Christmas Diamonds (18 page)

“We’ll keep the noise down, and I’ll turn on my CD player,” Chase said calmly. “That should let us do our thing without anyone else knowing.”

Paula smiled. “You think of everything.”

“I try.”

Right now all Chase could think of was the ultrasexy woman before him. Seeing her naked beneath him on his desk would be a big turn-on, but he would settle for being deep inside her with those sexy, long legs wrapped around him.

Chase gave Paula a smooch. “Wait right here.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” she murmured.

He read the hunger in her eyes, mirroring his. “That’s music to my ears.”

Chase had all his calls held, and then, taking long, looping strides, he locked the door. It effectively shut them off from the rest of the world, so it was just the two of them, free to explore their passion with no distractions.

Paula watched as Chase loosened his tie and then unzipped his pants. His erection practically sprang out, arousing her with its throbbing size. She unbuttoned her blouse just to give him a hint of cleavage before lifting her skirt above her hips and pulling down her panties. She backed up to his desk and waited for him to slip on a condom.

Paula’s mouth watered at the prospect of having Chase inside her. She’d never had sex in an office before and found it very exciting. Being with him, no matter where they were, made her senses come alive, and she was more open-minded than she ever thought possible. Chase really brought out the woman in her. She wanted to soar as high as she could, as long as he floated in the clouds beside her.

“You are so damn beautiful,” Chase said gutturally, holding her cheeks.

“This beautiful lady is all yours,” Paula cooed, surrendering to him. “Whatever you want, you’ve got.”

His eyes danced. “You make me crazy.”

Paula ran her tongue across her lips, feeling hot with desire, too. “It must be catching,” she said, reaching out to touch Chase.

Chase angled his face and brought their mouths together. They kissed vehemently, caught up in their mutual attraction
and desperate need. Neither backed away from the moment, determined to see it through.

Paula sucked Chase’s lower lip, drawing it inside her mouth. She loved his taste and scent, feeling them become a part of her. She moved to his upper lip, sucking it while her tongue circled his at a frantic pace.

Chase slid his hand inside her blouse and began caressing Paula’s taut nipples. She screamed silently as the sensations jolted her. He put his other hand beneath her skirt and found what he was looking for, gently stroking Paula’s clitoris. With the ache between her legs growing steadily, Paula grabbed Chase’s penis.

“Now, baby,” she whispered insistently. “Don’t make me wait for you any longer.”

“I hear you,” Chase groaned as he pressed his hands to Paula’s waist and lifted her onto the desk. She opened her thighs, inviting him in. Chase moved forward, and she slid toward his erection, lowering herself on him. Paula wrapped her legs around his back, taking him fully inside, reveling in the intense pleasure.

Chase cupped her buttocks, bringing them closer together while thrusting deeper and deeper inside Paula. He hit the spot repeatedly with precision and determination. She resisted the urge to scream in case she alerted others, instead taking quick breaths and uttering tiny whimpers. Paula could feel Chase’s heart pounding against her breasts as they clung together and went at each other frantically and with a sense of desperation.

When her orgasm neared, Paula clutched Chase’s back and breathed erratically. She kissed his face uncontrollably and rubbed her clitoris against him as the buildup spread like fire throughout Paula. She shuddered violently while the powerful sensations overtook her whole body with incredible ecstasy. As if he had waited for her, Chase’s body suddenly broke into spasms as his breathing quickened.

Paula absorbed his powerful trusts, relishing the feel of his manhood as their peaks of pleasure mounted simultaneously.
Chase conquered her mouth with blazing, soulful kisses, which she returned in earnest, gnawing at his lips fervently. When it was over and their equilibrium had returned to near normal, they broke out into unabashed laughter like children.

“Welcome to McCord Diamonds,” Chase said jovially, discarding the condom and fastening his pants.

Paula buttoned her blouse. “That was quite a welcome. You sure do know how to make a girl feel right at home, Mr. McCord.”

He chuckled. “It was my pleasure.”

“Uh, I think at least half the pleasure was mine.”

“I can accept that. Share and share alike,” Chase said. “Things just keep getting better between us all the time.”

