Never Let Me Go, Welcome To Redemption, Book 7
Sheriff Chase Lowell has never been more scared in his life than when he discovers the diner where Hannah Porter works has been robbed at gunpoint. He's been in love with her for as long as he can remember, but has kept his feelings in check because she's his best friend's little sister.
Hannah has had a crush on Chase since she was in the third grade. He's kind, compassionate, and as handsome as they come. They've known each other forever, which seems to be the problem--he thinks of her more as a kid sister rather than a romantic interest.
But something changes the night he races into the diner and crushes her in his arms. When he makes her safety his personal mission, Hannah decides to make it her mission to get him to see her in a different light.
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Excerpt:
The woman was making him crazy. Two seconds ago, he'd been contemplating making a move, and now...
Could Hannah be making a move on him? Chase took a deep breath and let it out slowly, striving for calm, cool, and collected. She'd certainly never been so bold with him before, though she'd sat next to him plenty of times, shoulder to shoulder, thigh to thigh. But somehow, this felt different--flirty.
"Chase?"
"Yeah?"
"The woman you're interested in...is it serious?"
I've been in love with her since before she was old enough to vote. "I don't know."
Hannah released her grip on his arm and sat up, twisting to face him. She arched a brow. "You don't know?"
He let out a soft chuckle. Of course that sounded ridiculous. He couldn't very well admit the woman he was interested in was her. "I'm just...a little uncomfortable talking about my love life."
Or lack thereof, his inner voice mocked.
A myriad of expressions crossed her face as she seemed to wage some inner war with herself. She nibbled her bottom lips as her gaze moved back and forth between his eyes and his lips. Suddenly, she hiked a leg over his lap and straddled him, effectively stealing his breath.
"Sheriff, are you going shy on me?"
Stunned, Chase's hands settled uncertainly at her waist as he met her smiling gaze. "Dimples, are you flirting with me?" he countered.
"Maybe I am," she teased, her voice dropping to a throaty whisper.
Ah, hell. His hands tightened slightly on her hips as his pulse kicked into warp speed. His gaze dropped to her mouth--that luscious mouth--as she leaned in and softly brushed her lips against his: once, then again, with just a bit more pressure.
Chase's eyes drifted shut as a low moan escaped him.
She pulled back a few inches and whispered, "You okay?" the humor in her voice unmistakable.
"Hannah...y-you don't understand..."
"What don't I understand?" Her warm breath feathered across his cheek.
Christ, fool, just say it! The only woman you've ever felt anything for is wrapped around you like a pretzel, yours for the taking, and all you can do is stutter like an idiot?
"I want you," he finally admitted. Then quickly added, "But I don't know if this is such a good idea."
She pulled back and stared at him in confusion. "Why not? I want you. You just admitted you want me, too. We're both adults. What exactly is the problem?"
"Christ, Dimples, I've know you since you were a baby!"
"And I've known you since you were a bed wetter!" she countered, laughter in her tone. "What does that have to do with anything? I mean, unless you still do, in which case I'll need to put a mattress cover on my bed."
Chase gave the beautiful witch a swat on the ass.
She yelped playfully and wiggled in his lap.
"I never wet the bed," he insisted, though his face did grow warm over the lie.
"Please. Drew and Charlie teased you about it for years. The only reason they stopped is you kicked both their asses and threatened to feed them each a worm if they ever mentioned it again."
"Damn, you have a good memory."
"Yep. And I have a few other good qualities as well." She leaned in next to his ear and whispered, "Which I'd be happy to show you--if you'd loosen up a bit."
