Now he wasn’t so certain.
The guy hadn’t shot at him or evenattemptedto harm them in any way. Of course, if Kaamisha Dawari did send him, the job could easily have been a simple fact-finding mission.
Another possibility—the most likely scenario—was that Scottie was right. They’d been standing in the open, unabashedly kissing in front of God and everyone, and maybe…
Maybe my dumb ass overreacted.
“You’re right.” Chase did his best to put Scottie’s mind at ease. “I’m sure it was nothing. It’s just…when I thought he was purposely watching us, I got a little?—”
“Overprotective?”
His lips twitched at the urge to grin. Scottie used to accuse him of that very thing back in high school. But hell, who could blame him? She was the prettiest girl in school, and every horny asshole with a dick wanted her for themselves.
But she’d been his, which meant it was his job to keep her safe. And he hadn’t shied away from letting every one of those immature bastards know it.
“Sorry.” He smirked. “Occupational hazard, I guess. But listen, I’m parked at the end of the block.” He pointed to his truck parked just before the nearest intersection. “See that black pickup on the end? That’s me.”
“Okay…” She let the word dangle in the air.
“I want you to get into your car and head that way. I’ll get behind you and follow you to your place."
Scottie’s eyes flew to his, the confusion there unmistakable.
“Follow me? Why?”
“To be safe.” Chase gave one shoulder a quick shrug.
“I thought you just said there wasn’t anything to worry about.”
There’d better fucking not be.
“There isn’t.”
“It’s a really sweet offer, Chase, but is that really necessary?”
“Probably not, but it’ll sure make me feel better.”
Scottie’s gaze narrowed as she continued staring up at him. “You’re going to follow me no matter what, aren’t you?”
“Yep.”
“And there’s no way of talking you out of it, is there?”
“Nope.”
She held her stance a beat longer.
“Fine.” Scottie released a relenting sigh. “I guess it’s your time to waste.”
Lifting a slow hand toward her face, Chase used his knuckles to gently caress her cheek. With his eyes soaking in hers, he said, “Making sure you’re safe is never a waste of time.”Not fucking ever.“Now go.” He let that hand drop back to his side. “And don’t forget to buckle up.”
Scottie shook her head with a smile as she sidestepped him and headed for her car. From over her shoulder, she hollered a teasing, “Still as bossy as ever, I see.”
To which he responded, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
The two laughed as she climbed into the safety of her vehicle and he continued toward his own. A noticeable warmth filled Chase’s chest, and he couldn’t help but smile wide.
The sweet. The sassy. The laughter.