Chapter 16 Chasing Last-Night
Chasing Last-Night
The next morning, Savannah lay in bed, her body still humming with the echoes of last night.
The sheets were cool against her skin, but the air carried the warmth of something more—of Chase.
The faint scent of salt and his cologne clung to her hair, a lingering whisper of his touch, his kiss, the way his voice had wrapped around her in the moonlight.
She turned onto her side, pulling the blanket tighter around her, letting the memories wash over her like the slow, rhythmic pull of the tide.
His hands—God, those hands—had settled on her waist with an ownership that sent heat curling low in her belly.
His breath had been warm against her neck, teasing, making her shiver with want.
And his lips—firm, insistent, reverent—had branded her.
Chase Montgomery kissed her like he was afraid she would disappear. Like she was something sacred, something he needed to memorize with his mouth, his hands, his entire body. And she let him. Because, deep down, she had never really stopped being his.
Her pulse quickened just thinking about it.
The way his fingers had traced slow circles against the back of her neck. The way he had murmured her name like a damn prayer. The way he had pulled away, just enough to rest his forehead against hers, as if he needed a second to steady himself.
He hadn’t rushed her. Hadn’t pushed. Hadn’t let his hands wander past the boundaries they both knew they weren’t ready to cross—yet.
But the hunger in his eyes was unmistakable.
She squeezed her eyes shut, breathing through the ache building deep inside her. No one had ever kissed her like that. No one had ever made her feel so seen, so wanted—so completely undone.
Sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains, casting golden stripes across the bed. The world outside felt distant, unreal, as though she were still tangled in the dream of last night. But the soft buzz of her phone on the nightstand pulled her back.
She reached for it, heart thudding, fingers unsteady.
A single message.
“Meet me at the Marina. 9:30.”
A slow smile tugged at her lips, heat building in her stomach. No hesitation, no overthinking—just Chase, asking her to meet him.
And she would.
Because after last night, after the way he looked at her, touched her, kissed her like she was the only thing that had ever mattered, how could she not?
Adrenaline surged through her, waking her faster than any cup of coffee ever could. She threw back the covers, padding barefoot across the room. The cool tile of the bathroom floor sent a shiver up her spine as she turned the water on, stepping into the heat.
Steam curled around her, filling the space with warmth as she let the spray cascade over her shoulders.
Her fingers traced absentmindedly over her skin, ghosting over the places where Chase had touched her, where his thumb had brushed along her jaw, where his hands had rested on her hips, steadying her as he kissed her slow, deep, and devastating.
She lathered Jasmine and sandalwood-scented shampoo into her hair, her movements slower than usual, lost in the memory of the way his voice had dropped when he whispered her name, the way his fingers had lingered at the small of her back as he pulled away—reluctant, like he hadn’t wanted to leave.
By the time she stepped out, her skin was warm, her curls damp and tumbling over her shoulders in soft waves. She wrapped herself in a towel, catching her reflection in the mirror.
She looked—different.
Lighter. Brighter.
Like the weight of something she hadn’t even realized she’d been carrying had finally lifted.
She took her time getting ready—denim shorts, a white linen top, sandals. Something effortless. Something that said she hadn’t spent twenty minutes thinking about what to wear even though her heart was racing.
A swipe of mascara, a touch of lip balm, and she was ready.
Descending the stairs, she found Mallory in the kitchen, coffee in hand, her expression already knowing.
"You’re glowing," Mallory smirked over the rim of her mug. "Something tells me that’s not just from good sleep."
Savannah rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t suppress the smile tugging at her lips. "Shut up."
"I won’t," Mallory teased, leaning against the counter. "Not when you’ve spent years pretending Chase was just an old friend. And now you’re practically floating down the stairs? Spill."
Savannah hesitated, chewing on her lip. "He texted. Wants me to meet him at the marina."
Mallory’s grin widened. "Oh, girl. This is it, isn’t it?"
Savannah inhaled deeply. "I don’t know," she admitted. "But it feels… different. Good different."
She hesitated, guilt tugging at her. "I feel bad leaving you. We planned to hang out today."
Mallory waved her off, setting her coffee down. "Savy, stop. You’re allowed to have this. We’ve been talking about him for years. And now? He’s finally showing you what he’s been holding onto. I’d be pissed if you didn’t go."
Savannah exhaled, the tension in her chest loosening. "You’re sure?"
Mallory rolled her eyes. "If you don’t walk out that door in the next five minutes, I will take your place."
Relief flooded Savannah as she hugged her best friend quickly.
"You’re the best."
"I know," Mallory said with a wink. "Now, go make some memories."
Savannah didn’t take her car. The marina was only a few blocks away, and she wanted the walk—the crisp ocean air, the way the morning sun kissed her skin, the electric anticipation thrumming beneath her ribs.
Her mind raced with questions as she made her way down the quiet streets.
Where was this going?
Could they really do this?
Could they erase years of what-ifs and turn them into something real?
Or had last night just been a beautiful moment in time, one that would fade with the morning light?
She didn’t know.
But she wanted to find out.
As she rounded the corner, the marina came into view, the gentle lapping of water against the docks filling the quiet morning air. Boats bobbed in their slips, their white hulls glistening beneath the sun. The scent of salt and fresh morning air wrapped around her, calming, centering.
And then she saw him.
Chase.
Leaning against his truck in the gravel lot, arms crossed, looking every bit the boy she had fallen for all those years ago—only now, he was a man who knew exactly what he wanted.
Her.