Her Conquest

8. Trouble

The conversation through dinner was pleasant between her and Chase. They talked about places they’ve visited and some they wouldn’t mind going to one day. They talked about college experiences that they enjoyed and even the ones they regret. “So you never did the walk of shame, huh?” Chase gives a light chuckle to Laura’s question, “Nope, at least not in college. I was very focused on my studies. I wanted to be one of the youngest, most successful businessmen of our generation.” “Well I do believe you can check that one off the achievement list,” Laura replies stifling a small laugh. “So, when did it all change for you? The confidant, carefree attitude and all that?” she asks apprehensively. Chase ponders a little bit on the question before he answers. “Not long after college. I was interning at this small marketing company and my boss was this confidant guy and he seemed to take his hits in stride. I wanted to be just like that. Not let the hits or criticism keep me down, because growing up I was my own worst enemy.” He lets out a sigh, “I knew I was going to have to put in a lot of work on myself, with some help along the way, and now because of that hard work it has made my company very successful.” Laura reaches across the table to give his hand a reassuring squeeze, “You should be very proud of yourself and how far you’ve come. I know your parents would be so proud of you.” Chase’s face falls at the mention of his parents. Withdrawing his hand from Laura’s, face turning hard as stone, clearing his throat, “I guess we will never know.” Laura sees the hurt mirrored in his eyes, “I’m sorry, I wasn’t trying to upset you. Losing your parents at a young age—” “It’s in the past. They’re gone. Leave it.” An uncomfortable silence falls between them until Chase finally speaks up, “I know you meant well, but let’s not talk about my parents. Leave them in the past where they belong.” ‘Where they belong?’ What the hell is that supposed to mean? Did him and his parents not get along? How could a son say something so cold about his parents? Maybe Cole was on to something earlier. Is Chase keeping something from me about his past?

“Hey,” Chase says in a caring, hushed tone snapping her from her thoughts, “let’s get out here. It’s getting late and I’m sure they are ready to be rid of us by now.” He moves to stand extending his hand for her to take. Laura, still replaying the last part of their conversation in her head, takes his hand hesitantly. Walking towards the exit he threads her arm into the crook of his elbow, “I’m glad you came out tonight. I’ve had a great time, Laura. I’d love to do it again if that’s not too presumptuous of me to ask.” She can’t deny the feelings that Chase gives her when they are together. It’s been so long since she has felt like this and promised herself she’d give it a shot, no matter what was locked away deep in his past. She felt as if it was a challenge to break through those walls. It’s time she got out of her own way to make some happiness for herself. “Sure. I’d love that, too.” Chase’s face lights up with a megawatt smile that she finds absolutely adorable. “I’ll take you home, unless you’ve got somewhere else in mind you’d like to go, or I can call you a car. Whatever you’d like to do.” She’s not ready for the night to end and it seems as if he isn’t either. “I could use a night cap?” sounding more like a question rather than a statement as a blush makes its way up to her cheeks. “My place or yours?” he asks with a wicked grin. “Mine,” she replies confidently. If a night cap was going to happen she wanted to be in full control of the situation. Chase’s comment about his parents still had her a little nervous, but she figured he wasn’t comfortable talking about that and he will in due time. In order for that to happen she had to give this thing going on between them a solid chance.

Chase and Laura walk to the town car where Brian waits patiently for them. He stops her turning her to face him, “I wanted to apologize for that back there when you brought up my parents. I’m not fond of that moment from my childhood, so I tend to get a little defensive about it.” Laura can see the genuine emotion gazing back at her in his eyes that he truly means his apology. “Oh, that? Pfft,” as she dismissively waves her hand, “You don’t have explain anything to me you aren’t ready for. It’s okay, I promise.” She snakes her arm around his neck to pull Chase in for a reassuring hug as he wraps his arms around her waist. “I just don’t want to screw this up,” his voice muffled from him nuzzling into her shoulder. “Hey,” she pulls back from him looking into his grey eyes, “I want to give this a shot, too. So, whenever you get ready to talk about it I’m all ears. Until then, you’ll get no judgement from me. Understood?” She cups his face in her hands and she can feel the tension fall off of him as he relaxes into them. He nods his head agreeing, and she releases her hold of him. Brian gets out to open the door for them, Chase instructing him to take them to Laura’s. He nods going back to his position in the driver’s seat to take them to their next destination.

On the way to Laura’s house it seems as if the tension is gone, and Chase is back to his usual self. He seems to still struggle with issues in his past. I can’t imagine what had to happen between him and his parents to warrant such a comment. ‘Leave them in the past where they belong.’ I just hope he can open up to me one day. No one should have to keep something like that bottled up. Images of a young Chase come to Laura’s mind looking sad and a little worse for the wear. She searched her mind over and over again around the time his parents were still alive. All she could see was a sad little boy. Her heart hurt at the image depicted in her head, and instinctively she reaches for his hand threading their fingers together. She wanted to protect the little boy she was picturing in her head. Shield him from any pain and protect his innocence. “Hey,” Chase whispers looking concerned, “Where did you go just now?” Laura gives him a gentle, kind smile, “I was just thinking of how wonderful tonight has been. I enjoy spending time with you.” Chase lets go of her hand moving to drape his arm behind her pulling her closer into him. She wraps an arm across him snuggling into his embrace, basking in the warmth radiating off him. “Me, too. I hope to spend more time with you if that’s ok?” Laura looks up at him through her thick lashes, “I’d love nothing more.” Chase gives her a feather light peck on her temple as she scoots back into his hold.

The car comes to a stop in front of Laura’s house and Brian opens the door for them. “Shall I wait around, sir? Or will you call when you are ready?” Brian asks Chase looking between the two of them. Laura flashes Chase a sultry smile, and it doesn’t take Brian long to put two and two together. “I shall wait for your call then, sir. You two behave yourselves!” he yells to them as he walks away to the driver’s side getting in. Chase turns back to Laura, his wicked, devilish smile present. The smile that makes her dampen with want and weak in the knees, “Ready for some trouble, darlin'?” His voice dark and husky, washing over her causing her to clinch her thighs together. Hell yes, I am.