It wasn’t just his words that clung to her—it was his touch, his scent, the way his voice had wrapped around her like a warm tide pulling her under. She closed her eyes, letting the memories settle over her, slow and sweet like honey dripping from a spoon.
She could still feel the ghost of his hands on her waist, the way he had held her like she was something fragile and fierce all at once. The way his thumb had traced slow, reverent circles against her hip, as if memorizing her, grounding himself in her presence.
The way his lips had lingered at her temple before he’d whispered,Not tonight. Not like this.
And the way she had felt those words, deeper than just her skin.
Her breath wavered, her pulse uneven as she turned onto her side, staring at the phone on her nightstand. The screen was dark, but she didn’t need it to see the message forming in her mind.
She bit her lip, reaching for it, fingers hovering over the keyboard.
Was it too much? Too soon?
Would it make her seem needy?
She groaned, pressing the phone to her forehead, exhaling sharply. She hated overthinking. She had spent years pushing her emotions down, keeping them locked behind logic and caution.
But Chase wasn’t someone you guarded yourself against. He was the kind of man you fell for without a parachute, knowing the landing would be worth it.
She couldn’t play games with him. Didn’t want to.
Her fingers found the keys before her brain could catch up, her heart hammering with each word.
Savannah:I know you’re probably asleep, but I just wanted to say—thank you. For tonight. For stopping. For proving you’re not just some guy who wants to add another name to a list. It meant more to me than I can explain. And I can’t stop thinking about you. Sweet dreams, Montgomery.
She hovered over the send button, hesitating for a single, breathless second before pressing it.
The moment it was sent, she let the phone fall to her chest, staring at the ceiling, her nerves tangled with something warm and unfamiliar.
This wasn’t just about attraction. This wasn’t just about chemistry.
This wasn’t just about the way he kissed her like he had waited a lifetime to do it.
This wasmore.
And for the first time, she let herself feel it.
Let herself want it.
Maybe this wasn’t just about wanting Chase.
Maybe she was already falling for him.
Her phone vibrated, the sound slicing through the quiet.
Her breath hitched as she grabbed it, her pulse a drumbeat against her ribs.
Chase:I wasn’t asleep.
Her stomach flipped, her fingers tightening around the phone.
Chase:I’ve been lying here, thinking about you. Thinking about how hard it was to walk away tonight. How I almost didn’t.
Her heart stuttered.
Chase:You deserve more, Savannah. You deserve every damn thing this could be. And I’m going to prove it to you.
Savannah swallowed, her body burning from just the words.
