by Cynthia Eden
It’s an undercover mission. Get in. Get close to the woman. Get the intel. Get out. Should be easy enough. Right?
Wrong.
Chase Durant’s newest assignment goes wrong from the moment he meets Vivian Wayne. She’s not cold and calculating. The scientist is charming, funny, and absolutely freaking gorgeous. He’s supposed to be seducing secrets out of her. She’s supposed to be a selling classified intel. She’s supposed to be bad.
She’s the best thing he’s ever seen.
Doesn’t take long for the Wilde agent to realize that Vivian has been set-up, and the folks setting her up thought they could use Wilde to do their dirty work. Thought they could use Chase in order to make Vivian vulnerable so that she’d be the perfect target.
Wrong.
Instead of using her, Chase is determined to protect Vivian. The only problem? He’s been lying to her from day one, and things have…heated up between them. More like gone molten. Because Chase wants her more than he’s ever wanted anyone, and he’s not about to step back and let another agent take over her case. Vivian needs protecting, and he’s just the man for the job.
Correction—he’s just the man for Vivian. He just has to prove that he can be the right one for her.
Wrong.
But when Vivian finds out that he’s been lying, how can she trust him? Time is running out, and Vivian’s heart is in tatters. She fell for the wrong man, and now she might pay for that mistake with her life. Chase seemed perfect. He flew past her defenses, and she thought he seemed might be just—
Right.
Chase won’t back down. He won’t give up. He’ll prove to Vivian that she can count on him. Prove to her that he will always put her first. Prove to her that he can be the right man for her. He simply has to destroy her all of enemies and convince Vivian to fall for him once more. Only this time, she’ll be falling for the real man. Not the lie.
All in a day’s work for a Wilde agent…right?
Author’s Note: Opposites don’t just attract—they explode. Sparks are gonna fly, lust is gonna burn, and Mr. Cocky and Confident Chase is about to fall hard for a woman who snuck right past his guard. Bam. There may be groveling involved before the book is done. And, of course, lots of scorching scenes. Happy ending guaranteed, no cliff-hangers—just fun, hot romance, and plenty of action.
By Cynthia Eden
This book is a work of fiction. Any similarities to real people, places, or events are not intentional and are purely the result of coincidence. The characters, places, and events in this story are fictional.
Copyright ©2020 by Cindy Roussos
All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form without the express written consent of the author except for the use of small quotes or excerpts used in book reviews.
Copy-editing by: JRT Editing
(build 3)
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Chase After Me
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Epilogue
Author’s Note
About The Author
Chapter One
“Tell me again why you’re naked.”
Chase Durant glowered at his sometimes partner and friend. “Because, Merik, today the role of hot new neighbor is being played by yours truly.”
Merik Stone nodded. “Of course. How could I have overlooked that? Hot neighbor role. Sure. Whatever.” His bright gaze swept over Chase. “But I think I need more scene info to fully understand what’s happening here. I mean, I’m not sure I buy what’s going on. Do people normally move into new places and only wear jogging shorts while they do it? Isn’t that kind of dangerous, you know, with the heavy lifting and what not?”
A long sigh escaped Chase. “Are you trying to piss me off?”
Merik shrugged. “Maybe. I’m a little bored, and it has been a slow day.”
Damn straight it had been. Chase had started the new mission that morning, and they had moved in the temporary apartment very quickly—mostly because Chase wasn’t moving in actual belongings. Just enough for the scene to look real. They’d made short work of the moving part, and he’d been sure that his prey would walk right into his path. It was a Saturday, after all. His target wasn’t at work, and it should have been the perfect time to make her acquaintance.
Only…nothing. Hours had passed, and nothing had happened. Chase knew his target had left the building earlier that morning, but he’d figured she’d be back in a reasonable amount of time. Ha. No such luck. So far, four hours had passed.
“Look, have you considered that she’s not coming home today?” Merik asked.
Not coming back? “She didn’t take anything with her when she left. She was wearing shorts, a t-shirt, and tennis shoes.” Yes, he’d been watching. Spying.
His head swiveled toward the only other apartment on the floor. They were on the fourth floor—the top floor—of the building. The place was located on the outskirts of Marietta, Georgia, and the old building had been converted and updated just a few years before. Exposed bricks and gleaming chunks of wood were everywhere, and Chase had the uncomfortable feeling that he might just be in one of those HGTV episodes because it seemed like the designer of the building had checked off every single box—
“If she’s not coming home anytime soon, you could put your shirt back on,” Merik offered.
Chase waved toward his abs. “I work hard for these.”
Merik snorted.
“Moneymakers, that’s what they are,” Chase added, voice serious.
“Are you sure?” Merik appeared doubtful. “I’m not so—”
“They mean I’m strong enough to get the job done, and the ladies like them. Since my target is one lady in particular, I figure I’d start with my best asset and work from there.”
