His Loving Caress

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Elle inwardly groaned but displayed a smile as she saw a camera flash her way. She could handle being in the same room with Braxton, but when she’d learned she’d be at the same table, it took everything in her not to bolt back to her suite. However, he’d spotted her as soon as she’d entered the ballroom so she couldn’t escape. She had to remain composed and unbothered by his presence at least on the outside. On the inside her heart couldn’t stop doing backward flips like an Olympic gymnast. He was devastatingly mouthwatering in his tuxedo and the way his gaze had raked over her like she was a succulent steak, was an indication that it would be a long evening.

She searched for an empty seat at the round table. Megan was seated next to her husband, United States Senator Steven Monroe. Tiffani, who was a newlywed, was seated next to her husband, real estate mogul Broderick Hollingsworth, and Sydney was between her husband, power attorney Bryce Monroe, who was Steven’s brother, and Megan. Preston and Braxton were still standing, conversing and glancing her way. She retracted her view from them and focused on the twins along with Tiffani who gave a reassuring smile.

There was an empty seat between Tiffani and Steven. If she could sit there that would be perfect. The other two empty chairs were next to each other. Braxton stood behind one, and she felt his heated glare burn through her dress to her skin. Elle was surprised she wasn’t on fire from the way he stared her down.

“Hello, darling,” Megan greeted, standing up to hug Elle. “You remember, my husband, Steven, from the fashion show last summer.”

Steven stood, along with the others. She hugged and acknowledged everyone except for Braxton who chatted briefly with a gentleman about the piano being auctioned off. She was relieved he hadn’t been in line for a hug but as she was about to sit down she felt his presence behind her, pulling out the chair. The scent of his woodsy cologne filled her breathing passages, and she inhaled deeply. She’d always loved being surrounded by his scent.

“Thank you,” she said politely, trying to avoid eye contact. She slid off her wrap and set it on the back of the pink tulle-covered chair before sitting. Braxton had always been a gentleman, going back to when they were in elementary school. He would open doors, stand when she entered a room and rarely let her pay for any of their outings once they’d started dating.

“My pleasure,” he answered in a low, sensual tone that caressed a warmth over her skin.

His hand brushed her bare back as he pushed in her chair. She had to restrain herself from letting out a moan at his delicate touch that she sensed was done on purpose.

“You look radiant tonight,” he whispered just loud enough for only her to hear.

She stumbled out a quiet “thank you.” But held in the “you are absolutely scrumptious in your tux,” because those were the words along with “damn” that had come to mind when she’d entered the room and his face was the first she’d encountered. Braxton was indeed handsome that evening, wearing a tuxedo from her mens’ formal wear collection. He definitely could saunter the runway and send the crowd of women and fashion photographers in a frenzy over his smooth, bald head, provoking mahogany skin and muscular build. Not to mention his alluring smile that used to drive her wild when he would charmingly bestow it upon her just as he had when she’d arrived to the auction.

Braxton sat across from her and began chatting with the men about a recent golf outing. At first she was relieved he wasn’t seated next to her but being directly in his view was worse. Even though he was egging Preston about fishing his ball out of the sand trap, Braxton continued to steal glances her way. She took a sip of her cool water to relieve the cotton that was forming on her tongue and the blaze that soared through her body.

Being with the Chase family again along with their spouses felt like a mini family reunion. Because she was an only child, Elle had been extremely close to the twins as well as Tiffani. Braxton’s and Elle’s mothers were best friends, having taught at the same elementary school for almost twenty years. She’d found it hard to be friends with the Chases after the wedding fiasco, but the girls were like sisters to her growing up and they had remained in contact. Her only request was that they not mention Braxton in any capacity, which they’d honored. But their silence hadn’t kept her from being reminded of Braxton because a year after their breakup, his first jazz album had been released. It had been a major hit with three more CDs following within four years. He was pegged as the next great jazz pianist of the century and was all over the media. Trying to avoid knowing anything about him had flown out the window unless she stopped listening to jazz all together. But it was her favorite genre of music next to R&B and pop.

She was surprised, though, when he’d opened Braxton Chase’s Jazz and Dinner Club about four years ago and appeared to place more focus on his business than his music career. It had been a dream of Braxton’s, hence his master’s degree in business. But the goal had been for him to open a chain of jazz clubs later in life. However, as he’d mentioned in a radio interview, he missed his family in Atlanta and wanted a break from touring all the time. Braxton still released CDs under his own label, all of which were platinum certified, and had won quite a few major awards, but for the most part he was out of the limelight.

“Elle?”

Megan’s voice jerked Elle out of her thoughts. “Yes?” she asked as upbeat as possible, but unfortunately it came out in a loud manner. When she was nervous she spoke louder and faster. She decided to make a forced effort to remain calm especially when she caught Braxton’s curious eyes on her, and took a sip of her water.

