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CHAPTER 21
“Where are you taking me?” I asked, as Chase held my hand and led me to some unknown place.
He had placed one hand over my eyes, telling me to close my eyes and trust him. He had a surprise, he said, and I was more than willing to give in to his demand. He was desperately trying to get back on my good side after attacking my friend Jake. As much as I wanted to still be mad at him, it was impossible. After our fake trip to Italy where Chase had told me he loved me, he hadn’t stopped trying to make up for his bad behavior.
“Just a few more steps, and you’ll see for yourself,” Chase stated, as he continued to lead me. I could tell I was now walking on gravel, but I wasn’t sure where we were.
When he first had the bright idea of taking a ride, I thought he meant going around the Vegas strip or getting dinner. Instead, he drove onto the highway. About an hour into the drive, he told me to put on the satin eye cover. At first, I thought he was crazy but as his pleading eyes looked at me, I just couldn’t resist.
So, I did what anyone else in my situation would do. I went to sleep. I awoke sometime later when the car came to an abrupt stop. I heard a few voices around me, but no sounds seemed familiar. Finally, Chase removed his hand from my eyes and told me to open them. As my sight came back, I was almost blown away by what laid in front of me.
A vast array of beautiful colors surrounded me as I realized Chase had brought me to the Hoover Dam. Miles and miles of a massive hole appeared before me, but this wasn’t just any hole. Water traveled beneath the ledge that allowed visitors to partake in its beauty. This was a heaven-made landmark that people traveled around the world to see. And Chase had brought me too.
“Is this the Hoover Dam?” I stupidly asked, as I felt like my breath was being taken from me. I had never seen anything so beautiful in my life.
Grabbing my hand, Chase pulled my fingers up to his lips as he gently kissed my knuckles and then my palm. “I wanted to show you something special,” he said, as he looked at me with his mesmerizing eyes.
Maybe I was wrong. Maybe Chase was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. Either way, the Hoover Dam was a very, very close second.
“Chase, you’re too good to me!” I squealed, as I jumped into his arms. Trailing kisses down his cheek and then his neck, I didn’t care that people were now gawking at us like we were lust-filled teenagers.
“Nothing is too good for my girl,” Chase said, as he held me tightly around my waist. “Come on, I want to look at this masterpiece,” he said, as he set me back down onto the sand below.
“Haven’t you been here before?” I asked curiously, as I noticed for the first time how enamored Chase was with the site too.
Shaking his head, Chase looked down for a moment. “No. I never cared to come here before now,” he finished, as he winked at me.
Moments like that caused my heart to flutter and my breath to falter. What this man saw in me, I would never understand, but I loved him more each day. I could only pray he felt even half as much about me as I felt about him.
“Let’s explore this place together,” I said, as I linked my arm through his.
We walked to a nearby railing that held information about the history of the Hoover Dam. As we stared out over the vast array of sights and colors, my eyes teared. The sun was settling in the sky, and shadows of dark oranges, reds, and yellows danced around the edge of the canyon opening.
There was so much to do at the Hoover Dam. We could go hiking, camping, swimming, horseback riding, and exploring the unknown regions. However, at that moment, we only wanted to explore each other and our newfound love. We would have the rest of our lives to come back here. My home was now in Vegas, and I would make sure we would come back and do all the fun and exciting things this place had to offer.
But for now, all I wanted was Chase and his arms wrapped around me.
Three weeks later, we were all surrounded by turkeys and pumpkins. Halloween had passed by in a blur as we celebrated in hideous costumes while working.
Now, as a family holiday was upon us, it was clear we were now a family. Avery had promised to stay with me this holiday and then would go home to see her parents for Christmas. Jax hadagreed to the same thing. Since Chase and I didn’t have a family, we decided to spend the holiday together.
So, we ordered greasy Chinese food, watched 80s comedies, and stayed in Chase’s room the full day of Thanksgiving. I had so much to be thankful for this year. Honestly, it was the first time I ever felt like I was truly thankful for something.
Watching my friends laughing and joking beside me, I smiled as I ate my fried rice and General Tso’s Chicken. Life was good now, and I secretly couldn’t wait for Christmas to arrive.
CHAPTER 22
Ihad never been someone who thought of myself as dependent on others. Growing up, I never knew true love or understood what it meant to depend on someone else. I should have been offended or upset or felt some sort of angry emotion at the thought of Chase wanting to control me, but it was truly the opposite.
Chase caring about me and wanting me all to himself was alluring. I craved his need. My body felt like it was going through withdrawals without his constant touch and want for me. His control over me wasn’t out of hate or some twisted psychological mess. Instead, his need to protect me and have me all to himself was to save both of us. I needed this just as much as he needed me. We were both damaged and lost and together, we built the other back into someone who was capable of love.
“What are you looking at?” Chase asked, as he walked up behind me. He massaged my shoulders, and I let a tiny moan escape from my lips. The slight amount of pressure he placed on my tiny frame felt so good after a full day of hiking at the Hoover Dam. Staying true to his word, Chase had taken us backeach Saturday since the day he surprised me with the trip. Each visit, we made sure to explore a new part of the canyon and do something fun and different. We had even taken Jax and Avery a few times too. I could see the connection building between them each time we went out as a foursome, and I knew Avery was growing feelings for Jax.
Placing his hands around my waist, Chase leaned down and placed a soft kiss on the back of my neck. Shivers went down my spine when his lips brushed my skin. I knew I would never get tired of that feeling.
Turning, I folded my arms around his neck as he continued to tightly hold my waist. “I just love looking at the city at night,” I sighed. “There’s something very magical about Vegas at night. The lights. The people. The possibilities nestled in each casino and each tourist’s heart. I really love it here,” I finished.
Smiling, Chase pulled me closer and slammed his lips against mine. Parting our lips, his tongue invaded my mouth, and I gladly allowed the intrusion. “I love that you love it here. Vegas has become my home and now that you’re here, I never want to leave unless you go with me.”
