Three months later
Becca looked away from the flashes of light and rows of photographers stationed outside the theater all done up in its Christmas glory, and glanced at Chase beside her in the back of the limo. “You ready?”
He quirked an eyebrow at her in amusement, well aware of how much she dreaded big, public events like this, and it was her first public appearance since the scandal had broken back in September. “I was gonna ask you that.” He looked over at her mom, on the seat opposite them. “What about you?”
Sofia exhaled and gathered her wrap more tightly around her shoulders. “Ready as I’ll ever be, I guess.”
“Just stick with us and you’ll be fine,” Becca told her, reaching out to take her hand.
“Oh, I plan to,” she said, casting a nervous glance out the window.
Chase kissed Becca on the top of the head and gave the signal for Ryder to go around and open the door for them. When he did, Chase stepped out first, doing up the button on his tux jacket before reaching in for Sofia.
She looked terrified. He smiled down at her. “It’s my first premier too. We’ll do this together.”
“Don’t you dare leave me,” she warned, gripping his hand tight and stepping out of the vehicle. She was a stunning, older version of Becca in a deep blue, long-sleeved satin gown, her dark hair styled around her shoulders.
“I won’t. And believe me, you look incredible,” he told her, receiving a grateful smile in reply before reaching in to help Becca out.
The cameras were already flashing away behind him. Becca straightened to her full height, her sparkly, body-hugging crimson gown glowing under the lights.
A scream went up from the fans assembled behind the roped-off area bordering the red carpet. She kept hold of his hand as she faced the barrage of camera flashes and waved, gorgeous, confident smile in place.
Chase could only stare at her, awed. It was the first time he’d been at a major event with her when she attended as her professional persona, and seeing her like this was damn impressive. He still couldn’t believe she was his. Couldn’t believe this talented, gorgeous and famous woman had overcome everything she had, or that she’d given her heart to him.
“Becca! Over here!”
“Becca, this way!”
“Becca, I love you!”
She was elegantly stunning as she faced the crowd and the bank of cameras that would have intimidated anyone but a Hollywood A-lister. She might dislike this part of her job and all the attention it brought, but no one would know it by watching her, and after everything that had happened, she was more popular than ever.
Her story had mobilized her fans, and by doing several high-profile interviews about her story, Becca had turned her personal tragedy into a source of strength for her and others that made her a hero. Hollywood had backed her up as well, offering her several high-profile roles. She’d taken a dream job that would begin filming in the UK in the summer.
Damn, he was proud of her. He raised their joined hands to his mouth and kissed the back of hers, his heart squeezing at the secret smile she gave him. Then he offered his arm to her mom, who clutched it, and began the slow stroll up the length of the red carpet.
The flashes and yells continued to the top, where they stopped again for more pictures. Chase went to lead Sofia away, but Becca held fast to his hand, stopping him.
“Stay for a minute,” she told them. “I want you both here with me.”
Her mom shot her a startled look, then straightened her spine and turned to confront the bank of cameras.
And then Chase got it. Bringing her mom and posing for pictures together on the red carpet was far more than a gesture. The gossip and rumor mills had been working overtime the past few months since the story about their background broke. Tonight, Becca was making a clear statement. Not only was she not ashamed of her mother or her past, she was also proud of her and wanted the world to know it.
The three of them stood together for a full minute while the photographers went crazy. Then Chase escorted Sofia the rest of the way up the carpet to wait for Becca. At the top, they stood just inside the doors to the theater to watch her.
“I don’t know how she does it,” Sofia said, shaking her head.
Becca was pure, elegant class out there, giving fans and the media what they wanted. Chase’s chest swelled. “Because she’s strong like her mama.”
Sofia looked up at him, her lips trembling, then her eyes narrowed. “You make me cry and ruin my makeup right now, and I’ll kill you.”
He laughed and hooked an arm around her waist, watching Becca. It was incredible, how their relationship had become even stronger in the wake of the scandal. He admired them both for how they’d dealt with everything. “Here she comes.”
Becca turned away from the cameras and walked toward them. He couldn’t take his eyes off her, that insanely sexy dress hugging every line and curve of her body. And that genuine smile she aimed at him hit him square in the heart.
She paused to greet some people at the door. Movie studio executives, and Patrick, her co-star from the film, then came to join them. She hugged her mom. “You did great. Told you you’d be fine.”
