TWENTY-ONE
CHASE
I’m lost.
Gone.
This is Serena. My best friend. I’ve spent years never allowing myself to see her as anything more. Ignoring the way I seek her out, my feet moving toward her before my mind has caught up. And the way I want to make her laugh, make her happy, hear her fun facts and the highs and lows of every day. I told myself all best friends felt that way.
I never looked too closely at how so much of my day was consumed with thinking of her. Wondering what she was doing, what book she was curled up with, whether she’d pulled her hair into that messy bun that makes her look too damn cute. I was always thinking about what joke I’d tell just to hear her laugh, knowing the moment I did, the sound of it would hit me low in the gut and stay there long after the laughter died. I never let myself believe we could be more, but now I’m wondering if I’ve been in love with her all along. Because what’s rushing through me now isn’t new. It’s the same pull I’ve felt for years, only louder, sharper. It’s like I’ve spent my whole life with my eyes squeezed shut, pretending not to notice what was right in front of me. And now, all at once, it’s crystal clear.
Serena is mine, and I never want to let her go.
I draw back from our kiss. Just an inch, just enough to drink her in. We’re both breathless, eyes locked. Nothing outside of this space exists. My dick throbs with how much I want this, begging me to press her up against the wall and show her just how far gone I am. But this moment is too important, too real, to rush. And so, I brush a lock of her silky blonde hair away from her face and flash a teasing smile. “I’m not going to fuck you.”
I relish the way her eyes grow wide. Surprise, then disappointment. Her lips part. I watch her wrestle to find the words, and I get there first. “Not until you beg me, that is.”
She laughs. “You seem pretty sure of yourself.”
“Oh, I am.” And with that, I lift her easily into my arms. She gasps—half laugh, half breathless surprise—and wraps her arms around my neck. Her body presses against mine, and I swear I feel every toned muscle and curve through the layers between us. Too many damn layers.
I carry her through the quiet of the house, up the stairs and into my bedroom, setting her down gently by my bed. In the dim light of the moon streaking in from the window, I catch the desire in her eyes. It’s not a look I’m used to seeing when it comes to Serena. Seeing that ocean blue darken with want unleashes something primal inside me, and I have to fight again not to take her right this second.
She moves like she’s going to press her body against me, but I’m too quick, stepping back, moving out of reach, all the way to the door. I cross my arms over my chest as I lean against the wood frame. I can’t help but smile at the confusion now drawing across her features. It’s a reminder that every man she’s ever been with has rushed and taken and never bothered to show her what her body was made to do.
Fuck, I’m going to enjoy this.
“Take off your clothes,” I say, keeping my voice low and commanding. It’s not a request.
For a moment, she hesitates. We’re both seeing new sides of each other tonight. No going back now. I let the silence stretch, let the weight of my words sink in. Finally, she pulls her sweater over her head, the fabric falling to the floor in a soft heap. Her bra follows, and I let out a slow breath as her bare skin is revealed, pale and glowing in the moonlight. The rush of blood to my dick leaves me dizzy. I’m so fucking hard for this woman.
Her breasts are full and soft, her nipples already peaked. I ache to draw them into my mouth, to suck and tease and make her cry out my name. But not yet. Not until she’s ready to beg. “Now the rest,” I murmur, voice rough.
Her hands shake as she undoes the button of her jeans, sliding them down her long, slender legs until she’s standing there in nothing but her black lace panties.
She hesitates again. “Everything?”
“Everything.”
She swallows, then hooks her thumbs into the waistband of her panties, sliding them down her legs and stepping out of them. She stands before me naked, cheeks flushed, the desire back in her eyes as she raises one eyebrow. “Your turn?” It’s not a command. But a question. She knows I’m in control here.
I shake my head. “Soon. First, I want to admire how fucking perfect you are.” I push off the doorway and take a step toward her, my eyes raking over every inch of her. She’s always been beautiful, but now, bathed in moonlight and naked in my bedroom, she’s breathtaking. Her long, slender legs curve into toned thighs and hips made to be gripped. Full breasts and tight nipples begging for attention. I’m utterly wrecked by the sight of her.
“Lie down on the bed,” I say.
She obeys without hesitation, her body sinking into the mattress as she stretches out before me. I move closer, my hands, my dick, my whole body aching with the need to touch her, fill her. But I hold back, enjoying the way she doesn’t try to hide herself from me. The years of friendship have made the trust between us absolute.
