Page 55 of Beneath the Stars (Sugarlake 1)

Jax calls on the way home. Complaining about that producer and his daughter again. I don’t want to make his mood worse by bringing up Chase. So I don’t.

There’s always tomorrow.

25

Chase

“What’s wrong?” Marissa asks, frowning through the screen of my phone.

“Nothing’s wrong. Just tired, it was a long day.”

“How was your first day on that new project?”

Shit. Why’d I have to answer when she FaceTimed? The last thing I want to talk about with Marissa is how my day went. How the fuck am I supposed to tell my girlfriend that my entire world was upended when Goldi came crashing back into it?

I lay on the bed and spew out random words, hoping they sound convincing. “It was good. I think it will be pretty easy, the owner’s already got all the classes shut down. It’s just an empty building, waiting for the reno.”

“That’s nice. Do they have a designer you’re working with? Or should I offer my services?” She giggles. I know she’s joking, but the thought of her being in the same place as Goldi has me feeling sick. “So listen,” she continues, “I got an invitation in the mail today for Sam’s retirement party. Were you ever going to tell me about it?”

“What do you mean, tell you about it? I’ve only been back home for three days, Marissa. The party isn’t until next month.”

“I know. But… Well, do you want me to come?”

Not really. “If you want to,” I sigh. “Listen, can we talk about this later? I’m beat.”

“Okay. I’ll start planning to take that weekend off so I can come down and stay. It will be fun! I’m excited to see where you grew up.”

Nausea fights through the tightness in my throat. I should feel good about my girlfriend coming to visit. I’ve been trying to convince myself that it’s time to really make a go of things with Marissa. She’s been wanting more, and there’s no reason why I shouldn’t try to find happiness. It will be a good thing, having her here. Allow me to make new memories so I can focus on the future. Not fixate on feelings from the past.

I hang up the phone and stare at the ceiling. I hadn’t even thought about Sam’s retirement party. Anna only told me about it yesterday. I had no idea she sent out invitations already. I wonder if Goldi will be there. It’s a small town, and my family has always been close to hers.

To say I was stunned when she walked into the office is putting it mildly. If I ever had any doubt about the strength of our connection, it was put to bed after seeing her again. One look was all it took for my soul to light on fucking fire, and my skin to prickle with the need to feel her against me.

I walk over to the en suite, ridding myself of my clothes. I feel dirty and tired. I’m hoping a shower will help me get some rest. The water runs in rivulets down my chest, and I soap up my body, trying to wash away the desperation that clings to my skin from being around Goldi all damn day.

Fuck, stop thinking about her.

I push her out of my mind, focusing on tomorrow’s to-do list. It wo

rks for a minute. Until I realize that tomorrow will also be spent next to her. I picture how she looked today. Cheeks flushed, eyes wide—her tight as fuck clothes showcasing how well she’s grown into her curves. Blood rushes straight to my cock, making it throb painfully. I groan, trying to ignore it.

I will not jerk myself off to thoughts of her.

My hand is already moving south as I think the words, wrapping around my shaft, sliding up and down once… twice… a third time. Slowly stroking. Teasing myself, as I close my eyes and let Goldi overtake my mind completely.

Fuck, that feels good.

My cock thickens. I start to thrust into my fist, picturing myself ripping the buttons off that cream blouse she was wearing. Feeling the weight of her breasts in my hands. My hips jerk as I think of her body, every inch of her delicious curves pressed up against me. Her vanilla scent invading my senses as I put my leg between hers, feeling her heat as she grinds on my thigh. I imagine her whimpers, eyes half-mast as she gets lost in the pleasure, my name on her lips—and that’s all it takes for me to explode. Euphoria spreads through my body as cum shoots out of my tip, my head thrown back from the force of my orgasm.

I lean my head against the wall, the cool tile calming my racing heart, as I pant from the exertion. Holy fuck. I haven’t come that hard in years.

As the haze lifts, guilt weaves its way through my body. She would fucking hate me—more than she already does—if she knew I was getting off to her in the shower like a fucking pervert. But that doesn’t stop me from doing it all over again in the morning.

I stop at the coffee shop on my way into work. I’m standing in line when a voice interrupts my perusal of the menu.

“I know my eyes must be deceivin’ me, ‘cause there is no way on God’s green Earth that Chase Adams is standin’ here in Sugarlake.”

Fucking, perfect. I spin around. “Hi, Becca. Long time.”

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