His Ruthless Revenge (A Dark Bully Romance)

Chapter Four

Present day...

I wake up feeling drowsy and disoriented as I try and figure out where I am. It quickly dawns on me that I'm still in my bedroom and must have fallen asleep last night after sending that message to Louise.
Chase enters the room a few moments later, struggling to balance a breakfast tray and open the door at the same time.
"What on earth are you doing?" I laugh, sitting up in bed as I watch him struggle.
"I thought you might like breakfast in bed." He replies bashfully, lowering the tray onto the bed with caution.
"Thanks." I chuckle. "That's sweet of you."
He's brought all of my favourite things as well as a single flower he must have picked from the garden. He's placed it in a glass of water on the tray and I genuinely smile for the first time in a couple of days.
"You look so beautiful this morning." He whispers, placing a seductive kiss against my neck.
My body shivers as I fight against my instincts. I don't want to respond to him every time he kisses me and I've really got to discipline myself so I don't end up surrendering to his advances.
"I very much doubt that." I say, rolling my eyes at him.
"I was going to ask if you want to join me in the shower but I think I'd much rather stay in bed with you." He moans, forgetting all about the tray as he leans towards me.
"Chase, it's going to fall!" I warn him, trying to catch it before it topples over.
"Shit." He grumbles, catching the tray and placing it on the floor out of the way.
"I'm actually feeling a little nauseous." I lie, hoping he won't see through my deceit again.
"As in morning sickness?" He asks, placing his hand against my stomach.
"We don't know that yet."
"But it might be and that's good enough for me." He grins, taking my hand in his.
"Don't you need to get going?" I prompt him. "You going for your morning run?"
"I might just skip it this once. I'm feeling rebellious."
"You can't." I blurt out foolishly, chastising myself internally.
"Why not?" He questions me, frowning slightly.
"I don't want you to be late. Not because of me." I reply lamely, struggling to find another excuse.
His hand reaches for my thigh, gliding all the way up until he stops between my legs. I find myself opening them without thinking, unconciously needing to forget everything that's happened the last couple of days and get lost in the moment.
"I knew you'd give in eventually." He moans, burying his face in my neck as he covers my collarbone with kisses.
His arrogance is enough to pull me straight out of my trance and I shake my head, removing his hand and rearranging myself.
"Chase, I don't feel well and the last thing I want is sex." I snap defensively, folding my arms across my chest.
"Who said anything about sex?" He challenges me, slipping his hand inside my panties.
"You've got that look in your eye." I scold him, forcing him to let go.
"Sorry." He laughs, chuckling lightly. "I can't help it."
"Why don't you go for your run? I'll have some breakfast and we can catch up later."
"April, are you sure we're alright? You've been distant these last couple of days." He persists gravely, a look of concern on his face.
"I just don't feel great." I remind him, squeezing his hand gently. "That's all it is."
"Promise me there's nothing else that's bothering you?" He murmurs softly, searching my eyes as he urges me to open up to him.
"You know I don't keep secrets from you." I say calmly, speaking with absolute certainty. "Just like I know you don't keep anything from me."
There's a moment of silence between us I let my words resonate with him. Of course my statement was deliberate and I was actually hoping it might force him to break down and share his own guilt with me.
"Exactly." He agrees hastily, avoiding my gaze as he clears his throat and climbs off the bed. "I best get going."

Chase goes for his usual run before coming home for his shower. I wave him off at the front door as normal and decide to fix myself some breakfast. I've hardly ate anything these last few days but know I've got to force myself to eat something.
I've still got a few hours until I'm due to meet Louise but can't think of anything else. My mind is elsewhere and there's no distraction from it.

I'm watching some pointless programme on TV when the doorbell rings. I jump up off the sofa and race towards the window. I'm terrified it might be her even though we arranged to meet somewhere else and it's far too early anyway. I peep out between the blinds and gasp when I see who it is outside.