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For about thirty seconds after I turned, my eyes couldn’t blink him out of my head. Like when you look directly at the sun and then blink away, but you still see that round ball of fire.
And that’s exactly what he was. A ball of fire glaring at me. Leaning back in his booth, tight chiseled jaw that worked when we locked eyes. High cheekbones, dirty blond hair, and muscles. God, those glorious muscles, inked from the shoulders down.
This guy is a Taylor Swift song waiting to be written.
The sky turns purple and pink in the clouds and I almost forgot how beautiful it is here, no matter what part of Colorado you are in.
My eyes grow heavy and I’m resigned.
I’m pretty sure there was never a plan to take me back to some empty house with a bed to crash in. I’m pretty sure Aiden Reeves, who I’m not surprised bought Larry and Edna’s Inn, asked his son to take me back to the city—where she belongs.
I realized it a few miles back.
Unless you expect me to believe Chase Reeves actually works in the city.
No, he’s dropping me off and heading back. Besides, who starts work at seven anyway?
I’m so delirious with emotion and exhaustion, I actually give myself a little exit interview.
Well, Pepper Woods. You had quite the adventure today. What will you do next?
I look up almost sleepily at a large building. Denver Kings Arena.
Hmm…maybe I’ll pick up skating again. I answer my inner voice.
The engine stops and I jolt back to the present, blinking. Following him, I remove my helmet.
“You got quiet. Did you fall asleep?” he asks, keeping his eyes ahead rather than sparing me a glance.
“Something like that.” I slide off the motorcycle and hand him the helmet. “Thanks for the ride.”
“Hang on to it. You’ll need it for the ride back to town.”
“Back to town?”
“You’ve got a place to stay if you still want it. It’s not exactly the Ritz Carlton—but it should do until someone checks out of the Inn.”
I catch my bottom lip with my teeth. “So what, I’m just supposed to hang out here while you drive around a Zamboni or whatever it is you do for work in this building?”
He narrows his eyes, assessing me. Then decides he doesn’t care and shakes his head as he heads for the stairs. “Your choice, Princess.”
I race up behind him, just barely keeping up.
We enter the building through the garage and powerwalk down a freakishly long hallway. “What, they don’t let you use the front door?”
“It’s a shortcut to where I need to be.”
When we round the corner and head down another hallway, two women are walking in the opposite direction. “Hey, Chase.” The tall one with the pointy fingernails waves. She’s in an oversized Denver Kings jersey and short shorts.
I have a feeling Mr. “I’m late” will make time for the blonde, but he surprises me by barely sparing her a glance.
She doesn’t seem fazed by it and smiles at me as she walks by. “Hi, sweetie.”
Chase swivels around. “Hey Tray. Would you do me a favor?”
“Sure thing.” Her voice is so pretty it’s nauseating.
What is wrong with me? I’m not a hater. Get a grip, Pepper.
