Eden's Pleasure (Pulse Book 1) (15 page)

"What's so funny?" he asked, looking around the room, trying to grasp the mystery.

"Nothing." She again giggled to herself. “Nice desk.”

Chase looked at her with a furrowed brow, totally confused. He shook his head. He didn’t understand the humor, then tightening his grip, he said, "Come, there's more to see."

The final set of stairs led to a small hall and two doors. "That's the bathroom." He pointed to the door on the right.

"This is my room." He opened the door slightly and turned to her. "No one has ever seen this room... except Hazel, my housekeeper."

"No one?" Eden asked, unbelieving.

"No one. Come." He pulled her through the door, then turned to face her, waiting for her reaction.

"It's beautiful." He heard the shock in her voice. Warm cream color walls gave the room a light feel she hadn’t visualized for him. Her eyes took in all the detail of the large bedroom suit with an ornate armoire and matching dresser. Soft music was playing from somewhere in the room, quiet classical piano.

She moved further into the room. “Gorgeous. This is either Brazilian Cherry or Mesquite.” She ran her hand over the surface of the dresser.

“Very good, Miss Fox. It’s Brazilian Cherry.” He was impressed at her knowledge of such an exotic wood. “I had it specially made.”

“Of course you did.” She eyed him. “Only the best.”

“Only the best,” he mimicked her words and laughed.

The king size, corkscrew spindled, four post bed took center stage, with blood red satin linens and a matching spread, the only pretentiously sexual touch to the room. A thrill ran through her and she felt her cheeks warming.

"You like?" He stood slightly closer.

“I do, very much." She pulled her hand from his, walking over to see the view from the floor to ceiling windows that were draped in light sheers at the far end of the room. The sky outside showed the beginnings of an orangey pink dusk, with the promise of the impending darkness of night just on the horizon.

He joined her at the window and pulled back the sheer to better the view for them both. Looking out at the city, he slipped his hand over hers, and she swallowed away a lump in her throat before removing her hand nervously.

"Why do you pull away from me, baby? Stop fighting me." He kept his eyes on the city outside when she focused her gaze on him, watching his beautifully shadowed face.

She bit her lip and lowered her eyes to the floor. "Sorry, I don't mean to. I guess I'm a bit nervous."

He looked at her and smiled into her eyes making her heart melt into that oh so familiar puddle. "Try not to be nervous, and don’t be sorry if that's how you feel," he said. "I want you to be honest with me at all times. Let me know if you’re uneasy."

“I’ll try.”

“You’ll do better than try,” he advised her and her heart leapt with a sense of hesitancy. She didn’t fear him exactly; it was more of an uptight excitement than anything else. An edgy thrill, if she had to put it into words.

"Come sit with me." Chase tugged her hand in the direction of the bed. "I think it's time we talked."
He sat on the bed and patted the bed spread to his side. "Have a seat."

Eden sat down and played with her wine glass, turning the stem in her fingertips. She raised the glass to her lips and slugged down the remainder of the glass. Chase reached over, took the glass from her hand, and placed it with his on the bedside table.

"Take it easy with the wine, baby. I want you sober." He spoke sternly, but the tone in his voice remained gentle somehow.

She looked at him with raised brows. "Pardon me? Are you insinuating that I drink too much?”

"Not at all, I just want to talk!" He looked so serious all of a sudden and raked his hand through his hair, freeing his unruly curls, a gesture that sent her stomach fluttering.

"Have you considered my proposal?" he questioned. "Will you allow me to take care of you?"

This was the moment reality hit her with a vengeance. Up to this point, Eden had been holding on to the ugly ghosts from her past. Shock quaked to the very core of her existence. She was using her past and business as an excuse, a feeble attempt not to feel, to keep a distance, to stay in control. Mik had told her to leave the baggage at the door, and her friend was right, it was time to let it go. If at all possible, she had to push past her fears and allow herself to feel something real, something more.

Eden was keeping control over men so she couldn’t get hurt. Surrendering to Chase and the possibility of exploring her sexuality was what she needed now, what she wanted. She could still maintain control to a degree; she needn’t be frightened by Chase’s supremacy, she needed to embrace it.

