About Last Summer

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“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 that out for myself?”

Appreciating the fact that she could see the humor in this situation, he matched her amused smile. “Is that what you think happened last year?”

“No. What I think happened last year was a whole lot more fun.”

Her tone was full of sass, and her eyes sparkled with a hint of invitation. However, he wasn’t the type of guy to get all bent out of shape over a bit of light-hearted flirting. He could keep the situation in perspective, although given their history if she continued they could have a problem.

But he’d play along. For now.

“Now I know why Patrick worries,” he said, matching her flippant tone.

Merriment shone in her eyes as she opened her mouth as if to further sass him, but evidently she changed her mind and instead took another sip of her beer.

Eyeing her suspiciously, he asked, “What are you thinking?”

“You don’t want to know.” She tried unsuccessfully to hide a grin, but Chase knew her game. And yes, he probably shouldn’t be encouraging her, or himself for that matter, but he couldn’t resist. Besides, he wasn’t one to back down from a challenge.

“You know there are ways to make you talk.” He set aside his beer and playfully lunged at her. Natalie shrieked with laughter as she tried to avoid his hands, but she wasn’t quick enough.

“You probably shouldn’t do that,” she said, after he trapped her against the cushions. “What are you going to do if Patrick comes home?”

“I thought you weren’t worried about Patrick,” he taunted. Leaning closer, his mouth inches from hers, he asked, “So you want to tell me more about how much fun you had last year?”

Chase knew for the most part she was just playing around, but he also knew he couldn’t take this game much further. It would take very little for him to close the remaining distance between them, and silence that sassy mouth with a heart-stopping kiss.

But Natalie clearly wasn’t willing to concede defeat as her eyes widened. “Why? Can’t you remember?”

Chase knew an invitation when he heard one, and Natalie’s words were special delivery. Did that mean she wanted him to kiss her? Well, considering the challenging look in her eyes that was exactly what she wanted, but he had a few tricks of his own. He dropped his hand to her waist then tickled her. Her laughter filled the room as they wrestled on the couch.

“OK, OK,” she said between giggles. “I give.”

“You sure?” He stopped tickling, but didn’t release her although he was going to have to soon. Her squirming beneath him had his hormones revved up; much more and he wouldn’t care what Patrick thought.

“I’m sure.”

He eyed her, not sure if he could trust her to not continue sassing him, but he did need to let her go. He was approaching the point of no return, and he couldn’t afford to forget where they were. Having Patrick walk in on them would not further Chase’s cause.

He released her and she sat up adjusting her dress, which had ridden up dangerously high. That was another reason he’d let her go. The last thing he needed was more temptation.

“Well,” she said, her voice less than steady. “It’s getting late, and I’d better get to bed.” Then slanting him a sly look, she added, “Unless you care to join me?”

Chapter Three (#u08ae1b32-6cdf-5494-a63c-f4f524249783)

Chase’s beer suddenly lodged in his throat.

Natalie’s expression grew decidedly abashed. “Sorry,” she said, her hands moving in a confused gesture. “I wasn’t thinking.”

Chase forced fresh air into his lungs. “Natalie,” he began, although his rational thought process was in serious jeopardy. Thoughts of telling her what a bad idea that was spun through his mind, although thoughts of agreeing to her offer were just as prominent. Maybe even more so.

“I know, I know,” she interrupted, saving him from having to form some sort of intelligent reply. “Don’t worry. I didn’t mean it.” With a rueful smile, she added, “I guess I’ll just say goodnight.”

His heart pulsed as she walked up the stairs, and it wasn’t until she disappeared from view that he realized he hadn’t moved. Still stunned, he carried their beer bottles into the kitchen.

Of course she was joking, he assured himself pouring the remaining amber liquid down the drain. Even if she wanted to make love with him again, she wouldn’t be so foolish as to carry on right under Patrick’s nose. But he couldn’t deny he’d been tempted. He was still tempted.

Without conscious thought his gaze strayed into the now vacant living room, which led to Natalie’s room.

You can’t. You just can’t.

Forcing his thoughts away from the tempting woman upstairs, he focused on shutting off the lights and purposely heading downstairs.

*****

The following morning Natalie berated herself for the way she ended her ‘date’ with Chase. How stupid could she be sassing him like that? Last night she’d been overcome with the most insane urge to push his buttons, but today the quaking in her stomach reminded her of how easily she could get caught in the same trap.

It also didn’t help that her mom had chosen today of all days to come into the office. Usually it was only Natalie, and her mother’s other assistant who did the actual work. Doris typically only worked on a consultation basis and as the occasional personal favor for a friend.

Today, however, Doris hovered around offering advice, which usually went something like, “Did you check with the caterers about the changes in the Bryants’ wedding? No? Well, I would have thought you would have called already, but I’m sure you know best.” Or “Is that the color for Patricia Myers’ dress? I mean with her red hair don’t you think pink is a bit much?”

Needless to say by the time lunch rolled around, Natalie’s jaw hurt from clamping her mouth shut. Needing to expel some pent up energy she left Hill Tower Drive, and took her lunch to Beacon Park. Beacon Park was one of Baker Hill’s larger parks. It boasted a carillon, a park pavilion, and a gazebo, which was one of Baker Hill’s more popular places to host a wedding.

After finding a parking space near the playground and picnic area, Natalie found a bench under a shady tree where she could watch children enjoying the sunny day. The recently remodeled play area had a variety of playground equipment, and it even boasted a water feature. A few of the younger boys were dipping their feet into the small pool of water, although some of the older children were taking a more daring approach. Several bikes crisscrossed paths as the children pedaled through the trail of water, while onlookers enjoyed the effect of spraying liquid from the bikes’ wheels.

