Christmas Diamonds (6 page)

“Well, what do you think?” Paula looked at him expectantly, while her crew also waited to hear his opinion.

It took Chase a moment or two to adjust to the changes in the great room, so stark were the differences. But there was no doubt in his mind that this had been the right decision. “I absolutely love it!” he declared.

“That’s a relief.” Paula took a breath, eliciting chuckles from everyone.

“Good job.” Chase grinned at her. “Your sketch didn’t do proper justice to this very nice transformation.”

“I’m glad you like it,” Paula said, offering a toothy smile.

Chase pinched his nose. “I think the room suits me well and will be perfect for get-togethers.”

“I was picturing the same thing,” Paula told him.

“I guess we were on the same wavelength without even realizing it,” he suggested.

She nodded. “Looks that way.”

“We’re done here, then?” asked Bradford, the contractor.

“I think so.” Paula regarded Chase. “If there’s anything you’d like rearranged, we’re happy to do it.”

Chase scanned the room again, looking for an excuse to change something. He couldn’t find one. He was certain that Rochelle would have approved, too. “Wouldn’t change a thing,” he said positively.

“Then our mission is complete,” Paula told her team. “Everyone can go about their business till we meet again.”

Chase watched Paula show them out the door before she returned, leaving them alone. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, he felt good when he was with her.

“Would you like to have a glass of wine to celebrate a job well done?” he asked.

She beamed, licking her lips. “Sure, I’d love one.”

Paula was delighted to have gained another satisfied client, especially this particular client. She never took her work for granted or felt confident that repeat business was a given. She certainly hoped for another opportunity to do more redecorating for Chase in the future.

At the moment, Paula welcomed the offer to have a drink with Chase, if only to spend more time with him. She admired him in a polo sweater and slacks as they stood in his kitchen. This was the first time she had seen him dressed casually, and the image definitely agreed with her.

“Here you go,” Chase said, handing her a goblet of red wine.

She smiled. “Thank you.”

He sipped his wine, gazing at her. “Have you always had an eye for interior decoration?”

“I suppose I have to one degree or another,” she said. “I was pretty good way back in the day at making my bedroom the coolest place to hang out with my girlfriends.”

Chase nodded thoughtfully. “I’m sure they were envious.”

Paula chuckled. “I think it was more about who had the best clothes and most outrageous hairstyles back then.”

“Yeah, I know a little something about that,” Chase said humorously. “At least regarding clothes.”

“I can imagine you would, since you obviously have a good sense of style,” Paula said, aware that fashion sense didn’t simply come with the territory.

“I’ve got another room I’d like you to take a look at,” he told her, “if you have the time….”

Paula jumped at the opportunity. “I’d be happy to.” She had nothing important on her agenda this afternoon. And she definitely didn’t have anyone waiting in the wings to share an intimate moment with. She suspected the same was true for him.

Paula followed Chase up a spiral staircase and down a hallway before entering…

“It’s the master suite,” Chase said coolly. “I was thinking that you could work your magic in here.”

Paula felt a prickle of heat as she realized his words could be interpreted in more ways than one. “Oh, really?” she asked mischievously. “And what sort of magic are you talking about?”

Chase tossed his head back with laughter. “Well, I wasn’t thinking in terms of mystical powers,” he said. “But I’m def
initely interested in seeing what ideas you have for renovating this room.”

Paula met his peering eyes, causing her heart to flutter and her temperature to rise. She quickly turned her attention to the room, hoping to focus on something less dangerous to her emotions than the man himself.

Chapter 5

P
aula surveyed the massive bedroom with its U-shaped layout. It had floor-to-ceiling windows and a double tray ceiling. A tile fireplace with gas logs made the sitting room cozy. The master suite’s furnishings were Edwardian, in floral patterns and prints. She noted a large walk-in closet and an adjacent, luxurious bathroom.

“What do you think?” Chase asked, his gaze angled down at Paula’s face.

“It’s beautiful,” she responded. There was no other way to put it. Paula eyed the elegant four-poster bed. “Your wife had good taste.”

“That’s what everyone said.” He took a couple of steps on the plush carpeting and looked around. “Rochelle would be the first one to tell me that I need to change things.”