"Eden, you’re driving me wild, I can barely constrain myself when you’re around. I practically come undone at the sight of you, the enticing smell of you. I know I said I could wait for you to decide, and the last thing I want to do is pressure you, but, baby…"

Her fingertip touched to his lips and stopped the flow of words. "I have given it some thought. In fact, it’s all I’ve thought about," she said, almost surprised with her own words. Eden put her hand on his arm. “I don’t need any more time,” she stated.

Chase turned on the bed to face her. “Tell me what you want Eden.”

“I want to give this thing a try,
us
a try. I’m warning you though, it’s not going to be easy. You need to be patient with me.” She was trembling, and he wrapped his arms around her. “No one can ever know. I mean, if it gets out at work that we’re seeing each other, I’ll lose my job. My career will be over.”

He rested his cheek against hers. “I don’t kiss and tell, Miss Fox,” he whispered, his lips just touching the shell of her ear.

“I want you to be sure. You understand my needs and desires?” he asked. “And the control, you understand that I will be in control with all aspects sexually?”

“I understand,” she said, acceptance in her voice. She reached up and ran her hand across his beard. It was so soft, yet so rough. “Can I ask you something silly?” He pulled back to look at her. “Could we stop using the word
control
?”

He nodded with a smile. “Of course we can, baby. How about we refer to it as taking charge?” She nodded happily; that would suffice.

“We need to discuss birth control. I have no problem using condoms but are you on the pill?” he queried without hesitation.

She shook her head. “No, there’s no need. I can’t get pregnant. A medical condition, I’m sterile.”

“I’m sorry,” he said.

“Please, don’t be sorry. I’ve dealt with it. There are no children in my future and I’m ok with that.” She smiled and continued before he could comment further on the matter. It was closed as far as she was concerned. “I have only had one real relationship, and that ended over three years ago. Any sexual partners since have used condoms, and I have yearly physicals through work.”

His eyes narrowed. “You have only had one boyfriend?” he asked with startled surprise.

“Yes. I told you, I don’t want a relationship,” she said abrasively, making sure that it was well understood.

Nodding he took her hand in his. “Point well made. And so that you know, my last girlfriend was eight months ago. I have been tested, and I’m clean.”

“Good to know.” She bit her lip. The subject felt very medicinal, far too pre-emptive, any chance at romance simply spreading its wings and flying out the window.

Chase stood and took her in his arms lifting her off her feet and spun her around. When they stopped, he buried his hands in her hair and kissed her lips softly. They stared silently into each other’s eyes for a long moment before Eden found the courage to speak.

“Chase?” He watched her, waiting.

“Yes, baby?”

Eden took a deep breath and stared into his eyes. “What if I said, I surrender to you?”

“That’s what I want to hear,” he beamed.

***

Chase held her face in his hands and melted his lips over hers. He nuzzled into her neck, kissing his way to her ear.

"It’s about
my
taking charge. You
will
do as you’re told and speak only when asked," he stated. "This night is yours, baby, but just this one. If you’re not comfortable with something, tell me to stop."

“No safe word?” she asked.

“This is not a romance novel baby. You don’t need a safe word, just tell me to stop,” he reassured her.

She was about to dive into a new chapter of her life. His words both terrified and thrilled her. If he gave her half the pleasure that he offered, she'd be ecstatic.
Give into him
, she repeated in her mind. She was anxious, almost frightened, closing her eyes.

"Open your eyes, Eden," he insisted. "I don't want you to miss a thing. I want to see you unravel at my doing, baby."

She opened them and saw the electricity sparking in his eyes, so emerald green. They were amazingly sexy, magical eyes. He could look deep into her soul and set her ablaze with one glance.

He moved her closer to the bed unbuttoning her blouse slowly, methodically. Watching her eyes as one by one, he continued until her blouse hung open. Eden quivered with heat. He moved his eyes down to see that she was wearing a red lacy bra.

His mouth curled to a slight smile. "Mmm...hmm... my favorite color."

She grinned up at him. Yes, it was no coincidence that she wore red. She remembered his comment that he had liked her red dress, that it was his favorite color. She had found herself drawn to all things red since his confession.

