Chapter 16

**JAMES COLUCCI**

"Wait, wait, wait, wait! Don't hang up yet, Chlo...", I snort angrily again when I realize that she hung up on me just like that.

I still don't understand why, but I drive through the early hours of the morning on my way back to the club where I left Chloe earlier, it's none of my business, but it's a very strange feeling I get when I imagine her in danger.

My fertile mind may be exaggerating, but I can think of a thousand ways she could end up going wrong or getting hurt because she was just drunk and couldn't think straight.

And I would certainly hate myself if something happened to her that I could have easily prevented.

It may be her inebriated state, but as I drive and overtake the other cars on the sides of the road, I think about our conversation, specifically the part where she wanted to forget me.

I want to smile because I have the confirmation that she feels the same desire that I feel for her, I don't need any confessions coming from her, it is in her eyes and how her body reacts automatically when she is in my presence. I understand perfectly because I feel the same way.

I have never desired another woman as I desire you, Chloe...

"Mr. Colucci, what are you doing here?", I withdraw my eyes from Chloe and look at Ortega's confused face.

I mentally wonder where is the other friend who was with him earlier, wondering how she was able to leave her friend in his clutches. Of the man who is visibly very fond of her, but I could also be wrong.

I have never had a long-lasting and solid friendship with a woman, they all involved pure sex. I may not understand friendship, but I understand very well sex that drives anyone crazy.

"I got a call from Chloe and she was visibly not well, I was worried when she didn't return my other calls...", I answer and start staring at Chloe again who also has her eyes fixed on me.

Her slight frown denotes that she didn't know about my other calls, so I can't blame her for not returning any of them.

"Sorry for the call, but I'm fine, I just need to go home and get some sleep."

For God's sake, don't do that, Chloe!

Just don't look at me like that, don't let me think of a thousand other ways to make you blush with just words, words that would express every desire I have to fulfill with you...

"You are visibly drunk and it is not safe to come back on a motorcycle or an Uber at this time, so I will take you!", I say in a firm tone, expecting her to turn away from her little friend and come with me, but I am surprised when an audible laugh escapes her.

"At no point have you asked if I want you to take me, so my answer is no.", I arch an eyebrow, wishing it wouldn't twitch more after coming all this way after your confusing phone call.

"Would you rather go back alone and take your chances, Chloe? I'm sorry, but I won't allow you to put yourself in a situation like that!"

With a mocking smile on her full, inviting lips, she approaches me, clenching my fists again tightly to keep from lifting one of my hands to touch her flushed face and caress the exposed skin of her neck that I easily...

Fuck.

Why do I get excited when she dares to challenge me or annoy me on purpose?

"I am an adult and perfectly capable of making my own decisions, Mr. Colucci."

"Princess, I think you'd better go with Mr. Colucci...", she turns to face her friend with a frown.

Thank you, Ortega, I don't hate you completely yet...

Chloe sighs before agreeing and saying goodbye to her friend with a kiss on the cheek, a common gesture at goodbyes, but I find myself wishing I was the lucky Ortega to feel the softness of her lips on my skin.

She makes mention of returning the jacket, but in a noble gesture on his part, he denies it.

"Keep it, then you give it back to me..."

I almost snort when he blinks one of his eyes at her before they hug again.

"Thank you and I'm sorry for ruining part of your evening...", he says in a low tone to his friend as I continue to wait here.

"You didn't ruin anything, take care, okay?"

To my happiness and relief she starts to follow me in the direction where I left my car parked, but as we get to the crossing of the street where cars pass by at high speed, by reflex I end up touching her waist hoping she doesn't trip or we run the serious risk of being run over on this street.

"What are you doing?"

"You are drunk and it is not safe to cross the street in the situation you are in, Chloe?", I start to explain the reason for my touch, but I am surprised when she removes my hand from her body.

"I am drunk, but I can walk and cross a street without help, thank you.", she says before rushing across as a car passes by.

Stubborn girl!

