Chapter 21: The Emerald Dress

KIANA

We barely saw each other over the following weeks. I still stayed at his place on the weekends, but he was out more often than not. He spent a lot more time at the office or working at home than I’d expected, so I focused on my schoolwork.

Mia and Crystal finally met on a brunch date a couple of weeks ago, and they hit it off immediately, just as I had anticipated. They were like two peas in a pod. Considering all they had in common, I was surprised they hadn’t met sooner.

Our little trio was certainly unique. But we shared similar interests, and I could honestly say I trusted them completely. I felt incredibly fortunate to call them my friends.

Since I wasn’t working at the café anymore, I sometimes helped Cam at the animal shelter after class, which was a refreshing change of pace. I missed being around animals, my one true sanctuary in this world.

As time passed, I gained a better understanding of why Chase had hired me. It wasn’t just to make Joanna jealous, but to deter other women from approaching him.

Despite everything, he was still dealing with the fallout from a breakup with a cheating ex-girlfriend. Regardless of how awful she was, he clearly had ~some~ feelings for her. And such a deep betrayal must hurt.

We hadn’t kissed since the incident at the restaurant, and he maintained his distance. Whether that was intentional or not, I didn’t know.

I could tell that we were more at ease with each other, and I was beginning to see the difference between business-Chase and personal-Chase.

I liked to think Chase and I had become friends.

Time flew, and before I knew it, it was time to celebrate the end of the semester.

Tonight was a Friday. Chase said he was busy, and I could stay home. But the girls had ~other plans~.

Crystal discovered I had never been to a club before, and she insisted on getting us a reservation at one of the city’s top clubs. I was genuinely excited to let loose for a change.

I was wearing a gorgeous emerald cocktail dress that fit me like a glove. The backless design was held together by two thin strings. The neckline was a tasteful plunge, revealing just the right amount of skin. Instead of my usual beachy waves, I opted to let Mia give me sleek, straight hair.

We settled into the booth Crystal had reserved and ordered a cocktail called “punch in the head.” I had no idea what was in it, but it was incredibly tasty.

Mia pulled us onto the dance floor. Tipsy from the punch, I swayed slightly, but the music soon took over. We danced freely with each other, and when anyone tried to join us, we pointed them in another direction.

~This is the most fun I’ve ever had.~

CHASE

I had just closed a deal with the owner of a new club, who invited us to enjoy the VIP lounge for the night. Lucas and Ben were there to keep me company and enjoy a night out.

“Are you into the club scene now?” Ben questioned.

“Clubs are good for business. Once you get one, you’ll have a whole chain wanting Winters Security,” Lucas chimed in, raising his glass.

Ben and I joined him. It was a night to celebrate, as the business was growing faster than we could have imagined.

I looked out over the crowd of dancers, all moving to the beat of the music.

Before long, I noticed a woman in a green dress.

Her hair was straight and fell just above her ass. Her legs were long and slim. Her round ass moved perfectly with the rhythm of the music.

I couldn’t see her face, but just seeing her dance so seductively without knowing I was watching made my cock twitch.

I hadn’t been with a woman in weeks, so it wasn’t surprising that I was so on edge and easily distracted.

There were other men watching her. ~I wasn’t the only one~.

“So, how’s your girlfriend?” Ben asked nonchalantly.

“She’s hanging out with your sister tonight,” I replied with a chuckle.

“I wonder what kind of trouble they’re getting into,” he mused, taking a sip of his drink.

“Anyone up for dancing?” Lucas asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I’m feeling lucky tonight,” Ben agreed.

We made our way to the dance floor. Without intending to, I found myself scanning the crowd for the woman in the green dress. I was eager to see her again. Not that I would do anything—I was a man of my word.

~There she is.~ I saw her talking to Crystal over the loud music.

~She knows Crystal?~ I was so distracted I didn’t even question why my cousin was here.

Then she turned around, and I saw her face.

~Kiana?~

I hadn’t recognized her because her hair was different from her usual wild waves.

I approached and grabbed her arm. She gasped, but instantly relaxed when she realized it was me.

I leaned in so only she could hear and asked, “What are you doing here?”

“Chase? Oh, I’m just having fun with the girls.” She giggled, her laughter surprising me.

She was drunk—~too drunk for my liking~—and that made her vulnerable. Crystal and Mia weren’t in much better shape.

“We’re going home,” I said firmly, starting to pull her away.

She resisted, but I wasn’t taking no for an answer. I was angry. The number of men watching her, the way they were looking at her… I could feel a vein in my temple throbbing, and I was clenching my teeth so hard I thought they might break.

~Am I jealous?~

No, that couldn’t be it. I was angry because she shouldn’t be out like this, not when she was supposed to be with me. That was all.

