Page 35 of Chasin’s Surrender

“Warning. Whatever that was back there, I’m putting an end to it.”

“What?”

“That look, Evie. The one where you went from smiling to looking like someone carved your insides out. That shit is ending.”

“Evie?” she breathed.

“Stick with me, honey, ’cause this is important. I don’t know what trip you took in your head that made your eyes frost over with pain and took you from that room, but whatever it was, like it or not, I’m gonna figure it out, dig it out, and you’re gonna let it go.”

Genevieve’s eyes flared in irritation before she snapped, “Don’t be condescending.”

Chasin stared at the woman before him and wondered if she was worth the effort it was going to take to get through all her thorns and thistles. Then he remembered her smiling. Her teasing him. Her carefree. The way she wrapped herself around him like she never wanted to let him go. How good she felt under him. The sounds she made. Her moaning his name.

His perfect match.

Yeah, she’s well worth it. Thorns and all.

Chasin decided to ignore her remark and push. “What took you from that room?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Yes, you do. You closed your eyes and smiled so huge I couldn’t stop looking at you. Then you turned, and when you did, swear to God, Evie, I could feel it across the room. Something ugly filled your head. And when you opened your eyes…” Chasin stopped and shook his head. “Christ, they were so full of pain it hurt to look at you.”

Genevieve was quiet for a moment, but she pressed her forefinger against her thumbnail, something he’d watched her do when she was thinking.

“I need time,” she whispered.

“What?”

“Time, Chasin. I need you to give me time.”

“Time to do what?”

“Think.”

“Oh, no. That’s the last thing you need. After what I witnessed in there, you in your head is not a safe place to be.”

That earned him another flare of her eyes, but this time after they widened, they narrowed.

“That’s not up to you to decide.”

“Straight up, Evie, I’m making the decision. No more time. No more walls. No more emotional guard dog. I’m seeing why Bobby lets you push her away. But I’m not gonna allow you to do it to me.” Chasin heard the swift intake of breath, felt the air whoosh by as she inhaled. “Are you getting it yet?”

“Getting what?” she asked on an exhale.

“That I’m not stupid.”

“Stupid?”

Genevieve’s head cocked to the side and her brows pinched together.

Damn, she was cute when she was flustered.

“And I’m resourceful.”

“I’m lost.”

Yeah, she was. Lost in more ways than one. But she would be found—he’d make damn sure of it.