Chapter 14 #2
Wanted to taste every inch of his skin. Trace every muscled band. Watch him as he gave himself over to her. But more than anything, she wanted to feel safe. Unburdened.
She wanted him, with her, for the rest of her life.
Chase slipped his arms under hers, closing his fingers around her shoulders. Holding her tight as he devoured her mouth, tangling their tongues before finally easing back. He winked, then dipped to the left, effectively changing their places.
He helped her straddle her legs around his, every inch still deep inside. She rocked her hips, grinning at the way his jaw clenched as he closed his eyes — grunted out a harsh breath.
Greer went to her elbows, her hair falling in a curtain around them.
Chase reached up — speared his fingers through the right side as he dragged her mouth to his.
She gave herself over to the kiss, moaning when he started moving.
Long, measured stokes designed to take her to the edge but not over.
She met each thrust, angling her hips, hitting that sweet spot as fire laced through her veins, her breath kicking up.
Shadows moved across the room, the soft moonlight painting his skin, highlighting how his muscles flexed as he levered up — trapped her between his chest and thighs. She pulled him closer, needing every inch touching as she let her head fall back, still rising and falling with every thrust.
Chase threaded his fingers through her hair, tugging her in until her gaze locked on his. “No closing your eyes or looking away. I need to know you’re here. With me.”
She palmed his face. “There’s no one else I’d trust like this.”
He smiled, kissed her, increasing his pace until her ragged breath sounded around them, every thrust threatening to send her over. Heat coiled low in her belly, a haze blurring her vision as she teetered on the edge, that fire burning white hot inside her.
Chase stopped, rolled, again, starting back up the moment her back hit the mattress. Hard and fast, staring down at her as if he needed to memorize every moment. She tried to hold his gaze, failing when the next stroke hit home, tipped her over.
She gasped, spots flashing across her vision, the heat burning up her skin as everything exploded. Chase kept moving, coaxing a few more spasms out of her before he stiffened, emptying inside her in a series of jabbing strokes.
His breath panted across her shoulder, his weight crushing her into the bed, but for the first time in forever, all she felt was safe.
Time ticked in the background, everything fading until Chase sighed — pushed onto his elbows. He took a few more deep breaths, his massive chest brushing against hers before he nuzzled her nose — dropped a soft kiss on her lips.
Love.
No other explanation for way her stomach clenched, or how a simple smile made her heart flutter. Had her wishing they could spend the foreseeable future wrapped up in each other’s arms.
He shook his head, brushing his thumb along her cheek. “Not sure I want to know what you’re thinking because the way you’re looking at me…” He whistled. “It’s even more intense than that night in your Bronco. Before I screwed everything up.”
Greer teased her fingers through his hair, loving how the soft strands slid across her skin. “Doesn’t look screwed up to me.”
“Only because you’re incredibly forgiving.”
“Grieving isn’t a crime. You needed time.
Space. I don’t want you to change. To push it all down.
We both know how that ends. If you hadn’t been there for me tonight…
” She would have spiraled. Gotten lost in the pain and the guilt.
And she wouldn’t have made it back, this time.
“I needed more than just a hint of a light. I needed a safe place to fall.”
She palmed his cheek. “I needed a lifeline.”
Chase pressed into her touch. “Seems only fair, seeing as you saved me, first.”
She closed her eyes, a few tears slipping free. She wasn’t sure if they were from his words or maybe leftover from earlier. A mix of love and guilt. But she didn’t care as long as he held her — kept her grounded.
A kiss.
Soft.
Loving.
Then, he eased free and rolled to the edge of the bed, hanging his head as his shoulders drooped a bit. “So, not that I’m worried, but we didn’t use…”
She sighed. “I have an implant. Not that I’ve ever fully trusted it before, but…” She pushed up and wrapped her arms around him from behind. “I’d be lying if I said I’m having a hard time caring if it works or not.”
He glanced back at her over his shoulder. “Does that mean you’re not going to shoot me in the ass if we somehow got pregnant?”
“Pretty sure I’m the one who’d be puking and craving ice cream, but no. We’re good.”
God, his smile. As if she’d just told him he’d won the lottery. It eased any inklings of doubt.
“You’re way past good, sweetheart.” He rose, turned, then gathered her into his arms. “Another quick shower because your damn lips are still blue, then sleep. The real world can intrude later. First, we get to live in our bubble a bit longer.”
“You still promise to hold me all night? No creepy watching in the chair?”
“All night.”
“Chase.” She held his gaze as he placed her on her feet in front of the counter. “I really don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t…”
“You would have pulled through. Found a way to keep going. Not because anyone asked you to. But because they didn’t.
Because you’re hands down the strongest person I know.
It took me nearly a week to crawl back to the light.
” He leaned in closer. “To realize you’re my light.
That you brought me back, so… It’s okay if you need to break. I won’t lose any pieces.”
Tears pooled in her eyes — slipped free while he readied the shower. She took his hand when he offered it, holding still for a moment. “What if I can’t rebuild them?” She swallowed. “The walls.”
He eased her in close, kissing her softly. “Then, you can come inside mine. I’ll keep you safe. Who knows, maybe we’ll learn that we don’t really need them.”
“We’ll share your walls?”
“Why not? You’ve already got my heart.”
His words stole her breath. Not that he hadn’t hinted at it. What being crazy about her meant. But hearing him say it…
She squeezed his hand. “I guess it depends on if you snore or not.”