Taking Chase
Samhain Publishing
ISBN 1-59998-301-X (eBook)
ISBN-10: 1-59998-383-4 (Trade Paperback)
ISBN-13: 978-1599983837 (Trade Paperback)
Genre: Contemporary, Romantic Suspense
Series: Chase Brothers Series #2
Length: Novel
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Taking Chase is a 2006 CAPA winner in the romantic suspense category!
Cassie Gambol is on the run. In what seems like another lifetime, her ex-husband nearly ended her life and effectively ended her successful career as a vascular surgeon. But even though the justice system found him guilty of attempted murder, he fled while awaiting sentencing and Carly Sunderland became Cassie Gambol.
Fleeing Los Angeles, she heads to small and off the map Petal, Georgia to start her life again.
Shane Chase, a man who’s held himself away from commitment since his fiancée dumped him several years before knows the beautiful newcomer is hiding something. He’s wildly attracted to her strength and her underlying vulnerability as well.
But the last thing Cassie wants is another big, overwhelming man who wants to control her life. A battle begins between Shane, who knows what he wants and Cassie, who knows she needs to do everything she can to keep a distance between herself and the very handsome sheriff.
But Cassie’s ex is back and he wants her dead.
“I’m gonna kiss you now, Cassie Gambol.”
“Why? I mean, why do you want me? I don’t understand it. I can’t lie and tell you I don’t know you’ve been regarded as a player here in Petal. I like men, yes, but I’m afraid of being a casual indulgence to a man like you.”
“There’s not a damned thing about the way I feel about you that’s casual. Now, I’ve been dying to do this for so long.” He closed the last bit of distance between them and he brushed his mouth over hers. His lips were lush and delicious, spicy and masculine, just like the rest of him. They both groaned as he moved away.
“Cassie, you fascinate me. I’m shocked by how much I want you. I think I started wanting you when you kicked my ass at pool. No, I’m a damned liar. Since you stumbled out of your wrecked car and called my momma Crash.” He put his face into her neck and inhaled deeply. “God, you smell good.”
“Shampoo, sweat and a little bit of Delice,” she breathed out, running her tongue over the lips he’d just touched with his own. A sense of unreality washed over her. The connection between them was warm and sticky. Lethargic with want, she let him hold her against his body. The heat of him blanketed her skin. Her nipples hardened against the wall of his chest and a libido that she’d thought beaten out of her roared back to life. There was a moment where she wondered if she was dreaming. Hell, if it wasn’t she sure didn’t want to wake up.
“Mmm.” He licked his lips as she’d just done and a shiver ran through her. “You taste good, too. Better than you should. I ought to be running out the door but damned if you don’t make me want things I’d thought I’d never want with a woman again.”
His hand rested at the small of her back, hot and inescapably present. The other rested on her shoulder. He held her in his orbit physically and mentally. His presence was so intense it boggled her mind. Things tightened low in her gut as her skin tingled everywhere he touched her. And yet, aside from general nervousness, she wasn’t afraid.
She caught her lip in her teeth and he groaned softly. “I know you want me too.” Leaning in, he pressed a hot, wet kiss to the hollow just below her ear. “I can feel your nipples against my chest,” he murmured, breath stirring the wisps of hair around her ear. His tongue darted inside and then he caught the lobe between his teeth. She shivered, going weak in the knees. “But I want more than your physical need of me. Let’s have dinner. Some snuggling on your couch. A liberal smattering of smooches. Let me get to know you as a woman.”
“I…yes.” She nodded, incapable of further speech. Especially when his grin widened and he looked like a predator. They sat down and began to dish up the food, digging in. He watched her and she laughed. “What? Do I have a bean spout between my teeth?”
“No,” he chuckled. “I just like the way you look here with me.” He shrugged. “And I like that you eat. Not like some dainty thing who wants everyone to believe she survives on air and mist, but you eat like a real person.”
“Is that your finessed way of telling me I eat like a pig?”
He threw his head back and laughed. “Oh the unwinnable guy question. Darlin’ you do not eat like a pig. You eat like a human who likes to eat. I like that.”
She narrowed her eyes at him for a moment and shrugged before going back to her plate. She’d only just put the weight on she lost from the hospital and afterwards in the last three months or so.
