Cut to the Chase (29 page)

T
he city was changing, the rigidity of the work day slowly unraveling and melting into night. Chase Montclair powered on the wall of screens and sat back in his leather swivel chair. He'd loosened his tie and started to roll up his sleeves when he saw her.

He reached for the intercom. “Lydia, please come here.”

His secretary was at the doorway of his office within seconds. “Mr. Montclair, what do you need?” Lydia was old enough to be his mother. Her maturity and refined beauty were exactly what he wanted in a personal secretary. But her most coveted quality, the trait that Chase needed above everything else, was her loyalty. Her dedication to him was unwavering. And he couldn't…
wouldn't
have it any other way.

“Who is she?” Chase pointed to the screens on the far wall. Each monitor played the same image. Lydia stared at the large center screen. It took only moments for her to identify the mystery woman. Lydia made it a priority to know everyone on staff at Montclair Pharmaceuticals because Chase didn't have the time or desire to acquaint himself with the company's peons, though he did check on them every so often via monitor to ensure that they were doing their jobs and living up to his standards.

“She works in research and development. Her name is Erin Whitley.”

He liked the sound of her name. It was both feminine and strong. Chase watched the woman tap the tip of her pen against the desk and then bring it to her lips. Her eyes remained fixed on her computer screen. There was a quiet confidence in her gaze, but there was also something lonesome about her.

“Bring her to me tomorrow…after my five o'clock,” he said, rolling up his other sleeve. “And ask her to supply me with her latest report.” Lydia bowed her head and left without uttering a word.

Chase had never sought out an employee to satisfy him sexually. An office relationship would be an unnecessary distraction. Instead, he chose to fulfill his needs with women he didn't need to see on a regular basis, women who didn't get attached or require him to give more than he was capable of providing. After what had happened last year, it was best he check his feelings at the door and enter each sexual relationship emotionally barren.

Chase stood up and walked over to the monitors. He watched the woman closely, his intrigue growing. Only a small strip of fabric fell below her lab coat, followed by long, athletic legs and black high heels. Her blond hair was pulled into a smart ponytail, though he could imagine what it looked like unbound, when she threw her head back at the moment of climax. The thought of her beneath him, in nothing but those high heels, aroused him. He felt his trousers grow tight around his mounting erection. And it only got worse when Erin Whitley rose from her chair and started to walk toward the other side of the lab. The swing of her hips and the sight of that tight little ass made his cock beyond stiff, and he determined that he would need to remain seated when she arrived tomorrow.

I would like to thank my husband and children for their patience and love while I pursued what I once thought was unreachable.

To my mom and dad, my very first cheerleaders, thank you for all your support and optimism during those times I allowed the doubt to creep in.

And to the wonderful team at Forever Yours, in particular my editor Dana Hamilton, thank you for giving this Jersey girl a shot at her dream.

Elle Keating
was born and raised in South Jersey, where she lives with her husband and three children. It was during her long commute to work, crossing over the Betsy Ross Bridge into Pennsylvania, that her mind drifted. Images of a world with Chase, Erin, and their friends came rapidly and set her writing to bring these intense characters to life.

When Elle is not in her favorite coffeehouse, huddled in a corner on an oversized chair and working on the next book in the series, she enjoys being a mom, taking her children from one sport to the next and challenging herself frequently to be in two places at once.

Learn more at:

Twitter: @KeatingElle

Thrill of the Chase

To receive special offers, bonus content, and news about our latest ebooks and apps, sign up for our newsletters.

Sign Up

Or visit us at
hachettebookgroup.com/newsletters