by Delilah Hunt
“I’d be angry if you didn’t.”
She began reading and Chase listened until she let out a whoosh of air and said, “And that’s all I have for now.”
As they’d agree, he told her his opinion of the main character in her story. She agreed with him. But what surprised him the most was that she ended up asking if he had a suggestion on how she could fix the character in her book.
That was new.
Larke was the only person he could think of who gave a damn about his opinion. He was used to doing, not advising. Doing what he was told, or asked after a bit of buttering up. That’s what everyone expected of him.
Annoyed that he’d allowed AR to slip into his thoughts, Chase quickly dragged his mind from the group. That kind of business had no place inside his head when talking to Larke. He opened his mouth, on the verge of asking her what she was wearing. He clamped it shut. Too much. Too soon. Not wishing to scare her off, he settled on asking the one thing that had been on his mind all day long. “Can I see you after I get home?”
“When are you coming back?”
“I’m driving home tomorrow evening.”
“You won’t be too tired?”
Too tired to see her? Never. “I’m good. I’ve been driving across the states since before I got my license. No big deal.”
“Okay.” Another pause. “Can I ask you something? It might seem stupid and I suppose I already know the answer––”
He cut off her nervous rambling. “What do you wanna know?”
“Have you ever been with any non-white person?”
“Inside the same building? Yes. Slept with? No, if that’s what you want to know.” He frowned. “Why did you ask?”
“I was doing some thinking last night. I knew some kids from high school whose parents were pretty strict; never letting them have a single taste of alcohol because they hadn’t reached twenty-one. When they went away to college, many of them spent their time partying and drinking. They went pretty crazy with this new freedom. That memory led me to wonder––could it be like that for you? You were raised to believe being with someone outside of your race is bad. What if you see me as a safe choice to kind of test the waters, see what all this forbidden drama is really about?” She inhaled. “I’m not sure if what I’m saying makes much sense. Maybe I’m just confused with all this stuff going on inside my head. Then again, your attraction to me probably hasn’t gone that far for this sort of thinking.”
“It has,” Chase murmured into the phone. “It’s gone real far.” So much, that his cock shot rock hard at the faintest possibility of them being intimate. Chase brushed his hand over his erection as it swelled painfully. “You’re not crazy. I’ve already thought about everything you said. I had a lot of time to. All last week when I was wondering what my next move was gonna be. Those same thoughts ran through my mind. But it’s not like that. For starters, there’s nothing safe about the way you have me feeling. I’ve never been nervous around any girl except you. I’m also not attracted to you because I have fantasies of being with a black girl. Never had. It’s just you I want. The girl with the pretty round face and laugh that made me forget who I was.”
6
Larke played the scenario inside her head a hundred times over. She’d been a nervous wreck ever since their last conversation. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to see Chase. It was a matter of how much she wanted to see him, without making a fool of herself. She twirled a braid around her fingertip. Why oh why hadn’t she taken the time to date more and gain experience in not behaving like a complete idiot, whose palms were already sweating with fear and excitement.
Not a single book on her shelf could give Larke advice on how to stay calm after hearing everything he had to say last night. She was glad they’d hung up shortly after Chase mentioned her laughter and what it did to him. Keeping her voice from trembling had been so hard once it hit her that perhaps her first impression of him had been too harsh. There was nothing monstrous about him. While Chase was definitely a victim of his parentage and upbringing, there was a good chance he was simply a man too afraid to change his ways.
The knock on her door caused her stomach to tighten into knots and bows. Drawing in a deep breath, Larke peeked through the peephole with one hand on the doorknob. Once again, she was face to face with the man occupying almost every junction of her mind. Chase stood at her doorway in a pair of dark blue jeans and another long-sleeved shirt. She hadn’t wanted to admit it before but he was very handsome. When she’d first seen him, the thought had struck her deep inside but it had felt wrong, taboo for viewing someone with his beliefs in terms of looks.
