The Chase, Volume 2 (5 page)

Damian chuckled. “Come on, dude. You’re thirty years old. I know that Katherine—”

“Don’t call her by her name. She’s the Blonde Bitch to me.”

“Language, Dean.” Alexis motioned to Isabella, who had a crayon in hand and making circles on what looked like a
Frozen
coloring book.

“Oops. Sorry.”

“Okay, I know the Blonde
Witch
really messed you up in college, especially when the other guy was Gibson. I still can’t believe they both did that to you. But dude, that was almost a decade ago. It’s really time to get over that.”

“I enjoy being single.” I watched as Damian and Alexis looked at each other, and it was almost as if they were communicating to each other with their eyes.

“So who’s the girl?” Damian finally asked. “You can tell us, man. We’ve been good friends for over ten years.”

“She’s a client.”

“Oh,” Damian and Alexis said together.

“It’s not a big deal,” I said quickly. “I don’t even know if I’m really interested.”

Damian laughed. “You’re definitely interested if you’re saying that.”

I groaned. “Yeah. Maybe you’re right.”

“So what’s the problem?” Alexis asked.

“I don’t want to be interested in her.”

“Why not?” Alexis looked confused.

“Because I enjoy being single. It’s not complicated and you don’t have to worry about someone else’s actions and feelings.”

Damian shook his head. “Dude, I know this is going to sound nuts—especially coming from an asshole like me.”

“Damian!” Alexis berated her husband and glared at him as she gestured at Isabella.

“Oh, right. Sorry, babe. But she’s only one. She doesn’t know what that means.”

She rolled her eyes. “Come on, you promised. We need to get into the habit of not using those words now or we won’t be prepared.”

“Yes, mom.” Damian playfully nudged her with his arm.

I saw the hurt expression flash in her eyes. Apparently, Damian saw it too.

“Hey,” his voice softer than before, “Sorry. I didn’t mean that. You’re right.” He reached over and squeezed her hand reassuringly. She met his gaze and the hurt and annoyance that were once on her face immediately melted away, like it was never there to begin with. In its place was a smile on her lips. As I watched Damian lean down and kiss her forehead, I found a part of me yearning for the closeness and love that they had for each other.

As if hearing my thoughts, Damian turned to me. “Anyway, I know this may sound crazy coming from me, but I think you should go for it with this woman. Who cares if she’s your
client. I haven’t seen you dwell on a single woman before until this one. Who knows? She may be the one.”

I snorted and rolled my eyes. “That’s just crazy.”

“Dean, seriously. You know I use to be like you. I know how you think. I want to tell you now that you’re wrong, just like I was wrong. You think love is a weakness, a burden that you have to carry. But you’re wrong.” He turned to look at Alexis and then at Isabella. “Love is strength. It’s possibly the strongest thing that could exist. It can shape you, change you, and guide you to be a better version of yourself. And being loved by those that love you…well, there’s nothing like it. It feels incredible.”

I watched Damian look at the two loves of his life, and I saw something I’d never seen in him before Alexis came into his life. There was a gleam in his eyes that I’d never seen before. He seemed to be happier than I’d ever seen him.

Do I want that?

***

After my dinner with Damian and Alexis, I felt more confused than ever. I thought I knew what I wanted. I thought I knew what I wasn’t willing to give to any woman. I thought that after the Blonde Bitch had ripped out my heart, I had nothing left to give to another woman.

But when I watched Damian’s and Alexis’s interactions with each other, when I heard what they had to say, something had shifted inside me. I wasn’t sure what all this meant, but I knew that I had to see Blair in person to figure it out.

I drove to her place and parked. I looked at my Rolex. It was 8:35 p.m. I wondered if she was even home as I knocked on the door.

Anxiety churned in my stomach as I heard footsteps walking toward the door from inside.

My breath caught when I saw her standing in front of the doorway in a simple white t-shirt and shorts. Her hair was up in a high pony tail and it looked like she had just returned home from an evening run. She looked gorgeous, and I had a feeling she didn’t even know it.

“Dean? What are you doing here?”

Her question took me by surprise, because it was the same question I had for myself. I didn’t know why I was there. I didn’t know why I needed to see her. All I knew was that I had to.

“I…” Our eyes met and all I could think about was how amazing her eyes were. “I just wanted to see you.”

My honesty must have caught her by surprise. “I thought I would never hear from you after you turned me away last week.”

Behind her sarcastic teasing, I knew I had hurt her that night. She was opening up to me and I had rejected her. A pain I’d never felt before radiated through my chest as I realized that I had caused her pain.

I closed the distance between us and walked up to the doorframe. I wrapped my arms around her waist and felt her body tense in my hands. I leaned in and whispered, “I’m not ready to let go of you.”

“But…”

I put a finger to her lips to quiet her. “Invite me in for some coffee.”

