Page 51 of Things Good Girls Don't Do

While they were in one of the trendy shops, Chase had dared her to steal something, even just a key chain. She’d made it all the way to the door and stopped. Veering left to the counter, she’d bought a cheesy pink rabbit’s foot, and handed it to him for good luck. He’d taken it with a smile, knowing she wouldn’t go through with it. There were some rules that Katie just couldn’t bring herself to break.

While riding out of town, she had insisted they stop and try a fast-food place called The Snow Bunny. He’d stopped, but Katie’s description of the amazing food had left him doubtful it could measure up. He’d taken his first bite and groaned at how good the burger was. She’d laughed as she dipped her fries in the homemade fry sauce. “I told you it was yummy.”

They’d taken their time on the drive home, stopping to explore. Chase had rolled his eyes when Katie kept taking pictures of them on her phone, but it actually made it all seem more real. He’d slipped up earlier, suggesting he’d teach her to snowboard, but something about the way she’d looked at him made him think she hadn’t minded. That maybe she’d been thinking about them as more than just hanging out too.

Back at her house, she flipped on the light, and Chase caught a glimpse of a black fluff ball meowing nasally. When he spotted Chase, the cat’s gold eyes narrowed and he hissed before crawling down the hallway on his belly.

“Well, I guess it’s safe to say your cat hates me.”

“Slinks hates everyone but me,” Katie said, smiling. “I found him hiking four years ago, this tiny black kitten in a skunk trap, covered in filth. I brought him home and gave him a bath, but it took him two weeks to get to the point where he would come to me willingly. He hated Jimmy with a fiery passion, and he’s only just started letting Steph touch him.”

Chase came in behind her and shut the door. “Speaking of, still don’t want to talk about what happened with you two?”

It’s none of your business. Let it go.

She put her purse down and said, “She just said something hurtful about my little changes. I don’t really want to talk about it, okay?”

He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Want me to go?”

“No. Stay,” she said, leaning back against him.

“We could try out some of that edible massage gel,” he said, running his hands over her stomach.

Twisting around in his arms, she kissed his neck. “Is that you trying to get me to give you a massage?”

“I am a little stiff from the drive.” He grimaced to emphasize his point.

She slid her hands around to his abdomen and started moving lower. “Mmm, I can feel that.”

Considering where she had her hands, he hoped so. “So maybe we should take this into your bedroom and work on easing some of my tension.”

“I think that is an excellent plan, Mr. Trepasso.”

“Lead the way, Ms. Connors.”

Katie moved in front of him down the hall, and when they reached the bedroom, he sat down on the edge of the bed. She walked over to her dresser and opened the top drawer.

“Look what else I got.”

Turning, he saw she was dangling something from her fingers. It was a pair of fuzzy pink handcuffs.

“You want to cuff me, Officer?” Chase held out his hands jokingly.

She walked to him and stood between his legs. “Actually, I want you to strip down and lay back full length on the bed. Then I’m going to cuff you to the headboard.”

“And what are you going to do once you have me naked and defenseless?” he asked.

Her fingers slid up into his hair and she said softly, “I’m going to make you beg.”

“And if I don’t let you?”

Her face fell. “Really? Because you said anything on my list and ...”

Reaching up, he brought her mouth down to his. “I’m just kidding, Firecracker.” Moving with fast, jerky motions, he pulled his shirt off, tossing it across the room. His pants, shoes, and socks followed moments later, and with a teasing grin he flopped onto the bed. “I’m ready. Do your worst.”

KATIE WOKE UPearly the next morning to run to the store for bagels and cream cheese, rushing back to get ready for work quietly, trying to let Chase sleep. She left a note on the counter with the bag of bagels next to it and headed out the door.

When she walked into the salon at nine, Kitty gave her a sly smile. “So, how are you feeling?”

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