Chapter 17: Beach House

KIANA

A week passed in the blink of an eye.

I asked Mia to sign the NDA, and she seemed more than happy to comply. She mentioned she was accustomed to discretion, as many of her sugar daddies required secrecy, which was more than understandable.

I woke up early Saturday morning and started packing for the weekend. I now had more than enough outfits to choose from that fit Chase’s standards better than my basic jeans and secondhand sneakers.

I heard a knock on my door just as I had finished removing everything from the wardrobe that I thought I needed.

“Come in,” I called.

“Hey.” Chase poked his head around the corner before fully stepping inside.

He looked like the next beach model, wearing a blue-and-white striped shirt and his cream-colored trousers that hugged his figure tightly. His sandy-blond hair was still damp from his shower.

He looked too good for words. My insides turned to mush as he flashed his dimpled, award-winning smile.

~Pull yourself together, Kiana.~

“You nearly ready?” he asked.

“Just finishing up. Where exactly are we going this weekend?” I asked, feeling nervous about meeting his parents.

“Not far. Just a two-hour drive from here. It might be a little chilly at night, so pack for both hot and cold weather.

“Join me in the kitchen in half an hour. The earlier we head out, the better,” he said before leaving me to finish packing.

Once everything was packed, I quickly changed and applied a little makeup. I ran my fingers through my hair, allowing my natural waves to do their thing. Once I was ready, I made my way to the kitchen.

Chase walked in after me, looking taken aback. “I didn’t expect you to be ready so soon,” he said, buttoning his shirt. He left the top two undone.

“Because I’m a girl?” I questioned with a playful squint.

“Exactly.” He laughed.

I rolled my eyes and followed him to the door. I reached for my suitcase, but he beat me to it, picking up his oversized duffle bag as well.

“I can handle my own luggage, you know.”

“I know,” he replied, stepping into the elevator, my suitcase still in his hand.

Chase loaded our bags into the trunk of his car—a model I didn’t even want to know the price of for fear I’d treat it like a fragile piece of art.

Just as I was about to open the passenger door, Chase took two quick steps toward me. Before I could react, he spun me around to face him.

I gasped as the air rushed from my lungs. In an instant, he was pulling me closer—one arm around my waist as his other hand moved up to lightly settle on my cheek.

A swarm of butterflies took flight in my stomach as his warmth enveloped me, his intoxicating scent wrapping around my senses, pulling at my sanity. My thighs tightened, and a spark ignited on my cheek where his hand rested.

My eyes closed instinctively, and I let out a softer gasp.

~What is he doing to me?~

Before I could utter a word, he leaned in close and quite literally took my breath away.

His lips met mine in a soft, gentle kiss. It was brief, but it felt like time had stopped.

When I opened my eyes, he was looking at me. His bright-blue eyes, filled with intensity, were darker than usual. He swallowed hard.

He looked at my lips, as if he was just a breath away from kissing me again. He released a soft sigh, stepped back, and opened the car door for me.

I got into the car, my legs shaky, unsure where to look. The door closed, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

~What the hell just happened?~

I touched my lower lip, where his had been just moments ago. I felt a lightness in my chest, and my skin was warm.

I was so confused that I didn’t notice him getting into the driver’s seat until he leaned over me to fasten my seatbelt.

He cleared his throat. “We were being watched,” he confessed, buckling his own seatbelt. “I didn’t want them catching a picture of your face, as you asked, and that was the only thing I could think of that would have worked.”

So that’s why he kissed me.

His confession made me tense, and my stomach twisted uncomfortably.

Was I ~disappointed~?

“Are you okay?” he asked, watching me closely.

“Y-yeah, I just didn’t expect it,” I replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

I closed my eyes, trying to calm my nerves. It would be so embarrassing if he knew how I really felt.

CHASE

I saw a man with a camera hiding behind a pillar. I knew he was from the press, and I was furious. This parking lot was supposed to be private. I don’t know how he got in, but I’d be talking to the manager as soon as I returned.

I knew Kiana didn’t want her picture published, so I acted.

Her lips were soft and tasted faintly of honey. Her skin was smooth, and her waist fit perfectly in my arms, just as I remembered.

As I pulled back, her captivating eyes drew me in, and I found myself mesmerized by their deep emerald color.

She looked surprised, unsure of what to do. Her expression was so innocent that I wanted to keep it for myself. I saw a light blush spread across her cheeks, a tinge of pink darkening her medium-tan skin. It was a color I had been seeing often lately. ~It suited her~.

I reminded myself that we were supposed to be acting. She had made it clear that she wasn’t romantically interested in me, and I needed to respect that. I wasn’t looking for a relationship either—not so soon after Joanna.

