Besides he’d learned that most relationships just weren’t worth the aggravation they ultimately caused, so he often left before everything fell apart. Sure, he’d enjoyed being with Natalie during those few weeks, but if they started seeing each other on a regular basis their relationship wouldn’t be nearly as exciting.
Regular dating meant expectations. Expectations inevitably led to disappointment. Disappointment led to arguing. And then things often turned ugly.
No, they were better off this way. Much better. And as for his desire for her, well, he was only human. Besides, he’d rather think of her with a smile on his face than with an ache in his heart as he tried to figure out where everything had gone wrong.
Kind of like what happened with his ex-wife.
That gut-wrenching thought crept into his brain before he could stop it. His love for her had ended a long time ago, but the heartache had yet to wane. And one of the things that ripped at him the most was everyone assumed the demise of his marriage was inevitable because he was a Malone. Many of the rumors he’d heard about his father and brothers were true, but until his own divorce Chase had thought he was different. Clearly, he’d been wrong.
Finding Patrick’s house along winding River Shore Drive in the dark wasn’t easy, and Chase focused on locating the correct house for a few moments. But the process didn’t capture his attention for long. Now he had other concerns to face, such as how was he going to say good night to Natalie without them ending up in bed. The driveway stood empty which meant Patrick was still out with Erica. Chase had hoped Patrick would be home which would eliminate Chase’s need to test his self-restraint.
In his mind, he anticipated the evening ending like a typical date. First, they’d go inside all the while discussing the high points of the evening. Then there would be the inevitable offer of a drink as she kicked off her shoes. Then they’d chat as they sipped their drinks, and all the while he’d be wondering how much longer before he could kiss her. Or whose room they could go into so they could spend the rest of the night making love.
As much as he would enjoy letting that scenario play out, Chase knew better.
“How about a drink?” Natalie asked, kicking her heels off at the door.
Could he call them, or what?
“Sure,” he said, strolling into the living room, tugging at his tie.
Natalie headed into the kitchen, and he sank onto the couch, his tie dropping onto the coffee table.
Just one quick drink, then he’d go downstairs.
Simple, right?
She returned with two beers and handed him one. “I really liked your friend,” she said, tucking her dress under her as she dropped onto the opposite side of the couch.
And now she wanted to talk about the evening. Score two.
“Yeah, well, Drake is usually full of enough bull to be entertaining.” Keeping things light seemed like a good approach. It might even distract him from this whole man/woman being alone thing.
“Are you trying to tell me he made up that story about you and that Asian woman?”
Obviously she felt comfortable enough with the situation to tease him. Was that good or bad? Most likely it was bad considering her smile was wreaking havoc with his keeping things light theory.
“Of all the stories he told you tonight, you would have to remember that one.” Chase had forgotten Drake had repeated that tale. Although, thankfully Drake had kept the humiliating details to a minimum.
Her easy laughter washed over him, her blue-green eyes alight with humor. Growing more somber, her expression turned thoughtful.
“I’ve been wondering about something,” she said, inclining her head to one side.
“And what’s that?” He couldn’t tell by her tone if he should be worried or not, but it didn’t hurt to be prepared.
“Well, I realize this is probably none of my business – ” Oh, yeah, he should definitely worry. “– but I was wondering why you decided to stay until the wedding. Not that I mind,” she interjected, “I just thought it a bit odd you took a whole month off.”
Realizing this was what Drake had warned him about, Chase had a ready answer, and what was better it was almost the truth.
“I haven’t taken a vacation in a while, so why not?” He shrugged.
Natalie nodded as the subtle lighting from a nearby lamp highlighted the reddish tones in her hair.
“You can’t really call your last trip home a vacation, can you?” An understanding smile played across her mouth.
His last trip home had been anything but a vacation due to Chase’s concern over his father’s car crash. Although the erotic nights he spent with Natalie had been a much needed diversion during those stressful days, however his interest in her wasn’t purely sexual. After all, she was an intelligent, successful woman, but until he sorted out his life he needed to keep his distance. For both of their sakes.
Her bottle settled on the coffee table with a soft click. “Do you think Patrick suspects anything about us?” she asked, her elbow resting on the back cushions slightly squashing it with her weight.
“Well, considering he invited me to stay, I’d have to say the answer is no.” Chase hoped she’d let the conversation end there. He didn’t want to talk about the possibility of losing one of his best friends. Or the fact that he’d gone against said best friend’s wishes by taking Natalie to bed.
“That’s kind of what I thought, too.” She studied her pink painted fingernails. “Although to hear the way he talks to Mom and Dad – ”
The remainder of the sentence hung in the air unfinished as she shook her head.
Curious as to what Patrick might have said, Chase asked, “What does he say to your parents?”
“I probably shouldn’t say anything, but since I’ve already opened my mouth I might as well tell you.” With a touch of self-reproach, she said, “Mom and Dad weren’t exactly thrilled when Patrick invited you to stay after I’d already moved in.”
“In other words they don’t want me near you.” That was hardly news.
“Basically.” She picked up her beer. “But I wouldn’t worry. Patrick stuck up for you, and so did I.”
Natalie had discussed him with her parents? Interesting. “You did?”
“Of course. They don’t know you and I do. But don’t worry. I didn’t give away anything.”
Her simply worded statement struck an uneasy chord. Although he’d been the one to suggest they keep their relationship a secret, she never suggested otherwise.
Choosing to let her remark pass, he asked, “So what are the odds of Patrick giving me the third degree when he gets home?”
“He’d better not.” She rolled her eyes as she picked at the label on her bottle. Bits of the label flaked off, but Natalie appeared to not notice. “I told him I don’t need a chaperon.”
“That’s true, but when you say something like that it sounds like there’s something going on and you’re telling him it isn’t any of his business,” he felt obligated to point out.
“Well, it isn’t,” she said.
“And you have to admit he has good reason to worry.” That was something that was probably better left unsaid, but it was the truth. And they both knew it.
“Chase,” she said, leveling him with a look, her mouth quirking into a slight smile. “What are you trying to do? Warn me that you’re after my virtue, or whatever they call it?” She appeared amused. “Don’t you think I’ve already figured