CHAPTER EIGHT

Chase

THEIR SCHEDULES HAD BEEN ASS BACKWARDS, and he was getting antsy to see her.

Spending the night with her had been the best and worst thing he could have done. Since he had slipped out of her bed and back to his place a couple of miles away, he hadn’t been able to sleep. How could he miss something he had only experienced once?

She had been offered overtime and had taken the extra shifts at work, so he hadn’t been able to see her. They texted and talked, sometimes late into the night, more than once falling asleep as they spoke, but it didn’t stop him from missing her. He felt like a junkie looking for his next hit and she was his drug of choice. What is it about her? he often wondered and would come to the same conclusion.

She was the one.

It was a crazy conclusion. Anyone in their right mind would think so. But being forty-one, he knew himself well enough. He wasn’t the kind of man who fell hard and fast, but there was no denying he had. He believed what he felt for her was the real deal.

When you know, you know.

He had heard the phrase be uttered by friends countless of times, and each time, he had internally rolled his eyes. But damn it if the joke wasn’t on him and they had been right all along. There he was, only three nights after having had her in his arms. He hadn’t had her yet, but he knew.

She was the reason he had stayed single.

She was the reason love songs and sonnets were written.

She was the reason men went to war.

She was going to think he’d lost his mind when she found out.

She was his.

_________________________

“Yeah!!!!” she cheered, and he took in the sight of her from afar.

He had made it to his nephew’s game and had decided to stick around after. It looked like his decision had paid off. The sight of her affected him more than he could have expected. She was a sight to behold. From where he stood, he knew she was oblivious to anyone around her; the only thing in her sights was her son as he was up to plate. He loved that about her. The fierce love she had for her sons and those around her was evident and obvious. There was no second-guessing where you stood with Kenzie Mason.

She chose that moment to look around, and when their eyes met, he saw hers brighten as she gave him a shy little wave. He nodded at her. Silently, she tilted her head to invite him to sit next to her. He didn’t think. He didn’t think what sitting next to her at her son’s game would mean to the people around them. He didn’t think about how big it was or what it could mean. He didn’t think about it because he knew. He knew it was a big step to be seen out in public. And he was ready for it no matter how crazy it was.

As he walked over to her, her eyes didn’t leave his. They only widened when he leaned in and kissed the softness of the apple of her cheek.

“Hey,” he rasped against her skin and felt her gasp.

“Hi.” She smiled shyly, and damn if that timid little smile of hers didn’t do something to him. It was as if he had surprised her in a really great way. He wanted to kiss it away. But he couldn’t. Not when her kids had no idea about them. “How are you?” she asked before sitting down, and he followed suit.

“Good. Hector just finished a game.”

“You stuck around?” she asked softly before looking to the game in front of them.

“You know I did,” he whispered so only she could hear him. Her cheeks brightened.

“That’s good.”

“Where’s Jack?”

“Lena took him to get all of us some lunch. He has a double header today,” she shared, and he grunted his acknowledgment before turning his attention to the game.

She cheered and clapped throughout the game, and even if they only shared small talk, both obviously aware of the onlookers around them, he enjoyed himself. He liked the small touches they sneaked in here and there. The way her thigh brushed up against his. His body was fully awake to the feeling and smell of her. Like apples and sunshine.

“So, the boys are going to their dad’s tonight,” she said as she looked out toward the baseball diamond.

“Are they?” he asked, his lips twitching slightly as he glanced out at the field.

“Yeah.” She gnawed at her lower lip. “Chase, are you, umm—”

“No. I’m not busy,” he helped her out and watched her head turn. Their eyes met, and he could see hers smiling. “Pick you up around seven?”

“I’d like that.”

“Good. I better get going. It was great to see you, Miss Mason.” He stood and winked at her before walking away.

Soon, there would come a time when he wouldn’t have to walk away. There would come a time when he would stay the complete game, with his arm around her shoulder, her head on his, and they would get to go home together as they walked toward the parking lot with the boys laughing in front of them.

