“I like this place. It’s fun and the food is great—and, of course, the company is top-notch.” She flashed him a flirty smile and Chase smiled back.
“I would have taken you to Abacus or the Mansion at Turtle Creek, someplace like that, but I didn’t want you to think I was trying to seduce you.”
One of her eyebrows went up. “Really? You didn’t think I’d want to be seduced?”
For a moment, heat glittered in his dark eyes. He let go of her hand as if touching her was too much of a temptation.
“There’s nothing I want more than to take you to bed,” he said. “Believe me, angel, one night with you wasn’t nearly enough. But there are things that need to happen first.”
“Like what?”
“If we’re going to see each other, I don’t want to lie about it. I’m not willing to sneak around so your father won’t find out. It isn’t fair to either one of us.”
“I told you before, my father doesn’t run my life.”
“No? What do you think he’d say if he found out you were seeing me?”
She glanced away. Her dad would go ballistic.
“Listen, honey, this thing with your father needs to be resolved before we can move forward. Once that happens, our relationship can take its natural course.”
She mulled that over. Chase seemed really serious. She knew her feelings for him ran deep, but she had no idea he felt the same way. Her heart swelled. Maybe there was hope for them yet.
“I’ve got an idea,” she said, not sure it was a good one. “My father’s birthday party is tomorrow night. He expects me to bring a date. I was trying to decide who to invite, but there wasn’t anyone special I wanted to take, so I’ve been putting it off. Why don’t you come with me? I mean, if...if you’re serious about resolving this thing with my dad.”
Something moved across his features, then it was gone. “You’d be willing to do that?”
“If you think it’s a good idea.”
He took hold of her hand once more. “All right. Let’s do it. Since it’s your dad’s birthday, I’ll bring him something special, some kind of peace offering. Maybe he’ll at least be willing to accept the idea of us seeing each other.”
Harper’s mind spun. She could hardly believe it. Chase wanted her father to accept their relationship. He was willing to try to make peace. They could see each other openly. Her heart soared. She wanted that so badly.
“It’s black-tie,” she said. “It’s always quite an event. A place on the guest list is highly prized.”
His mouth curved into a smile. “There’s a good chance he’ll have me thrown out.”
“He won’t do that. You’re Bass Garrett’s son. You and your brothers own Garrett Resources. You’re members of the Dallas elite. Having you at the party enhances his social status. That means everything to my father.”
Chase nodded. “All right, then.” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed the back. Goose bumps feathered over her skin. “What time shall I pick you up?”
“The party starts at eight. We don’t want to get there too early.”Just in case.She didn’t believe her father would make a scene, but it would be safer if the guests were already there before they arrived.
“I’ll be at your place at eight thirty. It’ll take us a while to get there.” He rose from his chair, walked around and helped her up. “Since seducing you tonight isn’t an option, I’d better take you home. You, angel, are one helluva temptation.”
And then he was walking her outside to the valet stand, holding open the door to his silver Mercedes and helping her slide into the passenger seat. At her town house, he walked her up on the porch.
“Are you sure you don’t want to come in for a nightcap?”
Chase pulled her into his arms, bent his head and kissed her deeply. “Baby, if you had any idea how much I want to spend the night with you, you wouldn’t need to ask. Let’s get through this and get things settled. After that, you’ll be lucky if I let you out of bed.”
Harper laughed. She leaned up and kissed him. “I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
Chase looked at her for several long seconds. “Good night, angel,” he said softly, then waited for her to close and lock the door before he headed back to his car.
Harper grinned as she walked into her bedroom. She had tried to convince herself she wasn’t in love with Chase Garrett, but it wasn’t the truth.
For the first time since her return to Dallas, she was beginning to think there was a chance he might be falling in love with her, too.