I couldn’t help but glance at her as we drove past open, green fields. Not knowing what to say, I left the radio playing in the background. I would love to know what was going on in her mind. She wasn’t the easiest to read.

At least a few things made more sense now that I knew she hailed from wealth—like how she seemed unfazed by my status. Aside from Lucas and my family, few others genuinely treated me as if I were a normal man.

I admired her for deciding to carve out her own path. Not everyone had the courage to do that. Few would want to.

Kiana was becoming a mystery I couldn’t help but want to untangle.

***

Large iron gates opened to reveal my parents’ stunning white beach house. The glass covering half of the exterior sparkled in the sun.

My parents loved the view of the beach from here. When my dad retired, they’d moved here permanently.

I glanced at Kiana. Her mouth hung open, and her eyes were wide as she absorbed the view of the property. I couldn’t help but grin at her reaction.

“Is this where we’re staying for the weekend?” she asked, her voice humming with a fresh wave of excitement.

“Sure is.”

I spotted my mom coming out of the house. I got out of the car just in time to wrap her in a tight hug.

“Chase, my boy, how are you?” she asked, holding me at arm’s length to get a good look at me. “You’re looking well and healthy,” she said, her face lighting up.

The passenger door opened, and Kiana stepped out. She anxiously twiddled her fingers and glanced shyly at my mom.

“Hello, Mrs. Winters,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

My mom walked over to her and gave her a quick embrace. “Please, call me Loren. And you must be the new lady in Chase’s life, Kiana.”

“Mom,” I said, a warning in my voice.

“I didn’t mean anything by it,” she said, her smile never wavering. “Come on, let’s get you both inside.”

I grabbed our bags and followed as my mom hooked her arm through Kiana’s, taking her inside.

My mom led us to a guest room at the far end of the house.

“I’ll leave you two to unpack. Be ready to come downstairs in an hour,” she said, closing the door behind her.

Kiana looked around the room, taking in its unique décor before turning to me with a pointed look.

~Oh shit.~

KIANA

Chase’s mother radiated warmth and hospitality. Petite in stature, she had bright-blond hair, which explained where Chase got his hair color.

Her soft brown eyes complemented her kind expression, and her genuine smile had the power to brighten any room. I felt awful for deceiving her, but what other choice did I have?

As I looked around the guest room, something caught my attention…

I turned to Chase.

There was only ~one~ bed.

Before I could say anything, he spoke up. “I know. But I can’t ask them to put us in separate rooms.”

“Why not?” I asked, my hands on my hips.

“My cousins and aunt are coming over soon. All the rooms are booked.”

“Shit,” I muttered under my breath.

I let out a sigh. There was nothing we could do. ~At least the bed is huge. I’ll just make a barrier of pillows down the middle—easy.~

“I won’t try anything, I promise,” he said, starting to unpack.

I followed his lead, trying not to think much of it.

After a while, we had everything put away and made our way downstairs. We walked through the kitchen and out to a large garden, complete with a grand swimming pool and deck chairs.

I saw a man in the corner of the garden, flipping burgers on a grill. He looked just like Chase, only older. There was no doubt about it. That was his dad.

Chase took my hand in his, giving it a reassuring squeeze as he leaned in close to my ear. “Just relax.”

“Easier said than done,” I whispered back, but I kept a calm smile on my face to hide my nerves as we walked over.

Chase’s dad put down the grill tongs as soon as he saw us and gave Chase a warm hug.

“It’s about time you came to visit,” he said, his voice filled with both affection and reproach.

“I’ve been bu—” Chase started to say.

“Yeah, you’re always busy. I know.” He cut him off, then turned his attention to me.

“You must be Kiana. It’s nice to finally meet you,” he said, his smile not quite reaching his eyes.

“It’s nice to meet you, too, Mr. Winters,” I replied, keeping my tone neutral.

“Where is everyone else?” Chase asked, just as the doorbell rang.

“That must be them. Chase, go help with their bags,” his dad said, picking up the grill tongs again.

Chase started to take me with him, but his dad stopped him.

“She can stay with me. I’d like to get to know my son’s ~latest~ girlfriend,” he said, a hint of mockery in his voice.

For a moment, Chase looked like he might argue. But then he firmly said, “Dad, be nice,” before walking away, leaving me alone.

“So, what do you do?” his dad asked, going back to flipping the burgers.

“I’m in university, studying to be a vet. I hope to open my own clinic one day,” I said proudly, meeting his probing gaze.

Did he think I was just using Chase?

“Ah, so that’s the real reason,” he said.

“Excuse me?” I asked, taken aback.

“You’re using him for his money. Just admit it. The last one did, at least,” he said, a smug grin on his face.