Too bad that day wasn’t today.

Kenzie

“Why am I doing this?” I asked the reflection in the mirror.

“Because you’re a grown woman who deserves a good time.” I jumped at my sister’s voice.

“Damn it, Lee! Announce yourself.” I shook my head as I walked away from the full-length mirror in my bedroom.

“Sorry!” she said, raising both her hands up in defeat. “I like that pant suit. But you should really wear”—Lee searched through my closet and pulled out a skirt and matching top—“this.”

“What’s wrong with this?” I knew exactly what was wrong with it. It was practical and boring.

“It’s a date, Kens, not an interview.” She was right. I sighed.

“Fine.” I took the outfit from her hands without argument, wondering again why I was doing this. Because I like him. I did. I liked so much about him, and because I did, I started to change into the sexy skirt that ended slightly above the knee.

“He sat with you during Jim’s game, huh?”

“It wasn’t a big deal.” I was totally lying. It had been a big deal. I had known exactly how big when I invited him over, but I couldn’t help myself. I didn’t care what anyone would whisper about after they saw us together. I had been too busy craving to spend time around him.

“Mhhmm…”

“Lee—”

“Babe. I just gotta say, you have been out of the game for a while.”

“Game?”

“Dating.” She shook her head and continued her spiel, “Now, I can see you being at fault for inviting him, but I don’t think you get what it means that he sat next to you.”

“Oh, my god, Lena! We sat and watched two innings of a baseball game. We hardly put on a triple-X show.”

“No, but him taking that seat and watching those innings with you means good things.” This stopped me in my tracks from slipping on my shoes to look at my younger sister.

“What do you mean?” I found myself inquiring even though I had an idea what she was going to say; or at least I had tried not to let myself hope what it meant.

“He likes you.”

“I’m a likeable person,” I argued for the sake of arguing.

“He more than likes you, and he’s interested in more than smashing.”

“Smashing?”

“Hooking up. A fling. Fuck buddies,” Lena happily clarified. “Look, I just want you to know this is good… if that’s where you want it to go.”

“I…” Did I? Yes, a soft voice in the back of my head answered.

I wanted more than sneaky late-night dinners and make-out sessions and phone calls. In the long run, as unmodern as it made me, I wanted a partner. Someone to laugh and talk and cook with. Someone to enjoy life with. Someone along for the ride and every damn bump it might bring.

The question was, could Sister Dearest be right about Mr. Tucker? Would he want to sign up to be a permanent part of the mess that was my life?

Wasn’t it too soon to think about this?

_________________________

“You sure you’re okay?” he asked as he walked me to my door. I nodded even though okay was the farthest thing I was. Our date was done and over probably a lot quicker than either of us had expected, and I was the only one to blame.

“Sure,” I muttered.

“Kenzie?”

“Yeah?” I turned to look at him, and before I knew what was happening, he lifted me up and sat us down on one of the Adirondack chairs on my front patio. “What are you doing?”

“What’s going on?”

“I just…”

“You’ve been quiet all night,” he pointed out. He wasn’t wrong. I’d tried to get the thoughts Lena had cultivated out of my head, but I couldn’t. What was I doing with him? What was he doing with me? “Talk to me,” he quietly pushed. I licked my lips.

“I just… I’m not sure what’s going on here.”

“We are getting to know one another.”

“Is that it?”

“Baby.”

“I know, you don’t have a crystal ball.” I shook my head before attempting to get off his lap, but he simply held on to me.

“Talk to me.”

“Am I one of many?” I blurted out, and as soon as the words slipped through my lips, I pressed them together.

“Not even close, Kens.”

“So—” I couldn’t say anything else because he placed a finger over my lips and spoke in the sexiest tone known to women.

“You could never be one of many when you were made to be the one in a million.” I softened at his words. It was gambling time. It was either believe in his beautiful words and hope they were more than a line or walk away from him and never take a chance.