Her chest heaved as she drew in a deep breath. I smiled at how her body responded to my suggestion.

“But you rejected me…” she continued to resist. She walked backwards into the house, and I followed, closing the door behind me.

“I was stupid for doing that.” I grabbed her and pulled her back into my arms. “But now you know how I felt every time you tried to reject me.” I smirked as I devoured her with my eyes.

“But you deserved that,” she threw back, her eyes challenged me as she bit her lips.

Catching her by surprise, I grabbed her hair at the nape of her neck and pulled her toward me. I licked and nibbled her earlobe. “Well, baby. Let me show you exactly what
you deserve
then.”

She gasped as the heat of my words teased her ear and neck. As she arched her pelvis against the throbbing growth in my jeans, she moaned and ran her fingers down my back.

I moved us to the living room and lowered her to the couch as my mouth explored hers. My hands moved under her shirt and immediately found her breasts. She cried out as my fingers flicked and twisted her nipples.

“We really shouldn’t,” she begged again as she writhed underneath me. “It’s not a good idea for either of our careers.”

“Maybe we can work something out?” I looked at her and wondered if she was really more important than my career. “Blair. I think there’s something here, something worth fighting for.”

Her eyes glistened when she heard my words. “I…”

“Shhh,” I insisted. “For tonight, let’s just be Dean and Blair. Let’s just be two strangers who met without any obligations or ties to one another. For just tonight, let’s forget I’m your client and you’re my lawyer.”

I pulled off her t-shirt and bra, and took one of her breasts into my mouth. I heard her whimper as my tongue circled, sucked, and flicked her erect nipple. In responses, she quickly unbuttoned my shirt and jeans, and reached inside my boxers to pull out my rock-hard cock that was begging for its release. I threw my head back as her feather-like touch along my shaft seem to ignite a raw desire in me that I’d never felt before. I’d never wanted anyone as much as I wanted her at that very moment.

“God, baby. I need to taste you now.” I reached for her shorts and with one swift yank, I pulled her shorts and panties down her legs. “Fuck!” I groaned as the sweet aroma of her scent hit my senses.

“I need you now,” she began to beg as she grabbed my hands and guided them down her stomach toward her pussy.

My eyes grew wild with desire the second my fingers reached her warm wetness. I couldn’t hold back any longer. I grabbed her legs and spread them apart as I bend down between them. “Some say I have a fucking
sharp
tongue. Why don’t we put it to good use?”

She whimpered as her hips moved up toward me in agreement, desperate for me to taste her.

Needing no encouragement, I started kissing up her leg toward her pussy. I felt her body tense up and move beneath my tighten grip as my five o’clock shadow brushed along the side of her inner thigh. When I reached my destination, I wasted no time and began to devour her pussy with my mouth and tongue. I smiled as I felt her sweet spot quiver in my mouth.
Like putty in my hands
, I thought to myself in triumph. As her pussy began to tighten violently against my tongue, I knew she was close to coming. I immediately stopped, emerging from her pussy with her juices all over my face.

“I’m not ready to give you what you want. I’m not ready for you to come yet, baby.” My cock throbbed in agreement. “My cock wants you all for itself.”

She gasped as her eyes landed on how large my erection had become for her. “He can have me all for himself,” she said breathlessly.

I reached for a condom from my jeans and put it on. “Are you ready for me, baby?”

“Yes!” To my surprise, she grabbed me and pulled me onto the couch. “I want to ride you until you groan out my name.”

My breath caught at her words. “Is that a promise?”

She nodded as her lips curled into a dangerous smile. She hopped on top of me and eased herself on top of me. “Baby, when I make a promise, you better believe it’ll happen.”

I threw my head back as intense throes of pressure greeted me as she rode me like no woman had ever rode me before. Within minutes, I reached my climax and felt my body spasm uncontrollably. “Fuck yeah, Blair! I’m coming.”

“Yes, come for me.” I felt her purposely tighten her pussy around me as she moved faster up and down my cock.

“You better fucking come with me, baby.” I grabbed her hips to take control over the situation and began to thrust up deeper inside her pussy in time with the movement of her hips.

Finally, I felt her convulse around me, encouraging me to pump into her even harder and faster until we both found our release.

***

Half an hour later, I was still wide awake as I listened to Blair’s soft, deep breathing against my skin as her body was wrapped around mine. As I watched her peacefully sleep in my arms, I knew that she trusted me now. I knew that this was exactly what Trent wanted. I knew that this was when I had to make my decision about what to do next.

I reached for my phone from the coffee table and sent Trent an email.

To: Trent Parker

From: Dean Chase

Re: Opportunity

Trent,

We need to talk as soon as possible.

Dean Chase, Esq.

Associate

William & Sutter LLP.

To my surprise, Trent responded immediately.

From: Trent Parker

To: Dean Chase, Esq.

