“I expect you to leave the contact information and address of this employer,” my father says.
“I’ll text it.” Chase practically trips backwards as I push him again. “Can we please go?”
“Yeah, sure. Um…nice seeing you again, Pastor Matthews.” He waves and catches his balance as he turns forward, glancing down at the small suitcase in my hand. “What about your things?”
“I’ll get the rest later.”
His eyes drift to my father, then land back on me. It doesn’t take a genius to see we were fighting. “Got it. Let’s go.” Bending down, he grabs the suitcase from my hand, then escorts me to his monster truck.
“Here, let me help you up.” He opens the door and holds my hand as I climb up. He doesn’t say anything as he climbs in and pulls away. A few minutes pass before I break the silence—anything to deter him from asking questions I don’t want to answer.
“You know, if I didn’t already know, I’d think you were trying to compensate with this huge truck.”
He turns to me, already wearing that devilish grin. “Let me know if you need a reminder.”
I offer him a disgusted scoff even as warmth enters my belly. My stomach tightens at the thought. “Nope. I’m good.”
His goofy smile is hot as hell. His deep-set hazel eyes draw me in. The anger and hurt from the fight with my father fades. God, he’s so handsome. Chiseled cheekbones. Lips—
“That’s not the look of someone who isn’t interested.”
I clear my throat. “I’m not. Trust me.”
Chase chuckles, bringing his eyes back to the road. “Okay then. Want to talk about what happened back there?”
“No.”
“In case I didn’t already mention it, I can be a good listener.”
I angle my body toward him, cocking my head. It’s impossible to keep my growing smirk hidden. “Only a million times.”
“Hey, it wasn’t that many. Like twice, maybe.”
“Whatever you say, Steinberg.”
“What was that, Matthews? I didn’t hear you because I wasn’t listening—ouch. Your violent streak only turns me on more—okay! I surrender.” I bite my lip, holding back my giggle. “How about we stick to the basics? Want to give me an address? Or is this a ploy to get me to take you back to my place?”
“You wish, playboy. Just the ride will suffice.” I give him the address for the Brooks’ Estate, and Chase enters it into his GPS.
“Hmmm…I know where this is. Really sketchy part.”
He’s unbelievable. “It’s the nicest part of town.”
“Define nicest? Did you do a background check on him? Call his references?”
“Chase.” He cocks his head my way. “I’m taking the job. If you don’t want to help me, that’s fine. Just drop me off and I’ll get—”
“Okay, okay, I get it. Keep my mouth shut. I’m just a pretty face with a huge truck…amongst other things. Just know the offer still stands.”
“What offer?”
“Taking you back to my place and—” His phone rings, cutting him off. “Shit. It’s work. Hold that thought. Hey, Craig…”
I leave him to his work call and stare out the window. A part of me wishes—no, begs for him to do just that. Take me back to his place and relive every single moment from the hotel. It might turn my mind off. Shut off all the voices. The doubt. The worry. Let him have his way with me and forget that my life is a goddamn rollercoaster destined to crash at any moment.
Chase ends his call as we pull into the long driveway of Jonathon Brooks’ home.
“Sketchy part of town, huh?”
Chase has his nose to the windshield, taking in the enormity of it all. “I mean…I’ve seen bigger.”
We pull up in front of the house and Chase parks. Mr. Brooks walks outside to greet us. Before Chase goes on another lecture about this not being a good idea, I hop out of his truck.
“Bridget, I’m excited to welcome you into my home. Anna has been running around the house just as eager.”
I reach out and shake his hand. Chase walks around the front of his truck, and I pretend I don’t see him rolling his eyes. “Thanks. Me too.”
Mr. Brooks takes notice of Chase and releases my hand. “I told you I would have sent over a service to gather your things.”
“I know. It’s fine—”
“She has me, no need. Chase.” Chase sticks his hand out. Mr. Brooks eyes him suspiciously but returns the gesture.
“Jonathon.” Chase stares him down, but Mr. Brooks dismisses him, pulling his hand away. “Let me show you where you’ll be staying. Can I have someone grab your things?”
“Again, I got it,” Chase interrupts. I beat him down with my evil stare, silently telling him to back off. The last thing I need is to get fired before I even start.
“I guess your friend has it covered—”
“Boyfriend,” Chase blurts out. His arm suddenly wraps around my shoulders, tucking me tightly against him. I try to look up at him, wondering what the heck he’s up to, but he has me pinned to his side. “I’ve always got an eye on my little angel here.”