Chapter 32
Chase
Three weeks later…
I look around my place, mentally checking off everything on my list. As I’m staring at the coffee table, pleased with my work, I hear the jiggling of the door. Fuck, play it cool. You still have your stamina. You’re a man. You have skill…
The lock turns, and the door opens. Bridget walks in, her hair in a sexy little bun, wearing a long trench coat and carrying a bag of groceries. I hate that she went back to work at the library, but she says it helps keep her mind busy until she finds something else. When her head lifts and she takes in the apartment, I begin to sweat.
“What… What is this?”
“I just did some redecorating.”
I love her suspicious eyes. I’ve been getting them a lot this past week. And they’re warranted. I’ve tried to get her in bed in the cleverest ways. Damn shame she never gives in.
“I see that.” She walks closer, putting the paper bag on the end table by the door. “Chase, we talked about—”
“I had my doctor’s appointment today. I got clearance.”
Her eyes pop. “You went without me?”
“I had to! You have a way of convincing the doctor I’m not healed enough. And he gives in because you have that look. I wanted to go, have him look at me, and tell me, man to man, without you giving him the don’t clear him eyes.”
“Chase—”
“He cleared me. He said you have to take it easy. No biting or whipping—”
“Chase!”
I step toward her. “Angel, I was shot—not neutered. Fuck. You know what hurts more than these bullet wounds? Feeling like you don’t want me.” That is not what I planned on admitting in my fill the apartment with roses and candles because it’s finally time for me to ravish my girl mission.
She drops her purse on the couch and walks up to me. “Is that what you think? That I don’t want you?”
“Fuck, I don’t know. I’m not broken. But I can’t go a second longer without being inside you. Marking every single part of your body. I’m starting to feel like you’re friend-zoning me and this is just a sympathy arrangement.”
Her hand lifts to my cheek, and she gently caresses it. I lean into her touch, groaning when she slaps me.
“Jesus. What was that for?”
“For being an idiot! You think I’m here because I feel bad I got you shot?”
I shrug. “I don’t know? Maybe? Why won’t you have sex with me?”
She rolls her eyes. Dammit, even in a serious moment, I love it. “Because I can’t risk hurting you any more than I already have. I need to make sure you’re okay. Do you know how bad it hurts me to see those scars? Every time I look at them, I’m reminded of that night. How I almost lost you.” She lifts her hands and presses her palms against my pecs, slowly working them down my chest. “What happens if we have sex? It could be so explosive, you pop a stitch.”
My cock jolts in my jeans. “You know damn well my stitches have dissolved.”
“What happens if I ride you too hard? You know I get rough sometimes. I can easily ruin all the progress you’ve made.”
A layer of sweat builds across my forehead. Maybe I’m not ready. Maybe I should have jerked off a few times so I don’t perform like an inexperienced kid.
“I let you lick the icing off me, and because I love you, I allowed you to use the sprinkles, which you were too exhausted to finish—”
“That’s not fair. I accidentally dumped waaay too many, and you were wearing the matching cherry bra and panties. I didn’t stand a chance.”
The little minx just rolls her shoulders. “Just saying. I don’t think you’re ready.”
“I’m ready. I’m fucking ready. I even had the doc write me up a note in case you didn’t believe me.”
She steps back and examines the apartment, showing no emotion at the roses placed throughout the apartment. The candles that have about five more minutes until something catches on fire or my smoke alarm goes off. The television is playing Twilight—because I know that shit always gets her in the mood. But most importantly—
“Are…?” She bites her bottom lip, hiding her smirk. “Are you wearing a shirt with my face on it?”
I nod. Have confidence. “Ben’s idea. Said it would seal the deal.”
She shakes her head, offering me the tiniest grin. “And all this is for me? To get me to sleep with you?”
“Well, the Twilight is more for me.”
“Hmmm….” Not sure if that is a good or bad hmmm. Maybe I should have bought her a purse. The candles are a bit overkill and—shit, I think I see a rose petal catching fire. “So then, I guess it’s a good thing I dressed for the occasion.”