I stood up, and this time, he didn’t try to keep me with him. He simply looked at me. The emotions reflecting back at me told me exactly what I had to do, and I didn’t think twice. Extending my hand toward him, I looked at him and smiled.

“Let’s get to bed.”

His moss-green eyes met mine, and he stood, taking me in his arms, carrying me in through the house and straight to my bed. But instead of taking things where I thought he was, it was a repeat of the last time he had been there.

We kissed.

We touched.

And somehow, tucked into his side, cuddled close, we slept.

When I woke up the next day, I reached for him and found the bed empty. Sitting up in bed, I looked toward the door, and my heart stuttered at the sight of him.

“Good morning, Miss Mason.”

“Good morning, Mr. Tucker.”

“I don’t know why it is so fucking hot when you call me that, but it is.” He winked before swaggering into my bedroom, obviously hiding something behind him.

“Do you have something for me, Mr. Tucker?”

“A very nice pink package,” he taunted. I bit down on my lip hoping his package was going to be hard and ready. The night before had been great, but I wanted more. I wanted him. “You sure you can handle this package, Kenzie?”

“I’ll be a very good girl and take my prize.”

“Mmm… So, how do you like it, pretty girl?” He sat next to me. “Sugar coated or cream filled?”

He smiled with his eyes as I raised an eyebrow.

“Cream filled?” Shit. Was I going to need to ask Lena what the hell that meant?

His deep chuckles filled my space, and I watched as he brought out a pink donut box from behind him. “Donuts,” I mumbled, embarrassed at where my train of thought had traveled.

“I love that sexy blush of yours, baby. Makes me want to know what you were thinking. Dirty girl,” he whispered before giving me a small kiss.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Mr. Tucker. I just like your pink package.”

“Do you now?”

“Hmm…” I shrugged and took out a chocolate bar, enjoying the carb-filled piece of heaven in my mouth.

“You have a sexy mouth, Kens,” he shared as he took his own donut from the box.

“You have a sexy everything,” I mumbled, and he shook his head, an evil grin on his lips.

“Tilt,” he ordered, but I didn’t understand. “Your head. Tilt. Be my good girl,” he demanded quietly, and I swallowed the donut in my mouth before tilting my head.

With a light touch, he moved my hair from my neck and took a swipe of his donut. The sugary cream squeezed out to his fingertips, and he smeared it on my neck right above my pulse point. Every nerve in my body came awake and alive.

“Now, that’s a great-looking breakfast,” he declared. His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down sexily. Before I could respond with anything other than a purr, his mouth was on my neck, licking and sucking off the sweet goodness from my flesh.

“Chase,” I breathed trying to catch my breath. He was driving me crazy. I hadn’t had sex in longer than I cared to remember.

“Uh uh…” he taunted, skimming his teeth along my sensitive flesh, making me ache for so much more. “Say it,” he commanded so damn sexily I could feel my panties getting damp.

“Mr. Tucker.”

“Good girl.” He licked and bit. He smeared more of the sugary treat across my neck and down the center of my chest, kissing my body like he owned it. I had never been so thankful for falling asleep almost naked except for the panties that were soaked through. “You smell so good. Mmm.” His voice rumbled against my skin as he lowered me into the bed, and I arched toward his mouth.

“Please,” I begged as his lips kissed around my breast but never touched the straining buds of my nipples.

“Trust me, Kenzie, I’m going to take very good care of you.” His voice was strained, and I gasped the moment his hot, wet mouth went right where I wanted him.

He suckled and nipped as I held his head to me. His crazy-talented hands explored my body, pushing my panties to the side, then sliding embarrassingly easily into me. Touching me as if he had done it a million times. Like he knew my body better than I did. It was hot and hurried, and before I knew it, my hands were wrapped around his impressive length. As we stared into one another’s eyes, breathing heavily, not a word was uttered between us as we rushed to fly off a cliff and shatter together almost simultaneously. The sound of his deep groans of pleasure, my name in his throaty tone, would be ingrained in my memory as one of the sexiest moments of my life.

Who knew donuts were an aphrodisiac?