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He won’t want me. Kids aren’t an option. He won’t want me. Kids aren’t an option.
These words kept running on repeat through my head as I rode to Chase’s in a cab. The driver was listening to the radio, and in yet another example of the universe laughing at me, guess who the subject of the conversation was?
“Who is Rachel?” I heard the announcer ask, voice full of mystery. “I’m betting there are women throughout Manhattan wishing they could change their name right now! And if your name’s already Rachel... is it you? Rachel, if you’re listening, give us a call!”
I shook my head with a smile. Would I ever have imagined I could be the subject of so much curiosity? Even if the people paying attention didn’t know who I actually was? For once, anonymity suited me just fine. I didn’t need to be famous. I was glad to fly under the radar in this cab.
Just wait until he finds out, the nasty voice in my head reminded me. He won’t want you anymore. That was much too easy to believe—in fact, I still couldn’t understand why he’d wanted me in the first place. He could have made that commercial about anyone in the world, but he’d chosen me. Why?
When we pulled up in front of the familiar brownstone, I sat in the cab for long enough that the driver asked me if I was okay. I nodded, then stepped out reluctantly. It wasn’t a question of whether he’d take me back—that bridge had long been burned, and it wasn’t why I was here.
No, I was here because Chase had treated me with such kindness, such respect, that he deserved to know the truth. But it was also why my hands were trembling as I climbed each slow step to his brownstone. I was so scared of losing that respect. So afraid that when I told him the truth, that look in his eye—that look that said I couldn’t be any more perfect if I tried—would fade, to be replaced by disappointment—or worse, disdain.
At the door, I paused. I could hear faint music through the timber, which meant he was home. I couldn’t do this. I wasn’t strong enough. Just like on the phone, when faced with the option of hanging up and preserving my image, or telling the truth and ruining it, I just wanted to walk away.
I hovered, uncertain, and then my shoulders slumped; the hand that should have been knocking fell to my side. I couldn’t do it.
But then the door opened. And anything I should have said, or didn’t say, flew out the window as Chase pulled me inside the house and wrapped his arms around me.
* * *
“Rachel!” His hug was so tight, his face buried in my hair, that it was almost suffocating. “I didn’t think you would come.”
It felt good. “I almost didn’t,” I admitted with a smile when I could breathe. I grinned sheepishly. “I was about to walk away.”
It felt so right, being in his arms. Like I’d come home. How could someone I’d known for such a short amount of time have such an effect on me? It didn’t seem possible—yet here I was, wanting to stay in his arms, forever.
“I didn’t go too far, did I?” Chase asked. “With the whole public TV thing?”
It was such an unexpected question that I burst out laughing. “As opposed to what? A parade down Fifth Avenue?” I held up both hands as a gleam entered his eyes. “No, forget I said that—I don’t want to give you any ideas.”
I noticed the music for the first time. “That’s the music from the commercial, isn’t it?”
He grinned sheepishly. “Love Is All You Need. I might have put it on repeat.” A hand went to his hair. “After creating the ad, it made me think of you when I played it, so I kept it going.”
Was he blushing? He just made me want to bite my lip and grin! I looked at this sweet, sweet, man before me. “Chase, I’m honored.” I pulled away, looking at him at arm’s length. “Really. I can’t believe you would go that far for me. And who the heck made it go viral? I mean, honestly.”
“Yeah, that surprised me as well,” he admitted. “I thought for sure you would lose it when you saw how the whole thing had blown up.”
“I almost did,” I said. “But I know it came from the right place. And there’s something about being the subject of so much mystery, you know? Like... if they only knew.” I giggled.
We shared a smile. He pulled me into a hug again. “I’m just so glad you’re here. I really am.”
“Chase...” I had to cut this off before he went too far into emotional things. “There’s something I have to tell you...”
His hands were running through my hair. They felt so good. “Chase...”
“It doesn’t matter now,” he whispered. “We can talk later. Whatever it is, it doesn’t matter.”
Oh but it did.
He was kissing my neck, my ears. “Chase, we need to slow down. We need to talk.” Oh God, I didn’t want to talk at all. One more time together, that’s all I wanted. To feel loved once more, in his arms, before he pushed me away.
My lips parted in a hot excited breath. I couldn’t help it, he smelled so good. “Chase. Please.”
“You’re here. That’s all that matters.”
He kissed me. I broke away from him.
I opened my mouth to speak. He placed a finger against it.
“Do you feel the same way I do?” he whispered.
I nodded, tears in my eyes.
“Then we can talk, after.”
The thing was, he was touching my face, my hair, my throat. My resolve was melting faster than an ice cream cone in the middle of summer.
I wanted him. And he loved me. I hadn’t felt joy like this since the last time we were together. I didn’t know when I would feel it again, once I walked out of here.
I just wanted a little more of him. One more time. Was that so bad? I’d have to rely on this memory for the rest of my life.
When he kissed me, I didn’t pull away. Instead, I wrapped my arms around his neck, holding him tight. Once I told him the truth, it would be over. But for now, in his arms, I could forget all of that.
