Page 23 of Legal

She grinned widely, then hopped off her chair when the door opened. Her grandmother held out her arms, and Hazel ran into them.

The little girl bounced over to Chase and hugged him tightly. “Bye, Mr. N. See you Monday.”

He tousled her hair. “Great job today, Hazelnut. Don’t forget to practice.”

“I won’t. Promise.”

She left with Linda, and I was left standing there with a guy I barely had a clue about, despite already letting him into my body. I wasneverhaving a one-nighter again.

“So, you teach guitar lessons. Here.”

Chase nodded, ushering me farther inside, then shutting the door. “I also teach music. Here.” He waved his hand around the room.

“And you coach softball.”

“I do.”

He leaned back on his desk, looking completely confident in his element. I couldn’t decide if that made me aroused or pissed off. Wait… it probably wasn’t that long ago when he was sitting in one of these desks himself. Yes, definitely pissed off.

But it did clear up a few things. I thought back to Perry’s ramblings, and it explained the school thing. Relief flowed through me. Okay, maybe pissed off was too strong a word. And I couldn’t deny that music teachers floated my boat—older ones, that is.

“And you’re obviously good enough to be on stage.”

“It was temporary, but I appreciate the compliment.” He smiled, and it made his face look so damn… beautiful. Chase straightened and took a step closer. His hair was a bit on the longer side, and dark. I liked dark hair. “Why don’t we continue this conversation over dinner tomorrow night? You know things about me, and I don’t know a thing about you.”

“Tomorrow’s the third. That’s the fireworks downtown.”

“Are you going?”

“Well, no, but….”

“Neither am I, so what about dinner?” I frowned. We were careening way off track. “Don’t you want your phone back?” he asked.

My phone! “Yes! Thank you.” That should have been my very first question to him. I breathed out deeply; the search was over. Then I squinted at him. “Wait, are you holding my phone hostage?”

He laughed. “Your imagination is right up there with my students.” He opened his desk drawer and pulled out my cell.

“How did you know it was mine?” Great, I probably did leave it unlocked. I scanned my memory—were there any inappropriate texts from Perry? Of course there were, but anything to do with Chase? I felt faint. Any ‘best sex of my life’ comments? Anything to do with rock-hard abs and wall-busting erections?

“It wasn’t that hard considering you were the only one on the playground during practice. I’m not usually so distracted.” He held it out in his open hand. “Here you go. No strings attached.”

I was so happy to have it back that I went right over and snatched it, stopping myself before the hugging stage. I almost ignored the effect his proximity had over me too.God, I’m a grown woman. It’s time to start acting like one again.

“However, I believe you do owe me one. I’ll accept dinner as repayment.”

“Owe you?”

“For keeping it safe.”

“That doesn’t sound like ‘no strings attached.’ Look, I’m very grateful, but I….”

May as well nip this in the bud right now. I moved in closer, almost ignoring the sparks again. Almost disregarding the way my skin tingled, practically feeling his mouth all over it. Dammit. Why’d I have to be completely sober that night? Why’d I have to remember every last freaking orgasm?

“How old are you, Chase?”

“Twenty-three.”

I inhaled sharply. That was bad. No, that was good. Good because he’s older than Daniel. Bad because he’s still younger than I’d originally thought when I slept with him. I could take disturbing lyrics and cover them up with a beautiful melody all day long, and it wouldn’t change the meaning. Whatever way you deciphered it, he was too young. Too fucking young.

---