Chapter 2 #2
“Let’s not get too crazy, just yet.” Greer grinned at Chase. “But I’m hopeful. I know I’ve been a bit resistant to giving up complete control, but I think it’s time.”
Chase pursed his lips, looking as if he wanted to add something before palming the table and standing. “Looks like my wallet slipped out on the drive over from the lodge.” He nudged Greer. “You’ve got a Maglite, right?”
Greer arched a brow. “As do you.”
Zain laughed. “Ask Chase what happened to his light earlier today?”
Chase flipped the man off. “Yeah, yeah, I didn’t clip it in all the way, and it flew out of the chopper after that rescue.” He looked at her, again. “Give me a hand?”
She glanced around the table, his teammate’s expectant gazes spiking her heart rate — from already elevated to marathon-level effort in a flash.
Especially with the way he stared at her, his hazel eyes edging more toward green than usual.
A slight flush on his cheeks. As if he wasn’t quite as calm as he appeared, either.
She scraped back the chair. “If this means you’re treating for dessert, then I’m all-in.”
He froze for a second, then waved toward the entrance. “I think that’s a given.”
His hand landed on the small of her back as she headed for the door, the heat from his palm nearly dropping her to her knees.
This was what she’d tried explaining to Mackenzie.
The sheer effort it took Greer to keep her feet moving instead of turning and dragging his mouth to hers.
Finally discovering if he tasted half as good as she’d imagined.
If he’d blow all her expectations out of the water the second his lips touched hers.
The chilly evening cooled some of the heat, the hint of rain lingering in the air accompanied by thick fog cloaking the landscape.
Chase angled her over to his truck, rounding the grill to the driver’s side.
The lock clicked open, the hinges creaking as he cracked the door open, heavy shadows covering the interior.
Greer grabbed the light from her belt, switched it on, then danced the beam around the seat and down the sides. She glanced at him over her shoulder, gesturing toward the vehicle. “Are you sure your wallet fell out in here?”
Chase patted down his jacket, smiling at her as he removed the leather billfold from his inside pocket. “My bad. Guess I forgot to put it in my back pocket.”
“You forgot? That’s what you’re going with?”
He moved, snugging her against the truck as he stepped in front, effectively trapping her between him and his Chevy. He braced one hand on the roof, the other on the door frame as he leaned in, his face level with hers. “We need to talk.”
Four words, the weight of them crashing through the last of her barriers. Whether it was the prospect of him admitting his feelings or confessing he was done waiting, she wasn’t sure. Only that it was now, or never.
“We could…” She reached up and fisted his shirt, dragging him closer. “Or you could just kiss me. Your choice.”
He froze, breath held, the pulse at the base of his neck fluttering wildly beneath his skin before his eyes widened, and he closed the distance.
He stopped with his mouth barely touching hers as if waiting for some kind of sign.
Maybe to see if she’d change her mind. Instead, she tugged him that last half an inch.
Explosive.
No other way to describe the instant punch of heat through her veins.
How the world spun for a moment, everything speeding around her until it stopped.
Anchored by the way he stepped into her, crushed her against the truck as he ate at her mouth, pausing just long enough for them to catch a breath before he returned.
Harder. Tilting her head back as he deepened the kiss. Made everything around them disappear.
Cars passed in the distance, the eerie call of the lighthouse echoing through town, as they stood there, completely entwined. He dipped lower, kissing his way down her neck, when a throat cleared beside them, the air swirling as someone settled off to their left.
Chase clenched his jaw as he eased back, closing his eyes before blowing out a harsh breath. He gave her a smile, then tore his gaze away. Looking less than amused. “Problem?”
Greer managed to shift her focus, cringing at Foster as the man shook his head, smiling as if he’d expected to find them like this.
He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Just wanted to make sure you hadn’t gotten waylaid.”
Chase huffed. “It’s only been a couple minutes, buddy.”
“Try over ten. Edging on twenty.”
Chase sighed. “As you can see, we’re fine.”
“Better than fine.” He chuckled. “We already settled up. Maybe you can grab Greer some dessert on the way home.” He glanced behind them, footsteps tapping on the pavement.
“We’re heading back to the house for a cautiously optimistic mini celebration over Rhett’s return to the living.
You’re obviously welcome to join us, though, I suspect you two might have other plans. ”
Kash stopped behind them, one arm wrapped around Jordan’s waist, Nyx at his side, as Chase shifted, giving Greer enough room to breathe. “Find your wallet?”
