Chapter Fifteen
Later, they layin bed together, content for the moment simply to be with each other. Ella traced her fingers over his chest, as she’d done earlier. Chase had his arm around her, idly stroking the soft skin of her arm, sliding it down to caress her bare hip before moving back up to her arm. She was happy, content in a way she hadn’t been in a long time.
“What did you tell Damaris?”
“The truth. She said she’d talk to Marshall, although it sounded like they both had a good idea of what was going on anyway. Still, I didn’t feel right keeping it from her any longer.”
“The whole truth? How we met? What happened that night?”
“Yes. I’m sorry if you didn’t want me to but I couldn’t keep hiding the truth from her. Your sister and brother have been good to me.” She paused, then added, “Are you upset with me?”
“No. You’re right. Marshall knows, and Damaris probably suspected we were more than friends before you told her.”
“I’m sure she did. Damaris said she and Marshall had a bet going on how long it would take us to get together. When did Marshall know?”
“I told him a while ago. When I was still trying to forget you.”
“Oh. He never acted like he knew.”
“Marshall knows when to keep his mouth shut. We would have had to tell them anyway. Because now that we’ve been together again I’m not giving you up.”
Happiness squeezed her heart again. She still had doubts. To be honest, a lot of doubts. But hearing Chase say he wasn’t giving her up in that sinfully deep voice sent a thrill through her. “I’m glad. Because I don’t want to give you up either.”
He smiled and kissed her. “It’s nice to be on the same page.”
Sobering, she asked, “What if something goes wrong? What if—”
“Why think negatively? What if everything goes right?”
“In my experience that rarely happens.”
“So this will be the first.” He rolled over and settled between her legs, his weight on his arms on either side of her as he looked down. “Only good things.” He kissed her, his tongue sliding over hers in a wicked-sexy dance.
He made love to her then. Slow and sensual, exploring each other as they’d been too impatient to do before. He kissed her breasts, sucked on her nipples until they pebbled into hard points. While he did he slid his hand down to tease her dampness.
“You’re wet for me.”
“I…know,” she said, her back arching, thrusting up to meet him. Every touch was a discovery, every kiss a revelation. He slipped inside her, sank into her slowly, pushed her gently up until she crested and came apart in his arms. He followed soon after, groaning her name as he spilled deep inside her.
Later, he told her, “I meant what I said earlier. There hasn’t been anyone but you since the night we met. I’ll admit I tried but I didn’t want them. I wanted you. Hell, I’ve hardly kissed a woman since I met you.”
“It’s okay if you did. We can be honest with each other. We weren’t involved. We were both free to be with anyone we wanted.” She admitted that hearing him say he only wanted her had made her happy. Especially because she felt the same way.
“Are you trying to tell me something, Ella? Did you—”
“No.” She touched fingers to his cheek and smiled. “I haven’t been with anyone but you. I don’t want anyone else. Only you. I’m just trying to say I’d understand if you had been.”
“I haven’t been and I don’t plan to be.” He frowned and added, “I’m not like your ex, Ella. I don’t cheat.”
“I know. I believe you.” And if she harbored a tiny niggle of doubt about that she’d keep it to herself. She kissed him, snuggled up next to him, and closed her eyes.
*
He missed Ella.He’d been gone nearly a week, hitting one rodeo during the week and the other that weekend. He knew she couldn’t be at every rodeo with him. He’d be lucky if she made one out of three. But the ranch came first; something they both agreed on. Tonight he’d had his best ride since his injury. He wanted to celebrate…with Ella. Instead he had to be content with calling and telling her about it.
“I wish you were here,” he said after they’d discussed the ride and that he’d been in the money, even if it wasn’t a lot.
“I do too but there’s too much to do here for me to leave.”
