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.”