Bad Boy (An Indecent Proposal)(24)

“Just so we’re clear, this is not a date.”

“I got the memo, and discarded it just as quickly.” He grinned and then he winked.

I laughed.

Oh, my God. He was the devil.

And then he disappeared, leaving me to check out everything. My credit cards were maxed out, but I figured, so what?

You didn’t go to Acapulco and came back with nothing?

Almost giggling with excitement, I bought three shirts: one for Jude, and two for me because they were a bargain. And then I decided that I had to get one for Chase, too.

Flicking through the clothes hangers, I settled on one that read ‘Walking Danger’ which sort of described him down to a T.

It was so perfect for him, I couldn’t wait to show it to him.

I let out a giggle as I paid for it, then grabbed my shopping bags and headed through the crowd in search for Chase.

I found him standing in line in front of a stall. I had almost reached him when someone blocked my way. It was the same guy who had followed me. Maybe he hadn’t followed me per se, but I had spotted him on the street outside. Up close, he didn’t look older than eighteen.

He spoke so fast I couldn’t follow.

I smiled apologetically. “Sorry. No hablo espanol.”

“No hay problema.” He returned the smile, then opened his bag, and my heart stopped as I peered inside at the various bags of weed, pills and other drugs.

Holy shit.

He was a drug dealer.

“No, thank you.” I shook my head, making sure to smile politely. But somehow, he didn’t seem to understand. Instead leaving, he reached inside and retrieved a tiny plastic bag containing a single pill.

“Regalo.” He stretched out his hand.

Oh, god.

I shook my head more resolutely. “No, thank you.”

The guy grabbed my hand and squeezed the bag inside my palm, muttering a few more words in Spanish. I shook my head. Before I could protest, I glimpsed over his shoulder and caught Chase storming for us, his face a mask of anger.

My entire body tensed.

I tried to step back, but it was too late.

Chase shoved him. “Get the fuck away from her.” And then he did the unthinkable: he shoved him again, this time way harder, before I could tell him to stop.

The guy’s friendliness was wiped off his face instantly. I stared helplessly as Chase turned to me, asking, “Are you okay, Laurie? Was he bothering you?”

Before I could react, the guy’s fist connected with Chase’s jaw, the impact so hard I could have sworn I heard bones cracking.

Chase’s body lurched forward, his hands going to his lip as blood started to pour between his fingers and drip down his chin. I rushed forward just as the guy took off through the crowd.

“Oh, god. Chase.” I dropped my bags and began to rummage through my handbag in search for a tissue.

“I know I shouldn’t have interfered,” he muttered and wiped a hand over his mouth.

Horrified, I peered at the red stains on his shirt.

“No, you shouldn’t have. It was plain stupid. You’re lucky the guy didn’t pull out a gun.”

While Chase pressed the tissue against his mouth to stop the bleeding, I quickly scrolled through my contact list to find the most recent number I had saved: Kade.

“What are you doing?” Chase asked warily.

“I’m calling your brother.”

He placed his hand on the screen, blocking my view. “Don’t.”

The command came forceful.

I frowned. “Why not? You’re bleeding.” I stared at his split lip and winced. The bit of pressure did nothing to stop the blood flow. “Quite heavily, I might add, and you clearly need medical assistance Besides, I can’t drag you all the way to the hotel all by myself.”

“It’s nothing.” He swatted his hand, as though we were talking about an annoying fly. “It doesn’t even hurt.”

I stared at him, having my doubts. His upper lip, now swollen, looked horrific. His nose didn’t look swollen, but there was blood. I hoped it wasn’t broken. “We should get you a mirror, because in all honesty, it looks like you need stitches.”

“What is it with you women and your tendency to exaggerate? The next thing you’ll be doing is dragging met to a nearby hospital.”

“I was going to suggest that,” I said dryly.

He laughed until he noticed my expression. “This—” He pointed to the split lip “—is nothing. My brother and I fought a lot, so I’m pretty used to a little bit of blood and a bruise or two. Frankly, if we’re being absolutely honest, I let that kid beat me on purpose to get your attention.”

