Chapter 40
Watching Chase and Miller in the middle of a bench-clearing brawl has me on the edge of my seat.
For the first time, I don’t know who I’m more concerned about—Chase or Miller.
Miller for obvious reasons, and Chase because we’re together, but also because he’s still working through the requirements of his plea deal.
He cannot get into trouble. He certainly can’t survive another league suspension.
More than anything, I wish I could run to him and make sure he’s okay.
Instead, I settle for sending him a text when he’s ejected from the game.
ME
Are you okay?
Chase doesn’t answer immediately, so I text Miller instead. They walked into the clubhouse together a few minutes ago. The game resumed and I can tell tensions are at an all-time high after Chase, Miller, and the pitcher and catcher for Arizona were all ejected.
ME
Are you okay? What were you thinking?!
It’s so unlike Miller to get mad. For him to be furious enough to start a fight in the middle of a game is unconscionable.
MILLER
We’re fine Gabrielle.
ME
What the hell happened?
MILLER
Catcher was talking shit all game.
ME
And? That’s never gotten to you before.
MILLER
He was talking shit about you, Gabby.
“What?” I gasp to myself. What could he be saying about me that would rile Chase and Miller up? He doesn’t even know me, and Chase and I haven’t gone public with our relationship.
ME
What? Me?
MILLER
Yes. I didn’t hear everything but I heard enough.
ME
You didn’t have to punch him.
MILLER
It was me or Chase. What he said couldn’t go unpunished and your guy can’t handle another incident.
ME
What? Do you want a cookie?
MILLER
It wouldn’t hurt. I did get punched in the chin for you.
ME
Poor baby. Does it hurt?
MILLER
Only a little.
Do you think Taylor will come kiss it and make it better?
ME
She’d probably give you a black eye to match instead.
MILLER
Yeah, probs. Your guy is out of the showers now.
ME
Are you sure you’re okay?
MILLER
I’ll be fine. Breakfast tomorrow?
ME
We’ll meet at our spot.
MILLER
So your couch?
ME
Exactly.
I switch to my text thread with Chase.
CHASE
I’m okay, Princess.
ME
Miller told me what happened.
CHASE
I’ll defend you forever Bree.
ME
What did he say?
CHASE
Nothing I’m going to repeat.
ME
But why would he say anything about me?
CHASE
Can we talk about it when I get home?
ME
I’ll come to your place.
CHASE
See you soon.
ME
See you soon
He’s barely inside the front door of his condo when I rush over and jump into his arms. The more I think about what could have led to the fight on the field, the more concerned I get. With his strong arms wrapped around my back and the warmth of him pressed into my chest, I finally relax.
“Oh my god, look at your lip.” I thumb the rip at the corner of his mouth
“I’m okay. I know how to take a punch.” He holds me against him
“I can’t believe the pitcher ran up on you like that.”
“Dodged most of them and didn’t throw any punches myself.”
“Good boy.”
“Mmm.” He rubs his nose across my jaw. “What are you wearing?” He pulls back and looks down my body. “Are you wearing my hoodie?”
“Yes.” The look in his eyes has my thighs clenching together. Pure possession marks his face.
I screech as Chase scoops me over his shoulder into a fireman’s carry. “Ah! Put me down!”
“No can do, Princess.” He slaps my ass.
“Chase.” I laugh.
“I can’t help it. I come home to you looking like a snack in these booty shorts and my hoodie.”
He throws me onto the couch, quickly following and framing my head with his elbows.
“Hi,” I breathe.
“Hi, baby.” He swipes my hair out of my face to see my eyes.
“Is it okay to kiss you with this?” I touch his lip again
“It’d hurt more to not kiss you right now,” he says before slamming his lips onto mine in a bruising kiss. His hands worm their way under the hem of his hoodie, tracing up my thigh to my hip where he ghosts his fingertips along the edge of my biker shorts.
“Chase,” I moan at his teasing.
“What is it, Princess?”
“Touch me.” He ignores me, instead continuing his exploration of my body with his hands. My skin prickles everywhere he touches me. Across my lower abdomen. Up my side to my ribcage. Tracing the underside of my boob.
“No bra?” He tsks.
“I was home alone.”
“I like the way that sounds. Home.”
Words escape me. I like it too. We haven’t talked about moving in together. Hell, he still doesn’t have a key to my house despite us spending more time there than here at his condo when he’s in town. Still, I’ve started to think of wherever we are as home.
“Kiss me,” I breathe, not wanting to let my runaway thoughts on whether we’re ready for the next step to ruin what he’s doing right now.
“With pleasure.” His lips softly press into mine, much slower than before.
This kiss is full of promise and intimacy.
Emotions I can barely contain war inside me.
As his tongue sweeps against mine and his hands massage my breasts, I feel a tear slide down the side of my face. My heart beats wildly in my chest.
Reaching for the hem of his shirt, I tug it up, urging him to take it off. He breaks our kiss to pull the shirt off and I take the opportunity to rid myself of his hoodie and hide my tears.
Returning his lips to mine, he slides my shorts off when I lift my hips and swipes a finger over my slit.
“Always wet and ready for me.”
“Do you have a condom?” We’ve only not used protection the one time when he pulled out and came all over my face. I don’t want to make it a habit. We can never be too careful, especially right now. Neither one of us needs an accidental pregnancy complication.
“In the bedroom. Come on.” He picks me up and carries me into the other room, dropping us on the bed. Fishing one out of the drawer, he rips open the foil and rolls it on.
“I’m going to take my time with you tonight.” He nuzzles into my neck and takes his time kissing and teasing his way down my body.
All I want is for him to hurry up—to fuck me hard and fast so my mind stops telling me all the ways we’re a bad idea—but he doesn’t, he takes his time like he promised.
Slowly, torturously worshiping my body in ways that crack my heart wide open.
Because this isn’t fucking.
This is making love.