Page 82 of Confusing Hearts

In the months I’d known him, I had tried to keep it in check, mostly because I had been so nervous around him, but that had shifted after our mating. I was more comfortable with Chase Westin than I was with anyone else.

I went to put my camera away, but instead I whipped it around in his direction and took a few candid shots before he caught on and started posing for me. He even tore off his shirt and my mouth watered as I eagerly snapped pics of my shirtless mate.

He redressed when I finally put it back in its case.

“Okay, my turn,” he said, pulling out his phone. He grabbed me around the waist and pulled me back towards him and held it out in front of us. I buried my head in his chest and shook my head.

“I hate having my picture taken,” I confessed.

“Too bad. This is happening. I have like two pictures of you. I need more.”

“Why? You see me every day,” I said matter-of-factly.

“Come on, smart-ass. Humor me. Please?”

There was no way I could ever say no to that face. I turned my head towards the phone and smiled for real when I saw the two of us together, his strong arm around me, making me feel so safe, with the beautiful forest and rolling hills in the background as the sun shined down on us, was perfect.

I had chosen a dark purple sweater, jeans and boots to wear for the trip down. The effect the color had on my eyes was stunning. I had always considered Tessa beautiful, gorgeous even, but despite knowing we were identical, I had never quite seen myself that way, until now. Through an artist’s eye, I could appreciate how truly breathtaking the two of us looked together.

“I want a copy of that,” I told him.

My phone dinged and as I went to check it, he leaned down and kissed me. “Already sent. See, that wasn’t so bad, was it?”

I rolled my eyes and gave him another peck on the lips. The sun was just beginning to set, and I knew we still had a long way to go.

“We should hit the road. And you shouldn’t have let me take up so much time,” I scolded, getting back into the car and continued our drive to San Marco.

At some point in the drive, I must have dozed off. I awoke suddenly with Chase’s arm around me as I drooled against his shoulder.

“Hey,” I said sleepily. “How long was I out?”

“A few hours. We’re heading up the mountain now. It’s the final stretch. Won’t be long now.”

“You okay? Do you need me to take over and finish driving?”

“Nah, I’m good. It’s still early.”

“Sorry, I can never stay awake in the car if I’m not behind the wheel.”

He laughed. “Good to know. Are you hungry?” My stomach growled suddenly and we both laughed. “I’ll take that as a yes. I’ll call ahead and let them know we’re almost there so Mom can have some dinner ready.”

“Do they know we’re coming in tonight?”

“Nope,” he said.

“What? You didn’t tell them?”

“Relax, Jenna, it’s not like we need a reservation to go home.”

“You don’t, maybe. I can’t believe you didn’t tell them I was coming.”

“Princess, they know you’re coming. They are excited to meet you. Everything’s going to be fine. I promise.”

His hand now rested on my thigh and he gave it a squeeze that sent a jolt of pleasure cutting through my paranoia. I took a deep breath. I could do this.

As we entered San Marco I felt this strange sort of comfort. The entire place seemed to have that faint scent of Chase. Not Chase, I remembered, but pack. It relaxed me a little, despite my concerns.

We drove through a little town. It was quaint and far smaller than any town I’d ever been in. People were out talking to one another and just hanging around. There was a place called The Crate that seemed to be hopping. Young people were crammed into a cute little ice cream shop. I craned my neck to look, taking it all in.

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