Chase and Seduction
Read Chase and Seduction Online
Authors: Randi Alexander
The Wild Rose Press
www.thewildrosepress.com
Copyright ©2011 by Randi Alexander
First published in 2011
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.
Chase & Seduction
COPYRIGHT (C) 2011 by Randi Alexander
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
Contact Information: [email protected]
Cover Art by
Angela Anderson
The Wild Rose Press
PO Box 708
Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708
Visit us at www.thewilderroses.com
Publishing History
First Scarlet Rose Edition, May 2011
"CHASE & SEDUCTION caught me with the first sentence and did not let me go until the end. Ms. Alexander did a terrific job of bringing together two completely different characters into a heartwarming, sexy love story. The attraction is instant and combustible and readers will find that they want to be singed right alongside the characters. Watch out for this book, it's so hot it'll scorch your eyes. I will be looking for more from this author!"
~Sayde Grace, author The Harder They Buck
Chase Tanner called her name from the stage. “Reno, c'mon up here, doll.” The speakers amplified his low baritone through the sound stage and his percussionist started a drum-roll. The other seventy-five partiers clapped, and woo-hooed her. She had no choice.
Reno Linden carried her red plastic beer cup with her to the stairs, and as she climbed, she found herself looking directly at Chase's well-aged cowboy boots. Then slowly up his long, jean-clad legs until her gaze caught on his zipper, the worn denim molding around his impressive bulge. And she swallowed hard.
He held out his hand.
Hesitantly putting her fingers on his palm, she felt that instant jolt of electricity she'd gotten every time she touched him over the last four months of filming.
She looked up into his eyes, shaded by his cowboy hat, but they still shone a murky blue that made her want to dive in headfirst. Damn, he was good looking. Not too tall, slightly crooked nose, and full lips. Oh, great, now his smile broke through. A thousand watts of sexy.
"Come and say something to the folks. You're the reason we're all here.” His trademark southern drawl was less pronounced when he wasn't talking into a microphone.
She nodded and let him help her up the last steps. Five years ago, speaking in front of a group would have scared her spitless, but since becoming a published author, and learning to face an audience by sheer force of will at book signings and writers’ conferences, it was as easy as falling off a stage.
With her hand in his, Reno walked up to the microphone then slid her fingers out of his grip on the pretext of needing to tip the mic down to her level. “Can you believe it's in the can?"
The crowd cheered.
Filming ended yesterday, and she looked out at the faces of the people she'd come to consider friends. Actors, producers, set designers, directors. She would miss them, and a little nip of sadness stung her. “I began writing
Prairie Fire
when I was just eight. It was a game we'd play, running through the wheat fields of South Dakota. Someone would yell ‘prairie fire’ and we'd all head for the root cellar."
Chase came to stand just off to her right, and she smelled the piney scent of his cologne. Her entire right side tingled with desire as his magnetism raised goose bumps on her flesh. She wiped her palm on her floral shorts, her technique for relaxing herself. Tonight's wrap party was tropical themed, and she wore a pink T-shirt and matching flip-flops. Chase had traded his usual black muscle shirt for a bright Hawaiian shirt. She glanced back at him, and her train of thought derailed.
His smile lifted just one side of his mouth while his eyes locked on her, smoldering, half lidded. Seductive.
"Um...”
Pull it together, Reno!
She took a deep breath and moved closer to the mic. “When I finished the book three years ago, I had no idea that one day I'd be privileged to witness its transformation into next year's...” She grinned. “...Oscar winner!"
The group broke loose shouting and hooting.
Chase stepped closer and put his hand on her lower back.
He may have meant it to be reassuring, but it lit a sexual flare of intense proportions that spread through her body, centering low in her pussy. She didn't dare look at him, and she needed to wrap this up and get the hell away from him.
"I can't seem to say it enough, but thanks to each of you. You made this experience unforgettable."
Someone called, “We love you, Reno!"
Chase's hand rubbed a circle across her spine. “Uh huh, we do.” His deep voice sounded too close to her ear.
She stepped to her left, away from him, swiveling the mic with her, and said, “I'll turn it back to our Country Music Male Vocalist of the Year-turned-actor, and the best bouncer the Prairie Fire Bar and Grill ever had, Chase Tanner."
The crowd went wild as she took a step back, but Chase grabbed her and pulled her against his side, and shouted into the mic, “Reno Linden, everybody.” His hand rode her hip, then snuck up her ribs and brushed the side of her breast.
Her smile froze as his intimate touch shot quivers from her nipples straight to her clit. She pulled away and made the mistake of glancing up into his face.
He winked at her, and said in a low voice, “Later.” The look in his eyes was utterly wicked, and she turned and scampered down the stairs. Her heart thudded, and her face felt hot. Oh, God, she knew exactly what he meant by “later.” Now that filming was over, he wanted her. And heaven help her, she didn't know if she could find the willpower to resist him.
