Chapter Nineteen
Chase
My heart almost stops when she says yes. Relief floods through me, followed by a surge of adrenaline. I wasn’t sure how this idea would go down. Whether she would appreciate a redo or if it would bring up the poor memories from the first time I was supposed to take her to prom.
It might not have been my fault, but I am the reason her prom wasn’t what it should have been.
And I missed out, too.
This is our chance to make this a night to remember. To erase some of the hurt of the past and choose each other.
My gaze moves to Axel, who nods and places a kiss on Mandy’s cheek.
“Have a great night, Mally,” he whispers in her ear.
“You’re leaving?”
“I am. This is between the two of you. We have plenty of time to make pack memories in the future.”
Her cheeks flush, and she nods, letting go of his hand and turning back to me.
I hope Axel knows how grateful I am to him. His stoic, positive attitude has been exactly what I’ve needed these past few weeks. Without him, I’m not sure I’d ever have been able to see a way forward in love.
But fate clearly had other plans.
The limo pulls away with Axel inside it, leaving Mandy and me alone.
“Thank you for the dress,” she says with a shy smile. “It’s stunning.”
“I’d have to agree,” I say, offering her my hand. She takes it willingly, and I lead her inside. “Though, I think that has more to do with the woman wearing it than the dress itself.”
The rosy flush that colors her cheeks is sweet and alluring.
Combined with her chocolate marshmallow scent, it’s a recipe for seduction.
She doesn’t know how long I’ve been waiting to have her in my arms again.
Or how I’ve denied myself any form of sexual intimacy with another, hoping I’d find her again one day.
“Chase,” she starts in a whisper as we enter the old house and make a left into the ballroom. “Did you do this?”
I nod as I watch her drink in the room. There’s an overwhelmingly ridiculous amount of lilacs scattered around the room. They’re the only flower I wanted as they’ve always been Mandy’s favorite.
The rest of the room is decorated in purple and silver hues, complete with a dance floor, a photo booth and a table with a pair of crowns. Just inside the grand room is a small table of refreshments, and I lead Mandy there as her eyes continue to take in the room.
“Do you like it?” I ask, handing her a glass of fruit punch. She takes a couple of steps forward and spins in a slow circle, taking everything in again before facing me once more.
“Like it?” she says breathlessly. “I love it. I can’t believe you went to this much trouble for me.”
“Why shouldn’t I go to this much trouble for you? You’re worth it.” I ask, taking a gulp of my punch and feeling the warmth of the vodka as it flows down my throat.
She blushes again and takes a sip of her punch in an attempt to hide it. She must not be expecting it to be as strong as it is because she coughs a little after swallowing.
“You spiked it?” she asks, her eyes watering slightly.
“I did. Wanted you to have an authentic experience after all.”
She laughs, the sound like music to my ears and causing a grin to split across my face.
She takes another sip, polishing off her glass before placing it back on the table.
I follow her lead and do the same. On the table is a small remote and I reach for it, pressing the button that instantly has music pouring from the speakers—a playlist I put together myself of songs that remind me of her.
The lights dim and a disco ball descends, creating the perfect prom-like atmosphere.
“Mandy Paine, would you do the honor of dancing with me?” I hold out my hand to her, and she takes it without hesitation.
Pulling her into my body, I place my free hand on her hip as we move toward the center of the dance floor.
“I didn’t organize a band,” I admit as she rests her head on my chest, my chin resting on the top of her head, breathing in the sweet, addictive scent of her as we move in slow circles together. “I wanted it to be special, just you and me. Is that okay?”
“It’s perfect, Chase.” She lifts her head, her blue eyes bright and sparkling as they lock with mine in the dim light. “Thank you.”
She drops my hand, wrapping both her arms around my neck and bringing her lips to mine in a kiss so passionate and heavy that there’s no denying what she’s feeling.
Mandy perfumes for me and I growl, my arms around her waist pulling her body flush to mine.
My cock hardens in my suit pants, and there’s no way she doesn’t feel it where it’s pressed against her lower body.
“Is there anyone else here at all? In the rest of the house?” she asks, breaking our kiss and panting heavily.
