by Dorie Graham
“I was always neutral.”
“Evidently that wasn’t good enough for my sister, though. Just be careful. Don’t go falling for her again. You’re likely to get your heart busted just like before.”
“I’m playing it by ear. We’ll see how it goes.”
“Playing what by ear?” Alex asked as she entered from the hallway. She wore faded jeans and a T-shirt and she looked soft and inviting in an almost irresistibly vulnerable way.
Chase straightened. “Oh, today, this...outing,” he said. “We can play it by ear, unless you have a better plan.”
She pursed her lips and her gaze swung from Chase to Robert and then back. “Sure. We can play it by ear.”
“Excellent. Are you ready?” Chase asked.
“Where’s Kara? I thought she was coming with us,” Alex said.
“Actually, she’s at my father’s house.”
“I thought your dad was anti-Kara,” Robert said.
Chase shrugged. “She’s working on him. Personally, I don’t think he stands a chance.”
“And you’re sure it’s okay for her to be there...with him?” Alex asked.
“I walked her in and he was sober and tolerating having her there. She’s cleaning his house. He should be thrilled to have her. She has the number for his sponsor if anything gets out of control. She’s okay.” He chuckled. “It’s him I’m worried about. She’ll have him scrubbing floors by the time we get back.”
“If you’re sure, let’s go, then,” Alex said. “Traffic looks clear, but you just never know.”
Chase offered his hand to Robert. “Thanks for letting me steal her away. You have a good one.”
“No problem,” Robert said as he gripped Chase’s hand. “And good luck with everything you’ve got going on.”
“There’s a mango and grape tomato salad and some hummus in the fridge,” Alex said to Robert. “We won’t be too late, but no one needs to wait up for me.”
Robert coughed as he nodded. “I hope it all works out and you get your head nice and clear. And do me a favor.”
“You don’t look so good. Are you okay?” Alex asked, frowning.
Robert waved the question aside. He nodded toward Chase. “Take it easy on this guy. He’s more fragile than he appears.”
Alex’s gaze swept over Chase and she frowned. “We’re just hanging out.”
Chase glared at Robert as he took Alex’s arm. “Come on, let’s go.”
* * *
AN OVERHEAD SPEAKER in Atlanta’s Hartsfield Airport announced final boarding for a flight to Phoenix as Alex settled beside Chase to wait for their flight to be called. A young girl took a seat opposite them, her thumbs flying over her phone keypad, her earphones in, her head bobbing to a beat discernible even across the aisle.
“That can’t be good for her ears,” Alex said, nodding toward the girl. “Do you think Kara is really okay?”
“She’s fine. She was determined to spend the day with Dad. She’s set on winning him over and making him family again,” Chase said. “And after this week I didn’t have the energy to try to talk her out of it.”
“So, what was the verdict after her little soiree?”
“She’s grounded at least until the end of the month. She can go to school and work, but then she’s to come straight home. No friends visiting. That’s what started this whole mess. Apparently she invited one of her friends over and had unfortunately mentioned that I’d be out of town. That friend invited another and that one another and it snowballed. I feel a little bad that she invited the first friend because she didn’t want to be alone and then her friends actually took advantage of her because I was out of town. But she was grounded. She shouldn’t have had anyone over. I hate that I have to travel so much.”
“It’s high school. This kind of thing happens all the time. You’re lucky none of your neighbors called the cops, though.”
“We talked about that. At least she was upset about the whole thing. DFCS wouldn’t have looked too kindly on it.” He shook his head. “She’s giving me gray hair.”
She patted his arm. “She’s worth it, though.”
He nodded and pressed his hand over hers, his gaze locking with hers. “So, admit it. You missed me just a little while I was gone, didn’t you?”
Her heart thudded. “I’m not admitting anything, Chase.”
“But you’re not denying it.”
Frustration swelled through her. “As soon as Robert is in the clear I’m heading back to my life in Baltimore.”
“What life do you have there? You’re starting fresh with your job search.” He shrugged. “You could easily do that here. I’ll bet Atlanta has tons of openings for number gurus. You might miss your sister, but you have more family here. And you’re not seeing anyone there, right?”
She tried to tug her hand away, but he held her fast. “Why are you doing this?”
“Because I want you in my life.”
She looked out the window where a plane taxied away from the gate. “I’m in your life as much as I can be, Chase.”
He tugged her around until she faced him and then he locked his gaze with hers. “I don’t want us to just be friends, Alex. I want to share my life with you. The way we did before. Don’t you remember how it was? You were my best friend. We told each other everything. I know you and you know me in a way no one else does. Tell me you don’t miss that and I’ll leave you alone.”
She closed her eyes. Why did he have to do this now, when she was feeling more vulnerable than ever? Robert had hidden it well this morning, even with his coughing, which concerned her even more so because he’d been up in the wee hours. He’d had a worse night than she had and she’d not slept a wink fretting about Chase doing exactly what he was presently doing.
“Can we please just focus on finding your aunt for now?” she asked.
He lifted his hand, freeing her. “Sure, sweetheart, whatever you say.” He glanced away and then back again. “I want to find Robert’s real dad as much as you do, you know.”
