Chase (Resisting Love #1)(13)

Kade and James go to the same University as me, unlike Nikki who goes to a different one. Chase is pretty damn successful, and owns his own architectural company. I am a little intimidated. It’s a smaller business with two offices, one here and one located in Sydney, which is why he goes away a lot for work. He has definitely done well for himself for someone of his age.

James walks in a little later and takes a seat next to me. We all eat the Chinese and watch old music videos. I only have a few bites, because I am still extremely full from breakfast. As Kade and Nikki talk between themselves, James corners me.

“Layla, about before,’ I try to open my mouth but he gestures with his hand, “please just let me finish what I have to say.” I nod and he continues. “I love my brother, but he doesn’t have the best track record with women. None of us do really. Which is why we had all previously discussed that if our new roomie was female, we would all treat her like family, and no one would hit on her or get involved with her. But then you guys met last night, and now this has happened. I’m sorry about before. You guys both know what you are getting into, so I’m not going to say anything else. It’s really not my business, I just don’t want you hurt, and we really love having you live here with us.”

I didn’t know what to say. I settle for, “Thanks for your honesty James.”

He smiles and nudges me gently with his shoulder.

“So, we cool?” he asks.

“Of course.” I give him a small smile.

We all hang out together, chatting and laughing.

“Fuck, my back hurts.” James mentions.

Nikki looks over at him, “Ask Layla for a massage. She’s qualified.”

Kade and James both swing their heads at me, blue eyes gleaming.

“No shit? And you haven’t mentioned this before why?”

“You never asked,” is my smart ass reply.

Kade pulls Nikki up and drags her out of the room, without even giving any explanation. Nice. I see James stretching out his neck, poor guy.

“Take your shirt off, I’ll give you a massage. But I’m a masseuse, not a chiropractor.”

He looks at me gratefully, “Thanks Layla. I think a relaxing massage will go a long way.”

I get up and go and get my massage oil and when I return James is shirtless and lying on his stomach on the couch. Holy hell he is gorgeous. But he has nothing on my Chase. My Chase? I mentally kick myself. I begin to massage his back, his slight groans telling me he is enjoying it. After ten minutes or so the door opens and Chase walks in, smile on his face. As soon as he sees us his smile turns into a snarl.

“What the f*ck is going on here?” he demands, and I can practically see the steam coming out of his ears. I jump up guiltily, even though I’m not.

“I’m giving him a massage?” I make it a question, even though it’s not.

“You are giving him a massage? Fuck. What the f*ck! I’m literally gone a couple of hours and I come home to this?” He storms forward and glares at James. James looks at him with a bored expression, but doesn’t say anything.

The staring competition lasts, for what seems like minutes, until Chase barks, “Layla go wait in my room. Now!” The last part is yelled at me, and I don’t appreciate it one bit.

“I think you are overreacting.” I state calmly, causing James to hmmph in obvious agreement.

“Layla. Get.In.The.Fucking.Room!” His voice was laced with rage.

I bristle at being yelled at like that, for doing nothing wrong. I storm off and go into my room, locking the door behind me. I can hear James and Chase yelling at each other, then from the other room, I can hear Nikki giggling loudly. FML! I put on my iPod and crank the music up, allowing ‘Your winter’ by Sister Hazel to block everything out.

About thirty minutes and many songs later, I turn the iPod off, wondering what scene I was going to open the door to. I peep my head out the door, only to see Chase, standing there holding a power drill.

“What the hell are you doing with that?” I manage to gasp, my eyes wide as saucers.

He glances up at me and sighs. “Oh good, you’re out. Saves me from pulling off your door.” My eyebrows hit my hairline.

“You.. you..” I stutter, “You were going to take my door off?”

“Yes. I was banging on it for about ten minutes with no response.” He looks at me with his gentle blue eyes, and I melt.

“I’m pretty sure that’s not normal behavior.” I say to myself.

“Normal is boring. Now come here Layla.” He’s so bossy.

“Where’s James?” His eyes go cold and I regret my question instantly.

“Why, so you two can finish your “massage?” You haven’t even given me a massage before and he gets one?” Yes he even put his hands up to make sarcastic quotation marks. I can’t help but laugh.

“You think this is funny Layla? That you have me so worked up and jealous over my own baby brother?” I stop smiling instantly.

I grab his hand and pull him into my room. “Chase, yes your brothers are good looking,” that causes a scowl, “but they are just friends. And roommates. They have never once come onto me. And I’m a qualified beauty therapist, it was professional.” I kiss him to distract him, and it works. “Plus I’ve known you, what, less than a day? When would I have had time to give you one?”