Page 42 of Chasing Amber

I clench my butt cheeks. “My ass…”

“Will be striped,” he confirms.

“Yes, Sir.”

His lips come to mine for a brief kiss, and that’s the exact moment Monette breezes into the back room. “Oh.”

I turn toward her, my face heating, and smile. “Yeah.” I angle myself so I’m leaning into Isaac’s side, loving the way his palm comes to my ass briefly before sliding up to my back. I set my hand on his abs.

Monette smiles and rubs her hands together. “I like it.”

I chuckle and shove away from Isaac, patting him again for good measure. “Go lurk somewhere so I can talk to Monette.”

He smirks, kisses my forehead, and casually strolls to the front of the gallery.

Monette spins around to watch him leave. “My oh my… And to think I’ve been eyeing that cool drink of water for the last two years…” She sighs dramatically. “I guess he’s off the market.”

I smile. “Apparently.”

“Well, tell me what happened to your chin, and then let’s talk about next weekend’s open house.”

CHAPTER 17

Isaac

I’m relieved my girl did not slip out the back door and send me on a wild goose chase. My heart wouldn’t be able to take it, and I would have seriously questioned Amber’s commitment to me if she still thought evading me was a good idea.

She did not. Blessed angels.

When we get back to the car, Amber pauses and looks around again. I catch her after I open the door. She’s focused on something across the street and grabs my arm, her breath hitching.

I jerk my attention to follow the line of her gaze. “What is it, baby?”

“My imagination is getting the best of me.”

“Are you sure?” I pull her into my arms.

“Has to be. There’s no way Jacob is following me.”

“You think it’s Jacob?” My voice rises. NowI’mfreaking out.

She shudders and bends to climb into the car. “I’m sure it’s my overactive imagination. I’m being paranoid.”

I help her get in and buckle her before closing the door and taking my time to survey every inch of the area. I don’t see anything out of the ordinary, but if someone caught Amber noticing them, they would have ducked out of sight by now. No one would be stupid enough to continue to stand in the open and stare at her.

I’ve spent plenty of time looking at recent pictures of Jacob, including from the day he was released, so I know what he looks like. Hopefully, I would recognize him if I saw him. He’s ten years older than the gangly seventeen-year-old kid who got sucked into a kidnapping and ransom scheme.

That kid is gone. He’s taller now. About six feet. He’s still skinny, but his hair is different. Ten years ago, it was loose and hanging over his eyes. He left prison with a tight buzz cut.

He has tattoos, too. Several on his biceps and down his arms. His left arm has a full sleeve. I would recognize that, also. In addition, he has gauges in both ears.

I jog around the SUV, lock us in, start the engine, and pull out into traffic in no time.

“I’m sorry,” Amber mutters.

I glance at her. “For what, baby?”

“For making you nervous. I’m sure I’m overreacting.”

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