I shout her name, but she doesn't hear me as I also wait for some cars to pass and also run towards her to the side of the car.

"Are you always this reckless?", I ask without hiding my irritation as I open the passenger door.

"Only when I'm near you," she murmurs before getting into the car.

I've never been one for S&M in sex, but I confess that I would love to give this girl a good slap on the ass for being so unpredictable...

**CHLOE DUARTE**

"Why did you say you wanted to forget me, Chloe?", I blink my eyes turning my head to face James who is driving.

Shit, did I say that?

"It was a spur-of-the-moment thing mixed with the effect of alcohol, I'm sorry...", I lie shamelessly leaning my head back against the car window

"Really? Because the way you told me it sounded very true despite the alcohol..."

Why is he doing this? Does playing with my face usually amuse him this much?

I think about Samanta's words again, about not thinking too much and throwing yourself headlong without even caring about the consequences, and even though I am not fully lucid, I start to follow her advice.

"The truth is that I wanted to get you out of my thoughts, but it seems that alcohol has only made the situation worse."

"Do you think about me constantly, Chloe?", I force myself not to open my eyes because I know I'm going to find one of those annoying little corners smiles he usually has.

My head is pounding, and my senses are scrambled, so this is more than a perfect combination to do some damage in one night. But the adrenaline rush of being in my boss's car as he drives me home, makes me want to say things I shouldn't.

"I know perfectly well that it's wrong...but yes! And I don't think of the gentleman innocently and formally like a boss, but I think things I shouldn't..."

I open my eyes seeing him gripping the steering wheel harder than usual, and this makes me wonder if I have crossed the line and that this will get me fired in a few hours.

"Why do you still call me sir, Chloe? We agreed to leave the formalities out of the Company.", he comments with a serious expression.

"It makes the situation seem less wrong, I am very drunk and would never in good conscience reveal this to you, but the unknown desire I feel is growing more and more and this is becoming unbearable.", I tell.

"I know that I am also wrong in telling you this kind of thing, and I will understand perfectly well if you scold me or..."

"The desire we feel is mutual, Chloe?"

"What did you say?", I ask stunned, wanting to hear his words of confession one more time to show that I did not hear wrong.

"I also feel this current of attraction that exists between us, I also feel that this desire is driving me completely crazy. I try to get you out of my mind, but this is an impossible mission to accomplish."

"You are the reason for my most insane and debauched thoughts, I also agree that this is all very wrong, but I can't stop thinking and longing to taste your mouth and have your body next to mine where..."

Still completely in shock from all that I am hearing coming directly from him, bile rises in my throat and I quickly put my hands over my mouth.

"Stop the car, please...", I ask in a whisper and noticing that I am not feeling well he quickly obeys as he parks the car in a deserted lane.

I don't wait another second, I open the passenger door and run awkwardly out of the car, vomiting and cursing myself for having drunk so much in a single night.

"How's it going?", I hear his voice behind me and then his hands grabbing my hair, but I try to push him away.

"Move away, you don't need to see me like this?", I murmur, my eyes watering from the effort, but to my surprise, he doesn't obey.

"I've been in many similar situations, a vomiting attack doesn't scare me, Chloe?", he says in a low tone as if remembering something sad from his past.

His illness...

Imagining a little boy sick and in a hospital, most of the time doesn't help the fragile state I'm in.

"I know it's none of my business, but I'm sorry you had to go through such horrible things as a child...", I whisper, wiping away a lonely tear that falls before I stand up.

His silence is all I needed to remind me of one of the warnings his last personal assistant left me, that James hates anyone making comments about his personal life or past.

I sigh and turn around where I find him staring into the void, with a lost look on his face.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have touched on such a sensitive subject...", I apologize and frown as he turns and walks to the car still in complete silence.

What have I done?

"Come on, get in the car, Chloe!", he says firmly as he opens the passenger door for me.

"I'm so sorry, James," I whisper as I step beside him before getting back into the car.