He didn’t stifle his intense stare as he eyed me up and down. “You’re beautiful, Blue. You take my breath away.”
I closed our distance.
“Thank you for the dress, for everything, for all of this. You really didn’t have to...”
He cupped my cheeks. “I’d spend every penny I have to see your eyes look that blue.”
“Wait—that’s why?” It hit me. Blue.
“Blue, when you walked in my OR in those scrubs, baby, I swear I almost lost my fucking mind.”
So that was why he freaked.
“But you made me change them.” I scrunched my nose and pretended to pout.
He responded by kissing it. “Baby. Think about what I do for a living. That’s a seriously dangerous distraction.”
“Well, if I’m such a distraction, Doctor, why have me in the room at all?” I bit my bottom lip.
“Because wondering where you are, what you’re doing, imagining these soft lips sipping one of your girly coffee drinks, or picturing you twisting your hair up in that messy ponytail thing you do. Fuck, Blue. That distraction could be deadly.”
The knot burned the back of my throat. I fought to swallow. “Are you real? If this is all a dream, god, I hope I stay asleep.” I covered his hand and pressed my cheek against his warm palm.
“Sleep’s overrated, baby.” His smile melted my heart. He kissed me. A slow, tender kiss. He lifted me up and rested my very exposed bottom on the cold marble. Some areas colder than others. Chase grabbed the shoes from my hand, knelt down and slipped each shoe over my arch. Desire filled his eyes.
“Probably not a work shoe then, huh?”
“Ya think?” He growled and kissed my exposed thighs before standing up. “Let’s go. I promised my gorgeous distraction a night out.”
I scooted off the counter.
“Thought you didn’t like to share.”
“Oh baby, trust me. Other than a quick drink with Asher, I have no intention of it.”
“Good.” Really freaking good, actually.
After the day Chase planned, I should not have been surprised to find a Lincoln town car waiting downstairs. Or when the driver pulled up in front of the coolest pair of towering skyscrapers I assumed was the Time Warner Center. Why wouldn’t we meet for drinks on the thirty-fifth floor of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel at some sick restaurant I couldn’t pronounce, a sophisticated glassed-in perch that overlooked Central park, Columbus Circle and the mesmerizing skyline? Princess-for-a day was an absolute understatement.
“This place is nice. Couldn’t find somewhere a little fancier, maybe a better view?” I couldn’t resist.
“Keep it up, baby. This seems to be becoming a habit. I’m gonna have to find something to do with that sassy mouth of yours.” He smirked.
“Promise?”
Chase shook his head and smiled as the waiter interrupted. “Good evening, Dr. Colton. Can I get you something to drink while you look over the menu?”
“Thank you, but we’re not dining this evening. Just drinks. We’re also expecting one more.” His casual confidence was a serious turn on.
“Of course, sir. Would you like to see the wine list?”
“Actually, would you happen to have any vintage Sake? My lovely girl has a craving.” Chase winked at me. Very funny.
“It’s not on the wine list, sir, but I’m sure we can have a bottle brought in immediately.”
“No, no, thank you. That’s fine. I’m sure I can find a way to satisfy her craving later.” He turned and looked straight at me. “If that sounds pleasing to you, baby?”
“Um, please don’t go to any trouble on my account. Actually I think my thoughtful date misunderstood my craving. I can wait until dinner.”
“Very well then, can I interest you in a cocktail, bottle of wine or champagne?”
“Champagne. We’ll take a bottle of the ‘89 Krug Collection.”
“Excellent choice, sir, anything else?”
“Maybe a cheese plate with an aged balsamic, please.” His eyes were adorably playful. “I wouldn’t want you to drink on an empty stomach, baby, I know how sensitive you can be.”
“Of course, sir. I’ll bring it right out.” The waiter practically ran from our quaint table, leaving us alone with our sexual tension.
“I think you made our waiter blush.” Me too, for that matter.
“Baby, he turned that color as soon as I caught him watching you cross those very exposed, sexy legs. I’m sure he was hoping to sneak a peek of what’s mine. And for the record, that dress is probably not going to see the outside of our bedroom ever again.” He lifted his sparkling water and took a sip.
The whole mine and our comment never had a chance to sink in because I was mortified, remembering the panties I wore. Reading the expression on my face, Chase added, “Unlucky for him, but very lucky for me, the tablecloth here had my back. Otherwise we wouldn’t still be sitting here.” Damn, that wink disarmed me. Luckily the sommelier returned quickly with our champagne while another server delivered our cheese plate.
“Hmm. Champagne. Are we celebrating?” I held my glass of bubbly up. Chase nodded, as he smelled his glass.
“In that case, to cravings!”
“To double digits!”
We clinked and took a sip. I clenched my legs tightly together, aware that my new panties left my gorgeous designer dress vulnerable to a wet spot. I blushed again.
We were having so much fun talking and flirting, I almost forgot we were meeting Chase’s friend. His eyes lifted and brightened, making contact with a suited gentleman rounding the corner. His tawny short hair framed a very handsome face. His lips turned up slightly, seemingly to acknowledge my presence. Chase stood watching his brisk approach.
“Ash, buddy, I’m so glad you could make it.” The two men shook hands and embraced in a man-hug, slapping each other’s backs. I smiled watching Chase’s affectionate sentiment.
“C, it’s been too long, we’ve got to get back here more often.”
Chase glanced over his shoulder. I placed my napkin on the table and stood.
“I might have another reason to come more often, this one seems to like New York.” Chase nodded in my direction. “Ash, this is my girlfriend, Lili Porter. Lili, this is Asher Craig.”
Girlfriend. Holy shit, he said girlfriend. We hadn’t talked about our relationship. My breath caught instantly.
“It’s a true pleasure.” Asher gracefully kissed my cheek, and we sat. Chase scooted his chair next to mine so he could relax his arm around me, a total possessive-man gesture. And I loved it.
“So bro, looks like I don’t have to ask. Philly seems to be treating you very well.” Asher smiled and nodded in my direction. “Guess I should stop trying to get you to reconsider Beantown, ha?”
A server appeared to fill a flute for Asher.
“Boston?” I questioned.
“Technically, but work has me split, and I spend a good amount of time here. Now thanks to this clown, I have to add Philly to the mix.” Asher smiled.
“Oh, what do you do?”
Chase cut in and answered for him, “Ash is a finance lawyer, he also looks after some of my interests.”
“Ha. I guess you could say that. More like, I make it possible for pretty boy here to spend his day playing doctor.” That was a strange thing to say. “Lili, you should have bossman bring you up, give you a tour of the facility. It’s pretty impressive. Ever been to Boston?” Now I was confused.