“I know you don’t have a baby’s line, but Steven and I would so love for you to design the christening dresses for Layla and Madelyn.”

“I would be honored to design the twins’ dresses,” she answered, relieved that she sounded almost normal despite the fact that her stomach churned into a tight Boy Scout knot when Braxton had glimpsed her way. “When is their christening?”

“We’re looking at the beginning of fall before Steven has to go back to Washington, DC.”

“No problem. I’ll be here until the end of the week working with a client, but I can definitely meet with you before leaving.”

Elle noted Braxton raise an eyebrow though he continued his conversation with the men at the table. She cursed at herself for spilling how long she would be in Atlanta, and she knew he had made a mental memo of the information.

Megan’s face brightened with delight. “That would be splendid, Elle. And you have to come by the house and meet the babies before you leave.”

“I’d love to. The dresses will be my gift to you.”

“Thanks, love! You’re always so gracious and considerate. The onesies and outfits you sent for my baby shower were absolutely adorable. I can’t wait to return the favor.”

Elle simply laughed. She honestly didn’t know when and if that would happen. She caught Braxton’s peculiar gaze on her when Megan mentioned returning the favor. While being married and having a family had always been on her list of goals, at age thirty-four, it no longer seemed to be as much of a priority as it had been when she was younger. She had girlfriends her age anxious to get married and constantly searching for Mr. Right, but after Braxton, her main focus was her career and building her fashion empire.

After dinner the auction started immediately, and she was grateful. The sooner she could leave, the better. Sitting across from Braxton’s penetrating gaze was haunting and she was ready to say her goodbyes. However, Megan and Tiffani pulled her out onto the dance floor when their sorority’s national party song came on and the ladies danced and stepped along with their other sorors to a cheering crowd. For a moment she had forgotten all about Braxton as she had fun dancing until she caught him staring at her from the side of the dance floor. After the sorority strut, she’d planned on slipping out once again, but the Electric Slide followed and that was her jam. When she glanced up to where Braxton had stood, he was no longer there. She breathed easy for what seemed to be a quick moment until she turned and noticed he was dancing at her side.

“Hi there,” he teased with a wave. “I see you still love to dance.”

“And I see you still can’t.” She couldn’t help but rag him. Actually, he had danced quite well when they were younger, but he did seem a bit rusty.

“You never complained when we slow danced,” he whispered. “I’m sure you remember being in my arms swaying to our song.”

With a flushed face, she turned accordingly to the line dance, and he ended up behind her. Her heart froze, but she continued moving while hoping the song would hurry up and end. The floor was crowded and Braxton’s chest was inches away from her back even though her gut told her he was too close on purpose. The dance floor may have been packed, but he was still too darn close. The song continued for a few more minutes but finally stopped when the DJ announced he was going to slow it down for everyone to catch their breaths and for the gentlemen to grab a pretty lady. Elle breathed easy again until she heard the first note of the song “I’ll Make Love to You” by Boys to Men. It was one of their favorite songs, and she had a sneaky inkling he’d requested it. Either today was just one big cruel joke or she was starring in an episode of The Twilight Zone.

Elle’s eyes immediately jerked toward Braxton to study his expression because nothing with him that day had been a coincidence or fate like Mya had suggested. She found him wearing a sheepish smile which suggested he knew exactly what he was doing. She turned on her heel to skedaddle back to their table, but he drew her effortlessly to him by the waist, her hands landing on the bend of his elbows.

Gasping, she eyed him sternly as her chest heaved up and down. She pulled away, but he held her firm in his embrace as a sly sneer formed across his handsome face.

He bent down and whispered in her ear as his tongue flicked over it. “Where are you going?” He raised an eyebrow and displayed a cocky grin as if there could only be one answer.

On the tip of her tongue she was ready to respond “nowhere, baby.” In the past if she was in his arms and had tried to break their hug before he was ready, he’d always ask that same question. Her response would always be the same followed by a giggle or a playful kiss.

“Let go,” she demanded through a clenched fake smile. “We are not about to do this.”

“Elle, all eyes are on us right now and I know you’re not one to cause a scene at your sorority’s event.”

Groaning, she backed up a step so she wouldn’t be so closely pressed against him and slid her hands up to his shoulders. “Fine, one dance and then you have to promise to leave me alone forever.”

“I can’t promise that, at least not until we sit down and talk.”

She closed her eyes and sighed. There wasn’t anything he could say that would erase the pain he’d caused. But she knew how his conscience worked. He felt guilty. Now that he was aware she was in the same city until the end of the week, he would continue to try his best to see her. Luckily, he didn’t know where she was staying unless of course Sydney had divulged that information as well.

