Jax still hasn’t talked to me, but I know he’s been around town. Becca’s been keeping tabs on him. I call and text every day, but the only response is him saying he needs some space. It sucks, and I hate that I’ve hurt him.
I’m scared of what he’ll do when he finds out about Chase and me. I don’t want to lose him, but I’m no longer willing to give up my chance at happiness to appease somebody else. Not even Jax. That being said, I don’t want him to think I’ll let him disappear from my life like he hasn’t been the best thing in it. I grab my phone to send him a text. Again.
Me: You don’t have to respond. I know you probably won’t anyway. That’s okay. I just wanted to tell you again that I’m sorry for hurting you. And I hope you’ll be at brunch on Saturday. I miss you, Teeth.
Sadness bubbles in my chest, breaking through my haze of happiness. I tap the phone against my mouth, praying for a response. But I don’t really expect one, so when it vibrates against my lips, I startle. My phone drops onto the ground and I lean down quickly to grab it.
Chase: Made it home safe.
I smile.
Me: Good. Is it weird that I already miss you?
Chase: No. Is it weird that I’ve spent the last eight years missing you?
My heart skips. I wish he had stayed at my place.
Me: Are you free tomorrow night? My place is small, but it’s all mine. And it’s… cozy.
Chase: Damn, I wish I fucking could. I promised Anna I’d help her out tomorrow night with some planning for Sam’s retirement party.
I try to tamp down the disappointment. I’m happy he’s so close to his parents. I used to be pretty close to them, too. Anna was like a second mother to me, but after Lily ran away, things changed. When Mama died and Chase was gone for good, our families stopped talking altogether. Not that I noticed at the time. Or would have cared either way. Still, there’s been a few times where I’ve seen Anna in passing, and the coldness in her eyes stings. There used to be only warmth there.
My phone vibrates again, bringing me out of my thoughts.
Chase: How about Friday evening, you come over to my place and I’ll cook you dinner? Work on that whole “wooing” thing.
Me: Yeah, that’s a good idea. You really need the practice. Will I see you tomorrow?
Chase: You couldn’t keep me away if you tried.
I bite my lip, grinning. This feels good.
My eyes are burning from staring at the office computer, and a headache is on the verge of turning into a migraine. I am beyond ready for this day to be over. I’ve been doing menial tasks, like usual, but for some reason, it’s harder than normal to be content with my job today. I’m stuck back here pushing papers when all I really want to do is dance. I heave a sigh and rub the palm of my hands into my eye sockets, trying to alleviate the pressure. My phone is on the desk next to me. I keep it handy because for some reason Regina likes to call my cell instead of the work number.
It vibrates. I don’t answer it, just watch as it dances across the desk. I snap out of my daze long enough to realize it may have been my boss calling, so I grab it and light up the screen.
Jax.
It’s three in the afternoon. Hardly a time where I’d be able to answer, which is probably why he called right now. An alert pops up letting me know he left a voicemail. My lips purse, my insides twisting, and my heart racing at the thought of what it will say. I think I’ll wait until I’m home to listen. Just in case it’s something awful like him saying he never wants to see me again, or that I’m the biggest mistake he’s ever made in his life. I don’t know if my heart can handle that kind of pain. Not when I’ve been so happy for the past twenty-four hours.
I think of Chase and the anxiety in my stomach unravels, the threads floating around until they twist up my insides for an entirely different reason.
I stand up, groaning as my knees crack, my muscles burning with the stretch. I’ve been sitting in the office for hours and I would kill for some caffeine. I make my way to the break room off the hallway and almost cry at the sight of freshly brewed coffee. I’ve just finished pouring myself a cup when hands touch my waist, making me jump. Hot liquid sloshes over the edge of my mug, spilling onto the Formica countertop. My stomach jolts before settling with a simmer I feel deep in my belly. I lean against the hard body that’s pressed against me.
“Do you have any idea how fucking sexy you look right now?” Chase’s voice rumbles in my ear, his nose trailing the length of my neck. Goose bumps blossom down my arms.
I close my eyes at the sensation and smile.
His fingers tighten and he pushes his hips into me. I can feel every single hard inch of him pressed against the back of my pencil skirt. How have I gone without him for so long? The simmer in my belly starts to boil.
Chase groans. “You like teasing me, don’t you? Prancing around in that tight little skirt, knowing that every man here is wishing they could touch what’s mine.” He traces the curve of my hips, moving up
