Beautifully Awake (11 page)

“Whatever, C, can’t help bustin’ your balls. Hey, speaking of balls, when do I get to crush yours in the ring?” My head snapped up, eying both of them with eyebrows raised. “Oh, what, hobbies haven’t come up yet either, C?”

“What hobby?” I asked, rubbing my hand across his back.

“It’s nothing, Blue, this asshole likes to talk a good game.”

“Bullshit, C. You’re awesome, fucking stupid, but awesome. Lil, you should come watch us sometime.” My curiosity piqued, I shifted my body toward Chase with wide eyes.

“I’m waiting.” I squeezed his hand. “Asher, you tell me, Chase obviously isn’t interested.”

“We box.” Dr. Jealous caved. “It started when we were kids. We used to fight a lot, good-natured fun. We got older and now it’s just a sport and a good workout. If we’re not fighting each other, we usually just hit the bags.”

Something told me this wasn’t just a workout. “Then why are you
fucking stupid
?” I repeated Asher’s choice of words, well, just that part because the awesome part went without saying. Was there anything this man didn’t excel at?

“How many surgeons do you know that fight for a
workout?
” Asher had a point, it sounded a little strange.

“You’re such a fucking pussy, just pissed I kicked your ass last time.” Chase sneered.

“Whatever, I don’t give a shit if you break a hand, then you could run your own goddamn company.”

What company? I was missing the whole conversation.

“Um. I really don’t know much about fighting, are we talking something really aggressive?”

Chase and Asher answered at the same time. Chase: “No.” Asher: “Yes.”

I took a deep breath and tried not to think about all the reasons
boxing
was a really bad idea. “Hmm.” I raised my eyebrows at their contradicting answers. “Just tell me you don’t really hurt each other.”

“Well, I wouldn’t really say that.” Asher shrugged and took a sip of his champagne.

“That’s enough, Ash,” Chase sputtered, glaring in his direction.

“Where do you guys do all this
fighting
?” I questioned.

“A place down on West Fourteenth.” So much for Asher keeping quiet.

“I want to check it out, maybe I can hit a bag for a bit.”

Chase puffed his chest and grounded his teeth together in fury.

“First of all, baby, there is no way in hell I would let you prance around in that gym wearing those tiny ass workout clothes. You nearly gave me a heart attack when I saw you running that day. Every asshole in the place would drool all over himself, wanting what’s mine. Shit.” He banged his hand on the table. “I would definitely have a fucking broken hand.”

I tilted my head and smiled, cringing at his sudden outburst.

“Don’t you smile at me, baby, I’m dead serious. You want to try boxing? You get a private lesson from me.”
Oh boy, Dr. Possessive.

“Damn, Chase, settle down. You’re getting all possessive and shit,” Asher chimed in.

Chase sighed. “You find something you want, Ash, you come talk to me.”

My heart skipped another beat, too many more and an arrhythmia was in my future.

“Fine. I get it, C. You’re head over heels.”

Chase pushed his chair out and stood, completely dismissing Asher’s comments. “Be back in a minute.” And he walked away.

“Wow, Lili, I’ve never seen him like this.”

This was the only Chase I knew. “Like what?” I anticipated Asher’s response.

He leaned back in his chair and wrapped his arms across his chest. “He’s determined.”

“Determined to what?” I questioned, shifting uncomfortably in my chair.

“Win you over.”

“Listen, Asher, this is new to us, it hasn’t been that long and we’re just starting to figure stuff out.”

“Well, want some inside scoop? Chase is anything but an open book. If you think he shares easily, you’re sadly mistaken. You wanna know something, you’re gonna have to pry it out.”

I tried to shake the feeling of discomfort constricting my temples.

“He had a pretty shitty life after…” Asher’s eyes snapped up and he stopped mid-thought. “Anyway, he’s a great guy and he’ll treat you like gold.”

I shoved a loose strand of hair behind my ear, feeling oddly anxious at Asher’s unfinished thought.

“Hope you’re talking nice, prick.” Chase slapped Asher on the back and reclaimed his position next to me.

“Just telling her what a great catch you are.” Asher shot me a sly smile, his green eyes brightened.

“Don’t you have somewhere to be?” Chase interjected. “I’m done sharing and we have a dinner reservation.”

“Okay, ass, I’ll take that as my not-so-subtle cue to get the hell out of here.” Asher laughed. “Let’s split the tab.” He tossed his credit card across the table.