“Really?” Paula was surprised. She wasn’t convinced that any woman would encourage her husband to give his bedroom a makeover once she was gone.

“Sure.” Chase mused. “That’s how she was, never one to live in the past.”

“I see,” Paula said enviously. She wondered if she could ever be so selfless in her love for a man if her death came prematurely. “What do you think she would suggest?”

Chase gave the question some thought. “I’d say probably something more masculine.”

“I agree,” admitted Paula.

He grinned. “Guess good minds think alike.”

“I guess so.”

She immediately began to envision some changes she could make to suit him. Perhaps something not
too
masculine, so he would still be comfortable enjoying the room with a female companion. Paula impulsively thought of herself, imagining what they could do together in his bedroom.

“I’d like you to redecorate the master suite,” Chase told her firmly.

Paula’s eyes lit with enthusiasm. “I’d be glad to,” she said. She was more than up for the challenge.

Chase grinned. “Excellent! Based on the standard you set with the great room, I’m sure you’ll come up with something equally spectacular in here.”

She colored. “You’re very good for my ego.”

“All the credit goes to you,” he insisted. “What’s that old saying…‘The proof is in the pudding.’ I’d say you’ve earned any accolades that come your way.”

“Thank you for that,” she said, slightly overwhelmed by the ease in which he made her feel so special. “Actually, I’m glad you’ve hired me again. It might be nice to hang around you a little more.”

Chase met her eyes with clear interest. “Oh, really?”

“Yes.” She maintained her courage in spite of the heat emanating from his gaze. “Who knows what I might learn about you?”

He laughed heartily. “That’s true, and you might get to
uncover all my secrets. And I just might learn one or two of yours.”

She grinned. “Anything’s possible.”

Paula realized that they had somehow gotten close enough to kiss. She had a notion that his lips would feel good on hers. Very good. Was he thinking the same thing? For an instant, she wanted to let herself go and make the first move. Why not show a bit of daring? Most men seemed to like that. Was Chase one of those men? Paula held back the urge, fearing it might send the wrong signal at the wrong time.

She took a step back, doubting his feelings for her. “If you want, we can talk about it over dinner in a couple of days, after I get a chance to put together a plan.”

“Dinner sounds good.” Chase put his hand in his pocket, never taking his eyes off her. “Your place or mine?”

She smiled, flattered that he was trying to tempt her with tantalizing words.

“Actually, I was thinking of a restaurant,” Paula answered. “Are you familiar with Aspen’s?”

“Yes, I’ve been there a few times.”

“How about six o’clock on Friday?” Paula asked.

“Six is fine.”

Her cheeks rose. “Then it’s settled. I’ll see you then.”

“I look forward to it,” he said equably.

Paula suddenly felt it was getting a bit stuffy in the room. Or was it because her heart was suddenly beating so rapidly in the presence of such an enticing man? She took out her tape measure, hoping to take her mind off Chase, knowing that would be all but impossible. “Okay, I’ll just take some measurements of the room and be on my way,” she said quietly.

Chase half grinned. “Take your time. I’ll be downstairs if you need me.”

Paula watched him leave the room before exhaling and steadying herself.
Focus, girl, on something more under your control than Chase McCord
.

She moved around the master suite, taking measurements
and making notes. Near the bed, Paula spotted a framed photograph of Chase and an attractive lady. They were holding hands and beaming.
His wife
, Paula thought. It felt a little creepy, as if she were encroaching on a dead woman’s territory. Paula quickly dismissed the notion. People passed on all the time, and the world didn’t end. Chase had decided to move on; she was there to redecorate.

Still, Paula couldn’t help but be more than a little intrigued by the prospect of being in his bed, sensing a sexual vibe between them. She had a feeling their intimacy would be incredible. But that was all a fantasy right now. She sighed and put away her notes.

Chase had really wanted to kiss Paula yesterday. Apart from the fact that he hadn’t quite gotten over his grief for Rochelle, Paula was working for him. That had to come first, as he didn’t want to stand between her and the redecorating that was giving his house a needed uplift. After all, that was the whole purpose of their involvement, despite his father’s intentions.

