Page 37 of Her Elusive Cowboy Billionaire
Wow.He has a house in the foothills west of the city, an apartment in Denver and a ranch in Montana.I wonder if he has other places to live?“I like that you have plans for a wife and children, even though many people in your position would only have business plans, not family ones.Do you own any other homes?”
“Actually, I have several.I keep homes or apartments in London, Paris and Athens.My housekeeping staff live in most of them most of the time, so none of the homes or apartments are left unoccupied.
The elevator dinged.
He took her right hand with his left, carried the suitcase with his right hand, and entered.After the doors closed, he pressed his hand to a panel beside the door, above the buttons.The floors dinged past as the elevator rose.
That must be the way he reaches the penthouse and keeps everyone else out.But how will my parents get in if they need his palm print?
“Chase, if Mom and Dad want to come see me, how will they get to the apartment?”
“They’ll need to stop and have Rita call me.Or if we know they are coming, I’ll meet them at Rita’s desk and bring them up.”
“Okay.I’ll let them know.”
The elevator reached the top floor, and the doors opened.Standing just outside the apartment door were two men, both dressed in black suits, black tie and white shirts.A single button closed the jacket, which was open now.Both of them had a hand inside the jacket coat, which they removed as soon as they saw Chase.
“Mr.Harper,” said the taller of the two dark-haired men.
Chase placed a hand on Meri’s back and waved the other toward the man.“Josh, this is Ms.Anderson.She’ll be staying with me for a while.Please extend her the same courtesy you would me.”
“Yes, sir.”He dipped his head toward Meri.“Pleased to meet you, Ms.Anderson.I’m Josh and this is Zed.We’re here until morning when another two guards will arrive.If you need anything when Mr.Harper is not here, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Thank you, Josh.”She looked at the other man and nodded.“Zed.Is that short for Jedidiah?”
“No ma’am.Just Zed.After eight kids, I guess my parents were done trying to come up with names.”
Her eyebrows rose.“You’re the youngest of nine children?”
“Second youngest.”He grinned.“I guess they weren’t quite done, after all.”
Meri laughed.At least, these men had a sense of humor.
After shaking her hand, both men stepped back, one on either side of the closed double doors into the apartment.
Chase flicked on a light switch and the room flooded with ambient light from the lamps on the tables at each end of the sofas.
And it was a truly awe-inspiring sight.Meri stepped into a foyer that opened into an enormous living room.The room had been divided into two conversation areas, but she saw they were tied together with small things like matching lamps.
Then she noticed the table and chairs next to the floor-to-ceiling windows.The perfect place for an intimate dinner for two.
He held out his left hand.
She grasped it with her right.He was careful with her, and she liked that.
His hands were still warmer than hers.
Meri wanted to wrap his arm around her and cuddle up next to him.Preferably in his bed.What in the world has gotten into me?You’d think I’d never had sex before.I bet with Chase itwouldbe like nothing I’ve ever had before.
She’d never been this turned on by any man, including Jared.Her stomach was being bombarded with butterflies any time Chase was around.Now she knew she’d never loved Jared.He’d been the simple solution for her wanting to start a family before she got too old.Being here with Chase made her thrilled she hadn’t married Jared.
Oh, he’d wanted to marry.Promised he’d never cheat on her again, but he’d betrayed her and she could never marry a man she didn’t trust.But she placed complete trust in Chase.She knew, in her heart, he would never cheat.Never have another woman if he was interested in her.
Chase crossed the room to a hallway.
Meri followed.
“The guest room is right down this hall.”He stopped at the second door on the right and opened it, holding it open for her to enter.
