Her Conquest

5. The Dinner

Seated at a quiet table in the back of the bistro, Chase and Laura sit looking over the menu. “Everything sounds delicious. I’m torn on what to get,” she lets out a sigh. Chase flashes a smile, “Don’t worry you can’t go wrong with anything you choose off the menu. Everything I have ever eaten from here has never disappointed me.” I’d like to take a bite out of him that’s for sure. The waitress arrives and they place their order. “Excellent choices. I’ll have those out for you two in a bit,” as she flashes a wink at Chase. “I’m sure everywhere you go, you always garner a response like that out of women,” Laura lightly chuckles. He returns the laughter, “Actually I always ignore it. No one has ever caught my eye. Call it high standards if you will.” “So, I’m curious what exactly did happen to you. This is not the Chase Marshall I remember,” she asks him. He looks out the window and looks as if he’s in deep thought. Chase brings himself back to the present looking back over to Laura, “Well, the best answer I can give is the old Chase Marshall is dead. I never want to be that version of myself again. When I turned 18, I made a vow that I would be the best version of myself that I can be. I knew this meant stepping out of my comfort zone, but I couldn’t live like that anymore.” Laura stares at him taking in the range of emotions crossing his face, going from sadness to pride in an instant, “Well, you have come a long way and should be very proud of yourself.” Chase’s face lights up with an ear-splitting grin, “Yeah?” She reaches across the table and grabs Chase’s hand giving him a reassuring squeeze, “Absolutely. The Chase that I remembered seemed distant, like he wanted nothing to do with anyone and carried a massive chip on his shoulder. Looking at you now, you seem happier, healthier, and a more confident man in every aspect of your life. You took control of your life because you didn’t like how you were living. I respect that a lot about a person who can recognize when they need to change for the better.” Chase pulls his hand back and almost seems sad again, “Well, I went through a lot to get here.”

“Enough about me. What about you? What made you want to get into marketing?”, Chase asks her trying to bring himself back in the moment. “Oh, you know the old story. A father starts a business wanting his children to take it over. It’s been his dream since I can remember,” she answers in a depressed tone. “Is that your dream though, Laura?” No one has ever asked her that before. Not even her best friend. It’s just always been like this since anyone can remember. Her father was always bringing them to the office during the summer to get them familiar with how the company worked. He started the grooming process at early ages for her and Cole. “Truthfully? I’ve never given thought to what I would want to do when I got older. This is all I’ve ever known,” she replied. “So, what would you want to do if given the chance to something different?”, he asks her in a genuine tone. Laura finds herself in deep thought mulling his question over. “I think I would want to work kids. Perhaps teach or as a Social Worker. Kids these days need strong advocates for them.” Laura glances up from her plate and sees Chase staring at her in awe, his eyes glossy shining with such admiration. “Well then its settled. I’ve been needing someone to help me get the word out about an organization I’ve put together helping kids in need. The start up on it is barely off the ground, and I’d think you’d be a perfect candidate to help me get it going. Does it sound like something you would be interested in?”, he asks with a hint of hope behind his voice. She thinks it over, “Absolutely! Count me in,” she says excitedly. “Great! I’ll email you the details I have so far and we can get together to work out the rest. I look forward to working with you on this.” “Well, thank you for the opportunity, Chase,” Laura says in a calmer tone.

After dinner Chase escorts Laura out of the restaurant to the waiting town car. Helping her slide in first he then follows sitting flush against her with Brian shutting the door quickly. Damn, it got 100 degrees hotter in here. I can’t think straight with him this close to me. Chase undoes the button on his jacket, moving to rest his arm it accidentally brushes Laura’s arm that is resting in her lap. Hoping he didn’t notice her breath hitch, she tries to regain her composure quickly before anything can be said. “Did you enjoy the Chaise Delachaise?”, he asks her. “Yes, it was delicious. I’m glad you suggested it.” It’s a comfortable silence in the car ride back to the office to pick up Laura’s car. Once they arrive he opens the door extending a hand to help her out. Once again at moment of contact sparks shoot up her arm to pool deliciously in her lower belly causing her to slightly clinch her thighs to ease the ache there.

“Laura, if it’s not too forward of me I’d like to take you out again sometime. Maybe on a real date?”, he asks apprehensively. Oh my god he’s killing me looking at me like that! “Sure, I’d like that. Can’t remember the last time I went on a date. Work has always kept me from that.” “Well, as your boss I won’t allow that to happen,” he says with a playful smile. “This isn’t going to be some kind of conflict of interest you being my boss and all is it?” Chase steps closer to her causing her to take a step back hitting her car. Chase closes the gap between them and the closeness of his proximity has Laura’s head swimming. “I can remain professional in the office Miss Jameson,” he says in a husky voice. Laura testing the boundaries, “And what about out of the office?” He gives a panty-dropping, wicked smile as he reaches for her hand, “You’ll just have to wait and see.” He lightly brushes a kiss on her knuckles and releases her hand gently. “Goodnight, Laura. See you tomorrow at the office.” Holy hell, I’m DEFINITELY in trouble. “See you tomorrow, Mr. Marshall,” as she gives a playful wink. Chase opens the door to the town car with a sexy smirk plastered on his face and slides in closing the door. Laura takes her keys out and opens the door hopping into the driver’s seat. She closes the door locking it immediately as she sees Chase’s car drive away. Filled with an inappropriate amount of giddiness, she places the keys in the ignition turning the car over to make her way to home. Her cheeks start to hurt from smiling so much. She’s never felt like this about anyone before and absolutely wants to see where this can go. After driving for a bit turning off the freeway, her phone rings snapping her to her back from her thoughts. It’s a number she doesn’t recognize. “Who on earth could be calling me at this hour?”

“Hello?” “So, don’t be mad at me. I may have used my influence to get your number from the employee database,” Chase responds on the other end in a playful tone. “Sorry, I couldn’t wait till morning. Plus, I wanted to make sure you made it home okay.” Laura smiles again, “I promise I won’t hold it against you. I’m almost home actually so your timing is impeccable.” “I’m glad you made it safely.” Laura pulls into the driveway shifting her car into park, “Well, I’m home now so you can rest easy, Sir.” She can practically picture the smirk he is giving. “Oh Laura, I doubt I’ll be resting easy tonight,” he replies in a low husky tone. Immediately Laura tries to stifle a moan so he can’t hear just how much she wants to have her way with him. “Goodnight again, Chase.” “Until tomorrow, Laura. Goodnight.” She ends the call and walks in to her empty home, I doubt I’ll be resting easy either. She locks the door making her way up to her room to turn in for the night, knowing full well her dreams will be filled with the tall, grey-eyed devil himself, Chase Marshall.