“Okay.” Merik crossed his arms over his chest. When he flexed, the long dragon tattoo on his left arm seemed to slither. “Let me see if I now understand this whole setup correctly. Your strategy on this case is to use your abs to woo your prey?”
“The abs are step one—an ice-breaker, if you will.” Chase hadn’t been kidding when he said he was playing the hot new neighbor role. When he’d been considering undercover personas for this case, it had seemed the easiest one to use. His target was the single woman on the floor—the woman who had not yet returned for their meet and greet. He had to get close to her. Had to sneak past her guard.
Then he had to learn every single secret that she possessed.
Sure, sure, normally, his job was to protect. At Wilde, the protection and security firm that he’d been employed at for quite a while now, they often took jobs where danger was just part of the game. They protected all sorts of clients—even royalty and rock stars—but they also took jobs that were under the radar. As in, way under the radar. Jobs that the government farmed out to them.
Those kinds of jobs were often Chase’s favorites. Undercover missions had always been his specialty.
“I’m dying to hear step two.” Merik nodded. “Do not leave me in suspense.”
The man must be helluva bored. “Fine, if you must know—”
“I must,” he cut in.
The elevator dinged.
Chase tensed. “Showtime.” His lady had to be arriving. The whole reason he’d been killing time in that hallway with the last box of moving items on the floor between him and Merik? He’d wanted to be in the right place to run into his target.
He sucked in a breath. Abs at the ready.
The elevator doors opened.
And…
He saw her.
Her head was tilted down so that her loose, red curls fell forward. She stepped out of the elevator, moving with a stride that was slow and almost distracted. She still wore her tennis shoes, the t-shirt, and the shorts, and he couldn’t help but notice the woman had killer legs. Long, toned.
Chase moved a bit to the left. It was a deliberate side-step because it would put him in her path.
But…
She didn’t notice him.
His target was carrying a book, she was reading it as she walked, and she didn’t even glance up as she made her way down the hallway and to her apartment.
Huh. That was…unexpected.
She was almost on top of him. The scent of vanilla teased his nose. He loved that scent. Reminded him of when he’d been a kid and his dad would take him to the local ice cream shop. He’d always ordered vanilla. It was his favorite.
She still hadn’t looked up. Obviously, situational awareness wasn’t high on her list of priorities. Strange, considering what he’d been told about her.
Maybe she’s just pretending not to notice me.
Either way, he had to do something before she barreled straight into him. “Ahem.”
She jumped, gasped, and her book flew from her hands to crash into the floor. Her eyes—a deep, dark green—widened as she stared at him. Her unpainted lips—bow-shaped and sexy—parted in a startled O-shape.
Chase gave her what he liked to think of as his winning smile. “Hi, there, neighbor.”
She blinked. Frowned. Then bent and scooped up her book.
He craned to get a glance at the title of the novel. When he recognized the name of the author, his smile stretched a little more.
“I’m sorry.” She gave a brisk shake of her head. “I think I was lost in a book.”
“It happens.” Dammit. She was even prettier than he’d expected. Creamy skin. Little button of a nose. And those eyes. Sexy as fuck.
Not that he was supposed to find her sexy.
She was the villain, after all. His job was to bring her down.
Red blossomed on her cheeks.
His head cocked to the right. She was blushing. Lots of reactions could be faked in this world. He’d seen some world-class actors in his time, but blushing? No, you couldn’t fake that. It was an instinctive, physical response.
Her gaze darted over him.
Right. The abs. They would—
Her stare shifted over to Merik as he stood near their last moving box. “Nice tat,” she told him with a quick smile.
What? She liked tats? If so, Chase would be happy to show her his. Except, well, it was in a rather hard-to-find spot on his—
Merik grinned back at her. “Thanks.”
“Are you moving in, too?” Her voice was all warm and welcoming—as she spoke to Merik.
This shit could not be happening. “No.” Chase realized his own voice sounded a bit too hard when her stare swung back to him. He cleared his throat. “My buddy was just helping me to move in.” Now he extended his hand to her. “Hi, I’m Chase Durant.”
She eyed his hand for a moment. Nibbled on her lower lip. Then slowly, her right hand extended toward his. Her left still gripped her book.
He didn’t move. Chase was being patient and letting her take her time. This was all part of his strategy. She’d be coming to him, and he would be—
Her fingers touched his. A surge of heat whipped up along Chase’s hand and flew through his entire body.
Her eyes flared, and he knew she’d felt the same surge.
An awareness. An intensity. A killer sexual attraction.
His hand closed over hers. “What’s your name?” Her skin was so freaking soft. Meanwhile, he had calluses to hell and back on his hands, but they came from his workout regimen. Once a SEAL, always a—
“Vivian. Vivian Wayne.” She tugged against his hold.
