Page 159 of Under Her Skin

“Maybe. I don’t really remember all that. I just remember that after I talked to you this morning I was disappointed that I wouldn’t be showing you the cute little nighty I had on because you were too busy forme.”

“Coming to see you,” he says with afrown.

“Well, I know that now, duh!”I shrug. “Anyway, I didn’t eat all day, just sipped the wine and looked at different places to go like you said to. I got woozy and felt that I should eat. You know me, there was nothing in the house to eat. So I called work to see if anyone there would be kind enough to bring me something and Shaun said hewould.”

“What a nice guy,”Blake says with the most sarcasm I think I’ve ever heard in anyone’s voice in my entire life. “Remind me to thank his ass.” He smiles. “And you answered the door and let the dude in, wearing that little thing that showed your tits and ass. Were you aware of how much of you was showing throughthat?”

I nod. “Yeah, but not at that time. It was meant for your eyes only. I meant to throw on a real robe before he got here. Somehow the time snuck up on me and I totally didn’t realize I was answering the door like that. I’m going to have to apologize to him for that. How terrible ofme.”

“I’m sure he was really traumatized by it, Rachelle. I don’t think an apology is in order. I’d like to just gouge his eyes out and maybe give him a little lobotomy to erase the images of you I’m sure are now burned into his brain.” His finger flicks a strand of my hair off my shoulder and electricity runs rampant through mybody.

My cell phone rings and I look to find it sitting on the little counter top that separates the kitchen and diningarea.

“There it is.Did I leave my phone there? And when did you get here? And how did you getin?”

He gets up and places me on my feet and goes to get my phone. He looks at it and holds it up. “Your work iscalling.”

With a toss of the phone I catch it and ignore the call. “I don’t feel like talking to anyone from there. So how did you getin?”

“You really don’t remember?” he asks as he comes back tome.

His hand wraps around my wrist as he pulls me back to sit on his lap. “No. the last thing I remember was being on the phone withyou.”

“Hmm. Okay. I’m not loving this. But we can deal with this all later. I’d like you to get dressed if you think you’re up to it. I’ve made us reservations at a very nice hotel and spa on the ocean for the rest of this weekend and all nextweek.”

“You did not,” Iwhisper.

“I did. So let’s get you packed up. Not too many things though. I’m taking you on a clothes shopping spree while I’m here and I’ll be filling up your closet. Furthermore, I will be buying you a car. You are mine and I want you to have nice things. I’m done taking no for ananswer.”

I blink and smile. “Along with that pilot’s license did you get a certification in assertiveness, Mr.Chandler?”

He cups the back of my neck and pulls me in for a kiss. It’s hard and his tongue thrusts into my mouth as he really shows me he means business. I’m panting when he releases me. I leave my hand on his hard chest to steadymyself.

“Maybe,” he says. He stands up and places my feet on the floor. A hard slap he gives my ass. “Now go get ready woman. You and I are about to find out how to live likebillionaires.”

With eyes wide, I look at the man I have come to love and whisper, “It’s like the Beverly Hillbillies all overagain.”

“You betchya,” he says with an over the top southern drawl. “Wee doggies! We might just have to get us a mansion with a cementpond!”

I laugh all the way to the bedroom, but it’s a nervouslaugh.

It seems the going slow thing is headed out thewindow!

Blake

The full moon looks a little closer than it normally does as I look out the window on the sixth floor of the hotel. The Pacific Ocean sparkles beneath it and I wonder if Mom is liking where I spread herashes.

Rachelle comes out of the bathroom, looking like an angel in the hotel robe. Her smile is radiant. “You thinking of anyone in particular as you gaze over that water, baby?” She slips into my arms and I kiss the top of herhead.

“How can you tell?”Iask.

“Your eyes are the slightest bit glassy. I’m sure she loves the fact you did what they asked you to. Going from one side of the country to the other to do what they asked, not a lot of people would follow through with that. You did though. You make a promise and you keep it. That is forcertain.”

“I can promise you this,” I whisper against her head. “You are about to come nine ways toSunday.”

“Wow! That’s a big promise. Somehow I do believe you though,” she says and turns her head up to mine. “So when is this going tohappen?”

“Right now.” I pull her up into my arms and look around the room. “Where first? Every part of this place is sogorgeous.”