18

“Um, babe . . . Are we lost?” Vivien glanced out the window as the blurred scenery. They’d been driving for nearly two hours. She’d meant like dinner and a movie when she’d told Chase she wanted to go on a date. But she hadn’t seen a restaurant or any signs of civilization, really, in over an hour. All Chase would tell her was that it was a surprise.

He checked the GPS app on his phone. “Nope. Not lost. Should be there in the next thirty minutes or so.”

It was the or so she was worried about.

He’d had her pack a bag, and she’d seen him putting the refrigerated items they’d picked up at the supermarket in a large cooler.

“Are you taking me out in the woods to murder me? Because I gotta say, I did not see that coming, and I’m usually an excellent judge of character.”

Chase laughed openly. “Not this week. But if you ever disappear on me again, I might consider purchasing a cabin in the woods to keep you captive in. Fair warning.”

Vivien nodded. “Noted.”

She closed her eyes and rested her head against the window. The weekend of sex and sleep deprivation was catching up to her. Thirty minutes or so was the perfect time for a quick power nap.

When she came to, it seemed to be only moments later, but a glance at the clock said it was nearly an hour later. The sun was low in the sky, indicative of dinnertime, as was the growl rumbling in her belly.

“We’re here,” Chase informed her before hopping out quickly to retrieve their things.

Vivien surveyed their surroundings. They were at a beach house. The only beach nearby was Myrtle, but this appeared to be private property somewhere she couldn’t easily identify.

“And where is here, exactly?” she asked when she’d unfolded herself from the car and stretched her sleepy limbs.

“Luke’s family’s beach house. It was empty. You and I needed somewhere where we could go on a real date away from prying eyes that might report us to our superiors.”

Vivien gaped openly at the gorgeous house beside where he’d parked. “Wow. Great house.”

Chase shrugged. “I’m probably going to keep you tied up in the bedroom the entire time we’re here, so if you want to see the whole place, now is the time.”

Vivien slapped him playfully on the chest. “What am I going to do with you?”

Chase gave her a wicked grin. “We have several days to find out.”