Page 6

CHAPTER 6

ALANIS

“You’re not serious, right?” he asks.

I cross my arms on my chest as the wait staff brings the check and I reach for it when it appears. “It’s dutch, Chance.”

“Now, I know that you’re a strong, independent?—”

“You’re making that sound like it’s not a good thing.”

He closes his eyes and when they reopen there’s a spark that makes me still. “It’s one of the sexiest things about you.” He sighs. “Fine. Dutch it is.”

I have a feeling that this conversation isn’t quite over.

He leans forward and his hand lands on mine as I place my credit card on the plastic tray. “I appreciate that you’re strong and confident and damn, I’m pretty sure that every man in this place has been staring at you all night… but I’d love to treat you to a meal… once in a while.”

“So you’d like to do this again?” I ask, my heart beating faster in my chest. The thump-thump-thump echoing through my body, igniting parts of me that are already buzzing.

“I’d like to do this for the rest of our lives, if I get the chance, Alanis.”

The wait staff breaks our locked eyes as the machine he puts my card into beeps.

I smile. “Guess I’m paying for this one.”

“Shit.”

“Too slow, Clayton,” I giggle through the words as I fill out the rest of the info to close out the tab.

“You’re sneaky.”

“I get paid to be sneaky, remember?”

He nods, but I can see the reticence in his eyes. “That still sounds dangerous to me.”

“I take calculated risks.”

“Am I a calculated risk?” he asks as we stand.

I turn to him, move in close, and rise to my toes. My lips hover just a breath away from his. “One, I’m willing to take.”

I close the distance. Our lips press softly and then his hand is behind my neck and the pressure is deliciously firm… demanding. And then we hear whooping from the bar.

He laughs against my lips. “I think we should… leave.”

He slips his hand into mine and gives a wave to the ladies at the bar. I give them a finger and they laugh.

My phone buzzes in my pocket and I pull it out as we slip out the door.

Holland: I am so happy for you, bestie. You deserve happiness. Ignore Oaklynn, she’s upset that her fortune might never come true. Hopefully yours does.

My heart warms. I knew there was something happening with Oaklynn. She’s normally not that drunk and not that obnoxious.

We step outside and the cool spring air makes me shiver. Without asking, Chance’s jacket wraps around me, and instant warmth wraps me up in a one armed hug.

The night went by way too fast and I don’t want it to end. The conversation between us flowed effortlessly. When we got into the topic of how I could get into the planes and helicopters, I was nervous to tell him that it took a lot of flirting, touching, low-cut shirts and even shorter skirts.

I heard him do a soft growl. Which, let’s be honest, had my body humming even more for him. But he didn’t blow a gasket. He took a breath and said he understood how that would be advantageous. As long as I’m safe about it all, he has to admit it’s an exciting job. It’s my passion and I’m not giving it up for him or anyone.

But I eased up on convincing him when he said that. I didn’t realize I tensed up waiting for his judgment. But he didn’t do that. It made me even mushier for him. I did ask him not to mention it to Matty, though. If Matty found out that’s how I did it, he’d chain me inside the house and never let me go.

Chance agreed and I wondered if he thought about where Matty might chain him, if he finds out about us.

I inhale deeply, taking in his woodsy cologne, and wish I’m wrapped in his arms. How amazing would that feel?

Once I have my arms in the sleeves, Chance pulls me into his chest by the collar.

I gasp and stare at his lips.

That first kiss was a kiss, but I crave more. More of him than he might not want to give me. I’ve never been one to think about settling down. I’ve been focused on my career and getting off the ground— literally and figuratively. But this man has me thinking of white pickets, three bedrooms, minivans and a cat or dog… or hell, both!

I want it all. I want things I’ve never let myself think about when it comes to him.

But then I think about what the last guy said to me and I feel that caution sink in. Maybe I should just go home and wait for another night.

My body convulses at the thought. The tingles start between my leg and radiate out.

He leans down. I slowly close my eyes, and butterflies beat hard against my stomach. My heart leaps in my chest. My blood whooshes in my ears.

“Please, grab my dog!” I hear from behind me.

Chance and I startle at the loud intrusion and glance around the street. A very determined tiny Chihuahua barrels its way down the sidewalk, heading straight toward us.

I could curse that dog. I was so close.

In more ways than one…

But what can we do? We can’t allow the poor thing to get hurt.

“I’ll go around the bench. You get in front of it. Hopefully, one of us can grab it or move it to the wall, and the owner can grab it,” Chance says.

I nod, and he moves quickly while I move in front of the dog as it nears. It yaps at me and turns around to run away but ends up running into Chance’s arms. Lucky pooch. And as soon as it does, it stops barking, like it knows he’s in charge.

The owner of the dog runs up, breathless. “Thank you so much. This guy is an escape artist.” The woman eyes Chance up and down and gives him a flirtatious smile.