They kept a wide berth around what happened the night before but Cassie was pretty sure Maggie had told him about Terry. He didn’t seem freaked, which made her more comfortable.
After they’d eaten, he helped her clean up and get the dishes in the dishwasher before they retired to the couch.
“Let’s get comfortable here, shall we, darlin’? Because I have some serious smooching planned and we should do it right.” He winked and pulled her into his lap, her body straddling his.
The hard ridge of his cock fit up against her and she undulated, grinding herself over him without even thinking of it. Little flares of pleasure played up her spine and the muscles inside her pussy fluttered and contracted.
One of his eyebrows rose slowly and his hands slid to rest at her waist. “So that’s how it’s gonna be, huh? Mmm. You feel so damned good, Cassie. I need to kiss you again.” Arching his neck up, he brought his lips to hers with crushing intensity. Her head swam as she drowned in him. In a myriad of ways he affected her, overwhelmed her, turned her on and turned her out. Helpless to do anything more than hang on, she slid her hands up his chest and neck and into his hair. The soft, cool silk of it flowed over her skin, his skull solid and sure beneath her palms.
Grunting in satisfaction, he slanted his mouth to get more of her. His tongue slipped in between her teeth and he tasted her, met her warmth with his own. Her elemental flavor rocked him, he couldn’t get enough. When she sucked at his tongue, he pulled her to him tighter and delighted in the moan that came from her lips. Swallowed it down with the rest of her that he took from the kiss.
God he wanted more. The luscious flesh of her bottom lip seduced him as he sucked it into his mouth. Arching into him with a breathy sigh, she traced the outline of his upper lip with the tip of her tongue. Down over the seam of his mouth where her lip was captured, the wetness of her tongue, the tentative and yet utterly carnal way she responded, drew him in.
It’d never been like this with a woman before. Intense, sure. Really good, that too. But so good, so right that it made his chest ache with want and need of this woman in his arms? Never.
Damn, he was falling for Cassie. Scratch that—had fallen for Cassie and he wasn’t running. No, he wanted more. Wanted to gorge himself on every drop of her he could get as long as he could get it. He wanted to see what kind of tomorrow he could build with this woman. Cassie Gambol wasn’t a casual indulgence at all, she was big league addiction and instead of fear, there was only joy that he’d found it at last.
It took every bit of his self control to keep his hands resting at her waist instead of sliding down to cup her ass. She was so soft against him, so warm and pliant—everything sexy and earthy, he wanted to take her in the grass under the moon, the dew on his naked skin as he watched her in the silvery light. She was a goddess come alive in his arms.
Judy at Erotic Escapades gives TAKING CHASE FIVE Tattoos and says in part: Taking Chase is an exciting story full of intrigue and passion. This is the second book in The Chase Brothers series. Its fast paced and brings the reader into the story from the first page. It’s an amazing sensation to read a book and feel like you are right there with everyone you read about.
Water Nymph at Litarary Nymphs Reviews gives TAKING CHASE FIVE nymphs and says in part: “TAKING CHASE is the second book in the Chase Brothers series and just as amazing and emotionally powerful as the first. Realistic characters, passionate and loving sex scenes and a liberal dose of suspense make this a tale readers will love. Ms. Dane has penned another truly well written story where her fabulous world building and character development skills are clearly evident.”
Chrissy at Romance Junkies gives TAKING CHASE FIVE ribbons and says in part: “TAKING CHASE is the second book in Lauren Dane’s CHASE BROTHERS series. These stories are fun, fast paced, and full of heart. All of the brothers are sinfully sexy but what I really love about them is the closeness they share with their families and the absolute respect they have for their mother. You just have to love a guy who respects his mom! We were first introduced to Shane in GIVING CHASE and he was still reeling from being cheated on and wasn’t ready for a serious relationship. Readers will adore Cassie. She’s survived domestic abuse and comes away from it a strong person full of hope and a need to get on with life. In order to be together both have to struggle through their own fears but it’s well worth the extra effort. I’ll definitely be watching for the rest of the books in this series.”