His hands slid around my waist, his fingers running gently up and down my back. Even through a sweater I felt the electricity of his touch. And it felt even more amazing when his fingers slid beneath it. He was rain on a desert’s sands; stars on a stormy night.
He backed me into the stairs, wanting to lead me to the bedroom, I guessed. Only we never made it. We wound up collapsing together on the stairs, still kissing.
I stretched my arms over my head, allowing Chase to remove my sweater. His face was buried in my chest. I held him close, reveling in the feel of him and the way his mouth set me on fire. I would never feel this way again. Never would a man worship me physically the way he did. I was sure of it.
I pushed that thought out of my head. Chase’s mouth had moved up my chest, to my throat; his lips hotter even than my overheated skin. When I threw my head back and moaned, he moved against me in response.
His hands slid my bra straps down my arms, his mouth now working its way from one shoulder to the other. I arched my back when his tongue sailed across my skin, unhooking the bra. I crossed my arms over myself, lowering the cups away from my chest.
He devoured me, hungrily. I loved the way he worshiped my body. The power washed over me again, the reminder of how eager and impassioned he became at the sight of me. He took my breasts in his hands, licking from one to the other and back again.
I reached down, running my hands over his back. I needed to touch him—to drink him in, as much as I could while there was still time to do it. I pulled his shirt out of his waistband; he quickly removed it and tossed it aside. He was so firm, fit, his muscles moving beneath my hands. I went from the bottom of his back to his neck and down again, then slid my hands under his waistband to fondle his backside. He growled, and I felt myself respond with a growing warmth between my legs.
What would I do without him? This beautiful man, his body, his soul. Because that was what gave me pleasure; the knowledge that this was happening with someone I cared for so much. There had been a connection between us from nearly the first moment. And it would end soon... but not yet. Not until we’d had one last time together.
His mouth roamed over my torso, down to the apex of my thighs. I edged my leggings down, making him laugh. I didn’t care. I needed more. I was burning for him.
He lowered both the leggings and panties for me, touching every bit of my skin before taking my ankles in his hands and pushing my legs back. This gave him access to all of me; he lavished attention on my throbbing flesh.
“Chase!” I cried out, gripping the back of his head as he drove me wild. Even the hard stairs pressing into my back didn’t matter—besides, it was hot, going at it this way. Being too overcome to make it upstairs.
The knowledge of how much he wanted me, and the skill he was using on me, grew my passion quickly. His hands were rough on my thighs, but his tongue was soft between them. I could feel each stroke, each time he buried himself into me, each time his tongue pushed and parted, and his lips kissed. Soon I was crying out in pleasure. And then the pleasure had me screaming. My thighs tightened around his head as I rode out my climax.
He grinned at me, and I responded by pulling him toward me. I lowered his pants, reaching my hand inside his boxers to take him in my hand. He groaned, thrusting gently against me. I licked his neck as he hovered over me, kissing every bit of skin my mouth could reach. His member throbbed in my hand, his groans getting louder the more I worked on him.
“Rachel... Rachel...” he whispered in my ear. I closed my eyes, needing to remember the sound of him saying my name as I gave him pleasure; the desire, the want in his voice.
He moved away, already on the verge. I got up, and he turned me until I was facing away from him. He positioned himself behind me, running the tips of his fingers lightly from the nape of my neck down to the base of my spine. I sighed, feeling little sparks of electricity shoot from his fingers through to my core.
Then his hand moved lower, reaching beneath me. I gasped, my back arching, and a long, low cry issued from my mouth, echoing off the high ceilings and paneled walls. I lifted one foot, resting it two stairs higher, giving him better access to me.
My reaction led him to stroke me rapidly. This was different to his tongue. His hands were rougher; a different type of pleasure, though just as good, just as exciting. He took a handful of my hair, pulling my head to the side so he could lick and nibble at my neck. I couldn’t believe how sexy this was—even having my hair pulled turned me on.
I was cresting before I even realized it, my eyes widening in amazement at the force of emotion Chase was capable of generating. I felt his breath on my ear as he whispered to me, urging me on, telling me how much he wanted it too. I was a gasping, shuddering mess as I succumbed to the shattering orgasm his hands had created.
I hadn’t even caught my breath before Chase positioned himself beneath me, his mouth taking the place of his fingers. I nearly screamed, the intensity of his tongue on my sensitive flesh almost too much to take. But I could take it. I liked it. I held on to the heavy bannister as he licked my most private of places, and by the time I felt his fingers slide into me, I was lost in sensation.
“Oh, Chase! Oh, my God! Don’t stop!” He heard me and responded with an even faster flurry of activity, until he took me over the edge again. I collapsed against the balustrade I’d been holding. His hand slid out from beneath me, giving me the chance to kneel while I recovered.
“Chase... you’re insane...”
I heard him chuckle. “I’m not finished yet,” he growled in my ear. The words made my heart race and my blood pound. I wanted more of him. As much as he wanted to give me, for as long as he wanted to give it.
