Chasing Rainbows (10 page)

"Chance," I protested, but he stepped in front of me and covered my lips with his. Any argument I had disappeared right along with the rest of my sanity.

His hand landed soundly against my behind with a crack, taking me by surprise and I gasped out loud breaking our kiss. "Let's go. You're gonna be late." I rubbed my cheek on the way to the door. Behind me, I heard him chuckle smugly.

Chapter eight

W
HEN
I
WALKED INTO THE DINER,
Angel was waiting for me, appearing somewhat anxious. "I thought you weren't going to make it." She stepped aside, allowing me to pass, and I caught a glimpse of her legs encased in expensive-looking stockings. That was new. She usually wore a T-shirt and jeans beneath her apron.

"Sorry, I'm late." I darted past her. The rhythmic slap of my flip flops on the linoleum echoed off the walls as I sprinted along the narrow hallway to the time clock. I slammed the card into the slot. The loud clank and whir of my card being punched registered just as the digital clock flipped to 6:05 when I punched in. Late. Not only that, but I realized I'd forgotten my apron.

Angel walked up behind me.

"Hey, um," I sucked in a few deep breaths. My heart pounded. "Can I borrow your apron? I'll leave it in the storage room at the end of my shift." I asked her.

"Sure," she said with an understanding smile as she untied the knot in the back and pulled it from around her slender waist. She wore a black dress that emphasized her curves. Her long dark hair was pulled into a sleek ponytail, and tiny silver hoops dangled from her earlobes.

"Thanks," I replied, accepting the apron. "I'm really sorry I wasn't on time. You're all dressed up?"

"Funeral," she said. "Steve's mother's cousin. You know how it is. If I don't go they'll be mad. No big deal about being late," she replied as she punched out and together, we walked back out front to stand behind the counter.

Fred looked up from the register closing it. "You out of here, Angel?"

Before she had a chance to reply, the bell over the door jingled announcing the arrival of another customer.

Chance walked in and headed straight for me.

Angel murmured, "Oh, my."

He was smiling as he leaned against the counter looking me straight in the eyes. "Give me your phone," he ordered, and I found myself not saying a word and instead reaching into my back pocket and handing him my phone across the counter.

His fingers slid along mine making my cheeks grow warm. He smiled knowingly. He'd done it on purpose. As Chance's fingertips pressed those tiny buttons on my phone, all I could think about was how they'd felt against my skin.

"I'm surprised you even made it all," Angel whispered, fanning herself.

I laughed but couldn't think of an appropriate response.

"I'm out of here!" she called out, and Fred, who was busy making change for a customer, threw up one hand absently in reply. She winked at me. "Thanks, Addie."

The door jingled as she departed.

Chance smiled at me from across the counter and handed me back my phone. "I programmed my cell into your contacts. Call me thirty minutes before the end of your shift."

I made sure not to touch him as I took the phone from his hand; I had no control where he was concerned.

"Now, kiss me and I'll leave," he commanded with an incorrigible gleam in his eyes.

I looked around and found that a few of the customers were being nosey and were watching us. "Waitress!" a woman called out. Saved! I moved away but Chance's hand snaked across the counter and clamped around my wrist.

"Kiss me," he demanded.

I shook my head. "No, Chance." The diner wasn't full, but it definitely wasn't empty. I glanced over his shoulder at the woman who was still waiting for service. "Chance," I threatened, hoping the severity of my tone might change his mind. I tried to tug my hand free, but he wouldn't release it.

"For Pete's sake Addie, kiss the boy and be done with it!" Fred exclaimed, and promptly followed it with a loud sigh and some mumbling underneath his breath that I couldn't quite make out. By now, most of the diner's occupants were watching us.

I leaned over the counter, noticing Chance's smirk. He was enjoying this, and I briefly wondered if he always got his way. His lips brushed against mine leaving me breathless and feeling as if I could melt into a puddle at his feet. Then, a round of applause broke out around us.

I jerked away, my cheeks burning with the fire of embarrassment. One side of his mouth quirked up into a half-smile, and he sent me a wink. Then, he turned to the diner's customers and dipped into a low bow. A few laughs joined the clapping.