Serena at Fallen Angel Reviews gives TAKING CHASE FIVE Angels and makes it a Recommended Read!: “TAKING CHASE is the second in the Chase Brothers series and not only is it Shane’s story, but it also brings back Maggie and Kyle from GIVING CHASE. I was impressed to see that Lauren Dane had this installment occur a few years later than the last book. It gave Shane time to grow and soften a bit. To see him as he was in TAKING CHASE versus the angry, bitter man he was in GIVING CHASE was absolutely fantastic. I have always enjoyed when an author takes us along for a ride in a series of books and not only tells each character’s story, but also revisits the characters from earlier books. There are unfortunately only two more Chase brothers, but with Ms. Dane telling their stories, they will be worth the wait.”
Lori at Don’t Talk Just Read says in part of a wonderfully comprehensive review: “As with GIVING CHASE, I really cannot recommend this book enough. The storyline grips you right from the start. You care about these characters. You root for them and their relationship. Lauren Dane left me panting for more.”
Tara Renee at Two Lips Reviews gives TAKING CHASE four and a half lips and says in part: Fans of Lauren Dane will not be disappointed by TAKING CHASE. It is a classic Lauren Dane book with compelling characters, hot sex, and honest emotions. Cassie’s journey from a wounded, untrusting woman into a woman in love and happy was a joy to read. Shane makes his own journey from a woman-chasing hound that refuses to trust a woman with his heart into a man reveling in his love for Cassie. They are not easy journeys for either. Watching the ways Cassie and Shane work together to build a relationship is very stirring. Lauren Dane created a villain I just wanted to decimate from his first appearance in the story. Cassie’s ex, Terry, is the type of violent bully everyone dreams of taking down. TAKING CHASE is a book I never wanted to end. I am eagerly awaiting for the next book in this wonderful series by Lauren Dane.”
Talia at Joyfully Reviewed makes TAKING CHASE her November Recommended Read and says in part: “TAKING CHASE called out to my heart with the first scene. When I started reading, I could not believe the change in the man I loved to hate, Shane Chase. Still angry at his meanness in GIVING CHASE, I made myself give him another chance and I do not regret this decision for a moment. Shane is the ultimate stubborn hero. Content to chase away Cassie’s demons, he found redemption in allowing Cassie the freedom of healing. Cassie Gambol. What a fighter she was. Her triumph over adversity made me proud. Scarred, scared, and oftentimes hurting, the words, “uncommon valor” come to mind when I think of her. She humbled me with her spirit.
TAKING CHASE by Lauren Dane is book 2 of the Chase Brothers series and it is one of those books that you must read over and over. I found it hard to breathe at times because I was so caught up in the story. As TAKING CHASE unfolded, a sense of calm invaded my soul and I happily continued the ride. Lauren Dane’s writing continues to amaze me, and it gives me great pleasure to Joyfully Recommend TAKING CHASE!”
Maura at The Romance Studio gives TAKING CHASE 4 1/2 hearts and says in part: “I really enjoyed my second trip to Petal. The inhabitants are friendly and quirky and the Chase brothers are definitely worth revisiting. Cassie is an incredibly vivid character and the reader will be able to see her progress both mentally and in her romantic life with Shane. I like the way she refuses to let anyone boss her around and the way she stands up to the very intimidating Shane. Shane has his own issues with trust, but he makes a big effort with Cassie, he becomes a much better person than in the last book. Polly is as colorful as ever and the suspense over whether the ex husband will finally find Cassie will keep the reader at the edge of her seat. I can’t wait for the next one!”
Sinclair at RRT Erotic says in part: “The second book in the Chase Brothers series, TAKING CHASE is Shane’s story, and what a doozy of a story it is. (…) Suspense, steamy eroticism, and downright likeable characters are what readers are in store for when the open up Lauren Dane’s TAKING CHASE.”
Annie at Euro Reviews gives TAKING CHASE FIVE flags and says in part: “Lauren Dane definitely knows how to weave a reader’s attention into the tale and keep it moving. I was captivated from the first few sentences and didn’t want to stop reading. The characters are well done but not ever overdone, and the situations and background are very realistic. Ms. Dane makes a point to dedicate her heroine Cassie, to all who are victims of domestic abuse, violence, and terror in their everyday lives, and to those who have survived.”
Cynthia at A Romance Review gives TAKING CHASE four roses and says in part: “TAKING CHASE is an endearing story about what faith, a strong will and a patient soul can survive. I love this book for the hope it inspires and that it does not shy away from what needs to be said. I can’t wait until the print release of this book. It will definitely go on my keeper shelf.”