Chase rolled his shoulders. “Are you all going to be asses for the rest of the night?”
Kash laughed. “No more than usual.”
“Right. And I think—”
A blast of static drowned him out, Greer’s radio crackling to life on her belt.
“Sheriff? You copy?”
Greer groaned, drooping her head forward as she sucked in a breath, then grabbed the unit. She tamped down the punch of disappointment and keyed up the mic. “Loud and clear. What’s up, Shirley?”
“Looks like we’ve got another round of hazing.
I just got an anonymous report of people prowling around that old psychiatric hospital off Cliffside.
Our Good Samaritan was worried someone might be hurt.
Fool kids probably got caught up on some barbed wire or broken glass.
I’d send Bodie, but he’s already dealing with another disturbance over at the old ranger station, and you asked me not to call Jordan after hours unless it’s life or death. ”
Greer ignored Jordan’s huff. “You made the right call. I’ll go have a chat with our trespassers. Radio and cell service is pretty spotty up there, but I’ll check back in once I’ve cleared the building.”
“Roger.” Shirley paused, another hiss sounding over the speaker. “You’d better call me back within an hour or I’m sending in Raven’s Watch. And it’ll be Foster’s team so, don’t think they won’t storm the place.”
“Glad you’re not one to overreact.” She shoved the radio back on the clip and clenched her hands, cursing under her breath before facing the others, her heart still tapping wildly in her chest, the ground still slightly off-kilter. “Looks like I’m going to have to pass on the celebration for now.”
Jordan crossed her arms. “This is crazy. I can go. You’ve already worked a double—”
“Oh no. We have an agreement. I won’t make you ride a desk until you’re ready, and you don’t work overtime while you’re making a whole new human.”
Jordan grunted, then turned, walking off a way, back rigid. Hands fisted at her side.
Kash sighed. “She’s still adjusting to not being in the fray every other second.”
Chase tsked, then tossed Kash his keys. “Hold those for a moment.”
Greer frowned as Chase headed to the rear of his truck, rummaging around in the flatbed before walking back, tactical vest strapped around his torso with enough weapons he could take on a small invasion.
He had his medic bag slung over one shoulder, the sheer size of it making her back ache.
How he moved like a wraith with all that weight still amazed her.
She hitched out one hip. “What’s all this?”
Chase shrugged. “I can’t have your back without proper gear. You’ve got a vest in your Bronco, right? Or do I need to bring my spare?”
“Who said anything about needing backup?”
He pointed at her radio. “You heard Shirley. Possible injuries, which translates into you needing a medic. Fortunately, I’m a registered first responder, so no worries about legalities.”
“And if bullets start flying?”
“Then, you’re lucky I’m familiar with both ends of a rifle.”
Another blast of heat punched through her gut. The guy was going to be the reason she ended up in a straightjacket. “While I appreciate the gesture and would love the company, you’ve already worked overtime, too. You really don’t have to—”
“Yeah. I do.” He moved in close, again, quickening her pulse.
Making all those butterflies flutter to life, again.
“Don’t take this wrong, but you really do look exhausted.
And I know today’s not your first double shift.
Having Shirley on standby’s a good safety measure. Taking a partner… Even better.”
She arched a brow, all that heat simmering beneath her skin, threatening to spontaneously combust at any given moment. “Are you going to insist on driving, too?”
“We can split it.” Chase motioned to his truck as he looked at Kash. “Go easy on the clutch.”
Kash scrunched up his face. “When don’t I?” He whistled, and Nyx jumped into the cab. “We expect you both at the house in an hour, or we’ll come looking whether Shirley calls us or not.”
Chase offered her his hand, smiling when she slid her palm over his as they walked to her SUV. Foster slowed as he drove past, motioning for Chase to call him before pulling onto the road, then turning right at the lights.
She unlocked her vehicle, grinning when Chase circled around to the passenger side. He tossed his bag in the back, jumped in and buckled up without saying a word. She joined him, bringing the area up on her nav. “You know it’s likely just more frat kids, right?”
“Probably. Doesn’t mean you don’t need someone to watch your six.”
He leaned over, claimed her mouth in a kiss that she swore lit her hair on fire.
Had tiny arcs of electricity jumping from her skin to his.
He brushed his thumb across her lips. “Just a reminder that we’re not close to finishing our conversation.
Now, drive. Before I forget about duty and spend the next hour making up for lost time. ”