Chapter 4

Christine spent the rest of Friday and the weekend in a daze. She messaged her parents telling them she was fine. Then she turned off her phone. In case Chase decided to call. Her mind kept going back to the kiss before he left. What the hell was she supposed to make of it? She cried when he left, turning into mush on her kitchen floor. She hated him for humiliating her, except a part of her didn't want him to leave and continue with his assault on her lips.

I am going mad. That must be it.

This was not the same as when her professor propositioned her. Chase didn't ask anything from her. Professor Maloney offered to pay for her tuition if she slept with him. She was shocked initially, no - horrified actually. And then it turned to indignation and anger. Is that what men would want from her? Her brain did not matter in the least, they only saw her pretty face and body. She thought Chase was different. He never once made an advance. Until Thursday night. But was it? It felt more like a punishment. Christine thought maybe it had something to do with Mason seeing them. Chase had a feral look on his face after.

Maybe she should call in sick tomorrow. How will she be able to face him as if nothing happened? Covering her face with her hands, she let out a strangled scream. She was not a coward. Whatever happens she wasn't going to let him see how much he affected her. No way, no how. If he wants to play then, game on, Mr. Ward.

* * *

Chase rushed out of the courtroom. The victory left a bitter taste in his mouth. Sometimes he hated his job. Justice is a fickle thing. If it weren't for technicalities the piece of trash he defended would have gotten at least ten years in the pen. He passed the staff room; having a craving for Starbucks' Mocha. He was just going to nip out quickly. What he heard next stopped him in his tracks.

"Little Miss High-and-Mighty thinks she is so above us. At least we didn't need to sleep with someone higher up to get this post."

He recognized the voice - Roxanne from the printing office.

"How do you know that?" Eliza, Pritchard's assistant asked.

"Isn't it obvious? I mean, just look at her and the way she looks down her perfect nose at us. The men are all drooling over her. Not that she even gives them the time of day, of course. Why would she though, when she's got her meal ticket upstairs."

"She might even have Chase Ward worshipping at her feet." Eliza cackled.

Chase casually walked into the room. Their laughter died down when they noticed him - their fear palpable.

"Slander is a very serious offence, in case you didn't realize it."he had a tight grip on his self-control. "I could have you fired and get Ms. Morrison to press charges." His calm tone belied the turmoil he felt building in his gut.

"Please Mr. Ward. I -We - It's just harmless office gossip. We don't mean anything by it. Please don't fire us." The brunette Eliza pleaded, almost on her knees. Roxanne looked as though she were about to faint. Her eyes were bugging out of her pale face.

Their petty jealousy disgusted him. He closed the door. They retreated from him as if he were about to physically harm them. Although the thought crossed his mind.

"You are officially warned. I will send each of you a letter. If you so much as breathe another tall tale about me, my father or my secretary you will find yourselves with a law suit and on the street. Am I clear?"

From the horror on their faces he knew they understood.

They fled out of the staff room as if hell itself chased after them.

* * *

Mason Pritchard left Christine just when Chase came around the corner. They passed each other in the hallway. Chase gave Mason a one finger salute which either Mason did not see or ignored. Chase stomped into the office. He stopped at Christine's desk, clearing his throat.

"Good morning, Sir. Need anything?" she said without so much as glancing at him.

"Yes, I need you to tell me what the fuck Pritchard was doing here." Ice dripped from his words.

She sighed. "Oh, nothing in particular. He just popped in to say hello." Her cool blue eyes met his. "Is there a problem?"

Chase let out a bark of laughter. "Yes, there's a problem alright." He went around her desk and grabbed her arm. Christine's sharp intake of breath as he pulled her up from her chair sent a jab of desire to his core. "My office, now." his voice sounded gravelly. He wanted nothing more to take her slender neck and...

He closed the door behind them. Christine crossed her arms, hugging herself close. The look of defiance on her face made him grin. She looked for all the world like a feisty kitten waiting to spit in his face.

"I wasn't aware that you saw each other casually." His hands turned into fists which he hid in his jacket. Why in the hell would she want to have anything to do with a bastard such as Pritchard. The man was a snake.

"Is it any of your business?" Her voice was polite, but there was steel behind it.

"Yes, Morrison, it is my goddamn business! This is my office, not a bar." Bloody hell! This woman was getting to him.

"Mr. Ward, my personal life is my own. I do not let it interfere with my work. And I would appreciate it if you kept your opinions to yourself in that regard."