She watched as he strode inside her apartment, cautiously looking around. For a second, Larke wondered if he’d expected her place to be… Well, she wasn’t sure. Maybe completely decorated with African art and all the black related paraphernalia anyone could think of. There was a painting of a giraffe on the wall, but the rest were of various landscapes around the world. Nothing special.
Feeling awkward, she shifted her eyes, watching his face. Chase lowered his head, meeting her stare.
Breathe.
Her body refused to obey. The breath lodged at the base of her throat as he eased toward her, his heated gaze holding her captive. “You still look like you’re afraid of me.”
Larke shook her head, pushing away a braid that fell to the side of her face. “I’m not.”
Chase inched closer. So close she was able to see the edge of one of his many tattoos snaking out the neckline of his shirt. Cocking his head to the side, he stroked his rough fingertip across her chin. “I hope you’re telling me the truth. I don’t care what other people think of me. If I make people afraid. You and me, though… That’s something else. Don’t ever worry that I’ll hurt you. I won’t, Larke. I swear to everything that’s holy, I’d never put my hands on you in any way that would harm you.” He expelled a ragged breath, holding out in his hands. “Look, I even make sure to keep my arms covered when I’m around you. I’m trying not to do anything that’s gonna upset you.”
Tenderness blossomed in her. So, that’s why he’d worn the long-sleeved shirt that morning in the park despite the high temperature.
“I’m sorry,” Larke whispered. “I want you here and I’ve been waiting to see you all this time. It’s just that I’m not used to having anyone inside my apartment. No one except for my friend, Riva, who you saw at the bowling alley that evening.”
He smiled at her. “You don’t have anything to be sorry about. I can’t believe you even invited me in here.” He glanced around the room, his vision landing on a copy of her latest book.
“Can I look at it?”
Larke nodded then reached for the book, handing it to him. She used the time to study him as he flipped through the pages. At one point, Chase raised his head, staring at her with…awe. Her cheeks grew hot beneath his stare, as if they were on fire. The harsh plains of his angular face appeared softer as he lowered his gaze and continued reading. Another minute passed before he placed it back on the shelf.
The children’s book, however, was no longer on Larke’s mind. Despite her pride, that accomplishment was the last thing she wanted to discuss. The overwhelming need to touch Chase, run her hands along his face and down the length of his muscular frame made her heart slam wildly against her ribcage. And most of all, her fingers itched to help him out of that long-sleeved shirt, so out of place in the sweltering summer night.
Larke eased toward him, only to step back and jump as the timer in the kitchen went off. Its beep was shrill and jarring. Her eyes widened. She slapped her palm against her forehead. “Oh my God. I almost forgot the food.”
Racing into the kitchen, she grabbed two pot holders and removed the baked chicken from the oven.
“You do eat chicken, don’t you?” she asked while sprinkling Parmesan cheese over the golden crust. “Or is that a no go?”
“Chicken is fine. Didn’t know you’d be cooking.”
; “It was a spur of the moment decision. I figured you’d need something proper to eat after driving for so long. None of that McDonald’s stuff.”
He laughed, the sound low and deep. “You got something against fast food?”
“The opposite. If I start to eat one fry I’ll end up eating the entire box.” She checked the pot of broccoli rice pilaf on the stove then turned to face him. “You remember how I was before. These days I try to be more careful with what I eat.” She quirked her lips to downplay her sudden embarrassment in not being skinny. “This is also my warning that if we ever get trapped anywhere together, you won’t find a stash of candy inside my bag.” Larke chuckled at her own silliness then stopped altogether, noticing the set firmness of Chase’s jaws.
He was staring at her, his eyes raking over her face, breasts, and hips. She immediately regretted mentioning her weight. Her stomach fluttered as he inclined his head, indicating that he had concluded his scrutiny of her body. “I thought I already told you you looked good?” His voice was gruff and his brows rose as if he awaited an answer. Trapped beneath his intense gaze, Larke managed a nod. She wondered if he’d meant his comment from outside the bowling alley about growing into her fat. “I suppose you did.”
