Page 55 of To the Chase

Her laugh was light and feathery. “I like those parts just as much.”

I considered her for a moment. “You seem happy.”

She paused, teeth sinking into her lower lip, then nodded. “I am. I feel grounded for the first time in…forever. Like I’m not just surviving, I’msettled. And I’m not so angry all the time.”

“I see that, and I love that for you.” I leaned toward her, dropping my chin to snag her gaze. “I’ll admit, though, I don’t mind when you’re a little mean, even if it’s directed at me.”

Her body tipped toward mine, putting us inches apart. “Do you have a masochistic streak, Tore?”

“Only when it comes to you.”

Some scents overwhelmed me, but Bea smelled so right, it was all I could do not to bury my nose in her throat. Warm and sweet, like vanilla blossoms hid just beneath her skin.

My restraint frayed.

Using her free hand, she traced the shell of my ear then drew a line along my jaw, ending at my chin. She pressed her finger there, digging into the divot in the center.

“I love the way you blush.” She rubbed her lips together. “Is that just for me, Tore, or do you blush for anyone?”

I nodded. “Everything I’ve done lately is yours.”

Her lips touched mine in a whisper. “I like that.”

“I’m supposed to be the one chasing you, Bea.” I caught her nape, keeping her close. “So why do I feel like your prey?”

Her breathy laugh warmed my lips. “That’s a little dramatic…but do you like it?”

“Immensely.”

“I like that you don’t lie to me.”

I didn’t have time to feel guilty. Her hand slid down my chest, tracing the path to my belt, and I held perfectly still.

“Tore…?”

I pressed my thumb to her lip, enthralled at the way it puffed back up when I released it.

“Yes, Bea?”

She grinned. “Would you open a new bottle of white? I’d love another glass.”

“I—” I blinked three times, ripping myself out of the spell I’d found myself under. Bea wore an amused little smirk, but it couldn’t hide the flush in her cheeks. She might have been teasing me, but I wasn’t the only one feeling it.

Still, there was no rush. She was here, and I’d already had a taste of her mouth. That was more than enough for now. I could be patient. I wanted to earn the right to more of her.

“Anything you want.” I stood, resisting the urge to adjust the bulge in my pants. Bea’s eyes lingered there, and it pleased me. “I have to go to the garage to grab a bottle. Be right back.”

“I’ll be here,” she sang out.

I was gone no more than two minutes before returning, a bottle in each hand, and nearly dropped them both when I walked into an empty kitchen.

“Bea?” I dropped the bottles on the counter, scowling at the hollow space. Had she gone to the restroom?

I charged toward the powder room down the hall from the kitchen, but it was just as empty as the kitchen.

“Bea? Where are you?” I called, louder now, returning to the island. There was a folded piece of paper where her plate had been, and I wondered how I had missed it the first time.

With a knot in my throat, I picked it up, reading the scrawling blue ink.