Page 25 of The Chase
The chopping lessened as the blades stilled. The air now quiet.
I blinked against the bright blur of headlights directed at me. Out climbed Tobias.
He walked toward me with that casual swagger of confidence, wearing a bow tie now to round out his intimidation, looking even more formal than before, even more handsome, with that familiar earthiness and a splash of bad-boy billionaire.
He stopped short of where I stood and locked his gaze on me.
Brushing off a few leaves that were stuck to my trousers and dragging my fingers through my hair to remove a few more to make my point, I raised myself to my full height, trying to regain some decorum.
That’s right, buddy, I’m not wearing it.
I stared him down.
Tobias stepped toward me, closing the gap between us.
And closer still until he towered over me, his expression calm.
Slowly, my chin rose as though daring him to kiss me and earn himself a slap. I knew better than to let this man in despite my thoughts scattering like those wayward leaves still finding their way around my feet.
I hardly knew anything about Tobias and yet he was seducing me with the ease of a man who always got what he wanted.
That was twice he’d scared the hell out of me. I was damned if I was going to give him the chance to do it again. He still hadn’t touched me, his hands tucked inside his trouser pockets in that seductive pose.
I flashed a glare. “It appears we have a misunderstanding, Mr. Wilder.”
“Yet I see the situation clearly.”
“Really?”
“Zara.” His breath felt warm on my mouth.
“Yes.”
He tilted his head slightly and his left cheek hovered near mine, his mouth close to my ear as he whispered, “It’s just a painting.”
I tried to remember the last time I’d been this daring and nothing came close to being whisked away by a gorgeous man in a helicopter to view a secret masterpiece. My universe was all about respectful whispers around century-old paintings housed in well-lit galleries in carefully controlled settings.
Was I going to let this adventure slip through my fingers?
“I promise to keep you safe.” He looked sincere. “Aren’t you even a little intrigued?”
“A little.”
“I want you to want to come,” he said without a hint of sarcasm.
My gaze moved over to that flashy helicopter.
“Say yes,” he whispered.
Whoever that girl was who’d stormed out of his house was nowhere to be seen now.
Instead, with my hand firmly in his grip I followed him back in and we walked through the foyer and down the hallway and back into the room with the dress.
He guided me into the center.
“I’ll put it on.” My gaze swept over the dress.
“I appreciate that, Zara.”
