I can see that he loves being with the kids, so I’m surprised he hasn’t had a family of his own. I’m sure he would make a great dad. But I put it out of my mind before my thoughts wander to places they have no business being.
As we pull into Greenwich, the streets widen, lined with towering oaks and driveways so long they disappear into the trees. The air seems quieter here, like even the wind knows not to make too much noise. When Chase turns onto a long, curved drive, my eyes pop. Austen’s house is an architecturalmasterpiece—glass and steel framed by ivy-covered stone, its towering windows reflecting the golden glow of lantern-lit pillars.
As Chase parks, he leans over, his voice low. “When the kids are asleep, they usually come out to grab them and take them up to bed.” Sure enough, Austen and his wife are already coming down the front steps as soon as he switches off the engine. Austen’s wife moves fast, her curly hair pulled into a low knot, barefoot like she’s been settling in for the night. Austen murmurs something to her, and they split off—he goes to Chase’s side, while she opens my door with a quiet smile. “Hey, Violet, I’m Casey,” she whispers, waving at me. “Thanks for looking after the little monsters—we’ll meet properly another time.” Up close, she bears a striking resemblance to Lillie, making me instantly warm to her. “Anytime,” I whisper back. Austen gives me a quick wave as he carefully gathers Santi. Before they disappear back to the house, Austen whispers to Chase, “Devlin said he thinks he’s found some good leads. We’ll speak about it later.” Chase nods, patting him lightly on the back.
“Looks like I’ve got you all to myself now,” Chase murmurs, pulling me in for a kiss that gets hot and heavy way too quickly.
“Fuck, we need to get out of here before I can’t stop,” Chase murmurs, his voice hoarse. “Luckily, my house is only a ten-minute drive.”
“Your house,” I say with confusion. “I thought you had an apartment in Central Park South?”
“I do, but I also have a house here. Not many people know that.
“I guess not.” I swallow thickly, suddenly feeling way out of my comfort zone.
“Don’t look so scared, Violet. It’s only a house.
Nerves dance in my belly as we approach another magnificent driveway, entering through a high wrought-iron gate. The gardens that line the drive are immaculate with hedges and blooms that seem almost unreal, like I’ve stepped into a luxury real estate magazine. Obviously, Chase’s version ofonly a houseis very different from mine. The house’s traditional stone exterior is beautifully contrasted by the stylish modern interior. The large glass windows are the first thing I notice; so expansive that they give the entire house an open, airy feel, like it’s blended with the outside world. From the lounge, I gape in awe through the floor-to-ceiling glass at the outside pool, which is lit up, its water shimmering like liquid silver beneath the soft glow of the surrounding lights.
Chase sidles up behind me, resting his hands on my waist. He sweeps my hair to the side, peppering soft kisses on my neck. “We’ll have a drink out there if you like it?”
“It’s okay, I guess.” I feign indifference, fighting a grin. “I mean, you could have made it bigger.” Hell, he could have been staying here, and instead, he’s been sharing my twin bed at my shoebox apartment. The man is certifiable.
“I’ll bear that in mind for next time.” A rush of heat spreads to my core when his fingers brush under my shirt, tingles erupting where his fingers trail. “Red or white,” he breathes in my ear as I lose myself in his touch.
“Huh?”
“Wine.” I feel his smile against my shoulder.
“Oh, of course, white,” I stutter, kicking my brain back into gear. He kisses my cheek softly before sliding open the huge glass patio doors, letting in the evening breeze. “Go play while I get the drinks.”
It’s a beautiful, balmy evening as I step out, looking up at a clear sky full of stars. I head straight to the pool’s edge, rollingup my jeans so I can dangle my legs in. For this time of day, it’s surprisingly warm.
“You want to swim, Violet?” Chase reappears, setting a glass of wine beside me, and sits down. “It’s heated,” he adds, the corner of his mouth lifting into a smile that promises nothing but trouble. He peels his shirt over his head in one fluid motion, revealing a golden stretch of skin that gleams under the moonlight.
“W-what are you doing?” I stammer.
“Swimming with you.” His gaze holds mine as he downs his wine in one smooth swallow.
“I don’t have a swimsuit.”
His smile darkens as he works the button on his jeans loose. “You don’t need one, Violet. No one will see you here.”
I arch a brow, humor curling in my tone. “What if a helicopter flies past?”
His head rocks back with a laugh. “Then they’ll get one hell of a view of your beautiful body.” The zipper slides down, and the jeans fall away, leaving him wearing nothing but a Rolex—and the depths of depravity swirling in his eyes. The pool lights bathe him in a ghostly blue shimmer, tracing every cut of muscle, every perfect line. And between his thighs—God help me—he’s thick, heavy, and already hardening beneath my gaze.
I barely register the cool spray of water as he dives in, cutting through the pool with long, powerful strokes. He circles back, pushing through the water toward me. Before I can react, his wet body surges up between my thighs.
I yelp softly, desire skipping along my skin as he presses against my jeans, soaking me through. Water glistens on his lashes as he drags a hand through his dark hair, muscles flexing on either side of me. He picks up my wineglass, curling my fingers around the stem. “Drink,” he orders.
The glass is cold against my lips, the citrusy tang sliding smoothly across my tongue. I swallow the wine in one go, but it does nothing to cool the heat licking up my spine.
The second I set the glass down, he moves.
His fingers hook into the waistband of my jeans.
“These need to come off.”
