Chapter Nine #2
Chase and I yank apart, the loss of what should have been our first kiss slicing through me as the shout hits my ears. A tubby security guard barrels toward us, flashlight bobbing wildly, his voice puffed up with authority.
I freeze, deer-in-the-headlights, my hands flying up in surrender. “Oh my God—”
But Chase isn’t the surrendering type.
He snatches one of my hands, tugging it down hard, and before I can blink, he’s yanking me with him. “Run!”
The sudden force jerks me off balance, my stomach lurching as I stumble into motion. A gasp tears from my chest. “Holy shit! Are we gonna be arrested?”
“Not if you keep up!” His laugh is wicked, breathless, echoing behind him.
I squeal, half terror, half exhilaration, as my legs kick into overdrive. My flats slap the concrete with punishing thuds, each breath ripping ragged through my lungs. The guard’s flashlight’s beam dances across us, and I can hear his wheezing shouts, his footsteps pounding far too close.
The rush propels me faster. My heart’s thundering in my throat, but all I can think is, we’re criminals, we’re criminals, we are actually doing this. A hysterical laugh bubbles up even as panic claws at me.
Chase’s grip is a lifeline, his fingers tight around mine, hauling me along.
We tear past the guard, who shakes his fist and yells something about trespassing.
I don’t dare look back. My focus narrows to the sound of our feet hammering the pavement, the night air ripping past, the way my chest burns like it might burst.
By the time we reach the truck, I’m gasping so hard I can barely stand, every muscle trembling, laughter and something else propels me to a dizzying high.
Chase yanks open his door, vaults in, and fires the engine alive.
I collapse into the passenger seat, bent double, clutching my stomach as hysterical laughter pours out of me. My ribs ache, my cheeks are wet with tears of amusement and fear, and release all at once. “I can’t… I can’t breathe—” I wheeze.
Chase grins across the cab, wild and unrepentant. “Best cardio of your life, Starlight.”
I grin cheekily at him, slowing my breath. “Well, I can think of another way to do cardio that is much more satisfying.”
His eyes meet mine knowingly, and I burst out laughing again, watching the security guard hobbling toward us, his flashlight flurrying around like a man possessed.
“Oh God, I’m trying not to pee,” I say aloud, making us both laugh even harder as Chase backs up, then speeds off in a flurry of flicked-up stones, dust, and tire tracks.
Chase turns to me. “You’re just so goddamn adorable.”
I giggle as I calm down when we finally turn back onto the highway.
“That was a close call.” Chase exhales like he’s relieved.
I sigh. “I didn’t really feel like going to jail tonight. I don’t think I’d do well as someone’s bitch.”
He glances at me, a strange look crossing his features. “Me either, Starlight. Me either.”
I sit taller, letting out a gasp. “Oh heck, my plates. What if the guard wrote them down? What if I get a fine or something worse?”
Chase chuckles. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it if you do.”
Sitting back in my chair comfortably, I snort out a laugh. “You’ll take care of it, Hallmark… you always know just what to say, don’t ya?”
He glances at me sideways, trying to hide his smirk, but continues driving.
A comfortable silence filters through the truck.
Damn, that was fun. We barely kissed, and I’m still reeling from it.
That whole situation was probably a little irresponsible, but hell, if it wasn’t some of the most fun I’ve had in quite a while.
Chase flicks on the radio as we drive. Rock music flows through the truck, and I softly sing along. I’m in the best mood I’ve been in for years.
Chase turns to me, his eyes widening. “Can you sing?”
I stop singing immediately, not realizing I was singing loud enough for him to hear. I usually don’t sing in front of people, so I must have been feeling relaxed to do that. I need to cover this up. “Oh, umm… no. Not really.”
His gaze shifts from the road, back to me, then back to the road again. “Well, from what I just heard, you have a beautiful voice, Starlight. “
“No,” I reply firmly. “I don’t sing,” I stipulate with a firmer tone.
The mood in the truck changes, a frosty breeze washing in. I know it’s caused by my attitude right now, but this topic is a contentious one for me.
He needs to drop it right now.
His muscles are tense. “I’ll take us back to the restaurant.”
I simply nod, and quiet falls over the truck while Chase continues to drive.
When we arrive at The Grove, uneasiness washes over me. I’ve had such a great time tonight, but I had to go and ruin it by being weird.
Chase steps out of the truck, and I follow. He walks around to meet me, and I hand him back his jacket.
“I’m sorry for pulling the whole night down with my attitude,” I blurt out.
He weakly smiles. “It’s totally fine. Didn’t even notice.”
Of course, he did.
I bite my bottom lip at the awkward tension between us, and I don’t know what to do.
We kind of kissed, but now, after I’ve caused this strangeness between us, I feel like trying for another kiss would be extremely weird.
I lean in for a hug instead, but he reaches out to shake my hand at the same time.
His hand is bumped by my sudden movement, and his palm pushes up, landing directly on my breast.
“Fuck,” he swears under his breath.
I back away, feeling heat flush my face.
He holds his hands up in surrender. “Sorry, I misread that. I swear, I wasn’t going for a feel.”
A slight smirk crosses my face. “That’s the most action I’ve gotten in a while.” My hand slaps my mouth immediately as my internal thoughts vocalize.
“You didn’t mean to say that, did you?” A slow smile creeps across his face.
I stand tall, placing my hands on my hips. “There’s nothing wrong with putting my career first. You know, over suave men trying to seduce me.”
“Of course not. So, can I feel you…” His eyes bug out. “No! I meant see you. Can I see you again?”
I burst out laughing at his faux pas. “Not so suave now, are you, Hallmark?”
He tilts his head. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”
“It’s nice to know I’m not the only one in this relationship who says the wrong thing.”
Shock covers his face. “Relationship?”
I tense. “Ahh, shoot! You know what I mean.”
He leans in, his eye contact making it hard to think.
He’s all around me, eclipsing my surroundings, as he leans in so close I can smell his woodsy aftershave.
Chase’s breath wisps against my lips, reminding me of our almost kiss.
It makes me want to lean up and see what it would be like to actually taste him.
“I’ll see you soon, Starlight.”
My breath hitches, my stomach somersaulting. I close my eyes, pursing my lips for Chase’s imminent touch, then I feel it—the moment his lips connect.
Damn!
But they don’t touch my lips, he’s kissing my freaking cheek.
My eyes flash open as I melt even at that simple touch, while the energy surges over me. His supple lips on my cheek send a wave of euphoria through my soul when he slowly backs away, and I stare into his eyes.
“Holy shit,” I murmur under my breath.
He smirks before he heads off, walking to his car.
My knees wobble, and I reach out, steadying myself on the side of my truck. “Get a damn grip, Lyric,” I mutter, while he turns, slowly waving goodbye, watching me, waiting for me to get in like the gentleman he is.
I slide into the truck, my head falling forward to rest on the steering wheel.
With a deep breath, I mutter, “Holy hell! What in sweet baby Jesus was that?”