Sandra Panting - About Last Summer

He released her and she sat up adjusting her dress, which had ridden up dangerously high. That was another reason he’d let her go. The last thing he needed was more temptation.

“Well,” she said, her voice less than steady. “It’s getting late, and I’d better get to bed.” Then slanting him a sly look, she added, “Unless you care to join me?”

Chapter Three

Chase’s beer suddenly lodged in his throat.

Natalie’s expression grew decidedly abashed. “Sorry,” she said, her hands moving in a confused gesture. “I wasn’t thinking.”

Chase forced fresh air into his lungs. “Natalie,” he began, although his rational thought process was in serious jeopardy. Thoughts of telling her what a bad idea that was spun through his mind, although thoughts of agreeing to her offer were just as prominent. Maybe even more so.

“I know, I know,” she interrupted, saving him from having to form some sort of intelligent reply. “Don’t worry. I didn’t mean it.” With a rueful smile, she added, “I guess I’ll just say goodnight.”

His heart pulsed as she walked up the stairs, and it wasn’t until she disappeared from view that he realized he hadn’t moved. Still stunned, he carried their beer bottles into the kitchen.

Of course she was joking, he assured himself pouring the remaining amber liquid down the drain. Even if she wanted to make love with him again, she wouldn’t be so foolish as to carry on right under Patrick’s nose. But he couldn’t deny he’d been tempted. He was still tempted.

Without conscious thought his gaze strayed into the now vacant living room, which led to Natalie’s room.

You can’t. You just can’t.

Forcing his thoughts away from the tempting woman upstairs, he focused on shutting off the lights and purposely heading downstairs.

*****

The following morning Natalie berated herself for the way she ended her ‘date’ with Chase. How stupid could she be sassing him like that? Last night she’d been overcome with the most insane urge to push his buttons, but today the quaking in her stomach reminded her of how easily she could get caught in the same trap.

It also didn’t help that her mom had chosen today of all days to come into the office. Usually it was only Natalie, and her mother’s other assistant who did the actual work. Doris typically only worked on a consultation basis and as the occasional personal favor for a friend.

Today, however, Doris hovered around offering advice, which usually went something like, “Did you check with the caterers about the changes in the Bryants’ wedding? No? Well, I would have thought you would have called already, but I’m sure you know best.” Or “Is that the color for Patricia Myers’ dress? I mean with her red hair don’t you think pink is a bit much?”

Needless to say by the time lunch rolled around, Natalie’s jaw hurt from clamping her mouth shut. Needing to expel some pent up energy she left Hill Tower Drive, and took her lunch to Beacon Park. Beacon Park was one of Baker Hill’s larger parks. It boasted a carillon, a park pavilion, and a gazebo, which was one of Baker Hill’s more popular places to host a wedding.

After finding a parking space near the playground and picnic area, Natalie found a bench under a shady tree where she could watch children enjoying the sunny day. The recently remodeled play area had a variety of playground equipment, and it even boasted a water feature. A few of the younger boys were dipping their feet into the small pool of water, although some of the older children were taking a more daring approach. Several bikes crisscrossed paths as the children pedaled through the trail of water, while onlookers enjoyed the effect of spraying liquid from the bikes’ wheels.

The older children’s antics reminded her of something Patrick and his friends might have done when they were younger. Amusing herself with that thought, she managed a smile. Who couldn’t help but feel joy sitting outside on a glorious summer afternoon watching the neighborhood children engage in the age-old childhood tradition of playing at the park?

Purposely keeping thoughts of Chase at bay, she continued to watch the children while she ate. But after clearing away the remains of her lunch, she had nothing left to distract her from why she lunched alone. She needed to figure out what to do about Chase.

The only clear solution was to stay as far away from him as possible, but she needed to be subtle about it so as to not tip off Patrick. Last night proved how easily she could be drawn into another affair and she couldn’t, wouldn’t, flat out refused to go through that again.

Walking away from him last year had been sheer hell, and when he didn’t try to stop her it further confirmed what she suspected all along. He didn’t want a relationship. He wanted a plaything.

Well, that description wasn’t exactly fair. Chase had been going through his own hell not knowing if his father would recover, and his squabbling family hadn’t helped. He had tried to continue working, but racing between Baker Hill and New York had proven to be too much. Eventually he took some time off, and moved into one of the properties he was remodeling. Which is where they spent time together, and she had provided him with the distraction he needed to keep going.

Although their time together hadn’t been just about sex. They often spent hours just talking and she knew Chase truly did care about her. She’d never have gone along with their affair otherwise, but she’d also known their relationship wasn’t going to last. Chase never told her his true feelings concerning relationships, but given he never instigated such conversations she felt it safe to assume he preferred to maintain a certain distance.

Knowing her mental review of ancient history wasn’t solving her problems she finished off her Diet Coke. The only solution that seemed even close to feasible was to remain as busy as possible, which would decrease her chances of being alone with him.

It wasn’t the most ingenious plan, but wasn’t there a saying that claimed simple solutions were often the best? Simple was good. Losing control of her heart was bad. Besides, she liked simple. Easy to remember, easy to execute. Yes, keeping things simple seemed like her best option; besides, what other choice did she have?

*****

Pausing, Chase eyed the ceiling of the almost completed living room. His crew had done well, but then they always did. He wouldn’t have them working for him otherwise.

The heels of his boots clicked on the wood floors as he toured the remaining rooms. The house was located in one of the more affluent areas of Baker Hill overlooking Beacon Park. The project was scheduled for completion within the next week, and the house was due to be listed the week after. While Chase traveled his business manager usually handled the details, but now that he was in town, Chase wanted to be more involved.

In the past his business manager would line up a buyer before Chase made the actual investment. Although this time they didn’t have an actual buyer in mind. It made turning over the property a bit trickier, but he felt confident this house would sell fairly quickly. And if it didn’t, well, he’d been through that before, too.

However, he may change his mind about listing so soon. There was something about this house he found welcoming, almost as if it filled an empty place in his heart he hadn’t even realized was there. Getting sentimental over any property was the worst thing any serious real estate flipper could do, as it was difficult to make money if he was reluctant to let go.

But everything about this house, from the detailing in the woodwork to the high ceilings, even the large windows that offered amazing views of the nearby park, gave the feeling of coming home after a long day. But what was even more unsettling, he could almost imagine Natalie living here with him.