“You know, I’m sitting here realizing I don’t know much about you. Aside from your vampire fetish.”
“You love my fetish. And ask away, I’m an open book.”
I snuggle up on my side to face him. “Yeah? Nothing’s off limits?”
He shrugs and leans against the couch, throwing his arms along the back. “Have at it, Angel.”
“Fine. I’ll start easy. How old are you?”
His shoulders lift in a carefree shrug. “A man never reveals his true age.”
I slap him against the chest. “That’s a line a woman would say.”
“Well, men and women should be equals. We are in the twenty-first century. Next question.”
I roll my eyes. “Favorite color?”
“Don’t have one. Oh, wait!” He looks at me. “The color of your eyes. That’s my favorite color.”
I scoff and roll my eyes again. “That was super corny.”
“But did you like it?”
I nudge him in the shoulder. “Not a single bit.”
I don’t admit a swarm of butterflies just ignited inside my belly. “Okay, next question. What were you going to school for?” This time, he takes a bit to think about the question.
“Don’t laugh. I only made it two years, but I was studying to be a doctor.”
My eyes go wide. “A doctor?” I reply, sounding a bit too surprised. “I mean, not that you couldn’t—”
“I know. I get it. No one would look at me now and think I had it in me to do something like that. I’ve always been intrigued with biology and I’m really good at calculus. Ben and I went to college together, both with the same intentions. We wanted to help people. The short version is—shit got bad for me and I ended up dropping out and coming home. Benny stuck it out longer. He had a partial ride ‘cause of football, so he had to, but there was an accident with his dad that had him leaving not too long after me. He ended up taking some local courses and landed a solid job as a firefighter. Sounds super lame, right? Who wants to jump into burning buildings and save cats stuck in trees all day?” He’s trying to poke fun, but there’s envy in his tone. Ben went on and made something of himself.
“Do you like construction at least?”
Another shrug. “The part where it reminds me of how I ruined my future over something so petty? No. But as we know, I can’t take it back. I’m good at it. It’s mindless and pays well. Not my dream job, but…”
“Why don’t you go back to school then?”
Chase laughs, giving me a side glance. “Angel, I think I’m a little past that opportunity.”
“No, you’re not. People in their fifties go back to school and get degrees.”
He rolls his shoulders back. “I’m not sure it’s for me anymore. I feel like that ship has sailed.”
I sit up straighter. “Well, tell that ship to come back. Who’s out there saying you can’t? Oh wait, let me answer that—no one but yourself. Not sure I would let you operate on me—ouch! I’m kidding. Just don’t sell yourself short. I think you’d make a mighty fine doctor.”
He sits up, pulling me onto his lap. “And I think you’d make a very, very bad patient.” He squeezes my butt. “I bet I’d have to restrain you.” One slow thrust, and I already feel the hardness brush against my belly. “I’d probably have to put things in your mouth to keep you quiet.” My stomach clenches as he presses his thumb along my bottom lip until my lips part. “But I bet I can reform you into a good little girl.” Leaning forward, he captures my lips in a slow, sensual manner that sets my core on fire. Then he stands, lifting me with ease, and walks us down the hall to his bedroom. “All this doctor/patient talk has me eager to practice.”
I wet my lips, a slow tingle spreading along my flesh. My sex pulsates at what’s to come. “Practice is good. But I’m gonna warn you, I’m a flight risk. Going to have to tie me up so I don’t run away.”
A low growl vibrates up his throat. He squeezes my butt cheeks, and I fight off a moan at the way his nails dig into my flesh. “Oh, don’t you worry, Angel. I plan on doing more than restraining you.” He kicks his door open, and before I have a chance to prepare, he tosses me onto his bed. “Jesus, we may have a problem,” he says, staring down at me.
“What’s that?”
“The way you look right now, so goddamn angelic, I may never let you go.”
He doesn’t need to tie me up to keep me. His words touch my soul, anchoring me to him. The way he looks at me, I feel cherished. Safe. My protector vowing to guard my heart. The damage left by an old love heals as Chase plants new roots of promise and meaning. The way he shines light into my life, touching my soul…time collapses, and I can’t hold in the bursting of my emotions. “I love you.”