to her. Too bad he wouldn’t let her.
Well, maybe you just need to try harder.
Knowing that listening to that tiny, encouraging voice would just get her into trouble, she ignored it. She was not going to delude herself into believing she would be the woman who would capture Chase’s heart. What she shared with him last year was about the most he was willing to give, and after he left she’d been forced to accept that’s all they would ever share. Although that didn’t mean she wanted a repeat performance. Her heart couldn’t take any more.
“You ready to order?” Chase’s smooth as honey voice in her ear reminded her of their close proximity.
Determined to remember she was only here to appease Drake, she gave her order then leaned against Chase, his arm once again encircling her shoulders. She knew she shouldn’t be encouraging his touch, but sometimes a girl just wanted to live on the edge.
Over the past few years Chase had bought several houses from Drake. Houses that he would renovate and then later sell for a profit. Chase had so much local success with renovating properties that when he moved to New York eight years ago, he had turned it into a full-time occupation.
Chase still bought property in Baker Hill, but those properties he hired other contractors to renovate. Rarely did he involve himself with those properties unless he spent an extended amount of time in town. Like he had last year when he returned home because of his father’s car crash, which had led to his affair with Natalie.
After dinner Drake suggested they move into the lounge. Chase kept Natalie at his side, his innocent touch like a subtle promise of something more. Kind of like the appetizer before the main course, and she wondered if that was where this night was leading. Given their former relationship anything was possible. She could easily delude herself into believing she had everything under control, but given her