Well, at least the guy knew who Chase was. “Describe him.”
Skaggs ran a hand down his face. “I don’t know. White, forties, six-two, hundred-eighty pounds or so. Black hair. Didn’t see his eyes—he kept his sunglasses on. No identifying marks or tattoos that I could see.”
Taking his wallet out of his back pocket, Chase counted ten one-hundred-dollar bills and took them out along with one of his business cards. He tossed everything in Skaggs’s lap. “I’ll match this guy’s offer. A thousand now, and three more when you call me immediately after he calls you and sets up a date and time. I’ll double it if I get to the meeting before the exchange takes place. Don’t cross me, Skaggs. I have no problem paying you for the intel. I also have no problem dropping your corpse in Alligator Alley and watching the ensuing feeding frenzy. The decision is yours. Cash or become gator food. Understood?”
The man hungrily eyed the money scattered around him. “You’ve got a deal.”
“Good. We’ll let ourselves out. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”
Rylie was having as good a time as her daughter was. Chase had been true to his word and had arranged a private tour behind the scenes of ZooTampa for them. They’d gotten to feed the penguins, a baby Southern white rhino, elephants, giraffes, tortoises, koalas, wallabies, and, Chase’s favorite, the otters. He’d been right—they made him laugh. And that laugh had reverberated through Rylie’s body, making her wish she could hear it every day for the rest of her life.
Their tour guide, Jolie Benoit, was the assistant head zookeeper, a nice woman in her late thirties. According to Jolie, her father and Chase had served in the Marines together, although Philip Benoit had been fifteen years older and higher ranked than the younger Staff Sergeant. Shortly after being assigned to his Marine Raider Tactical Squad, Chase had saved Philip’s life in combat, and the two had remained close friends up until the older man’s death last year of a heart attack. Chase still saw Philip’s widow and children often and was always invited to family parties.
After helping with all the feedings, they’d had their own lunch at Macaw’s Landing Cafe before Jolie showed them a few other things the general public didn’t normally get to see. Rylie and Mickey had been amazed when they’d been able to watch a sedated and intubated Malayan tiger have an abscessed tooth extracted, while in the observatory of the zoo’s surgical suite.
Now, having thanked Jolie for their tour and letting her get back to her real job, the trio was checking out the fun rides and public exhibits at the zoo. They’d just gotten soaked again during their second time on the Roaring Springs water flume with its three-story splashdown. With the temperatures spiking into the mideighties today, they’d be dry soon enough.
Rylie hated to say it, but the more she was around Chase, the more she found herself attracted to him. The man was good-looking, gentlemanly, fun to be around, and great with kids. He also exuded sex appeal beyond anything Rylie had experienced before. She was drawn to him, and whenever he touched her, innocently enough, or brushed against her, her skin tingled and her clit throbbed. When he spoke in that deep timbre that sent chills down her spine, her gaze flittered from his sensual mouth to his gorgeous hazel eyes, which were more amber than green or brown today. He was very intelligent—brawn and brains, oh, my—and a brilliant conversationalist. Throughout the day, he and Rylie had discussed current events, history, art, books, TV shows, and a variety of other subjects. Yet, he’d still been able to have a conversation with a seven-year-old girl about Disney movies, the game Roblox, anime characters, and Hatchimals. Rylie had been impressed.
Chase was an all-around amazing man and the most interesting one she’d met in a very long time. But she couldn’t tell if he was just being friendly, spending time with them due to his connection to Mickey, or if he was interested in Rylie as a woman who happened to be the mother of the girl he’d saved. There’d been a few moments during the day, she’d gotten the impression he was interested in her, and not only on a let’s-be-friends level, but maybe she’d been mistaken. God, she was so confused. Her brain had been so focused on being a mother and business owner these last few years, she’d forgotten how to tell the difference between a guy flirting with her or only being polite.
