Page 28 of Chase

“Okay, so are you up for walking some of the dogs?” he asks me after giving me a tour. I nod. I could no doubt use the exercise too.

“How many should I take at a time?” I ask nervously.

Gage grins. “Depends how difficult the dog is.”

“Perhaps I’ll start small,” I mutter, walking past the huge greyhound and towards a poodle mix.

After two hours of walking, I’m finished for the day. “I’ll see you next week, if you can make it,” Gage says.

“I’ll be here,” I tell him.

I go straight home and have a long hot shower. Chase comes home about an hour later, hot and sweaty after a long run.

“If it isn’t my favorite girl,” he drawls.

“I better be your only girl,” I tease.

“You’re a handful, Layla, I don’t think I could handle anyone extra,” he says cheekily.

I throw a pillow at him.

He ducks.

“See! I can barely handle you,” he smirks.

I pull out my phone and play ‘Handle me’ by Robyn for him to listen to the lyrics. He laughs- a deep throaty sound.

“What’s the plan for tonight? I’m hungry. I think we should go to the pub,” I suggest.

“I suppose we can do that. Have to feed my woman, can’t be letting her lose those curves I’m so fond of,” he says in a husky tone.

“Chicken, jack potato and a salad,” I plan what I’m going to eat already. I really am hungry.

Chase shakes his head at me, “I better go shower and get dressed before you get hungrier and therefore grumpier.”

“I do not get grumpy!” I say defensively. Kade and James walk in together, and Chase invites them out to dinner.

“Come out and eat with us, but hurry, Layla’s already starving,” he looks at his brothers with wide eyes.

Kade grimaces. “We better go now people. Hurry up!” While James nods knowingly.

“I’ll be five minutes.” They all leave to get ready. I’m not that grumpy when I’m hungry. Am I?

Chase is no longer concerned about me being around Kade and James. My theory is that any woman in the house was free game. I was the first woman who wasn’t, so he needed to set boundaries. His brothers are nothing but loyal. They tease me and play around, but I know that they only see me as a little sister.

******

` I’m awkwardly sitting in Kade’s Hummer next to a random girl he picked up at the pub. Weirdly, this is the first girl I’ve seen Kade bring home in a while. James and Kade are in the front, and I’m in the back, sandwiched between Chase and Crystal. She keeps glancing over at Chase, and I feel my claws coming out. Chase does look hot today; he’s wearing faded jeans and a tight white V neck top. His arms are ripped, and I can almost see his toned stomach through his T shirt. Yummy. Only problem is, so can Miss Crystal over here. She’s twirling her hair in her hand, and I’m pouting, with my arms crossed over my chest. I realized something today. I’m so used to being at home with all three brothers, joking around and such, that now when they go out and pick up and ignore me, I find myself acting like a two year old and sulking. Chase is watching me and his eyes narrow on mine perceptively. I watch as he bites his lip to stop himself from smiling.

“What’s so funny Chase?” I’m in the mood for a fight.

“You are, baby,” He full on grins now. “You’re acting like a spoilt child.”

Kade looks at me through the rear view mirror and frowns. “What’s wrong, princess?” he asks in a concerned tone.

Crystal bristles at the endearment.

“Nothing,” I grumble.

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