"All of this...It's pointless. I mean, we can’t even share a simple kiss. How are we supposed to sleep together?"
Chase stood there staring at me. I could tell he didn't know what to say, and I didn't blame him. Finally, completely frustrated, I stepped away from Chase and walked over to the window. I looked out over the city and did my best to concentrate on anything else than the problem at hand. I heard Chase clear his throat, and I turned around in time to see Chase pull his phone from his pocket and begin dialing.
"What are you doing?"
"We, Sophie Lancaster, have a date. We are going out. Chase Malone doesn't give up this easily. You of all people should know that," he said as he typed something into his phone.
I looked at him wide-eyed. "Going out? Where are we going?"
"You'll see. Grab your jacket. Let's go," he said, making his way to the door, slipping on his coat and shoes.
We had walked over to Kings Cove Park as the sun began to set. "Where are we going? Are you going to tell me?" I asked again, running to catch up to him for the third time.
"We are going on a horse-drawn carriage ride through the park. I want to just chill a little. I know the guy who runs the carriages, so I messaged him and he said the guy would be waiting for us at the east entrance."
I slowed down and was just about to protest when the east gate came into view, and just as Chase had said, a horse-drawn carriage was already sitting there waiting for us.
"Come on, Soph, pick it up a little," Chase called and approached the driver, introduced himself, and slipped the man some money.
"Where to, sir?"
Chase looked in both directions before answering. "Through the park down to the water?"
"Sounds good, sir."
Before Chase returned to my side, he leaned in and whispered something into the man’s ear. He nodded and turned to smile at me. "Climb in, miss."
Chase stepped up beside me and placed his arm around me, his cologne invading my senses. "Climb in," he whispered, staring into my eyes, taking hold of my hand and helping me up into the carriage.
I had just sat down when he climbed in beside me and reached for one of the blankets that was folded neatly beside me and threw it over our legs just as the carriage pulled away from the sidewalk.
I sat back and breathed deeply, trying to relax as I listened to horses’ hooves clapping along the pavement. I watched the birds flit through the trees. As the gentle breeze blew, I closed my eyes and just sat listening to the sounds around me.
"How did you know I've always wanted to do this?" I whispered more to myself than Chase, even though it was directed at him.
"You've never done this before?"
I shook my head. "Never." I looked over to him, and a soft smile sat on his lips.
"I guess you could say it was a lucky guess then." Chase placed his arm behind me and sat back, encouraging me to do the same, finally pulling me against his body.
I finally felt myself starting to relax as I listened once again to the sounds around me. It was almost therapeutic, and once we turned into the tree-lined lane heading towards the water, the thousands of tiny lights the city always put up at this time of year had come on, lighting our way.
I felt Chase kiss the top of my head. "Are you enjoying this?" he whispered.
I nodded and smiled to myself. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the breeze across my face when I felt the carriage finally came to a halt.
"Sir, I believe this is the stop you requested."
I opened my eyes in time to see the driver turn and nod to Chase.
"Thank you. Oh, and there is no need to wait. We can walk back," Chase said, throwing the blanket off us and climbing out of the carriage. He held his hand out for me to take. I let out a little squeal of surprise when he grabbed me around the waist instead and lifted me down.
Once I was on the ground, he grabbed my hand, and together we walked for a bit, coming to a clearing at the edge of the lake. Chase stopped at the first bench we came to and looked around but then shook his head. "Nope, not this one," he mumbled under his breath as he looked out over the water.
I frowned. "What is it? What are you looking for?" I questioned, but he held his hand up, ignoring me and walking ahead to the next bench, then to the next bench, until finally he stopped and sat down.
"Have a seat," he said, patting the bench beside him and smiling up at me.