Page 8 of Bachelor CEO

“Yes, but I left it for later. I have to go toa party and I’m lost. I’m also late,” she admitted.

The quiver in her lower lip was almostindiscernible but Chase noticed the slight movement. She wasn’t so tough andsuave as she tried to pretend. Being lost and late was causing her realdistress.

“Where’s the party?” Chase asked, although inthe pit of his stomach he already knew the answer.

“The McDaniel Lodge on Lone Pine Lake.”

“Well, you’re almost there.” He couldn’t helphimself; the edge of his lip curled upward in a smile.

She crossed her arms and frowned at him, thetilt of her head the only acknowledgment that he was right. “This isn’t funny.”

“I find it that way. Here I am, rescuing you asecond time. Where would you be without me?”

“Sane?” she retorted, and Chase let out a roarof laughter.

“Ah, so I drive you crazy already. That’s goodto know. I’ll file it away for future reference. So you’re coming to mygrandfather’s party?”

“I am. Walter Peters invited me.”

He stopped laughing then. “Walter? Don’t tellme you’re his…Is that how you got a job at McDaniel?”

Miranda glared at him as if he’d lost hismind. “That’s a sick accusation. Absolutely not. Walter’s my boss.We’ve known each other for years. He’s like a father to me, that’s all.”

“Sorry. Just checking,” Chase said, relieved.

Walter Peters and Chase’s grandfather had beenfriends ever since Leroy had needed a supplier for McDaniel products, and he’djoined forces with Walter and the company he worked for. Each man served on theother’s board of directors, and Leroy and Walter were constantly tradingemployees who needed promotions or different opportunities.

As for Miranda, Chase liked that she had fire.Most women didn’t fight back. They were too eager to please. Miranda looked asif she’d like to tell him to go to hell. She probably would, if she had anyidea how to get to the lodge.

She needed him. That was the only thing givinghim the upper hand. For now, he’d take any advantage he could get. She raisedhis adrenaline more than the thirty miles he’d just clocked.

“Are you going to help me?” she demanded.

Chase nodded. “For a price.”

“You’re crazy. I can just drive back the way Icame and ask directions in town.”

“No, no.” All of Chase’s senses hadheightened. The ride had made him a little heady, which must be the reason hewanted to press her against the car and ravage her mouth with his. The lastmile would make for a good cooldown; his body needed one.

“I’m just saying I’ve come to your aid twicenow. Don’t you think you owe me a little reward for all my trouble?” he asked.

“Someone needs to teach you some manners.”

Her lips held a little pucker, one he reallyliked.

“I’m teasing you, although I do plan tocollect, so be warned. If you want, follow me to theturnoff, then pass me and continue on until the road curves sharply to theleft. You’ll see a sign that the caterers put up, and you’ll need to turnthere. Just keep following the signs. You can’t miss the tent or the parking.”

“Okay.” She seemed skeptical. “You can ridefast enough for me to follow you?”

“I’ll sprint,” he said. He put his sunglassesback on and locked his shoe into place. He grinned at her. “Be sure to keepup.”

And with that, before she could even get intoher car, he took off.

CHASE MCDANIEL HAD TO BE the mostinfuriating man she’d ever met, Miranda decided as she put her car in gear andtook off after him. He hadn’t even waited for her, just got on his bike androde off at “sprint.” His feet were flying.

She didn’t know people could go that fast,except for maybe Lance Armstrong or one of those other racing guys. Chase couldmake that bike move, and she had to go a tad over the speed limit before shecaught up with him. He slowed down then, and she followed at a safe distance.

Still, she got a great view of his backside.She had to admit his rear was nice. She’d seen him in a business suit and nowin cycling shorts.

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