The Look of Love (The Sullivans #1)(47)

Yes, she knew this feeling of freedom, of joy, was only temporary, knew that trouble was waiting for her outside of the fantasy of this vine-covered world, but she still had a few more hours of joy left, didn’t she?

* * *

“She really is pretty.”

Chase turned to see Ellen standing beside him. He’d been utterly enraptured watching Chloe dance with the models.

But it was more than beauty that made it impossible for him to take his eyes off her.

Day by day, minute by minute, she was transforming. She’d already been a butterfly, even standing on the side of the road, dripping wet with that horrible bruise marring her soft skin. So it wasn’t that she was emerging from her cocoon.

Rather, the colors on her wings were growing brighter, more magnificent, as the burdens, the fears she’d been carrying, fell away piece by piece.

“Inside and out,” he agreed.

Ellen remained by his side, both of them watching the dancing. Surprisingly, this was the first time he’d run into her during the shoot. Almost as if she’d made sure to stay out of his way.

Feeling bad about the way he’d stood her up that first night, he said, “I really am sorry about—”

She put her hand on his arm and her touch felt strange. Wrong. The song ended and when Chloe looked over and saw them standing together, her expression tightened, narrowed. Ellen quickly dropped her hand and waved. “Hi, Chloe!”

Chase watched Chloe’s mouth turn up into a smile that wasn’t entirely real as she moved toward them.

“Hmm,” Ellen said, “she looks mighty possessive of you.”

Chase didn’t have time to tell her it was mutual before Chloe was there with them.

“Hello, Ellen.”

Ellen smiled at her. “Wow, you have really gorgeous hair.”

Chloe blinked, clearly surprised by the compliment. “Thanks.”

The late afternoon breeze whipped up, blowing a strand across her face. Chase reached out, slid his fingers through the silken strand as he tucked it behind her ear.

He felt her breath catch more than heard it as their eyes locked. He’d waited all day to touch her again, for the chance to fill up his senses with her softness, her sweet scent, her innate sensual responses. Her hand came up to cover his, holding his palm against her cheek in an instinctive reaction to his touch.

Until Ellen broke the spell by asking, “How have the two of you enjoyed being here this week?”

Chloe dropped his hand like he had the plague and a faint blush stained her already flushed cheeks. Clearly, she’d only just realized she and Chase had been holding on to each other in front of Ellen.

“It’s been like living inside a fairy tale,” she said softly. She gestured out across the gently rolling mountains, covered in even green rows. “It must be marvelous coming to work here every day.”

Ellen nodded. “It’s pretty great. Except for when we get a bridezilla in, demanding to know why the grapes aren’t in fuller bloom for her big day. But really, that’s the only time it kind of sucks.”

Chase was glad to hear Chloe chuckle, her discomfort at seeing Ellen again—and accidentally touching him in front of the other woman—receding.

He liked seeing that possessive glint in her eyes. Loved it, actually. He doubted she even realized it was there—and that she’d continually been moving closer and closer to him, unconsciously staking her claim in front of a possible rival.

She might have repeatedly told him she couldn’t be with him, but that was her head talking. Her heart seemed to know better.

He knew better, too.

“Marcus wanted to be here to say goodbye to everyone, but he was called into the city suddenly,” Ellen told them. “He sends his apologies.”

Chase had a bad feeling about his brother’s frequent trips to the city. He’d always tried to keep an open mind about Marcus’s girlfriend, Jill. But Chase had never been all that crazy about her. None of the Sullivans were. Yes, she was beautiful, but her beauty wore thin beneath the layer of ice she walked around in. The stick up her ass didn’t help much either.

Chloe’s face fell. “Oh no. I really wanted to see him again before I left, to thank him properly for giving me a place to stay this week.”

She pulled the plump, soft flesh of her lower lip in between her teeth. Chase couldn’t keep his eyes from landing there, didn’t have a prayer of keeping the rest of his body from responding in kind.

He’d never wanted a woman like this. Not just with his body. Not just with his brain. Not just with his heart.

But with his entire soul.

Ellen looked more than a little confused. “You’ll see him again, won’t you, Chloe?”

Just then, Sara yelled, “Chloe, I can’t get out of this stupid thing! It’s starting to freak me out. Can you help me?”

Relief sweeping across her lovely face, Chloe said, “I’ve got to go help the girls out of their clothes. It was very nice to see you again, Ellen.” She held out her hand and the two women shook goodbye, at which point she turned and fled any more questions.

“Wait a minute,” Ellen said, still confused. “Why won’t she see Marcus again? Aren’t you and Chloe together?”

Chase ran a hand through his hair. The frustration he’d had a hell of a time keeping at bay during the day’s shoot was eating straight through his gut. “It’s complicated.”