Taking Chances (Taking Chances #1)(53)

“Harper,” he spoke around the lump in his throat, “I will love you for the rest of my life.”

I couldn't turn to look at him, I just kept my eyes on the handle, “You will always be in my heart Chase Grayson.” I walked away then, and didn't look back.





8


I glanced in the rear view mirror and groaned when I saw my reflection. I looked terrible, but at least I actually looked like I had been sick. After a few breaths in and out, I put the ache to the back of my mind and focused on Brandon. He is who I want and who I need. I don't deserve him, but as long as he wants me, I'll be his. I walked to the baggage claim area and after a few minutes of waiting, saw him walking in a crowd of people. My heart tightened and I took off running towards him. I'd been unfaithful, and I was a horrible person, but I was madly in love with this man.

“Babe, I missed you!” I giggled when he immediately swept me up into his arms.

He smiled down at me and kissed my forehead, “God, I missed you too.”

“I'm so glad you're back.”

“How are you feeling sweetheart?”

“Better now that you're here.” I wrapped one hand around his neck and trailed my other fingers across his cheekbone, jaw and lips.

“I'm sorry I wasn't last night.”

“Don't be, it wouldn't have been a fun night for you.” Really. It wouldn't have been.

“Is there anything we need to get you on the way back?”

A time machine so I can go back two weeks. “No, honestly I feel so much better. Must have been one of those twenty four hour things, just take me home.”

I almost sighed in relief when I saw the driveway empty of Chase's truck, I couldn't face him when I walked into Brandon's room. While Brandon took a shower, I dressed in one of his button-up shirts and a pair of boy-cut underwear and climbed onto his bed. I knew it would drive him crazy, and as horrible as I will be for it, I needed to have a steamy session with him to push Chase even farther from my thoughts. Bree was right, this poor guy was going to explode if I didn't take it to the next level soon. But I hadn't been ready before, and damn if I thought I could be ready now. How was I supposed to let him love me and love him back in that way when he thought he was the first person I'd ever been with?

“Aw hell baby.” He groaned as his eyes raked over me.

I faked confusion and hurt as I got off the bed, “Oh, well if you want me to change, I will.”

He picked me up and slammed us onto the bed, pinning my body under his. He kissed me thoroughly and I forced myself not to compare his kisses to Chase's. I emptied my mind and focused on nothing but his lips covering mine, and his hand under the shirt on my waist. His other hand cupped under my left knee and hitched it up around his hip, when his fingers moved back to my borrowed shirt, he stopped and pushed off me. Lifting the shirt up to my waist he ran a hand over my tattoo and smiled as he brought his lips back to mine.

“You like?”

“You have no idea how sexy you are.” He growled against my mouth.

I ran my hands over his head and pressed my chest to his. Bringing my other leg up to his hip as well, he pressed me deeper into the mattress when Bree came into the house shouting my name.

“You have got to be kidding me.” I groaned and slapped a hand over my face.

Brandon chuckled in frustration and jumped off me to cover me with the comforter then went to find a shirt. “I needed to stop anyway.” He smiled and bent down to kiss me, his now gray eyes were still burning.

“HARPER!”

“She's in here Bree.” Adding softly, “You're in trouble.” He left my side with a parting wink.

“Do you have any idea how scared I was? I thought you died!”

I burst into laughter, and laughed even harder when she narrowed her eyes at me. “Really Bree? You thought I died?”

“Well okay, I thought you were in the hospital but you always answer your phone, and no one could get a hold of you. What was I supposed to think?”

“Uh...I didn't feel good, you didn't ever consider that maybe I just fell asleep and had my phone on vibrate?”

“I thought you said it was in the other room.” She deadpanned.

“It was, and it was on vibrate.”

“Oh, well then...No.”

I rolled my eyes at my friend, “I'm sorry I worried you both, and I'm really sorry that you all had to come back a day early.” I shot my eyes over to Brandon, “Well maybe not you.” I teased.

“You should be, and I'm going to kill Chase.” I tensed at his name, “This could have all been avoided if he wasn't off screwing some chick last night.”

Dear Lord my cheeks better not be bright red right now. “Bree, it's not his job to babysit me. You can't be mad at him.”

“Just don't scare me like that again, I love you.”

“Love you too friend.” I reached out to hug her, “And as much as I love you, I really need time with my man.”

She snorted and smacked my arm, “Be good. We brought Chinese home if you guys are hungry.”

Brandon sank to the bed and I crawled onto his lap. “So what would you say to grabbing some food, bringing it back here and just be alone the rest of the night?”