Chase's voice rumbled over the sound system, low and intimate. “Miss Reno, this is dedicated to you, our favorite author.” The band started a slow song.
Reno walked on jittery legs to where her friends stood chatting, deep in discussion. She took a good size gulp of lukewarm beer, needing the calming buzz of alcohol. She glanced back toward the stage where Chase pulled an acoustic guitar strap around his shoulder, his biceps flexing, his forearms bulging. Damn, that man made her hot. She looked away.
It wasn't just his body and his looks that sideswiped her, but his personality. A world-famous performer with an aw-shucks attitude, and the smarts to guide his own career. And he had a thing for her, too. He'd been trying to get her alone for months, and she industriously found ways to avoid it.
Beatrix, the crew's gaffer, nudged Reno's arm with her elbow. “Great speech. I bet it was tough to put words together with that sexy stud breathing in your ear."
Reno shrugged, harnessing her runaway desire. “He's not my type."
Tracy, one of the supporting actresses, laughed and pointed at her. “He's exactly your type. He's gorgeous, single, and can't leave you alone for a minute. Why aren't you going for it?"
She'd been hearing the same thing from these two for months.
Just have a quick, hot fling, get him out of your system.
He's supposed to be a fantastic lover.
One night with him, and if you don't have the big ‘O,’ just tell him you're through.
Reno unconsciously tucked her shoulder-length brown hair behind her ear. The same way Chase did two days ago when he caught her alone out behind the sound stage. She thought he was going to kiss her then, and excitement warred with panic. But self-preservation kicked in and she'd used her preferred diversion, pulling her phone out of her pocket and pretending to take a call.
On the stage, Chase started singing a twangy ballad while picking the notes out on his guitar. “She's the one I've been looking for, she's the light behind that hidden door. Can't figure out where she's been all my life, but I don't wanna be without her any more..."
The words were too romantic, and the implication too obvious. People turned to look at her, seeing if she'd react. She finished her beer and smiled back at them, purposefully displaying only calm, casual and unaffected. But she could feel Chase's eyes on her, and her whole body tensed, thrumming with sensual anticipation.
Tracy purred, “New song. Huh. Wonder who he wrote it for?” She winked, and her bright green eyes twinkled.
Reno would love to deny it, but she was right. It was meant for her. The words were a running narration of their first meeting, and every interaction they'd shared since. Why wouldn't he leave her alone?
Because she was fascinated with him, and he knew it. She should have said “no” the first time he asked to sit with her at the commissary. And she could have refused all those times he offered to drive her back to their hotel after a long day of shooting. But she enjoyed spending time with him.
The song ended and everyone applauded and cheered.
Risking a glance at the stage, she blushed when Chase tipped his hat to her. She turned away. Damn. She wasn't looking for a quickie, and he wasn't looking for a relationship. She'd seen the tabloids. He went through women faster than he went through guitar picks. She didn't care how fantastic a lover he was. There were things she just didn't do, and a sexual hookup was one of them.
Absolutely. Positively. No.
Beatrix took her cup. “Another beer?"
"Sure."
Her friend smiled. “Then I want to hear what your reason is
today
for not pouncing on that big hunk of a man and sexing him into a coma."
Reno grabbed her cup back. “Then I don't want another beer, thank you."
Beatrix laughed, took the cup, and walked off.
Chase's band started playing his number-one hit, a song about a woman with an impressive backside. Reno smiled. This one could also have been written about her.
Chase set his guitar on a stand behind him and called, “Yee-ha!” People shouted back and lined up to do the dance made famous by his music video.
The song rocked, and she found herself wiggling to the beat.
Tracy asked, “How long are you staying in California?"
"Two more days. I have a few things to finish up."
"Then you're going back to South Dakota?"
She nodded. “I haven't been home in six weeks. My brother plows me out once a week to water my plants, and make sure no one has broken in—"
Tracy's mouth dropped opened. “Are you that remote?"
She had to smile. “Yes. It's a long way from civilization.” She touched her friend's arm. “I'd love for you to come and visit. Anytime you want to get away from LA. The house is on the edge of the woods, and overlooks miles of wheat fields that my family farms.” But now, in mid-winter, there would be three feet of snow on the ground, and no one around to bother her. Over the last few days, she'd been trying to finalize the curriculum for her adult ed class this spring, but her phone never stopped ringing.
She listened to the band for a minute, and watched the crowd acting wild. “I can't wait to have a little peace and quiet."
"You know, I'm going to miss you when...” Tracy's eyes opened wide, looking over Reno's shoulder.
Reno sensed his presence before he got close.
"She's got the curves, and I got the nerve, to take her for my own,” Chase sang, coming up behind her.
She started to turn, but he grabbed her around the waist and pressed himself against her ample backside, swaying them both to the music. His chest felt rock-hard against her back, and his big arm pressed up against the bottom of her breast. His hips ground into her butt.