Page 13 of Cross Checks

Chase slowly took me through every step. When he was close, and he dug his fingertips into my scalp just before a second orgasm swept through, I thought I might explode.

After, we slipped beneath the sheets. I raised myself on an elbow and stared into Chase’s eyes.

“Can you believe we did this?” I asked.

“Honestly, this is a little more than I expected,” he breathed, “but I wouldn’t change a thing.”

“Neither would I. It’s crazy how life can be full of such wild surprises.”

“Agreed, but sometimes they’re the surprises we need.”

We lay there in comfortable silence for a few minutes. I pushed up close and rested my head on Chase’s chest. His steady heartbeat thumped in my ear.

“I guess I should go, but I don’t want to,” he finally said.

“Then don’t.”

“Yeah?”

I tapped his chest. “Yeah. I’ve got everything you need here. Unless you’ve got a dog that needs to go out, there’s no need to go.”

“I have fish,” he chuckled. “They got plenty of food before I left and aren’t expecting anything until morning.”

“There you go. Stay here with me.”

* * *

When the first morning light arrived, I blinked awake and instantly became aware of the warm, muscular body beside me. Memories of the night before rushed back, and I was thrilled that it hadn’t been a dream.

For a few minutes, I lay on my back and stared at the ceiling with the goofiest of smiles on my face. I didn’t only have a man in my bed for the first time; I’d snagged one of the best options in town.

When Chase stirred beside me, I whispered, “Morning,” my voice still husky from just waking.

He rolled over and blinked at me with an adorable smile.

“Hey, sleep well?”

“Like a rock. You?”

“Best sleep I’ve had in ages. I don’t know whether it’s the bed or you.”

Chase pushed up to sitting and stretched his arms over his head, showing off his lean, muscular frame.

“I guess you do make an awesome heating pad.”

“Is that all I am to you?” I teased. “A glorified electric blanket?”

He laughed. “Of course not. You’re also great at kissing, among other things.”

“Other things,” I repeated and chuckled.

After a brief pause, Chase added, “Last night was incredible. Thank you.”

“Thank you,” I echoed. “For everything.”

A few minutes later, we reluctantly left the comforts of the bed to start our Sunday morning. “Would you like me to cook breakfast?” Chase asked as we padded into the kitchen. “It’s the least I can do after your awesome dinner.”

“Okay, I don’t want to deny you the satisfaction. If you need anything you can’t find, let me know.”

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