The Chase, Volume 3 Read online

  The Chase

  Volume Three

  Jessica Wood

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2014 by Jessica Wood

  All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the author.

  ERH Press

  ISBN- 13 978-1-940285-08-5

  First Edition: July 2014

  Cover Designer: Louisa Maggio, LM Creations

  Thank you for purchasing this book.

  If you would like to stay informed of new releases, teasers, and news on Jessica Wood’s upcoming books, please sign up for Jessica Wood’s mailing list.

  If you would like stay in touch with me, you can follow me on my Facebook Page.

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Author’s Note

  Other Books

  About the Author

  PROL

  OGUE

  Dean

  Fate was a twisted, unexpected son of a bitch.

  When I met her, I thought I finally had it figured out. I thought I finally understood what I’d been searching for. I thought I finally took back control of your life.

  But Fate stepped in to remind me who was in control.

  It threw me a curveball when I least expected it. It made me question everything. It made me realize that what I had thought was within your grasp was only an illusion—just Fate’s sleight of hands to delude me to believe that I could find happiness. But like any illusion, when you got too close to what it was you thought you had, it vanished into thin air.

  When the Blonde Bitch broke my heart ten years ago, I had vowed two things.

  One: I would never waste my time on loving someone again.

  Two: I would never have anything to do with the Blonde Bitch again.

  When I met Blair Parker, my 736th notch, I broke that first vow. The minute I saw her, the second our eyes met, the microsecond I tasted her in my mouth, I knew that this was the one vow I had no choice but to break. But the second vow, that one I would keep. That vow I had no doubts about. That vow I had control over. That vow I would take to my grave.

  But I couldn’t be more wrong.

  Fate had other plans in store for me. Fate was in on a cruel joke, and I was its target.

  Everything I knew was about to crumble down on me. Everything I wanted was about to slip away from me. And the one relationship I cared the most about would never be the same again.

  CHA

  PTER ONE

  Dean

  I had gone into Trent’s office feeling a sense of dread. I had worried that I’d leave his office full of regret for what I was about to give up.

  But I had been wrong. As I left his office, all I felt was an unusual jubilation—almost like a drunken high that coursed through every fiber of my body. To my surprise, I was relieved. A heavy weight had just been lifted from my shoulders and I could finally breath again.

  Giving up the chance to become the youngest partner at William & Sutter LLP. was a difficult decision to make. But I knew it was the right one. It may have been an opportunity of a lifetime, but I knew it wasn’t one I could take. If I had gone through with Trent’s wishes, it would have taken things from me that I knew I could never get back: my integrity, my self respect, and any real chance I may have with Blair. As much as I wanted to be made a partner at William & Sutter LLP., I wanted to make it on my terms and based on my hard work. I didn’t want to be another man’s puppet.

  I walked passed Blair’s office and looked inside. It was empty. I reached for my phone and dialed her number. It went straight to voicemail.

  I glanced at my watch. 9:49 a.m. Where is she? She should be here by now.

  I pulled up my phone and did a quick search and found her personal email address and sent her an email.

  To: Blair Parker

  From: Dean Chase

  Subject: Surprise

  Miss Parker,

  After the way you “opened up” for me, I’m sure you don’t mind that I took the liberty of finding your personal email. While you previously indicated that you’d like to keep contact at a minimum and formalities intact, I believe those eight, hard inches you had so much fun with last night must have changed your position on that, no? ;) Plus, I must insist that we make our contact more informal, and more often. After all, my cock’s found a home in a tight, warm place owned by you, and I’m afraid that if it can’t be at home more often, it’d go crazy.

  I’m sorry I had to leave this morning before you woke up. But when I saw you sleeping there, you looked so peaceful, and oh so very hot, I just knew I shouldn’t wake you. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t even that I was being nice. It was more that I knew that if I did wake you up, I’d be an hour late for my appointment because I wouldn’t be able to resist being inside you again. And as you know by now, what my cock wants, it gets.

  Now that my meeting’s over, want to make it up to me? ;)

  Dean & Homeless Cock

  P.S. I hope you enjoyed the breakfast I’d slaved over this morning for you. I imagine that it was the most amazing home-cooked breakfast you’d ever had. Welcome to Chase Cafe.

  I refreshed my inbox several times in the next few minutes, expecting her usual lightning-speed response. But to my surprise, nothing. As the minutes turned into hours with no reply from her, I began to wonder if I had read everything all wrong. Was she really not that interested in me? Was she about to blow me off again like she had before?

  I spent the rest of the morning in my office trying to lose myself in work. That usually kept my mind busy and off everything else. But even that hadn’t helped. I couldn’t seem to concentrate on anything for longer than a few minutes before checking my email to see if she had responded.

  It wasn’t until early afternoon when I went across the street to Peet’s Coffee & Tea to grab my afternoon coffee that her response finally appeared in my inbox. I nearly spilled the coffee on myself as I stared at my phone in shock. I immediately opened her email to read her response.

