Page 35 of Playing with Forever
“Don’t bother. I’ll come and do it for you.”
“What? No,” I said, shaking my head, even though he couldn’t see me. “You’re all the way at the club.”
“Which means I’ll get there about the same time as roadside assistance would anyway,” he said in a reasonable, but adamant tone. “Once I take care of the tire, you can drive the car to the club with me behind you.”
I bit my bottom lip. I really didn’t want to encourage Chase’s overbearing protective streak, but the idea of him coming to help me was actually really, really nice.
I sighed, and relented. “All right. But we’re not making this a habit, you rescuing me like I’m a damsel in distress, okay?”
He chuckled. “I wouldnevermake the mistake of calling you a damsel in distress,” Chase said, amusement in his tone. “I’ll be there in about thirty minutes.”
We hung up, and standing out in the parking lot made me feel like an idiot, especially with the Vegas sun beating down on me—yes, even at five thirty in the afternoon—so I waited in the lobby where there was air conditioning, sitting in the empty reception area.
I received a text from Chase letting me know he was a few minutes away from my work when I heard someone exit the elevator and glanced up to see who it was.
“What are you still doing here?” Brandon asked, looking surprised to see me there. “I thought you left a bit ago.”
“I tried,” I said, giving him a smile as he walked toward where I was sitting. “My tire has a flat.”
“Oh, shit. That sucks.” He shoved his hands into the front pockets of his slacks, tipping his head to the side. “Would you like me to give you a ride? Or—do you have a spare? I have a jack in my car, I could just—”
Telling myself he was just trying to be helpful, I kept my tone light, but resolute. “That’s so kind of you, really, but my—” I caught myself before I said the wordboyfriend“—friend is already on the way.” I kept the gender of said “friend” vague.
A small little frown formed between his brows, and I didn’t miss the way his gaze took in my dress, heels, and the sexier makeup I’d applied after work. “It’s getting late, so I’ll stay with you.”
Again, I had to temper my tone. “I appreciate your concern, but that’s really not necessary.”
He sat down in the chair next to mine. “I insist.”
What the hell did I say to that? The lot had mostly cleared out, as had the building, so I told myself he was just being a gentleman. To avoid small talk, I pulled out my phone and texted Violet to let her know what was going on. She’d just arrived at work for the night, but had about ten minutes free before she started her shift, so I chatted with her while I waited for Chase to arrive, which happened shortly thereafter.
Chase parked his car next to mine, and I stood up, and so did Brandon, walking with me outside. When he saw Chase get out of his vehicle, I visibly saw Brandon stiffen.
“So, that’s why you’re dressed the way you are,” he said, finally addressing my attire, a derogatory tone to his voice. “I didn’t know you were seeing anyone,” he added, jumping to his own conclusions about Chase and sounding low key pissed off that I hadn’t divulged this bit of information sooner.
Not that it was any of his business. “I prefer to keep my personal life and work life separate,” I said, even though I didn’t owe him any explanation. I stopped him before we walked any further, not missing the irritation in his gaze. “Brandon, I know you don’t want me to say this, but seriously, you will find the right person for you. You’re a great guy and I know someone is going to see that.”
Before Brandon could respond, I headed toward Chase. I didn’t know how much more obvious I could be without getting hurtful and I honestly didn’t want it to come to that.
I grinned as I walked up to Chase, focusing on him instead, just as his own appreciative gaze took in my sexy outfit as I approached him. He looked drop dead gorgeous in a black dress shirt and black slacks—very much the alpha male. He’d rolled back the sleeves of his shirt, exposing those sexy forearms and the beautiful artwork inking his skin. His hair, I noticed, was a bit disheveled, as if he’d spent the entire drive shoving his fingers through the strands because of his worry.
“Hey, you,” Chase said, gently laying a hand on my hip as he kissed me—a light touch of his lips, but clearly a deliberately possessive gesture—then glanced back at Brandon. “Who is that?”
Yeah, Chase didn’t miss a thing. “A co-worker who didn’t want me to wait for you by myself, since most everyone else is gone for the night.”
Most people would have responded to that with something like,oh, that’s nice. Not Chase. His gaze narrowed as he stared after Brandon as he walked to his own car, sizing up the other man, watching him the entire time—as if he was silently letting Brandon know that he was staking a claim on me, which I found secretly hot. Once Brandon was in his vehicle and pulling out of the parking lot, Chase finally returned his attention back to me.
His concerned gaze searched my face. “You okay?”
I tipped my head. “Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?”
He gently tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, and I wondered if he realized how sweet and intimate that gesture was to me. “It’s annoying as hell, getting a flat.”
“It is,” I agreed with a sigh. “I’d probably be more upset if I was late to something I couldn’t change, like a concert. Thank you for being flexible.”
“Of course. We have all night.” Chase walked up to the back of my car, with me following behind. “Okay, let’s get this tire switched out for you.”
I popped the trunk so he could retrieve the jack, tire iron, and spare. He brought all the items to the front of my car, then squatted down to inspect my tire as he prepared to pull it off. I saw the moment his entire body froze, his jaw clenching tight as he grit out, “fuck.”
