Sandra Panting - About Last Summer

Just one quick drink, then he’d go downstairs.

Simple, right?

She returned with two beers and handed him one. “I really liked your friend,” she said, tucking her dress under her as she dropped onto the opposite side of the couch.

And now she wanted to talk about the evening. Score two.

“Yeah, well, Drake is usually full of enough bull to be entertaining.” Keeping things light seemed like a good approach. It might even distract him from this whole man/woman being alone thing.

“Are you trying to tell me he made up that story about you and that Asian woman?”

Obviously she felt comfortable enough with the situation to tease him. Was that good or bad? Most likely it was bad considering her smile was wreaking havoc with his keeping things light theory.

“Of all the stories he told you tonight, you would have to remember that one.” Chase had forgotten Drake had repeated that tale. Although, thankfully Drake had kept the humiliating details to a minimum.

Her easy laughter washed over him, her blue-green eyes alight with humor. Growing more somber, her expression turned thoughtful.

“I’ve been wondering about something,” she said, inclining her head to one side.

“And what’s that?” He couldn’t tell by her tone if he should be worried or not, but it didn’t hurt to be prepared.

“Well, I realize this is probably none of my business – ” Oh, yeah, he should definitely worry. “– but I was wondering why you decided to stay until the wedding. Not that I mind,” she interjected, “I just thought it a bit odd you took a whole month off.”

Realizing this was what Drake had warned him about, Chase had a ready answer, and what was better it was almost the truth.

“I haven’t taken a vacation in a while, so why not?” He shrugged.

Natalie nodded as the subtle lighting from a nearby lamp highlighted the reddish tones in her hair.

“You can’t really call your last trip home a vacation, can you?” An understanding smile played across her mouth.

His last trip home had been anything but a vacation due to Chase’s concern over his father’s car crash. Although the erotic nights he spent with Natalie had been a much needed diversion during those stressful days, however his interest in her wasn’t purely sexual. After all, she was an intelligent, successful woman, but until he sorted out his life he needed to keep his distance. For both of their sakes.

Her bottle settled on the coffee table with a soft click. “Do you think Patrick suspects anything about us?” she asked, her elbow resting on the back cushions slightly squashing it with her weight.

“Well, considering he invited me to stay, I’d have to say the answer is no.” Chase hoped she’d let the conversation end there. He didn’t want to talk about the possibility of losing one of his best friends. Or the fact that he’d gone against said best friend’s wishes by taking Natalie to bed.

“That’s kind of what I thought, too.” She studied her pink painted fingernails. “Although to hear the way he talks to Mom and Dad – ”

The remainder of the sentence hung in the air unfinished as she shook her head.

Curious as to what Patrick might have said, Chase asked, “What does he say to your parents?”

“I probably shouldn’t say anything, but since I’ve already opened my mouth I might as well tell you.” With a touch of self-reproach, she said, “Mom and Dad weren’t exactly thrilled when Patrick invited you to stay after I’d already moved in.”

“In other words they don’t want me near you.” That was hardly news.

“Basically.” She picked up her beer. “But I wouldn’t worry. Patrick stuck up for you, and so did I.”

Natalie had discussed him with her parents? Interesting. “You did?”

“Of course. They don’t know you and I do. But don’t worry. I didn’t give away anything.”

Her simply worded statement struck an uneasy chord. Although he’d been the one to suggest they keep their relationship a secret, she never suggested otherwise.

Choosing to let her remark pass, he asked, “So what are the odds of Patrick giving me the third degree when he gets home?”

“He’d better not.” She rolled her eyes as she picked at the label on her bottle. Bits of the label flaked off, but Natalie appeared to not notice. “I told him I don’t need a chaperon.”

“That’s true, but when you say something like that it sounds like there’s something going on and you’re telling him it isn’t any of his business,” he felt obligated to point out.

“Well, it isn’t,” she said.

“And you have to admit he has good reason to worry.” That was something that was probably better left unsaid, but it was the truth. And they both knew it.

“Chase,” she said, leveling him with a look, her mouth quirking into a slight smile. “What are you trying to do? Warn me that you’re after my virtue, or whatever they call it?” She appeared amused. “Don’t you think I’ve already figured that out for myself?”

Appreciating the fact that she could see the humor in this situation, he matched her amused smile. “Is that what you think happened last year?”

“No. What I think happened last year was a whole lot more fun.”

Her tone was full of sass, and her eyes sparkled with a hint of invitation. However, he wasn’t the type of guy to get all bent out of shape over a bit of light-hearted flirting. He could keep the situation in perspective, although given their history if she continued they could have a problem.

But he’d play along. For now.

“Now I know why Patrick worries,” he said, matching her flippant tone.

Merriment shone in her eyes as she opened her mouth as if to further sass him, but evidently she changed her mind and instead took another sip of her beer.

Eyeing her suspiciously, he asked, “What are you thinking?”

“You don’t want to know.” She tried unsuccessfully to hide a grin, but Chase knew her game. And yes, he probably shouldn’t be encouraging her, or himself for that matter, but he couldn’t resist. Besides, he wasn’t one to back down from a challenge.

“You know there are ways to make you talk.” He set aside his beer and playfully lunged at her. Natalie shrieked with laughter as she tried to avoid his hands, but she wasn’t quick enough.

“You probably shouldn’t do that,” she said, after he trapped her against the cushions. “What are you going to do if Patrick comes home?”

“I thought you weren’t worried about Patrick,” he taunted. Leaning closer, his mouth inches from hers, he asked, “So you want to tell me more about how much fun you had last year?”

Chase knew for the most part she was just playing around, but he also knew he couldn’t take this game much further. It would take very little for him to close the remaining distance between them, and silence that sassy mouth with a heart-stopping kiss.

But Natalie clearly wasn’t willing to concede defeat as her eyes widened. “Why? Can’t you remember?”

Chase knew an invitation when he heard one, and Natalie’s words were special delivery. Did that mean she wanted him to kiss her? Well, considering the challenging look in her eyes that was exactly what she wanted, but he had a few tricks of his own. He dropped his hand to her waist then tickled her. Her laughter filled the room as they wrestled on the couch.

“OK, OK,” she said between giggles. “I give.”

“You sure?” He stopped tickling, but didn’t release her although he was going to have to soon. Her squirming beneath him had his hormones revved up; much more and he wouldn’t care what Patrick thought.

“I’m sure.”

He eyed her, not sure if he could trust her to not continue sassing him, but he did need to let her go. He was approaching the point of no return, and he couldn’t afford to forget where they were. Having Patrick walk in on them would not further Chase’s cause.