Page 17 of In League with Ivy
As we walked along that familiar strip, I felt sparks from my shoulder brushing gently against his arm.
When we walked past an alleyway lit up by a blue flashing neon sign, Chase pointed. “How about there?”
I nodded as we continued to move in silence.
“Are you okay?” He stopped walking, his melting-chocolate eyes earnest and concerned in the light of the streetlamp above him.
“That was pretty scary,” I said with a sigh. “If you hadn’t shown up, he might have hurt me.”
His brow creased. “Are you sure you don’t want to press charges?”
“No.” I sighed.
“But he forced you.” His frown deepened.
“And you gave him a black eye.” I smiled tightly. “Come on. Let’s get a drink. I could use one.”
His eyes penetrated mine. “Okay. Promise me that you’re fine?”
A faint smile grew on my lips. “I’ll live.”
He shook his head. “What a fucking snake. You should at least report him to Tinder.”
“I’ll look into it. Thanks.” A lump settled onto my vocal cords.
As our eyes locked, a warm, fuzzy feeling touched me. I sensed that Chase would protect me from anything.
In total chivalrous mode, he opened the door and waved his arm for me to pass. “After you, angel.”
I stepped through and turned to face him. “Angel?”
He rubbed his sharp jaw. “You are. I mean, look at you. You’re gorgeous.”
“But an angel?” I cocked my head with a grin.
“Well, you are. Sometimes. Other times, you’re a she-devil. Especially when you don’t return my calls.”
“Is a she-devil nicer to fuck than an angel?” I asked, studying him closely.
He held his chin like a professor trying to solve a complicated equation. “Mm… I like them both. I like you dirty and nasty, and I like you sweet and virginal.”
“Virginal?” I laughed.
His mouth curled up at one end, dimpling his cheek. “Well, maybe not virginal.”
“I am not going to sleep with you,” I said.
Who am I fooling?
“I’m just happy hanging out with an angel by my side.”
I rolled my eyes.
He shook his head. “What?”
“You’re full of crap.”
He laughed.