He stalked towards her. She took a step back. He smiled at her, more like baring his teeth. Inside he seethed. The gossip he overheard still playing in his mind.

"Fine. Like I said before, Morrison, this is not a dating service. So tell that 'friend' of yours to keep to after hours." He searched her face for emotion, recalling their heated conversation which he ended with a kiss. "You know there are rumours going around."

Her face heated up, but she still kept a compact check on her temper. Chase smirked. He enjoyed riling her up. He wanted to see the fire in her eyes again. He couldn't get it out of his mind the whole weekend.

"Oh?"

"Yes, you are quite the celebrity. Having slept your way up to the top -"

Her hand flew to his cheek, but he was faster. He grabbed her and pulled her closer. She growled at him.

"You are unbelievable!" She tried pushing him away. His body didn't move an inch.

"So tell me, Christine... Why are you living in a slum when my father pays you? I am sure he compensates you enough." His voice soft and dangerous against her ear. "What made him employ you?" He inhaled her scent, so floral and intoxicating. He wanted her. God help him, he wanted her.

"Let me go! This is harassment." She managed to get her wrist free and slapped him hard.

For a split second they stared at each other in shock. Her hand print glowed on his pale cheek. Behind them the door opened. Alexander Ward stepped into the office.

"What in the blue blazes is going on here?" he demanded.

"Mr. Ward, I - I was just going to get some coffee. Can I get you some?" Christine stuttered.

"One moment, Christine." Alexander stopped her. "Chase, care to fill me in on this..." he motioned to the red mark on Chase's face.

Chase loosened his tie, not daring to look at his father. "It's nothing. What can I do for you, Dad?" He walked to his liquor cabinet and took out two glasses, putting them on his desk. "Care for a drink?"

"No, I do not. It's not even midday yet." He turned to Christine who clenched her hands to stop them from shaking. "What is going on, Christine? And don't you dare lie to me."

Chase spoke up before Christine could say anything. "We had a bit of a disagreement."

Alexander whipped his head around to glare at his son. "Did I ask you?" He took one of Christine's hands in his own and gently stroked the back of her hand. "You can tell me, Christine. You don't have to be afraid of Chase."

"Hah!" Chase slapped his hand on his desk. "Look at you, being the knight in shining armor. So maybe I'll get to hear the truth from you, Dad? Did she sleep with you to get this position as rumour has it?"

"Oh God..." Christine whimpered. She leaned with her back against the door.

Alexander took three steps towards his son. "What did you just say to me?"

"Getting hard of hearing in your old age, Father?"

"I'll not tolerate this kind of disrespect!" He grabbed Chase by the shirt and yanked him forward, their noses almost touching.

Chase saw little white flecks of spit on his fathers lip. He knew he was playing with fire, but he couldn't stop himself.

"It's not like you haven't done it before, now is it?" His eyes dared his father to react. Which he did.

Alexander rammed Chase into the bookcase. Some books came crashing to the floor. Christine watched the scene, her eyes wide with fright, yet unable to move.

"You insolent brat!" He backhanded Chase once. It sounded like a gunshot. When he let go of him, Chase fell to the floor, wiping blood from his nose and his mouth with his sleeve.

Alexander's whole body shook, his face ashen. He towered over his son half lying against the bookcase.

"Don't you ever dare to speak to me like that. I will fire your ass, son or no son. Do you understand?" He turned around to face Christine who stood statuesque in front of the door. "I apologize for my son's behaviour. He had no right to treat you like that. Believe me, I will deal with the guilty parties accordingly."

"I- It's fine, Mr. Ward. Really. Thank you." she murmured.

"Yeah, Dad. Why don't you go directly to Mason Pritchard and start there." Chase spat at his father.

"You shut up, Chase! I've had enough of you. Your personal feud with Mason has nothing to do with what happened here. We will speak at home about what really bothers you." He turned and went out, mumbling to himself.

Chase picked himself up, straightening his dishevelled and bloodied shirt. Christine still stood where she was, hugging herself tightly.

"Morrison, I -"

"Please, don't say anything. I can't talk to you right now." She looked away from him. "I am not sorry I struck you."

"You needn't be." he snorted. He poured a generous amount of whiskey in one glass. He downed it in one gulp, wincing as the liquor burned his torn lip. She walked out without saying anything more and left Chase with his demons.