“I’m far from fine, and you promised me chocolate during the movie.” She pressed her cheek to Becca’s. “So proud of you, mi amor. Can we go sit now?”
“Yes.” She beamed up at Chase. “This is the most excited I’ve ever been to attend a premier.”
“Me too.” Warmth flooded him at the way she laughed, easy and free.
It was going to be so cool to see them together on screen, he couldn’t wait. He was stoked to see the finished motorcycle scene with Ryder, and then the fight scene with Becca where he’d stood in for Patrick.
She laughed and took his hand, then they went into the theater. She stopped to greet and talk to several more people, introducing him and her mom. He caught sight of Grant, waving from down the steps. They shook hands and talked for a minute while Becca took her mom around the room to meet other people.
Finally, it was time to start the show. Everyone took their seats. Chase sat between Becca and Sofia, and Ryder appeared out of nowhere to sit beside them.
Excitement swept through Chase as the movie started. Becca appeared in the opening shot, and he couldn’t wipe the grin from his face. This was surreal. His sweetness up on the silver screen, stealing the show.
The movie was fast paced, the tension incredible as the story played out. He nudged Sofia and leaned over to whisper to her. “My big stunt’s coming up.”
She patted his arm and curled her hand around his biceps while he squeezed Becca’s hand, pulse thudding in anticipation.
The scene began and Chase’s heart raced almost as much as it had when he’d been doing the stunt. It looked awesome, and combined with the background music and sound effects… Damn. He couldn’t wait for Bowie and Harper to see it.
The scene ended with the fiery crash and him engulfed in flames. Becca’s mom gasped, her fingers digging into his arm. “Holy,” she breathed.
“I made it though,” he joked in a whisper.
Ryder leaned around her, a grin splitting his face as he held out a fist. Chase bumped it with his own and sat back, proud as hell. He loved his job.
Forty minutes after that, the fight scene with Becca was coming up. He laced her fingers through his and held on when it started, amazed by how real it looked. How good it looked. But he had a whole other level of appreciation for her acting ability now that he knew what she’d been going through during the filming of it.
She leaned into him and rested her head on his shoulder while she watched, her love and trust in him making his chest ache. He wrapped his arm around her and kissed the top of her head, offering her comfort and commending her bravery.
When the movie ended, the entire theater erupted into cheers and applause as the credits began rolling. The lights came on. Becca and the rest of the cast stood and acknowledged the audience, then everyone began to file out and mingle in the foyer.
Chase stood off to the side with Sofia and Ryder while Becca posed for more pictures with various people, then finally escorted her outside. More pictures followed, and this time she stopped to pose with fans, signing autographs under his and Ryder’s watchful eyes, in addition to the other security hired for the event.
Finally, it was back in the limo to drop Sofia off at her hotel on their way to the after party. She was flying out in the morning for Myrtle Beach. They stayed for a few hours, then Chase hustled Becca outside to where Ryder had brought up their SUV.
“How’d it go?” he asked them.
“Good, but I’m happy to be done,” Becca said with a relieved sigh, taking out her long, heavy earrings. “What did you think of your stunt scene? Wasn’t it amazing?”
“Best thing I’ve ever done in my life.”
She shared a look with Chase, but he didn’t say anything. His buddy was obviously still struggling with his private demons, and Chase just hoped he beat them in the end.
Instead of taking the exit to Santa Monica, Ryder kept heading north. “Where are we going?” Becca asked, glancing from him to Chase in confusion.
“Little getaway I’ve booked for us,” Chase answered, tucking her against him.
She blinked up at him. “You did?”
“Yep. Packed a bag for you too.”
She smiled and leaned into him. They’d been living together since he’d come back to LA in October. “I don’t really like surprises, but I think I’ll like this one.”
Sure hope so. He met Ryder’s gaze in the rearview mirror, and nerves danced to life in the pit of his stomach. As far as surprises went, there was a lot riding on this one.
Ryder drove them through the security gates and up the driveway to the private oceanfront house. “Are you kidding me?” Becca breathed, looking around in astonishment.
“Nope.” He reached into the back for their bags while Ryder got out and did a sweep of the house and property. When his friend texted the all clear, Chase escorted Becca inside.
