Rapture (Renegades 7)

She drew back and found his gaze filled with sincere longing. “No one can know about this, Chase. You know how fast rumors fly.”

“Despina knows.”

“But that’s it. You, me, Despina. It has to stay that way. And you’ll have to wait to tell your family.”

She saw his mind turn that direction, and a flicker of a smile tilted his mouth. “My mom is going to be over the fucking moon.” He tilted his head and winced a little. “Not about the not-married part, but I think the whole baby thing will help her overlook that.”

The thought of becoming entangled in his family set off a whole new flurry of nerves. “After the movie’s over.”

“Yeah, yeah. As long as you’re both safe, I can wait.”

He kissed her one last time before starting the engine. Then held her hand during the drive home. The gesture took her back to their weekend together and how they’d held hands for hours while driving. Driving and talking and laughing.

She closed her eyes and let herself relive that weekend. Let herself remember who Chase was when the stress of Hollywood wasn’t beating down on them both. But they were currently living in that beat-down reality. And for the remainder of the drive, even with Chase’s hand curled around hers, she worried about the repercussions of bringing a baby into this crazy world.

Back at the hotel, Chase guided her to the elevator with a hand at the small of her back. While they waited, Zahara stepped out of reach. “Your concern is sweet, Chase, but you have to remember not to make any concessions for me. Not to show any interest. Definitely no physical contact.”

He heaved a sigh and shoved his hands into his pockets. “This sucks.”

In the elevator, they stood on opposite sides, facing each other, cognizant of the camera in the upper corner. A slow smile turned his mouth and danced in his eyes.

“What?” she asked.

“A baby.” He laughed and shook his head. “How fuckin’ awesome is that?”

She was sure as some point she’d think it was awesome too, but right now, too many worries kept her excitement from floating to the top.

His cell rang. He looked at the face, then returned it to his pocket.

“Not going to answer?” she asked.

“Nah, it’s my mom. She’s got a crazy sixth sense when it comes to her kids. She’ll hear the excitement in my voice and won’t let up until I crack.”

That made Zahara laugh. It also gave her a strange kind of hope. Maybe she could learn how to be a great mom from Chase’s relationship with his mom. Or maybe from Chase’s mom herself. God, she hoped they got along. Hoped the woman didn’t hate her for what she did for a living while she was pregnant with the woman’s grandchild. Hoped she didn’t think Zahara wasn’t good enough for Chase.

“Hey,” he said as the elevator came to a stop. “Please, Z, stop worrying so much. We’ve got this.”

“You seem to have this. Me, on the other hand, not so much.”

The doors opened, and Chase checked the hall. “Empty,” he told her, taking her hand to pull her from the elevator. “You settle in,” he said as he pulled her past her own room. “I’ll get whatever you need from your room and order room service.”

He opened the door to his room and followed Zahara inside. Housekeeping had been there, and the space was clean and organized. Chase moved into the bathroom and turned on the shower, then adjusted the water.

The bathroom was twice the size of hers. She rested her good shoulder against the wall, arms crossed. This was the Chase she’d gotten to know during their weekend—considerate, sweet, warm, passionate. She’d never been treated as well as when she’d been with Chase. Which made the wall between them hurt that much more.

“Okay,” he said, coming toward her. “Let’s get your arm out of this shirt, and I’ll let you do the rest.” He grinned and lifted his brows. “Unless, you know, you want company—”

“I can get undressed on my own, thanks.”

“I’m sure you can, but a little help never hurt, right?”

“You’re adorable,” she said, smiling against her will. “Now get out.”

He let out an exaggerated sigh, slumped his shoulders, and offered his hand. “Room key?”

She pulled it from her back pocket and laid it in his hand. “If there’s chocolate on the menu, that’s all I need.”

He gave her a funny look. “You don’t like chocolate. You wouldn’t even eat the chocolate-covered strawberries at that bed-and-breakfast where we stayed. And, I mean, who doesn’t like chocolate-covered strawberries?”