Page 52 of Lost Without You (Chasing Olivia 2)

Here it is, Wednesday already, and I haven’t had time to go food shopping since before I left for the wedding. I don’t want to order in again, since there are only so many places that will deliver, so I go out. There’s a great sushi place a few blocks from my apartment, and it’s a warm evening. Taking my time walking though the busy streets of Manhattan, I enjoy the sights and sounds of the city.

Earlier this afternoon, Chase left me a message, saying he needed to work late, again. I’ve been tempted to pay him a visit at his office, but since I don’t like surprises, I’ve refrained.

As I’m walking the few blocks to Taste of Tokyo , a wave of uneasiness washes over me. A feeling that someone in the shadows is watching me. Stopping, I spin and look behind me, my eyes searching behind cars, in store windows, looking for anything out of the ordinary, but there’s no one suspicious. The hair on the back of my neck stands as an ominous feeling surges through my entire body. Continuing my walk, I can’t seem to shake the sense that I’m being watched. Picking up the pace, I take out my cell phone and dial Chase as I walk briskly the rest of the way, needing the distraction.

“Hello there, beautiful. What a pleasant surprise,” Chase coos.

Not wanting to alarm him, I try to talk as normal as I can while I speed-walk toward the restaurant. “Hey, just calling to say hi.”

“Where are you?”

“I took a walk to Taste of Tokyo, was feeling sushi tonight. You still at work?” I ask.

“Unfortunately. There are some contracts I need to look over.”

Approaching the hostess, I order a spicy tuna roll to go. I sit to wait, but I’m still creeped out. I don’t often get these feelings, but when I do, I’m usually right. Talking to Chase helps, but I’d rather he were here with me. “You working late sucks,” I complain as I stare at the counter, willing my food to appear.

“I’d do it every night if it meant getting to spend more weekends away with you,” he breathes.

“We don’t need to go anywhere, I like staying home.” I peek out the glass doors, still searching for something.

“I love that too.”

“Chase—” I start, but change my mind.

“Yeah, baby?”

“Nothing. You should get back to work. Don’t work too hard, though.”

“I’ll try not to,” he teases. “I love you.”

“Goodnight,” I sigh, hanging up. Glancing up at the counter, I’m happy to find my food is waiting for me. Paying the hostess on my way out, I retrace my steps back to my apartment. A light breeze tickles my skin, and there it is again; that feeling someone’s watching me. I sprint the rest of the way back to my apartment, not wanting to know if my instincts are correct or not.

Thursday night I get home from work and have just enough time to change before I need to leave. Originally, I had planned on Chase coming over to help me relax, but he had called me mid-afternoon and asked me to meet him at his place, instead. Throwing on a pair of sweats and my Stony Brook hoodie, I run out the door.

Exiting the elevator, I reach for my key. After we got back from Key West, he insisted I take another copy, making me promise not to throw it into oncoming traffic. “Chase?” I call out, not wanting to startle him as I open the door. He doesn’t answer, prompting me to go looking for him.

I find Chase in the kitchen and he pulls me into an embrace before I can blink. “Hello, beautiful,” he purrs, kissing me on the top of my head. “I have a surprise for you.”

“What is it?” Instead of answering, he walks toward the kitchen, pulling me behind him.

“I’m going to teach you how to make Steak Au Poivre,” he announces, pointing toward an array of Whole Food’s bags on the counter. I look at him and force a smile, but it doesn’t reach my eyes. Chase takes one good look at me and bursts out laughing.

“What’s so funny?” I ask, offended.

“You.” He smiles, shaking his head. I stare at the bags, dumfounded. “Help me empty these?” He motions to the rest of the bags. Relenting, I help pull the items trapped in the paper bags and place them on the countertop.

“What possessed you to teach me how to cook?”

“I made a promise I intend to keep.” Ah, yes. Davis.

“That’s not fair! I just said yes because you had me caught in your sexual thrall.”

“Sexual thrall?” He rolls the words off his tongue, throwing them back at me, his lips twitching.

“Yes. There was no way I could have said no to anything you said.”

“Is that so?” he murmurs as he stalks toward me. “What about now?” He sidles up behind me, his lips brushing against the back of my neck, causing the tiny hairs to stand on end. “Could you say no to me now?” he rasps, his warm breath caressing my shoulder, causing me to shudder.

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