Fool Me Once Read online

  “That makes two of us.”

  A dark suit swished up beside me, her tablet in hand. “We’ll be touching down in Nashville at 9:13. The driver will be ready and waiting, which will put us back at your place at 9:54. Providing there are no accidents on the interstate which, as of now”—Dani checked the tablet once more, her eyebrows pinching together—“it’s clear. Your team will be there waiting in the conference room, ready to go over the final details of the tour. Would you like to have any special food or drink out besides the usual?”

  Chase seemed to be in a trance as he stared at the white billows of clouds flashing by the window. “Anything special you want, Emma?”

  It took me a second to realize he was talking to me—I was so used to him calling me Em that my given name rolling off his tongue so naturally caught me by surprise. I spurted the first thing that came to mind. “Cotton candy.”

  Chase’s chest moved.

  “It’s a morning collaboration meeting. Not a county fair.” When Chase turned his head, one look had Dani scribbling something on her tablet. “Cotton candy. Consider it done.” She aimed a smile at Chase before rustling back to her seat.

  “I don’t think Dani’s a fan,” I said under my voice.

  “She’s not a fan of the arrangement. It’s nothing personal.”

  Making my point, I twisted in my seat to wave at her. She issued a curt look before unleashing fury on her laptop’s keys.

  “Pretty sure a little bit of it is personal,” I said to him.

  “Maybe.”

  “Any way to win her over? Salted caramels? Favorite perfume?” I asked, knowing I’d be spending a lot of time around her. I wasn’t thrilled at the forecast of icy stares and moody confrontations.

  “Her client’s getting ready to kick off one of the biggest tours in history. He’s also looking to convince the public that he’s cleaned up his act and is the same decent, slightly damaged country boy they fell in love with a decade ago.” He exhaled. “And she just got thrown a curve that her client’s faking a rekindled romance with an old flame in the thirteenth hour. Nothing short of creating a carbon copy of Dani by this afternoon will warm her up to your presence. Or mine at this point.”

  “You should pay that girl more.”

  Chase’s elbow brushed against mine on the armrest. “Believe me, she is well compensated for putting up with my bullshit.”

  The stewardess approached, offering to get us something to drink. We both ordered black coffee. While we waited for her to bring them, Chase’s head turned toward me. He waited for me to look at him.

  When my eyes met his, he said, “I’m sorry.”

  “For what?”

  His Adam’s apple moved. “For number one on the list of what I have to apologize to you for.”

  My chest squeezed as tears welled behind my eyes. An apology. Finally. It didn’t change anything, but somehow, it seemed to fix whatever piece of me he’d broken. “It’s okay,” I said. “I’ve moved on.”

  His attention drifted out the window again. “I haven’t.”

  3

  “What do you think?” Chase leaned across the limo seat to stare out the same window I was gawking out.

  “It’s big,” were the words that tumbled from my mouth.

  “It also came with a dishwasher,” he teased as the limo came to a stop in front of the monstrosity.

  Chase opened the door, stepped out, and waited for Dani and me to climb out. As small of a gesture as it was, it made me happy to know some of the old Chase was still there—the one who could open his own car doors without the help of a driver.

  Dani was halfway up the pristine walkway, and I was still gaping at the place as though I was standing in front of the great pyramids or the Sistine Chapel.

  “It’s just a house.”

  “It’s big enough to fit our entire hometown comfortably,” I responded. “How many people live here with you?”

  Chase started up the walkway with me, cracking his neck. “Just me.”

  “One person needs all of this?” I caught myself blinking at the extensive water feature resting in the middle of the circular driveway.

  “I don’t need all of this. But I listened to the advice of my investment people when they suggested I put a good chunk of my money in real estate.”

  “Looks like you dumped it all in real estate.”

  His pause tipped me off. The folds in his forehead told the rest.

  “How many places do you own?” I asked.

  The corners of his eyes creased. “In this country?”

  “I can’t even,” I muttered, pausing outside the front door to peel off my boots. “The boy who used to dig for nickels in the couch cushions is richer than god now.”

