Page 35 of Fast

Her tone is clearly self-deprecating, but Scott reacts to it in a way I can’t help but approve of.

“You’re beautiful no matter what you wear, my love. Whether it’s a power suit, a ballgown, or some cute overalls and no makeup. By the way, I’m totally digging your packing the house attire.” His lips curl up in a way that reminds me of the way Chance smiled at me when he saw me a few minutes ago.

“Are you trying to flatter me, Mr. Mayor?” Mom flirts.

“Is it working?” he smirks.

“Totally.” She bats her eyelashes. “Let’s go get ready. I know you need me to help you choose the right tie.”

Scott’s smile widens. “Where would I be without you? Guys,” he says to us. “See you all down here in one hour. Lev, I hope you’ll join us?” Lev nods. “I’ll go get changed and be right back. Thanks, Scott.”

Mom’s fiancé smiles. “You know you’re one of us. Ares might show up later, depending on his shift. Now, let me go get presentable for my constituents and my future bride.”

We watch them walk up the stairs.

“I think ‘let me go get presentable,’ is code for ‘they’re boning in the shower.’” Lev snickers.

Chance shudders. “Dude, gross. I think you’re right, though. Are we riding together to the Club?”

Lev’s green eyes skim the length of my body as he answers his best friend. “Sure. We have a lot of catching up to do with your new stepsister. See you later, Zara.”

Once Lev leaves, Chance and I look at each other for a long moment.

He grabs my suitcase. “Let me show you to your room.”

I follow him up the stairs, admiring his broad back and the ease with which he hauls my heavy suitcase up the stairs.

“Here we are. Welcome home.” He opens the door and ushers me in.

My arm brushes against his chest as he holds the door open for me.

The heady combination of his body heat and his clean, delicious scent almost stops me in my tracks. I have to use every ounce of my self-control to suppress the shiver that works its way down my spine and turns into liquid heat once it reaches my lower belly.

I distract myself by taking a look at my bedroom. This is going to be home for the foreseeable future. Mom was definitely downplaying things when she called this “nice.”

The room is large and airy, with two big bay windows shaded by gauzy curtains that billow in the sea breeze. I look outside at the large backyard that gradually gives way to the beach right outside.

The furniture is solid and made of light wood, the upholstery is in various shades of lavender and mint green. A king size bed with four long posts gives the room a modern but feminine feel.

“The first door over there is the closet,” Chance points out. “And that one’s your bathroom. I’m right across the hallway if you need anything, but I think Kelly stocked up your bathroom yesterday.”

I nod, unable to take my eyes off of him. This room is huge, and yet he fills it with his presence. “Thank you. I guess I should find out what my mom expects me to wear tonight. Hopefully, it isn’t something she would have put me in when I was twelve.”

I move to check out the closet, but Chance’s fingers close around my wrist. His grip is gentle, but has the desired effect of stopping me and making me turn to look at him.

“Zara, see you downstairs.” He murmurs, his eyes two deep blue pools.

The corner of his lips quirk up in just the hint of a smile, but it’s so short-lived that I almost think I’ve imagined it.

When he releases my wrist and walks out of my room, I shudder, missing the warmth of his fingers on my skin.

Chapter 9

A New Order

LEV

When Chance invited me to attend tonight’s dinner at the Country Club, I didn’t commit.

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