  To: Dean Chase

  From: Blair Parker

  Subject: Do I need to file for a restraining order?

  Mr. Chase & Homeless Cock,

  I realize that I might have underestimated you. I thought I had seen you at your most cockiest. But now, I stand corrected. Your cockiness is seriously without bounds.

  Also, I hate to burst your bubble—especially as it appears to be so grandiose and imaginative—but you’re wrong. Those “eight, hard inches,” as you put it, have not changed my position on things. In fact, your cock should really refrain from claiming something its home before it has actually secured the keys to the front door. Perhaps this is why it’s, as you put it, homeless.

  :)

  BUT, something else has indeed changed my position on our predicament. It was something I heard this morning.

  Now, you seem to be a man of many talents—one of which appears to be your ability to stalk. Quite honestly, I never knew a stalker would be so incredible in bed. Does your stalker capabilities extend to phone numbers too?

  Blair & A Home Up For Grabs

  P.S. Thanks for the breakfast. It was indeed the most amazing home-cooked breakfast I’ve ever
had.

  I read the email several times with a huge grin on my face. Does this mean she’s willing to spend more time with me and see where things go? And what’s this thing she heard? Just as I was about to pull up a web browser on my phone to try to find her number, a voice interrupted me from behind.

  “Excuse me? Do you mind moving a little to the side? You’re taking up half the cream and sugar stand.”

  “Oh.” I blinked and realized I had lost track of where I was the second I had received Blair’s email. “Of course. Sorry.” I grabbed my coffee from the counter and walked out of the coffee shop. As I walked back toward my office, I began to search for Blair’s number on my phone.

  I found it after a few minutes, listed on her LinkedIn account. I smiled as I called the number, anxious to hear her voice.

  “Hello?” she answered after two rings.

  “Now how about those keys to the front door?”

  I heard her giggle on her end. “Wow, you’re good.”

  “You make it too easy, baby. So are you impressed now?”

  She laughed. “Of course not. I’m not easily impressed. Should I be?”

  I smiled at how much I enjoyed her feistiness. “Yes, you most definitely should be. In fact, you should be so impressed that you insist that I deserve an award for my efforts.”

  “An award? Please elaborate.” I could hear the relish in her voice as she played coy.

  “I was thinking something more informal and in-person.”

  “And private?” she asked with amusement.

  “Baby, I don’t need it private. My cock can find its home anywhere.”

  I heard her quick intake of breath and I knew she wanted me.

  “So when can I see you again?” I asked when she didn’t respond.

  “Well actually, there was something I wanted to tell you and I’d like to do it in person.”

  “Oh really?”

  “Yeah. Are you free for some coffee?”

  “Baby, after how many times I’d made you come last night, you know I’m always free for some coffee.”

  She laughed. “Dean, get your mind out of the gutter. When I said coffee, I meant coffee.”

  “Oh.” I felt a bit deflated.

  “Yup,” she continued. “Like the dark, tiny brown bean kind…not the long, thick, and deliciously pink kind.”

  My cock immediately perked up as a smirk spread across my face. “Fuck, I’ll be honest here. That long, thick, and deliciously pink kind just got a whole lot longer, thicker, and deliciously juicier.”

  “I’ll bet,” she taunted and I could almost see the satisfied smiled on her face.

  I chuckled. “How about this? Let’s compromise, let’s grab both kinds of coffee. You name the time and place, and I promise you that we will both come in more ways than one.”

  She let out a barely audible gasp. “Could you be ready to meet in half an hour?”

  I looked down at the growing bulge below and threw my untouched coffee into the nearby trash bin. “I’m ready now.”

  “Oh.” She paused. “So am I. I’m home now, so do you mind meeting me at the Blue Bottle Coffee in Hayes Valley?”

  “I’ll be there in ten.” Just before I hung up on her, I spotted something. “Wait!”

  “What?” I heard the alarm in her voice.

  I smiled. “What is your favorite kind of flowers?” I walked over to the flower stand in front of my building.

  “Why? Are you getting me flowers? I never pegged you as a flower-giving type of guy.”

  I snickered. “No, you wish. They’re not for you. I just remembered that it’s my secretary’s birthday today and I still need to get her something. Thought since you’re a woman, you probably can pick out better flowers than I could.”

  “Oh.” There was a brief silence. “Right. Well, I think roses get too played out. I personally love a bouquet of wild flowers. Many florists will have a selection of them. I love how different and unique they are.”

  “Great. Got it, thanks for the tip. I appreciate it.”

  “Of course. No problem. I’m happy to help.”

  “So see you in ten?”

  “Yup. See you.”

  ***

  “Hi!” She beamed at me the minute she spotted me. “You fucker! You lied to me!” She screeched as she playing hit my chest.

  I laughed as I handed her a bouquet of wild flowers. “So I lied.” I leaned down and kissed her gently. “But can you really be upset over getting surprise flowers?”