Her throat tightened. “Robert doesn’t like to show it, but he isn’t doing well. He talked about having his central line and portacath removed if he doesn’t have a donor soon. He said he’s tired of the bullshit and is close to walking away from all of it. He needs that donor.”
“He’s not going to do anything with his central line. He’ll be ready when they do find a donor, which they will, and hopefully we’ll find his biological father and the man will be willing.”
“Oh, God, I hope so,” she said.
On the plane, she traded seats with Chase and sat beside an older woman, who had traveled the world three times over. They passed the time chatting, and for a while, Alex didn’t think about Robert, her father or Chase.
Shortly after they landed she rushed to a red SUV on the rental-car lot. “This one.”
Chase smiled. “Really? You like this? Isn’t it a little showy for you?”
“Maybe you don’t know me as well as you think you do,” she said.
“We’ll just have to remedy that.” He paused as he opened the door for her. “Do you think Kara is okay?”
“You can call her.”
“Should I? Maybe I should trust that they’re getting along and he’s staying sober.”
“Call her so you won’t worry, but I don’t want you to drive while you talk to her. I hate when people do that. It isn’t safe and you need to set a good example for her. She will eventually want to drive, you know.”
“Right.” He nodded. “So, we’ll hang out here for a minute?”
“Works for me,” she said. “We have all day, right? And we don’t even know if your aunt will be there when we get to her place.”
Funny how now that they were this close she didn’t feel any urgency in moving forward with their search. Were they doing the right thing? Doubt and uncertainty had her biting her lip. What if they couldn’t find Chase’s aunt? What if they did, but she didn’t know how to reach Robert’s fa
ther? What would happen to Robert if they didn’t find a donor for the transplant? Would he really stop all the treatment?
Chase leaned against the car, his cell phone to his ear. “Hey, Kara, what’s up? How’s the old man?”
While he talked, Alex settled into the passenger seat, leaning her head back and closing her eyes. Fatigue pulled at her. She’d have to get Chase to stop for coffee once they got going.
“I’m glad it’s going well,” Chase said. “Oh, no, I don’t care if you turn him into the next saint. You’re still grounded. Don’t even go there with me. You have to face your consequences. What if DFCS had caught wind of your little get-together?”
A smile worked across Alex’s lips. Chase was sounding so...fatherly. It was a new side to him. Why did she have to find it so appealing?
“So you’ll be eighteen. And then what?” Chase asked as he moved around to the driver’s seat. “It’s a tough world out there. Are you really in such a hurry to get out in it?”
He frowned and glanced at Alex as he listened to whatever his sister was saying. “Why would you think you have to leave when you turn eighteen? I mean, I know you want to go to Georgia State and that’s cool if you want to live in the dorm, but there’s no deadline on how long you can live with me. You can drive to school or take MARTA, since you’re so fond of it. Shit, Kara, you just got there. Why are you in a hurry to leave? My home is your home, indefinitely.”
In spite of his frustrations with his sister, Chase seemed very resistant to her moving out. Had he been lonely before Kara had moved in? Alex could relate to that. Lately she’d been so engrossed in work she’d drifted away from most of her friends. She’d have to make it a point to reconnect once she returned to Baltimore.
Sunlight streamed through the windshield, highlighting the curve of his cheek and his clean-shaven chin. Alex’s heart quickened as her gaze fell to his lips. Was his kiss still as exciting as it had been all those years ago? He glanced again in her direction. She looked away and her cheeks heated.
“Well, it’s something to think about,” Chase said. “Yes, thanks. I’ll tell her. See you tonight....No, we’ll definitely be back. If my aunt isn’t there, we’ll leave a note. Hopefully, she’ll be there, or we’ll hear from her before we have to head back for our return flight....Okay, you, too. Talk to you later.”
He hung up and then entered Rena’s address into the GPS. “She said to tell you good luck and she hopes we find my aunt and Robert’s father.”
“That’s nice,” she said, still not looking at him for fear her cheeks were pink.
It wasn’t right that the man could get her worked up without trying. What was wrong with her? And that he seemed intent on winning her over again only made her response worse. Resisting Chase would be so much easier if she didn’t find him so attractive. She inhaled slowly and reminded herself of all his faults.
He hadn’t stood by her and her mother when her father’s infidelity had come to light.
He was a drifter, never planning or setting goals.
The fact that he was doing well in his work was only accidental.
The man did not understand boundaries.
“You up for coffee?” he asked.
Shit. He had a knack for anticipating her needs.
He had always been that way. Giving in, she turned to him and a small smile curved her lips. “Absolutely. That would actually be really awesome.”
“You’ve got it,” he said as they exited the airport. “See, I know what you need. Caffeine fix for my girl.”
“Your girl?”
“That’s right. You might as well get used to it. I think Kara’s rubbing off on me. I’m a determined man.”
