Page 42 of Her Rock Star's Dark Secret

“You didn’t exactly pick the most inconspicuous car.”

“I’m not really known for blending in.”

Lauren understood that. She’d never been good at blending in either. He gunned it out of the parking lot, and the Camaro responded eagerly. He drove toward Main Street and then turned down Sycamore.

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll see. But first, we have to get rid of these bozos.”

She looked behind her to see a few cars following them. “Did you just say, bozos?”

“I believe I did. Is that allowed?”

“Only if you’re okay with being a dork,” Lauren teased.

“I’m okay with that.”

“No, you’re not. You’re Chase Remington. Dork isn’t in your DNA. I think that gene skipped over you.”

“Actually, it didn’t. I can be a pretty big dork from time to time. Just because the cameras don’t capture it, doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen.” Chase turned down a few more random streets.

“I think you lost them three streets ago. None of them can keep up with a Camaro.”

“I’m just trying to be thorough.” But then Chase turned onto the interstate. He zoomed past three exits before taking one, turning toward the mountains. He drove up a winding mountain road before pulling up next to an overlook. In the far-off distance, she could see the lights of Maple Creek twinkling down below.

“Where are we?”

“Hillman’s Overlook.”

“How have I never heard of this place?”

“Because Brandon had no game.”

“Oh, and you do?”

“Most definitely.” He pushed open his car door and rounded the car to open hers. He took her hand and helped her from the car. He led her to a large, flat boulder that was still warm from the sun that had recently set.

She settled onto the boulder next to him, and they sat like that for a moment, watching the lights in silence. Lauren looked up. “You can see all the stars from here.”

“That’s something I never get to see much in LA. There’s too much light pollution.”

“That’s definitely one of the benefits of living in Maple Creek. You’ve been missing out.”

Chase looked down at her in the darkness. She could still make out his face in the shadows. “I really have been missing out. So many women in LA, and all this time, the diamond in the rough was back at home.”

Lauren’s heart pounded. Was that who she was to him? His diamond in the rough?

He brushed her hair over her shoulder, and she shivered under his touch. But she wasn’t cold. She was enchanted. He cupped her chin with his hand, and he leaned down to her, stopping only a couple of inches away from her lips. She trembled under his touch as she felt his breath on her lips, and a small moan escaped her lips. She wanted him to kiss her. She was desperate for him. If she were honest with herself, she would admit that she’d been desperate for him, for his touch, for his heart, for a while now.

When she felt like she couldn’t handle anymore of this anticipation, he brought his lips to hers. She’d imagined what Chase’s lips would feel like. What girl hadn’t, with lips like those adorning magazine covers? But imagining was nothing like the real thing. He surpassed all expectations. He was so gentle with her. Taking his time to taste her like she was someone to be cherished. She’d never been touched with so much respect, so much tenderness. She wrapped her hand around the back of his neck and pulled him closer to her, showing him she wanted more from him. And he delivered. He deepened the kiss, sending sparks flying inside her. Her heart wound around his. Joy exploded within her chest. She pulled away from him and rubbed her hands across the stubble on his cheeks.

“I have a confession, Chase.”

“What’s that?”

“I really like you.”

“No, kidding. I thought you hated me.”

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