Endless Chase by N.J. Walters Read Free Book Online Page A

may tackle the grounds next.”
    Cristofor held up his hands in mock surrender. “Have mercy on me, my love. The overgrown forests keep the tourists at bay.”
    “Speaking of tourists,” Chase interjected. “Have you had many hikers around lately?”
    All teasing fled from Cristofor and he pinned Chase with his laser green gaze.
    “Why?”
    Chase was beginning to wish he hadn’t brought it up, but the family’s protection came before anything else. Plus, if he hoped to see Katya again, the family would eventually have to know about her. “I ran into a hiker when I was out for my walk early this morning.”
    Cristofor frowned. “I have not seen anyone of late.”
    Johanna crossed her legs, swinging one absently. “I know there are two women and three men currently staying in the village. Two of the men are academics researching the folklore of the area, one man and woman are a young couple on their honeymoon and there is a single woman on her own—an artist.” When both men looked at her, she shrugged. “They are guests at the Bratianos’ inn. Olga told me herself. I bumped into her when I ran into town to pick up a package two days ago.”
    “More than likely she was lying in wait for you,” Cristofor speculated. “That woman lives to gossip.”
    Johanna laughed. “Which is why I always find time to chat with her. I can find out more about what is happening locally by spending five minutes with her than I could if I sat in the local tavern all night long.”
    “There is that,” Cristofor conceded. “Did the hiker not see the posted warnings?”
    It was a rhetorical question, but Chase answered it anyway. “I don’t think Katya is the type to heed posted warnings.” No, with her defiant air, Chase figured there was nowhere she wouldn’t go if she wanted to.
    “Katya?” Johanna questioned.
    “Hmm,” he agreed noncommittally. He could hear the feminine interest in her tone and knew she was already playing matchmaker in her mind.
    “Why was she hiking around here at that hour of the morning?” Trust Cristofor to go straight to the heart of the matter.
    “I’m not quite sure, but she knew this was Dalakis land.”
    Johanna snorted. “She’s staying at Olga’s. The poor woman probably had a complete history lesson of the area within the first hour of her arrival.” She paused and added casually. “If she is the artist, I’m sure she’d love the chance to tour the castle if you wanted to invite her.”
    Chase shook his head and glanced over at Cristofor who stared stoically back.
    “Perhaps. We’ll see how it goes with all the family arriving.” Still, he couldn’t say he 30
    Endless Chase
    hadn’t thought about it. An invitation to the castle would definitely be an excuse to see her again. Usually, he was wary with strangers. The problem was Katya didn’t feel like a stranger.
    The last thing he needed was to get involved with a woman, even a woman as beautiful and intriguing as Katya. He was only here for a few weeks. And after that…well, his life was very up in the air at the moment.
    He pushed aside his dark thoughts. Perhaps what he needed was a vacation fling.
    That is, if Katya was willing. He couldn’t just assume she’d want to crawl in bed with him. But he hadn’t mistaken her response to his kiss. She was attracted to him. And he was more than attracted to her.
    Echoes of the dreams pulsed through him. It might have only been a dream, but it had been a powerful one. Chase longed to touch Katya, to stroke her silky skin. He shifted in his chair as his cock stirred. No doubt about it, he wanted her in a way he’d never wanted another woman.
    Maybe it was because he was on vacation. Maybe it was because he was facing a major life decision. Either way, it didn’t really matter. Whatever the reason, he planned to do whatever it took to land Katya in his bed for as long as possible.

    Katya prowled through the dense forest, heading steadily toward Dalakis Castle. It would have