Meanwhile, Kane barked out a laugh. “Okay, now that I didn’t imagine. What the hell is going on between the two of you?”
Yeah, she was one very agitated physical therapist. And maybe, just maybe, the ice had begun to melt since yesterday.
“Not a thing.” Somehow, I kept a straight face even as my brother stared at me as if I’d sprouted a second head.
I ignored him just as the strangest urge overtook me to go after her, throw her over my shoulder and find somewhere private to have it out. Her slightly upturned nose, full lips, and defiant chin were just as tempting now as they’d been when I barely held it together and buried myself between her legs twenty years ago.
I realized I owed her so much more than an apology for taking off. That night had been rushed, and I’d definitely lacked finesse back then. Hell, I’m sure she hadn’t even orgasmed, but she’d been in a hurry too. Both of us desperate for the other to touch, to feel, to be wrapped up so damn tight in each other, blocking out all the crap we’d dealt with in our lives.
In that moment, I realized I had a new mission besides begging for her forgiveness. Providing Astrid with the best damn orgasms, because yeah, just one would not be enough. For her or me. I’d make sure of it.
CHAPTER FIVE
ASTRID
“What are you doing?You don’t have to help. Your injury--” Chase grabbed the box I was carrying, lifted it onto his shoulder as if it only contained pillows and weighed little. It was, in fact, full of my favorite hardcover books I couldn’t bear to part with. But I saw the gritted teeth and his change in posture as he compensated for his injury. Giving up wasn’t easy for me, but I remembered well how stubborn he was and stopped protesting.
“There’s a big difference between have to and want to. And this is something I can do and want to do. For you.” Chase’s chin lifted and his eyes blazed in challenge. He’d gotten closer than I realized. Too damn close. His aftershave or body wash or whatever scent he wore tickled my senses even as it set off warning bells. Male musk wafted after him, along with hints of my favorite candle scent, filling the space between us. I inhaled notes of amber and cedar as he climbed the three steps onto my front porch.
I watched him closely as he took his time in deference to the muscle damage he’d sustained, navigating the porch stepsslowly. Of course, my gaze hadn’t latched onto his firm ass for anything other than professional reasons. I cleared my throat as I quickly scanned to see if anyone was paying attention to me, realizing I’d stood frozen in place staring like a foolish schoolgirl, eyes glued to Chase’s backside. And if anyone dared challenge me on it, I’d deny it with my last breath.
But damn, he’d filled out rather well since the last time I saw him. Back then he’d been in good shape, all lean muscle, a teenage heartthrob that had all the girls in our class dropping pencils just so they could bend over in front of him.
Something I’d never done, and yet he still chose me. Our friendship became so much more than that last week of school. I should have been more cautious. Guys like him had never shown an interest in me, let alone confessed a secret longing.
Releasing a long sigh as he disappeared through my front door, I knew I had to get over our past, to stop wishing I’d made a different choice back then. Because, according to Chassie, his plan was to stay in Pineville. And the more mature version, the rough-around-the-edges, more dangerous side of him that was damn sexy, was ten times more tempting than eighteen-year-old Chase.
Broad-shouldered with sinewy forearms and biceps that I just knew weren’t sculpted in a gym but from duty were my personal kryptonite. Even his tattoos that peeked out from his t-shirt sleeve intrigued me. The need to find out the story behind each one, to discover what made him choose that life over his family, over me, had resurfaced with a vengeance.
But I was going to be smarter this time. I would not let the insane chemistry between us win. So, I threw back my shoulders, marched up my steps and started up where I’d left off as if I hadn’t just ogled his hot bod like a horny and desperate housewife. “Okay. I get it. I do. I may not be treating you in anofficial capacity, but pushing your capabilities to prove you--”Oops, just broke my promise not to lecture him.
“This has nothing to do with my injury or my physical capabilities or proving something. This is one friend assisting another. Deal with it.”
Wow. Guess I poked the bear. “Huh, are we friends? I mean, it’s been a damn long time and I’m not sure I want to deal with it.” Yeah, maybe I was being snotty, but what did he expect? That I’d just welcome him back into my life and pretend nothing had happened?
“You trying to scare me off, Astrid? Because it’s not going to work. I’ll make things crystal clear. I knew you worked in that clinic. And I’m going to do whatever it takes to earn your forgiveness. To get you back into my life. I’m all in. And…” He stepped closer, brushed a few strands of hair away from my face, and lowered his voice for my ears only,“…and when I get my hands back on all those beautiful curves of yours…well, you just might be happy to see me again. So fair warning.”
I let out a snort at his declaration, but when he’d come closer, I’d unconsciously leaned into him and now I felt the evidence of his body’s response to me pressed against my hip. His enormous erection undeniable, I swallowed, then opened my mouth to deny I wanted exactly what he described, even if it was a lie.
Josh called out my name, and then, as if we were in some rom-com, we jumped apart. Ragged breaths filled the room. My son may not notice the state both Chase and I were in, especially since I’d been careful not to bring the men I’d dated around him. And now was most definitely not the time to deal with any of my son’s rightful concerns.
Chase walked to the window so his back would be to the door. I thanked him silently for sparing us both any awkward questions. But it was thrilling knowing how much he wanted me. Twenty years older and over twenty pounds heavier, the boy ofmy dreams still wanted me. And seeing the man he’d become, hearing the desire in his voice, made me rethink the part I played back then by not trying to go after him.
“Hey, Mom, can I go now? I brought in all my boxes, and Dad just texted me. He’s almost to the driveway.” Josh jogged into the room, his messy hair bouncing across his eyes. When did my little boy suddenly care about his hairstyle, and was I going to complain about it now? No, I’ve learned over the past year to pick my battles. The hormones and caring about what his peers, and god help me, girls, thought of him were taking over my soon-to-be teenager.
And speaking of hormones, mine weren’t behaving much right now. But Josh’s appearance was just what was needed. Chase and I had more talking to do before, well, before anything happened between us. I pulled my shirt away from my body in order to get some cooler air, then shot another look at Chase.
“Hey, back. Sure. But first, I want you to meet someone. Someone I went to school with. He’s just moved back. And he’s Kane’s older brother.” Josh’s gaze narrowed as he spotted Chase standing in front of the window, just now noticing I wasn’t alone.
There was a slight shift in my son’s stance as he appeared to be judging the adult male in my bedroom. Yeah, it was empty of furniture, plus there were a lot of people in the house, but not one of them had entered this room yet, so this could get awkward fast.
“Uh, hey,” Josh nodded his chin. One more sign that he was no longer my little boy.
Chase, now facing us, walked over, a smile on his face and his hand outstretched. “Hello, Josh. Nice to meet you.” That was it. Chase didn’t try to act cool with him or say something that would make my son uncomfortable. I liked that. A lot.
Josh took his hand and asked, “Kane was a Ranger. You in the military too?” Sighing inwardly, I knew my son had afascination with soldiers, anything to do with the military, really, like the video games I tried to limit. This was mostly because of his Uncle Baz, but also by spending so much time at the Triple R, surrounded by the retired Rangers. Not a bad thing, but I was having issues with how fast he was maturing.
“I was. But I didn’t serve with Kane or anyone else you know. I mainly did security work. Overseas. I’ve lived in a lot of places since I joined…after graduation.” After that, you could have heard a pin drop. Josh’s excitement forgotten, our gazes clashed as I worked out what Chase just revealed.
