Page 11 of Easy

Chapter10

I hearChase’s motorcycle before I see him riding down the gravel road toward my house. It’s set back from the road, so the little path looks like it leads nowhere, like so many roads around these parts. Some are there for hunters to use to access blinds, while others are for farm owners to easily cross their property on ATVs. The tiny path that leads to my tiny home is unassuming. It’s not until you round a corner about half a mile back from the road that you see the clearing with the littlehome.

Chase cuts the engine and dismounts from his bike. It’s still early and the sky is yet to streak with pink and gold like spilled paint. I watch him tug his full face helmet off and rest it on the seat of the bike before opening the saddle bags to pull out two white sacks with a golden M on theside.

Perched on my elbows, I wait to watch him stride toward the door. I wonder what he’s thinking, why he’s decided to watch out for me, because that’s the clear impression he’s given. He thinks I’m alone in this world and believes that no one should be so secluded. At least that’s what I tell myself. The other option is that he really does get off on being Tased and is hoping for anotherjolt.

I snort a laugh, watching from the thin upper window of the house. Chase runs his hand through his dark hair as he turns toward the door. Two steps in and he glances up before he sees me. I go rigid and feel my face catch fire before slinking down out of the window, feeling sheepish. I tug on an oversized sweatshirt over my bra and panties, before descending the rungs.

Padding toward the door, I yank it open already saying, “I wasn’t watching you, so you can stop smirking like you’re God’sgift.”

His smirk only gets bigger. He hands me a bag and keeps the other for himself. “Whatever you say, Bree.” He unfolds the tiny table that folds into the wall and then slips into the seat he staked out a few days ago. “Besides, I can’t fault you if you like what you see.” He unwraps his sandwich without looking up atme.

I grab the only chair in the house and plop down my bag of food on the table. When I sit, my shirt rises a little and covers my upper thighs, but I still have to pay attention to how I move and not bend over. I don’t want him to think I’m easy. For once, that reputation isn’t here and I don’t want it to return. Not withhim.

His gaze drops to my thigh and the long stretch of pale skin that connects somewhere under the giant shirt.

“Hmm, same here.” I lift an eyebrow when he glances at me, startled.

Chase clears his throat. “Sorry. Leg man. I thought you’d wear pants or shorts or something.” He avoids my gaze for a moment and clears his throat. “I can buy yousome.”

My jaw drops, as does my egg sandwich. “I own pants!”

“Yeah?”

“Yes!”

“So you just don’t wear them, then?” He bites into his breakfast and acts like this is normal breakfast chatter.

“It’s my house. I can’t run my air conditioning all the time. You’re lucky I have a shirt on at all. It’s hot in here.” I grab the neck of the sweatshirt and tug it, allowing it fall back in place and bringing a nice breeze.

“That’ll teach me to bring a beautiful woman breakfast, me showing up and finding you naked in bed, ogling me out the window.”

I frown. Okay, it’s a pout. “I wasn’t naked.”

He arches a dark brow at me and tips his head my way. “Ah, but you were ogling me. Knewit.”

“Ass.” I smirk.

“I know you like it.” He grins before meeting my gaze. “So, what plans do you have today? Besides hiding within the tiniest house in Texas?”

My stomach twists. I don’t want to go into work and I’m too nervous to venture out. I shouldn’t involve this guy. He needs to go. I turn on bitch mode and sniffle at him. “Nothing that concerns you. By the way, you shouldn’t keep showing up unannounced. I might shoot you oneday.”

“And why would you do that?” He doesn’t take offense and still has that chill banter thing I’m getting attachedto.

Crank it up, Jos. Get rid of him. I lean back in my chair and fold my arms over my chest. “Because I got sick of seeing your ass on my property.”

Chase leans in and says with a deep bedroom voice, “If that’s what you want, Bree. I’ll leave and never bother you again. Just say it. Look me in the eyes and tell me that’s what you reallywant.”

My inner bitch tumbles off her stilettos at the burst of candid honesty. He continues, “I’d like to take you out today, if that’s okay with you. I have the day off and you could use a few laughs. It’s up to you, although I think you should put some pants on before we go. Most of the guys around here aren’t as open-minded as Iam.”

He flicks his blue eyes up and meets mine. Too soon, he turns away, grabs his trash and throws it away. He’s at the door and I still haven’t answered. He pulls it open and my heart sinks. He steps through the threshold and I can’t breathe, my chest is so tight. I shouldn’t speak. Stay silent, Jos. Don’t say it. Let him walkaway.

But I can’t. Just before the door closes behind him, I shout out. “Wait, I’ll put on pants.”