Clattering noises sounded as the other mover rolled up the door at the back of the truck, pulled out the metal ramp, and retrieved a dolly. He set empty boxes and packing tape at the back of the truck, and everyone but Bill grabbed some of each. Bill was busy catching Bella as she hurried up the ramp. He told Chase he’d put the cat inside his house so she didn’t get moved along with Jade’s furniture. Chase took a good look up and down the street. Not seeing Ragsdale or anyone suspicious, he joined Jade, Bob, and the movers inside the house.
“Jade?” Chase called.
“In my bedroom.”
Chase found her standing at the end of her bed, hands on her hips and brows knitted together. “What’s wrong?”
“My grandfather’s trunk is gone.”
Chase clearly remembered the sentimental trunk and recalled her saying it was one of the few things she’d brought with her from California. He couldn’t think of a single reason it would be missing except for one. “Franco Spatafore has it.”
Looking up at him, she asked, “Why would he take my trunk?”
“He’s holding it hostage instead of your car. Fewer repercussions. What was in it?”
“Every gift from my grandfather. Whenever he gave me something, he’d always say it was because I was the best thing since sliced bread. I didn’t know what that meant, so one day I asked him. He explained that in his grandparents’ day, store-bought bread didn’t come sliced.” A small smile touched her lips. “Then he said it meant he loved me more than anyone or anything in the whole, wide world.” She swallowed hard and continued, “A pink dress my mother handmade for me when I was two was in the trunk too. It was the dress I was wearing in the framed photo of the three of us.” They both looked to the chest of drawers, and Jade’s shoulders sagged. “He stole the photo too.”
“Son of a bitch,” Chase muttered and pulled her into his arms.
“He’ll put a spin on why he took my things when I ask for them.”
“I’ll ask him, Jade.”
She looked up at him. “Chase, a few inches higher or lower, and that bullet he fired could have hit you in the head or heart instead of your arm.”
“Wonder if he’s realized any of those bullets could have hit you too?” Chase asked. Easing her back, he placed his hands on her beautiful face and answered his own question, “Of course he has. He’s so psychotically obsessed that if he can’t have you, neither can I.”
“I was hoping we’d be done with him today.”
“He’s made sure we’re not done with him now, so don’t let your guard down.”
“I won’t,” she said and looked around the bedroom. “Let’s take inventory of the house.”
They didn’t find anything else missing and returned to her bedroom to work. Wanting her out of the house as soon as possible, Chase and Bob carried her mattress and box springs out to the moving van. Bob offered to help pack up the kitchen as the movers wrapped pads around lamps and breakables. Chase took her bed apart as Jade packed things from her chest of drawers into boxes.
“Hey, bring those over here,” Chase said, setting the footboard against the wall as she dangled red panties at him.
“I’ve been lacking panties at your ranch, think I’ll hold on to ‘em.”
She dropped them, along with several other pairs, into a box. When she teased him with bits and pieces of black lace, he stacked the headboard against the footboard and grabbed the underwear before she could drop them into the box with the others.
“I want to see you in these.”
“I have black thigh-highs to go with this bra and G-string, all of which I’ve yet to wear,” she said. Reaching into a drawer, she pulled silky stockings out of a fancy package. “You’ll be the first one to see me in them.”
“Theonlyone to see you in them.”
“The only one?” she teased, eyes wide and brows lifting.
“Yeah.” Holding onto the bra and panties with his right hand, he placed both hands on her narrow waist. Playfully backing her against the chest of drawers, he whispered in her ear, “The first, last, and only.”
“The first, last, and only,” she said breathlessly.
Despite the others in the house, Chase felt heated blood pounding into his loins. Damn, he wished they were alone. Jade twined her arms around his neck, letting the thigh-highs float down his back. She stood on tiptoes, molding her soft breasts to his chest. Tilting her chin up, her lips parted and glistened. His mouth came down on hers in a sizzling kiss, his tongue playing with hers. Sliding his hands from her waist to her rounded bottom, he gave her fanny a squeeze and groaned in near pain.
“Let’s wrap this up and go home, buttercup.”
“Boss?” Bob asked from down the hallway leading to the bedroom.
