One to Chase (One to Hold 7)

Taking my hand back, I don’t say more. I skip out and make my way to Sylvia’s condo. Sylvia’s asleep. Of course she is—it’s after midnight.

Closing my bedroom door, I’m hit with a mixture of relief and loss. I don’t want him back—I didn’t even want him in Chicago. With a shuddering inhale, I face the truth. God, all I want is Marcus.

I allow my dress to slide from my shoulders, leaving me completely nude. Eyes closed, my head rocks from too much champagne. But not more than enough—all my memories are intact, and I remember vividly where my panties are.

Will he go home with her? Can he possibly sleep with her after what we did? My guts churn with the idea that he might touch her, kiss her, make her come. Tears flood my eyes, despite how hard I try to fight them. He could very well do that. I’ve seen men act one way and just as quickly shut off the feelings they swear are so real.

I’ve witnessed betrayal firsthand.

Pushing through the blankets, I curl into a ball and allow the tears to fall. I want to believe him so much, but everything in me fights against allowing him to possess me.

His words filter back, haunting me. Just try.

Eyes closed, my brain continues to sway, and my dreams float to a boat beneath Lake Michigan, to the best weekend of my life.

* * *

Marcus

I’m back in my “ridiculous” office, but Amy’s not here. I’m not sure where I stand with her. I said I wouldn’t force her. Hell, I said I wouldn’t chase her, and then I took off from the gala after her like a lion on a gazelle. I’ve given up trying to figure out which of my declarations are true and which are total bullshit.

What I do know is Paige will be here any minute, and I intend to tell her it’s over. I’m done. She doesn’t need my help anymore. Karen has called off the smear campaign, and I’m ready to go back to what I was doing before our detour—securing Amy at my side. Showing her she can trust me. She’s safe with me. She’s everything I want.

We’re both caged in this society bullshit, but at the same time, she couldn’t be more separate. She fights their pretensions and wins with easy transparency. What you see is what you get, and it’s stellar and amazing. She turns heads without even trying. It’s the only reason I can fathom they hate her.

I intend to protect her from them.

“Paige Goldfarb to see you.” Charity’s voice chirps through my musings.

“Send her back.” I wake my computer and click through our new and improved website.

It’s smooth and incredibly streamlined, considering all the new images and information we added. It’s seamless. Each page leads logically to the next. I can’t help wondering if she really plans to return to finance, and if she does, will she leave the city? I will not let that happen.

Paige breezes into my office wearing a slim-fit navy sheath dress with cap sleeves. She’s the picture of conformity—except for the snakeskin needlepoint heels. I can’t stop a grin at her sheer command of the situation. Amy would love Paige. I’m sure of it—if I could only explain everything to her, which I gave my word I wouldn’t.

Paige sits for a moment in silence. A frown crosses her brow, and I decide to own what happened. “Sorry for being out of the loop Saturday night.”

“That’s one way to put it.” She’s in the mustard leather chair across from me, and her frown softens into humorous chastisement.

My door is open, so I don’t get too specific. “Where do we stand?”

She smiles. “I’d say your work here is done.”

“Really?” My eyebrow arches. “I confess. I never had much faith in your plan.”

“Don’t underestimate the power of humiliation.” I catch a glimpse of the annoyance she brought with her, and I backpedal.

“I didn’t have time to consider how it might look for you.”

“You mean your dramatic exit followed by the return of Miss Knight looking thoroughly... manhandled? Why should you consider me?”

Standing I go to the door and quickly push it shut. “You’re saying everyone knows what happened?”

“I don’t know about everyone, but the people who mattered had a fairly easy time putting two and two together.”

With a deep exhale, I drop into my chair. “I’m sorry I let you down.”

When she said my work was done, I’d assumed it was because she’d been accepted. Instead of storming around in anger, however, she leans back and smiles.