"See ya later," he shot over his shoulder, as he sauntered through the restaurant and out the door.

"Waitress!" yelled the woman again. The time for daydreaming about Chance would have to come later.

Thirty minutes before my shift was over, I sat down at a booth and refilled the napkin dispenser. I remembered then to call Chance, but instead of ringing his number as he'd ordered, I decided to send a text. There was still work to be done, and I didn't have time to think about him right now. Yes, a text was the safest course of action since just the thought of his name was enough to rattle me. The diner was closed, and it was time to clean up and prepare for the next day's rush. Less than a minute later, my phone began to ring; I paused and pulled it from my back pocket. Chance's number flashed up at me.

"Hello," I whispered; my heart racing.

"Why didn't you call?" His smooth words flowed over me like warm honey, making me all tingly inside. "I wanted to hear your voice."

"I, ah." My mind emptied at his confession. The thought of him actually looking forward to my call floored me. "I didn't want to disturb you," I lied. "I thought that a text would be easier." Well, easier for me.

He sighed, and I swear even through the phone, I could feel the warmth of his breath. It was as if he were right here beside me. "Everything about you disturbs me, Addie," he murmured, melting me from the inside out with the way he purred my name. He released a long sigh. "I'm walking out the door right now. I'll be there in less than twenty."

"Okay," I said, and could have kicked myself for that one-word reply, but it was all my brain was capable of at the moment.

"Think of me," he murmured, and when I didn't answer I heard him softly chuckle. A click signaled the end of our call.

"I usually do," I whispered to myself as I looked down at the phone I clutched. He made me crazy. I'd never been so shy or so confused around anyone else. Just him. I was a bundle of nerves. I didn't know what to expect. Every moment I spent with him was like a surprise waiting to happen.

I finished wiping down all of the tables, swept the floor, and checked the condiments and napkins. Chance had pulled up outside the diner five minutes earlier and was waiting on me. I made my way behind the counter, headed for the storage room in the back to clock out and left Angel's apron hanging where she would find it in the morning.

Just before leaving, I walked down the hallway to Fred's office. The door was open, and he was sitting at his desk with a calculator and an open ledger in front of him scribbling inside. "Fred?" I whispered, hating to disturb him.

He glanced up at me.

"I'm going now."

He smiled and rubbed the bridge of his nose, regarding me with his kind blue eyes. He seemed tired. "You're a good worker, kiddo. Get on out of here. I'm sure that boyfriend of yours is waiting."

"He's not my boyfriend," I replied, probably a little too quickly.

Fred gave a weary shake of his head then turned his attention back to the books.

I walked up the narrow hall, past the storage room and headed out from behind the counter. Through the window, I saw Chance look up and watched his expression change from boredom to something else when he finally spotted me. Whatever it was made me want to jump for joy. He was smiling and climbed out of the truck when I walked outside.

"Hey you," he said, and then our feet were moving toward one another as if they were magnets being drawn together. His hands went to my waist, holding me before him. His touch was electric. His scent was committed to my memory. Something that made me think of the wilderness combined with a musky male scent embraced me.

"You tired?" he asked, as he dropped his arms from around my waist and we walked together around to the passenger side of his pickup.

"No." I said with a smile. Being around him was way better than caffeine. Chance was an instant pick me up. "Thanks for the ride. This over protective guy I know wouldn't let me drive myself."

"Smart guy," he whispered near my ear then opened the door.

I climbed inside the truck and settled myself on the seat. After he shut my door, I fumbled with the seatbelt as he walked around the front of the truck. He moved with such confidence and ease. Unlike me, I didn't think Chance had ever been unsure of anything in his life.

He climbed inside, closed the door and started the engine. He still wore the same clothes from earlier, but his hair was slightly messy as if he'd been sleeping.

"Did I wake you?" I asked.

He turned, smiled at me and shook his head. "Nah, I was reading," he said, and when my eyes widened in surprise, he laughed. "I do know how to read. This isn't just another pretty face, Addie. I actually have a mind. Are you just after me for my body?" he teased.

