Chapter 67

Olivia’s POV

A couple of hours later, Olivia was putting her pajamas back on while Chase was resting naked in her bed. He was sitting up, his back against the headboard, watching her with a lazy gaze as she slipped back into her panties and then her pajama bottoms.

“Does this mean I don’t get a round three?” he asked.

Olivia rolled her eyes at him. “You’ll be moving into your own room now. I have the keys for you on the dresser.”

“Come on, love. I’m comfortable here. You wouldn’t kick me out of your room for real, would you?”

“No one can see us together,” Olivia said firmly. While she certainly appreciated the eye candy Chase provided and liked to make use of his body, she had already had her fill of both of those things. “Did you forget why I called you here?”

Chase dropped his head back on the headboard and groaned. “No.”

“Then prove it. Get up, get dressed, and get to your own room.”

Chase rolled onto his side, dropping his chin into his palm as he rested his elbow on the mattress. “I like it when you take charge like that. So sexy.”

On any other day, perhaps Olivia would have fallen back into bed with him, but not today. There was too much at stake to waste time on some fling. Her endgame was Julian, and she would not blow that for some piece of ass.

Even one that she enjoyed as much as Chase.

“I don’t have time for this,” Olivia said as she pulled on her pajama top.

Chase frowned a little as she covered herself. Pouting, he said, “Fine. But surely you have a gift for me?”

Olivia sighed and walked toward her suitcase. It became something of a habit, collecting gifts for Chase. After all, it was her only sure way to maintain his interest and his discretion.

This time Olivia presented him with a watch. His eyes sparkled at the sight of it, recognizing its worth. She’d spent $10,000 on this. He knew the brands and the value.

“My baby does care about me,” he said, reaching for the gift.

Olivia held it just out of reach. To chase after it, he would have to get out of bed. As expected, he did so. He was nothing if not predictable in his greed.

Gifts and sex were all it took to keep him happy. Olivia was content in offering both.

She understood the nature of their relationship. She knew there was no love here.

She also knew that for enough money, Chase would agree to do just about anything for her. She was banking on that now.

Snatching the watch from her hands, he put it on his wrist and admired it. She admired him, naked except for the watch.

Perhaps she could spare one more hour…

No. She needed him well-rested for the plan to work.

“Put on your clothes and get out,” she said. “I need you at your best for tomorrow.”

He cocked his head at me, appearing somewhat skeptical. “Are you sure about this plan?”

“Is the money I offered not enough?” Olivia replied. “Then perhaps it would help if I told you that I’m sure you’d find all of this personally amusing…”

Chase seemed to consider that. “It would help if you told me this… Amber? Was it? If she’s not some old bat.”

Olivia was loathe to give any compliment to that woman, but she knew what Chase needed to hear to be more amenable.

“You will not hate what I’ve asked of you,” Olivia said.

He hummed as his smile returned.

Amber’s POV

In the office, I finished telling Anna about everything that happened the night before. I tried to keep my own opinions somewhat neutral as I described it, but I was certain some of my torrent of emotions slipped out.

Anna looked at me with blatant concern all over her face. “Amber, tell me you aren’t falling for him again.”

“I’m not,” I said, though amended quietly, “At least, I’m trying not to.”

I could admit these things to Anna, my best friend, and it did feel good to talk about them allowed. If I talked with her about them, sorting through them, then maybe I could come out the other side with everything resolved.

“When we were sitting around the table, I had glimpses… like, this could be our future. We could be a family like this…” I said, even though I felt somewhat foolish.

“You really think he would honor that? After what he did to you before?” Anna lowered her head. “I’ll never forget finding you collapsed on the sidewalk, Amber. And he just left you there, so that he could follow Olivia around. Don’t forget he cheated on you…”

“I haven’t forgotten, and I’m not sure she isn’t pregnant. I just…” I sighed a little. “I don’t know, Anna. I want to believe him. I know that’s dangerous. I know it hurt me in the past. I just…” Another sigh. “I’m not being terribly logical about this, am I?”

“Not even a little,” Anna said. “I just don’t want to see you hurt again…”

Our voices trailed as Carla knocked on the door and came in. She was blushing fiercely and stuttering some.

“We had a w-walk-in, Healer Amber,” she said, and then giggled. “I thought you might have some time to see him before your first appointment.”

I did, but… “Are you okay, Carla?”

She was always a ray of sunshine, but this morning she seemed like the entire sun. Either she had way too many espressos this morning or there was something else going on.

“I’m sorry,” she said, but continued smiling bright. “The new client is… well, he’s…” She giggled again.

Anna and I exchanged a glance.

“Must be a charmer,” Anna said.

“And handsome!” Carla added with enthusiasm. When we both looked at her again, she lowered her head, clearly embarrassed for her outburst. “Sorry.”

Well, whoever could so quickly win the heart of Carla was someone I had to see.

“Should I lead him to a room?” Carla asked me.

“I’ll do it,” I said, guessing that leaving Carla alone with this man would only result in more hijinks and less work done.

As I stood, Anna called out to me. “We aren’t done talking.”

“I know, I know,” I replied. I was glad to have Anna, someone to help keep me on the straight path, listening to my brain and not my heart. My heart had caused me nothing but trouble in the past. My head was the only part of me I could trust anymore.

Leaving the office, I followed Carla out toward the front waiting room. She giggled as she turned, stepping behind the reception desk. I continued forward and found the new client only a few steps beyond the desk.

Standing confidently, he was dressed something like a rock star. Tight black leather pants, an oversized t-shirt that with a wide neck that showed off his clavicles, expensive-looking designer boots. His arms were covered in chains and necklaces and some tattoos of snakes twisting up his arms, disappearing under his sleeves. On his wrist, he wore a very pricey-looking wristwatch.

“You must be the famous Healer Amber,” he said smoothly, and held out his hand for me to shake. Some of his blonde hair fell into his eyes. He shook his head slightly, flipping it back, all without taking his eyes off of me.

I shook his offered hand, relying on my professionalism.

I could see why Carla would be beside herself. This man oozed charm, and he was handsome. His looks were not as appealing as Julian’s, but I could still recognize how he would appear like an Adonis to some.

“Yes, that’s right. And you are?”

He grinned widely. “Chase. My name is Chase.”