She opened her eyes when he began to sing the words to the song, and she found herself completely against his body again. When had that happened? She hated to admit that the feel of him was comforting. The part of her that had longed for him and missed him was exactly where she longed to be. His warm embrace was even more defined. He was all man now. Gone was his lanky frame. He was strong and rugged. Irresistibly sexy and confident. He used to say that her body was the exact puzzle piece that fit with his, no matter the circumstance. Despite the fact that ten years had passed and both of their physiques had changed, she still fit perfectly, nestled in his arms. The thought made her breathing become unhinged. She needed room to breathe but she couldn’t move.

The way his hands rested on her hips and moved her in tune with his body was a distraction. She wasn’t supposed to enjoy this moment with him. She was supposed to be yelling and cursing him out. Instead, she couldn’t remove her eyes from his handsome face as he continued to sing the song to her as if he meant every single word. It was torture and pleasure at the same time. The way her body was betraying her, she wouldn’t be surprised if she completely gave in, because resisting him had never been easy. Braxton always had a way of looking at her with his dark seductive eyes that would make her weak. She decided to strike up conversation so he’d stop singing and gazing at her as if he was going to rip her dress off.

“I like your tuxedo,” she said knowingly, running her hand down the lapel.

“Thank you. I wore it on the cover of my last album. In fact, all the cats in the band had an Elle Lauren tux.”

“I know.”

“You saw it?” His eyes sparkled and a wicked grin inched up his cheek. “You have my CDs?”

“Don’t flatter yourself. Yes, I have your CDs and you have my tux.”

“We were always supportive of each other. Maybe you can come to the club tomorrow evening. I’d love for you to see it when it’s open and lively. Perhaps we can have dinner.”

“You’re pushing it, Mr. Chase.”

“One dinner isn’t gonna kill you, and we don’t have to discuss the past if you’re not ready to yet.” He held up his right hand as if taking an oath. “Scout’s honor.”

“I’ll think about it,” she said, grateful the song was ending. In that short period of time he’d managed to crack part of her wall since she was possibly considering having dinner with him. She had to get far away from him before he bulldozed it all the way down.

“That’s all I’m asking...for now. Thank you for the dance, Sunshine.” Braxton seductively slid his hands over her curves and off her body. “Looks like we’re still in rhythm. We always did dance like we were making love.”

The image of such appeared at the forefront of her mind, and she had to shut it off and fast before she did the unthinkable. Suppressing a gulp, she conjured up a smirk. “Hmm...and your singing is still off-key.”

He released a hearty laugh, but then closed the gap between them and rested a dark stare on her. “Baby, I don’t sing. I play the piano and another instrument very, very well. And if memory serves me right, I used to make you go way off-key, though I’m sure you remember.”

He glided a finger down her arm that induced a warm sensation to flow through her, and her nipples hardened as if cold air had hit them. Elle did remember all too well. She still dreamed of making love with him. He was the only man that knew just how she wanted to be caressed and handled. And he was right. The sounds and moans he used to provoke from her were totally out of tune, but she never cared and neither did he as his hands and tongue would travel over her body until she could barely remember her name.

“Yeah...well...vaguely. That was eons ago.” She gave a cool shrug and strutted away with a purposeful slight swish until she made it back to their empty table. She looked out to see the rest of the Chase family on the dance floor. Preston had left immediately after the auction with his date who had won him for ten thousand dollars. She grabbed her purse from the chair and looked up to see Braxton standing over her with a heated gaze.

“Well, maybe you need to be reminded.”

No need. I’m reminded in my dreams. She crossed her arms over her chest and eyed him carefully. “Maybe you should just give it up. That should come easy for you, right?” she asked sarcastically.

“I’m not that man anymore and you know in your heart this isn’t over with. There’s something still between us.” He paused as a smug grin crawled up his jaw line and he leaned over, placing his lips just inches from hers. “I mean, you still have the tattoo on your neck.”

Puzzled, she tilted her head up to him and stifled the swallow in her throat. “What are you talking about?” Elle tried to keep her tone calm and steady. She’d made sure before she left the suite that the makeup and diamond choker had concealed his initials. The choker hadn’t been as wide as she’d thought but the foundation had blended well. Mya and the makeup artist had made sure of it.

“All the sweating you did while stepping with your sorors erased some of that makeup. I saw it when I was behind you during the Electric Slide. I’m flattered,” he teased. “I’d thought surely you’d have it removed. That just gives me hope that you’ll be mine again.”

“You keep thinking that. Goodbye, Mr. Chase.” She patted his cheek and walked away praying he wouldn’t follow. She needed to get to her room and into an ice-cold shower. The evening hadn’t gone as planned. She wasn’t supposed to get hot and bothered over him. The goal was to irritate the heck out of him, not have him think she still wanted him and would even consider having dinner with him. And now that he was aware his initials still graced her neck, he was definitely feeling cocky and confident. But if he thought they were ever getting back together, he was sadly mistaken. Yes, she could admit that she still felt something for him. She knew in her heart that she would always love him, but she’d moved on and was happy with her life.