“No, I’ve rented the whole property. It’s just you and me here, Dee.”
Mandy grins, her eyes crinkling mischievously as she grabs my hands and spins, dragging me out of the ballroom.
“Come with me?”
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see.” Glancing back at me, she winks then leads me to the grand staircase, gathering the bottom of her dress in her free hand and taking the steps two at a time. I can’t help but laugh at her enthusiasm.
“I’d follow you anywhere, Dee.”
She slows at the top of the stairs, dropping my hand and approaching the first door on the left. She opens it just enough to peek inside, a grin spreading across her pixie-like features letting me know that she’s found what she was looking for.
“Perfect,” she declares before closing it again and spinning around to face me.
There’s a sparkle in her eyes, a lightness I remember from when we were young.
It wasn’t there a few weeks ago, and the relief and sheer delight I feel at seeing it return is indescribable.
“Authentic experience. That’s what you said, right? ”
“I did.”
She wiggles her finger in a come-hither motion, and I obey, moving into her space and grasping her waist.
“Kiss me,” she whispers as her perfume surrounds us. “And then carry me through that door and take me on the bed like we’re a pair of horny teens losing our virginity to each other on prom night—the way it was meant to be.”
“Fuck,” I growl before slamming my lips down on hers. Mandy wraps her arms around my neck, and I lift her, pressing her against the door as she wraps her legs around my waist. Instinct has me grinding against her as my cock hardens painfully and my knot swells.
Steadying her with one hand, I twist the doorknob, kicking the door open and grasping her ass with my hands. Inside is a master suite with a large oak four-poster bed in the center of the room.
I press my lips to her ear as I carry her to the bed, feeling the shudder that runs through her at the contact.
She’s so damn perfect.
I place her gently on her feet before the bed, and gesture for her to spin around. Obeying, she spins on her heel, and I make quick work of the dress zipper.
She shrugs out of the gown and it falls to the floor, slowly revealing her bare porcelain back and her tight ass. She’s wearing only a thong and I growl again, my need for her growing stronger with every passing second.
As though in slow motion, she spins, revealing her full, perky breasts and flat stomach. I can’t help the way my eyes roam hungrily over every inch of her body, over every curve and valley. I’m enchanted, frozen, unsure of what to do next.
She steps forward, reaching for my tie and untying it. Swallowing hard, I pull off my jacket as Mandy finishes with my tie and makes quick work of my shirt buttons. She parts the material, her hands gliding over my chest and up over my shoulders to pull the shirt off.
Her touch is fire against my skin. I need her.
Need to be inside her, need to feel her everywhere and all over me.
My hands cup her face, bringing her lips to mine once more as I walk her backwards to the bed.
She falls onto the mattress with a giggle, and I lean down over her, staring at her in all her naked glory.
“Fuck, Mandy, I don’t—”
“You don’t want to?” she asks, her face falling instantly.
“No, no. I do. Fuck knows I do.” I say, climbing onto the bed beside her. “It’s all I’ve ever wanted. And I’ve only ever wanted to do it with you. I haven’t…I haven’t done any of this before. This really is an ‘authentic’ experience for me.”
“You… I’ll be your first?”
I nod. “There was never anyone else.”
Her perfume clouds around us, stronger than I’ve ever scented it. My eyes roam her body again, finding her thighs glistening with slick and a wet patch forming beneath her on the sheets.
“You like that?” I growl, unbuckling my belt with a growing desperation. I know the basics, and clothing is a barrier I absolutely have to remove.
“Yes,” she moans, spreading her thighs and exposing her glistening core to me for the first time.
“Fuck yes, I do. Follow your instincts, Chase. You know what to do, and I’ll help guide you.
But I need you now. Right now,” she whines, the sound triggering my instincts to please and satisfy my omega.
Kicking out of my pants, I roll on top of her, the tip of my cock pressing against her soaking entrance. Her hands roam over my back as her lips find mine once more. I press forward, slowly sinking into her heated core as she moans and arches her back.
Nothing has ever felt this good. No amount of success, no amount of hockey training and competitions has ever made me feel this way.
Mandy feels like finding home.