However, Chase couldn’t disregard that he was turned on by Paula and could sense her attraction to him. Could their mutual attraction move to the next level?

The bell ringing snapped Chase out of his reverie and back to the real world. He used the remote to turn off the TV and headed toward the foyer. Chase opened the door and saw his father and stepmother. He had invited them over to check out the new great room.

“Hey,” Chase said with a big grin. “Come on in.”

“Hey, son.” Sylvester smiled, patting him on the shoulder as he walked by.

“How are you this evening?” his stepmother asked.

Chase kissed her cheek. “I’m good.”

Evelyn McCord was petite and had a short brown perm. Chase had come to love her as though she were his birth mother. Evelyn had been there through his formative years, helping Chase’s father keep him on the straight and narrow.

“I can’t wait to see what you’ve done to your great room,” Evelyn said anxiously.

“You’ll be surprised,” he told her as they rounded the corner.

Evelyn’s eyes widened. “Wow. It looks wonderful.”

“You really like it?” Chase asked, knowing that not everyone saw eye to eye on room decor.

“Yes, the interior decorator did a marvelous job,” she declared.

Chase smiled and looked at his father. “What do you think, Dad?”

Sylvester ran a hand the length of his chin. “It’s like a totally different room. She did a hell of a nice job.”

“I think so, too,” Chase concurred.

“I told you Paula was very good at what she did,” Sylvester said. “Everyone who sees my recreation room falls in love with it and wants to know who redecorated it.”

“You’re preaching to the choir,” Chase said. “In fact, I’ve hired Paula to redo my bedroom next.”

Evelyn cocked a brow. “Your bedroom? Really?”

Chase suddenly felt uncomfortable. “Well, it seemed like a good idea to try something new,” he explained.

“I think it’s an excellent idea,” Sylvester said encouragingly. “Your room could use some sprucing up.”

“Your father’s right,” Evelyn chimed in. “Paula clearly knows her stuff. You might as well tap into her great talent and see where it takes you.”

Chase liked the sound of that. He imagined Paula’s talents went much further than redecorating. Maybe he would find out firsthand how much further.

“He sounds like a real catch,” said Paula’s best friend, Virginia Kensit.

They were jogging in the park near Paula’s house. She hadn’t meant to go overboard in her description of Chase as totally masculine and the kind of man she could easily fall
head over heels for. Still, she felt she had understated just how wonderful the man was.

“He is,” Paula admitted dreamily. “But we’re not dating.”

“You already said that.” Virginia, a couple of inches taller and maybe too thin in Paula’s mind, ran her hand through damp yarn braids. “I know you’re
only
working on Mr. Hottie’s house. It’s a mere formality.”

“What’s with you and Isa?” Paula chuckled nervously. “You’re both always looking for something that isn’t there. Not yet, anyway.”

“That’s not what I’m reading between the lines.” Virginia caught her breath. “Go ahead—tell me how you really feel about him.”

She isn’t going to let up
, Paula thought. She decided there was no sense ducking the issue. Since she had started it, she might as well finish it.

“Yes, Chase is very good-looking and more,” she said candidly. “But he’s also a widower who still keeps a photo of his late wife on a bedroom table.”

Virginia rolled her eyes. “So what?”

“So maybe he’s still hung up on her,” Paula suggested, going against her own beliefs deep down inside. “What if he always will be?”

Virginia frowned. “That’s perfectly normal when you’ve lost a loved one. It doesn’t mean he hasn’t already moved on—especially if he has a good enough reason to,” she hinted.

Paula sighed, wondering if she could be that good reason. She got the impression Chase was interested in her, but to what extent over and beyond physical attraction and loneliness? She was more than most men could handle as an intelligent, successful, ambitious and beautiful woman of color who wanted—demanded—a man who had similar qualities and would treat her with the utmost respect and be willing to meet her at least halfway on any issue of contention. In her past adult relationships, the men had fallen short of these
standards in one way or another at the end of the day. She wasn’t always faultless, but owned up to being less than perfect while trying to better herself as a woman and a romantic mate. Paula believed that Chase held the qualities that were most attractive to her, now that she’d gotten to spend some time with him. But it was still too soon to know if the strong vibes passing between them could turn into a relationship or not.