Page 29 of Someone to Hold

“I didn’t just say that.”

“You absolutely did,” he says, and I hear the smile in his voice.

“I’m begging you to forget that I mentionedthe sexand pretend I didn’t just ask about your private life, because it’s none of my business.” I keep my hand over my eyes, refusing to look at him because I might die of embarrassment.

“Molly, I’m not havingthe sexwith anyone.”

Wait a sec. Does his voice sound deeper than normal? Almost husky.

“I shower at a friend’s house,” he continues after clearing his throat. “Every day. Trust me, it’s a good idea.”

I widen my fingers to peek through. “Isn’t there a bathroom in your trailer? You said you live there most of the time.”

“I have a bathroom, but you have no hookup. It’s easier if I?—”

“Why don’t you use the bathroom in the house?”

His eyes widen slightly. “I didn’t want to ask. I know you don’t want me here. The less I mess up your routine, the better.”

“But you’re helping me.”

“You’re helping me, too, with?—”

“I know. The mysterious debt you owe Linda.”

“I’m here foryou,” he says, like his motivation or feelings about who I am don’t matter in the grand scheme of things. I try to remind myself that’s true. Chase Calhoun is a means to an end for me.

So what if it’s Chase’s eyes and his muscular arms I think of when I unlock the box in my nightstand drawer where I keep my toys? I doubt I’m the first woman who’s gotten herself off imagining Chase’s hands on her.

“Are you okay?” he asks, snapping me back to the present.

Seriously, someone save me from where and how often my thoughts drift around this man. No wonder he thinks what he does of me.

“You look like my mom does when she’s having one of her power surges.”

“You think I’m having a hot flash?” I grind out the words. “I’m twenty-seven, not forty-seven.”

He makes a face. “I don’t know how it works.”

“I’mnotin menopause.”

“Okay, I just—” He holds up his hands like he can’t win for losing. “I just want to make things easier.”

Right now, I feel the opposite of easy, my skin prickling with awareness.

“So try using your muscles more and your mouth less.”

Uh, didthatjust come out ofmymouth?

The air crackles between us. Chase steps close enough that I catch a whiff of sweat, sunshine, and whatever soap he uses. He might need a shower, but he smells delicious.

“You have no idea how good I am with my mouth.”

Cowboy mic drop.

“I’m sure plenty of rodeo queens could fill me in.” I try to sound disinterested instead of insanely jealous. “I’ll take a hard pass on those details.”

He flashes a smile, and as irritated as I am, I find myself smiling, too. Not that I’d admit it to him, but the truth is, I like who I am around Chase. A little bolder. Less my usual mouse-in-the-corner vibe.