Crystal followed us outside. “Hey Chase, didn’t expect to see you here,” she slurred. “Where are you two going?”

“We’re going home. She’s drunk. You are too. Get a cab, Crystal.”

“No, I’m—” ~hiccup~ “not,” Kiana protested, but I held her steady.

She tried to pull away from me, but it was no use. It was kind of cute, actually.

“All right. Have fun, you two,” Crystal teased before heading back into the club.

~If only.~

I texted Ben and Lucas to watch the girls. Then, I called my driver and helped Kiana into the back seat, pulling her away from the door as she tried to escape.

“Stop acting like a child,” I scolded, signaling the driver to start the car.

“I wasn’t done dancing!” she protested, slurring her words.

“Kiana, you’re wasted. We’re heading home,” I declared, firm in my decision.

“Home?” she echoed, her head tilting in confusion. “I can’t!” She laughed, her words slurred from the alcohol.

“Why not?” I asked, exasperated.

“I don’t have my keys. Mia does.”

“Why didn’t you bring your own?”

“I was planning to go home with the girls, not you,” she slurred, poking my chest with her finger.

“I’m starving,” she announced, clutching her stomach and making a face.

“You can eat when we get to my place.”

“But I’m hungry now. I want a burger,” she insisted.

“No—” I started, but she cut me off.

“Please, Chase,” she pleaded, her eyes wide and her pout exaggerated.

~Damn, she’s stubborn.~

I let out a sigh and instructed the driver to stop at the nearest restaurant. Why could I never say no to this woman?

“Yay!” she cheered.

I couldn’t help but smirk. Her excitement over a burger was too cute.

After we finished eating, we headed back to my place. By then, she had sobered up a bit and wasn’t as insistent.

“Feeling better?” I asked.

“Yeah, that hit the spot.” She sighed, patting her stomach contentedly.

I chuckled.

Once we got to the penthouse, she went straight to the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water.

“Why were you out tonight?” she asked, taking a sip of her water.

“I just closed a big deal with the owner of that club.”

“Congrats!”

“Don’t get that drunk again when you’re not with me,” I warned.

“I was having fun…something I don’t really do often. And I was with Mia and Crystal.” She shrugged.

“I don’t care. Anything could have happened.”

“But it didn’t.” She walked over to the liquor cabinet and pulled out two glasses and a bottle of whiskey.

“You’re impossible.” I sighed. “What are you doing?”

She poured two glasses and handed one to me. “To your latest deal,” she toasted.

“To my latest deal,” I echoed, not wanting to argue.

She grimaced as she swallowed the whiskey. “How can you drink this stuff?” she complained.

“I have a strong stomach.”

She noticed the glass balcony and slowly walked over, her eyes wide with awe. “Wow, how have I never been out here before? I’ve never seen the sky so clear,” she marveled.

I followed her out, the cold biting into my skin. Seeing her shiver, I took off my jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

She looked up at me and smiled, took another sip of the whiskey, and grimaced again.

She stared out into the distance, her hair blowing in the wind. A loose strand fell across her face, and I tucked it behind her ear. She looked up at me, her eyes wide with innocence and her mouth slightly agape.

My hand slid down her hair and rested on her neck. I wanted to take her lips between mine. I had been so patient these last few weeks, but I didn’t want to be the one to make a move. If she wanted me, then she would have to be the one to initiate.

At least that way, I could be certain that she wanted this just as badly as I did.

The mood had completely shifted. Her eyes bored into mine, making me forget everything around us. Her lips parted, and she leaned in closer until her nose brushed against mine; her eyes flitted to my lips.

“Kiss me…” she whispered.

I heard her loud and clear. My hand cupped the back of her neck, and I pulled her closer. Her toes lifted her to meet me so she could ensnare me in a breathless kiss.

Her hands tugged at the collar of my shirt, this newfound confidence of hers a turn-on that made me instantly stiff.

His fingers started unbuttoning my shirt and smoothing along the lines of my chest, eliciting a satisfying groan from me and an approving sigh from her.

Her kisses grew feverish. Her teeth grazed lightly against my lips, making me lose some of my control. I scooped her up, her legs wrapped around me as I pinned her to the wall.

My jacket had slipped off her shoulders, and I instinctively closed in to keep her warm from the nippy air.

“I want you,” she whined, tugging at the buckle of my pants and making me freeze.

I couldn’t do this with her. Not when she was drunk. At least not for our first time.

“Kiana,” I panted, holding her hands firmly. “We should stop. You’re drunk.”

She stared at me momentarily before nodding, hiding her face in embarrassment.

~She was too damn cute.~

“You’re right. I should go to bed,” she said quietly.

I lowered her back to the floor and watched as she walked to her room—silently cursing myself for being such a gentleman.