Eden moved to slide off her blouse, but Chase quickly grasped her hand and then placed a kiss in her open palm. “No, baby!”

He slipped his hands into her blouse and slid it off her shoulders, letting it fall to the floor. He ran his hands down her arms, sending shivers to her already pulsing clit. He opened the button on her jeans, lowered the zipper with ease, sliding them down over her hips to her ankles. His nose caressed her hip, she heard him take a deep breath and give a soft moan, and she stepped out of them, and he kicked them to the side.

His eyes shifted over her body, taking in the sight of her wearing nothing but her bra and panties. Becoming erect in an instant, taking in a deep breath, he noted the familiar scent of her perfume mix with her arousal, he exhaled to gain control.

“What scent is that?” he asked, inhaling as he nudged into her neck.

“Roberto Cavalli,” she said in a whisper.

Eden felt the rush of his breath over her face. Seeing his eyes skimming over her body made her stiffen. Releasing control was proving harder than she thought as she raised her arms to hold around her waist.

"Don't do that, baby!" he spoke firmly, holding her arms out so that she could not cover up. "You’re so beautiful, never hide yourself from me. I want to see every delicious inch of you." She smiled.

He pulled her into his arms, kissing her with a passion she had never sensed from a man before. It was raw and rough. His tongue entered her lips, seeking, searching. She slithered her tongue to meet his, weaving her fingers in his hair and tugged. Feeling slightly naughty she wanted to take over, but held herself back.

When he released her mouth, her lips were swollen and plumped, her breathing was rapid to match his. The sensation was wicked.

Nuzzling into her neck, he took in her fragrance with a deep breath. He let out a soft gentle sigh. Eden smiled at just how sexy this man could make her feel. Chase ran a finger along the lace of her bra, ever so slightly touching her flesh. He closed his arms around her to unhook her bra with precision, sliding it off her shoulders before letting it drop to the floor, her breasts falling free. Chase smiled his approval.

He noticed her scar shaped like a lightning bolt on her left breast. "How did you get this scar?" He traced over the scar with his fingertip, and she promptly pulled his hand away.

"Not now." Her eyes wordlessly pleaded with him to let it go.

"Ok, baby," he pledged, the sight of her shame causing him concern, but he would uncover the mystery behind that scar at a later date. He'd let it go,
for now
.

Chase stripped out of his clothes, slowly teasing her as he threw each garment to the floor with a sexy half smile. He stood before her in his tight black briefs; she just couldn’t get over the size of his erection. She shuddered, thinking that he actually fit inside of her and how good it had felt.

Chase reached past Eden, opening the drawer of the bedside table and slipped a condom into his waist band. Then he removed the bedspread, placing it on the floor at the foot of the bed. He folded back the sheets and turned to face her, throwing the condom onto the bed. Reaching down, Chase lifted her up into his arms effortlessly, like she weighed no more than a feather pillow, placing her tenderly on the bed.

He knelt with one knee on the bed and licked his lips. She nearly came to pieces at the sight. He moved over her and straddled her hips, causing her to gasp. She brought her hands up, placing them on his thighs, watching to make sure she was not over stepping bounds. Running her fingers from side to side, enjoying the softness of his thighs, he smiled down at her.

"Beautiful." He leaned forward over her breasts, his hair brushing her face, the smell intoxicating. Chase flicked his tongue over her nipple, and she trembled, arching her back in response. Drawing circles around her nipple with his tongue, causing her breathing to become more rapid. Doing the same to the other nipple, she moaned at his touch, digging her fingers into his legs.

Eden's heartbeat accelerated, her breathing hurried. Chase was attending to
her
, concentrating solely on
her
. If this would be their last night together, she truly believed nothing else could ever compare. She would never forget how she felt at this very moment.

Moving to lay beside her with his head leaning on his hand, Chase intentionally took his time. Eden threaded her hand into his hair. His finger crossed her lips and down her chin to her neck, proceeding between her breasts. Stopping, he lifted his finger to his mouth and licked the tip with his tongue, his eyes watching her smolder.