I crossed my arms over my chest and regarded him in mock disbelief. “Yeah, right. That’s what you say.”

“Trust me when I say I could have easily beaten his ass.” He grinned, swollen lip and all, and I couldn’t help but shake my head, marveling at his ego. “The fact that you’re still here makes me think you’re the kind of woman who’s into tough guys. Since you seem more into boxers than lawyers, I could change my profession for you,” Chase said. “For you, I’d do anything.”

“Great,” I muttered. “Now you’re delirious, too. Your head must have been hit.”

He chuckled and fished his phone out of his pocket. “I’m calling the driver to pick us up. We’re having ice cream.”

I stared at him. “You’re kidding, right?”

“I don’t see why we shouldn’t.”

I shook my head. “Chase, you can’t run around like this. Tell your driver to pick you up and take you back to your hotel.” I bit my lip, my thoughts a hailstorm as I watched Chase busy himself with his phone.

“Where are you staying, by the way?” I asked as soon as he had finished the call.

“Why are you asking? Are you thinking of paying me a visit?” His eyebrows rose.

“No, Chase.” Emphasis on ‘no’. “I’m definitely not sleeping with you again, if that’s what you’re thinking about.”

“Who said anything about sex? See, you’re the one with the dirty mind.” He smirked and I rolled my eyes. “You just keep mentioning it. It’s like you can’t think of anything else when you’re around me.”

His ego was unbelievable.

“What?”

“I was thinking of my mouth needing some—” he babbled something undistinguishable, then pointed to his lip. “Sorry, it’s really hard to speak. On a second thought, it really hurts. Maybe you could help a man out here.”

I inched closer and touched his cheek before I realized it was all a pretense so I’d feel sorry for him.

It was working. But it wasn’t that I felt sorry for him. He hadn’t been completely wrong about the tough guys part.

“You’d better not be trying what I think you’re trying right now,” I said. “You’re not exactly sexy with all that blood on your face.” I scowled which only had him laughing out loud. “Just to be clear, the only reason I’d accompany you to your hotel is to make sure you don’t end up jumped on by someone else.”

His laugh bellowed behind me as we left the marketplace and returned back to the street. Waiting for the limousine, I turned to Chase. “Where are you staying? You never told me.”

His lips twitched. “I’m afraid to disclose that bit of information, but only almost.”

“Almost? Why would you…” I broke off mid-sentence and stared at him.

Why the hell was he smiling? And why the hell did his eyes shimmer like he was up to no good?

Slowly, realization kicked in.

No way.

I closed my eyes and gave an exasperated sigh. “Please don’t tell me you’re camped at the same hotel, Chase.”

Because that was exactly the kind of thing I should have expected from Chase.

“I am,” he said with a smug grin. “The place isn’t so bad. However, I do have some concerns. The walls are so thin I swear I’ll be able to hear you take a shower and that’ll drive me crazy if I can’t join you. And why didn’t you choose a hotel that offers certain bedroom services or adult channels?”

I narrowed my eyes on him. “What for? So you can watch porn?”

“I thought you weren’t jealous.”

“I’m not.” I groaned inwardly as heat traveled up my chest and settled in my face. “Like you were saying, the walls are too thin. No one needs to hear your private business while you’re watching that stuff.”

“I thought you might be into watching it together.”

Hell, no.

The only naked booty I wanted Chase to see was mine.

Jealous?

Hell, yeah. I was.

My cheeks flamed up even more.

“Your face says it all. As long as we’re married, I won’t look at any other woman” Chase said, as though reading my thoughts, and inched just a little bit closer. “I can be a patient man, Laurie, though I don’t think I’ll have to wait particularly long until you’re back in my bed. But to ease your worries, and to be absolutely clear, you do not owe me.”

I stared at him, my blood boiling.

Those were the exact words I had told Jude.

“I think I’m going to kill you.” I muttered. “You did not book yourself into the same hotel. Please tell me you didn’t.”

“Why would you make such a statement when you know you’re wrong.” He winked. “In fact, I went to all the trouble to book the room next to yours. I thought it’d save us time.”