Rylie glanced down at her daughter, who was between her and Chase, holding hands with both of them. Mickey was slowing down and getting tired. Rylie wasn’t far behind her. After all, they’d been walking around the zoo for about six hours. “Thank you so much, Chase, for bringing us today—we had a great time—but I think it’s time to call it a day.”
He winked at her, which sent butterflies into action in her stomach. “I had a great time, too.”
Suddenly, Rylie didn’t want their day to end. She wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Chase yet. “Um, would you—I mean, you don’t have to say yes—but would you like to join us for dinner?”
Mickey tilted her head back so she could see Chase’s face. “Please, Chase! Saturday night is homemade pizza night at our house. You can put anything you want on yours.”
Smiling, he tweaked the girl’s nose. “I can? In that case, I’d love to come for homemade pizza night.”
“Yay!”
Oh, yay! Rylie silently agreed.
Chapter Seven
Chase was going to go insane. Being so close to Rylie all day, without being able to kiss her or even hold her hand, had frustrated him to no end, but he had to wait for the right time to let her know about his feelings for her. The ones that were becoming stronger every time they were together. He had a suspicion he was growing on her, too. There had been several times during the day he’d caught her staring at him with unveiled interest in her eyes. And every time he’d said something flirtatious, her cheeks had turned a lovely shade of pink. As for Mickey, Chase knew she’d be part of his life until the day he died. Not only because of the blood connection between them, but because she was a very special kid—bright, bubbly, and downright adorable. He enjoyed every moment he spent with her.
Two weeks ago, he’d believed he didn’t have time for a relationship, beyond a superficial one, with a woman, but Rylie had him changing his mind. He’d been using work as an excuse to avoid letting a woman get too attached to him. However, Rylie had him pushing that excuse aside and scrambling to adjust his schedule so he could spend as much time as he could with her and her adorable daughter.
After Mickey had washed up and put on her pajamas, the three of them stood around the island in the kitchen, each with a personal-sized pizza crust in front of them. Rylie had spread out an assortment of toppings she had available, some of which she kept stored in the freezer in small containers, just the right size for taking what they needed and not wasting anything. There was pizza sauce, Alfredo sauce, shredded mozzarella, ricotta cheese, oregano, basil, ham, pepperoni, ground sausage, bacon pieces, chicken, bleu cheese dressing, and buffalo wing sauce. Chase chose the last three items, making a buffalo chicken pizza. Rylie’s was a Margherita pizza, while Mickey made a traditional one with just red sauce, pepperoni, and cheese.
Once they were all prepared, Rylie slid each one into the pre-heated oven. “Would you like a beer, Chase? Sorry, but all I have is Bud Light. There’s also wine or soda.”
As he helped Mickey clean up all the leftover ingredients, putting them back in the fridge and freezer, he replied, “A beer sounds great. Thanks.”
He was pleased when she pulled two bottles out of the refrigerator, popped the tops, and handed him one, keeping the other for herself. He clinked his bottle gently against hers. “Cheers.”
“Cheers.”
“All done, Mom. Can I go pick out the movie?”
Rylie stroked Mickey’s hair. “Sure. Find something we can all watch.” She glanced at Chase. “It’s pizza and movie night. We’ll eat in the family room.”
The family room. Now why did that word please Chase more than he ever expected it would? His heart fluttered as he enjoyed the domesticity of the evening. He took a swig of his beer. �
�Sounds great.”
And it really did. Anything that gave him an opportunity not to say goodnight to Rylie sounded awesome right then.
Glancing around, Chase realized it was the first time he’d been alone with Rylie since he’d met her. He took a seat on one of the island’s stools. “So, tell me about Rylie Hart.”
She raised her brow at him as she wiped down the countertop with a damp sponge. “What do you want to know?”
Everything. He didn’t verbalize that thought though.
“I don’t know. Start with the basics. Pretend we’re on a first date and getting to know each other.”
Her hand froze mid-swipe. “Are we? On a first date, I mean?”