She stopped in the entryway and gasped. “Oh my God, the view…”
Outside the huge, floor-to-ceiling windows in the kitchen and living room, the moon lit up a rippling path over the waves. “Reminds me of home,” he said, setting the bags down and coming up behind her to wrap his arms around her waist.
She leaned into him, tipped her head back to look into his face. “How long do we have here?”
“Two weeks.” Fourteen days and fifteen, heavenly nights, just the two of them. Nobody but her assistant and Ryder knew they were here.
Ryder motioned to him, drawing his gaze. He pointed at the door with his thumb. “I’m just gonna…”
Chase nodded. “Thanks, man.”
“Sure. Text if you uh, need anything.”
“Will do. Have a good time in Crimson Point.” Ryder was going there to spend the Christmas holidays with his cousin.
“You bet.” He shot Chase a clandestine wink on the way out the door.
In the sudden quiet, Becca turned to him, eyes sparkling. “So. What are we going to do now that we’re alone here for the rest of the week?”
Whatever they wanted. But he planned on making sure she relaxed, and on pampering her like crazy, in and out of bed. “There’s a hot tub outside on the patio, overlooking the beach. Feel like taking a soak?”
“I’d love it. Did you happen to pack me a bathing suit?”
“Dammit, I knew I forgot something.”
She smirked. “Uh-huh.”
Opening the sliding door, she stepped outside into the moonlight, a seductive smile playing on her lips as she slid the single strap of her dress off her shoulder and reached back to unzip it. The sparkly fabric slid down her body like water to pool at her feet.
Chase’s mouth went dry, his heart thudding at the sight of her standing beneath the moonlight in nothing but a strapless bra, skimpy lace thong nestled between her cheeks, and killer black heels making her shapely legs look a mile long.
Holding his gaze, she bent over slowly, reached for the strap around her ankle and began unbuckling it. Slowly. Giving him all kinds of time to stare at the incredible view she was offering.
He was beside her in three strides, pulling her close and capturing that sultry red mouth with his own. She melted against him, helped peel off his tux. Naked, they slipped into the water together.
“Oh, you thought of everything,” she said, a smile in her voice when she noticed the fluffy towels laid out beside the tub, along with champagne chilling in a bucket of ice.
“Tried to.” He coiled an arm around her waist and drew her over to straddle his lap, pulling her sleek, naked body to his, her core nestled against his pulsing, erect cock. He groaned, knowing he’d never get tired of touching her. “You have no idea how good you feel.”
“Oh, I dunno, I know exactly how good I feel at this moment.” She leaned down to kiss him, then stopped, looking at something over his shoulder. “What’s this?”
His pulse kicked, his heart drumming in his ears as she picked up the little box wrapped in a red satin ribbon. “It’s for you.”
“Yeah?” A little smile curved her lips as she sat back on his lap, the box in hand. “To celebrate the premier of our first movie together?”
“Open it and find out,” he said, watching her face.
She did, untying the ribbon, then glancing at him briefly before opening the lid. She gasped, her face going slack, eyes shooting to his.
He pulled the platinum, diamond ring from its velvet bed and curled his free hand around her nape. “You’re the love of my life, and I want to spend the rest of it with you.” He stroked his thumb over the side of her neck. “Will you marry me, Becca?”
“Ohhh, Chase.” She threw her arms around his neck, pressed her cheek to his and hugged him tight. “Yes. Yes, I will marry you!”
He closed his eyes and crushed her to his chest, tenderness and relief flooding him. She was his, and would be forever.
Becca eased her grip and leaned back, holding out her left hand impatiently. “Put it on me, quick.”
Grinning, he took her hand and slid the ring onto her finger, the moonlight making it sparkle. “There. Now it’s official.”
“It’s gorgeous. God, I love you so much,” she whispered, her voice catching as she took his face in her hands, her lips finding his. “Wait.” She pulled back again. “Did my mom know you’d planned this?”
“Yeah, I asked her permission a few weeks ago.”
“Ohh.” She teared up, blinking fast. “You’re just incredible.”
“No, you are.”
She grinned, looping her arms around him again. “Okay, we both are.”
Chuckling, Chase pulled her close and claimed her with a searing kiss, as he intended to claim the rest of her. Forever.
—The End—
*Get ready to return to Crimson Point for Ryder’s story in Deadly Valor! *