“Yes, they do,” she said softly. They did seem to be hitting on all cylinders in building a solid relationship. It made her believe that anything and everything was possible with such a wonderful man. “I guess it says something about us.”

Chase gazed at her. “What might that be?”

“That we’re the real deal!”

“Yeah, we sure are.” He kissed Paula and then grinned broadly. “I can’t wait to take you to Antwerp.”

Her eyes sparkled. “It sounds very exciting.”

“That’s because of you,” he said straightforwardly.

Paula blushed. “I think you put me on much too high a pedestal.”

“I disagree. You’re right where you belong. You’re the whole package in one sexy-as-hell body, and I feel very fortunate to have you in my life.”

“You’re so sweet,” she told him emotionally, “and a pretty special guy, too.”

Chase looked at her tenderly. “Is that so?”

“It sure is. Having you as my guy just makes it all the more incredible.”

“We are pretty amazing together,” Chase acknowledged.

Paula gazed up at his eyes before turning to his incredibly desirable lips, wanting badly to kiss them again.

Chase answered her thoughts, bringing his mouth down to hers. She opened her lips and met his halfway. The kiss was dizzying and delicious.

A warm streak of desire ran through Paula. No one had ever made her feel so special.

Chapter 17

P
aula looked out the airplane window from her seat in first class. She could only see clouds below, which seemed to epitomize where her head was these days. Chase had opened her mind to a whole new world of possibilities, and she treasured each and every moment they spent together, wanting to believe with all her heart that their journey had only just begun.

She broke out of her reverie when Chase nibbled on her ear.

“See anything interesting out there?” he asked.

Paula turned his way with a smile. “Not half as interesting as what’s in here.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” He flashed a cute grin. “So, are you ready to take Antwerp by storm?”

“Am I ever,” she voiced with eagerness.

“Great.” He leaned back. “There’s a lot to see and do.”

“I can’t wait to immerse myself. I look forward to being on your arm in this exploration.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Chase said and kissed Paula as if to seal the deal.

The five-star hotel was located in the center of the diamond district. They checked into a suite with a spectacular view of the city.

Chase came up behind Paula as she stood at the window and wrapped his arms around her waist. “So, what do you think?”

“It’s beautiful.”

He turned her around. “Just like you.”

A bright smile lifted Paula’s cheeks. “I can never get enough of hearing you say I’m beautiful.”

“Glad you feel that way,” he asserted, “since I plan to keep saying you’re beautiful, because I mean it from the bottom of my heart.”

Paula reached up and gave him a mouthwatering kiss that made Chase appreciate that he was a man. The fact that she was his woman and here with him in Antwerp made him believe life truly was looking up for both of them.

After freshening up, they went to the hotel’s restaurant for dinner.

“How nice to see you again, Mr. McCord,” said the maître d’ as he took them to their seats.

“Nice to be back in Antwerp,” Chase told him.

“The diamond business must be still very good in the States, yes?”

“Everyone likes diamonds,” Chase said with a smile.

“Ahh, but of course.” The maître d’ flashed his teeth. “May I suggest you start off with a glass of Châteauneuf-du-Pape Château de la Gardine red wine?”

Chase eyed Paula. “That sounds fine.”

“Very well,” he said. “Enjoy your stay in Antwerp.”

“Just how many times have you been to this hotel?” Paula asked curiously after the maître d’ left.

Chase picked up his menu. “Actually, just one time. It was earlier this year.”

“And he remembers you from then?”

“Well, as a gentleman jeweler of color with an American
accent who happens to leave big tips, it probably wasn’t that much of a stretch to remember that I dined here some months earlier.”

“I suppose.” Paula studied her menu. “So, were you here alone, or should I just mind my own business?”

Chase grinned, not at all put off by her inquisitiveness. “It’s a fair question. Yes, I was here alone for business. I haven’t come with anyone since Rochelle died.”

Paula flushed. “Oh, I’m sorry, Chase. I really didn’t mean to sound jealous.”

“It’s okay. You have the right to be curious about my relationships,” Chase said. He didn’t want to keep anything from her. “I’ve gone out on dates over the past two years, mostly as a result of well-meaning friends who felt sorry for me being on my own. None of them amounted to anything. Then you came into my life…”

“I see.” Her eyes batted. “And how much has that amounted to?”

