Page 75 of The Chase

“You’re really into the fantasy imagery, huh?” She focuses on my left biceps. “This sword is badass. Is it based on Sir Nornan’s glass sword inThe Glass Forest? No, wait, the sword doesn’t show up until the third book.”

“Weeping Devils,” I confirm, naming another title in theShifting Windsseries. Nerves make me pause, because I don’t want to rock the boat again. “Which one is your favorite?” I quickly add, “It’s not a trick question, I promise. I know you read them.”

“If you want to get technical, I didn’t read them—I listened to the audiobooks. I’m obsessed with audiobooks,” she reveals. “And to answer your question, I’d have to go with the first book. First book is always the best.”

“Agreed.”

She touches something on my shoulder. “Ohhh, this is so pretty. This cluster of roses.” Her impish gaze lifts to mine. “Not very manly,” she teases.

I’m too distracted to respond or take offense, because her fingertips are still tracing my bare flesh. Air gets trapped in my throat. The sweet scent of her shampoo tickles my nose, along with a hint of her signature perfume.

I find myself asking, “What perfume is that?”

“Chanel No. 5.” Her lips curve in a smile. “The only scent a lady should ever own.”

“I’ll take your word for it.”

My body weeps from the loss of contact when she withdraws her hand. “Enough chit-chatting, Fitzy. Put this on.”

The next thing I know, she’s shoving the sweater over my head. I feel like a child as I slide my arms into the sleeves and poke my head through the neck hole. I swear Summer’s fingernails scrape my abdomen as she drags the shirt down.

A shiver races up my spine. I’m turned on.

Like, really turned on.

Shit, and now I have to take my pants off, and I’m wearing boxer-briefs that perfectly outline my cock. She’s totally going to notice.

Ding.

Summer’s phone chimes with an incoming text. Oh, thank you, Jesus. As she turns to check the message, I hastily kick my sweatpants off and slide into the crisp black trousers. Making sure her gaze is occupied, I do a quick rearrange of the dick region so it’s not as pokey. When Summer turns back to me, I hope I resemble a man whoisn’tharder than granite.

She whistles softly. “Oh, I like this, Fitz. It’s super sharp. Here, look.” She angles the closet door so I’m able to see my reflection in the full-length mirror.

I’m pleasantly surprised. I clean up nice. “Sweet,” I say. “Let’s go with this.”

I register her disbelieving expression in the mirror. Then she barks out a laugh. “Colin,” she says between giggles. “Are you always this naïve?”

I wrinkle my forehead. “What do you mean?”

“It means this is the first outfit you’ve tried on.” She pats my arm as she brushes past me, chuckling under her breath. “We’re just getting started.”

“Started with what?” comes a suspicious voice.

We turn to find Hunter in the doorway.

A thread of discomfort wraps around my insides. Hunter’s been keeping his distance from me since Sunday night. He hasn’t stated outright that the Spin the Bottle thing pissed him off, but I get the distinct feeling it did.

In my defense, I wasn’t even playing the damn game, and I wouldn’t have kissed Summer at all if Jesse’s bossy girlfriend hadn’t insisted. I know better than to argue with Katie.

Besides, if Hunter’s upset that Summer and I kissed, he can man up and talk to me about it.

“Listen to this,” Summer tells him in an amused voice. “I brought six garment bags of clothes for Fitz to try on. You know, for his interview tomorrow. He’s only tried one outfit.” She points at the Ford and Saint Laurent combo. “And he thinks…” She looks like she’s going to explode with laughter. “He thinks we’re done now.”

I expect Hunter to give her a blank look. But my teammate snickers at me, obviously in on the joke. “Naïve bastard.” He strides into my room and sprawls on the bed. “This is gonna be fun.” He winks at Summer. “Go get Hollis. Tell him to make some popcorn.”

“On it.” She’s already hurrying out the door, yelling, “Mike!”

“Traitor,” I grumble at Hunter.

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