Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
“Morning, beautiful.”
Greer blinked awake, staring into the darkness until her eyes adjusted, Chase’s handsome face slowly appearing out of the darkness. She glanced at the clock, groaning at the early number. “You realize we don’t have to be at work until seven, right?”
“Not waking you up to go to work, sweetheart.”
She tilted her head, arched a brow. “And your side?”
Chase grabbed her hand, ran her fingers across his ribs. “Stitches are already falling out.”
“Are they? Or did you take some scissors to them before you woke me?”
He placed a hand over his heart. “Are you questioning my honor? That’s cold, Greer.”
“But true.” She brushed her thumb across his brow. “The bridge of your nose wrinkles when you’re busted.”
He smiled, and her heart fluttered, either too fast or too slow, the shaky rhythm highlighting how far gone she was. How deeply she loved him.
He shook his head, toying with the ends of her hair. “Fine. I might have helped them along, but the wound’s closed. And I’m already cleared for work—”
“Not sure it counts when you clear yourself, but…” She laughed when he rolled his eyes. “Sounds like you have something in mind.”
He shifted over her, elbows braced on either side, his mouth a breath away from hers. “Do you know how hard it’s been holding you every night, breathing you in, and not making love to you?”
She arched her hips, pressing into his groin. “I have an idea. Not that it’s been any easier for me.” She lifted her head and nipped at his lower lip before kissing her way to his ear. “I’ve been on edge all week.”
The muscle in his temple jumped as he worked his jaw, sucking in air then pushing it out. “Looks like we’re on the same page, so do me a favor.” He threw back the covers, trailing his fingers down her side, over her hip to the top of her thigh. “Get comfortable. This might take a while.”
She inhaled, snagged her bottom lip as he inched his way down, licking and sucking every inch until he settled between her legs. Her fingers landed in his hair as a warm breath feathered across her flesh. “I swear, Chase, you put your mouth on me, and it’ll be over in less than a minute.”
He dropped a kiss on her inner thigh, and her stomach clenched in anticipation. “That just means I get more time to enjoy you in other ways. Though, I bet I can drag it out a bit longer.”
“I… God.”
She pressed her head into the pillow, every nerve burning white hot as he mouthed her skin, teasing her with a long, slow lick. Taking her to the brink in a single heartbeat.
She fisted her hands, reminding herself not to tug on his hair too hard as he hummed against her groin, each tiny vibration sparking a reaction.
Heat coiled low in her belly, every swirl of his tongue arching her higher until he placed one muscled forearm across her hips — held her in place.
That unraveled her. The weight of his arm, the strength of his grip drawing a guttural moan from deep in her chest as he slipped a finger inside her — hit that spot.
She died.
Right there on the bed, hips pumping, his name ringing off the walls, every thought bursting into tiny specks of light. The room faded, that searing heat lulling her into a numbing haze until he pressed a kiss to her lips, smiled down at her.
Chase grinned, looking more than a bit victorious. “You weren’t kidding. Talk about a hair trigger.”
“That’s all your fault. Looking the way you do, all that smooth skin and bulging muscles holding me all week. You’re lucky I lasted beyond the first pass.”
“Barely.”
She laughed, swatting at him as he settled above her, holding her close as he inched inside, bringing all that heat scorching back. Greer wrapped her arms around his neck, needing more skin, more weight…
More him.
Chase paused, tilting his head as he stared down at her, his eyes edging toward green in the waning light. He smiled, and she was lost.
She threaded her fingers through his hair, dragged his mouth to hers with little more than a soft tug. He deepened the kiss, seemingly content to lie there, waiting.
Chase nuzzled her neck, sucking at her pulse point as he slowly inched out, then slid back in, stealing what little breath she’d gasped. Tears pooled, then fell, all those walls a distant memory.
He mouthed her shoulder, brushing his cheek across hers, gradually upping the pace until need took over, the cords in his neck straining before he let loose — pounded her into the bed.
Greer hung on, body strung tight, her release just out of reach before he shifted his hips — hit that spot again.
She shattered.
Splintered like the light streaming behind her closed eyes. Chase kept moving, riding that high before he stopped, grunting through his release.
Greer clung to him, chest heaving, as time faded in and out, the light beyond the window gradually brightening. Her alarm sounded on the nightstand, Chase’s chiming in a second later before he reached out — silenced them.
A smug smile curved his lips when she finally found the strength to open her eyes, take stock. He didn’t move, just rested on his elbows, looking at her as if she’d quiz him later. See if he’d memorized every line, every freckle.
A soft kiss, then he brushed back her wild hair. “Now, that’s a good morning.”
