L.A. Cinderella Read online

  Her eyelids lifted. His eyes smiled down at her.

  “Don’t you have a roommate?” His voice was husky and deep. It sent shivers down her spine.

  “Rachel?”

  “Much as I love the camera, I don’t want to put on a show tonight. I want you all to myself.” His fingertip traced the curve of her ear.

  “Oh.” His words penetrated the fog invading her mind. “She’s out tonight.” The smell of rain and his woodsy scent overwhelmed her nose. It coursed down her body to settle in her belly.

  “Where’s your room, Natalie?” His teeth nipped the tender skin of her jaw, and her pulse leapt. The desire reflected in his gaze finally broke through the fog.

  She turned within his arms. His hand lifted her hair from her neck, and his mouth caressed the back of her neck. If his arm hadn’t been around her, she would have melted into a puddle at his feet.

  “Room?” His warm breath fanned the nape of her neck.

  Right, room. She led him into the living room. He’d mercifully lifted his head from his torment of her neck, giving her some space to think. His arm remained around her waist. The backs of his fingers skimmed down the side of her breast.

  She stopped in her tracks. Her breath caught in her throat at the whisper of a touch, and she leaned back into the warmth of his chest. A drop of water splattered on her forehead.

  His finger brushed away the drop. “I could use another towel.”

  This was really happening. Chase was in her living room, touching and kissing her. Not just in her mind or on the screen. Screen? Her gaze darted to the TV still paused on Chase’s face.

  The red-hot lava of embarrassment filled her cheeks even as pools of liquid fire gathered between her thighs and his mouth worked down the side of her neck again. Maybe he wouldn’t notice.

  “Not the best still frame, but definitely a good scene.” His breath was hot against her neck as he spoke.

  So much for hoping he wouldn’t notice. Normally, she’d wish for the floor to swallow her whole, but she didn’t want to be out of Chase’s arms for one second. “I think that’s one of your best smiles.”

  His mouth curved into a smile as he dropped a kiss on her lips.

  “I stand corrected,” Natalie said as she struggled to control her breathing. “That is your best smile.”

  He leaned down until his lips were next to her ear. “You ain’t seen nothing yet.”

  His hand trailed from her waist to cup her breast. Her nipples hardened, and she fought to control her breathing. His body was hard against her back. She completely forgot the TV as urgency filled her. Her body pulsed.

  His thumb stroked her nipple through her damp pajama top. His other hand relinquished her hip and worked on the buttons of her top. Her hands found his hips, something solid to cling to as desire pulled her farther down. When the top few buttons were undone, his hand slipped inside. His flesh brushed against her nipple. Warmth pooled between her legs.

  “Natalie.” Her name was a growl upon his lips.

  Her shirt fell open when he finished with the buttons. His hands brushed the shirt down her arms and it slid to the floor. His mouth caressed the sensitive area between her neck and her shoulder.

  His hands stroked back up her arms. She was beyond lost. Any doubts she may have felt went up in smoke. She turned in his arms.

  Looking down into liquid pools of chocolate, Chase shuddered at the trust and longing revealed there. Gently he removed her glasses and set them on the table next to him. Unable to resist the parting of her lips, he lowered his mouth to hers, taking his time to savor the sweet taste of her.

  He lifted his head and yanked his shirt over his head. Pulling her tight against his chest, he rejoiced in the feeling of her flesh sliding against his, but it wasn’t enough.

  His hands smoothed over her back down to the waistband of her pajamas. They were hardly the sexy lingerie he’d had the pleasure to see and remove, but somehow the tiny kitten print on cotton suited Natalie.

  She rested her head against his hammering heart. Her hands wrapped around his back. Her fingers were tentative on the top of his jeans, but her touch left a trail of fire. Damn it, he wanted to get her to a bed. He wanted to be everything she desired, but she didn’t seem to care where they were, which enflamed his desire for her more.

  His hands slipped below her waistband, curving over her bottom and pulling her tight against his arousal. Her fingernails scraped his lower back, and a shiver rippled down his spine.

