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Most likely, it was a trait that he’d learned to use to his advantage as a billionaire business mogul, but for me, it was incredibly unnerving and captivating at the same time.
He made me want to spill my guts to him, but I knew I wouldn’t.
Being vulnerable to anyone was a lot more scary than my need to discuss my feelings.
Besides, once I opened that floodgate, it would probably never close again. I hadn’t worked this hard for over a decade to stifle those emotions only to lose control of them now.
Especially not with…him.
Because he thought of himself as my honorary big brother, he’d probably wring me dry until I told himeverything. Chase would try to “fix” anything that was wrong in my life, just like he’d done when Torie and I were kids. Unfortunately, I was all grown up and so was Chase. A Band-Aid or a piece of my favorite candy wasn’t going to fix what was wrong with me anymore.
I nodded slowly, knowing I had to be intentionally vague. “I was tired. It was good for both of us to spend time together.”
He sat back in his chair and continued to study me as he answered, “I very much doubt you mean that since you spent a hell of a lot of that time in the hospital with her. That’s not exactly some kind of relaxing vacay, Vanna.”
I nearly sighed as I ogled the gorgeous man across from me, convinced no man could make a tuxedo look as good as Chase Durand could.
He was gorgeous, from his mesmerizing gray eyes to the attractive mixed shades of brown hair on his head.
This man was familiar, but also an enigma to me. How he managed to be both down-to-earthandincredibly sophisticated had never quite jived in my mind.
It was probably much better if Ididn’tthink about how damn fit and muscular his body was, or how far he towered over me with his almost intimidating height. I was a little taller than average for a female, but Chase actually made me feel diminutive when we were standing side by side.
I couldn’t say that he hadn’t become harder and slightly more cynical from his years spent in special forces, but strangely, it made him all the more fascinating. How many guys who were born wealthy like Chase ended up in special forces?
He and his older brother, Wyatt, never talked much about their years in the military, nor did either of them brag like some guys would about being special forces. According to Torie, they were pretty close-lipped and blew off most of the questions she’d asked about those years.
The way they avoided that subject always made me wonder if they kept quiet because of the secrecy of their missions, or because they were so traumatic they didn’t want to think about them anymore.
“I didn’t mind,” I said softly, really meaning those words.
My best friend had been shattered physically and emotionally after she’d been kidnapped and left for dead in the Amazon. All I’d really wanted was to be there for her. Truthfully, I’d been pretty damn grateful she hadn’t died. I’d been thankful that it was still possible to spend time with her, wherever that might be.
“NowthatI definitely believe since you and Torie have always been so close,” Chase replied. “And you’re right about Cooper. He is good for her, and vice versa. The two of them are almost ridiculously…in love.”
I smiled at him, amused by the way he’d spat out those last two words. It seemed almost normal for the two of us to have this kind of conversation, even though we never did.
During our infrequent meetings after we’d become adults, we usually antagonized the crap out of each other and debated just about everything.
For me, it had always been safer to stay friendly adversaries.
“You don’t believe in love?” I asked, the words slipping out of my mouth before I could check them.
I’d always dreaded the day when I’d discover that Chase was seriously involved with someone, even though I knew Ishouldn’tfeel that way.
He’d had girlfriends, probably more than I could count, especially during his high school and college years.
I knew from Torie that he’d had a few fleeting relationships while he was in the military as well.
Chase had his dad’s natural ability to be completely charming when he wanted to be. Torie’s father had been a charismatic, extremely lovable Frenchman. It was easy to see that his youngest son had some of the same characteristics.
Strangely, I didn’t think there had been anyone special since Chase had gotten out of the military to join his older brother, Wyatt, as a co-CEO of Durand Industries.
If there was, Torie had never told me about the woman in Chase’s life, which was entirely possible since I definitely didn’t ask. The only thing my best friend had made very clear was her displeasure about not having any nieces and nephews to adore. Well, and her two brothers’ lack of interest in getting married someday.
But that didn’t mean that therewasn’ta female in Chase’s life. How could there not be? I’d actually been surprised when he’d shown up solo for his sister’s wedding.
Come to think of it, there hadn’t been a woman beside him throughout the period when Torie was recovering, either, which was…odd.
