The shower felt like heaven, but she knew Chase was waiting for her so she didn’t linger. The tub had beckoned, of course, but she wasn’t sure she could face Chase again if she accidentally set off the jets and he heard them go on.
She dried off, then opened the toiletry and makeup bag he’d had set out for her as well. She was most grateful for the makeup, because it meant she could cover up her bruise a little better. True, everyone had already seen it, but that didn’t mean she liked looking at it every time she looked in the mirror.
Chase had thought of everything. How on earth was a girl supposed to not fall for a guy like this?
Forget his looks. He was awesome on the inside, too.
Then again, hadn’t she thought her ex was awesome at first?
Forcing down the icky thought, she finished blowing her hair dry, then slipped into the beautiful dress and picked a pair of incredibly pretty heels out of the half-dozen pairs of shoes that had been placed in her bedroom while she showered.
A shiver ran through her at the knowledge that Chase had been just beyond the bathroom door while she was naked. Had he been tempted to break in again?
And what would she have done this time? Would she have acted like she didn’t want him in there?
Or would she have opened up the shower door and invited him in?
She tried as hard as she could to put herself back in her mindset from earlier in the day, when she’d first seen the models and had been able to convince herself that there was no way Chase would be interested in her with them around.
But after a full day with them, she knew without even the slightest doubt that there was nothing going on between Chase and any of those young women. Nor would there ever be. They looked at him with stars in their eyes. He looked at them like they were his younger sisters.
Chloe knew he didn’t look at her like that, however.
He looked at her like a man looked at a woman he desired.
No, she found herself thinking before she could stop herself from going there, there was more behind his gaze than just desire.
Her heart fluttering wildly, she stepped out of the bedroom. Chase was silent for a long moment, which only made her heart beat faster.
Finally, he said, “You’re lovely.”
Lovely.
Did he know the effect that one word had on her? Did he know how special he made her feel, again and again?
Desperate to cut the sensual—and emotional—tension between them, she tried to joke, “Whoever picked out this dress has a great eye.”
“It’s not the dress. It’s you.”
She worked not to deflect his compliment again. Once upon a time she’d known how to say thank you. “You look nice, too,” she said, taking in his dark jeans and the white button-down shirt that he’d rolled up a couple of times at the sleeves.
“I thought we’d walk over to Marcus’s house.” He looked down at her shoes. “Will that work?”
“Are you kidding? I used to practically live in heels.”
He gave her a questioning look and she silently cursed herself. Fortunately, though, he didn’t push her on her statement or as her any questions about her past.
But she knew that if she stayed much longer, he would ask.
* * *
Chloe was surprisingly comfortable at the small party at Marcus’s house. He was the consummate host, making sure everyone’s glasses were full and that the underaged models stuck to juice and sparkling water.
After she’d had her fill of the incredible spread and Jeremy had officially exhausted her gossip quota for one lifetime, Chase reappeared from the shadows.
“Are you having fun?”
“I am.”
It should have been a relief when he’d moved away from her not long after arriving at the party, especially after their silent walk from the guest house. A walk in which it had been clear that he wasn’t asking her any questions she wasn’t yet comfortable with answering.
But she’d missed being with him. Her gaze had strayed to him from across the room one too many times. And he’d almost always caught her looking.
“Can I get you anything else to eat or drink?”
She shook her head, putting her hand over her stomach. “I’m stuffed, thanks.” Feeling a little loose from the wine, she said, “There is something I’d love, though. I’ve been dying to see a family photo.”
“I can already tell you I’m the best-looking Sullivan.”
She laughed out loud. Chase was one of the least egotistical men she’d ever met. “Why don’t you let me be the judge of that?”
He held out a hand and she took it without remembering that it wasn’t a good idea to touch him. But oh, it felt so nice to hold his hand—big and strong and warm—if only for a few short moments.
It occurred to her that she might be just a teensy bit drunk as they walked into a room that she assumed was Marcus’s study. Chase picked up a framed eight-by-ten photo from the bookshelf and handed it to her.
Chloe worked to keep the awe from her expression at what an incredible sight they all made together. Still, she couldn’t take her eyes off Chase-even in a picture he commanded her attention.
He was standing next to his mother, nearly a foot taller, with his arm around her as she leaned her head on his shoulder. She looked happy and content, surrounded by her children.
Longing to be part of a family this close hit Chloe so hard, she almost dropped the glossy photo.
And then, she saw something that had her mouth falling open.