  Her fingers found their way below his waistband. Unable to deny himself any longer, he held her shoulders to push her away. She gazed up at him as he lifted her to meet his mouth. Her legs wrapped around his waist.

  The center of her rubbed intimately against his arousal as his mouth caressed hers. His tongue touched her lips and she opened them, greeting his tongue with hers.

  Natalie felt as if she were falling as his shoulders bunched under her fingers. As he lowered her to the floor, his smooth skin warmed under her touch. The carpeting brushed her back, and he settled on top of her.

  His mouth never left hers as his hands returned to her waist. Pushing her bottoms off, he broke contact briefly before returning to her lips. Maybe he was worried that she’d change her mind, but she couldn’t stop this. Her hands brushed over his back to convince herself he was here and not just a dream from sugar overload.

  She reached for the buttons on his jeans. His chest brushed her tender nipples as he pushed off his pants. He reached into his pocket to pull out a condom before flinging his pants away.

  His flesh warm against hers. Her body ready and aching to know the feel of his. His hands lifted her hips. As his mouth ravished hers, his erection pressed against her opening.

  This was real. She was awake, and it was really happening. Chase was with her.

  Instinctively, her hips rocked against him, longing to draw him in. He lifted his mouth from hers and held still.

  “Open your eyes, Natalie.” His voice was on the edge of control and the complete loss of control.

  Her eyes met his and he buried himself in her. Her lips parted at the sensations pulsing within her. Again he waited until her eyes met his before he began to move within her.

  His eyes held hers as the pressure within her boiled to the breaking point. The intimacy of watching his eyes filled with want and restraint pushed her over the edge. Her eyelids fluttered as she peaked, free-falling into the abyss. But she kept her eyes open and locked with his.

  When she began to relax, he moved within her again. Sparking her sensitive flesh into a renewed fever, she gripped his shoulders and they surged together. His forehead rested against hers as his body tensed and released.

  She relished the weight of him against her as he relaxed over her. Her mind was a jumbled mess, but she knew it wouldn’t last. She’d just slept with Chase Booker, become another notch on his bedpost. Had the most intense orgasm of her life.

  She closed her eyes.

  Her arms and legs were wrapped around his sweat-slick body. He covered every inch of her. She didn’t want to move, but she could barely breathe. Holy crap, she’d had sex with Chase Booker.

  Chase lifted his weight on his forearms and looked down into Natalie’s eyes. His heart swelled in his chest at the shy smile she gave him. “So which one was your bedroom?”

  Her head rolled to the side, and she pointed to one of the doors. “That one, I think.” She squinted “It’s a bit blurry at the moment.”

  He sat up and reached over onto the table where he’d set her glasses. He stretched out beside her and lowered her glasses to her face. The blush that usually disappeared into her blouse’s neckline spread over the tops of her breasts.

  Unable to resist, he trailed his finger where the blush faded into pale skin. Her skin reddened even further. Her hand reached up to the blanket on the couch, but he caught her wrist.

  “Don’t. I like looking at you.”

  Her hand curled into a fist, but she made no
move to cover herself. Even though she was short, her body was well proportioned. Her breasts were small and unaltered. They were perfect. He traced his fingertip over the tip. The nipple puckered under his touch.

  “Shouldn’t we go to the bedroom? Or turn off a light?” Maybe he’d be willing to let her light a candle instead of having lamps on. He seemed mesmerized as his fingers trailed lower. Over her slightly rounded belly, his finger left a line of fire in its wake. The fire shot straight to her core, building her arousal again.

  They’d had sex in her living room. On the floor. She closed her eyes as embarrassment warred with desire. She wanted him to stop so they could cover up somehow, but she didn’t want him to stop what he was doing.

  His hand flattened on her stomach, and she inhaled deeply of his cologne, the rain, him. Her belly quivered as his hand dipped lower until his fingertips slipped between her thighs.

