Just Getting Started (Fair Lakes 2)

She stirs a little when I pull her into my arms. “Shh, I’ve got you,” I whisper soothingly. I can’t help but wonder how she’s going to react when she wakes up in my bed, wrapped in my arms. She’s more than likely going to be pissed, but it’s a risk I’m willing to take. I’ve slept like shit since she moved in, knowing she was just down the hall. I need a good night’s rest, and this is how I can guarantee I’ll get it. Closing my eyes, I drift off to sleep with her snuggled close. Everything is right in my world.I can feel her stare. Part of me wants to remain oblivious and pretend to be sleeping so I can keep her close just a little longer. The other part knows I need to man up and take what’s sure to be an angry stare for bringing her to my bed last night.

Peeling my eyes open, I find her lying on her side, hands tucked under her head, and those green eyes of hers watching me intently. “Morning, beautiful,” I say, giving her hip, where my hand is currently resting, a gentle squeeze.

“Morning,” she replies softly. “Why am I here?”

“You live here.” I can’t tell you the satisfaction I get from that statement alone.

“You know what I mean, Chase. Why am I in your bed?”

Because this is where you belong. “I wasn’t done holding you.” It’s my truth.

“So you brought me here.”

“Yes.” I shuffle a little closer to her, aligning my body with hers. “I liked falling asleep with you in my arms,” I say, tucking a wayward strand of hair behind her ear.

“We agreed to be friends.” This time her words have very little heat behind them. I’m wearing her down.

“We are.”

“Friends don’t do… this.” She motions with her finger between the two of us.

“We’re more than friends.”

“Chase,” she says with a sigh.

“Gabrielle.” I mock her tone. “Tell me something,” I say, finding her eyes. “Do you feel this?”

“Feel what?” she asks, glancing away before locking her eyes on mine once again.

“Gabby,” I warn. “This.” My hand slides around her and I pull her even closer. “The way my body craves yours. The way my heart races when I hear your voice. You feel that?”

“It’s complicated. We’re too complicated.”

“We’re only complicated if you make it that way.”

“There’s so much at stake.”

“Like what?”

“Like my job and yours. The fact that my sister is married to your best friend. The fact that if we do this, whatever it is that you’re proposing, and it doesn’t work out, my heart will shatter,” she confesses softly.

“I hear you. Let me ask you this. What if it does work out? What if we ride off into the sunset like Harrison and Gwen? What if you’re my forever?”

“Relationships are hard, Chase.”

“I know that.”

“They take work. Harrison and Gwen have not had it easy.”

“I’m all in, Gabby. I want to give this, us, everything I have.” I can see in her eyes she’s starting to waver. I run every conversation we’ve ever had in my mind trying to find the words to tell her what she needs to hear to give me a chance. I think about yesterday at the gym, and the kiss, our first, and it hits me. “We go slow,” I tell her. “No sex.”

“Right.” She laughs. “I won’t be made a fool while you’re getting your rocks off with someone else.”

“Damn it, Gabby,” I say, frustrated. “It’s only you, woman. Can’t you see that? I changed my schedule to spend more time with you. I want you here in my home, in my bed. I want you. Only you. What’s it going to take for you to believe me?” I’m mad, not at her necessarily, but she’s the most frustrating woman I’ve ever met. How can she not see that I’m sincere? Hell, it’s been too damn long since I’ve even attempted to spend time with another woman. I’m at a loss for what to do to prove to her she’s all I see. Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath. When I open them, she’s watching me. I cradle her cheek in the palm of my hand. “Try,” I whisper the plea. “Just give us a shot, baby.”

“I need some time to think.”

Leaning in close, I press my lips to hers. “Okay,” I murmur against her lips before going back for more. Lazily, my tongue caresses hers, my hand roaming over her body. “You think. I’ll kiss,” I say, trailing my lips down her neck.

She doesn’t try to stop me.

“Chase,” she says breathily.

“Hmmm?”

“I can’t think with your lips on me.”

“Good. Don’t think. Just feel.” I suck on her neck just above her collarbone. Her hands grip my biceps, but she doesn’t try to stop me. I lick and suck and nip, working my way back up to her ear, pulling the lobe gently with my teeth.