Chase’s smile spread at the hopefulness in her eyes. It was the same he felt in his gut. “If you want it to be. Personally, as much as I love the little munchkin in the other room, I think a first date should just be the two of us. And since it’s just the two of us in here now, sure, this could be our first date. However, we’ll have to put it on hold in a few minutes and pick it up again after Mickey goes to bed. That’s entirely up to you, of course.”
When she glanced over his shoulder, he did the same, making certain Mickey was occupied in the other room. Rylie tossed the sponge into the sink, then leaned on her hands against the island across from him. She opened her mouth, then closed it again. Chase waited patiently for her to get her thoughts under control.
“I have to be honest with you, Chase. I haven’t dated in years. Hell, I’m not sure I remember how to date. Mickey is my world and has been since I adopted her.”
His eyebrows shot up, and he held up a hand. “Mickey’s adopted? I mean, not that it matters, I just hadn’t realized that.”
“Yes. That’s why my blood type didn’t match hers.” She explained how she and Mickey’s mother had been distant relatives and best friends since elementary school. “Before Mickey was born, Emma asked me to be her godmother. She’d been thrilled to find out she was having a girl. We decorated the nursery in so much pink and white, you would’ve thought the Pink Panther had exploded in there.” He grinned at the thought as she took a sip of her beer. “Anyway, when Mickey was two and a half, Emma was . . .” She swallowed hard as her eyes welled up but didn’t spill over. “She was killed in a car accident on her way to work. She’d just dropped Mickey off at childcare a few minutes earlier. Emma had no close relatives left that she trusted Mickey with and had asked me to adopt her daughter if anything happened to her. The father was never in the picture—Emma said he’d been a one-night stand and she’d never seen him again. It was in her will that I was to get full custody. In the blink of an eye, I’d become a mother, and I’ve never regretted it for a moment. That little girl is the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Chase. If you’re serious about this dating thing, you need to know Mickey and I are a package deal. I can’t do casual and have her become attached to someone who’s only looking for short term.”
Setting down his beer, he stood and rounded the island. His hands cupped her face, tilting her chin until she was looking into his eyes. “I’m glad to hear that, sweetheart. I won’t lie—I’d love to have you in my bed at the soonest possible moment, but I have no intention of having a one-night stand or a brief fling with you. Mickey had me wrapped around her finger the moment she threw herself into my arms the day we met. I’d be disappointed if she weren’t part of ‘the deal’ as you said. I’m attracted to you, Rylie, more than I can ever remember being attracted to a woman. But I won’t rush you into anything until you’re sure it’s what you want. We can take things as slowly as you want and get to know each other better before moving to the next step. I’m very content just being in the same room as you. Okay?”
She licked her lips, the movement briefly drawing his attention before his gaze returned to hers. “Can I pinch you?”
“Excuse me?” he asked with a chuckle.
Strokes of blush stained her cheeks. It was quickly becoming his favorite color. “Because you seem too good to be true.”
Leaning down, he brushed his lips against hers, then stood up straight again, trying to shore up his control. She threatened it like no other woman he’d ever met. “I promise you, sweetheart, if anyone here is too good for the other, it’s you being too good for the likes of me. I’ve seen and done a lot of things in my life that I regret but donating my bone marrow and agreeing to meet you and Mickey are not on that list. You amaze me, Rylie. I thought you were a strong mother before, but now—damn, woman, you blow me away. Please, do me the honor of allowing me to get to know you better?”
She bit her bottom lip and glanced at the oven timer then back at him. “On one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“You kiss me again. We have another two minutes before the pizza’s ready and I become Mickey’s mom again.”
Lord have mercy.
Rylie couldn’t believe she’d been so bold as to ask Chase to kiss her again, but, damn it, that brief brush of his lips against hers hadn’t been enough to satisfy her. It’d been the last thing she’d expected from him after her little speech about not wanting a casual affair. But, now, as she stared up at him, she silently begged him to kiss her again, and much longer this time.
