Page 58 of The Billionaire's Off Chance

Knowing that he loves me too makes the world even better. We both hold our breaths and then kiss – a soft, short one that takes me beyond the confines of my body. My heart is racing but my mind is at peace. The reality of my love sits perfectly with me.

Eric’s delighted voice brings a grin to our lips. “Yaay, you’re in love! “Yes, we are,” confirms Lance. “She’s perfect for me.” “We are perfect for each other,” I chime in, snuggling into him.

Eric stretches a hand out into the open air, waving. He opens his palm and a snow falls into it, melting soon after. The awe of the moment passes, and we begin our descent. The balloon settles on the ground with a sigh as if letting out a breath. I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. We step out onto the crunchy snow, our spirits as light as the air that had carried us. It has begun to snow heavily now, as the night settles fully. We carefully make our way back to the fairgrounds to get to the car. It’s time to go home.

Back at the fair, rather than finding it less crowded, it is full of people, seeming to burst at the seams. Music blares from hidden speakers, and the chatter gets overwhelming. I lift Eric and hold Lance’s hand as he paves our way through the crowd, now pressing in on us.

The crowd suddenly tightens as a scream goes up somewhere close to us. My hand slips from Lance’s grip. The crowd pushes us in a different direction. Eric and I scream as hands and bodies push and pull. I’m disoriented, yet I call out to Lance. With all the bodies blocking my view, I can’t see Lance or tell where he might be.

Panic swells in my chest. Eric clings tight, his hold a bit painful. Pushing with all my might, I make my way blindly through the crowd. I’m able to get away from the choke of the crowd and the stink of bodies pressed in such a tight space. However, I’m in an unfamiliar place.

“Dad? Dad! Where are you?” Eric shouts, panicking, his voice shrill. The louder he gets, the more nervous I feel. His voice is so loud that it almost deafens me. The measure of his need for his father touches me. I feel useless, having lost him in the crowd.

I set him down on a bench nearby, my arms giving way to his weight. Puffing and huffing, I try to calm him. “Shh, don’t shout. Dad is coming. He’s around…somewhere.” I wonder how the fair got this big. I dial Lance’s contact, and it doesn’t go through. Cursing under my breath, I turn to Eric. My heart clenches painfully in my chest. He’s not on the bench.

If I hadn't panicked before, now I find it hard to breathe. “Eric,” I yell, running in the direction of his footsteps in the snow.

The snow and wind get into my eyes, but I push on even when the tears sting them. I trudge through the snow, picturing a bleak future ahead of me. I know my thoughts are dramatic; but in that moment, the snow and cold get to me, making the fair a wasteland. Leaving the secluded area , Eric’s footsteps become larger, like for someone older. A mashup of footprints fills the snow with no sign of Eric’s anymore. He could have strode off to several places. My chest tightens, and my breath sounds harsh.

Lance and Eric…I find it hard to think. Eric must have gone to look for his father, but where? Lance wouldn’t return to the car without us. I don’t know when I did it, but I’m on my knees. The snow falls all over me. The warm clothes I have on feel chilly. I shiver silently and cry softly. I’m such a failure. No, I can’t stay here. I push myself up. I need to find Eric.

I crash into someone. “Oh, I’m sorry., " I stammer, not paying attention. I’m about to push past the person when I recognize Lance’s cologne; moreover, his hand grips my arm to keep me from moving.

“Lance…” I murmur, looking up at him. I notice three things: Eric is in his arms, he has a tender smile and intense caring eyes. Were I not so numb with cold, I would have screamed in joy.

I embrace him, fully sobbing into his chest. Relief and joy war in my chest. I feel his hand on my back, patting me gently. I also feel Eric’s small hand on my head. I never knew I could be so attached. I break the embrace suddenly, feeling shy for crying into his chest. Lance wipes my tears without comment about me losing Eric. He seems strong and impervious, carrying our burdens.

“I’m such a disappointment. Don’t mind my crying. I should have been more helpful,” I say, hurriedly wiping my tears.

“No. I lost you guys. I’m to blame. You didn’t disappoint me, Chasmin.” He sets Eric down. The boy grips his jeans, afraid to lose him. Lance pulls me back into his embrace, wiping the tear tracks on my face with his thumbs. When did he take off his gloves? My attention returns to his gaze. His eyes are bright with need and feelings I can’t describe. I hold my breath, my chest suddenly feeling too small for the swell of emotions in my chest.

“Lance, I…” He shuts me up with a deep warm kiss. The kiss passes on heat to my lips and face. Our breaths steam between us. I melt into his arms like snow under the sun. My body grows warm, and I seem to be floating. His arms around me keep me on my feet.

We end the kiss and I catch my breath. I stare at him with a feverish gaze. “I guess this is our chance encounter, Chasmin. When I lost both of you in the crowd, I almost lost it. Eric found me, searching heedlessly in the snow and brought me to you. That is fate. I don’t want to lose you. I won’t lose you.” He says it like a prayer and a promise.

I press my head to his, sharing the same breath. “I won’t lose you,” I confirm. Eric holds my hand, smiling brightly. “And neither you,” I add. The mirth and emotions create a heady mix that makes me feel light.

We head to the car, the sounds of the fair and the crowd following us till it becomes muted as we draw further away. At the car, Lance puts Eric in the back seat and locks the seat belt. We get into the car and the warmth inside mirrors my feelings at the moment. The journey back home brings us closer, and a thought grows in my heart. I’m falling in love with him! Rather than run for the hills, I want to run into his arms.

Chapter 30

LANCE

Thecookpreparesbreakfastas ordered. I take it to Chasmin, who is still in bed. After we had returned from the fair, she clung tight to me. There seems to be something different about her. Something that is bringing her closer to me. Taking this meal to her is a tender gesture to see her smile. Losing her and Eric at the fair was a huge blow to the walls I had put around my emotions. I was delirious, fearing the worst might happen. Eric appeared like a miracle, leading me to her.

Smiling at that thought, I push the door to our room open. I find Chasmin awake, sitting upright at the edge of the bed. She’s wearing my pajama shirt with her legs crossed. “Good morning, baby. You look radiant this morning,” I say as I draw close to her. Leaning down, I kiss her forehead.

She stretches her arm and wraps her arms around my neck, kissing me. “That’s better. Thanks, baby. What do you have here for me?”

I place the tray with the coffee, toasts, and serving of fruit on the nightstand. “A little meal to start your day. Hold on.” I get a table and bring it to the bedside. I lay out the meal, and she rubs her hands together excitedly.

“Thank you.” She takes a sip of coffee, then a bite of the toast and moans with satisfaction. Her hair is a bit ruffled from her time in bed. My shirt is twice her size, so it falls off one shoulder showing me her beautiful skin, and a peek of her breast. As she eats, I admire the way her tongue darts out, licking her soft pink lips and how she squints as she takes a bite.

She catches me staring, my gaze locked on her chest. “Lance…” she says in a whiny voice; yet she doesn’t pull the shirt up to cover her exposed breasts.

“I’m admiring the sight…or shouldn’t I?” I take a seat beside her, wrapping an arm around her back. My hand rests on her exposed skin. I caress it and her cheek. She smiles, leaning into me.

“I’ve missed this…” she mutters, placing a hand on my chest. She curls her fingers, taking a fistful of my chest hair. Looking into her, she reads the need in my eyes and kisses me.

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