  Her breath hissed out between her teeth. His lips touched hers as his fingers gently moved over and in her. His tongue traced her lower lip as his finger circled her sex. Her fingers sank into the carpet as her body arched into his palm. Her side pressed into his warm, hard muscles.

  When he removed his hand, she whimpered with need. The condom package rustled. He covered her with his body and entered her smoothly. Her body buzzed with pent-up frustration, and her desire soared as she crested the edge again. His climax followed close behind hers, and he collapsed against her.

  She had the overwhelming urge to laugh. Her body had always been wound so tight, and now she felt as if the spring had finally broken. Her limbs were like water. She’d never been so satisfied in her life.

  When he raised his head and peered into her eyes, her breath caught. Her heart flipped, and she knew she was in trouble.

  Chapter Ten

  Light peeked through the slightly parted curtain to torment Natalie. She squeezed her eyes shut and rolled straight into a solid, warm object. A very naked solid, warm object whose very naked arm was wrapped around her very naked body.

  Cracking open her eyes, she stared at the slightly blurry image of Chase. His chest rose and fell gently. Her hand rested on his well-formed abs underneath her lavender sheets.

  Her body ached pleasantly, and she smiled as she recalled gathering up the clothes strewn across the apartment and managing to make it to the bed for round three. Her comforter was half off the bed and pillows were scattered throughout the room.

  She rested her cheek against his chest and listened to the rhythmic pace of his heart. She wished the sun would go away and leave her forever in the night with Chase. Morning meant responsibility. Morning meant work. Morning meant regret.

  As she snuggled against him, she wondered if he’d regret last night. She couldn’t. Chase had wanted her. It still seemed unfathomable, but he wanted her.

  His chest shifted under her, and his fingers lightly brushed down her hair. “Good morning.” His voice was satisfied and low. His lips touched her forehead.

  “Morning.” Should she add more? What were the expectations when someone woke in the arms of the Sexiest Man Alive? But that’s not who she’d been with last night. She’d been with Chase, just Chase. The suave heartthrob from the screen had disappeared, leaving behind the man who made her feel beautiful. Who cared enough to give her a choice. Who was flesh and blood, not just a character on a show.

  His arm tightened around her waist. “Relax. Everything will be fine.” His heartbeat increased under her ear, and she felt his growing arousal next to her thigh.

  “We should get to work,” she whispered. Her sore body flooded with heat.

  His hand slipped down to cup one of her breasts. “You’re right. We should.” His other hand reached over to the nightstand for a condom.

  She gasped as he shifted her on top of him. His full arousal rested against the junction of her legs. “Chase.” His name came out on a breath as she lowered her hips to meet his.

  They came together slowly. Bodies sliding against each other. His hands controlled the pace of her hips. Her core rippled with each slow withdrawal and excruciating slow return. Her mind melted with the fire of her arousal until she lived for the next caress, the next brush, the next penetration.

  As she found climax, she arched and cried out. He sat up with her, drawing her body against his, and continued to raise and lower her hips until his climax took him. They fell back to the bed. Her thighs trembled as she lay on top of him.

  She couldn’t remember a time she’d been so thoroughly sated. Her breathing returned to normal, and her heart slowed its frantic beat. It was time to get back to the real world, where he was larger than life, and she was happy being a flower on the wall.

  Natalie sat on the floor of Mr. Morrison’s office surrounded by files. She stared out the window as her mind wandered back to the care and tenderness Chase had shown when they’d shared the shower. She’d been beet-red the entire time, but she’d enjoyed every moment.

  They’d managed to get out of the apartment before Rachel came in, which had Natalie counting her blessings. Meeting Chase in the office was one thing, but finding he’d spent the night with Natalie would definitely blow Rachel’s mind.

  Now, he sat down the hall in his office, while she picked through files. When she could get her mind to focus on them. Every time she heard a sound she’d jump. She didn’t think Mr. Morrison worked on the weekends, but she knew her luck couldn’t hold out. Then there was Chase. She just didn’t know what to expect or how to react to him today.

