Blackmailed Into Bed by Heidi Betts Page B

night, he stayed awake, trying to make sense of what she’ d told him, of the thoughts and feelings ricocheting through him like a pinball in an arcade game. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’ t seem to reconcile this “ new” Elena with the memories he had of her and the woman he’ d expected her to be.
    All he knew was that the emotions this Elena was churning up inside him made him distinctly uncomfortable.

    Eight
    T he next few days in Las Vegas passed easily. Chase spent his days in business meetings, while Elena made one more trip to play with the children at the hearing-impaired school, then did a bit of window shopping. She sent postcards to some friends, even knowing she’ d likely be home before they arrived. And she bought a pair of silver and amethyst swing earrings for Alandra from a boutique in the Wynn.
    In the evenings she would accompany Chase to any dinner functions he needed to attend. Once or twice, they even ordered in, eating from the room service cart while they sat in front of the television in nightgown and boxer shorts.
    And at night, they made love.
    There was no more talk of that Christmas dance at her parents’ house nearly twenty years ago, or the type of person she’ d been as a teen. Chase seemed satisfied with the answers she’ d given him about her mother’ s death and her change of heart. At least for the moment.
    Elena didn’ t try to fool herself into believing that the past was entirely dead and buried, of course. She was afraid the hurt she’ d caused him by turning him down so rudely in front of her friends ran too deeply to be forgiven overnight. But she was happy to go on the way things were running now. Spending time with him, sharing less volatile memories of their school days and mutual acquaintances, sleeping each night in his arms.
    It was the last one that caused her the most turmoil. Because she was just a bit too comfortable with him. Enjoyed making love with him a bit too much. Found herself forgetting the exact details of their arrangement a bit too often.
    It was just so easy to pretend they were a normal couple, spending a week together out of town and getting to know each other better. No deals or arrangements involved. No blackmail to get her there, no guilt driving her to do whatever she could to save her father’ s business.
    A big part of her wanted to be there. And worse, she wished it were real.
    How could this have happened? How could she have gone from resenting him for blackmailing her to share his bed, to wondering how she was going to feel when their arrangement was over?
    It wouldn’ t be easy. Already, her chest felt tight and her eyes stung whenever she thought about the time when they would go their separate ways.
    That moment was closing in fast.
    She finished folding a knit dress and tucked it into her suitcase, trying not to think about what would happen next.
    Chase was at his last meeting of the week in Las Vegas. He’ d packed his things earlier, then left her behind in the room to do the same. Their flight back to Texas was scheduled for after lunch.
    And that, she thought, was when it would all be over.
    She took a deep breath, patting her clothes down before heading to the bathroom for her toiletries.
    If, in the week she’ d been gone, her father had managed to get enough money together to save SRS, then there would be no reason for her relationship with Chase to continue. He would have nothing to hold over her head and no leverage to demand she remain his mistress.
    How pathetic was it that the prospect saddened her? That she actually wanted her father to be having trouble getting his finances and backers together so she could have an excuse to remain with Chase just a bit longer.
    Her sister would have a fit if she knew what Elena was thinking. Alandra would put her hands on her hips and shake her head, then launch into a lengthy lecture about Elena standing up for herself and not letting a man dictate her moods. If she