Begin Again: Short stories from the heart by Mary Campisi Read Free Book Online Page B

front of her house. She really didn’t want to see him. He was arrogant and far too handsome. Still, by the time she got to the front door, her pulse had tripled and her breath grew choppy . It’s all these bags I’m carrying , she assured herself as she pushed open the door. The smell of fresh paint greeted her and dropping the bags on the sofa, she followed the odor to her bedroom.
    Chase was folding the drape sheets and glanced up when she entered. “Hi,” he said quietly.
    “Hi.”
    “About last night…”
    “I’m sorry. I acted like a fool. I guess I did want you to see I do have more of a wardrobe than shorts and tank tops.”
    “But I like that wardrobe.” He grinned. “Trust me, I really do.”
    She smiled back. “The problem was , I got angry when you called me on it. I felt so ridiculously foolish. I have never in my life sought a man’s approval and the fact that I did that with you last night just infuriated me.” Natalie laughed shyly. “Especially when you ignored me.”
    Chase set the drape sheet on the floor and walked toward her. He took her hands in his own large ones and smiled down at her. “Truce?” he asked, looking deeply into her eyes.
    “Truce,” Natalie repeated softly.
    Chase lowered his head and placed a soft kiss on her lips. Her eyes fluttered closed as she responded, welcoming his mouth. He gathered her in his arms, molding her to his body, deepening the kiss. Natalie was lost in the touch and feel of him as she wound her arms around his neck, curling her fingers in his dark brown hair, wanting to get closer… closer…
    The ringing doorbell jolted them apart. They stared at one another, surprised and embarrassed at having shared such an intimate moment.
    Natalie spoke first. “I’ve got to get the doorbell,” she said in a throaty rasp that sounded nothing like her normal, self-assured voice.
    Chase said nothing.
    The doorbell rang again and she hurried to answer it.
    From the bedroom, Chase could hear a male voice, followed by Natalie’s soft laughter. They exchanged a few more words and then he heard the front door close. Natalie reappeared in the bedroom a minute later.
    “That was a friend from work. He asked me to go out for Chinese.”
    Chase merely watched her. “And you want my permission?”
    Natalie’s amber eyes narrowed. “Of course not. But I thought…” The cold look in his eyes stopped her. She wouldn’t humiliate herself any further by telling him she thought the kiss had meant something and she would much rather spend the evening with him.
    “Tell me,” Chase asked smoothly, “would this guy’s name happen to be Derek?”
    “Well, yes. Yes it is. How did you know?”
    Chase smirked. “He called you three times between five and five twenty. Said you should call him back as soon as you got in.”
    “You listened to my messages?”
    He pointed to the answering machine on the nightstand and said, “I can’t believe you still have one of those things.”
    “Not everyone embraces technology.”
    “Obviously.”
    “Don’t change the subject. You listened to my messages.”
    “You’d have to be deaf not to hear that machine. And I did happen to be working in this room.” His look darkened. “So, who is this Derek? Is he some boyfriend?”
    “If it’s any of your business, Derek is a friend. And just exactly when were you going to tell me he called?”
    “In case you’ve forgotten already, we happened to be busy at the time.”
    “I’m going out.” Beast.
    “Fine.”  
    “And I hope you’re gone when I get back.”
    “Why?” he lashed out. “Planning to use this room?”
    Natalie’s hand shot out to slap his face but Chase caught it in mid air. “Don’t,” he warned, bringing her arm down behind her back, forcing her closer to him. They stood inches apart, glaring at each other. In the next instant, Chase hauled her to him and ground his mouth against hers. The kiss was meant to be cold and born of anger and frustration.