Subject: Opportunity

Dean,

Great to hear from you so soon.
I look forward to hearing about your progress. Stop by first thing in the morning.

Trent

Trent Parker

Acting CEO

San Francisco, CA

When I put the phone down, I wrapped my arms around Blair and wondered if it was possible for me to live without her in my life.

CHAPTER
FIVE

Blair

The distant sound of a door closing woke me up. As my eyes fluttered open, my body registered the sweet ache and soreness left behind from last night.

“Dean?” I rubbed the sleep from my eyes as I got up from my bed.

When I walked into the kitchen, my stomach growled as the smell of
Belgian waffles, scrambled eggs, and bacon hit my senses.

Instead of finding Dean, I found a note next to the breakfast he had made me.

Blair, my Sleeping Beauty,

Last night was incredible. I’m already craving for our next coffee break together. I hope it’s soon, and I hope it’s even stronger. ;)

In the meantime, I thought you’d like some breakfast to give you some energy in preparation for our next meeting. Eat up so you’re ready for whatever I throw your way. Don’t underestimate me.

I had to leave for an early meeting, but I’ll call you later.

Hugs,

Your Coffee Extraordinaire

I beamed at the note and reread it several times as I slowly savored the delicious breakfast Dean had made for me. A part of me was afraid to believe that this could actually work between Dean and I, but there was something about him that I couldn’t resist. There was something about him that excited me, and I knew I wanted more of whatever I was feeling—no matter the cost.

***

When I walk into the office, I felt a rare glee and excitement that I hadn’t felt in as long as I could remember. The air felt more crisp and fresh than I remembered. The sun seemed to shine brighter than I remembered. Everything seemed to be a bit rosier than I remembered.

I grinned as I thought about Dean as I rode the elevator up to the floor of my office.

“Mr. Parker is ready to see you,” I heard the receptionist say as the elevator door opened.

“Thank you.”

I froze when I heard his voice in the hallway.
Why is Dean here? Why does he have a meeting with Trent?
My heart raced as I thought of all the possible reasons he’d be here, and every possibility that came to mind was not a good one.
Could it be possible that he set me up? Is he about to tell Trent something?

Somehow I snapped out of my temporary paralysis and decided to follow Dean. I waited a minute to make sure he was already near Trent’s office before I proceeded out of the elevator and toward Trent’s office. I walked quickly past Trent’s office and snuck into the small conference room on the other side of his office. With the door closed behind me, I grabbed a glass cup and placed it against the wall of Trent’s office.

“I can’t do this,” I heard Dean’s muffled voice say.

“What the
fuck are you talking about?”

“I can’t set up Blair.”

I covered my mouth as a gasp escaped my lips when I heard Dean’s words. I wasn’t sure what was going on, but it was clear that my brother and my most recent lover had been colluding together, and somehow, I was the target. My jaw clenched as I realized how stupid and gullible I’d been, and how easy I’d allowed Dean to weasel himself into my life.

“Have you fucked her
yet?” I heard Trent ask.

Why does he want to know this? What’s going on?

There was a silence and I held my breath, waiting for Dean to betray me.

“I’m only here to tell you that I’m not going to take you up on your offer. I’m not here to tell you anything else.”

“You’re making a big fucking mistake here, Dean.”

“Well, that’s a big fucking mistake that
I
get to make, and not you.”

I couldn’t believe my ears. I couldn’t believe that Dean wasn’t going to tell Trent anything.

“Does she actually mean that much to you that you’re actually thinking about giving up this opportunity for you
and
your firm? Do I need to remind you of how much is at stake here?”

What’s at stake here?
I wondered.
What is Trent trying to do here?

“No. Don’t waste your breath trying to remind me.” There was a short pause. “And to answer your question. Yes. She’s really that important to me. If you really must know, I didn’t know how I felt about your sister before. But when you made me the offer that day, you forced me to confront my deepest feelings, the ones I’ve buried and locked away inside me for almost ten years. I didn’t know how much I actually cared for her until you forced my hand. But because of y
ou, I now know the truth. She could possibly become one of the most important people in my life. She makes me feel more alive and happy than I’d remember ever feeling. I would never do anything to hurt her. So thank you for making me face this reality.”

Tears streamed down my face as I digested Dean’s words. I had wanted to believe that he had genuine feelings toward me, but a part of me wouldn’t let myself believe it. But now, hearing his words, his real feelings were confirmed, and I felt a surge of happiness grow inside me.

“You’ve really disappointed me, Dean. I thought you had the potential for greatness. But you’re just another pussy-whipped fool. Now get the fuck out of my office! Tell your partners at the firm that after this acquisition deal is said and done, don’t ever expect another piece of business from us.” 

I heard Dean storm out of the office.