“If you want me to say it again, I will.”
“You don’t have to repeat anything,” she insisted. “I was being silly and truthful, not fishing for compliments.”
In a matter of seconds, before she could anticipate his move, Chase was across the room standing beside her in the kitchen. “I didn’t think you were fishing. What you said only gave me an excuse to let you know what I think. You don’t need to do a damn thing to make yourself different or thinner. You’re perfect, Larke. Honest to God.” He curled his finger around a long braid, slowly allowing it to uncoil and tumble onto her chest.
Her nipples tightened and beaded underneath his attentive stare. She dabbed her tongue over her lips. Her blood felt hot, coursing through her body and roaring inside her ears. Chase’s eyes grew hazy, his lips curved into a half smile.
Larke quivered. He knew she was aroused. She closed her eyes as he rasped, “It’d be a shame if you had a problem with those breasts of yours. Bet they look so fucking good underneath that shirt.”
Liquid heat flooded her lower belly. Larke moaned inside her head at the shameless feel of her sex clenching and tightening for the unknown. No man had ever said such things to her before. Desire clouded her reasoning, leading her to confess a lack of experience. “I haven’t dated much so I haven’t dealt with a lot of men. Any man really if I’m being honest. But what you said to me—I liked hearing it.” Larke sighed. “I guess I’m saying all this because I wanted you to know I’ve never been alone and so close with anyone before.”
He searched her face. “Are you trying to tell me you’ve never been with a man before?”
“Yes.” Her pulse raced at his insistent stare of disbelief. “You think I’m weird don’t you?”
He shrugged. “Nothing weird about being a virgin.”
Larke let out a small cough, averting her gaze. “We, um... We should eat before the food gets cold.”
Chase helped to bring the food out of the kitchen and onto the dining room table. “You’re a good cook,” he said, in between bites of the chicken. “Best food I’ve had since….” He crinkled his forehead. “Since I can remember, really.”
Larke smiled to herself. She was flattered, but honestly, she wasn’t that good of a cook. “Don’t you eat at restaurants?”
He shook his head, chuckling with a measure of self-derision. “No. That’s not really my sort of thing. I can cook just fine. When I don’t feel like it, we have certain restaurants that deliver to the area.” He ate another morsel of the meat. “Their food’s all right. Nothing like this, though.”
“Okay. Since I now know you’re not big on going out to eat, what exactly do you enjoy doing in your spare time?”
“Hunting,” he said, eyeing her carefully. “Shouldn’t surprise you, I guess.”
It didn’t. “Apart from hunting, what else do you like?” Larke asked.
Chase lifted a shoulder and scratched his brow. “Not much else. Sometimes I carve knives.”
She thought back to the one he’d had while chasing her. It had looked a bit crude and not professionally made. “Did you make the knife I saw you with before?”
“Yeah” he answered, lowering his head. “That one I definitely made.”
“What else do you carve?”
He paused, slowly raising his face to look at her. Surprise filtered into his lackluster eyes. Did Chase think she wouldn’t want to continue talking to him because of that memory? Shrugging, he said, “Nothing important. Just stupid stuff.” A moment passed and then his brows furrowed with suspicion. “Why the sudden interest?”
Larke pursed her lip. “I wanted to know more about you. That’s all. But if it makes you uncomfortable we can talk about something else.”
He visibly relaxed. “Sorry. It doesn’t. I’m just not used to small talk or anyone wanting to know what I like and all. Might take some getting used to.”
Anyone. Did that include his mother and stepfather? Surely even the most hardened racist took pride in their children and loved them. She wanted to ask about his family but decided against. Too many questions might put Chase on the offensive.
After the meal ended, Larke rose to clear the table. Chase did the same, helping in spite of her insistence that it wasn’t necessary.
