Page 25 of Mine Forever
“I checked both places, and they’re closed due to the storm.”
My gaze wanders over to the large SUV I rented. It looks pretty sturdy, and surely it has seats that fold down.
Chase follows my gaze. “No way, Eden. There’s no way you can stay in a vehicle. With the wind and rain? You’re crazy.”
My hands land on my hips, and I bring my chin up. “I can take care of myself. And unless you have a better solution, that’s what I’ll be doing. I’ll go park in a parking garage.”
It’s a completely stupid idea, but what choice do I have?
“There aren’t any parking garages around here, Eden.”
Before I could blink, he closes the gap between us and stands so close to me, our chests brush. “You are not sleeping in your car. You’ll stay with me. End of story.”
I fall back a step, my jaw dropping. “With you? Ha, not a chance, buddy.”
He rolls his eyes, his frown deepening. “Look, I’m not happy about it either. But it’s the easiest and safest thing to do. You’re already here.”
“Why can’t I stay in the guest house?”
“Because it isn’t stocked for anyone to be there right now. My house manager is in North Carolina visiting family, and I didn’t have her prep it for guests.”
One side of his mouth quirks up. “Not to mention, when thepower goes out—and it will—you’ll be in the dark since it doesn’t have a generator yet.”
I bite my lip and look out past the house at the dark purple clouds gathering on the horizon. The storm mocks the irrational rage pulsing through my veins.
Not only do I not have a paddle for shit creek, I don’t even have a canoe.
At my prolonged silence, Chase tilts his head. “I’m surprised at you, Mitchell. You’d rather sleep in a car than in a huge house with me?”
A smirk curves his lips. “Unless of course, you’re afraid you won’t be able to keep your hands to yourself.”
I scoff, but my skin feels like I sat too long in a tanning bed. “Give me a break. I can resist you just fine, Chase.”
“Well, you’d at least have all the creature comforts you’re used to in that fancy penthouse of yours. Not to mention, you’d have all kinds of time trying to get me to change my mind about being your speaker.”
“I don’t live in a fancy penthouse,” I mutter under my breath.
God, he infuriates me—thinking he knows me when he has no clue as to who I am anymore.
Well, that and the fact that he still scrambles my brain cells and sets my hormones raging.
I growl and pace away from him. I have to get away from his heat and everything about him that speaks to my baser needs.
Needs that I’ve been neglecting just like everything else that isn’t business related. All hail the vibrator, but it can’t replace the weight of a man on me.
My shoulders sag, and I lower my chin to my chest. Damn it all to hell, he’s right.
With nothing sturdy like a parking garage around here,there’s no way I can stay in my car. It’s not only stupid, but it would be uncomfortable.
Only a fool would turn down the offer of a bed in a house that looks like it can fend off a category five hurricane without breaking a sweat.
I’m sure Chase has outfitted it with everything one would need to hide out for days on an island. Including Internet which I desperately need.
I cross my arms and turn to face him. “Fine. I’ll stay here. But only if you put me in the guest room farthest from you. I don’t trust you.”
He smirks. “Lucky for you, I don’t trust you either. I know how you feel about all this.” He gestures to his chest.
Warmth spreads through my core and radiates up until my cheeks burn. “Don’t flatter yourself, Hanover.” I pause, not sure how to proceed without being awkward. “Thank you.”
