Excerpt of Westin's Chase by Cristin Harber

Jared rubbed his chin, but he didn’t look surprised. He checked his watch, then tore a piece of fabric from his shirt. “We gotta go.” Little by little, that man was losing all his clothes to her. “Give me your hand.”

She complied. It looked tiny compared to his larger, rougher ones, which made quick work of the bandage. Her cheeks flushed as she tried to ignore his touch.

After tucking in the end of the bandage, he held her fingers in his. “You sure this will do?”

Sparks shot up her arm, and she snatched away her hand. “Yes. It’s fine.”

“Jesus, Sugar. Did that hurt?”

“No. I just want to get out of here. Can we go already?”

He watched her. Every emotion she had was surely plastered on her face. Interest. Lust. Uncertainty. She couldn’t hide it. Why can’t I keep anything from this man?

“You know what? Something’s going on between us,” he said, deep in concentration.

“Nothing’s going on between us.” Because I won’t let it. Because you think I’m a fun time, and for the first time, it scares me. “That’s insane.”

They stared, silent. She waited, feeling the electric charge that pulled them closer.

“Insane?” He leaned over and let his lips hover near her earlobe. “Something’s going on. I like a challenge, and you scream, ‘Just try me.’ That, Sugar, is something.” He didn’t touch her. He didn’t have to. Tingles exploded down her neck, shooting toward her navel. Jared drew back, again locking eyes with her. “You’re a cool chick. I’m just worried f**kin’s gonna ruin everything.”

The pounding in her heart reverberated into her throat. The tips of her fingers tingled. Everything tingled. He righted himself. “Nothing to say?”

She took a breath, regaining her composure. “Easy fix. I’m not interested.”

“Like hell.”

“I’m. Not. Interested. Get it through your thick head, big boy.” She pushed on his chest and was reminded once again how stout and solid he was.

A smile that made her dizzy teased across his face. He snatched her hand pressing against his chest and held it in his grip.

Keep your head, girl.

“You mind backing off me? Or do I need to push against this brick wall again?” With her other hand, she flicked her finger against a tactical-shirt-covered pectoral muscle.

He laughed, clearly enjoying the tension she denied. “Baby cakes, you’re the most fun I’ve ever had on the side of an Afghani mountain. Let’s go.”