Free Billionaire's Black Runaway Love (BWWM Romance) by Ciara Cole Page A

her inner shiver.
    “I was thinking you could work something out – as a special favor to me. I don’t relish the thought of not getting to see you,” said Chace. “The trip is important and has been planned months ago. Running into you again at the benefit brought to bear how much I’ve always felt a connection with you. It’s not too farfetched to think you’re as reluctant as I am to part ways.”
    Emily sighed and rubbed at her temples. The oversized shirt slipped off one shoulder, but she was too preoccupied to tug it back up. “Look, Chace…last night…it happened. I’m nursing no regrets nor asking for more than I deserve. We had some history and I wanted us to work things out so we could get back to not being awkward around each other.”
    “That’s what it was all about?” Chace had that dark brow up in a quizzical arch. “A night of hot sex and everything’s ironed out? What am I supposed to do the next time we see each other, smile and act all cavalier?”
    “I didn’t expect you to agree with my methods,” Emily said. It was an effort to stay calm, even while she began to feel his darkened temper. Why was he so mad? She was doing them both a favor. Keeping things simple would make it easier on him to make that needed break they both knew would come.
    Emily watched Chace’s face for a reaction, but beyond that narrowed, speculative gaze, he seemed to be containing himself admirably. Good thing he wasn’t going to make a big deal out of this. She could understand he was keen to explore their implosive passion for each other, but did he really believe it could mean more than that? She wasn’t sitting around waiting for him to figure out he wasn’t the type to want commitment with someone like her.
    Emily had to think of herself since obviously no one else would.
    “I need to hit the road, so to speak,” she said calmly. She finished her coffee and rose, taking up her empty dish, but Chace told her to leave everything, that the cleaner would come in and handle the dishes.
    Emily fidgeted slightly as she shrugged. “Well, okay. I just need my clothes and I’ll change before I leave. Breakfast was nice, so thanks and um…for last night, too.”
    Chace rose fluidly. “Your dress and underwear have been laundered and you’ll find them inside the closet in the room you slept in. Sure you can’t come with me to New York?”
    “Nah…we could always hook up when you get back,” was Emily’s airy reply. “Much as my schedule’s basically carefree, I really can’t just jet out on a whim. It was nice of you to offer, though, it’s been a while since I’d been back home.”
    Considering she grew up in New York and it was where they’d met and fell in love, maybe Emily was wary of going down that memory lane. Still, it was prickling that Chace didn’t bother to try harder at changing her mind.
    Knowing she was simply being perverse, Emily hid her inner discomfiture with a smile and left Chace in the kitchen before heading quickly for the room he indicated. Her lingering image was of him standing behind the island, his lithe frame half leaning on his fists propped on the marble countertop. His expression as usual told her nothing, but she imagined he might be frustrated she wasn’t playing along unquestioningly. Chace might be the hottest lover I ever had, but if he really thought he’d gained the right to control my life, he was dead wrong , thought Emily.
    She found her clothes and put them on, grateful to have them clean. Emily hadn’t run into anyone, but there had to obviously be some kind of ever-efficient attendant available, since even her bed had been remade while she’d been at breakfast.
    When she emerged again, it was to find Chace dressed and shaved. He was in one of his dark, fitted suits minus a tie, the collar of the pristine white shirt slightly unbuttoned. Something thrummed in between Emily’s thighs, but she quelled it, hoping Chace couldn’t see how much he turned