Still cupping her jaw, Chase lowered his head. Impatiently, Rylie rose up on her toes, closing the distance between them even faster. She could feel his restraint as he kissed her sweetly and her eyes fluttered shut. For a few moments, just their lips were involved, but then he parted his and ran his tongue along her bottom lip. His hand moved to the back of her head, holding her in place. Not that she was going anywhere. Hell, no. The house would have to be on fire, or someone would need an ambulance, before she put a stop to the kiss.
Her arms snaked around Chase’s neck as their tongues rubbed against each other, licking, and tasting. His other hand dropped to her waist, pulling her close—so close she could feel his erection. That spurred Rylie on. She teased the hair at his nape with her fingers. A moan of delight erupted from her throat when he changed the angle of his head and made a full-blown assault on her mouth and senses. God, the man could kiss like no other she’d known before. Then again, it’d been so long since she’d been kissed, so, maybe she was imagining he was the best she’d ever experienced. Either way, it didn’t matter. What did matter was she only had a few more seconds before motherhood would interrupt them.
Chase pinned her against the island as he inhaled her. Nope, it was definitely not her imagination—he was the best kisser Rylie had ever known. All she wanted to do was spend the next several hours making out with him like they were teenagers. Well, maybe not like teenagers. There was something to be said about experience making things like that a thousand times better.
A buzzing slowly filtered into her brain, and when Chase ended the kiss and slowly pulled away, she tried to follow him. His deep, low chuckle rumbled through her and had her lifting her eyelids, just in time to see him lick his lips. “Sorry, sweetheart. As much as I want to continue, the timer’s going off. We don’t want the fire department responding when the pizza goes up in flames.”
Huh? Fire department? Pizza? Pizza!
“Oh my God!” She spun from him and yanked open the oven door, relieved to see none of the pizzas had burned. She turned off the gas and put on a protective mitt to pull out the metal rack. “Chase, can you hand me those—”
She didn’t need to finish her request because the man was already by her side with the three round, metal plates she would use to cut the pizzas on. He supported one with his big hand, letting her slide a single pie onto it, then turned and set it on the island before holding the next one out for her. Once all three personal pizzas were ready to be sliced, Rylie handed Chase the rolling cutter for him to do the honors and opened her mouth to call for Mickey to come help bring everything into the family room. But then she paused. Suddenly shy, she stared at Chase. As if sensing her watching him, he glanced up. “Something wrong?”
“Nope
. . . it’s just . . . um. Can we do that again sometime soon?”
His dimples appeared as he winked at her. Apparently, he knew immediately what “that” was. “Any time you want, sweetheart.”
As her stomach did flip-flops, she smiled and nodded. “Just checking. Mickey! Pizza’s ready!”
Chapter Eight
Apparently, Mickey was still in “zoo” mode because the movie she’d chosen for them to watch was We Bought a Zoo. At least it hadn’t been a cartoon. Chase had never seen it before but had to admit it was a cute story. What was even cuter was, after she’d finished her pizza, Mickey had placed a pillow on Chase’s lap and laid her head on it, curling her legs around the corner of the sectional. Sitting on the other side of him, Rylie had almost stopped her, but he’d shaken his head, silently letting her know he didn’t mind at all. In fact, he’d lifted his arm and rested it along the back of the couch before cocking his head to the side, inviting Rylie to snuggle up against him. She’d only hesitated a moment before moving closer.
God, he could get used to that in a heartbeat. For the first time in ages, something other than work demanded his attention in a way he was more than eager to accept. There were days he felt older than dirt. A few months ago, he’d buried one of the men who worked for him. Kyle “Chaos” Grant had been shot in an assassination attempt of a software developer while on a protection detail in Miami. He’d been the only person hit, bleeding out on the sidewalk, while Tuff and Sherlock had desperately tried to save him, as the other team members had gotten the asset out of there unharmed. Grant had left behind a devastated fiancée, parents, and two brothers. It hadn’t been the first time Chase had needed to make a death notification to a teammate’s or an employee’s family, and he hoped to God it was the last, but, in his business, there were no guarantees.
Blood Bound (Blackhawk Security Book 2) Page 5