Page 34 of Chase

Chase had been more than patient, and she trusted him. He might be disgusted by the ugly recently healed wound, but more likely he’d be understanding and kind as he’d proven himself to be the past week. He had scars, she assumed from the military, and she thought they were appealing and added to the toughness of his body. Those marks on his body symbolized experiencesand pain and growth she wanted to know more about. The fact that he’d protected and served their nation and people throughout the world with his strong body made him even more appealing to her.

Maybe her scar wouldn’t repel him. She’d earned it protecting an innocent child.

She prayed Chase would see it that way.

Lizzy eased in closer to him and said in an unsteady voice, “The sun fades behind puffy clouds of white and gray, turning them a glorious orange and pink as the sky becomes a bruise with shades of purple and blue.”

“I like seeing the sunset through your eyes,” he said, as he had every night.

Lizzy reached up and worked at the knot of material tied on the back of his head with her fingers.

“Lizzy?” he questioned.

“I want you to see it for yourself,” she managed, her throat thick and her hands trembling. What would he think? She looked down at the puckered red skin on her chest. The reminder of that awful night she’d almost died. Janie tried to tell her it was a battle wound that showed she was a tough survivor, but to her it only represented the ugliness and horror of Grady Worthen’s out-of-control anger.

Chase would never belittle her, she knew that now, but she would be devastated if she could sense that her hideous wound repulsed him.

She couldn’t undo the knot. The material was wet from their water therapy and her hands were shaky.

Chase reached up and wrapped one of his hands around both of hers. “Lizzy. It’s all right. I don’t mind the blindfold.”

“I mind it,” she said bravely. She wanted to see his blue eyes, and she was ready for him to see her. Maybe not completely ready, but willing to take the step.

Chase reached up with both hands, and she moved her hands away. He swiftly undid the knot and set the cloth on the side of the pool. His blue eyes didn’t dip to her scar. He focused on her face.

Joy filled her at the simple look. His gaze captured her heart and soul.

“There you are,” he said softly.

She moistened her lips. His gaze darted there, then back up to her eyes. She gestured. “There’s the glorious sunset.”

His gaze didn’t leave her face. “I see something glorious, but it’s not the sunset.”

“What do you see?” she whispered.

“I see the most beautiful face. Soft brown eyes that are warm, expressive, and capture me. The smooth skin of your cheeks. The soft lips that I can’t stop fantasizing about.”

Lizzy’s eyes went wide. They’d had a lot of fun together, had bonded and grown close this week. He’d complimented her at times, had been patient and kind with her, and she trusted him, but these compliments were beyond that.

He was fantasizing about her lips?

Chase didn’t move to touch her face, and she really wanted him to. So she reached for his hand in the water, lifted it to her cheek, and released it. Her own hand trembled as she rested it lightly on his firm shoulder.

His fingertips were wet, and they trailed heat through her as he tenderly skimmed the pads of his fingers across her cheek, her eyelids, her forehead, down her temple, across her other cheek. Finally, his fingertips trailed across her lips and lingered there.

Lizzy quivered with excitement and longing. Could this be happening? She and Chase connecting on a deeper level? She wanted him to kiss her, but it was important to her that hesee her scar first. Surprisingly, he hadn’t even let his gaze drop there.

Taking his hand in hers again, she slowly directed it down to her scar. Her heart raced out of control and her stomach squirmed. She was apprehensive but hopeful.

Chase’s fingertips lingered right above the neckline of her swimsuit as their locked gazes intensified. She went hot and cold all over. Hot with yearning for him and the tingly warmth of his touch. Cold with fear that he wouldn’t be able to hide his disgust when he saw the scar. She hated that this was a trust exercise, but the past week of growing to appreciate and care for Chase all culminated in this moment. For her, how he reacted to her scar was more important than whether his kiss moved her.

“Lizzy,” he murmured. “You want me to look?”

She swallowed hard. “I trust you to look, Chase.”

As she said the words, she realized they were true. She was taking the step, making trust an action word, and she did trust Chase. In every way. It was daunting to place such deep trust in another person, especially a strong and impressive man, but with Chase she could say those words and mean them.

He nodded very seriously, and then his eyes lowered. Ever so gently, he traced his fingertips around the outside of her scar. His gentle touch left heat in its wake. His gaze was open, appreciative, full of her and her alone.

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