Page 37 of Chasing Lyric
He just leans back, untouched, infuriatingly composed, one arm draped over the chair like a king surveying the chaos in his kingdom. Those bright blue eyes stay locked on me, steady, unbothered, the smirk on his lips cutting me deeper than the mess I’ve made.
The cocky bastard.
He looks like he owns the place.
Shit.Maybe he actually does.
And then it hits me—he’s not just amused. His gaze has shifted, darkened, like he’s seeing me differently now. There’s a definite hunger in it, the kind of heat that makes my pulse trip over itself. For one suspended second, I forget about thechampagne soaking my knees, the clatter of cutlery around me. I’m frozen on the floor, staring up at him, breath caught, while he stares back like I’ve handed him all the power without realizing it.
It’s a pull, sharp and undeniable, like we’re locked into some invisible current. My body hums, my skin prickling, the air charged between us. My clit is undeniably throbbing as I kneel on the floor, staring up at him, my breath fast and frantic as Chase’s eyes bore into mine. The way he’s looking at me right now, like he wants to devour me, like he wants to worship me, is making every inch of my body react in a way I never thought possible. I swallow heavily, suddenly feeling as if he asked me to do anything for him right now, I would do it in a heartbeat.
“Please, Miss,” Sammy’s voice breaks through, firm but kind, breaking me from whatever hold Chase just had over me. I snap my head to her, drawing in a breath I didn’t know I was holding. She crouches beside me, plucking the napkin from my trembling hands with brisk efficiency. “I’ll handle the cleaning. Please go back to your seat.”
The spell snaps.
My breathing returns, rapidly, as I try to stumble to my feet like a milk-drunk calf. I blink, my cheeks blazing, heart rattling like it’s trying to escape. I mutter another breathless apology to Sammy and scramble back into my chair, still too aware of his eyes following me, burning hotter than the fire at our backs.
Sammy sweeps the mess away with practiced ease and slips off with a reassuring smile. The second she’s gone, Chase finally leans forward, his voice low and thick with amusement. “Well, Starlight…” he drawls, his gorgeous eyes glittering like the devil himself. “If I’d known you’d end up on your knees for me this early, I’d have brought a bigger bottle.”
Heat scorches my face. My brain flatlines, panic clawing for an escape hatch. And out tumbles the first thing I can think of toget us away from the topic of me and my knees. “Do you… do you actually own this place?”
Chase chuckles, low and easy. “No… no, nothing like that. But I come here a lot for work. The staff knows me well.”
I frown, trying to wrap my head around it. “So, you booked out an entire restaurant… just forme?”
His eyes catch mine, steady and certain, the warmth in his smile cutting through my confusion. “Yes, Lyri. I wanted us to talk without interruptions. To have dinner, in private.”
The words coil around me, making my pulse jump.
Too much, too intimate, too intense.
I grab my refilled champagne, thanks to Sammy, like it’s a lifeline, and drain the entire thing, without incident this time. The cold fizz tickles my throat as I try to swallow my nerves. When I finally lower the glass, he’s still watching me.That smile. Those eyes.Like he’s got all the time in the world to wait me out.
My mouth moves before my brain can stop it. “You’re so weird.”
The corners of his mouth curve higher, unbothered. “You’re welcome, Starlight.”
I snort out a laugh. “You tookthatas a thank you?” He nods. “Well then, your nickname really suits you.”
“Hallmark?”
I grab the bottle of champagne, refilling my glass. “Yes, Hallmark.”
“I like keeping you on your toes. It’s fun to sit back and watch you squirm.”
“You’re an asshole,” I mumble under my breath, which only makes him chuckle.
“Even with my assholery, I’m glad you came.”
Carefully, I place my champagne glass on the table and sit back in my chair, trying to relax, but the butterflies swarm in my stomach.
He’s wearing a suit again. No tie.God, he looks good.His defined jaw, dark hair, and piercing eyes give him that model look. I’ve never known a man like him. He’s definitely nothing like the guys I’ve dated before.
Musicians don’t look like him—they’re rougher around the edges.
Chase’s suave, sophisticated, enigmatic. He seems like he has his head screwed on.
So, why the hell is he interested in me?