“It’s paid.”

“Damn moneybags, let’s meet for drinks more often.” Asher smiled and stood up.

I glanced at the champagne label, making a mental note to check it out online. I smoothed my dress and joined Chase, standing to say our goodbyes.

“Lili, you’re gorgeous.” I blushed. “Such a pleasure to meet you, hope to see you tomorrow.” He winked and looked toward Chase. “Buddy, as always.” They shook hands. Asher gripped his shoulder.

“See you tomorrow ... now go, asshole, before I change my mind. Oh, and set up a time I can kick your ass. I’ll send you my call schedule next week.”

“Bye, Lili.”

“Bye, Asher.”

He left our table grinning from ear to ear. Chase’s hand found its home on my inner thigh.

“Well, that was fun,” I said.

“Oh, was it? Glad you enjoyed yourself,” he sarcastically clipped.

“What, you didn’t have fun? You and Asher seem to have such a great relationship. It’s really nice to see you interact with a buddy, Chase, or should I say, C.” My lips turned up slightly, only to be rewarded with a soft wet kiss.

O
ur Lincoln town car whisked us the rest of the short uptown ride, stopping directly in front the Museum of Natural History.

“You still hungry?”

“Starved. Is this the museum?”

He nodded and tucked me into his side, rubbing his hand down my arm. “You chilly? You have goosebumps.”

“Not cold, more like
this
is what you do to me.” That got me a very public, very passionate kiss on the museum steps. I smiled into his mouth, swirling my tongue to meet his. A deep throaty groan was my reward. I dove deeper, leaving me breathless.

“I’m gonna eat you if we don’t get inside.”

“Hmmm.”

“Don’t
hmmm
me, let’s go.” Chase dragged me the rest of the way up the steps.

“Are we eating in the museum?”

“You’ll see.”

We pushed through a revolving door to stare up at a giant fossilized dinosaur. My mouth dropped open. I must have looked like the biggest child.

“Dr. Colton, Ms. Porter, would you mind following me through to the Hayden Planetarium?” A gentleman dressed like a waiter ushered us through another set of double doors.

It took me a minute to realize the museum was totally closed. “Oh my god, Chase, you rented the whole museum?”

He snickered.

“Anything for you, let’s eat.” We entered the planetarium to find a small table set for two under a sky full of stars. Tears filled my eyes as my arrhythmia kicked in. Not in my wildest dreams. Ever.

“Chase, oh my, it’s so romantic.”

He pulled my chair out, inviting me to sit down.

“Was going to have sushi sent in, but I saw you eying Asiate’s menu, so I asked
your
waiter friend to set us up with the tasting menu. We get to sample everything with a wine pairing.”

“That sounds wonderful, everything on the menu looked so yummy.” I giggled. “You trying to get me drunk, mister, and take advantage of me?”

“A man can only try.”

Oh god, please try.

Our server brought us our first course. Six courses later, we stared at the most decadent looking chocolate
crémeux
with lemon gelato.

“Yum. I’m stuffed. Everything was delicious.”

“Let’s dance.” The soft background music rose several decibels. I was shocked. Music was such a cause of tension for him. He drew me close and buried his face in my neck. Our bodies clung together, swayed and rocked to the sensual beat. He tangled his hands in my hair and feasted on my mouth. He rotated his strong hips to the music creating an inferno that had me lightheaded and breathing hard.

“This dress, Blue.” He ran his hands down the entire length of my body, palming my ass. He snuggled closer, bending his knees to grind his hips into me a little harder. I moaned. And I thought sucking on my lip was sexy. Absolutely no comparison to his rhythmic grinding. “You look so fucking sexy. Your eyes, baby, like the color of the sky.” At that moment, the tiny white twinkling stars above our heads changed to a field of color. “It’s starting, let’s find a seat.”

“What’s starting?”

“The laser light show, special just for us.”

“With music?” I questioned, still surprised.

“I know how much you love it, baby.”

I smiled softly and rested my head against the back of the seat. The narrow beams of colorful light drawing intricate patterns and images across the sky mesmerized me. The light seemed to dance with the music. Its iridescence was choreographed to melodies ranging from rock to classical, but the final song in all its beauty caught my attention. The words were emotionally poignant. They described my life ... my wall ... Chase.

He repeated a line of Labrinth’s
“
Beneath Your Beautiful” in my ear.