  She’d been a permanent shade of pink this morning. He didn’t seem to want to let her out of his sight, though he did allow her some privacy in the bathroom. She’d also convinced him to let her drive her car instead of riding with him.

  The kiss he’d given her before they left the apartment had ricocheted through her sore body. He didn’t just kiss with his mouth. He kissed with his whole body, drawing her so close.

  She’d sagged against her car waiting for him to get in his, before shaking herself. Time to get on with it. Maybe she was just a fascination. Something different from what he usually went after. He’d cast her aside when a shiny new something passed by.

  She returned her attention to the file in her lap. Whatever it was between them, it couldn’t last. Maybe she should end it now before she got too hurt. She rubbed the ache that began in her chest at the thought. Yeah, it was definitely too late to avoid pain, but she did enjoy the pleasure.

  Chase stood in the doorway of Martin’s office and took in his little accountant surrounded by mounds of paper, an expression of intensity on her face. A soft smile teased the corner of her lips. He’d put that there.

  He wanted to see where this thing between them could go, but the moment the press got ahold of it they’d latch on and shake it until it broke. He could protect her from that, if they were careful. Maybe this hadn’t been his best idea—the press was already sniffing around because of the breakup, and he needed the publicity for his upcoming film.

  His thoughts flew out the window when she turned her face up to him and that crimson flush covered her cheeks. For a moment, he allowed himself to sink into her wide eyes and feel the wholesomeness of her. Her lips parted in a silent invitation he wasn’t sure she was aware of.

  He cleared his throat. “How’s it going?”

  Her eyes wandered over the folders. “I don’t think I’m going to be able to get through this today. I need more time.”

  He longed to smooth his fingers over the creases in her forehead. “I think we can put Martin off for a few days, while you continue to investigate. You give him a report that doesn’t mention the expenses. Everything matched up, right? Receipts and expenses are all accounted for?”

  “Yes, there are forms for everything, but when will I be able to work on it with him being here during the day?” Frustration poured off her.

  He leaned against the doorway. “We’ll stay late and go through it together. I always thought Martin was a good man and want to make absolutel
y sure before I accuse him of anything.”

  Her gaze flitted up to his. Her eyes spoke volumes as worry, fear and desire whipped through them. What did she fear? Him? “Together,” she said, resigned.

  “Let’s clean up this mess and get out of here. We could pick up some takeout and go back to my place?” Suddenly, he was nervous, like a boy asking a girl out for the first time. After last night that was a ridiculous thought, but it was there, a tingle of anticipation and fear of rejection.

  If he ended it now, they wouldn’t have to worry about the press. No one would ever find out, and Natalie would stay happy in her simple life. And he’d go back to dating the same women he’d always dated. But what if this was the only shot he had at something real?

  She started stacking the files without looking up at him. “Do you think we should?” Her hands trembled as she set the papers down. “I mean, don’t you have plans with Alexis? It is Saturday night.”

  He knelt beside her and used his finger under her chin to turn her face to his. A sadness lingered in her eyes. “The only person I want to be with tonight is right here.” He traced her lower lip with his thumb. “Please say yes.”

  The warring factions continued for a moment within her eyes. Her face flushed, and her shy smile appeared, easing the tightness in his chest. “Yes.”

  Chase’s house was bigger than Natalie had imagined. He lived in Hollywood Hills with the A-list celebrities. The houses lining the streets weren’t simple homes, but complexes with long, gated drives.

  She followed in her car up the drive and around to the back of the house. Two garage doors opened along the huge building. She pulled her Honda Fit in next to an expensive-looking silver car.

  The garage door closed behind her. She stepped out into a huge room with a high ceiling and painted concrete floors. A couple of the cars had shrouds over them, but she could tell by the shape that they were sport cars.

  She’d been happy when she’d qualified for the loan on her Fit, which she would pay off in five years. She highly doubted there were loans on the six cars in this garage. Each one was probably at least five times the new price of hers.