“I think you know what I mean, Hailey,” he says, coming closer to me as I back away further.

“No, I don’t think I do. Maybe you better say it, because I think maybe you may have lost some cells in your brain temporarily.”

“I think we should go to Vegas and get married,” he says nonchalantly, as if he just asked if we could go get milk at the corner store.

I burst out laughing.

“What is so funny? I’m dead serious.” He looks upset that I am laughing.

I can’t help it. It’s funny.

“About three hours ago, I was on a date with your best friend, and now you want to marry me in Vegas. Don’t you find that a little odd?” I’m now rearranging silverware in my drawers. Who am I to call anyone odd?

“I’ll get us a flight right now… That’s how serious I am.”

“Did you think that maybe my parents would like to… I don’t know… maybe be at my first wedding? Shouldn’t two people actually be in love with each other to get married?” I am snapping, throwing questions left and right. I just don’t know how to react.

“Hailey,” he says, pulling my body into his. “When I wake up in the morning, you are all I think about. When I go to bed at night, you are all I think about. I have thought about you since I saw you, the mysterious woman in the bar. When I thought P was going to take you from me, I was crazy fucking jealous. I wanted to beat his ass. I want you. I don’t know how many times I have to tell you.”

“Don’t tell me, show me,” I blurt out.

He picks me up and carries me to my bedroom.

He whispers in my ear, “This is just a preview for Vegas.”

I throw my head back, and he kisses my neck while I hold onto his.

CHAPTER 37

Chase

THE ONLY OPTION I had was to tell her how I feel about her. When she tells me to show her how I feel, I scoop her up off her feet. I plan on making love to her all night long and showing her how a real man should treat her.

The feel of her neck is so soft. My body is pulsing as I wonder how soft the rest of her body feels, particularly her breasts. I lay her down on the black and white comforter. Her bedroom is dark. I dim the light so I can still see her.

“You can turn it off,” she says.

“I want to look at you.”

“I don't want you to see my body.”

“Your body is beautiful.” I remove her shirt over her head, exposing her purple bra; her breasts peek out of the top. I remove her UGG slippers and yoga pants. She has purple thong panties on to match her bra. I kiss between her thighs.

“This body is mine forever. No other man is ever going to stand in my way again. You are amazing, and I almost let you go because I was stupid.”

“Oh Chase, I have had an attraction to you since high school. I just never felt good enough for you back then, and I guess I put in my head that we could never be. When you came back, I put up a wall because I knew you could hurt me.” She looks away.

“I can never hurt you. I'll be here for you always,” I say moving her face to look at me. “I don't want to know if you'll go to Vegas with me. We can talk about that tomorrow. Right now, I just want you like this tonight, no matter what our future holds” I whisper in her ear, “The only sound I want to hear from your lips is my name as I bring you to the best orgasm of your life.”

I unclasp her bra and maneuver her panties from her body. I toss my shirt off and throw it behind me. I have Hailey in front of me… ready. I grind over top of her as I take her breasts into my mouth and nibble on her nipples. I move my tongue in a circular motion, caressing and licking her. I hear a hard breath escape her lips. I want her to know how special she is.

“Are you ready for me?”

“Yes,” she says holding my face between her hands. “I've been ready.”

Her touch sends chills down my body. “Do you have condoms?” I ask.

“No, do you?”

“No. I haven't been with anyone since Megan.”

“Well, I don't sleep around, so I don't need them.”

“Shit, are you on birth control?”

“No, but I'm due for my period in, like, five days. Very likely I'll get pregnant,” she warns.

As popular as I am, I've only been with five women; two of them were long term relationships. I don't cheat, and I don't sleep around. When I am with someone, I give my everything. The relationships with the other three girls were very short-lived. This thing with Hailey feels right. I have been careful my entire life. I never messed up or taken any risks.

I am about to take my first risk, because I want this. I see it this way: I'm mature enough. I can handle anything that comes my way.

I know Hailey isn’t the kind of person who is trying to trap me. Whatever happens… happens.

I want her, and I'm going to have her.

CHAPTER 38

Hailey

I DON'T HAVE SEX anymore. Sammy cheated on me, and I vowed off men altogether. I hadn't thought about it until Chase came into the picture, and even then I never thought it would happen. Chase asks me if I am on birth control pills or have any condoms. I avoid anything that makes me gain weight unless it’s absolutely necessary.

I’m about to have sex with Chase O’Brien. You can only write this shit in books. Every lick, every touch feels heavenly. I want to stay like this forever. He pulls my mouth to his then pushes himself inside of me, moving slowly and gently. I exhale. I feel like I’ve been holding my breath in anticipation.

My hands grip his biceps, and he stares into my eyes. “I want to be your everything,” he says.

“I need you,” I moan, as I dig my nails into his back.

His mouth caresses my neck. “You smell so good. You're so sexy,” he whispers.

I’ve never had someone say these things to me during an intimate moment. I feel tears begin, but at the same time it makes me hot for him.

“Oh, Chase.” I'm so emotional. Memories flood back. Everything all at once: my pain, my hurt, my happiness, and this moment. No one can take this moment from me… even if we have just this. He is my savior, my hero.

I can't say what's going to happen after tonight, but right now my body feels amazing, being this close to him. As he increases his thrusts, my heart races, and I am brought to culmination along with Chase. Our breathing is elated. Then we are silent.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

“Yeah, you?” Deep down, I'm an emotional mess.

“I’m perfect,” he says, moving my hair away from my face.

He puts his arms around me, and we lie like this for a while before we pleasure each other again.

Safe… two people who need each other.

It feels right, but is it?

CHAPTER 39

Chase

AT ONE POINT during our time together, I saw a tear escape Hailey’s eyes. I wish I knew what she was feeling. I didn't want to ask her; I just want her to know I am there for her.

I put my shirt on. I feel something at my foot. I look down—it’s a black and white kitty.

“You must be Twix,” I say, petting him on the head. He rubs against my hand as I pick him up. “Come on, let's go find your mother. If only you could speak.” I laugh.

Hailey is sitting at the table. She pours coffee for both of us.

“I made you bacon and eggs,” she says, smiling.

“How are you?” I ask as I butter my bagel.

“I'm good.”

“You look like you were in deep thought.” No words are spoken; she just smiles again. Is she embarrassed?