Alex opened her mouth, but no response flowed readily to her lips, so she closed her mouth and settled in for the ride as Chase clicked on the radio and the strains of Snow Patrol filled the air. This was going to be one long day.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
AS THE RENTAL CAR bumped along the never-ending dirt road, Chase stole a glance at Alex. She was slumped in the seat, fast asleep, her head bobbing with the movement of the SUV. Her dark lashes lay curled against her freckled cheeks. Her hair streamed over her shoulders in disarray. Soft snoring escaped through her partially open mouth, but somehow she maintained her appeal.
And the woman was maddeningly appealing, even though her attitude toward family and “till death do us part” was more than lacking. Why was she so bent on fleeing back to Baltimore at the first opportunity? Wasn’t she here working things out with her family?
Somehow, he’d have to convince her to stay.
“Destination on the right.” The computerized voice of the GPS announced their arrival at the address his cousin had given him.
By the looks of it, the house had stood on this hill for decades, though it must have been magnificent in its heyday. An abundance of French doors and wide porches wrapping around the ground level and balconies surrounding the upper floor spoke of summer evenings welcoming guests who spilled out onto the outdoor spaces.
As the SUV rolled to a stop, Alex stirred in the seat beside him. She yawned and stretched, arching her spine and covering her mouth with the back of her hand. He resisted the urge to undo her seat belt and slip his hand into the space at the small of her back, to pull her over to him.
“We’re here,” he said, letting his gaze sweep her face still flushed with sleep.
As she fumbled with her seat belt, he exited the car and moved to the passenger side. He opened her door and, before she could protest, pulled her out and into his arms.
Her eyes widened as he held her close, enjoying the soft warmth of her pressed against him. When her gaze dipped to his mouth, he moaned softly and it was all he could do not to press his lips to hers. She tipped her face up to him, the movement triggering an automatic response in him. He came so very close to kissing her, but he found restraint in the fact they were here on a matter that might very well save her brother’s life.
“I’m giving you full warning,” he said, still holding her close. “When we’re finished here, I plan to take complete advantage of that promise in your eyes.”
Her lips parted and she inhaled a sharp breath. He loosened his hold, but she neither stepped away nor disputed his claim. Smart woman. She’d been caught and the color rising in her cheeks proved she knew it. Satisfaction filled him.
He had proof positive she was still attracted to him. Now that he knew her weakness he planned to fully exploit it when the timing was right. He’d do whatever it took to keep her in Atlanta, where she belonged with her family and with him.
At long last he stepped back, taking her hand. “Are you ready?”
She closed her eyes for a brief moment and then nodded. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
He squeezed her hand as they walked up the gravel driveway. Wildflowers bloomed along an embankment to one side. The sun pressed down on them, weighing the air as the buzz of insects filled the early afternoon.
“It doesn’t look like anyone is home,” Alex said as they ascended the stairs to the wide front porch.
Keeping his fingers curled around hers, Chase pressed the doorbell with his free hand. The sound reverberated through the house. They stood expectantly, waiting. Chase cocked his head, straining to make out a sound beyond the chirping of birds and buzzing of insects.
After a few seemingly endless moments, Alex leaned forward and banged the heavy brass knocker. Long moments stretched by as they again waited. A butterfly drifted by in an aimless pattern of flight.
Chase smiled, his worry over finding Robert’s father easing. “This place is like a land without time.”
“Maybe we should write the note.” Disappointment weighed her words.
The worry in her eyes was enough to make him want to wrap his arms around her and kiss her to distraction. He gestured toward a white wicker sitting area to the right, with a table suitable for afternoon tea, and four wide-armed chairs. A swing hung beyond it, in the c
orner where the porch began its long wrap around the house’s perimeter.
“We could sit here and write it,” he said. “And then maybe she’ll come while we’re still here.”
“Okay, but I’m not sitting in that swing with you, Chase,” she said.
Chuckling, he tugged her again into his arms. At least she was worrying about him and not her brother at the moment. It was a little too much to resist.
“I don’t need a swing to kiss you,” he said.
With that he claimed her mouth. Her lips were as soft as he remembered, but she had a hunger he hadn’t experienced with her before. She opened to him, welcoming his tongue with the steady stroke of her own. He pulled her close, loving the feel of her soft length, running his hands down her back, but stopping short of her luscious ass. He needed to keep this clean, so he didn’t scare her away.
He drank his fill, not wanting the kiss to end, but they did have the letter to write and now that he knew he could still stir up Alex’s passionate side, he’d be sure to set aside more time for that going forward.
With regret, he broke the kiss and pressed his forehead to hers. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist.”
She closed her eyes and inhaled slowly before pushing back from him and reaching for her backpack. “I...I brought some stationery.”
Nodding, he followed her to the wicker chairs, feasting his eyes on the gentle sway of her backside. He’d been way too long without a woman, but being with Alex again was like coming home. This time, they’d find a way to make it work.
He took the seat beside her as she pulled out her stationery and a pen. She glanced at him. “Do you want to write it, or do you want me to?”
He sobered as he focused on the task at hand. “I don’t mind doing it, if you think it will be better coming from me.”
“Maybe that would be best, since she knows you. I doubt she’d remember me.” She handed him the pen.
“I don’t know, you’re pretty unforgettable,” he said. “And you were one really cute kid.”
