Candace Shaw - A Chase For Christmas

“I see you even have a cupcake shop in the game,” she noted with a pleased smile, handing the laptop back to him after completing the first three levels.

“Shout out to my baby sis.” He placed the computer on the floor, but he didn’t move from his spot next to her.

Blythe was glued to the seat. She wanted to move. Needed to move. He was so close she could hear his pulse race. Or maybe it was hers. She was surprised that she wasn’t uncomfortable, especially when he bit his bottom lip lightly in a sexy manner that tied a tangled knot in her stomach. Being alone with him wasn’t scary, and that ironically swept a fear into her. Preston was a man she’d kept at bay for the past year. She’d shrug or groan whenever his sister teased her about hooking them up because she knew the notorious millionaire playboy would break her heart. And not necessarily on purpose. Preston was an up-front man, and she was sure that all his female friends, acquaintances, booty calls, girls-of-the-month or whatever he called them were aware he wasn’t going to commit to them. Not a road she wanted to go down again, which was why she hadn’t had a steady boyfriend in almost three years.

Abruptly she stood, and so did Hope, who’d been napping on her mat. Blythe gave the dog’s head a pat as she heeled beside her.

“Leaving?” he asked with a slight frown.

“Yeah. It’s been a long day.”

Standing, he grabbed her sketch bag from beside the chaise, and they headed toward the elevator. “I understand. I appreciate your help with the project. Hope and I will walk you to your truck. I need to take her outside.”

“Thank you, but the truck isn’t mine. I borrowed it from a friend so I could haul the tree. Unfortunately, he couldn’t help because he had a business meeting, so I’m glad you were there.”

His eyebrow rose. “Oh? A boyfriend?” he asked, grabbing Hope’s leash from a hook by the elevator and snapping it onto the ring on the dog’s collar.

“No, no boyfriend. He’s just a good friend,” she explained while silently laughing at his curiosity.

“Mmm-hmm. As beautiful as you are, I’m sure he wants more than just a friendship.”

Suppressing the heat that wanted to rise so badly on her cheeks thanks to his compliment, she shook her head once more. “No...well, maybe at first,” she admitted. “We did go on a date once two years ago, but we realized that there was no romantic connection. We’ve been cool ever since. He’s like a big brother.”

“Ah, man. He got placed in the big brother category.” He chuckled and pressed the button. A mischievous grin reached across his face as they stepped onto the elevator. “So, you do date?” He pushed the button for the ground level, and the doors closed.

“Yeah. Why do you think I don’t?”

“Well, the few times I’ve seen you at events with Tiffani, I just thought you didn’t date because you’re usually alone. And when men approach you, you kind of brush them off.” He paused as a sly fox smirk inched up his face. “Unless...you don’t like men? Is that why you’re the only woman not throwing yourself at me?” he teased. “That would explain a lot.”

Twisting her lips to the side, she playfully pinched his arm. “I like men, but dating is hard for me.”

“You had your heart broken?”

“No, not really. More like a wakeup call.” She shrugged and paused, contemplating whether or not she should tell him about her horrible ex. “I’m taking a dating break right now. Sure, I’ve been on a few random dates here and there but for the most part I’m just concentrating on me. Plus, sometimes men want to rush me after the first or second date...if you know what I mean and I’m like ‘Dude, slow down. We just met.’ That turns me off. Some men want to play games and I’m too old for that. I want forever, not a one-night stand or a relationship that goes nowhere. I want stability and commitment. For some reason I keep meeting duds, so now I’m just taking a break and focusing on me.”

He nodded his head in understanding, The doors opened to the first-floor lobby of his company, and they headed out the back door toward where she’d parked.

“Oh...well. Those men are stupid, because you’re a really great person. When men are ready to settle down with the right woman, they’ll realize it’s not a game. Trust me. I’ve had a lot of fun times with women and my life in general. But as men we need to know when to respect a woman and her wishes. Apparently these men you’ve gone out with aren’t looking for forever because if they were you wouldn’t have had a string of dating disasters. A man who really wanted to be with you would wait, get to know you and respect your decision. Until you’re both ready.”

Tilting her head, she slid her tote bag from his shoulder and grabbed her keys from the side pouch as they made it to her black four-door Lexus.

“Oh...wow... I...” She pushed the button on the key fob to unlock the door, but she didn’t open it. She held the handle and stared up at him in bewilderment.

“What? The last words you thought I’d ever utter?”

“Um...something like that.”

“I’m not a bad guy, Blythe,” he said in a low, serious tone, stepping toward her. He reached over to the handle, settling his hand on hers, and opened the door for her.

The brief touch of his warm skin in the cold air sent a heated current through her, and the atmosphere around them altered. But she knew she had to ignore it and stay focused. “I know you’re not. Your advances and flirtations just don’t do anything for me.” She laughed and slid into the driver’s seat. “Good night, Preston.”

“Good night, and thank you for committing to the Winter Wonderland project.”

“No problem. I think what you’re doing for the children is wonderful. I’m happy to help.”

“Ideally you’ll get to see another side of me.”

“I’m already seeing it.” Winking, she pulled the door shut and waved at him through the glass.

She zoomed away a little faster than normal. It was the only way that she could clear her mind until she arrived home. There she could blast some jazz and paint away her crazy thoughts that she could actually have a relationship with Preston Chase.

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