“Our first time will not be on a fucking couch. Gonna need more room than that for what I want to do to you.”
The grin he gave sparked a fire of need between her thighs.
Oh, my.
Butterflies swirled deep inside her belly. It wasn’t as if she was a virgin, and she was certain he wasn’t one, either. Former Navy SEAL aside, a man like Chase Boyer would’ve had several lovers by this stage in his life.
How could he not?
Scottie didn’t fault him for having a past any more than she’d expect him to fault her. Like she’d told him, she refused to let the past dictate the future. Or in this case, the very exciting, very sensual present.
“Which one’s yours?” he asked as he began carrying her up the stairs.
“Left.” She pointed at her open bedroom door.
Chase remained focused on the steps he was taking, which only made her smile more. He’d always looked out for her when they were younger. Always. It seemed as if that admirable characteristic of his had withstood the test of time.
His actions tonight were all the proof she needed. His actions and his words…
You’re safe with me.
Scottie had never doubted that to be true. Even so, that knowledge still hadn’t kept her heart from swelling when he’d uttered those comforting words.
Chase would always do whatever he could to keep her safe. It was simply the way he was built. And now that they’d had time to reconnect on a deeper level, she finally understood.
Why he’d let her go so easily that night so long ago. Why he’d removed himself from her life so completely. And somewhere in the midst of her sudden epiphanic clarity, Scottie finally understood why she’d felt the need to do the same with him.
But that was over and done with. Buried in the past where it belonged. The only thing she planned to focus on now was living in the moment. It was, after all, the only time anyone was ever guaranteed.
Chase crossed the threshold and entered her bedroom, turning his body sideways to accommodate her dangling legs. Scottie had the fleeting thought that she was glad she’d shaved earlier while taking a shower.
Shaved. Cried. Rinse. Repeat.
Okay, somaybeshe’d let a few tears fall. But not many, and her pity party hadn’t lasted long. She was done with those. Done giving Dustin McVey—or any other asshole who liked hurting women—that kind of power over her life.
“You can give me the nickel tour later,” Chase rumbled as he carefully lowered her to her feet. “For now, all I need is right here, in this room.”
Scottie nearly lifted the back of her hand to her head and sighed like one of those overly dramatic female movie characters from back in the day. She didn’t, of course, but the temptation was real.
Everything about the sexy man was tempting, from his thick, luscious hair to his six-pack and beyond. And very soon, she’d be giving in to the temptation.
Finally, after all these years, Scottie was going to live out her greatest fantasy. So many nights, she’d dreamed of this very thing.
Reuniting with Chase. Falling right back into the way they had been before her life was so tragically turned upside down. Only this was so much better than every Chase-fueled fantasy all rolled into one.
And we’re just getting started.
Chase fisted a loose portion of her shirt, gently pulling her closer and taking her mouth in his. There was no sense of urgency in his kiss. He moved slowly, taking his time in a way that drove Scottie wild with need.
At the same time, she felt as if she could spend the entire night doing nothing more than this and still be perfectly content. It helped that Chase was an incredible kisser. He always had been. Only now…
Now, he’s even better.
His hands moved lower to the hem of her baggy shirt. She’d considered putting on something nicer. Prettier. But the shirt and shorts were too comfy to pass up.
Now that her wildest dream was about to come true, Scottie was glad she’d gone the simplistic route. Especially when she felt Chase begin lifting the bottom of her shirt higher and higher.
And higher.