Page 22 of Chase

“What do you mean?”

“What you do, with your children, that means the world to me. I was raised in foster care.”

“Oh, Chase.” The sympathy in her voice was genuine, and instead of grating on him as sympathy often did, it was a soothing balm. He barely kept his eyes closed. He wanted to look into her brown eyes and let that sympathy wash over him.

“But I have my brothers, ‘Squadron 7’ as Brandon named us in high school, and I have my Army Ranger brothers as well. They’re all the family I need.”

She was quiet, but she squeezed his hand gently. “I’m grateful you have all your brothers.”

It was a quiet for a moment. Then he asked, “What’s your family like?”

There was a pause, and he wished he could open his eyes and stare into hers, but he’d promised.

“It’s just my mom and I,” she finally said. “She’s incredible and always praying for me and supporting me. Oh, and my best friend Janie. She’s my true sister even if we don’t share blood, like your Squadron 7 and Army Ranger brothers.”

“I like that.”

She obviously had a past she didn’t like talking about either. He could relate and wasn’t about to push her.

“Oh, what do you know? Four-fifty-eight, four-fifty-nine, five minutes! We did it.”

“Six to eight minutes,” he reminded her.

“No way! That was more than enough torture for the likes of me. Let’s get out of here.” She tugged on his hand and instructed. “Step, step, step, step. Okay, hold still while I put your blindfold back on.”

He held steady. Her hands brushing his face and her body brushing against his made him warm all over, despite the freezing water they’d just exited.

Could he gain Lizzy’s trust over the next two weeks? He was drawn to and intrigued by her. She was incredible.

Maybe Brandon and Madelyne had just done him an epic favor … bringing Lizzy into his life.

Chapter

Five

Lizzy liked the large,warm pool with all the massage jets and the hot tub much better than the steam room or cold plunge. They went through each of the massaging jets slowly, appreciating the water pounding on sore muscles. She liked leading Chase to the next spot, being the one in charge of such a tough and attractive man, and having the excuse to take his hand, touch his arm or shoulder, or brush close to him.

It was odd. She felt powerful and safe. None of her boyfriends would have been secure enough to let her lead them like this. Chase was as unique, enticing, and mythical as the gorgeous scenery outside the windows.

After the pool, they relaxed and downed their water bottles and Propel and Gatorade while they soaked in the elevated hot tub and she enjoyed the epic view. She felt a little guilty that Chase still had the blindfold on and couldn’t stare at all the gorgeous scenery out here. He’d been great about wearing it and he looked really cute.

She’d said she was trusting him, and she found it was more true with each moment that passed as he allowed her to not have him look at her scar until she was ready. He also put his trust inher and let her lead him around. They’d broken touch barriers she thought were firm in her mind after Darren’s mistreatment.

“I feel awful that you’re missing this beautiful scenery,” she said.

“I want to see it through your eyes,” Chase said with an appealing smile. That smile was quickly becoming irresistible. “Describe the view for me, please.”

“All right. It is the most magical scenery I have ever seen in my life. The verdant green grass sweeps down to the lake and up to the foothills of the soaring mountains. The sun glistens off the blue water of the lake.” The blue matched his eyes, actually. “Large and small boats skim across the glassy water, the occupants savoring a grand adventure. The town is as quaint and European as I’d dreamed it would be, with ancient buildings and church steeples. The mountains protect and watch over the valley, sentries who have never failed this history-rich land.”

He was grinning. “That’s much more beautiful than I could see it through my eyes.”

“Ha. You’ve probably seen the world.”

“I have, on assignments and deployments, but not as some world traveler. Have you traveled?”

“Never.”

His brow squiggled as if concerned.

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