Take what off? See inside where?
My panties were crotchless for a reason or they would have melted off. Crazy hot. I wanted him. I wanted
this.
He proved to me today that he wanted me. But there was so much left unsaid; this man was a walking mystery. I questioned whether I could ever give my whole self over to someone ever again, physically, emotionally, sexually.

“Where are we going?”

He cradled me in his arms, leaving my unanswered questions shoved to the side.

“Somewhere private.” He ducked down a dark hallway, stopping in a tiny alcove. “Out of the view from the surveillance cameras.” A shiver of excitement slid down my back. “I feel those goosebumps baby.” A small red exit sign hanging above illuminated his smile.

“This evening, Chase—it’s been a dream. How’d you plan all this?”

“We’re not in this corner for talking, Blue, we have some unfinished business, and I’m determined to keep up my end of the deal.” His sparkling gaze and heated words furthered the thrill and anticipation of what we were about to do. I tried to calm my heart and slow my breathing, both of which had kicked into overdrive. He placed me down, only to cup my cheeks and dive for my lips. My mouth parted to worship his tongue, drinking his flavors of wine mixed with chocolate. His taste was so scrumptious I couldn’t help but suck and lick, deepening the kiss. His hand reached the hem of my dress and dipped underneath, quickly finding the edge of my thong.

“Hmm, perfect access.”

I giggled at the thought of me standing in such a public place in nothing but my crotchless panties. I gasped at the reality of the situation, reaching fruition, knowing
my boyfriend
and his unrelenting ways. He dragged his fingers through my wetness. I moaned and rolled my hips spontaneously. After nine life-altering orgasms, my body was just as needy and achy as the first time. Holy shit was I addicted.

“Hold this up, baby.” I took the edge of my dress and held it up around my waist. “Damn did I invest well.” He planted a wet kiss right below my navel and languidly trailed wet kisses directly to my sex. He placed my leg over his shoulder and I flashbacked to this morning. The morning felt like ages ago. Time blurred. My mind trailed behind my very responsive body. His tongue brought me to the edge repeatedly, only to ease off. I begged and whimpered for more. I grabbed his hair and attempted to hold him right where I needed him.

“I know, baby ... I know what you want.” He clamped down over the spot I needed him most and pulse after pulse of pure heaven rolled through me. He held tight to my hips, lapping every last drop of my pleasure.

“Chase, oh god, I saw stars.” My legs trembled from the pure force of my orgasm. I clenched his shoulders for support.

“Fitting for the evening.” He chuckled as he found my mouth, giving me a taste of my pleasure. I moaned in spite of myself. “You taste so good.”

“Please, Chase, I need you.” I stroked him through his jeans, egging him on. He urgently undid his pants and pushed them down. I latched onto his hardening erection as he slowly pumped his hips against my hand. The burning need to have him deep inside was excruciating, and I couldn’t wait any longer. I positioned him at my entrance, begging him to fill me. Then I shocked myself: “I’m on the pill.”

“I know, that massive bag of yours couldn’t keep your pill case from rolling around my hardwood floor, but please tell me you are saying this now for a reason.”

“You knew, oh crap ... that was mortifying.”

I rolled my eyes and hung my head, meeting his forehead.

“Can we talk about how fucking adorable you were and how much I wanted you that night later? Truth, Blue, tell me if you’re sure, otherwise, I’ll stop.”

I believed him. I trusted him.

“I’m sure.”

He hoisted me up a little higher on the wall and sank himself into my slick hilt. My tight sensitive sheath clamped down around his warmth. Skin against skin, nothing between us.

“Fuck, you feel amazing, baby. Shit.” He slowly lifted my hips off his length only to thrust back in deeper. My head bumped the concrete wall. I struggled to control my frenzied breath. His mouth found that sensitive spot between my neck and shoulder. His teeth grazed my skin and an erotic growl released from his throat. I lifted my head up and stared into his eyes. They were carnal and wanton, displaying a need so raw. Our chemistry was electric. The sex was on fire.

It was difficult to describe our connection. He continued to pound into me at an accelerated pace. In a matter of seconds, I screamed his name, feeling his warm release deep inside me. It should have caused anxiety, but it actually gave me a crazy sense of security. Chase’s eyes looked calm, peaceful and sated. I collapsed into his chest, wishing he was naked. He wrapped me in a tight hug, caressing my head and kissing my hair. I listened to his rapid heartbeat.

After breaking our connection, he asked, “Did you like the show?”