I sputtered, and my face heated all over again. He'd been the one to pursue me not vice versa.

"Come over here," he whispered, amusement giving his voice a soft lilt. He patted the spot on the seat right beside him.

I slid over, conscious of his eyes focused on my every move. His hand traveled along my lower back to the side of my waist as he pulled me even closer to him. Only then did he seem to be satisfied, and we slowly drove away from the diner with his hand lying on my knee and my head resting against his shoulder.

When Chance pulled in front of my house and killed the engine, I raised my head and peered up at him through sleepy eyes. The clock on the dashboard read 11:50. It'd been a long day, and the combination of the drive and the warmth of Chance's body next to mine made me almost lethargic. Not to mention, the fact of what we'd done before I'd gone into work which had left me boneless and as limp as a soggy noodle. It had all finally caught up with me.

"Let me stay the night," I heard him say and even though, I hated to be alone, I didn't completely trust myself around him. He made me forget who I was and why I was all wrong for him.

"That's probably not a good idea," I replied, trying not to look at him. Instead, I picked at the frayed hem of my shirt so I wouldn't be tempted by his green eyes to give in. He was hard to say no to.

He slid his fingers along my chin and tilted my face up. "I promise nothing will happen. I just want to hold you. Kara told me your parents were away, and I don't like the thought of you being here all alone."

"I'm used to it," I said, and glanced away to look at the darkness of the house with depressing thoughts of how pathetic I must sound.

I wished I hadn't been so damn honest with my reply. I didn't need anyone's pity. I could take care of myself just fine and had been doing just that for the last three years, ever since Natalie had died. "What about you? Won't your mom and dad be worried if you don't show up at home?"

Chance's thumb slowly slipped from my chin. He laid his hand over mine and laced our fingers together. "It's just my dad and Chase. They won't miss me."

There was something he wasn't telling me. A lot could be gleaned from the tone of someone's voice, but judging from the sudden silence between us and his somber expression, I sensed he was as alone as I was.

"Come on," I said, giving in.

A tentative smile worked its way across his lips as he leaned over and kissed my cheek.

In some ways, he was every bit as vulnerable as me.

Chapter nine

W
HEN
C
HANCE SAT DOWN ON THE BED
, I scooted over to give him some more room, and reached behind me shoving a pillow behind my back as I leaned against my headboard. Excitement at the thought of Chance spending the night was an instant adrenaline rush. He glanced at me from over his shoulder and grinned. I didn't think I would ever get tired of seeing his smile. The room was too quiet, and my sudden shyness kept me from trying to make conversation with him. I couldn't believe he was here. I couldn't believe that we were going to sleep together in my bed.

"There's no pink in this room," he said, his expression almost comical and his eyes were filled with disbelief. "Girls usually like pink, right?"

"Not this girl," I said, thinking about Kara's obsession with the color pink. She loved it enough for the both of us.

He turned and tugged off one of his boots, and then removed the other. "So what do you like, Addie?" The bed shook a little as he scooted back and leaned against the headboard right beside of me. His hand covered mine, his fingertips brushing the back of my hand and making my pulse jump to life with his gentle caress.

I chewed on my lower lip and sneaked a peek at him. He was watching me, and I lowered my eyes focusing on his hand holding mine. "The usual," I replied, and when I looked over at him he appeared thoughtful.

"That's pretty vague," he said, and lifted my hand from my lap to slide his fingers in between mine.

"Well, uh," I stammered.
Why was I so nervous now? Was it because of the bed?
"I like simple things; old movies, photographs and music. I like gray and purple," I blurted out, feeling silly and felt my face heat. I was such a dork.

He tugged on my hand and wrapped his other arm around my back to pull me against him. Warmth settled in the pit of my stomach. The feel of his chest against my cheek as I lay half draped across him made my mind buzz. This was a high that I had never felt before. Chance could be the one. His hand stroked my hair, his fingertips massaging my scalp and so help me, he made me yawn.