“Spread your legs,” I say.
“Chase,” she whispers, her hand reaching up to pull me closer.
I shake my head. “We’re taking things slow, Serena. I need you to know what good sex is. I’m going to ruin you for every other man. I’m going to worship every inch of your body. And then, and only then, only if you beg me for it, will I fuck you. Is that clear?”
I take her wrists one at a time, moving them over her head and pressing her hands to the headboard. “Don’t move your hands until I say so. Can you do that?”
She nods, her breath shuddering.
“Good girl.” I stand back once more, feeling the heat of her gaze on me. I hook my fingers under the hem of my tee and peel it slowly over my head, letting it drop to the floor. Then I strip off the rest of my clothes until I’m naked, my dick springing free, hard and aching for her. I step forward, slowly, enjoying the way she watches me like I’m her next breath. Her eyes are wild and hungry. The desire in them only makes me harder.
“Fuck,” Serena whispers on an exhale.
I don’t fight the smile as she takes in my naked body. I’m rock hard, jutting out, wanting to be buried to the hilt. “Spread your legs, princess.”
She does as she’s told, her thighs parting to reveal the delicate pink of her core. I’ve never wanted anything more. I kneel between her legs, my hands running up the smooth skin before trailing over her thighs close to where she wants them, but changing direction at the last minute, moving up to the toned muscles of her waist, then to the swell of her breasts, rolling a nipple between my fingers, savoring her gasp. I lean down, brushing my lips against hers, soft at first, then harder.
I can feel Serena trembling beneath me, her hands gripping the headboard to keep herself steady. I trail my lips down her neck, nipping lightly at the sensitive skin. She arches into me with a gasp and I move lower, my lips finding the curve of her breast. I take my time, loving the way she shudders under my touch. Her nipples beg for the attention I’m happy to give them. I tease one with the tip of my tongue before drawing it into my mouth, swirling and sucking until she moans, her hips lifting off the bed.
“Chase,” she whispers, her voice full of need.
“Is this you thinking you’re begging me?”
Her answer comes on a gasp as I roll her nipple between my thumb and finger. “Yes.”
“You haven’t even started yet.” I turn my mouth back to her breasts as my hands roam over her body, tracing every curve. My dick aches to be touched as I kiss my way down her stomach, my hands gripping her hips to hold her still as I settle between her legs. She’s spread wide for me, and I groan at the sight of her glistening heat.
I tease her with my tongue first, dragging it lightly over her clit, the taste of her almost enough to undo me. I don’t fight the groan that rumbles in my throat as my mouth claims her. Serena cries out, her hips rising off the bed again as I suck and lick and devour. I wrap my arms around her thighs to hold her still as I put everything into this moment.
I lift my head, glad to see her hands are exactly where I told her to keep them. She’s already trembling, on the edge of release. And I’m about to make her scream.
I slow my caress, sliding a hand toward the inside of her thigh, then, when I know she can’t take much more, I press one finger inside her slowly, feeling her walls clench around me, tight and wet and perfect.
“Fuck, you’re so wet for me.” My voice is low with the need pulsing inside me.
Her hips buck instinctively, and I curl my finger, finding that spot that makes her cry out. Her hands tighten on the headboard, her knuckles white.
“Chase…” she gasps, her voice breaking on the word. Hearing the way she says my name sends a jolt of heat straight to my dick. It’s almost enough to make me lose control. But I hold back, enjoying the way she writhes beneath me, her body begging for more.
I add a second finger, stretching her gently, feeling her body give way to me. She’s so fucking tight. I push deeper and she whimpers, her hips moving in rhythm with my hand. I can feel her getting closer, the tension building in her body.
“Chase,” she calls out, louder now. Breathless.
I move my mouth back just a fraction. “Has any man made you feel like this before, princess?”
“No,” she gasps. “Never.”
“Are you enjoying it?”
“Yes. Don’t stop. Please…”
I press my lips back to her center, my body on fire. Her moans grow louder, more frantic, her thighs continuing to tremble as I fuck her with my fingers, steady and relentless. I can feel her clenching around me, her breaths coming in short, sharp gasps as she teeters closer to the edge. Her hands are still gripping the headboard, her entire body taut with anticipation.
“Chase,” she cries out, voice breaking. I know she’s about to shatter.
I watch her, my chest tight with something I can’t quite name. It’s more than desire. It’s our friendship pushed to a whole new level. It’s trust. It’s everything.