Page 35 of Bachelor CEO

“So what would you be? If you were six?”

He thought for a second. “Guys would rather bepirates or swashbucklers. Cowboys maybe. Something boisterous and rowdy.Rough-and-tumble.”

“Then this could be where you hide your pirateloot. Or it could be your lookout. I bet in the winter youcan see the whole lake.”

“In the winter the lake is frozen solid.People bring out their ice huts and fish. It’s not that glamorous.”

She ignored his derision. “Even better. Youcould pretend they were your army, out camping. I used to make up stories allthe time for my little sister, every night before she went to bed. She’dprobably like this old building as much as I do. She collects antiques.”

Chase shoved his hands into his pockets.“You’ll have to invite her for a visit. Leroy will let you bring a guest, andI’m sure she’ll love the lake.”

“I will, if she’s not too busy. Her schedulerivals mine. She’s even more determined than I am to make something ofherself.”

Chase shifted his weight. “So tell me, whatwould a pirate do if this was his hideaway?”

“Count his treasure?” she answered, turningher back as she checked out graffiti someone had etched into the picnic table,so small you almost couldn’t see it unless you were looking for it:L.L. + H.M. Forever.

“Do you think I could be a pirate?” Chasestepped closer and her body reacted to the undercurrent in his words. He wasright behind her. She turned around.

He was hotter than both Johnny Depp andOrlando Bloom in thePirates of the Caribbeantrilogy, and unlike the characters they played, Chase was very real. And male.And, as always, larger than life. She had the urge to unbutton his shirt andrun her hands over his chest. “Would you plunder things?”

“Oh yeah.” His voice was low and husky, hisgaze locked on to her lips. Her skin prickled with heightened anticipation.They were totally alone, where no one could see or findthem. “If I were a pirate there are certainly things I’d like to plunder.”

She sucked in a breath. All Chase had to dowas insinuate, and she wanted him. If he kissed her, she’d be a goner. She knewshe should resist, but couldn’t bring herself to do so.

“Like what?” she asked, giving him the openingthey both wanted.

“This.” He dipped his head, his mouth findinghers. The kiss mesmerized Miranda, and Chase pulled her to him, hauling her upand seating her on the picnic table so he could stand between her legs.

His arms slid around her waist and his tonguedipped inside. She threaded her fingers into his hair as he moved one hand toher breast. He ran his thumb across the tight bud, and she wished they didn’thave so many clothes on.

“I want you,” Chase growled, and as he pressedbetween her thighs, she could feel how much. He shifted, rubbing against her.

“Oh.” All she had to do was say yes.

He was still kissing her, and the light fadedfurther, casting the gazebo in shadows. She felt heady and sexy. Wanton. Theonly place she’d ever made love was in a bed.

He hiked her dress up and moved his handbeneath the scrap of lace that was her panties. He continued to kiss her as hisfingers worked to give her the release her body craved. He held her tight withone arm as she bucked and whimpered, then finally shattered.

Afterwards, he readjusted her clothing, kissedher gently and held her as her breathing slowly returned to normal. “Goodfantasy?”

She didn’t have words. She didn’t need any.She simply nodded. Tonight had only just begun.

THE SUN WAS ALMOST GONE when Chase andMiranda returned from their walk.

Leroy sipped his decaffeinated coffee as herested in one of the Adirondack chairs on the back lawn, chatting with Harveyand Laverne. The area was well lit by citronella torches, making it an idealplace to watch the sunset.

“Sit a spell,” he said as Chase and Mirandaapproached. “The ferry isn’t back yet.”

Miranda sank into a chair as the final sliversof gold dipped below the horizon.

“How was your walk?” Laverne asked.

“Great,” she answered.

“Do they still have that old picnic table upthere? Harvey carved our initials in it long ago.”

Miranda’s face colored. “It’s still there.”

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