Page 17 of Kiss & Collide
“Notactuallydate. Someone with a high profile. Someone who’ll get attention, which would getyouattention—”
“Peopledothat?” Although he knew from firsthand experience how ruthless some people could be about relationships, so why was this a surprise?
“In my line of work it happens all the time. One thing at a time, though. First, we need to hire you a stylist and get that nightmare you call a wardrobe into shape.”
“There’s nothing wrong with my clothes.” He gestured down at his favorite pair of jeans.
“You look like you sleep on your brother’s sofa,” Violet said flatly.
“Okay, but you just said I was hot.”
“Youarehot. I’m just going to make sure the whole world knows you’re hot. This will work, but I need you on board. So?”
He considered it for a minute. It grated him, being told he had to dress up and maybe pretend todatesomebody just tokeep his spot behind the wheel. But on the other hand, since he was fifteen, he’d been willing to do whatever it took to race.
That was still true.
“Sure.” He sighed. “Whatever you say.”
“Great. I’ll start making some phone calls.” She pulled out her phone and started scrolling. “You can go.”
He hesitated, watching her type out an email, her inky black lashes fanning out across the tops of her pale cheekbones. They’d had their fun once. He really should just move on. Repeats ran the risk of feelings, and that was something he was not about to wade into. Not again … not after last time, and certainly not with someone as … ruthless … as Violet.
But damn, every time he looked at her, he thought about it—that night in Monaco, her body under his … It was distracting to the point of obsession.
“Hey, Violet?” he said, his voice low and rough.
“Yeah?” she said without looking up.
“Know what I keep thinking about?”
“What’s that?” she murmured, distracted.
“That night in Monaco, I never kissed you. I still think about it … a lot.”
Her head snapped up, eyes zeroing in on his, and heat ricocheted through his body.
“Do you?” he asked. There was a pause and Chase realized with horror that he had accidentally expressed a vulnerability. ToViolet.
But to his surprise, she didn’t immediately tear him to pieces. She stared at him for a beat, then seemed to make up her mind about something.
“What the hell? It’s after six. Let’s go.”
“Wait. Are you serious?”
Her hands went to her hips. “Why, are you changing your mind?”
“No, but you said you wanted to forget about it.”
She shrugged. “Like you said, no strings, right?”
He nodded rapidly beforeshechanged her mind. “No strings. I promise.”
“So let’s go. Let me guess, you still don’t have your own place.”
“I got hired last week. I’m still driving back to my apartment in East Luddleton. Plus, I have a roommate.”
She sighed with deep disappointment. “You’re lucky you’re so hot. Follow me.”
