Page 11 of Chasing Lyric
“What’s the catch?”
“No catch. I get to see an old friend, plus I’ll personally make sure Doughnut gets back safe. It’s the right thing to do. Andyouget to return the goat you stole.”
I blurt out a laugh. “I didn’t steal him. He’s more of a stowaway.”
“Either way, it’s a win-win for both of us. C’mon, what d’ya say?”
I guess a small road trip will be fun. There are benefits in getting to know this mystery man in front of me. But first, I need to know a little more. I extend my hand toward him, and his eyes widen at the sudden gesture. Then his lips curve into a smile, revealing a flash of bright white teeth.
And for a moment, just a moment in time, everything stops, and it’s like all the bad in my life vanishes when he takes my hand in his. His large hand encompasses mine completely, his warm palm slides against my skin, and as it does, a tingle shoots through me. A sudden shot of adrenaline pumps into my veins, or maybe it’s like touching an electric fence. There’s something about this guy that sends every cell in my body buzzing.
My breathing hitches as my eyes meet his again. “I’m Lyric… Lyric Griffin. But you can call me Lyri. Nice to meet you.”
His eyes widen, disbelief flickering across his face as he takes my hand. The moment his grip tightens, those sparks surge through me all over again.
“I’m Chase Malone, but you can call me Chase.” He doesn’t let my hand go. Instead, we stare at each other, hands locked together as I feel this pulse. I bite down on my bottom lip while a comfortable silence forms between us. Chase’s thumb brushes gently across the top of my hand, a simple touch that sends butterflies stirring in my stomach and makes my breath catch in the best way.
I’ve never felt like this from simply meeting someone.
I’ve heard of instant attraction, undeniable chemistry, lust, if you want to call it that.But this?This feels like something else. This feels deeper. It’s not love at first sight, that would be crazy, but there’s something about Chase that has me under his spell.
Baa.
Both our heads snap to Doughnut, and he nudges into my side while giving off his weird goat smile. I grin at Doughnut, finally letting Chase’s hand go. I turn back to Chase with a small exhale. “Road trip, huh?” I utter. The corner of his lips turns up, and it touches his eyes. “You, me, and a fainting goat? What could possibly go wrong?”
He lets out a gentle chuckle. “Great! When do you want to go?”
I check my watch—it’s early morning. Maybe we should go now, then I can be back for the afternoon rush. “Are you free?”
He looks up to the sky, his face conveying that he’s thinking hard. I wonder if he’s going to bail on me already, then his eyes meet mine. “I’m all yours as long as you want me. So I guess we’ll be together for a long time.”
I snort. “Wow… okay, cocky much?”
He shrugs. “It’s in my nature.”
I roll my eyes. “Well, keep your nature someplace else while you’re with me, sir.”
He stifles a laugh. “No promises.”
I giggle like a damn schoolgirl.D’oh!
“I’ve just gotta tell Rory I’m gonna be out for a few. You okay to watch over Doughnut?”
Warmth grows on his face, and it’s genuine. “Yeah, we got some catching up to do, Doughnut and me.” A longing expression crosses over his features. Not in a weird way, but in a way that tells me they have history.
“I won’t be long. Don’t steal him, or I will hunt you down and cut you while you sleep.”
His eyes widen as he assesses me, but he lets out a small chuckle while raising his hands. “I promise. Nothing illegal while you’re gone.”
I bob my head once, then turn, hurrying toward the entry.
When I step inside, Rory’s grinning so wide it’s like she’s going to burst. “Oh. My. Wet. Little. Panties! Get in here, girl, and tell me how he smells.”
I quickly shut the door behind me, hoping he didn’t hear her excitement. “Rory… shh. What are you… sixteen?”
Ha, that’s rich, coming from someone who just giggled like an adolescent only a few moments earlier.
She fans her face with one of our brochures. “I’ll be whatever age that hunk of man meat wants me to be.”
