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She didn’t know how to respond, so she looked down at her boots while her pulse beat a primal rhythm in her throat. Her vocal cords seemed to throb with her nerves. With her excitement.
For the show, yes. But not only the show. Chase was here, and even if she tried to force back the urge, she’d be singing for him. To him. In her music, he wouldn’t turn her down. He couldn’t. That was the one place she felt sexy beyond compare.
“I’ll be right down front.” T
he words were laced with something low and throbbing, or else she couldn’t hear him clearly through the haze of her own need. Singing always brought her emotions to the surface, and having him so close in such a confined space was wreaking havoc on her libido—and her heart. “If you need me, pull your braid. If anyone gets too close, or makes you uncomfortable, give me that signal and a directional like this.” He pressed his finger to the side of his muscled thigh. “I’ll figure it out.”
“You really don’t have to do this. This is such a mellow place. Really. I’ve performed here several times and I’ve never had a problem.”
“Don’t fight me any more on this, Summer. I’m staying.” And what he didn’t say, but came through loud and clear in his expression: work with me.
So she would, because she really did appreciate having a friend around. He had a busy life, whether or not he was playing ball, yet he’d taken the time to find out where she was and go there to make sure she was okay. He was a good friend, when he wasn’t being an ass.
“Thank you for coming.” The words came out more softly than she’d intended, but he nodded.
“Nowhere else I’d rather be.”
While she pondered that enigmatic statement, he walked away to take up his post in front of the stage.
After a moment, she followed. Looked like she’d gotten herself a bodyguard, whether or not she wanted one.
Chapter Five
Another Saturday, another show. Another session of sublime torture.
Though this would only be the second evening since Chase had started guarding Summer, he’d already realized that he might be in over his head. His saving grace was that he spent limited time in her sphere. Two hours max per night, so far only once per week. No biggie.
So he wanted her, just like every other guy who glimpsed her singing her heart—and all the rest of her—out. Unlike them, he wouldn’t allow himself to even make a play. He had to keep her safe and that took precedence over everything else. Distractions weren’t a weakness he could indulge.
She still offered token excuses why she didn’t need security. She was fine, she knew martial arts, she needed to be close to her fans. All well and good, but he wasn’t letting her fans be that close to her. End of story.
Besides, why should they get fringe bennies he didn’t? Hell, he even tried not to breathe in too much of her apple scent. Fruit had never turned him on to that extent before. Maybe he’d investigate some kind of nose plugs.
Her shift at Triple Scoop was due to end at four, and Chase agreed to pick her up at her place at five before their drive into the city. He ended up getting done with PT early and to fill up some time, went to half of an AA meeting, which he counted as a victory despite being gently scolded by the group leader for taking off before the end. Since he usually split before introductions were finished, he figured he’d made solid progress. That left an afternoon of doing nothing and more nothing or bothering Summer and his sister.
Naturally, bothering his favorite two females won.
Plus he’d have supervision in the form of Cass. She wouldn’t let him even look at Summer, never mind touch.
When he strode into the ice cream shop at just past three, they were both assisting customers. Cass helped an elderly woman choose between rocky road and peach melba and Summer appeared to be selling a guy about her age some chocolate sauce. The dude seemed way too interested in the silky mint fudge for Chase’s liking, and as he put his newly developed stealth skills to work by edging up behind them, he realized why.
“Oh yes, I guarantee you’ll enjoy it. The flavor is very subtle and the mint offers a slight tingling sensation on the tongue.” Summer chuckled and tipped her head, letting a dark wave fall across her cheek. “Or other places, your choice.”
“Wow, really?” Grinning Dude braced an arm on the shelf of assorted ice cream related paraphernalia just above her head and leaned close. “Tell me more.”
Like hell.
Chase stepped forward and took a moment’s delight in the way Summer’s eyes went wary and wide. He knew the look of someone trying to close a deal and she had it. She also flushed, a sure sign she’d been using her considerable feminine wiles to hawk his sister’s sauce.
As much as he appreciated her entrepreneurial spirit, he’d just put a swift end to that.
“Hi there, kids. Can a guy get some service around here or should I come back later?” Chase asked, clasping his hands behind his back. He wasn’t gripping them to keep from dragging Summer away as if she were his favorite piece of meat. An evolved male like him? Never.
“Wait your turn,” No-Longer-Grinning Dude snapped.
“I don’t think so.” Chase inclined his chin toward Summer. “Ma’am? Do you think you could help me?”
“I doubt it.” She exhaled and faced her customer. “Would you like me to bag some of the sauce for you to go? I can include samples of—”
