Page 11 of Bachelor CEO

“You’re very lucky to have grown up here,” shetold him, trying to swallow past the lump in her throat.

Chase arched an eyebrow. “Even though there’sno swimming pool in the backyard?”

She frowned. “Why would you need one when youhave a lake?”

He shrugged. “An ex-girlfriend thought weshould have a pool. Needless to say, she never visited. Seemed she wouldn’tswim in anything that has fish poop.”

Miranda made a disgusted face. “That’s silly.I love going to the beach, and there are great ones as close as Lake Michigan.”

“So you’re not one of those girls afraid ofgetting your hair wet?”

She resisted the urge to tuck her short hairbehind her ear, a nervous habit. “No. What good is the outdoors if you don’tfully enjoy it? If you’re dating people like that, no wonder you’re all messedup.”

“Me? Messed up?” He cupped her elbow, guidedher down the hallway and gave her a peek at both the master suite and Leroy’soffice before showing her the other first-floor bedroom suite, where Chris, hiswife and children stayed. “You didn’t answer me. So I’m a disaster?”

“Yes. Of sorts.” Better to be on theoffensive. Anything to keep him from knowing the effect his light touch washaving.

He led her back into the great room and thenup the staircase to the second floor. “I’m injured.”

She knew he was poking fun, and played along.“Don’t be. Perhaps you should simply date better women.”

“Such as you? You turned down my offer oflunch.”

She ignored the bait. “Yes, because I’m notlike the lingerie model wannabes I’ve seen you with.”

His brows lifted. “I looked you up on Google,”she admitted, “images and all. I wasn’t too impressed. The media called youIowa’s heartthrob.”

He covered his heart with the palm of hishand. “Ouch. You wound me further. That was years ago.”

“Sure. You know, they call those kind of girlsplastic for a reason. They look good, but that’s about it.”

“Maybe you’re right.” Chase leaned against thewall, and the hallway seemed to shrink. He was a big, sexy man. “That must bethe reason I can’t find true love. I’m dating the wrong kind of woman.” Hiseyes dropped to her mouth.

“Could have something to do with it,” shereplied, her breath catching in her throat.

He edged nearer. “So what type of woman wouldfit me? You looked me up on Google. You saw all my past mistakes, my bad boyreputation. What do you think?”

He’d put her on the spot, but Miranda hadn’tgotten this far without being able to think on her feet, despite her brainshort-circuiting from his nearness. She stepped back. “If a woman’s got anysense at all she’ll know to steer clear of you.”

“I’m really a great guy.” He winked beforecontinuing down the hallway.

He showed her his sisters’ old bedrooms andthen pushed the door to his open. Though the rooms on the firstfloor were larger, his wasn’t shabby. It easily fit a queen-size bed, adresser, a desk and a sitting area that overlooked the lake.

“Nice,” Miranda said, hovering in the doorwaywhile Chase went to look out the window.

He glanced over his shoulder and held out hishand. “I’m not going to throw you onto my bed and have my way with you. Comeon. It’s safe to step inside. This isn’t a den of sin.”

“I know that,” she snapped, feeling slightlyfoolish.

What was the big deal? It was just a bedroom.His stuff was in the drawers. A wet towel hung in the bathroom. A dirty pair ofwhite socks lay on the floor by some running shoes. A pair of plaid pajamabottoms peeked out from under the rumpled red comforter.

As much as she might want to step into theroom, it was just too personal. Chase’s magnetism overwhelmed her. He made atsking noise, as if disappointed she wouldn’t take a risk.

Chemistry was a— She cut off the mentalexpletive. Men like Chase should be outlawed. Their mere presence was lethal.

“You’re missing a great view of the lake,” hecajoled.

“I know.” She shook her head and opted forsafety, and a few minutes later they were back downstairs.

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