Page 33 of Call It Love (Sterling Mill #5)

Chase

She was fucking adorable with her defenses down. She chattered away as we drove back to Silver Creek Farm, curled sideways in the passenger seat. Her cheeks were a little flushed, maybe from the sangria, or maybe from all the laughter I heard when I showed up at Megan’s house.

I’d been a little concerned when Bristol called me and suggested I pick up Anna. But she assured me everything was fine. Better than fine. She said Anna let her guard down, loosened up with a couple of drinks, and they were all having a great time.

I reached over and found her hand. “I’m glad you had fun.”

She smiled and leaned her head against the seat. “I did. More than I thought I would. I was so nervous when I got there. I know your sisters and I are working through everything, but they were kind. And their friends are hilarious.”

“They are. Bristol and Cam just needed a chance to remember how much they love you.”

“They were guarding their hearts. Yours, too. ”

“Well, I’m glad they finally remembered you have one, too.”

She grew a little quieter. Probably the sangria was wearing off. She stared off into the distance as I drove the dark but familiar road home. The porch light cast a soft glow across the drive as I pulled in, Reid and Bristol right behind us.

Bristol stepped out with a dramatic sigh.

“That car rides like a dream,” she told Anna.

“But we really need to get you something more mountain-friendly before winter. Can’t have you driving off the road again.

I’ll keep my eyes out if I see something that’s a good deal. I still have some good connections.”

“Do it,” I told her, flinching when Bristol whacked me on the arm. “Ow! What was that for?”

“I wasn’t asking you. Anna can speak for herself.” She smiled at Anna. “Right?

Anna beamed at my sister. “Right. And yes, do it. Find me something that can drive off-road and that Jack can be comfortable in. Nothing fancy needed.”

Understanding lit in Bristol’s eyes, followed by a wicked little smile. “Something very non-Mason-like.”

“Exactly.”

Bristol stepped forward and wrapped Anna in a hug. “I’m glad you came tonight,” she whispered.

Anna hugged her back without hesitation. “Me, too.” She pulled back enough to squeeze Bristol’s hands. “Thank you.”

Bristol tried to shrug off Anna’s gratitude, but Anna held on. “No, seriously. Not just for welcoming me tonight. But for actually seeing me. For understanding.”

My sister had never been a crier, but her smile wavered just a little under Anna’s sincere look. She nodded. “Welcome home, Anna.”

Anyone else might have seen the moment as just a simple goodbye. But I knew it for what it was—inclusion and forgiveness. Bristol was making room in our family for Anna.

Reid wrapped his arm around his wife’s shoulders. “Good night, Anna. We’re all glad you’re here.” He looked down at Bristol. “Let’s get you home, hmm?”

She stretched up to kiss me on the cheek. “Night, Chase. I love you.”

“Love you, too.”

Anna and I stood together, watching until their taillights disappeared. The night was still, except for the hum of crickets and a soft breeze.

“I never let people see me like this. Never let my guard down. I always had to be so aware of everything. This was nice.” She looked over at me, her eyes steady in the porch light. “Your family is nice. You’re nice.”

I nudged her gently. “Just nice ?” I teased.

But she didn’t laugh. “You’re everything, Chase. You always have been.”

For a second, I didn’t speak. I just tried to hold on to this moment, the way she looked so soft and dreamy with her heart wide open.

I brushed a piece of hair away from her face. “Then let yourself have everything I have to give you.” I held her gaze. “I love you, Anna. I never stopped.”

She answered with her lips, leaning in and kissing me. She was giving me all of her. When she pulled back, her cheeks were damp with tears. “Oh, God, Chase. I love you, too. So much.”

I felt her fingers slide into my hair as our mouths met once again. I wrapped my arms around her waist. She shifted, pressing even closer, and a soft sound escaped her throat. It was enough to undo my last shred of patience. I wanted her like never before.

I lifted her, and her legs immediately wrapped around my waist as I carried her up the porch steps.

We didn’t make it past the living room. Her back hit the wall as I kissed her like I couldn’t get enough—because I couldn’t.

I never would. Her fingers slid under my shirt, which I pulled over my head and dropped to the floor. Hers was fast to follow.

I didn’t want to rush. But I didn’t think I had it in me to be patient much longer, either.

I scooped her up, loving the way she laughed softly against my neck as I carried her to our room. There would be no more cabin for her. Ever. She was mine, and she was here to stay.

“Say it again,” I demanded as I set her on the bed.

She leaned back, pulling me down on top of her. “I love you. I love you. I love you. I’ll say it forever, just as my heart always has, even when we weren’t together.”

Slowly, then more urgently, clothes disappeared. Her shirt, my jeans, her pants and underwear, then mine, until our bodies were stretched naked against each other.

“I want you so fucking bad, I can’t see straight,” I murmured against her lips before trailing them across her collarbone and through the valley between her breasts. When I reached the gentle curve of her lower stomach, I lingered, pressing kisses with extra care.

She stilled ever so slightly, but I felt it. I knew what this place meant. What it would never hold. I kissed her there again. I needed her to know she wasn’t broken. Wasn’t any less .

“We’ll still have a family,” I said, my voice barely more than a breath. “We’ll have one in all the ways that matter.”

She went completely still. “Chase,” she breathed.

When I looked at her, her eyes were glassy, but she was smiling. “I know. I believe you,” she murmured.

“God, I love you.”

“I believe that, too.” She smiled at me.

My patience snapped. I wanted her.

She let out a breathy little moan that became a loud groan as I buried my face between her legs and lapped her slit.

Nails raked against my head as she bucked beneath me.

I slid first one, then two fingers inside her heat.

She cried out when I curled them. Her eyes closed, and her mouth fell open as she came hard, clenching around my fingers.

“So damn beautiful,” I crooned. Then I returned to her with my tongue. Her legs trembled around my head as I drove her to another orgasm.

I was as hard as I’d ever been. Her eyes finally cracked open as I took myself in hand and gave a stroke. Her hand reached out and took over. Her fingers curled around my length, her thumb brushing the tip, smearing the white bead that had already formed.

“Not gonna last with you touching me, Blossom,” I muttered.

She opened her legs in invitation. “Then don’t wait.”

I sank into her, groaning as her heat surrounded me. “So fucking good.”

She rocked her hips against mine, and any gentleness I felt snapped. I drove into her, over and over, as her legs wrapped around my hips. “Touch yourself,” I demanded. “Make yourself come again. With me.”

I groaned as she obeyed, and as soon as I felt her begin to quiver, I let go, shouting her name as I came harder than I ever had.

I collapsed against her, her arms holding me close as our breaths slowly returned to normal.

I rolled to my side, taking her with me.

Her head rested on my chest while my hand stroked slow circles on her back.

She let out a long sigh and tilted her head just enough to meet my eyes. “I didn’t think I’d ever have this again.”

I kissed her slowly. “Never letting go again.”

She nodded and curled against me, already falling asleep, secure in the promise of tomorrow.