Free Beautiful Music by Lisa DeVore Page A

back, but now was not the time. “I have to get going, Todd. I appreciate the call. I’ll be in touch soon.”
    “Sure thing. I do miss you…” he replied softly.
    She stayed silent.
    “Call me if you need anything. Bye, Jena.”
    “I will. And thanks.” She shut her phone and slowly met Chase’s inquisitive eyes.
    “Boyfriend?” he asked with a little bit of attitude.
    “Friend. I work with him.” Chase was angry. Why did she feel guilty? Todd was a friend and even if he wasn’t, was it Chase’s business? She shoved the phone angrily in her purse. She heard him sigh and immediately was sorry for her reaction. She really needed to be honest with both of them. She wasn’t relationship material. Ignoring their comments was not clearing anything up.
    Music started playing and Jena inwardly groaned. Great. More romance. This was too much. Her heart wanted to fall in love again, but her brain wouldn’t allow it. Would anyone notice if she ran screaming from the building?
    Chase leaned toward her and softly asked, “Would you dance with me?”
    Jena’s eyes narrowed. “I thought we had a moratorium on romance? You were going to let me think on it, right? I believe you’re trying to sway the jury.”
    “Is it working?” he grinned.
    “No.” She surprised herself with a laugh.
    “Come on, Jen, relax. Quit thinking. It’s just a dance.”
    Right. She knew as soon as he touched her it would be so much more. She should decline, but heard herself saying instead, “Okay, but just one dance.”
    He stood first, held out his hand and gazed down with a smile of encouragement. She regarded him for a moment and reluctantly placed her hand in his, immediately feeling his strength and her need.
    As they reached the dance floor, Chase turned to her, never taking his eyes from hers. She took in a breath and forgot to release it. Breathe, Jena. His arm wrapped around her waist and gently pulled her close…much closer than a casual dance between friends. Goosebumps spread across her skin. The moment was too intimate and she stiffened.
    His lips were at her ear. “Relax,” he whispered.
    How could he make one word sound so sexy?
    She inhaled slowly, attempting to calm the nerves that seemed to be popping off her skin. She should force herself to think of something else…like how much he had hurt her, but her mind wouldn’t stay there. Instead, she closed her eyes and concentrated on the touch of his hands on her body. He held her so near anyone would assume they were lovers.
    A sudden awareness had her eyes brimming with tears. She wanted them to be. The jealousy she had toward those other women tonight made Jena realize she couldn’t accept him with anyone else. How could she stand the thought of him holding another woman like this? There was only one answer—she couldn’t. If she was ever going to take a chance on anyone again, now was the time and he was the person. The tears escaped her eyes.
    The song ended and Chase stepped back without losing contact. He rubbed a tear away with his thumb and lifted her chin upwards. She had no place to look but in his eyes. “Let’s take a walk on the beach.”
    Jena was ready to escape. She swiped the tears off her face and attempted a smile. “A walk would be nice.”
    Chase paid their bill and they made their way to the beach in silence. They removed their shoes before stepping onto the sand. Jena sighed in appreciation. The sand was so soft and cool, and the ocean breeze, a relief from the day’s heat. Her body released the tension she was carrying. The sensation of having Chase so close erased all other thoughts from her mind. No matter how much she didn’t want to, she realized how much she missed him.
    Hand in hand they reached the surf. Chase broke the connection only long enough to roll up his pant legs. He reclaimed her hand and walked into the water to his ankles, pulling Jena with him. The water was warm and inviting. There were no words between them as they