Bravely, I lifted myself back up positioning myself, inviting him to take me. He stood behind, the heat from his body matching mine. I needed the blissful oblivion of him now, more than anything else.
I felt a presence as his body came closer. Then with one hand on my hips, he guided himself inside. In that first moment, when he entered me, I swear I saw stars. I cried out, near to tears from the thrill of his presence inside me.
Soon passion overtook us both. He began to drive himself in a slow, sensual rhythm. I ground myself back against him, matching his movements. His groans made me want to give back the pleasure he was giving, and I closed my eyes, wanting to imprint this moment in my mind forever. Chase, wanting me, taking me this way. Holding my hips as he drove himself into me, his pace growing steadily faster, the longer he went.
He picked up one of my legs, holding it out at an angle. He was in control and letting me know it. I handed myself over willingly. He went even deeper, his body slapping against my full hips with every thrust. I moaned, pushing against him, riding him as he rode me. Soon I was clamping down around him, my muscles tightening as I was overcome with my climax.
My cries filled the hall again. Chase slowed down, touching me everywhere, waiting until the force subsided before moving again inside me.
“Wait,” I whispered, “let me move.” My legs were shaking, still, with aftershocks. I rolled over onto my back, carefully positioning my body before taking him inside me again. This was better. I could touch and hold him, kiss him. I braced myself, my feet on one of the lower stairs, thrusting my hips against him as he rhythmically rocked into me. I held him close, one hand on the back of his neck, the other roaming over his back and butt. My nails dug into firm muscles, pulling him closer, wordlessly asking for more. Harder. Deeper.
He pushed himself up on his hands, looking down at me. I strained, reaching up for a kiss. Our mouths met, brushing against each other gently before pressing more urgently together. I wanted to lose myself in his kiss. I wished I could push the rest of the world aside forever and freeze this moment of total closeness. We were together, and that was all that mattered.
He buried his face in my throat, crying out as his thrusts became faster; frantic as his release approached. Mine built too, racing toward me. I met it gladly, wrapping my legs around Chase as I shook in his arms. Together we climaxed, crying out as he fell onto me.
I held him, staring up at the ceiling far above us. One tear rolled down my face as I stroked his hair, his back. Kissing his neck, his shoulder, holding him one more time in this perfect, beautiful moment.
“I love you,” I mouthed, needing to say it but terrified of having him hear—it would only hurt him more. “I love you,” I mouthed again. I wiped away the tear, not wanting him to see me cry like this.
He pushed himself up, smiling down at me. “Wow,” he whispered.
“Tell me about it. That was insane.” Maybe not as crazy as doing it on a Broadway stage, but a first nonetheless.
He rolled over, lying beside me on the stairs. “Ouch,” he muttered. “This seemed hot at the time.”
I giggled. “There was no way I was stopping, no matter how hard it dug into me.” We laughed softly together, then only the sound of our heavy breathing could be heard.
I looked over at him, so desperately sad that this moment—our moment—was coming to an end. He didn’t know it yet. But I had to tell him.
He must have felt my stare, turning his head to face me. “Rachel? You don’t look the way I’d expect you to look right now.” He grinned, winking.
I had to smile. “You’re right. I should be glowing in post-coital bliss.”
“At the very least.” He leaned toward me, reaching for another kiss.
I pulled back. “Please, hand me my clothes,” I said, reaching for them.
“What’s the matter?” He handed them over, concern etched on his face. “Did I do something wrong?”
“You’ve never done anything wrong. Trust me.” I stood, dressing quickly. “But we need to talk.”
I looked away, flushing. “In fact, we really should have done it before... well, before we did this.”
He sat up. “So what is it? Don’t you believe that I love you?”
I shut my eyes tight, pushing down the pain in my chest. Why did he insist on making this so much more difficult than it already was for me?
My chin trembled. “I believe it, and I need you to believe that you mean the world to me. These last few weeks have been the happiest of my life—when we were together anyway.”
“I feel the same way. No matter what, from now on we’ll get through it together,” he said.
I shook my head. “No, not this. That thing I had to tell you, Chase. It’s still there.”
He stood up, pulling me toward him. “Whatever it is, we’ll deal with it.”
I wanted to be held by him. I wanted to stay in his arms forever. But instead, I pulled away. “Not this. Anything else, I’d believe. But this... no amount of money, or love, or sex will solve this problem.”
“What could possibly be so huge?” he asked, confused.
“I’m sorry I lied to you,” I blurted.
“What do you mean? Lied about what?”
This was it. The moment all the color in my world drained away, and I was left living in black and white. “I’m pregnant, Chase. And the baby isn’t yours.”
# # #
This concludes Book 3. Click HERE for book 4, or get grab the BOX SET to complete Rachel and Chase’s Adventures.
Dear Reader,
Did you enjoy reading about Rachel and Chase? Can’t wait to find out what happens next? The story continues in the bestselling series Billionaire Baby Secret.
