Page 25 of Bachelor CEO

He shrugged. “Can’t help it. I’m not one ofthose men who likes to primp.”

Of course not, Miranda thought. He was blessedwith natural good looks.

He motioned to the chair next to him, and shesat. The leather wrapped around her, drawing her in. On the lake, two sailboatsraced by, the water glimmering in the early evening sun. The man next to herwas the only reason Miranda couldn’t relax.

He’d changed out of his business clothes, andwas now wearing boat shoes without socks, Dockers shorts and a polo shirt. He’dkicked his feet up on the windowsill and stretched out.

She dragged her eyes away from hiswell-muscled legs, and finally found her voice. “Is your grandfather joining ussoon?”

“Nope,” Chase said easily.“He went over to the cottage to have dinner with Harvey. He made dinnerreservations for us, though, and insisted we follow his directives.”

She glanced down at the pedal pushers andshort-sleeve sweater she wore. Dinner alone with Chase? It sounded as if she’dbeen fixed up on a blind date. But that was ridiculous. Leroy wouldn’t dosomething like that. This was business. “Okay,” she said slowly.

“We’re going to the country club. Come on.”Chase rose to his feet and she did the same. He opened the front door and ledher out to the path. She had an odd sense of déjà vu as they headed toward theboathouse. He walked out onto one of the three Lone Pine docks, where arunabout waited. “Your chariot,” he said, hopping into the twenty-footwatercraft.

Miranda hesitated. “You know I’ve never beenin a boat this size.” Heck, she’d never been in a canoe.

“You’ll love it, as long as you aren’t afraidof getting a little wind in your hair.” Chase’s blue eyes challenged her. “Youaren’t afraid, are you?”

“Of course not,” Miranda retorted, shoving herfears aside.

“Take off your shoes. It’ll make climbing ineasier.”

She passed him her sandals and he set them onthe floor of the boat. Then he reached for her hand.

She didn’t want to touch him, but had nochoice. His grip was tight and secure as he helped her in. She set one foot onthe seat, but as her other one landed on the floor, the boat rocked slightlyand she fell against Chase.

He caught and steadied her. One hand stillheld hers, and he trapped it against his chest. He wrapped his other arm aroundher waist. The magnetic current sizzling between them wasunmistakable, and her mouth opened, but no words came out.

Chase loosened his grip and guided her to theseat next to the driver’s. “That’s your spot, unless you want to sit up front.”

“No, this is good,” she said. Staying behindthe windshield seemed safer, even if she’d be sitting far too close to Chase.Her body quivered. She couldn’t deny the physical effect he had on her.

Chase was the proverbial walk on the wildside. She’d stayed on the straight and narrow her whole life.

He tempted her because he represented the funshe’d never had. His innate sexiness was decadent and guaranteed to please.

Yet, like eating too much dessert, she’d haveregrets. But would she regret even more not indulging?

“Get ready. We’ll be off in a minute.”

She sat down, marveling at the ease with whichChase hopped out of the boat, untied the ropes and soon had the craft motoringaway from the dock. Once out on open water, they quickly reached cruisingspeed. The up-and-down motion was at first scary, and then oddly welcome as herfear was replaced with adrenaline.

Being out on the lake was exhilarating.Freeing. If she’d only known! How much of life had she missed?

“Like it?” Chase shouted.

“Love it,” Miranda said, scooting forward soshe could see over the windshield. The opposite shore was coming into betterview; the golf course was visible on the hillside, as were the docks at thebase.

Chase cut the engine speed to idle and soonhad the boat tied up. He disembarked, and Miranda handed him her sandals. Thistime, as he helped her out, she didn’t falter. She slid herfeet back into her shoes and ran her fingers through her hair.

A golf cart waited at the shore, and they usedit to get to the clubhouse. “Hey, I see cars,” Miranda said as they reached theparking lot.

“It’s faster traveling over by boat,” Chasereplied, parking the golf cart next to some others. “And more fun. You enjoyedit, didn’t you?”

“I did.”

He grinned and her heart skipped a beat. “Itook a risk that you would. I think I have you pegged.”

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