Game (Gentry Boys, #3)(78)
“Cut one open. If it’s not bleedin’ in the middle it’s done.”
“Thanks. Sorry. Go back to your pies.”
As I ended the call, Chase walked into the kitchen and peered down at the sizzling meat on the stove.
“Steph, I think these are beyond done. They look kind of like antique hockey pucks.”
“Shit.” I grabbed a steel spatula and tried to lift a hamburger patty from the hot frying pan. I was clumsy and it fell on the kitchen floor. Dolly crept over, sniffed at the charred meat and gave me a disgusted look. “I know,” I grumbled. “Betty Crocker I am not.”
Chase laughed and took the spatula from me, transferring the rest of the hamburger patties to a plate. “Let’s eat,” he said cheerfully.
Truly was over at the boys’ apartment, making use of their larger kitchen in preparation for tomorrow’s Thanksgiving feast. I’d had the bright idea of cooking a romantic dinner for Chase but my limited domestic skills weren’t cooperating.
Chase didn’t seem to mind. He whistled as he filled our glasses with fizzy Dr. Pepper and then gave me a long, admiring look as he settled into his chair and watched me remove Truly’s apron.
“This looks delicious, honey,” he said without a trace of irony.
“Burned hamburgers and scorched fries? Your taste may be lacking, Gentry.”
“No.” His eyes were serious, intense and completely focused on me. “My taste is impeccable, Stephanie.”
I swallowed, feeling a rush of desire shoot through me as I slid into the chair across from him. I knew he wasn’t talking about the food. I also knew how badly he wanted to go straight to the bedroom even though he’d been nothing but sweet and patient this past week. We were still together every night and although I knew it drove Chase nearly crazy to stop at kissing, he never complained once. I wanted him. I wanted him so much. But then the cold hand of shame would interfere and I just couldn’t.
The first few days after the whole video debacle were rough. It seemed people recognized me everywhere I went. They stared and whispered and sometimes shouted things. It was a constant reminder and I was trying not to let it hurt me. All those people only thought they knew the truth. In reality they didn’t know a damn thing. Chase insisted on shadowing me as much as possible and there were indeed far fewer catcalls when he was around. When he couldn’t be there he sent Creed to watch out for me.
“I really don’t need a babysitter,” I’d grumbled to Truly last night night at work as we loaded up drink trays at the bar. Chase was working all evening and Creedence was hunched at a nearby table in Cluck This, glowering at anyone he decided might be trouble.
Truly chuckled. “Don’t even try to stop him, Steph. The Gentry boys are a team and they protect what’s theirs.”
I had rolled my eyes but I snuck a free basket of cheese fries to Creed. The truth was I felt better with him nearby when Chase couldn’t be. If anyone said a thing to me, Creedence was quick to let them know that it would be wiser to keep their opinions quiet.
I was hoping that the four day Thanksgiving break would give things a chance to die down. After that, there were only a few more weeks left in the semester and then the long winter holidays. I thought about my brother Michael a lot. I worried for him and hoped he’d be in touch again. So far he hadn’t.
Chase raised his glass of soda. “Cheers,” he grinned and clicked his glass against mine. Then he went to work trying to force down the substandard meal. Since I wasn’t at all hungry I watched him. Chase Gentry was amazing. He was gorgeous and strong, protective and brilliant, humorous and loving. He could also be stubborn and arrogant, demanding and crude. He wasn’t perfect. He was better than that. He was mine. I loved him. And suddenly I needed to show him how much.
He looked up when I rose from my chair. I stood in front of him for a second, feeling mildly nervous and then crushing that reaction. He pulled his chair back from the table a few inches and waited. I was wearing the same dark green dress I’d worn for him before. I stood in front of him and pulled it slowly down over my body as I’d also done before. Chase didn’t wait any longer. He went to me and put his hands roughly over mine, helping me slide the fabric gradually over my hips. His hands moved all over my skin and I trembled. I looked down and could clearly see the outline of his arousal. I cupped my hand over it and pressed while he inhaled sharply. I kissed him.
“Don’t hold back, Chase. Tonight I want to do everything.”
He pulled his shirt off and threw it down impatiently. “Good, because I’m planning on worshipping every luscious inch of you, baby.”
Chase lifted me so suddenly that I gasped. His mouth found mine and we stayed locked together as he carried me into the bedroom. As soon as he set me down he was everywhere; touching, licking, stroking. I was ready to come just from the pressure of his hands and the tease of his mouth but I wanted him inside me first.
“Now!” I yelled and he was ready. Chase drove himself into me hard and it was exactly what I wanted. I wrapped myself around him and moaned his name while he pumped wildly.
“You’re all I ever want, honey,” he panted.
The rest of the world was gone and there was only him. It was so good I almost couldn’t breathe. My voice was barely a whisper because I was so distracted by the feel of him. “Chase, you’re the only one who does this to me.”