Page 49 of Body

Chase stops, turns that gorgeous bottom and hangs the towel around his neck. His golden chest is like a beacon calling me home as I crawl over to him. He’s just too delicious to avoid.

“What’s so funny?”

“I was just thinking about how right Carson was last night.” I sit on my knees and place my hands on his big chest, fingers spread out in the shape of a star. His pecs are so square my entire hand fanned out still fits within the cut. His brows draw together. “You are the Hunk of the Year.” I kiss his right pec. He laughs and then moans as I kiss his nipple and swirl my tongue around the small rubbery flesh. His nipples are as sensitive as mine, and I take great pleasure in knowing that I can make him crazy by licking and kissing them.

“No,” he warns but I don’t stop. “You have to get ready.” He cradles my head as I lap at the little piece of skin, flicking it with my tongue lightly. He groans and the towel at his hips starts to shift as his cock hardens. “I took the liberty of checking your texts. Maria said we have to be at the park at 11:00 a.m. and pick up our tickets at Will Call. It’s close to 10:00 now.” He pushes me away by the shoulders and I pout.

“You checked my texts?”

“Yeah, the damn thing was ringing off the hook and beeping nonstop. I knew your friends were trying to get in touch with you but I wanted to let you sleep.” He walks to the closet to get dressed.

The untrusting tinge of my subconscious flares at the blatant disregard for my privacy. Still, I don’t really feel angry but he did access my private information without asking. “I’d prefer if you wake me before checking my phone.” I say toward the closet.

He reenters wearing a pair of distressed dark blue jeans and a tight black t-shirt. The shirt pulls enticingly against his taut chest. Yum! He approaches me and cups my cheek. “I’ll try not to invade your personal space, but I’d rather you not hide anything from me.”

I roll my eyes and remove myself from his grasp. He’s already laid out clothing for me on the chair opposite the bed. Of course he picked the crazy expensive skinny jeans from Gucci and a three quarter sleeved flowing blouse from Chanel. PRADA knee high flat boots are sitting on the floor next to the outfit. They are a buttery tan and truly one of the most beautiful pair of boots I’ve ever laid eyes on. I find the clean bra and panty set he laid on the dresser and quickly get dressed.

It irks me that he’s taken control yet again. I worry that if I allow him too much control of these small things, will he start controlling every area of my life the same way Justin did? By the time I finally escaped him I had nothing. Few friends, no family and nothing to call my own. I need time to think about how to best handle these concerns with Chase without sounding bitchy or ungrateful.

But not today! It is game day and there’s match making to be done. With so little time left to get ready, a ponytail will have to do. I add a touch of makeup and am ready to hit the road in thirty minutes.

Chase has coffee in a to-go thermos and hands me something foil wrapped.

“Bentley takes Sundays off. I made us some bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches for the road.” He cooked for me? A sexy, philanthropic, green, Humanitarian of the Year cooked me breakfast? I’m so screwed. There is no way I’m not going to fall, spill my heart all over this man and lose it all again.

When did he even have time to do this? Did he not sleep? After last night I was gone to the world and could still use a couple more hours. “You made these?”

“Did you think I couldn’t cook?” He brings his hand to his chest, pretending to be wounded.

“I would have bet good money that you couldn’t cook and never spent any time in a kitchen.” I smile and shake my head. He’s pulled one over on me and added to the huge list of amazing reasons why I’m infatuated with him.

He pulls me in for a hug and leans his forehead against mine. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me. But we have plenty of time.” He pecks my lips in a small kiss.

He’s right so I just nod as he continues. “I love to cook, and I reserve it for Sunday because I don’t have the time to do it as much as I’d like,” he admits.

“I love to cook, too. Maybe we should make a meal together this evening?” I suggest. His smile turns into a frown.

“Can’t. After the game, I have to head down to Los Angeles to finalize a deal first thing in the morning. I’m taking the 9:00 p.m. flight out.” He kisses me softly. “But we have today and next weekend to plan a cooking date. How does that sound?” He wants to see me next weekend. That’s a whole five days away and he’s planning to see me. Something inside me bursts with a giddiness I haven’t felt in a long while.

“Heavenly,” I agree. That will give me time to consider the control Chase has had over me this weekend and how easily I relinquished it. Maybe I can come up with a plan for safeguarding myself. Arriving at 11:00 a.m. on the dot, we make our way to the Will Call booth. Chase is irritated that we aren’t early. He believes you should never keep someone waiting. That mentality will give him a heart attack by forty but at least he’s considerate. It’s going to be my job to teach him to slow down and enjoy the things around him. If he doesn’t, he’s going to miss out on something wonderful.

Our seats are dead center of the stands and the second section up from the field, directly behind the batter. “If we were in my box, we’d have a full view of everything,” Chase whispers in my ear. I elbow him. All of my friends are already sitting, talking. Tom and Maria are furthest from us, then Bree and Phillip, then Kat, and Carson. Tom stands and makes his way over.

He’s tall and very broad. Much larger than Chase, which would normally intimidate me but since he’s a cop and he saved Maria all those years ago, I have the opposite feeling in his presence. Tom’s head is completely void of hair. He must shave it regularly to get the cut so close to his skull. He has a Giants jersey on and tight jeans. He is the epitome of a San Francisco detective. The man exudes authority but has the kindest green eyes, though they’re currently hidden behind sunglasses. He stretches his hand out to Chase, “Good to meet you. Chase, is it?”

Chase grips his hand, “Yes. Tom right?” Tom nods. “Hey, these are great seats, thank you for the invite.” Chase is playing nice, and I love him for it.Love? No…well, maybe? Too soon!

“It’s no problem man. Have a seat next to your bro.”

Bree jumps up and makes her way through our friends. Chase takes in all that is Bree. She’s stunning every day but today she’s a knockout. Her long blonde hair flows freely in the wind. Her tan body shimmers in the sunlight against a baby blue tank that matches her eyes. A few inches of her belly is visible, showing a pretty flower dangling from her belly button. Her extremely low rise jeans fit her toned curves to perfection. Gorgeous. “I told you my friends were beautiful,” I whisper to Chase.

“You weren’t kidding.” He grins and I punch his shoulder.

Bree pulls me into a big hug. Then she does the same to Chase. He’s taken aback. “I’m Bree, Gigi’s best friend.”

“All of you are her best friends?” he questions.

“Yeah, but she likes me best!” She laughs.

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