“Stay,” he said again, more softly this time, but with that determination, that focus she was so afraid of threading through every letter in the word.
And, ultimately, that was the main reason she needed to leave. Because she had no intention of getting involved with another man. She was still learning how to be alone, how to rely on herself, how to trust again. It hadn’t even been one year since filing for divorce. She wasn’t ready for another relationship.
And she definitely wasn’t ready for determination. For focus.
Or for a man whom she could so easily—too easily—lose herself in completely.
She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I c—”
“Please.”
He hadn’t come any nearer, hadn’t gotten in her face and demanded her agreement, but the gentle entreaty in his voice was like warm arms wrapping around her, pulling her close.
“Don’t agree to the whole week. Just take it one day at a time.”
And one night at a time, too.
She heard the words even though he hadn’t said them. And that was when Chloe knew just how weak she really was, because she couldn’t stop herself from saying, “Okay.”
She could feel Chase studying her, knew he didn’t like her answer even though she’d just given him exactly what he wanted. But whatever he was about to say was interrupted by a skinny young man with big, thick-framed purple glasses.
“Chase,” the man said, “everyone’s ready for you.”
His gaze continuing to hold hers for another long moment, Chase slowly turned to the person she assumed was his assistant.
“Jeremy, this is Chloe. She’s my special guest. Be sure to show her a good time today, would you?”
Jeremy’s eyes flashed over the bruise on her cheek before quickly flitting away. “Oooh, someone to share all the gossip with.”
The young man reached for her hand and grasped it before she could pull away and then he was walking away with her and chattering in her ear.
Chloe threw a desperate glance at Chase over her shoulder, only to find him grinning at her. How did he always manage to be three steps ahead of her?
And—just as she’d asked herself last night—why the heck didn’t she mind a whole lot more?
Fifteen minutes later, Jeremy had her settled into a comfortable chair where she could watch the action. Chase was photographing three young women in absolutely gorgeous ballgowns.
Amanda had been positively stunning. But all three together? She couldn’t stop herself from turning to Jeremy and remarking, “That’s a whole lot of beautiful up there, isn’t it?”
Jeremy sighed and looked at Chase in clear admiration. “And can you believe he doesn’t even know it?”
There was no holding back her laughter, loud enough that everyone—including Chase—turned to look at her.
“I was talking about the models,” she clarified.
Jeremy shrugged. “They’re all right.”
Of course, the truth was, she agreed with his assessment: Chase was better looking than all of the models combined.
Nonetheless, the young women were all shockingly attractive. Rather than being jealous, Chloe told herself she was glad they were there to remind her that she had nothing to worry about when it came to Chase. How could she have actually let herself get caught up in thinking, Oh no, he wants me so much, and What am I going to do if he’s determined to have me?
She chuckled again, realizing how ridiculous it seemed now that she’d seen the models he was practically close enough to kiss as he got into position for another shot. It might be a whole lot of beautiful out there in the vineyard, but it was definitely a whole lot of delusional where she was sitting.
Silently laughing at herself, Chloe suddenly felt worlds better. Maybe she actually could hang out here for a few days. Maybe she could extend “normal” for a little while, before she had to buckle down and face all that ugliness again.
Because, really, how could Chase possibly want anything from her when he had these other visions of gorgeousness around? Sure, she was cute. Pretty, even. But she certainly wasn’t looking her best, with no makeup on and all bruised and wearing crappy clothes.
And yes, okay, so it would probably kill her a little bit to see him flirting with—or kissing—one of these beautiful young things.
Then again, as she watched him work for the next hour or so, she realized Chase didn’t play those kinds of games with his models. He simply let them know when they were doing a great job and as their confidence grew, so did their skill at posing for him.
Chloe was surprised to feel her own creative juices flowing, even though she’d never cared much for either fashion or photography.
Her true passion was quilting and as she watched him work, she realized that more than fashion was coming to life. The way Chase manipulated the canvas of models and clothes and the natural background of the vines and mountains and sky was so brilliant that simply watching him was helping her develop a new eye for composition. A new vision for the way she could block her next quilt.
Fortunately, now that she was firmly convinced she had nothing to worry about anymore when it came to Chase “wanting” her, she could allow herself to acknowledge just how awesome he was. She even let her insides go a little gooey.
At least now she could chalk her feelings for him up to artistic genius…rather than how good-looking or how charming he was.
“Oh my god, hot boy alert!” Jeremy’s voice sounded squeaky.