Fair Lakes Series Box Set - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,148

he says, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Just the thought of Chase with a line of women in tow sets every jealous bone I have in my body on high alert.

I don’t like the feeling.

Not at all.

He’s not saying it to be conceited or trite. He’s giving me the facts and letting me come to my own conclusion. Not one based off hearsay, but one where I hear it from him.

“I had fun for a while, but then, I decided I most definitely wanted you.”

My lungs seize in my chest. “Me?”

Adjusting his position so that he’s sitting directly in front of me again, he moves in close. I can smell his familiar shampoo and the cleanliness of his body wash. “You,” he confirms, turning our hands so that he’s holding mine palm up. “Harrison and Gwen were in trouble and separated. I was trying to ignore the fact that you were dating that weird accountant who always smelled like cheese puffs.” I crack a smile at that one because he’s not lying. Gus really did smell like cheese puffs. “I was going out, but I was getting tired of the girls who just flung themselves at me. I wanted more.

“I wanted you.”

I must blink a dozen times before my mouth finally works. “But you hated me.”

Chase snorts. “Hated you? Hardly. I loved to torment you. Still do, actually. It’s one of my favorite hobbies.” My eyes narrow a little as I watch him slowly bringing my palms up to his mouth. “I was infatuated with you and I had no clue what to do about it. I tried to work you out of my mind and forget you, but it never worked.

“No one was you.”

My mind is reeling from his confession. I can’t believe he just told me he’s wanted me for years. Freaking years. While my sister may have repeatedly told me what Chase and I had was a form of foreplay, I didn’t actually think she was right.

“Wow,” I whisper, not really sure what else to say.

“So, now you know all about the real Chase Callahan. When I told you I hadn’t been the playboy you accused me of being, I meant it. Yes, I may have been that man in the past, but I haven’t been recently.”

“Why did you keep up that façade?” I ask, the question tumbling from my lips.

“Habit, I think, and because that’s what everyone expected from me. I went to the bars and stuff, but I always went home alone, Gabs. Always. Even when it may have looked like I hadn’t.”

His words ring loud in my ears. So many times I watched him flirt with someone and just assumed he went home for a night of mattress Olympics. Even after he swore to me that what I saw wasn’t always reality, I still questioned his validity. But now, looking at him in the eyes, I can see that everything I may have known about Chase Callahan wasn’t correct. It was a disguise, something comfortable and familiar he kept in place so no one would ask him questions or expect more from him. The revelation is somewhat startling, to be honest.

Everything I’ve known about him is wrong.

And I hate that I’ve always thought the worst of him.

“I’m sorry.”

“For?” he asks.

“For always assuming you were this carefree playboy.”

“Like I said, Gabs, for a while, I was. I partied and slept with my share of girls, but not recently. Not in a while.” He brings my hands up to his mouth, my palms still faceup. His lips dance along the sensitive skin, sending shivers of desire shooting through my body and goose bumps tickling my arms.

“Thank you for telling me all of that,” I say as he tucks my hands back into his bigger, rougher ones.

Again, he shifts until he’s sitting beside me on the blanket. The sun is almost to the horizon and we have the perfect view to watch it fall behind the trees. I’m very much aware of his presence beside me, my body humming with anticipation. For what, I’m not sure, but I can feel it nonetheless.

“Gabby?” he whispers as the last bit of fiery orange dips behind the trees.

“Yeah?” I ask, my voice hoarse and shallow.

He turns, his nose a whisper away from my own. I can feel the tickle of his breath against my lips. “I really want to kiss you.”

My heart dances in my chest, my fingers twitching with the need to touch