“Everything,” he told her evenly. “The more time we’ve spent together, the more time I want to spend with you.”

Paula met his gaze warmly. “You really mean that, don’t you?”

“Every word of it.”

“Well, you’re not alone in those feelings,” she said, offering a warm smile.

“I was hoping you’d say that.” Chase smiled back. “Now, what would you like to order?”

The following day, Chase took Paula to visit the famous Diamond Museum. Walking down the dark corridors containing brightly lit cases filled with diamond jewelry from the sixteenth century to the present, she felt as though she’d stepped back in time. Paula was awestruck at everything from regal diamond diadems and bravura tiaras to a replica of the British Crown Jewels.

“This is really amazing,” Paula told Chase, holding his hand comfortably.

“Yes, it is. Diamonds are the wonder of the world.”

This was something Paula could truly appreciate. Her grandmother’s sad tale of lost love had left an indelible impression on Paula of the power of a diamond ring and the eternal bond between two people meant to be together in spirit forever.

Paula wanted more than anything to have that same deep bond. She sensed such might be possible with Chase. Though he had known this kind of great love once, she sincerely believed there was more than enough room in his heart to experience it again with her. Paula sucked in a deep breath, wanting to stay on an even keel, but finding it hard not to allow her imagination to run wild with romantic possibilities. If Chase were ever to propose to her, she couldn’t imagine turning him down. Not when the feelings stirring within her were as real as any she had known and figured to get stronger over time.

“Let’s go upstairs,” Chase said enthusiastically. “You’ve got to see a diamond cutter at work. You’ll also learn more about the production of diamonds. I think it’s all quite fascinating.”

“I have no doubt about that,” Paula said, her interest piqued. Just as she didn’t doubt Chase had proven to be every bit as fascinating as any diamond might be.

That afternoon, while Chase attended to business, Paula visited the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, one of Europe’s most influential fashion academies. She enjoyed exploring the place that was the training ground for many of the world’s finest clothing designers.

Later she went shopping on one of the city’s pedestrian streets, featuring an eclectic assortment of posh boutiques and trendy stores. She bought a couple of nice dresses and a power business suit that Paula thought looked great. She eventually made her way to a cozy lingerie shop in search of a dazzling teddy. There Paula found the perfect hot-pink lace teddy. She couldn’t wait to put it on for Chase.

She paid for her purchase and went back to the hotel. While glancing over the room-service menu for lunch, the phone rang.

“Hello, gorgeous,” Chase’s voice said smoothly.

“Did you miss me already?” she asked playfully.

“Absolutely! I was taking a break from the diamond marketplace and thought I’d check on you.”

“That was thoughtful.”

“Find anything in the stores to buy?” Chase asked.

Paula chuckled. “What woman doesn’t go shopping and find things she likes?”

“Sorry I asked,” Chase said with a laugh.

“I bought something for you, too,” she told him.

“Is that so?”

“It is so.”

“A bit early for Christmas gifts, isn’t it?” asked Chase.

“It’s never too early for those,” Paula replied.

“Hmm, sounds intriguing. So what did you buy me?”

“I’m not going to tell you,” Paula teased, “or it would spoil the surprise.”

“I like surprises,” Chase said in a sexy tone, “especially coming from you.”

“See you soon,” she told him with a little mystery in her voice.

“Count on it.” Chase made a kissing sound. “Later.”

She hung up and realized that she’d begun to depend on Chase more each day. Was that a good thing? Paula believed with all her heart that it was a very good thing.

Chase wondered what Paula had bought for him. He had a few ideas, but was content to wait and see. Just hearing her voice had given him a rise. The lady was definitely getting under his skin, and he was growing very comfortable with that.

Chase continued making the rounds amongst his representatives in the diamond district. He purchased a variety of excellent graded, clean, certified loose diamonds, along with diamond bands, bracelets and earrings with variations in color,
clarity, cut and proportion. They would all be shipped to Silver Moon, processed, and sent to the stores accordingly. Acting as a broker for customers, Chase also filled a few orders for diamonds that included an official international “cut in Antwerp” label.