My hackles slowly rise, but I have nothing to worry about. Chance hands over the dog and then slides his arm around me.

“No problem. Glad we were able to help. Would’ve been unfortunate if anything happened to him.”

“Right.” I curl into Chance’s side, and the woman frowns but thanks us again, and walks off with the little dog.

Chance moves in front of me and pulls me in. “Maybe I should take you back to?—”

“No.” I place my hands on his chest and fall into him. “I don’t want to go back. I…I want to stay with you.”

He sighs. “Alanis, I’m going to interview for a job in Chicago on Monday.”

My heart skips and I wonder if I heard him right. When I replay what he said, instant sadness cools my body. He could be leaving. And so far away from here.

Panic plays tennis in my mind and heart, whacking my emotions back and forth. I’m already scared that he’ll leave. That has to mean something, but I’m not exactly sure what. I finally connected with a man, and he’s possibly going away.

I bite my bottom lip and look deeply into his eyes.

I’ve never liked change, but I’ve also never been to Chicago. It could be a good change. But even if it doesn’t happen…

“Then.” I give my most sultry voice. “I guess we need to enjoy tonight.”

Chance’s eyes flare to lust, his head leans down as his hands move up my waist to cup my neck, and his lips crash against mine.

There’s no softness in the kiss. Only need. He ravishes my mouth and licks me open, diving in and taking every breath from my body. Who needs oxygen when Chance can kiss me into life?

He’s brought me to true living because I’ve never once felt this. Not once.

In the blink of an eye, we are suddenly transported from Main Street to Chance's bedroom at the Bed & Breakfast. My body trembles with excitement as I try to stifle a giggle. The room is an excessive display of Victorian opulence, with soft whites and florals adorning every surface. But my attention is immediately drawn to the four-poster bed, beckoning me like a siren’s call.

“Are you sure about this?” Chance whispers in my ear as he wraps his arms around me from behind. His lips trail down my neck, sending shivers down my spine. Has anyone ever kissed me there before? Or is it just Chance’s touch that ignites such intense desire within me?

I cling onto his hands, afraid he’ll pull away. “I’ve never been surer of anything in my life.”

He smiles against my skin. “Good.” He tries to turn me around, but I hold him firmly in place, my fears gripping me and making me freeze. “Easy, Alanis. I have no intention of leaving tonight. You’re the only place I want to be.”

The thought of him leaving and not being able to have him for much longer makes me feel desperate and needy. Slowly, I release my grip on him and he turns me around, meeting my lips in a fierce and passionate kiss. His fingers deftly undo the tie on the side of my dress, revealing more of my skin.

Without hesitation, his hands glide under the material and trace patterns on my bare skin, causing goosebumps to peak in the path. He pulls me closer until I can feel his arousal pressing against my lower stomach through our clothes, and my barely-there bra allows my nipples to brush against the fabric of his shirt. A gasp escapes my lips as pleasure shoots through me.

I crave the feeling of our bodies connecting skin-to-skin, devouring each other with pure desire. Tonight, I want to lose myself in Chance and forget about everything else and forget about anyone else.

His kisses leave a trail of fire down my neck, igniting a primal desire within me. His hands roam hungrily over my back, swiftly undoing my bra as he makes his way to my stomach, teasing and tormenting me with his lips and tongue.

I grip his hair tightly, urging him on as he reaches the top of my panties, sending electrifying pulses through my body. I arch my hips, craving more of his touch.

He takes control, sliding his hand down around my waist and gripping my ass possessively. I can feel the heat emanating from him, knowing that he is the only one who can quench this burning ache inside of me.

My breath catches in anticipation as he inches closer, almost there. I writhe beneath him, unable to contain my pleasure any longer. And just when I think I can’t take it anymore, he nips at my thigh, eliciting a moan from deep within me.

But then his kisses move lower, heading towards my right leg. It feels so good... but no, wait... go back to where I need you most.

I try to form the words, but his hands are too distracting, exploring every inch of my body with precision and skill. I surrender to the sensations, losing myself in the moment.

As his mouth continues its tantalizing journey downwards, I’m reminded of the fortune cookie’s message - maybe unexpected places were meant to be on my body and not a physical location.

I let this realization sink in as Chance worships me with his touch.

With one hand stroking me over my barely-there undies and the other gripping my thigh, he brings me to the edge of ecstasy and in another breath, I fall over the cliff. I cling onto him for support as waves of pleasure crash over me like a tidal wave.

He pulls off my panties slowly, never breaking eye contact with me. “You're so fucking sexy,” he whispers before delving his tongue inside me, sending me spiraling into a frenzy of ecstasy.

I cry out his name as he expertly continues to please me, my vision blurring with white light. I’m on the verge of exploding again. And like the heavens have opened up, I’m consumed by another intense release that leaves me breathless and completely under Chance’s spell.

I crave more of him, and we’re just getting started.