  He waited with me, watching me wrestle with my boots with an intense gleam in his eyes. “There’s more to being rich than money.”

  “Says everyone who’s got a bunch of it.”

  Padding inside the massive double doors that felt twice my height, I struggled to keep my eyeballs in their sockets. Everything had this shiny glow, from the tile floors to the paintings on the walls. A massive wall of windows rested on the opposite side of the expansive foyer, and the floor was so glossy smooth, I more skated in my socks than walked.

  “You play tennis now?” I asked when I noticed the courts out back.

  The sound of his footsteps filled the giant space. “Nope. Came with the house.”

  My eyes continued their sweep of the mini amusement park out back. “Golf?”

  A one-noted laugh burst from him. “Can you picture me having the patience to put a tiny ball in eighteen tiny holes over the course of an entire afternoon?”

  “I don’t remember you having the patience to make it through a football game, even after Coach Ward practically promised you his left arm to play a season your sophomore year.”

  “I preferred other outlets when it came to physical fitness.”

  My arms crossed. “Not sure getting into fights every week counts as physical fitness.”

  Chase’s mouth moved as we started for the grand staircase. “I was talking about something else. And it definitely fits the criteria.”

  My face warmed when I realized what he was getting at. He was right. The way my heart had pounded and my body felt spent after, a session in the sack with Chase Lawson had been the most intense workout I’d ever experienced. Including summer harvest.

  After making it to the top of the stairs, I could make out the sound of voices coming from one of the hallways.

  Chase glanced at the watch on his wrist. “Nearly ten on the dot. I don’t know how she does that.” He nodded at Dani, who was stationed outside a room, waiting.

  When we were a few steps from the door, she slid in front of the entrance, bestowing an entire monologue to Chase in one pointed look.

  “I’m going to introduce Emma to everyone. She can leave after that. God knows I would if I could escape three hours of logistics.”

  Dani cleared her throat, quietly closing the door. “You want to introduce her to everyone on your team looking like this?”

  The way she said it made me feel like I was wearing an outfit made of crumpled newspapers and used condom wrappers.

  Chase inspected me, clearly not seeing the same thing Dani was. “She looks like a hard-working, down-to-earth girl.”

  Dani’s head shook firmly. “No, she looks like a mess. You introduce her like this, and everyone’s going to suspect something.” She stepped closer, lifting a neatly shaped eyebrow at Chase. “She doesn’t exactly scream Chase Lawson Arm Candy.”

  My stomach lurched as though I’d taken a punch to it or eaten some bad seafood.

  “I’m going to take a shower,” I interjected, reaching my limit of two people arguing about my introduction suitability in front of my face. “Then wander around the amusement park you’ve got here and check out the sites. I’ll catch up with you later.”

  I started down the hallway, stopping when I realize
d I had no idea where I was going.

  When I glanced back, I kind of wanted to slap the amused look off of Chase’s face. “Next intersection, take a right. You can pick whichever room you like best.”

  “I had the green room prepared for her,” Dani said.

  “Whatever room you want,” he said to me. “Just not mine.” When he noticed my puzzled look, he added, “You wouldn’t like the mattress. It’s too hard for you.”

  “I don’t think it’s just the mattress that wouldn’t fit my tastes,” I threw back before offering a private smile and continuing down the hall.

  The green room was the first room in the hall Chase had directed me to. It was perfect for a great-grandmother or a cloistered nun. I could see why Dani had selected that room for me.

  After exploring the five guest rooms in the hall, I settled on the one at the very end, mainly because it had the best view of the grounds. It didn’t hurt that it had a giant jet tub in the attached bathroom either.

  I spent the rest of the day in total relaxation, only enhanced by the tub of cotton candy Chase made sure was delivered to me. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d spent a day doing pretty much nothing. Unless you count soaking in a tub teaming with lavender-scented bubbles; having lunch delivered to my room, complete with a linen napkin and a pretty blue flower resting inside a crystal vase; and spending several hours wandering the grounds, feeling as though I’d found myself in some secret garden instead of a private yard in Nashville.

