Page 12 of Drawn to You (Chasing Olivia 1)

“This isn’t over,” Evan says with malice, realizing he’s outnumbered. He turns and stalks off through the crowd down the stairs.

“Come with me,” Chase says. “Let’s go somewhere where it’s quiet.” I can’t answer him. I’m still crying so he takes my hand and I follow. I haven’t really cried since I caught Evan with Brandi. I mean, there were tears. But, I never had that heart wrenching I-feel-like-I’m-going-to-die cry. It never really hit me. Seeing him here brings it all back.

Tears are clouding my vision; I can’t see where I’m going. He leads me down the stairs and across the beach. I can’t breathe. I can’t see. I let go of his hand. Stopping, I sit down in the middle of the beach, put my face in my hands and start sobbing again. He tries to nudge me up, but I can’t move. I’m frozen to this spot. He gently picks me up, holding me with two hands. One hand under my legs and the other hand around my back. I curl my arm around his neck and sob into his chest. He carries me back to my house.

He walks across my back deck and slides open the screen door. Walking through the kitchen, he places me down on the couch and sits down on the chair across from it. He watches me, at a loss. He doesn’t know what to do or what to say, so he waits. The tears have ceased, but I am now dry heave sobbing. I try to take a deep breath and relax, but the way Chase is looking at me is making it difficult. “Thank you,” I say.

“For what?” he asks softly.

“For saving me. I don’t know what would have happened . . .” I can’t finish the sentence, because I know exactly what would have happened. I would have caved.

“Shhhh, it’s okay.” He leans over and wipes away a stray tear. “Who was that asshole anyway?”

“That was Evan. My ex. I caught him cheating on me a few weeks ago and broke up with him.”

“Scumbag. He doesn’t deserve you,” he says through gritted teeth.

“He came to try to get me back. To apologize . . .” I trail off. Chase gazes at me.

“And?”

“And nothing. I don’t want to talk about it. It’s over. End of discussion.”

He moves from the chair to sit next to me on the couch. His expression softens. He tucks a stray hair that has fallen out of my ponytail behind my ear; his touch sends shivers down my spine. “I think there’s more to the story, but I won’t push you,” he whispers. “I would like to help you forget about today, if you’ll let me.” I look up into those hypnotic bright blue eyes. “Music, I think,” he breathes.

“I have a Bose. It connects to my iPod. It’s on the kitchen counter.” I‘m barely able to concentrate.

He walks into the kitchen and finds the Bose system. My iPod is already synced up to it, so he scrolls through my song list. He nods his head, hits play, and returns to the couch. He holds out his hand, signaling me to get up. “Dance with me.”

“I don’t think I should.”

“I said I want to help you forget today. Let me help you,” he implores. “Dance with me.” This time it isn’t a request. He offers his hand again. Reaching up for it, he pulls me into the center of the room. Playing in the background is Coldplay, singing about trying and not succeeding.

Chase pulls me closer and puts his arms around my waist. My arms are still pinned to my sides, I can’t lift them. He sways me back and forth in time to the music. He’s right—this is soothing. I lay my head on his chest. I can hear his heart beating and his smooth, soft breaths. As if it were habit, I place my arms around his neck. He smells divine. He leans down close to my ear and starts to sing with the song “and I will try to fix you.?

?

I look up into those eyes as he’s gazing down at me. Brushing my cheek, I close my eyes and try to absorb his touch. Chase runs his index finger down to my chin and traces my lips. My breath hitches. I’m shaking like a leaf. Staring at his chest, I’m not sure if I should run or stay. He lifts my chin so I’m looking up at him. He leans down and kisses me.

“I don’t think . . . I’m ready . . . for this,” I whisper. I can barely breathe. God, I want him. My emotions are going in every direction.

“I don’t want to rush you, but I think you are more than ready.” His voice is pure seduction; it causes me to draw in a sharp breath.

Leaning down he kisses me again, but this time I kiss him back. His lips are so soft, and his tongue caresses mine. He pulls me closer, one hand in my hair and the other on the small of my back. My hands go from around his neck to running through his thick unruly hair.

Breaking from our kiss, Chase lingers, his lips lightly brushing against mine causing my breath to hitch. Then his mouth is on me, nibbling on my earlobe. Involuntarily, I roll my head to the side giving him better access to the nape of my neck. Taking full advantage, Chase kisses and nips from the back of my ear down my neck causing me to whimper. My skin feels as if it’s on fire. I can feel him smiling against my heated skin.

Looking down at me, his eyes are blazing full of desire. His eyes must mirror my own, since desire is coursing through my veins. Cupping my head, he kisses me again, his tongue invading my mouth. He bites down on my bottom lip. Panting, I break off. Chase’s breaths equally as ragged, he gazes down at me.

“I shouldn’t. The timing is all wrong.” I try to catch my breath. I want him so bad, but I don’t want it to be because I saw Evan.

“Am I wrong? Tell me you don’t feel it too.” Chase looks at me intently, trying to calm his breathing. “Ever since you crashed into me, I’ve felt this pull. I’m drawn to you. Don’t fight what you’re feeling.”

“I feel it too.” There. I said it out loud. I know I want to, but I need space to think. “But I need time to think.”

He looks at me for a moment, weighing his options. He releases me. “I’ll only go if you can honestly tell me you’ll be okay.”

“I’ll be fine,” I say, still winded. He kisses me, brushing the side of my face with his fingers. I close my eyes at his touch.

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