“Right up until you expect me to move because… damn…”
He nuzzled her nose. “I’ll carry you to the shower.”
“And aggravate your ribs more than that did?”
“What ribs?”
A sob caught in her throat, all that love pouring out. “God, I love you.”
Chase stilled, shaking his head as he eased free. “You’re going to make me earn that claim I made about loving you more, aren’t you?”
She shrugged. “As I see it, I’m ahead by at least three.”
“Not for long. But since we’re talking about how much I love you… Move in with me.”
Greer coughed, pushed onto her elbows as he rolled to the edge. “Move in?”
“It’s not like you haven’t been staying here full time since…” He let the words fade for a moment. “We both work insane hours. I just want to spend every free one with you. Which is difficult if we live in separate spaces.”
“Is that your way of saying my apartment’s too…”
“Far. It’s way too far.”
“It’s fifteen minutes away.”
Chase leaned over. “I think I just proved we can do a lot in that amount of time.”
“It was over thirty, but you’ve got a point. It’s not like my place ever really felt like home, it’s just…” She palmed his cheek. “Are you sure? It’s not too fast?”
“Fast? Since when is nearly a year of pining fast? Maybe this part of our relationship’s new, but I’ve been all-in since we met. And yeah, I’m sure. Nothing I want more than to hold you every night. Wake up with you every morning.”
She traced his lip with her thumb. “And just like that, you’re ahead.”
“Hell, yeah.” He scooped her into his arms. “We’ll grab your stuff after work. And we can change whatever you don’t like.”
She held him close after he placed her on her feet. “Just promise me the guys aren’t going to bust in every morning.”
“Not every morning.”
She shoved him toward the glass door, showering and dressing before heading into the main area. His phone buzzed, rattling across the counter before he snagged it.
Chase sighed. “Kash has coffee waiting at Foster’s if you’re interested.”
“Now that, I can get used to.”
Chase tugged her in for a soul-searing kiss, then ushered her out, holding the kitchen door at Foster’s before motioning her in. His teammates turned as they walked in, a round of smiles tilting their lips.
Greer took the coffee, savoring the rich smell as she leaned against the counter. “This really should be illegal, Kash.”
Kash shrugged. “Gotta give you both a reason to leave the house.”
Greer chuckled. “Trust me, the townspeople give me more than enough.”
Kash nodded, looking between them for a while. “So, when are you two gonna make this a permanent arrangement?” He coughed when Jordan swatted him.
She sighed. “Forgive him. He’s a rescue.”
Greer grinned. “Already have.”
“No thanks to you, brother.” Chase moved in beside her, looped one arm around her waist. “Which reminds me, we’re moving shit tonight, so… trucks. Her place. No excuses.”
Foster groaned. “Don’t you live on like, the fourth floor?”
Zain swatted Foster in the chest. “What’s wrong, tough guy, afraid of some stairs?”
“Hell, yeah. I’ve seen how you jackasses move couches, and we’re guaranteed to get at least one piece of furniture stuck.” He tapped his chin. “I don’t suppose there’s a way I can sling everything?”
Greer sighed. “Easy, boys. All I need are my clothes, a few photos and a trunk of my brother’s old stuff.”
Zain arched a brow, glanced at Chase, then nodded. “No problem.”
“Great. I’ll grab pizza and beer after. As a thanks.”
Chase nudged her. “No dessert?”
She smiled. “Don’t worry. There’ll be plenty of dessert.”
Zain groaned. “Annnnnd, they’ve moved into the PDA phase of their relationship.”
Chase flipped off his buddy, joking with his teammates before heading out — riding with Greer to the station as Kash pulled in behind them. “Everyone on shift today?”
“Yes, but even if they weren’t, I’ll be fine.” Greer tapped her service weapon. “Like you once told me, I’m familiar with both ends of a rifle.”
“Just be careful.”
“You’re the one going back early.”
She gave him a quick kiss, laughing when he pulled her in for a second. Longer. Deeper, waving at Kash when his buddy honked the horn. “I’ll drop by later if it’s quiet.”
“Looking forward to it.”
Greer watched them drive off, then spent the day running routine calls, constantly glancing over her shoulder. Scanning the shadows. While she couldn’t quite place it, something felt off.
The feeling had just started to ease when she stopped by the hangar, smiling at Chase and his buddies as they walked in off the tarmac, dirt smudged across their faces.
Chase grinned, dropped a kiss on her mouth. “Slow day?”
Greer groaned and punched him lightly in the arm. “It was, but now you’ve jinxed it, and all hell’s gonna break loose.”