Chase After Me - Cynthia Eden Page 0,1

doors opened.

And…

He saw her.

Her head was tilted down so that her loose, red curls fell forward. She stepped out of the elevator, moving with a stride that was slow and almost distracted. She still wore her tennis shoes, the t-shirt, and the shorts, and he couldn’t help but notice the woman had killer legs. Long, toned.

Chase moved a bit to the left. It was a deliberate side-step because it would put him in her path.

But…

She didn’t notice him.

His target was carrying a book, she was reading it as she walked, and she didn’t even glance up as she made her way down the hallway and to her apartment.

Huh. That was…unexpected.

She was almost on top of him. The scent of vanilla teased his nose. He loved that scent. Reminded him of when he’d been a kid and his dad would take him to the local ice cream shop. He’d always ordered vanilla. It was his favorite.

She still hadn’t looked up. Obviously, situational awareness wasn’t high on her list of priorities. Strange, considering what he’d been told about her.

Maybe she’s just pretending not to notice me.

Either way, he had to do something before she barreled straight into him. “Ahem.”

She jumped, gasped, and her book flew from her hands to crash into the floor. Her eyes—a deep, dark green—widened as she stared at him. Her unpainted lips—bow-shaped and sexy—parted in a startled O-shape.

Chase gave her what he liked to think of as his winning smile. “Hi, there, neighbor.”

She blinked. Frowned. Then bent and scooped up her book.

He craned to get a glance at the title of the novel. When he recognized the name of the author, his smile stretched a little more.

“I’m sorry.” She gave a brisk shake of her head. “I think I was lost in a book.”

“It happens.” Dammit. She was even prettier than he’d expected. Creamy skin. Little button of a nose. And those eyes. Sexy as fuck.

Not that he was supposed to find her sexy.

She was the villain, after all. His job was to bring her down.

Red blossomed on her cheeks.

His head cocked to the right. She was blushing. Lots of reactions could be faked in this world. He’d seen some world-class actors in his time, but blushing? No, you couldn’t fake that. It was an instinctive, physical response.

Her gaze darted over him.

Right. The abs. They would—

Her stare shifted over to Merik as he stood near their last moving box. “Nice tat,” she told him with a quick smile.

What? She liked tats? If so, Chase would be happy to show her his. Except, well, it was in a rather hard-to-find spot on his—

Merik grinned back at her. “Thanks.”

“Are you moving in, too?” Her voice was all warm and welcoming—as she spoke to Merik.

This shit could not be happening. “No.” Chase realized his own voice sounded a bit too hard when her stare swung back to him. He cleared his throat. “My buddy was just helping me to move in.” Now he extended his hand to her. “Hi, I’m Chase Durant.”

She eyed his hand for a moment. Nibbled on her lower lip. Then slowly, her right hand extended toward his. Her left still gripped her book.

He didn’t move. Chase was being patient and letting her take her time. This was all part of his strategy. She’d be coming to him, and he would be—

Her fingers touched his. A surge of heat whipped up along Chase’s hand and flew through his entire body.

Her eyes flared, and he knew she’d felt the same surge.

An awareness. An intensity. A killer sexual attraction.

His hand closed over hers. “What’s your name?” Her skin was so freaking soft. Meanwhile, he had calluses to hell and back on his hands, but they came from his workout regimen. Once a SEAL, always a—

“Vivian. Vivian Wayne.” She tugged against his hold.

He immediately let her go. “Nice to meet you, Vivian.” He liked the name. It was different. Sexy. So is she. He motioned toward his silent partner. “That’s Merik.”

Merik gave her a little salute.

She inclined her head—

“He’ll have to leave soon.” Chase beamed at his buddy. “Man, I sure do appreciate your help today, but I know you need to get back to your wife.”

Merik’s lips twitched. He didn’t have a wife. Or a serious girlfriend. Dude was a player to his soul. Chase kept warning him about that, but, so far, Merik hadn’t listened to him. I offer good life advice. Why don’t people listen to me more often?

“And you need to get back to your new place,”