Page 86 of Beneath the Stars (Sugarlake 1)

I raise my face to his as I shake my head no. He steps in closer, the tips of his shoes brushing against the closed toes of my pumps, his chest grazing against me with every inhale.

“So you’ve had enough time to think?” he rasps.

My mouth dries as the energy crackles between us. My insides are on fire, the heat between my legs threatening to consume me, and I’m tempted to climb him like a tree right here in this office. Anything to alleviate this ache.

There’s a knock on the door and we jump apart. Dang. What is it with people interruptin’ us?

“It’s open,” I holler.

Jack opens the door and peeks his head in. “Boss? You got a minute? We could use an extra set of hands, Matt just went home sick for the day.”

Chase clears his throat. “Yep, I’ll be right out. Just finishing up with Alina.”

Jack nods and leaves the door open as he walks away.

Chase is undeterred, stepping back into me as soon as Jack’s gone.

My hands fly to his chest, fingers caressing the defined muscles before I can stop myself. “Can we talk tonight?”

“We can do anything you want, baby.”

Baby. My heart dances inside my chest, and I can’t stop the way my lips curl up. “Good. I’ll see you tonight, then.”

His dimples come out to play as he gives me a blinding smile. His rough hand reaches up and cups my cheek causing a shiver to race down my spine. A kiss brushes against my skin, so close to my lips I can taste him. Heat flares from my cheeks down to my toes.

“I’ll see you tonight,” he whispers.

He doesn’t wait for a response, just brushes by me and closes the door on his way out.

I’m nervous the rest of the day. Like, hands sweating, knees knocking, body buzzing, nervous. I feel like I’m a teenager again, about to leap into something I know nobody will approve of. Chase and I still have some things to work through—I know that. Hurts like what he caused don’t go away overnight. But I can’t keep holding the sins of a boy against the soul of the man.

He beat me to Daddy’s, like usual. I see his truck as I pull in behind it. Laughter filters through the front door and I smile, happiness spreading through my veins at the thought that Daddy has someone to talk to. It just further cements the fact that moving forward with Chase is the right choice. I want him here. With us. With me.

I walk into the kitchen and stumble over my feet when I realize the laugh didn’t come from Chase.

It came from Eli.

I’m frozen in the doorway taking in the scene. Chase is at the stove, sautéing something in a pan while Eli and Daddy sit at the kitchen table. There’s a beer in front of both of them and a pretty strawberry-blonde thing sitting next to Eli. They haven’t realized I’m here, and I take the moment to soak in my long-lost brother. It’s been a long time.

He’s always been a fit guy—basketball keeps you in peak physical condition, but the last time I saw him was eight years ago. He’s grown up. There’s a twist in my heart knowing I didn’t get to experience his transition into adulthood.

He looks relaxed. His legs are stretched out in front of him, so long they touch the other side of the table. His hair—the same honey-blond shade as mine—is longer than he used to keep it. If it wasn’t for his slicked-back city style, I imagine pieces would be flopping on his forehead.

Eli’s eyes are still crinkled from laughter when he sees me in the doorway. “Baby sis! About time you got here. Pops and I were about to start in on all of your embarrassing stories.”

“Eli.” I glance over at Chase. His back is to me since he’s at the stove, but he twists around and winks. Clearly, he’s the one cooking dinner. For all of us. This is… strange.

I fall into the closest chair at the table. “I thought y’all weren’t gettin’ here until Friday.”

“We decided to come early. Not excited to see me?” Eli chuckles. Like it’s funny he just showed up. Like it’s no big deal he’s able to sit down and laugh with Daddy like nothing’s changed. My nails dig into the tops of my thighs as the resentment builds.

“Just surprised is all.” I nod my head toward who I’m assuming is his fiancée. “Big city life make you forget your manners, Eli? You plannin’ on makin’ any introductions?”

Eli’s smile drops. The blonde reaches across him, sticking her hand out. “I’ve heard a lot about you, Alina. I’m Sarah, this big guy’s wom

an.” She jerks her elbow into his chest with her words.

I take her hand, smiling at her easy-going nature. She seems nice. “Pleasure’s all mine, Sarah. It’s nice to finally put a face to the name. Welcome to Sugarlake.”

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