Page 19 of Chase’s Kind of Trouble (Obsessive Protectors #3)
NINETEEN
Celeste
I must have slept like the dead, because I have no idea what time it is. I know where I am though. In the middle of Chase’s insanely luxurious bed.
Since I don’t teleport, he must have carried me here after I passed out in his arms, wearing a stupid grin on my face that I can still feel.
With a happy groan, I finger-comb my tangled hair. There are tender places all over my body. I’m also wearing his cum.
Our cum.
I want to keep his marks on me forever. So I take my time getting up and consider all that’s happened.
Chase was protecting me for months before I met him. That thought sets loose a heavy, safe feeling that melts through my bones.
He took care of Jeremy. He got the deed. He…god. The man has done so much for me.
I need to see him. To thank him, right now. Flipping back the blankets, I yawn loudly.
And make a startled sound when I discover there’s a horse looking in the window at me.
As you can imagine, I burst out laughing. “What kind of strange fairytale is this?”
The white and black beast bops it’s head up and down as if to say hello, and I slide out of bed. My feet touching on a plush wool rug the color of blue topaz.
Another luxurious detail. Another layer I love about Chase.
Padding to the window, I grin, my heart awash with giddiness. “Hello there, big guy.”
A husky voice rumbles behind me. “Hello there to you too.”
I whirl around. We lock gazes and a dangerous, hot current passes between us. All those tender points seem to thrum with electricity.
Is this how it will always be with the man?
I’m suddenly very thirsty. For his cock.
Chase takes two long strides toward me, circling my waist with his muscular, corded arm. The way he always does.
When his nose finds my ear, he drops a growly kiss there that gives me goosebumps. “Prettiest sight I’ve ever seen.”
“You’re not too bad there yourself, handsome. No fair wearing gray sweat pants,” I tease. “Those are like kryptonite for a woman’s control.”
“I’ll be sure to wear them more often.”
Maybe it is the lure the low-slung gray joggers, or the tight black T-shirt. Whatever. He could be wearing a prison jumpsuit and I’d probably have the same reaction.
It’s him. What’s underneath. What’s in his mind and his heart.
He chuckles, drawing me closer until my nipples are mashed against the hard planes of his chest. Nothing but his T-shirt—the one I’m somehow mysteriously wearing—covering me.
“I thought you were calling me Daddy now.” he rumbles with a touch of humor in his husky voice.
“Oh my god. I can’t say that now. Only in bed.”
“I can fix that.” He picks me up off the floor with one arm, carrying me to the edge of his gigantic king-size bed. “You give me the word and I’ll make those orgasms I gave you before look like nothing.”
Oof.
This promise causes a waterfall of heat to pour from my belly, down through my core and all the way to my toes. I press my legs together for fear it’s going to drip out of me.
That would be mortifying. But knowing how crazy Chase went to lap up my juices before, he might love it.
“Fuck, Celeste, I can smell you. Heaven’s calling.”
He inhales roughly against my neck, his free hand finding my butt cheek, but he doesn’t stop there, he dips those long fingers all the way around until he’s brushing my pussy with his calloused digits.
A whimpered laugh of delight slips from me.
I press my open mouth against his bare chest, the breath sawing in and out of me in erratic little puffs. “Oh, you devil. You make me so hot so fast. I can’t take it.”
“You took it just fine last night, baby.” He chuckles hotly, husky with desire. “All ten inches of it.”
Lord, did I.
I took it and loved every single inch.
“The heat in my face might set off the smoke detector any second.”
“I’m trained in firefighting.”
“You’re trained in seduction.”
“And you’re made for me, woman.” His lips cruise along my neck until I shiver, giving away my most sensitive place and he makes a satisfied sound. Of course he takes advantage of that and bites me, sending me into a squirming frenzy.
“Chase!”
“Mmm…are you sore, angel?”
I can’t think.
I just feel good. Especially when Chase kisses me on the forehead. Every time he does that I feel cherished.
He says, “I know you are. I’m not going to abuse this pretty little flower again so soon. I have other plans…”
I’m still clinging to him trying to figure out how to convince him that sore is good when he scoops me up off the floor, carrying me from the bedroom.
“I made you something to eat.”
“What?” I half gasp, half laugh.
“Don’t think a man like me can cook?”
I consider this for a few seconds as I press my cheek against the ridiculous mountain of muscles that make his shoulder. “I’m beginning to think you can do anything.”
Chase’s profile tightens, his jaw going hard. “I’m not perfect, but I’ll break my back trying to do what’s going to make you happy, Celeste.”
Coming from a man like him, that statement feels real.
His mood feels darker when he settles me onto the counter of his kitchen island.
“Is everything okay?” I ask, my voice soft in the big kitchen.
For a beat, he looks at the floor, but he pushes between my thighs, rubbing his hands up my legs, gripping them firmly. “Yeah, I just…”
My heart flutters. His unease disquiets my soul.
When I capture his face in between my palms, he meets my gaze and there’s a tortured emotion behind those warm, amber eyes.
“I was a bastard, sweetheart.” He searches my face, anger in his gaze. “I’m fucking kicking my own ass because I took advantage of your emotions and didn’t even ask if you wanted your things moved in before I did it.”
Oh no. No. He’s not going to feel like that.
“Whoa.” I press my fingers over his lips, brushing against his scruff, before he can go on berating himself. “You didn’t take advantage of me. I love what you did. Everything.”
Breath held, the man looks right into my soul. Unblinking.
And for the first time ever, I feel truly seen.
For a long time he just studies my face and I try to inhale around the gigantic thing pressing up from my chest, into my throat.
“I’ve never wanted anything like I want you, it makes me dangerous.”
“I like dangerous when it comes to you.” I pull him closer, bringing his mouth down to mine. My pulse thudding, the gravity of the moment pressing in around us. “I’m completely sure, Chase. And I love knowing you wanted me so much.”
He pauses for a second, then lifts his serious gaze to mine.
“Marry me, Celeste.”
Something bright and electric pops behind my sternum. I wait for him to laugh, to crack a joke, but I’ve never seen the man anything but serious when it comes to me.
“Yes!” I sober up, touching his cheek to make sure he sees how serious I am. “I’m already yours. I love you. Make me your wife.”
Bracing his legs wide, he reaches into his pocket. He looks right into my eyes as he slides a ring onto my finger that fits like it was made for me…
Because of course it was.
“I love you. You just made me happier than I ever knew I could be.”
He pulls me forward, kisses me with so much heart, I’m a water-streaked mess when he pulls back.
When I see his expression, I know there’s more. Something else he needs to say.
“I won’t be taking out of town missions any more.
I want to be home with you. We’ll travel.
We’ll make babies. We’ll do whatever it is that makes you happy.
I know you love art, Celeste. I overheard you tell someone at the restaurant about the flowers on your arm and how they are a copy of your grandmother’s painting. ”
He traces his fingertips over the violet and lily blossoms, making my breath catch.
He continues in a husky tone. “I saw the books you had at your apartment. I’m already planning on building you a gallery, a workshop where you can host classes. I just want to know if you’d like that to be your grandmother’s home. If so, we’ll remodel it in a way that preserves the character.”
This isn’t an ambush, this is a resurrection of my belief in good.
“Okay,” I whisper, “I’m in. For all of it. Now feed me that food you made so we can go make love. I need you, my fiancé , inside of me, because that’s where Daddy belongs.”