“Fuck!” Trent screamed as a pile of papers flew across the room. Then he picked up his phone. “Jane, cancel all my meetings today. I’m taking the rest of the day off and heading to the golf course. I need to get away. You can take the rest of the day off too after you’ve cleared my calendar.”

***

I waited an extra thirty minutes after I heard Trent leave before opening the conference room. I walked past Jane’s cubicle, which was in front of Trent’s office, and found that she had also left for the day.

Against my better judgment, I opened Trent’s office door and snuck inside. After that conversation I just overheard between Trent and Dean, I knew there was something Trent wasn’t telling me
, and I was going to find out what it was. I needed to know why he had tried to recruit Dean to sleep with me.

I
began to rummage through every drawer and cabinet, looking for something—anything—that’d tell me what Trent had against me.

Just as I was about to give up, my hand hit a large envelope in the back of the bottom cabinet of his credenza. I immediately pulled the envelope out. It was a letter-size interoffice manila envelop that was closed by a red string. The only thing written on the envelope in bold was “Trent Parker.” I knew that I was invading Trent’s privacy, but after everything I’d overheard just moments ago, I knew I needed to get to the bottom of things. I needed to find out the truth. That was the most important to me at that moment.

Before I could change my mind, I opened the envelope and took out its contents. There were only a few documents, but the two that caught my eye was a letter and a birth certificate.

I looked at the birth certificate first.

“What the hell?” I whispered.

My father’s and Beth’s names were listed under “Parents’ Names” and March 12, 1983 was listed as the “Date of Birth.” This document looked like it was Trent’s birth certificate, except there was one problem.

Under “Sex” on the birth certificate, it didn’t say male. It said
female
.

What does this mean?

Confusion and shock whirled inside as I flipped to the other document that caught my eye—the letter. It was a handwritten letter from Trent’s mother.

My dearest Trent,

By the time you read this letter, I will have already left this world. Please do not be sad for me. Know that I will always love you. Know that ever since you were put in my arms that day you were born, everything I’ve done have been for you. There’s no one else in this world that I love more than you. Please do not ever forget that. Please try to remember that as you read through this letter. 

So there is a secret I’ve been hiding from you.
 

I hope you can understand how difficult the situation was for me, and I really hope you do not hate me for keeping this from you. It is a secret that I’ve kept since you were seven. It was the last thing a mother wanted to hear and I had to make a choice, and I choose you.
 It is a secret that a part of me wanted to take with me to my grave. But after a lot of thought, I realized that you deserve to know. You have the right to know the truth. 

Your father doesn’t know the secret. We were already divorced and living apart by that point and he was too busy with Parker, Inc. and his new daughter Blair to care. I am telling you now through this letter because I want you to know. I am also leaving it up to you to decide what you want to do with this information. Whatever you decide to do, know that I’m behind you 100%.
 

Trent, when I was in labor the day you were born, there were complications and I had lost a lot of blood. I had to be rushed into surgery immediately after I gave birth. They were also short staffed that night at the hospital and my nurse was delivering two babies at the same time. In all the chaos, she made a huge mistake. It was a mistake that changed our lives forever.
 When you were born, she put the wrong tag on you. She told us you were my baby. But it wasn’t until you feel off your bike when you were seven and needed surgery that they discovered an inconsistency in your files. After some digging, the hospital told me that you were not my son. They told me that you were switched at birth and belonged to another family. I was in shock and was beyond devastated by the news. They gave me the number to the other family. I waited several weeks before calling that family and after many long discussions over the phone, we made a choice. It was a very hard choice, but I believe it was the right one. We decided to keep the child we’d been given, the child we’d loved for the seven years, the only child we knew of. We decided to keep it a secret and keep it from you and the other child. The hospital sent us the corrected birth certificate as well as document with the other baby’s information. I’ve included both documents with this letter in case you ever wanted to reveal this secret. 

Trent, I love you very much. Please believe that. No matter where you came from, I will always be your mother, and you will always be my child.
 

Love always,

Your mother

Beth Preston
 

I reread the letter three times before the words finally sunk in.

Trent wasn’t my half brother. We weren’t related at all. Now everything seemed to make sense. That day at the funeral—that day when Trent and my relationship changed, that day when he became a complete stranger to me—that was the day when he found out the truth about this secret about his life. Was this why he’d been so cold to me since her death? Was this why he’d been trying so hard to get rid of me?

“He was switched at birth,” I whispered.

My body tightened as I flipped through the remaining papers and found the document I was looking for: the document containing the other baby’s information. An audible
gasp escaped my lips as I read the document.

I didn’t have a half-brother after all. I had a half-
sister
.

“I have a sister.” My voice came out in a soft whisper, and it sounded foreign to me.

I felt a mixture of shock, excitement, and happiness as the idea of having a big sister sunk in. A wistful smile spread across my face as my
eyes focused on the birth name listed on the document. This was my sister’s name.

Katherine Fox
.