There are fountains and mature trees. Ivy hangs along the façade of the house. Of course, as expected, it’s beautiful.
We pull up right in front of the door, and I wonder if maybe they’ve invited me to a private dinner party or something?
The driver opens the door, and I use my shawl to guard against the rain. Before I know it, Chase is opening the front door with a smile, happy to see me.
“You look beautiful, Nicole,” he says to me. To the driver, he says, “Thank you Aaron. We’ll call you if we need your services later tonight.”
Chase pulls me inside, and I’m oddly inspired by how intimate it feels. The house is grand, but it’s also Chase’s home. And something about that feels really intimate to me—and it somehow makes the relationship feel more real.
Here, without the confines of the city, I feel like Chase is a real person. He’s not just my boss or a billionaire or my dominant; he’s a person.
I know the other guys are in here somewhere, though I can only imagine where by the size of the place.
Chase closes the door and my heart flutters to think that this is just the beginning of the night. Who knows what’s to come?
Nicole
I follow Chase through his home, impressed by all the details. There’s historic woodwork and vintage charm, although, of course, all the essential upgrades have all been made. We pass by numerous rooms, and I sense a clearly defined traditional interior aesthetic.
Chase holds my hand and walks me through to the back of the house, where there’s an enclosed garden with a covered swimming pool attached to it. And guess who I find waiting for me out there?
“Hi, Adam,” I say, kissing his cheek. “Hi, Cameron,” I greet as he comes up to me from behind, puts his arms around my waist, and places a kiss on my cheek.
“She’s finally here,” Chase says.
“And she looks ravishing,” Cameron says. “Worth the wait.”
I’m glad they like what they see. I don’t know how to describe the feeling I get when I know I’ve made them happy.
I look around the dimly lit garden, and everything looks perfect. There’s a long table set up with a beautiful meal waiting for us. There are candelabras and calming music, accented by the pitter patter of the rain upon the glass that’s covering the garden.
It’s a magical little place back here. I try to peer outside so I can see the rest of the grounds, but it’s too hard with the rain. I know the acreage must extend for miles.
“You’ll see, Nicole,” Chase says, “we have all your favorite things here. There’s salmon, and a massaged to kale salad, filet mignon, and some appetizers we know you like.”
How did they find all of this out about me? How do they know my favorite foods? It makes me feel treasured to know that they’ve taken the time to learn about me.
Maybe I’m not just some girl, after all. Maybe I actually mean something to them.
Adam pulls out a chair for me, and I take my seat in the middle of all three of them. The scene is romantic, like something out of a movie.
I had no idea Chase lived out here. I would’ve pegged him for a city boy. No doubt he probably has a place in the city, too, but to me, this place is as good as any.
“So, Nicole,” Cameron says. “Tell us about yourself.”
I pause, wondering if they really want to know who I am or if they’re just trying to make polite conversation. Besides, they already seem to know a great deal about me…
“Well, um, I don’t know what to say. I had a pretty uneventful childhood, the typical nuclear family, but I always knew I wanted more, so I worked hard and got a scholarship to Harvard.
“Once there I kept my head in the books and tried to avoid all distraction. That’s not to say I don’t like to have my fun, thus the bartending.”
“So, bartending,” Cameron says. “That’s kind of an outlet for you?”
I am genuinely pleased about their interest in my life. It doesn’t seem fake.
So I continue, “Yes, it was kind of an outlet for me. I never rebelled as a teenager, so I guess hanging out at a strip club and tending bar after college was kind of my rebellion.”
“That’s fascinating,” Chase says. “Everybody needs some time to explore who they are, especially after college.”
“And what do you do for pleasure?” Adam asks.
“Well, I like to work out, to be in my body. I take yoga and Pilates. And, in the early morning before people are awake, I like to run so I can see the sunrise.
“I’ve scouted out some secret places within the city that afford the perfect view. That’s my little oasis of pleasure.”