Worth the Chase

“Fancy seeing you here. It must be fate.”

Her head whips up at my voice. Her eyes dilate, and the way her full lips part only encourages my growing boner. In the next second, she masks her surprise with an adorable little frown.

“You seriously are stalking me. You know this is becoming creepy, right?”

“I agree. Maybe we should exchange information so we know where each other is going to be. Otherwise, it’s probably gonna keep happening.”

She rolls her eyes and takes another book off the cart, placing it on the shelf. “Nice try, but no.”

“Okay. I guess we’ll keep seeing each other. I’m huge into reading nowadays, and man, that burnt burger really hit the spot.”

“Chase, really?”

“Have you ever had a burger so crisp, you chipped a tooth? Delicious.”

I don’t know whether I hate myself for the torture or love the fact that I just earned the sexiest little giggle off her lips. I take that as my in and walk toward her. “Maybe if you have some time, you can recommend another book.”

She stands and starts pushing her cart down the aisle. “Yeah, criminal law section. I’m sure you’ll find some books on stalkers.”

I follow her like a lost puppy. “No thanks. I’m pretty educated on that one.”

“Okay, how about the relationship section? There’s a book called He’s Just Not That Into You. You could probably use some pointers from that one.”

“Yeah, probably not that one either. I’m pretty sure he is into her.” My dick twitches at the flush in her cheeks.

“Okay, fine. The self-help section has a really great book on accepting defeat.”

“Strike three for you. I definitely haven’t been defeated. Looks like you owe me lunch now.”

Her lips part, and I fight not to wrap my arm around her neck and kiss away her cute little stupor.

“How exactly do I owe you lunch now?”

“You just failed at recommending a book to me. The only way to make up for it is to let me take you to lunch.”

“Chase, I don’t think—”

“It’s just lunch, Angel. Simple meal. Simple conversation. We may even enjoy each other’s company. Then we go our separate ways. I’ll even consider turning in my library card.”

Her eyes glimmer with humor. She’s contemplating my offer. Inside, I’m a little girl, jumping up and down in a candy store, begging her to please say yes, please say yes, please say yes.

“I’ll even let you pay so you don’t get any ideas.”

She rolls her eyes. “How chivalrous of you.” She exhales a deep breath. “Fine. Just lunch. After, it’s bye-bye, no more showing up at either of my jobs.”

“Done.” I slide my palms together and sway back and forth on my heels, a winning smile across my face.

“You look creepy again.”

I remove my smile. “Got it.”

“I get off in twenty minutes. There’s a little café a block away. They serve quick food. It would be perfect.”

Not if I order everything on the menu. “Sounds great. I’ll just be in the next aisle over reading.” She shakes her head and gives me her back without another word as she rolls her cart down another aisle and out of view.

I feel good. The best I have since the last time I saw her and got a taste of her sweet little cherry lips. I snag a book off the shelf and find a table. Sitting down, I contemplate how our conversation will go. I don’t want to ask any deep questions and scare her off. But I’m dying to know what her intentions were that night. I’ve been with a lot of chicks, but I’ve never been with one who shows up at a bar with intentions of taking home a stranger to lose their virginity. Looking back, I feel like an asshole for going through with it, but I also wouldn’t change it. Everything about her was perfect. From her subtle moans to her curious wild side. She was just as much beauty as she was sass. I don’t know how she was a virgin, let alone not scooped up by some guy and wearing a gigantic ring.

“God, I sound like a pussy. Maybe I am a pussy—”

“Shhh...”

I turn to my right where a mom and little girl are reading a book.

“Shit, sorry—I mean, shoot. I’ll just read my book quietly over here.” I hold up my book and wave it at her, and her look of disgust deepens.

Then I look at the cover.

Self Help: Life after Prison.

Goddammit!

I throw the book on the table and get up and wait for her outside.

Leaning against the building, I practice some simple lines. What brings you to these parts? No. What beautiful eyes you have, are they natural? Dude, no. Your teeth are exquisite. Do you floss? What the hell’s wrong with me? “Get your shit together.” Don’t say anything stupid. Maybe I just shouldn’t talk. I check the time. Shit, it’s been longer than twenty minutes. She wouldn’t… She totally snuck out the back door and is halfway home by now. The main door opens, and to my surprise, she walks out. Phew. “Thought you were going to ditch me there for a second.”