  She grinned. “Well when they’re coming from a stalker like yourself, I think the answer is yes,” she teased.

  “Ouch! Way to break a guy’s heart.” I pretended to be hurt by her comment.

  She slapped my chest again and beamed at me. “I’m just trying to bring your ego level down to that of a normal guy.”

  “Good luck with that. It’ll take a lot more than words to do that.” I pulled her into my chest and kissed her again, this time deeper and longer as my mouth explored her sweet, supple lips and tongue. I felt her body melt into my arms as she kissed me back.

  When we finally pulled away from each other, I smiled down at her. “So, now that I have you all buttered up, why don’t we have some of that coffee.” I winked at her.

  She laughed and smacked my chest again. “You’re just too much sometimes, do you know that?”

  I shrugged, my lips curled into a wry smile. “Better than too little.”

  She snorted in laughter and shook her head. “You’re so cocky.”

  “I’ve never gotten any complaints there.” I winked at her before taking her hand and walking us over to Blue Bottle Coffee’s counter. “Okay, have it your way. Let’s grab some of this real coffee now so we can get right to the other one, shall we?”

  A few minutes later, we were sitting on a bench in the nearby dog park, sipping our coffees.

  “So…” Blair began tentatively. She drew in a deep breath and looked over at me. “Can I tell you something?”

  I sensed the seriousness in her voice and felt a wave of concern wash over me. “Sure. Of course. What is it?”

  There was a pause.

  “I knew you went to see Trent this morning.”

  My body stiffened as panic prickled through me. She held my gaze and I couldn’t read the expression on her face. But to my relief, there were no sign of anger or hurt.

  “When I got out of the elevator at work this morning, I saw you leaving the front desk to go see Trent.”

  “Blair, that’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you. I…I just wanted to find the right time to—”

  “Dean, you don’t have to explain.” Her tone was soft and understanding, causing me to relax a little.

  “No, but I do,” I tried to reason. “I want to explain. I—”

  She placed her fingers to my mouth to stop me from saying anything further. “I heard everything, Dean.”

  “What do you mean?” I looked at her in confusion and alarm.

  “I was in the conference room next door.” Her cheeks turned a pale shade of pink.

  “You were? Why?” I studied her, wondering what was going on. “Were you there to listen in on our meeting?”

  She looked away and nodded. “You didn’t mention the meeting to me before and I thought it was weird that you were there. So…my curiosity got the best of me.”

  My head was swarming with questions as I stared at her. “So what exactly did you hear?” I asked tentatively.

  “Everything,” she admitted softly.

  “Everything?” Panic rushed through me again as I tried to think back to this morning and replay my conversation with Trent in my mind.

  She nodded. “I gathered from your conversation that Trent wanted to recruit you to get close to me and somehow help him remove me from the company. I heard everything you told him…” She looked up at me, her eyes full of emotion. “Did you mean everything you had said?”

  “I…” I paused, realizing that I wasn’t s
ure how to respond. Her question caught me by surprise. I knew that I had been straight forward with Trent, and everything I had told him was very much the truth. But I hadn’t expected Blair to also hear my candid comments about my feelings towards her, feelings that were so new and foreign to me that they almost scared me. I wasn’t prepared for her to know how I felt. I wasn’t prepared to be this vulnerable, especially when I didn’t know what she was feeling. “I think so…”

  My answer caused her face to light up. She kissed me on the cheek and whispered in my ear. “You’re surprisingly sweet, Dean. Thank you for standing by my side. That earns you a nice cup of coffee later.”

  I laughed and smiled at her. “They say that the way to a man’s heart is food. I’m glad you know that for me, it’s coffee.”

  She rolled her eyes and playfully smacked my chest a third time.

  Then I frowned, feeling more confused than ever. Why is there so much distrust and animosity between Blair and her brother? “Do you mind me asking what’s going on between you and your brother?”

  “No, that’s what I wanted to tell you in person.”

  “Okay…” I watched her and I could see a mixture of excitement and anxiety in her expression.

  “I know we haven’t known each other for long, but for some reason, I feel comfortable with you. And quite honestly, I don’t know who else to confide in right now. I’m not ready to tell my family and friends about all this, especially when Trent is involved.”

  “That’s understandable.” I gave her a reassuring smile. “Just tell me whatever you feel comfortable telling me.”

  She nodded. “So it might be hard to believe, but Trent and I used to be really close. He was always there for me. But when his mother passed away last year, he changed and became a completely different person. He was cold and distant, and sometimes I get the feeling that he resents me. But I don’t understand why he would. At first I thought this was just his way of grieving over the lost of his mother, but after a few months, our relationship didn’t get better, but got worse. And now we barely talk outside of work. So after your conversation with Trent confirmed that he had something against me, I wanted to know what it was. He was mad that you didn’t agree to help and left the office shortly after your meeting.” She paused and bit her lip. “After he left, I decided to go through his documents in his office…”