The older children’s antics reminded her of something Patrick and his friends might have done when they were younger. Amusing herself with that thought, she managed a smile. Who couldn’t help but feel joy sitting outside on a glorious summer afternoon watching the neighborhood children engage in the age-old childhood tradition of playing at the park?

Purposely keeping thoughts of Chase at bay, she continued to watch the children while she ate. But after clearing away the remains of her lunch, she had nothing left to distract her from why she lunched alone. She needed to figure out what to do about Chase.

The only clear solution was to stay as far away from him as possible, but she needed to be subtle about it so as to not tip off Patrick. Last night proved how easily she could be drawn into another affair and she couldn’t, wouldn’t, flat out refused to go through that again.

Walking away from him last year had been sheer hell, and when he didn’t try to stop her it further confirmed what she suspected all along. He didn’t want a relationship. He wanted a plaything.

Well, that description wasn’t exactly fair. Chase had been going through his own hell not knowing if his father would recover, and his squabbling family hadn’t helped. He had tried to continue working, but racing between Baker Hill and New York had proven to be too much. Eventually he took some time off, and moved into one of the properties he was remodeling. Which is where they spent time together, and she had provided him with the distraction he needed to keep going.

Although their time together hadn’t been just about sex. They often spent hours just talking and she knew Chase truly did care about her. She’d never have gone along with their affair otherwise, but she’d also known their relationship wasn’t going to last. Chase never told her his true feelings concerning relationships, but given he never instigated such conversations she felt it safe to assume he preferred to maintain a certain distance.

Knowing her mental review of ancient history wasn’t solving her problems she finished off her Diet Coke. The only solution that seemed even close to feasible was to remain as busy as possible, which would decrease her chances of being alone with him.

It wasn’t the most ingenious plan, but wasn’t there a saying that claimed simple solutions were often the best? Simple was good. Losing control of her heart was bad. Besides, she liked simple. Easy to remember, easy to execute. Yes, keeping things simple seemed like her best option; besides, what other choice did she have?

*****

Pausing, Chase eyed the ceiling of the almost completed living room. His crew had done well, but then they always did. He wouldn’t have them working for him otherwise.

The heels of his boots clicked on the wood floors as he toured the remaining rooms. The house was located in one of the more affluent areas of Baker Hill overlooking Beacon Park. The project was scheduled for completion within the next week, and the house was due to be listed the week after. While Chase traveled his business manager usually handled the details, but now that he was in town, Chase wanted to be more involved.

In the past his business manager would line up a buyer before Chase made the actual investment. Although this time they didn’t have an actual buyer in mind. It made turning over the property a bit trickier, but he felt confident this house would sell fairly quickly. And if it didn’t, well, he’d been through that before, too.

However, he may change his mind about listing so soon. There was something about this house he found welcoming, almost as if it filled an empty place in his heart he hadn’t even realized was there. Getting sentimental over any property was the worst thing any serious real estate flipper could do, as it was difficult to make money if he was reluctant to let go.

But everything about this house, from the detailing in the woodwork to the high ceilings, even the large windows that offered amazing views of the nearby park, gave the feeling of coming home after a long day. But what was even more unsettling, he could almost imagine Natalie living here with him.

As he moved from room to room his mind created images of them sitting down to a meal, or relaxing in front of the fireplace. And his imagination didn’t stop there. Upstairs they would make love in the large master suite with a shower that was adequate enough for two. And then his mind would creep towards the future, and he would find himself thinking about the best place to put a swing seat, or which room would make the best nursery.

He didn’t know what had brought on such fanciful thinking. The making love thoughts were basically a given when he thought about Natalie, but starting a family with her? Was he out of his mind? But despite his misgivings the thoughts continued, and if he and Natalie were to start spending time together again, putting this house on the market would eliminate his only remaining option.

He should have his head examined for even entertaining such thoughts.

Feeling a familiar weight tighten in his chest, he paused to glance out of the window. The fading daylight illuminated the partially done landscaping, but his mind wasn’t on the amount of work remaining. Over the past few days he’d noticed Natalie was avoiding him.

Granted things had gotten a bit out of hand during their ‘date’, and it would have been way too easy for him to take her up on her offer. And he was certain she knew it otherwise why would she be avoiding him? The problem was whenever they were alone keeping their hands off each other had always been a challenge. Evidently, it still was. He should be grateful she suddenly had a million things to tend to outside the house. Not that she was fooling him any, but as long as Patrick didn’t catch on, he supposed it didn’t matter.

Dropping his arm, he stepped away from the window. He shouldn’t be thinking about Natalie. Thinking about her led to wanting things he knew he couldn’t have. But unfortunately Natalie wasn’t his only problem.

In another few weeks he would be returning to New York and the mere thought filled him with dread. When he left Baker Hill last year he thought Natalie would become just another fond memory, but that hadn’t happened. So he worked harder, but it didn’t help. He thought he had the life he wanted, but now that life held little appeal.

A few times he’d toyed with the idea of talking to Natalie about a more permanent relationship, but he refrained. The Malone men had a long history of bad relationships. They seemed to possess the ability to screw up every relationship they had, and Chase’s luck with women wasn’t much better.

He once thought his luck had changed, but when his marriage ended without warning after a scant three years that put an end to that theory. He still didn’t understand what went wrong, and until he did he wasn’t about to attempt another relationship. And if truth be told, he may never attempt another relationship regardless.

Weary of chasing the same thoughts, he decided to head back to Patrick’s. Natalie had an anniversary party to attend, but maybe Patrick would be around to provide him with some distraction.

Pulling into Patrick’s drive, Chase’s heart sunk when he spotted Natalie’s car and not Patrick’s. Briefly, he debated about going somewhere else, but he decided against it. He could control his desire around Natalie. Hadn’t he done just that the other night? Besides he had no choice but to control himself; he had no idea when Patrick would be home.