I let out a sardonic laugh. “I was, up until I walked into a house party that I didn’t know about.”
He grimaces. “Yeah, sorry about that. I should’ve told you. But the kids invited the guys over for dinner, so I figured it would be a great way for you to meet the WAGs too.”
Avery comes into the room carrying a large pot filled with red sauce. “Hey, Aunt Pres. Chance showed me how to make marinara sauce. It’s just about ready.”
My head swirls with everything going on. I suck in a deep breath. “Great. Let me go get changed and I’ll be right down.”
I dart out of the room and bolt up the stairs to my bedroom. Sinking onto the edge of the bed, I close my eyes and run my fingers through my hair.
It’s not that I mind having everyone over. They all took the time out of their busy schedules to help Avery today, and I’d love to be able to personally thank them. But for the last four years, I’ve been on my own raising these kids. I haven’t had a break, or time to do anything for myself. Today was the first time I didn’t have to pick them up from school, or worry about dinner—and to top it off, I got a fucking massage at a spa.
Where’s my car, by the way?
There’s a soft knock on the door before it cracks open, and Chance’s dark eyes meet mine. “You okay?”
I blow out a long breath through my lips. “I’m good. Just taking a second to digest everything.”
He closes the door behind him and lowers himself to the mattress beside me. “I’m sorry for ambushing you like this. You know how hard it is to stop Stephen when he gets an idea in his head.”
I smile. “I sure do.”
Chance reaches out and tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear. “Did you enjoy your massage at least?”
“I did.” My eyes bounce between his. “That was your idea, wasn’t it?”
“I didn’t want you to have to worry about anyone for once. I wanted you to have a moment for yourself.” His fingers linger on my ear, tracing it and then skimming down along my jawline. “I want to take care of you in all the ways I wasn’t able to for the last four years.”
I close my eyes and lean into his light touch, and his palm cradles my face. “I appreciate it, but you don’t have to do any of this.”
“I know I don’t have to.” His thumb skims along my bottom lip. “I want to. I want to be here for you. I want you to lean on me.”
Chance has always wanted to be wanted. He needs to feel needed. He’s the caretaker, the fixer. He spent his childhood trying to pick up the pieces of his father’s mess and protect his mother. Her death weighs heavily on him, and I think a part of him will forever feel like he couldn’t do enough to save her, so he tries to make up for it in everyone he meets. I could kill his father with my bare hands for the way he fucked with this man’s head. How could someone this amazing never feel good enough?
I want to show him that he is.
Lifting my eyes to his, mine fill with tears. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
Here, meaning back in my life.
He dips down and rests his forehead against mine. “I’m not going anywhere, rebel.”
My heart constricts at the sound of the old nickname, and I can’t help but let out a sardonic laugh. “I’m not a rebel anymore. Haven’t been for quite some time.”
“It’s still a part of you. You just haven’t let her out in a while.”
He must be right, because the only thing I can think about right now is feeling his lips on mine. That would be reckless and foolish. I need to keep the lines clear between us, keep the boundaries set.
We can be friends, and nothing more.
But when Chance pulls back to gaze into my eyes, my heart beats a furious rhythm. My body betrays me, desperately seeking a physical release to ease this yearning.
Chance’s hand slides down to my throat, his fingers tightening around my neck just like he used to. “Do you miss me, rebel? Do you think about all the things we used to do together? All the ways I made you feel good?”
Wetness pools between my legs, and my nipples harden.
He leans in and swipes his tongue across my lips, and a low moan escapes me.
“Have you been with anyone else since you left us?” he asks. “Has anyone else touched this beautiful body?”
