6
Larke playedthe scenario inside her head a hundred times over. She’d been a nervous wreck ever since their last conversation. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to see Chase. It was a matter of howmuchshe wanted to see him, without making a fool of herself. She twirled a braid around her fingertip. Why oh why hadn’t she taken the time to date more and gain experience in not behaving like a complete idiot, whose palms were already sweating with fear and excitement.
Not a single book on her shelf could give Larke advice on how to stay calm after hearing everything he had to say last night. She was glad they’d hung up shortly after Chase mentioned her laughter and what it did to him. Keeping her voice from trembling had been so hard once it hit her that perhaps her first impression of him had been too harsh. There was nothing monstrous about him. While Chase was definitely a victim of his parentage and upbringing, there was a good chance he was simply a man too afraid to change his ways.
The knock on her door caused her stomach to tighten into knots and bows. Drawing in a deep breath, Larke peeked through the peephole with one hand on the doorknob. Once again, she was face to face with the man occupying almost every junction of her mind. Chase stood at her doorway in a pair of dark blue jeans and another long-sleeved shirt. She hadn’t wanted to admit it before but he was very handsome. When she’d first seen him, the thought had struck her deep inside but it had felt wrong, taboo for viewing someone with his beliefs in terms of looks.
She watched as he strode inside her apartment, cautiously looking around. For a second, Larke wondered if he’d expected her place to be… Well, she wasn’t sure. Maybe completely decorated with African art and all the black related paraphernalia anyone could think of. There was a painting of a giraffe on the wall, but the rest were of various landscapes around the world. Nothing special.
Feeling awkward, she shifted her eyes, watching his face. Chase lowered his head, meeting her stare.
Breathe.
Her body refused to obey. The breath lodged at the base of her throat as he eased toward her, his heated gaze holding her captive. “You still look like you’re afraid of me.”
Larke shook her head, pushing away a braid that fell to the side of her face. “I’m not.”
Chase inched closer. So close she was able to see the edge of one of his many tattoos snaking out the neckline of his shirt. Cocking his head to the side, he stroked his rough fingertip across her chin. “I hope you’re telling me the truth. I don’t care what other people think of me. If I make people afraid. You and me, though… That’s something else. Don’t ever worry that I’ll hurt you. I won’t, Larke. I swear to everything that’s holy, I’d never put my hands on you in any way that would harm you.” He expelled a ragged breath, holding out in his hands. “Look, I even make sure to keep my arms covered when I’m around you. I’m trying not to do anything that’s gonna upset you.”
Tenderness blossomed in her. So,that’swhy he’d worn the long-sleeved shirt that morning in the park despite the high temperature.
“I’m sorry,” Larke whispered. “I want you here and I’ve been waiting to see you all this time. It’s just that I’m not used to having anyone inside my apartment. No one except for my friend, Riva, who you saw at the bowling alley that evening.”
He smiled at her. “You don’t have anything to be sorry about. I can’t believe you even invited me in here.” He glanced around the room, his vision landing on a copy of her latest book.
“Can I look at it?”
Larke nodded then reached for the book, handing it to him. She used the time to study him as he flipped through the pages. At one point, Chase raised his head, staring at her with…awe. Her cheeks grew hot beneath his stare, as if they were on fire. The harsh plains of his angular face appeared softer as he lowered his gaze and continued reading. Another minute passed before he placed it back on the shelf.
The children’s book, however, was no longer on Larke’s mind. Despite her pride, that accomplishment was the last thing she wanted to discuss. The overwhelming need to touch Chase, run her hands along his face and down the length of his muscular frame made her heart slam wildly against her ribcage. And most of all, her fingers itched to help him out of that long-sleeved shirt, so out of place in the sweltering summer night.
Larke eased toward him, only to step back and jump as the timer in the kitchen went off. Its beep was shrill and jarring. Her eyes widened. She slapped her palm against her forehead. “Oh my God. I almost forgot the food.”
Racing into the kitchen, she grabbed two pot holders and removed the baked chicken from the oven.
“You do eat chicken, don’t you?” she asked while sprinkling Parmesan cheese over the golden crust. “Or is that a no go?”
“Chicken is fine. Didn’t know you’d be cooking.”
“It was a spur of the moment decision. I figured you’d need something proper to eat after driving for so long. None of that McDonald’s stuff.”
He laughed, the sound low and deep. “You got something against fast food?”
“The opposite. If I start to eat one fry I’ll end up eating the entire box.” She checked the pot of broccoli rice pilaf on the stove then turned to face him. “You remember how I was before. These days I try to be more careful with what I eat.” She quirked her lips to downplay her sudden embarrassment in not being skinny. “This is also my warning that if we ever get trapped anywhere together, you won’t find a stash of candy inside my bag.” Larke chuckled at her own silliness then stopped altogether, noticing the set firmness of Chase’s jaws.
He was staring at her, his eyes raking over her face, breasts, and hips. She immediately regretted mentioning her weight. Her stomach fluttered as he inclined his head, indicating that he had concluded his scrutiny of her body. “I thought I already told you you looked good?” His voice was gruff and his brows rose as if he awaited an answer. Trapped beneath his intense gaze, Larke managed a nod. She wondered if he’d meant his comment from outside the bowling alley about growing into her fat. “I suppose you did.”
“If you want me to say it again, I will.”
“You don’t have to repeat anything,” she insisted. “I was being silly and truthful, not fishing for compliments.”
In a matter of seconds, before she could anticipate his move, Chase was across the room standing beside her in the kitchen. “I didn’t think you were fishing. What you said only gave me an excuse to let you know what I think. You don’t need to do a damn thing to make yourself different or thinner. You’re perfect, Larke. Honest to God.” He curled his finger around a long braid, slowly allowing it to uncoil and tumble onto her chest.
Her nipples tightened and beaded underneath his attentive stare. She dabbed her tongue over her lips. Her blood felt hot, coursing through her body and roaring inside her ears. Chase’s eyes grew hazy, his lips curved into a half smile.
Larke quivered. Heknewshe was aroused. She closed her eyes as he rasped, “It’d be a shame if you had a problem with those breasts of yours. Bet they look so fucking good underneath that shirt.”
Liquid heat flooded her lower belly. Larke moaned inside her head at the shameless feel of her sex clenching and tightening for the unknown. No man had ever said such things to her before. Desire clouded her reasoning, leading her to confess a lack of experience. “I haven’t dated much so I haven’t dealt with a lot of men. Any man really if I’m being honest. But what you said to me—I liked hearing it.” Larke sighed. “I guess I’m saying all this because I wanted you to know I’ve never been alone and so close with anyone before.”
