Page 3 of Check & Chase
“Sure.” I down the rest of my drink and toss it in the bin.
He takes my hand, leading me through the crowd. I catch Maya’s eye across the room, and she gives me a dramatic thumbs-up.
The dance floor is packed, bodies pressed together. Chase pulls me to him, his hands resting on my hips. I place mine on his shoulders, feeling solid muscle beneath his shirt.
“So, are you a Bears fan?” he asks, lips close to my ear.
I laugh. “Something like that.”
As we dance, I become increasingly aware of his body against mine. His hands are large and warm on my hips, occasionally dipping lower when the crowd pushes us closer. Each time his fingers graze my bare skin, it sends a jolt through me.
It’s been a while since I’ve felt this kind of attraction to someone. Since Tyler, I’ve kept men at arm’s length, focusing on my studies instead. But there’s something about Chase that makes me want to throw caution to the wind.
The music slows slightly, and he pulls me closer, his thigh slipping between mine. The friction sends heat pooling in my belly. I look up at him, finding his eyes already on me, darker now.
“You’re gorgeous, you know that?” he murmurs, one hand sliding up my back.
I should be rolling my eyes at the line, but instead, I’m melting in his arms. “You’re not so bad yourself.”
His smile is slow and dangerous. “Want to get some air?”
I know “get some air” is code for “find a dark corner and make out,” but I nod anyway.
“Lead the way.”
He takes my hand again, leading me through the crowd and down a hallway. We pass several closed doors before finding an empty study. Chase pulls me inside and closes the door, muffling the music.
The room is dim, lit only by moonlight streaming through the windows. He turns to me, and for a moment, we just look at each other.
“Is this okay?” he asks, stepping closer.
I nod.
His hand comes up to cup my cheek, his thumb brushing over my bottom lip. “I’ve been wanting to do this since you walked up to the bar, Blondie.”
The nickname should irritate me, but from his lips, it sends a rush of heat through my body.
Then his mouth is on mine, and holy shit. The man knows how to kiss. His lips are soft but insistent, moving against mine with a confidence that makes my knees weak. I grip his shoulders for balance, pressing against him.
He groans into my mouth, his hands sliding down to my ass and pulling me tighter against him. I can feel how hard he is through his jeans, and it sends a thrill through me.
“Fuck,” he mutters, breaking the kiss to trail his lips down my neck. “You’re amazing.”
I tilt my head, giving him better access. “So are you.”
He nips at my pulse point, then soothes the sting with his tongue. “You’re driving me crazy.”
His words send a fresh wave of heat between my legs. I’m not usually this easy, but something about Chase makes me forget all my rules.
Our lips meet again, hungrier this time. He walks me backward until I hit something solid, then lifts me so I’m sitting. I wrap my legs around his waist, drawing him closer.
“God, look at you,” he breathes, taking in my flushed cheeks and swollen lips. “Fucking gorgeous, Blondie.”
His hands are everywhere—one tangled in my hair, the other cupping my breast. His thumb brushes over my nipple through the thin fabric, making me arch into his touch.
“Is this okay?” he asks against my lips.
“Yes,” I breathe. “Please.”
