He kissed me softly on my lips, then harder. It was what we both needed, us being together with nothing to break us apart. Well, except the cough that came from behind us as an older couple walked by. The man shook his head and laughed as he grabbed his wife’s hand and they continued up the mountain.
“Wanna finish this hike?” Chase asked me and I looked up the mountain. We were almost to the top and as cheesy as it sounded, that’s where I wanted him to kiss me the most. So many times we had hiked up this monster and each time it felt so triumphant that I just wanted to reach for him and plant a kiss there right on his lips. This time I was going to be able to and that was fueling me to keep going, even though my calves were burning.
“Let’s do it.”
Chase grabbed for my hand and we continued our ascent, stopping at the base of the handrails, grasping on to help us get the rest of the way up. Once we were at the top, a thin cloud lay over the mountain, creating a radiant atmosphere that felt just right. I took a spot on a flat rock and sat down with Chase placing himself behind me and positioning his legs on either side of me, caging me in.
He wrapped his arms around my middle and I leaned back against him, taking in the sights around us. This was the perfection I had been wanting—no, not just wanting, but craving from Chase since the day I met him. And now that I had it, the emotions were getting the better of me.
A tear ran down my face and I tried to nonchalantly wipe it away, but Chase caught the action.
“Hey.” He turned my face toward him, wiping away another tear that slipped away. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Absolutely nothing.” I smiled at him and then kissed him quickly.
“Then why you cryin’, peaches?” Chase’s Southern twang came on strong as the concern filled his throat. His Adam’s apple bobbed and I let my eyes roam over his face, finally getting to take him in as mine. Knowing that if I asked, he would let the scruff on his jawline grow out. That I could lean in to kiss him any time I wanted to.
“Because I’m just so happy.” My voice cracked on the word happy and Chase leaned in to kiss me again. His lips molded against mine and I felt his cock stir against my backside.
“Chase,” I said his name in a whisper.
“Peaches.”
“Come home with me tonight,” I said boldly. I wasn’t ready to let Chase go after we left the mountain today, even if that meant making up an excuse to the girls on why I couldn’t see them. I knew I would get to see him when we got back to work on Monday, but too much time apart had me antsy and right now, Chase was who I wanted to be with.
“As much as I would love to, I promised Jack I would get drinks with him tonight. We hadn’t gotten to see much of each other lately, and with Max spending so much time with Alexa, planning their wedding, and Greg doing whatever he was doing with Lilly, Jack is feeling a little on edge.”
“I understand.” I shook my head because I understood all too well. Alexa had been spending as much time as she could with Max, and who could blame her. You could tell they were madly in love. Lilly, on the other hand, was a conundrum. We could all tell she had feelings for Greg, but neither of them were acting on it, and the frustration of it was coming from all sides. And that meant when I saw them tonight, it was going to be a wild one with pizza and wine.
“But I have a compromise.”
“Hmm?”
“Let’s walk back down the mountain and then I’ll drive you home.” I looked over at where I could see the cable car and understood exactly why Chase had suggested walking back down the mountain. The line filled up the walkway and there was a massive car of tourists jumping off this very minute. They most likely weren’t going to walk down. Especially not the ones in flip-flops and jeans.
“I like the sound of that.”
Chase took my hand and I followed him back down the mountain. We walked next to each other, trying to get to know each other a little more.
I’d learned that Chase wasn’t a fan of sweets, but give him dark chocolate and he was all over it. He preferred pineapple on his pizza and I about threw up in my mouth. I let him know that I was an only pepperoni girl and that when it came to sweets, the sweeter, the better. He let me know that his family still lived in Savannah and that he went at least once a month to see them. I let him know that I typically saw my parents every day, and most nights had dinner over at their house.
We talked on and on, not stopping even when we got to the car. If there was a moment of pause it was only because the other person was trying to figure out an answer to the many questions we were popping out.
Chase had no tattoos, but in college he pierced his nipple on a dare and took it out a week later. I confessed about the clover I had on the back of my ear; Chase admitted to not noticing it, as his attention was elsewhere. I had laughed at him, but deep down, loved the way we were so comfortable together.
It brought me back to this morning when I shot out of bed, completely naked. I had been mortified for maybe a split second, but then I had seen the look in his eyes, and I knew I shouldn’t be ashamed. Chase loved the way I looked, clothed or not, and I had reveled in it.
Chase drove in the direction of my house after leaving the mountain, and I hadn’t realized how close I lived to the mountain until we were pulling into my driveway. I regretted instantly not suggesting we go out for lunch or tried some way to prolong the time Chase and I had together today.
“We’re here,” I said as I looked out the window to my house. I refused to turn around because I knew Chase would be greeted with a solemn look and I didn’t want it to tarnish our amazing day. Our amazing weekend.
“We’ll see each other tomorrow.” I heard him unbuckle his seat belt and open the truck door, but I still sat there.
Chase came around to my side of the car and opened my door, unbuckling my belt and then pulling me from the car and carrying me up to the front door.
“Chase!” I giggled at him and slapped his chest just before he placed my feet on the ground.
“I’ll text you all night. I’ll call you in the morning. I’ll see you when we get to work,” he uttered to me as he took my face in his hands and planted a kiss on my lips.