  By nighttime, I’d explored most of the property, but I’d saved the pool for last. Night swims were my favorite, and Chase’s pool was the kind one would expect to find on the cover of a home décor magazine. Trudging down the pathway, wearing the billowy white robe that had been hanging in the closet, I heard voices coming from the pool’s direction.

  I’d hoped to have it to myself, but when I made out one of the voices, my disappointment eased. I came around the corner and saw Chase in the spa, his arms sprawled out along the ledge, chatting with some woman who, at first, I thought was Dani in fitness apparel. It wasn’t until I heard her voice—bubbly and bright—that I realized it wasn’t.

  When Chase caught sight of me, his mouth stretched into a smile, that one dimple on his right cheek setting deep. “Miss me?”

  The temporary allure of seeing him in a hot tub, grinning at me, extinguished the moment he opened his mouth.

  “Oh to have the inflated ego you do,” I chided, grabbing one of the navy-and-white striped pool towels from a stack nested beside the chairs. From the looks of it, he was hosting a pool party with half of Nashville invited.

  “It’s a gift,” he replied, before waving at the woman as she walked away.

  As she passed me, I saw genuine warmness in her smile. Definitely not Dani. I couldn’t help doing a double-take. Petite, blond, green-eyed. They could have been sisters.

  “That’s Teresa,” Chase explained, guessing my thoughts. “She’s my personal trainer. She might look tiny and innocent, but she kicks my ass more than any muscled meathead ever has.” He rolled his neck a couple of times. “This hot tub is used more for recovery than enjoyment.”

  “Private trainers. Personal chefs. A hot tub that could fit two dozen adoring fans in skimpy bikinis. Must be hard being you.” I unknotted the bathrobe’s belt but hesitated taking it off.

  “Did you have dinner?” he asked me.

  “Carne asada tacos and a chile-lime avocado salad. It was pretty much the best meal I’ve ever had.”

  “Mel’s an incredible chef. Except when it comes to my meals leading up to a tour or photo shoot.” Settled on the deck beside him was a plate of food that had gone untouched.

  Moving closer, I made out three different veggies in varying shades of green and an unappetizing-looking chicken breast. My nose curled when I realized one of the veggies was kale. “Pretty sure they feed the models walking fashion week better than that.”

  “Pretty sure those models don’t eat nothing but junk during the off-season like I do.” He stabbed the steamed broccoli with his fork. “My people have it on good authority that a chubby Chase Lawson wouldn’t sell out as many stadiums or as many records as a beefcake Chase Lawson.”

  “It’s a cruel world.”

  He laughed before popping a chunk of chicken into his mouth. “How was your day?”

  “Pretty great. How about yours?”

  “Non-stop meetings, two grinding workouts, and a conveyor belt of coniferous veggies and lean proteins shoved in my face all day.” His head tipped as I moved closer. “Safe to say your day was better than mine.”

  Sitting on the pool deck across from him, I dipped my feet in the hot, bubbling water. “Yeah, I can’t find it in my heart to work up any sympathy for you.”

  “What do you think? It’s nice, right?” His arm swept out at the estate behind us, its hundreds of windows glowing gold.

  “You don’t need my confirmation that this place is ‘nice,’” I said. “But I can’t not bring up the little fact that there are children dying of starvation, curable diseases, and civil wars all over the world . . . while you luxuriate in your sprawling palace.”

  His eyes met mine. “I know. And that’s why I donate so much of my money to those charities. I can have last year’s spreadsheet of where and how much money I gave emailed to you if it would ease your conscience.”

  “You could live in a place a tenth the size of this one and have even more to give. Oh, and let’s not mention the number of cars you have in that museum you call a garage. How many cars can a person drive at one time? Because last I checked, it was just one.” I splashed some water in his direction with my foot.