He immediately let her go. “Nice to meet you, Vivian.” He liked the name. It was different. Sexy. So is she. He motioned toward his silent partner. “That’s Merik.”
Merik gave her a little salute.
She inclined her head—
“He’ll have to leave soon.” Chase beamed at his buddy. “Man, I sure do appreciate your help today, but I know you need to get back to your wife.”
Merik’s lips twitched. He didn’t have a wife. Or a serious girlfriend. Dude was a player to his soul. Chase kept warning him about that, but, so far, Merik hadn’t listened to him. I offer good life advice. Why don’t people listen to me more often?
“And you need to get back to your new place,” Vivian said. Her voice was low, not quite husky, but definitely sensual. “I won’t keep you.”
He wanted her to keep him. That was the whole point.
She stepped around him. Made her way to the apartment on the other end of the hallway.
“I’m new in town,” Chase called after her. “Maybe later you can point me in the direction of some good restaurants?”
She stopped. He saw her shoulders stiffen.
Hell. Had that question sounded as desperate as it felt?
Vivian looked over her shoulder at him. She frowned, making a faint furrow appear between her eyebrows.
Chase kept his winning smile in place.
Come on, come on…
“I’ll be happy to help,” she replied. She didn’t sound particularly happy, though.
“And I’m happy to help you, too,” he told her quickly. “That’s what neighbors are for, right? So if you should need me for anything, just remember, from here on out, I’ll be right next door.”
She seemed to absorb that. Her green gaze slid from him to his apartment door. “I’ll remember.”
A few moments later, she was inside her apartment. The door closed almost soundlessly behind her.
He stood there a moment, just staring down the hallway.
“Did that go according to plan?” Merik sidled closer. “I am genuinely curious. When you came up with this scheme, did you secretly intend for her to compliment my tat, ignore your abs, and shut the door in your face?”
“She didn’t shut the door in my face.” Obviously. “I’m a good fifteen feet away from her door.”
Merik laughed and slapped a hand on Chase’s shoulder. “Tell me you have another plan.”
He had lots of plans. Always did. And Merik damn well knew that. Actually, Merik already knew exactly what the next step would be because they’d had to discuss it and plan for that step before moving into the building.
Unfortunately, the next step would involve Chase having to play dirty. Shouldn’t have been a problem. He’d played dirty on plenty of cases. In fact, he was very, very good at playing dirty but…
She’d blushed.
It meant nothing. He was sure that, under the right circumstances, even serial killers could blush. Not that Vivian Wayne was a serial killer. No, in fact, he didn’t believe that she’d killed anyone. At least, not directly.
But she was dangerous. Very, very dangerous. And his job was to stop her. By any means necessary.
Playing dirty? Yeah, it was almost time.
So why did the idea of what he was about to do…why did the idea of it make him feel like crap?
***
Focus. Be friendly. Smile.
Vivian rolled back her shoulders,
lifted her chin, and rapped her left hand against the closed apartment door.
Then she shifted her stance and went back to carefully cradling the covered dish in front of her.
She could hear the pad of footsteps. And then—
The door swung open.
He stood there. The new neighbor. The guy with the dark blond hair, the rough stubble of beard on his hard jaw, and the most amazing golden eyes that she’d ever seen. Gold. When she’d first looked up and into his eyes, the hallway had seemed to narrow. Her heart had thudded hard in her chest, she’d trembled, and when they’d touched, when his strong, warm fingers had curled around hers, she’d thought—
Oh, so this is what everyone is always talking about.
“Uh, Vivian?”
She blinked. Oh, God. Had she just been staring at him? He’d put on a t-shirt. A white t-shirt that stretched over his powerful chest and all of those wonderfully sculpted muscles.
Sexy guy, dead ahead. In her world, sexy men didn’t just fall out of the sky and into her path. If only.
But…he had.
“Is everything all right?”
No, things were not all right. She was being an awkward mess, and she needed to take control of the situation, ASAP. He was her neighbor, and she could be friendly, dang it. Or, she could try. “I baked this.” Vivian shoved the welcome gift toward him.
One eyebrow quirked. “Thank…you?”
Chase made it sound like a question. Probably because she was being weird. She knew she was being weird. Weird was her thing. Once upon a time, she’d tried to fit in with everyone else, but that just hadn’t worked so well for her. She didn’t usually waste time with polite chitchat. Why be polite when you could be real? Besides, when people were being polite, they were often lying. White lies, sure, but they weren’t saying what they really meant.
She hated lies.
Mostly because of her family.
Do not go there right now. She had enough to handle without a painful walk down memory lane.
Her new neighbor was staring at her. She hadn’t responded to him. She had to correct that situation. “They may not be good. It’s a new recipe.”