Page 19

I don’t need distractions right now.

Especially not hot ones with big muscles and tight ends.

Pulling the door open, my breath catches at Chad standing in front of me in loose, faded jeans and a camo tee that stretches across his pecs in such a way he might as well be shirtless.

I kind of like his sexy G.I. Joe look. Unexpected.

His dark brow lowers, and those full lips press into a frown. “Nope.” He shakes his head and walks past me into my small house.

“Rude!” I manage to pick my jaw off the floor and call after him. “Did I invite you in?”

“You can’t wear that.” He ignores me, looking around the room. “You need layers. Do you have a sweatshirt you don’t love?”

“I don’t have a sweatshirt at all. You’ve seen how I dress.”

His eyes flash the way they sometimes do when I see him around town, and I’m pretty sure Chad Tucker just had an impure thought. The way my panties catch fire, I’m pretty sure my body is right there with him.

My brain is the only holdout.

Chad Tucker is nothing but trouble as far as my plans are concerned. Tall, dark, and sexy trouble, but trouble nonetheless.

“Never mind. I’ve got something in the truck. Wear the tennis shoes.”

“Give me a second.”

He waits as I go to my bedroom and grab the other shoe. When I return, he seems to completely fill my living room. His eyes rake over my body, and my breath catches.

“You look great. Ready?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be.” I exhale, doing my best to halt my involuntary response to him. “Where are we going?”

He catches my hand in his, and I swear to God my heart jumps to my throat. He’s only holding your hand, Tabby. Jeez, I’ve been holding boys’ hands since fifth grade. It’s just never sent a humming vibration up my arm before.

When we get to his silver Chevy, he releases me, opening the passenger door and actually taking my arm to help me climb the step side.

“Aren’t you the gentleman?” I tease.

He looks confused, and I totally fall for him right then.

What a lie. I fell for him the first day I saw that ass in those polyester uniform pants.

I have never seen polyester look that good on anybody.

“I got to thinking about it.” He turns the wheel and heads up the road away from town. “I figured you’re probably bored with the usual Oceanside stuff.”

“So you’ve been thinking about me all week?”

“I did ask you out. I’d like you to have fun.”

Okay. I look out the window at the passing scenery. He’s driving on roads I only take if I’m going on a trip somewhere, leaving town.

After a few more minutes, he turns down a narrow dirt road I’ve never even seen. “It’s a good thing you’re a cop. Otherwise, I’d be nervous.”

“I don’t believe it. You’re not afraid of anything.” He winks at me, and my stomach flips.

“I wouldn’t be too sure of that.” The way my body responds to him scares me to death.

The road opens on a large field and what looks like an obstacle course or some place where military guys do drills. Massive, gray tree stumps are stacked on top of each other, with big canvas bags dotted among them. A few small thickets with trees are in the four corners, and two old sheds are at the very back. The closer we get, I see guys are running around inside carrying guns, and a big sign over it all reads Fireside Paintball Battleground.