  He splashed back a few drops. “This place, the cars, the plane, all of that is selling an image. Fans wouldn’t find me nearly as interesting if I lived in a two-thousand-square-foot home and drove a crossover to the recording studio. Or if I was just another body stuffed in coach class heading to my next concert. All of this, it’s selling a fantasy. It comes with the territory.”

  I found myself looking at the estate with a new set of eyes. “I guess so.”

  Chase took a few more bites of his dinner before shoving the plate away with a sigh. “I’ll give you anything you want if you order a cheeseburger and fries from Mel and give it to me.”

  I clucked my tongue, rising from the hot tub. “Someone’s got to fit in their skinny jeans by next week so all the groupies can go wild over the sight of your ass.”

  “Ice. Cold,” he called as I headed for the pool.

  I found myself pausing once more when I went to take off my robe. I was wearing a practical navy one-piece I’d had for a couple years. Not at all exposing or flattering, but the thought of Chase seeing me in a swimsuit had my stomach knotting.

  “You’re not scared of me seeing you in a swimsuit, are you?” Chase bellowed, reading my damn mind. “Because in case you forgot, I’ve seen you in a lot less.”

  My head whipped in his direction, eyes narrowing. “I’m cold.”

  “It’s eighty degrees, you’re draped in about five pounds of terry cotton, and you’re cold?” His brows pulled together. “The pool’s heated to a balmy eight-eight, which is at least fifteen degrees warmer than that creek you loved to swim in back home, princess.”

  My eyes narrowed farther. He used to call me princess whenever I balked at some challenge or exhibited even the slightest of fragile tendencies. I’d hated it back then too.

  “You’re the one whining about achy muscles from a little workout and a healthy meal that’s been prepared for his highness.” I slid out of that bathrobe so fast. “We both know who the princess is here.”

  “Ice. Cold,” he repeated, his gaze roaming me now that I’d mustered the courage to shed the robe.

  “You can at least attempt to be subtle with your staring.” I stepped into the pool, descending the steps until I was halfway in the water. It was pleasantly warm and so clear the water seemed to sparkle.

  “Subtlety�
�s never been my strong point. Especially when it came to you.” Chase pushed up out of the hot tub and sat on the edge. “You look good, Emma. Real good.”

  I rolled my eyes at him despite the flutter in my stomach. “That’s what all the boys tell me when I slip into my modest-coverage one-piece.”

  After sucking in a breath, I dove beneath the water and swam toward the opposite end. Surfacing, I wiped the water from my eyes and discovered the hot tub was empty. Chase was standing at the edge of the pool, watching me, the shimmer from the water reflecting against him.

  “What are you doing?” I asked.

  “Watching you.”

  Treading water, I gave him a look. “You realize that sounds hardcore creepy, right?”

  “You realize who you’re talking to, right?”

  I sighed, trying not to gawk at his chest. Or his abs. Or his arms. Or insert any other part of his body here. Whatever they’d been feeding him was working. “An eight-year-old boy trapped in a man’s body?”

  “Speaking of . . .” A spark flashed in his eyes right before he hurled into the air. “CANNONBALL!”

  When he hit the water, a deluge of water exploded, spilling over my head. I was still sputtering from the aftermath when he resurfaced.

  “I was really looking forward to a peaceful night swim.”

  “I can do peaceful.” He swam closer, water dripping from his hair.

  My mind fogged the closer he got, so I put some distance between us. “The only time you’ve ever been capable of being peaceful was when you were asleep.”

  “I’m about to prove you wrong,” he said right before sealing his lips. Lifting his hand out of the water, he counted off the time on his fingers.

  “Ten seconds. Congratulations,” I said as he swam closer.

  He kept treading closer while I continued my retreat until I could go no farther. My back butted into the pool corner as Chase’s arms on either side blocked my getaway. He didn’t do anything; he didn’t say anything. His eyes met mine, remaining there until my lungs strained.

  “Okay, you’ve proved your point. You can be quiet.” When I went to push past him, his arm wouldn’t budge. “Move.”