Page 35 of My First Mistake
“And this rehearsal dinner went so fucking well, I’m kind of scared that all the fuckups will happen tomorrow now.” Brax lets out an anxious laugh.
“They absolutely will not,” I assure him. “Dinner went well because why would it not? Tomorrow is going to be just as perfect.”
Brax loosens his tie. “So long as Samuel doesn’t berate me in the middle of our first dance for missing my steps.”
Eva snickers.
“Don’t worry, Chase and I will keep an eye on him for you.”
“Did I hear my name being taken in vain?” He sits beside me.
“We were talking about how great today was and how tomorrow is going to be even better,” I tell him.
He nods, smiling at his two best friends, who are now looking at each other in that way that makes me want to hurl. Mere seconds later, they excuse themselves and head back to their cabin, having announced they will absolutely not be following the tradition of spending the night before their wedding apart. Can’t say I blame them to be honest.
“You want to head back too, Firefly?”
“Yes. I need a bourbon.”
Chase stands and then he takes my hand, helping me up from my seat. I don’t think I’ll ever not react to the touch of his skin on mine, like electricity sizzling through my veins. When he lets go, I feel the loss of his warmth so acutely that it’s almost like a physical hurt. I wonder if I’m just letting Eva’s fantasy make me feel melancholy, but the truth is, it’s a fantasy I’ve had many times myself.
We drove backto the cabin in silence and as soon as we arrived, Chase jumped out of the car and came to open my door, once again taking my hand and helping me up. And I get that same feeling I always do, but this time he doesn’t let go, his fingers clasped tightly around mine.
He’s still holding on when we get inside and he closes the door.
“Thank you for your help today, by the way. And dinner was fun.”
“I would do anything for you, Addie. And yes, dinner was fun. Mostly because you were there. Actually, I just really enjoy spending any time with you.” His voice is thick with emotion.
“Me too,” I whisper.
We move closer, and once again I find myself standing like this with him—staring into his blue eyes, our bodies so close together I can feel the heat from him through our clothes. His gaze rakes over me, a subtle caress on my skin that sends a shiver of excitement skittering up my spine.
He dips his head and his lips brush so softly over mine that I hardly feel them, yet somehow, I experience that barely-there kiss more deeply than I’ve felt anything in a very long time.
“Fuck, Addie,” he groans.
It would be so easy to give into this and let him make me feel the kind of pleasure I know only he is capable of. But he can cause me pain like nobody else can too, and even if I trust he wouldn’t hurt me on purpose this time, I have no idea how I’d feel tomorrow morning in the cold light of day. What if I make another huge mistake?
It takes a gargantuan feat of willpower, but I pull away from him. “We can’t do this, Chase. And especially not the day before Brax and Eva’s wedding. What if we mess something up for them? I would never forgive myself.”
He sighs, but it’s one born of realization. “I know, Firefly. Me too.”
I stare at the tiny couch he’s been sleeping on this week and feel a pang of guilt. “You still don’t have to sleep on that couch tonight though.”
“Addie!” He says my name like it pains him.
“Look, you need to be at your best tomorrow, right? That couch is way too small for you. We can share a bed without mounting each other, can’t we? We’re not animals.”
He tilts his head to the side, like he’s considering that and I nudge him in the arm. “We can even put a wall of pillows between us if you think that would help?”
He laughs. “You’re sure you can sleep next to me and resistmountingme?”
No, I am absolutely not sure. “I think I can handle it,” I tell him instead.
Chapter 20
Chase
