Page 20 of Beneath the Stars (Sugarlake 1)

“Then what’s it like?”

“Listen, I like Reed. I truly do, and in a perfect world where my head rules my heart and not the other way around, he’d be the best choice for me. But Chase is my person, Becca. If he’s willin’ to give us a chance, I have to see where it leads. I’ll regret it for the rest of my life, otherwise.”

“Look, all I’m sayin’ is this thing with Chase—it has heartbreak written all over it, sister. I’ve watched you pine for years while he tore you up, and I’m supposed to, what? Just forget all that, and suddenly be okay with this? No,” she shakes her head, “I don’t think I can.”

“I’m not askin’ you to. Honestly, Becca, it’s not your choice. I’ve wanted Chase to be mine for as long as I can remember. I don’t think I’ll ever feel for anyone a fraction of the way I feel for him. He’s it for me.”

“He has issues, Alina.”

“Who doesn’t?”

She rolls her eyes and I snap. “Rebecca Jean, you’re my best friend, but I swear to all that’s holy if you don’t get off your high horse, and at least pretend to be supportive, I’ll kick your butt straight out that door.” I point toward the front entry, disappointment coloring my insides because she can’t see how happy I am. “I’m not gonna sit here and justify my actions to you. Just ‘cause you have issues with commitment, doesn’t mean everyone else has to.”

She scoffs. “I don’t have issues with commitment. I just don’t do commitment. There’s a difference, honey. The church has me trapped enough.” She wrinkles her nose, placing a hand on my arm. “Look, I’m sorry, Lee. I just worry. But if you’re happy, I’m happy.”

I blow out a breath, “Thank you.”

“So… what was it like? And don’t leave out the details.” She wiggles her eyebrows. “I’ll just pretend when you talk about Chase’s dick that it’s Brad Pitt’s.”

I grab a throw pillow from beside me and toss it at her, laughing.

The doorbell rings. I get up to answer. Becca follows, saying she needs to get going before her folks send out a search party. I open the door and find Chase, one arm raised along the frame, his body towering over mine.

“Hey.” His grin is wide, those dang dimples on full display.

“Hi.” My stomach flutters, lips curling.

He doesn’t move to step inside, and I don’t move to let him. We just stand in the doorway, smiling wi

de, locked in the others’ gaze.

Becca chuckles. “Good God Almighty, y’all make me sick.”

We ignore her.

“Okay, okay, I can take a hint. Lee, call me later, babe.” She squeezes past Chase, waving her hand behind her as she walks down the drive.

I mumble a goodbye, my eyes never straying from Chase.

He finally moves, his hand reaching out to lightly push my stomach, walking me back until I’m pressed against the wall. My heart dances so wild in my chest I’m afraid I’ll pass out. He wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me into his body, my breasts grazing his chest. My nipples harden at the contact, and a pulse of arousal shoots through me. He leans down and takes my lips in a kiss, different from the ones last night—sweeter. Still, when his tongue teases my mouth, my body vibrates with want.

He pulls away before coming back for a quick peck. Once… twice. “I’ve been thinking of your lips all damn day,” he growls, leaning in like he can’t stay away.

I think I might burst from happiness.

My arms wrap around his neck, pulling him down so I can deepen the kiss. He groans, his arm tightening around my waist as he lifts me. His hips push into mine, and I feel the outline of him through his jeans, hard and thick. I moan into his mouth, the ache sharpening between my legs. I think I might die if he doesn’t get inside me, but my head stops me from losing myself completely. I’m not ready for that. Not yet. Not until I know he won’t push me away again.

I pull back, his lips following mine in protest.

“Chase, we gotta stop. I don’t wanna be here when Mama and Daddy come home.”

He grips his hair, stepping back. “Shit, okay. We can go to my place to chill. Sam took Anna to work with him today, they’ll be gone awhile.”

“What about Lily?” My stomach knots thinking of what her reaction will be to Chase and me. Like everyone else, she assumes we grew apart as we got older, not realizing her brother was busy tangling up my soul with his.

He shrugs. “What about her?”

“I mean… is she home?”

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