18
His girlfriend was insane. That was the conclusion Chase came to after Larke begged, no ordered him over the phone to clear a day in the week, but not a weekend, for her completely. That was fair enough and he’d been happy to do it. The insane part came after he’d driven to her place, found her dressed and waiting beside her car.
She tapped her watch then scolded. “I thought you said you’d be here at nine. It’s nine-ten.”
He stared at her, baffled until she started laughing and kissed his lips. “Chase, I’m joking. Actually, it’s the opposite. Today we won’t worry about time.”
“We won’t?”
She shook her head and beamed, gazing up at him as if she was in lo… He shook the thought away before it could take root. “Nope,” she said, “I’ve put myself in charge and I’m kidnapping you for the day.” She walked to the passenger side of her car and held the door open. “Get in.”
His lips twitched. “Just like that?”
“Just like that,” she repeated. Shaking his head, Chase did as ordered. He blinked in surprise as she closed the door for him.
Soon, Larke was seated behind the steering wheel, looking over at him. “Are you scared?” She wrinkled her brows to appear terrifying.
He leaned over and kissed her, unable to resist the urge. “A little, yeah.”
She laughed as they drove down the street, merging into the lane for the highway.
“Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise. You know that.”
“Surprises aren’t always good, angel. At least give me a hint.”
She glanced at him, her eyes soft and said quietly, “With me they are.”
He said nothing to that, mostly because his throat was starting to feel thick again from that look she’d just given him. A look that made him wish more than anything, that he was right in thinking, maybe Larke loved him as much as he loved her.
She quirked her lips and flashed him a grin. “Okay. I’ll give you this hint. There’ll probably be a lot of people there. It’s wide and open. Lots of fun,
Larke had him stumped. Shrugging, he sank back in the seat. “All right. I’m all yours.”
She glanced over at him with a shy smile and whispered, “I’m all yours, too.”
His heart slammed against his chest as he continued to watch her while she drove. About half an hour later, Chase realized exactly what Larke had in mind. An amusement park. Fuck. She was taking him to an amusement.
He drew up in the seat, minutes after and turned to her. “This is cause of that bowling alley thing, isn’t it?”
She parked and killed the engine. “Of course it is.”
Chase pinched the bridge of his nose. Larke was staring at him, excited, appearing pleased with herself and he was being an ass. Ungrateful. Taking a deep breath he asked, “Why here? We could’ve gone bowling, just the two of us if it meant that much to you.”
“Going bowling doesn’t mean anything to me. I only wanted to do something fun with you. Silly fun. The kind I know you didn’t have growing up.”
“What about your friends? I thought you wanted me to meet them.”
“I did. I still do. But we have time.” She looked at him and laughed, although it didn’t quite reach her eyes as it usually did. “Maybe one day I’ll even get to meet some of your friends.” She stopped laughing and gave a fake cough. “That was a joke. A bad one. I’m not stupid.”
No. Larke wasn’t stupid. She was hurting, though. Deep inside and even a beast like him could tell. “It won’t always be like this,” he said quietly, needing to reassure her some way.
“I know.” She placed her hand in his. “I know you’ll do right by us.”
I will, angel. I will.
Wanting to lighten the mood, Chase raised his brows and cocked his head toward the amusement park’s entrance. “You come here a lot, Larke? Brought lots of guys?”