“I thought maybe we could watch a movie if you’re in the mood,” she suggested, putting the last of the dishes in the dishwasher.
“Sounds like a plan.”
“Is there anything in particular you’d like to see?”
He shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. As long as it doesn’t involve singing, teenage vampires or wedding dresses, I’m good.”
Larke laughed as she went to the television screen. “Then we dislike the same things.” She scrolled down the menu. “I’ll add watching movies to my list of Chase’s likes. What about comedy films?”
“They’re okay. I’ve seen a couple of them. Mostly when I’m out of town inside a motel room. Kills time. I don’t have a television at home and didn’t have one growing up, so never really caught on to TV watching.”
“As nonchalant as possible, Larke asked, “I take it not all of these trips had anything to do with your shipping business?”
His face immediately closed up. His eyes glinted with a warning. “Let’s watch the movie, okay?”
Nodding slowly, she clicked play and sat beside him. “It’s a Will Smith movie. You know who that is right?” She pursed her lips. “Or would you prefer something else? There’s an old Clint Eastwood western I saw with my dad once. It was pretty good. We could watch that instead if you’d like.”
He shook his head. “The movie’s fine. I’ve seen Independence Day. It’s all good. No worries.”
7
Chase felt the exact moment Larke let her guard down. One minute she was laughing, the next she was leaning over until finally, her head came to rest on his shoulder. In that moment it felt as if he was eleven all over again with Larke invading his personal space as they fell asleep together.
The only difference was, this time his body was reacting. His cock twitching, gearing up for her touch. He wanted to draw her into his arms, real tight and… And nothing. Chase ran his hand over his jaw. As much as he wanted to be close to Larke, he knew none of that was going to happen. She’d already made it clear that she’d never slept with a man. Deep down he wondered if she’d told it to him as some kind of warning to keep his dirty thoughts in check.
“It was good, wasn’t it?” she asked, raising her head from his shoulder.
What was good? Chase searched his mind for a clue to what she was talking about. Oh. He was supposed to have been focused on the movie and not her. “It was interesting. Can’t say too much about the ending, though.”
Her lips spread into
a crooked smile. Almost like she knew his secret––that he’d spent the majority of time sneaking glances at her instead of watching the movie. Her gaze suddenly switched to the clock on the living room wall. He followed it, taking note that the time was nearing ten-thirty.
Larke stared at him. She nibbled her bottom lip then brought her attention back to the clock. Figuring he’d worn out his welcome, Chase racked his brain for the right thing to say. He opened his mouth but was unable to stifle the yawn that snuck out in place of the words he meant to use. Tiredness from driving so many hours home, freshening up then rushing across town to see the girl he couldn’t stop thinking about hit him like a blow.
“Chase?”
“Hmm.”
“You’re very tired, aren’t you?”
Yep. Very. He straightened to his feet. “A little. I actually wanted to thank you for the food and everything before I head out.”
Her brows furrowed although she was no longer watching the clock. “You’ve been driving pretty much all day to get home.” Her eyes appeared darker, worried. But why? He was leaving.
She continued. “I don’t think watching the movie was such a good idea. Now you have another half an hour to Lee’s Fortress. I’m not suggesting anything. Okay, I am. The thing is, I don’t think it’s the safest idea for you to drive home right now. I’d hate for something to happen. If anything were to happen, it would be because you came here to see me.”
Every nerve cell inside his body stood on edge. So that explained her nervous glances at the clock. She was worried about him. Larke––a black female who knew about his twisted beliefs had no problem showing concern for him. Staggered by the revelation, Chase felt his chest tighten.
“What are you suggesting?” he asked, his tone rougher than intended because of the lump inside his throat.
“That you spend the night here.” She smiled. “To show you what a nice person I am, I’ll even let you sleep on my bed. I can take the couch because, well… She waved her hand in the air, gesturing toward his body. “You’re like a mountain.”